CompuNotes Notes from The Cutting Edge of Personal Computing February 14 1999 Issue 142 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com SUBSCRIBE COMPUNOTES-L FirstName LastName To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com SIGNOFF COMPUNOTES-L For Contact and Other Information See Bottom of Publication! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- TurboTax - FREE TAX SOFTWARE| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Do you do your own taxes? It just got EASIER! Try America's #1 rated tax preparation software for 30 days for FREE! Free Bonus! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/turbotax.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONTENTS My Notes: 1=> CompuNotes Notes, , mailto:pgrote@i1.net 2=> This Issue's Winner! News: 3=> News of the Week, mailto:pgrote@i1.net =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--= Try Quicken! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==- Test drive Quicken 99 FREE for 30 days! And get a free gift! Manage your money hassle-FREE -- organize your finances all in one place, balance your checkbook in record time, keep tabs on what you're spending and much more. Try Quicken 99 and get your FREE gift, PrintMaster Gold software. Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/quicken.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Columns: 4=> The Well-Tempered Palm, By Alex Lane, alex@galexi.com Reviews: 5=> Product: Lords of Magic, Special Edition, game Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com 6=> Products: RUMBA MAIL Featuring 3M's Post-it Software Notes for the Internet, utility Reviewed By: Songmuh Jong, mailto:songmuh@bitsmart.com 7=> Product: Small Business Networking for Dummies, book Reviewed By: Songmuh Jong, mailto:songmuh@bitsmart.com 8=> Program: Disk Mapper 2 NT Edition, utility Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com 9=> Product: E-Z Accounting, business Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FREE! Internet World Magazine| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Internet World Magazine is The only source you'll need for your Internet business and enterprise activities...sign up for FREE right here! Internet World puts all the news into perspective -- and that saves you valuable time and gives you an edge on breaking trends and technologies. Regular features include: E-Commerce, Infrastructure, Web Development, and Industry, Plus columns from leading reporters and journalists. Don't miss it...sign up today! It's FREE for EVERYONE!!! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/iw.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1=> CompuNotes Notes, mailto:pgrote@i1.net We've added several writers to our group this week! I think you'll enjoy their efforts in the coming weeks as they all join us from varied backgrounds! On a personal note, I'd like to take the time to thank Doug Reed for his tireless dedication to CompuNotes. Not only is he our webmaster, assistant editor, and co-founder, he is also a great reviewer! My relationship with Doug began in the old days of the CyberNews era. We met briefly at a birthday party for my best friend, who also happens to be Doug's brother-in-law. Other than that brief meeting, Doug and I have conducted all our discussions and thoughts via e-mail. We've never spoken on the phone yet we continue to product CompuNotes without any burps. Many of you have never visited our CompuNotes website (http://www.compunotes.com/main.html), but I'd like to take a few moments and invite you to take a look. Doug has been our webmaster for almost the entire duration and he has created a great site! Just don't take my word for it, take the countless awards we have won. Doug's taken our site and made it much more than an on-line ezine, but he transformed it into an excellent reference site. Thanks, Doug, for all your efforts! They are much appreciated! If you like what Doug has done, drop him a line at mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Real Coupons from the Internet - Cool Savings| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Print real coupons from your own computer. Free Membership Today! CLICK below to enroll for BIG savings from your favorite stores, restaurants, and travel companies. It's FREE and your privacy is guaranteed! Join over a million other smart shoppers and print real coupons from your own computer. New companies and new offers show up all the time. Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/cool.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2=> Winner! 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A Company Sues for the EARTH.COM Domain . . . http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,32390,00.html?st.ne.ni.lh Will Y2K Sock AOL? . . . http://www.wired.com/news/news/business/story/17911.html Dell Sales May Fall . . . http://www.wired.com/news/news/business/story/17899.html We're Collecting Donations for MIR . . . http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/17895.html Search for Logos . . . http://nt.excite.com/news/r/990214/01/net-images Middlemen Still Make Money . . . http://www.upside.com/texis/mvm/money/story?id=36c4c3560 EFLOWERS.COM Sells for $25,000 and Something Unusual . . . http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/ap/docs/142574l.htm The Pentium III ... A Guide . . . http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,32331,00.html?st.ne.160.gif.1 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WorldPrints - Free Wallpaper!| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Register Now and get one year of FREE Wallpaper for your Computer. We'll e-mail you Weekly with New Images. Choose From... o National Geographic o Life Magazine o Museum Collections and Much More!! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/wprints.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4=> The Well-Tempered Palm By Alex Lane, alex@galexi.com My name is Alex Lane, and I've spent most of my career working with computers, getting them to do what needs to get done. In this new column devoted to the Palm computing platform, I hope to convey some of my enthusiasm for this handy device, and plan to share tips and techniques on getting the most from Palm organizers. In future columns, we'll take a critical look at Palm hardware and software, at what's hot and what's not, and at competing and new technologies. First, though, it seems fair to relate to you how I came to be a Palm fanatic. My first serious experience with handhelds occurred nearly 10 years ago when I and the rest of the managers in our business unit at Borland International were given electronic organizers, the brand name of which shall remain obscure, to protect the innocent. The devices were advanced for their time, equipped with 256 KB of memory, and featuring appointment book, address book, calculator, and memo applets, as well as the optional capability to back information up onto a PC. As was typical for such products, the appointment and address books permitted little data flexibility. I seem to recall not being able to store a third phone number for a contact, nor an e-mail address. To some extent, various modern organizer hardware and software suffers from the same types of limitations, forcing users to think within rigidly defined guidelines. Nonetheless, we were all pleased to have the gadgets, and used them with enthusiasm. Backing up the unit's data, though, was an ordeal. Those of us who purchased the optional cable and software often went for weeks between backup sessions, and even then, backed up data could only be "used" by restoring it onto the unit. When a colleague's unit did a perfect belly-flop onto a ceramic tile floor when he dropped it in a hotel lobby, he lost three weeks of unbacked-up appointments, contact information, and notes. He glumly bought another unit, restored his surviving data, and zealously backed up his organizer at every opportunity thereafter. Having seen pieces of my friend's organizer go skittering in various directions across the floor, I started using a conventional, paper-based organizer and consigned my electronic wonder to a desk drawer. From time to time in the intervening years, I reexamined the capabilities of new electronic organizers, for despite being flexible to use and drop-proof, paper organizers have their drawbacks. First, they require extra up-front effort in order to easily find information later. Second, needed information invariably migrated from my organizer to the organizer's archive binder. Finally, binders are impractical to back up, which meant that if my book were lost or stolen, a large chunk of valuable information would be lost forever. No electronic gizmo I looked at displayed enough flexibility or horsepower to replace my paper organizer, until a chance visit to an old friend in late 1997 introduced me to the PalmPilot. I'd looked at earlier PalmPilot models and found them to be lacking: they seemed underpowered and the lack of keyboard put me off. However, my friend's demonstration was compelling. Here was a handheld that offered not only an appointment and address book, but a to-do list, a calculator, an expense applet, a mail program, and a memo capability. Most of the applications offered a level of flexibility that was impressive: you could, for example, attach notes to appointments, address entries, and to-do list items, and the address book featured user-definable fields. Finally, there was a small but growing number of third-party applications that promised expanded capabilities for the unit, including graphics, an RPN calculator (which I prefer to the built-in one), and Web browsing. After a few minutes spent learning the unit's Graffiti strokes, I realized I did not really miss the "missing" keyboard. And to top it all off, all of the data in the unit could be backed up in less time than it took to format a 3.5-inch floppy, and it could be viewed and edited using a Windows-based application. I was sold. While I admit having to think hard before shelling out nearly $400 for my PalmPilot, I've never regretted my decision. (By the way, that unit, the Professional model, today sells for a street price of under $200 as 3Com prepares to release new models that offer a variety of improvements.) I plan my day on my Pilot, I read my mail, too. I take meeting notes, I download interesting Web content, I read Russian poetry. I even wrote this column on my PalmPilot. To be frank, if today there were no hope of getting a replacement, I don't think I'd trade my PalmPilot for a million dollars. In future columns, you'll find out why. Send your PalmPilot questions and comments to Alex Lane, mailto:alex@galexi.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Awesome Web Hosting!| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FREE PARKING FOR YOUR NEW DOMAIN NAME! When you register for your domain name, you need to "park it" somewhere while you are building your site. Many companies charge $25, $50 or even more for this service...but here at AOSoft, it's FREE! Click for all the details. Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/aosoft.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5=> Product: Lords of Magic, Special Edition, game Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Requirements: Pentium 100, Windows 95, 16MB RAM, 187mb +(100mb) free for Hard Drive space, SVGA that supports 32k colors at 640x480, Windows-supported sound card with DAC, 2X CD-ROM Optimal: Pentium 200, 32MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM. Reviewed On: Pentium 166, 48 MB RAM, 16x CDROM MSRP: $49.95 ($20 rebate for owners of the original release) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buy Lords of Magic, Special Edition Now and Support CompuNotes! Beyond.Com - $39.45 -- Click Here: http://www.beyond.com/AF25411/PKIN789849/prod.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What a difference a year makes! In the fall of 1997, Sierra released the much-heralded Lords of Magic, only to see the game racked over the coals in Usenet newsgroups because of a number of bugs that appeared in the released version of the game. Over the course of 1998, the team in charge of the game released patch after patch, fixing all of the bugs. To "celebrate" this achievement, Sierra has now released a new version of Lords of Magic complete with an expansion set entitled "Quests of Urak". For those who purchased the original game, Sierra has promised a $20 rebate on the purchase of the Special Edition. Does the Special Edition (LOMSE from now on) finally realize the expectations of the gaming public? By and large, yes. We finally have a worthy "fantasy" strategy game that matches up, and in some ways exceeds, Microprose's long time champ Master of Magic. The premise of the game is standard fantasy fare, but bears mentioning because of it's impact on the game. The player is a champion of one of 8 orders, including light, air, earth, water, chaos, order, life, and death. Balkoth, the champion of death, has conquered the planet and controls the temples that allow worship for the other orders. You must assemble an army, free your own temple, and then unite the forces of the other orders to defeat Balkoth. Conversely, once you have defeated death you can play Balkoth and take on everyone else. The "Legends of Urak" adds additional scenarios or mini-campaigns in addition to the major campaign of conquering the world. In addition to the single player game, you can play against (or with) human opponents via a LAN or the Internet. The strategy portion of LOM is turn-based. On a beautifully rendered isometric map of the world you can move your troops around, build new units, learn new spells, and conduct diplomacy with the other orders. Tactical combat is carried out in real-time on mini-maps that represent the environment your troops are currently in - whether it be a dungeon, forest, or whatever. Combat can be paused to give orders, however, so the pace is not as hectic or rushed as you might think. In addition, the pathfinding AI of your units is drastically improved over the original game - no longer do you need to micromanage the movement of your units to prevent them from getting trapped by a land obstacle. Which is good, because combat in LOMSE is tough - be prepared to lose a lot of units, even on the "easier" modes of the game. I found LOMSE to be a challenge to play and a lot of fun as well. I didn't try out the multiplayer portion of LOMSE, but the single player portion was so strong that I didn't see the need. The interface is clean and easy to use, making getting up and playing easy to do. Winning the game is not easy, however, and LOMSE is one of the toughest strategy games I have every played. The AI seems to be quite up to the challenge, especially in combat. Expect games of LOMSE to last a long, long time - easily several hundred turns (unless you cheat). I'd also like to add that the game is a beauty to behold, with a good musical score and soundtrack as well. I'm only adding that for your own knowledge - in my book gameplay comes first, and LOMSE is a sure winner in that category. Lords of Magic, Special Edition Sierra Studios http://www.lordsofmagic.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buy Lords of Magic, Special Edition Now and Support CompuNotes! Beyond.Com - $39.45 -- Click Here: http://www.beyond.com/AF25411/PKIN789849/prod.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Lands' End Gift Certificate Sweepstakes| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Enter to Win a $500 Lands' End Gift Certificate and get ready to shop on-line! Over 1000 items are in THE STORE, so there's something for everyone. Enter to Win today! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/landend.