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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2005-07-25

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) Let 'Er Rip: Converting Files To MP3s

Some time ago, a reader wrote in with a problem: He was having a heck of a time trying to process audio files and burn them to CD (see http://langa.com /newsletters/2005/2005-01-24.htm#1 ). He's not alone. With the explosion in interest in tiny MP3 players, lots of people are converting CDs, tapes, and other music sources to the compact MP3 format to bring with them for use at home, on trips, at work, and elsewhere.

What's more, many of the tiny “memory stick” type of MP3 players also feature minuscule condenser microphones and built-in audio compression so that you can record a huge amount of speech on the device--- phone calls, training sessions, roundtable discussions, even all-day meetings can fit on a little $100 stick-type player! But what do you do with the files once they're recorded?

Spurred by the reader's original problem, I asked your fellow readers to suggest tried-and-true, known-good tools for converting, ripping and burning audio files. By the time the dust settled, I'd gotten well over 1,000 replies; far more than I'd ever anticipated. Thanks to all who sent in suggestions!

Over the last few months, I've read all the E-mails, and selected a representative sampling of the top four-dozen products mentioned; they're posted in a new article that's available now (free, as always!) at
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=166401664 . The reader notes included there are categorized by product, and are listed in the order in which the E-mails arrived. Of course, many products were suggested by many different readers; I've included a variety of notes in the more popular categories to suggest the relative volume of E-mails received. I've also included multiple notes about the same product when different notes contain different tips, different slants on using a given product, or additional information that seemed worth including.

Many letters also mentioned more than one product or program; in these cases, the reader letters are categorized by whatever software was listed first, or was given primary emphasis in the original note.

Best of all, none of this information comes from artificial tests or marketing department hype, but instead derives solely from your fellow readers' first-hand, real-life experiences!

It's a treasure-trove of real-world information on MP3s. Come check it out at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=166401664 !

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2) Alternate Start Menu Display

Fred, I refer to Rajeev Rohatgi's "Find And Run Robot" in http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-06-27.htm#8 , specifically, "... Start/Programs directory would run into several columns beyond the right edge of my monitor screen."
 
We can easily modify that in "Taskbar Properties" invoked by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Properties". Click "Start Menu", then "Customize...", then, "Advanced". In the "Start menu items" dialog column, tick "Scroll Programs". Hope this helps. Warm regards, Andrew

Thanks, Andrew. You also can get to the same setting by opening the Start Menu and right clicking on an empty spot in its background, and then selecting "Properties," plus the other steps listed above.

This useful tip really solves a different problem, though. If you have hundreds and hundreds of menu items, endless scrolling can still be as much of a hassle as having the fly-out menus disappear off-screen. <g> Thus the "Find And Run Robot" can still be useful, regardless of the menu style you choose.

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3) "Apricorn" Disk Mirroring

Dear Fred, I have been a subscriber even before there was a ridiculously small fee for the Plus! edition, and your columns have been the single most important source of practical computer information, converting me from a raw newbie to the IT person in my home (2 desktops, 2 laptops, all running smoothly, thanks in no small part to my education at Langa U.).

I have tried many back-up systems over the years, and after I thought that I had settled on a fool-proof system consisting of an external Maxtor HDD and Dantz Retrospect, I had the misfortune of a hard drive failure on my desktop, followed by virtual simultaneous failure of the Maxtor.  Aside from the improbable odds of having two hard drives fail essentially simultaneously, I decided that there must be a better way.  After some investigation, I happened on the Apricorn web site ( http://www.apricorn.com/ ) and its  EZ-BUS-DT-KIT, which includes a suite of impeccable software to either clone a source hard drive, or copy a compressed image of a source hard drive.  I simply purchased a hard drive of the same capacity as my desktop hard drive, inserted the new drive into the EZ-BUS-DT (very easy), loaded the clone software on my desktop, plugged the EZ-BUS-DT into my USB 2.0 port, and in literally 20 minutes copied a clone of my desktop hard drive onto the new hard drive in the EZ-BUS-DT.  This arrangement allows me to put the cloned hard drive in a safe place, knowing that my original configuration is preserved.  (Of course, the EZ-BUS-DT can remain connected to the desktop, and a second new hard drive inserted in it to use as a periodic backup, the first hard drive retaining the original configuration of the computer.)  With the  EZ-BUS-DT-KIT selling for $49.00 and Western Digital Caviar 120gb hard drives selling for $40-50 (on sale), the cost of this back-up solution is ridiculously small compared to the cost in time, money and effort to salvage a corrupted hard drive or recover the data on a dead one.