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6=> Products: RUMBA MAIL Featuring 3M's Post-it Software Notes for the Internet, utility Reviewed By: Songmuh Jong, mailto:songmuh@bitsmart.com Requires: Windows NT Server running Microsoft Exchange Server and Client machines running Microsoft Exchange Client software on Windows95/NT/3.x. Reviewed On: Server running Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3 and Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0a. Client running Win95 and Exchange Client 4.0a. Both the Server and the Client are connected via a LAN using TCP/IP protocol. MSRP: US$39 per user. E-mail has become a daily routine for almost everyone. Even if you are not working in a networked office, you are likely connected to the Internet at home and enjoying the free e-mail services of many providers. All the e-mail services requires that you have a client software to connect to the mail server. For Internet users, the obvious choice is the mail client software that comes with the Internet Explorer or the Netscape Navigator. For office workers, the preferred client software is the one that can talk to the existing server environment. RUMBA products have been widely used for its capability to connect to IBM mainframe and UNIX boxes. Unfortunately, RUMBA MAIL came out a little too late because there are already many choices available and in use. However, that doesn't mean that it cannot survive the competition. In fact, its unique design may lead to gradual conversion among the current customer base, especially when its parent connectivity software is so familiar to many offices. Installation of the software is a breeze if you have the network environment properly set up and the Microsoft Exchange Server properly running. That is a big 'IF' because not everyone can test in that required environment. When I received the product, it was designed for use with the Microsoft Exchange Server. At that time, I had only a single machine, and my company does not use Microsoft Exchange Server for the e-mail service. Therefore, I could not evaluate it until I purchased my second and third machines. I set up one machine to run Windows NT Server 4.0 and made sure that it could talk with my two client machines running Windows 95 using TCP/IP protocol. One of my client machines is configured to connect to Internet using dial-up networking with a modem. All the three machines are connected through a 10/100 BaseT network hub. Using RUMBA MAIL requires the successful implementation of the MS Exchange. Because this is my first experience with the product, some errors may not be obvious to me, so please bear with me. The bottom line is that most of the problems are finally attributed to the problems in MS Exchange Server/Client or Windows NT instead of the RUMBA MAIL. Let me explain this in detail. My first try to install MS Exchange Server on my Windows NT machine was surprisingly successful because I had expected major difficulties, judging by the big volume of a standard MS Exchange book. I did not read the book except for the chapter one. In which, it warns that installation of MS Exchange requires careful planning, then it spelled out thousand pages of discussion. In order to evaluate the RUMBA MAIL, I decided to give it a try without spending my time in digesting a big book on the Exchange Server. Using the default options, I was delighted that I did not get any error in completing the installation. The next step was to install MS Exchange Client on one of my client machines. I made a good choice when I decided to install on the clean machine first--the one that does not have an Internet connection. I completed the installation without any error, although I did realize that I had to set up a mail box for each of my clients on the server. RUMBA MAIL installed successfully on that machine, and I was able to send mails right away through the RUMBA MAIL. There was one catch about this, and it was related to the MS Exchange setup rather than RUMBA MAIL. In order for the Exchange to work, the client machine must be in the server domain instead of in a workgroup. RUMBA MAIL installation will volunteer to install MS Internet Explorer 3.0 on your machine, which is probably older than the existing one, so just say NO. There are a few good features of RUMBA MAIL that I like. The interface is very cute and mimicking the look and convenience of Post-It paper pad. The sliding window hides itself after inactivity, and shows up when you move the cursor to the edge of the screen. It automatically set up the server connection for you without much configuration effort (more on this later). There is no Exit option for the note, but it is actually replaced by a Trash Note option, which splashed an explosion-like animation on the screen and made the note disappear. There are quite a few things about the MS Exchange Server that I don't like, but that's beyond the scope of this review so I won't elaborate them here. Installation on the other client machine with dial-up networking through modem turned out to be nothing but trouble. The Exchange Client could not complete the setup because it was confused by the dial-up networking. Any attempt to open the Exchange window will result in the activation of my dial-up networking for the Internet service provider. I almost trashed my machine after messing around with the network setting on that machine. Since its name claimed to be for the Internet, I tested its ability to send Internet mails. I started a new pad and typed some notes, then I chose Send Note option before I was connected to the Internet. Unlike other Internet software, the dial-up networking connection dialog box did not show up and the machine seems to be idle. I checked the Mail Configuration menu option, and modified some settings, but the program still appeared to be idle. Finally, I dialed my ISP and got connected. Outlook Express could get and send mails easily. RUMBA MAIL, on the other hand, did not