And this system proved itself within the first six months after I purchased the EZ-BUS-DT KIT, when my desktop became infected with a virus that I could not remove, even with some of the best anti-virus software.  I simply substituted my cloned hard drive in my desktop, and I was up and running in a matter of minutes (minus the data and software that I had installed in the time between making the clone and the virus attack.)  I then reversed the cloning thereby making my original hard drive the clone to be put away for the next disaster.  This may seem cumbersome, but having experienced its value, I think that it is the best safeguard against catastrophic failure.  I have now created clones for each of my desktops and laptops, and I never worry about losing everything.

Sincerely, Jules P. Kirsch

Thanks, Jules. This is a kind of hardware-based "mirroring" of a hard drive, and it can work fine, with some major caveats. First, as you found, any problems that take out one hard drive can take out another--- electrical spike, virus, or even problems like fire, flood, or theft that damage, destroy, or cause loss of the whole PC. In these and many other scenarios, you can simultaneously lose both your main system *and* your backup due to the same, or consequential, problems--- leaving you with nothing.

That's one of the reasons why I think mirroring really only is safe if you also have a backup safely tucked away someplace else, ideally not in the same location. (You say "This arrangement allows me to put the cloned hard drive in a safe place..." so it sounds like you're already doing this.) This way, if bad turns to worse, you'll still have a backup stored safely, far away, even if your entire "live" hardware setup is toast.

I do this with my backups by periodically removing the backups (on CD and DVD) to an inexpensive fireproof, climate-controlled storage locker I've rented some distance from my home. And, as Jules suggests, you can do the same with an external drive: You could, for example, put the drive back in its packaging, and store it in a similarly safe, off-site location.

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--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---

"Hi Fred... As an instructor at a 1000+ member
computer club here in the Phoenix area, I have been regularly
recommending your website to my students who want to get past the basics
of computing. I really feel your easy to understand approach to
explaining sometime complex issues is wonderful and really valuable in a
world full of soundbites and assumed knowledge of current technology.
For $1 a month you probably have the best value in this space, and I for
one am extremely glad I found out about you. Sincerely, Dan Spedale"

Thanks, Dan!

Plus Edition subscribers not only get about 40% extra content and no
advertising, but also can get their extended-length issues in any of
four formats--- HTML (easiest on the eyes); plain text (universally
compatible); digest (just the facts, ma'am); and the specially formatted
"Notify" edition, designed to get past overeager spam filters. And all
the Plus! editions are sent out before the Standard Edition even starts
to mail, so Plus! readers see everything first!

And it's all only around $1 a month!

Get all the details:
http://langa.com/plus.htm

--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------

4) "ICS" And Connection-Sharing For Security

Hey Fred, I give up! The battle against all the bad stuff associated with using the internet has gotten the best of me. I've spent the better part of the last week trying to get rid of a virus and assorted performance draining spyware. Thankfully, I've heeded your backup advice and haven't had the burden of resurrecting lost data!
 
What I'd like to do as my ultimate prevention is to put a "front end" or "gateway" computer as my access point to the internet. This would allow me to centralize, or concentrate, my security investment (time and money) on a single point. I have a small four node home network, one of which is a wireless notebook. Additionally, I'd like to use this machine as a backup point or file server.
 
My questions are: what CPU (Intel or AMD; P4, Celeron, Duron, etc.); clock speed; memory; OS; etc. should I consider. Nothing fancy; just want to have access to the wonderful world of the internet without all the unsolicited junk.
 
I recall seeing an article in PC World several years ago (May, 2003, "New Tricks for an Old PC") which spelled out using a relatively basic CPU for these task. The problem is that the article did not say what was required when combining network file sharing with an internet connection sharing point.
 
I don't have any old CPU lying around so will buy new and don't want to either under or over buy. I do have some unused hardware lying around (case, power supply, network cards, etc.) and probably can get by with buying a CPU, motherboard and memory at this point. What do you suggest?
 
Thanks, Frank Eichman

Setting up a PC as a connecting-sharing device or server is actually very simple and does help improve the security of the PCs that connect through it because only the sharing or gateway PC is actually directly online: If someone wants to hack into a PC "behind" the connection-sharing system, there's an extra layer for them to get through.

Connection-sharing is a lightweight task, so even old, underpowered PCs, or the cheapest possible new PCs, are usually fine for the job. In the PC food-chain here in my office, where older systems get demoted to less and less demanding tasks as new PCs take their place on the desktops, my oldest, slowest systems often end their service as connection-sharing devices.

Right now, it's something a bit different: My office connection-sharing PC is a small-brand, generic system I bought several years ago for $200 as part of some research I was doing on low-end PCs. (See http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030206S0014 ) The PC has one of those "all-in-one" motherboards, so the unit is very small, and has one tiny, quiet cooling fan. I have the PC connected to a cast-off small-screen monitor, and it sits over in a corner, quietly whirring to itself; it requires almost no attention. It's way too underpowered for serious use as a desktop PC now, but it doesn't even break a sweat as a connection-sharer.

I use an old copy of Sygate connection sharing, but Windows has had "ICS" (internet connection sharing) built in for some time. ICS is OK, and very simple to use. (See http://www.google.com/search?q=windows+internet+connection+share  and http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?&query=internet+connection+sharing ) One of the benefits of ICS is that any PC that can run any ICS-equipped version of Windows is automatically known to be able to handle the load for sharing an internet connection. Plus, you can set up the PC to self-maintain so it can be---more or less--- a set-and-forget thing. (See http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15600170 )

Linux also offers many connection-sharing options, and some of those are incredibly lightweight--- some even fit on a single floppy! The benefits here are that even older, slower, underpowered hardware may still work fine with Linux, and it's free or low-cost. But the flipside is that it's usually somewhat harder to set up than with Windows, and "set and forget" isn't yet as far along in the Linux world. Still: http://www.google.com/search?q=linux+internet+connection+share

In any case, to answer your question: Buy or build *any* cheap PC, with a minimal amount of RAM (whatever is recommended as a minimum for the OS) and a modest hard drive, and you'll most likely be fine for the light-duties you intend.

But note: Even with a connection-sharing PC, you will still need "endpoint security" on every PC on your local network. A connection-sharing PC (or similar devices such as a router) can certainly increase the security of your setup, but cannot provide full, adequate security in itself. In other words, connection-sharing devices and software add an *extra* layer of defense, but that one layer isn't enough to rely on as the *sole* defense (although some manufacturers will try to convince you otherwise). You still need to manage the security of the desktop systems one by one. See "How Much Protection Is Enough?"  http://www.informationweek.com/840/langa.htm for a fuller discussion.

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5) More IR Troubleshooting Tricks

TV clickers and similar remote-control devices usually use infrared (IR) light to communicate with the device they're controlling. In "Checking Your Infra-Red Emitters" ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-06-20.htm#9 ) we talked about using a digital cam to view the output of IR remote control devices to see if they're working OK. Here's another way:

Fred, There was a short piece in OnSat (a satellite TV guide) a few weeks ago about a simple way to check IR remote controls.  Tune an AM radio to anywhere between 530 and 540, point your remote at it and it makes a noise when you push any of the buttons, IF they are working.  I tried it and it worked for me. ---Mike

Hmmm; interesting. Infrared and radio are part of the same electromagnetic phenomenon, but they're some distance apart in the frequency spectrum. Visible light, which occupies a tiny slice of that same continuous spectrum, actually is closer to infrared than is radio. (See http://www.google.com/search?q=electromagnetic+spectrum )

But AM radio frequencies are in the range of a "harmonic" (or even multiple) of typical IR frequencies, so perhaps that's what the radio is picking up. Alternatively, the emitter's electronics may generate a bit of radio-frequency noise on their own.

It's interesting in its own right, but all this is also an example of how electronic devices can produce "spillover" effects that may interfere with other devices, sometimes in quite unexpected ways!

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6) Recommend This Newsletter And Win!

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a friend would find it useful too! Just use the following link to recommend the LangaList---your friend may find a new source of useful information and you just may win one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full year.)

Check out the details at http://langa.com/recommend.htm . Thanks for recommending the LangaList--- and good luck!

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7) Giving Others Your Older Hardware

Item #4, above, discusses one use for older hardware. But sometimes, you may find yourself with still-working, perfectly-good hardware you no longer have a use for. What then?

Fred, After I retired from my full time career, I went into part time business locally doing computer repairs. (My website "loaded the code" and took a giant amount of hits right afterward, btw!) So I know you reach a lot of great folks.
 
I also know very well your feelings toward "giving back" to others ( http://langa.com/plus2.htm#kids) . It has been a credo of mine as well. In January, I became aware of a new organization located right here in my home town that is doing just that. I volunteer my time for one or two days a week refurbishing computers donated by organizations and individuals. It is small right now, but growing each day. As the word gets out, donations of money, and, more importantly, computers will increase.
 
The latest article is in the Hartford Courant. Next week we will be getting airtime as one of our local Fox61 anchors will be interviewing the director, Bill Barnes.
 
If you get a chance, look at the website at: http://www.geeksforgivers.org .
 
Thanks, Frank Caruso ( http://www.computechrx.com )

Nice, Frank! There are several organizations that accept usable, working PCs with life left in them (not junkers!) and turn them around for use by schools, nonprofits, the disabled or needy, and so on. It's a good thing, and can help enrich the lives of the less fortunate. It's also far, far better than simply tossing perfectly good hardware into the trash, which does no one any good.

In addition to Frank's site, see also
http://www.google.com/search?q=donate+recycle+used+pc

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8) Another Code-Load Success Story

Code-loader John Bradley writes:

Hi Fred, Recently you loaded my URL code "Jigsaw Puzzles on CD" ( http://www.jbradley2002.com ) in your newsletter and I just wanted to tell you that my counter increased over 1,000 hits in 2 days! It was absolutely amazing! I thought I was seeing things! Thanks for a great newsletter too! Have a great week.... John Bradley

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the thousands of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://langa.com/readersites.htm

PC Hell
http://www.pchell.com/

wPoore photoGraphy
http://www.dwpoore.com

Duke: IT services
http://duke-it.com.au/

Retro [Motorcycle] Spares:
http://retrospares.tripod.com/

Vanilla Door-to-Door
http://www.vanilladoortodoor.com/

Bella Tocarre Massage Therapy
http://webpages.charter.net/bellatocarre/

HomeBizGroups
http://homebizgroups.com/

Portland OR Homes for Sale
http://www.portlandfreehomeinfo.com/index.shtml

DCEgenHome
http://www.dcesoftware.com/

Life of a one-man IT department
http://www.mikemcbrideonline.com/blogger.html

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9) Small, Simple, Handy... And Free!

Fred, Here are 2 utilities that might be useful to our readers.

StartupRun 
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html
 
Tray CD 
http://www.rjlsoftware.com/software/utility/traycd/

---norms26

Thanks, Norms! "The StartupRun utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically when Windows boots...." "[TrayCD]... will open or close your CD-ROM drives from the Windows system tray." Nothing that will change anyone's life, but nice enough. <g>

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10) Just For Grins

You've heard about Google Earth, now, brand new, is Google Moon. Just go to http://moon.google.com/  and be sure to explore the site. The close-in definition is stunning. Enjoy ---Bert Wold

Indeed, the "maximum zoom" view is the best!

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 40% more content including:

• Reader Bit By "Rootkit Virus"
    (how to protect yourself from this new threat!)
• UPS-Controlled Auto-Shutdown
    (graceful shutdowns when the power's out)
• Free, Comprehensive "Vulnerability Database"
    (independent, objective listings)
• Run 6 Antispyware Tools With One Click
    (automate your antispyware cleanups)

Plus! Edition info: http://langa.com/plus.htm 

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(Give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition!
Click <a href= " http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

The LangaList is published about 72 times a year, or about 6 times a month. See you next issue, 2005-07-28!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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