appear to send the mail at all. For now, I gave up on using Exchange or RUMBA MAIL for my Internet machine. Could I use RUMBA MAIL on my server since it has a cute interface? I installed it on my NT server, and tried to use it to send a mail. The whole machine seemed to be locked up. After several attempts, I got the Task Manager opened. It showed that DRWATSON was busy logging the processes and used up about 96% of my CPU time. Apparently, RUMBA MAIL is not compatible with the NT Server. My advice is: Do not use it on your server. Perhaps my limited experience did not tell the whole story about the strength of RUMBA MAIL. However, the product was released in May 1997 and it is 1999 now! I decided to check their web site. Surprisingly, RUMBA MAIL is not in their RUMBA product list, although I did find a FAQ for RUMBA MAIL--only for AS/400 hosts (see below). I don't want to speculate on the fate of RUMBA MAIL, but it could not stand a chance to compete with the free mail software that come with the big two free browsers. Wall Data Inc. RUMBA MAIL Featuring 3M's Post-it Software Notes for the Internet Web Site: http://www.salsa.walldata.com/ RUMBA MAIL FAQ (AS400): http://www.salsa.walldata.com/onestep/techdocs/1104.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= LOVE TO BIKE? TRY BICYCLING MAGAZINE RISK-FREE AND GET TWO FREE GIFTS! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If biking is your passion, check out Bicycling Magazine for the latest gear, techniques, travel and fitness. Try 2 trial issues and enjoy two free gifts, "Faster, Stronger, Longer" and "250 Best Cycling Trips". Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/bikemag.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 7=> Product: Small Business Networking for Dummies, book Reviewed By: Songmuh Jong, mailto:songmuh@bitsmart.com MSRP: $24.99. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buy Small Business Networking for Dummies at Amazon.Com Now and Support CompuNotes! Amazon.Com - $19.99 -- Click Here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764502891/compunotes/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If your are thinking of setting up a network for your small business or office, then this book is for you. Networking has been regarded a specialized task that seems to belong to an elite class of engineers. For small business owners, the easiest solution is to hire a CNE (Certified Novell Engineer) or MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer). However, the general idea behind networking is not that hard and should be clearly understood by any business manager or owner, especially the ones that want to develop strategic plans for future growth. The author has gone through the whole process and speaks convincingly from his past experience. The whole book is full of practical guides and considerations useful to anyone who wants to build a network. The reasons for getting networked is nicely described in chapter one. Indeed, networking provides benefits in resource- sharing, cost-cutting, process-speeding, internal communication, customer-tracking and many more. The cost of networking can never be specific because the hardware and software prices are changing all the time. Luckily, the trend is going down, not going up. Therefore, the numbers in the book can be taken as the maximum dollars you'll spend. Chapter two discusses the cost and requirements for setting up a network. The author touches upon aspects like financing, software licensing, service contracts, cabling, hubs, printers, other peripherals, training, maintenance, and upgrading. Other than the actual cost, valuable time needs to be spent on planning the network. The author discusses, in chapter three, the network design, choice of software and operating system, choice of hardware, decision on security levels, managing the network, outsourcing and insourcing, using consultants, choosing professionals, and even the interviewing process and content of contracts. Part II of the book (chapters four to seven) gets into the details of network: peer-to-peer versus client/server, network components, operating systems, network protocols. Even the cable types are listed. Part III describes the procedures in detail. Chapter eight discusses running and testing cables, setting up server, network card, disk drives, power backups, data mirroring or clustering, workstations, and peripherals. Chapter nine talks about software installation, user account setup, and clients configuration. Chapter ten discusses remote communication to the network, including modem dial in, dial out, and sharing modems. The last part is particularly interesting. Unfortunately, the author only mentions a few software packages. When he says NT Server has RAS to allow modem sharing, he neglects to describe the details as he does for other activities. Part IV is concerned about network administration: security setting, virus protection, performance tuning, and network support. Part V lists some useful resources, such as techniques to lower costs, troubleshooting tips, intranet benefits, and internet usage. The companion CD comes with several demo applications. Judging from my past experience in setting up local area networks, this book's discussion is mostly to the point and touches most if not all aspects of networking. Its content, although not sufficient for professionals, is more than enough for busy business managers and owners who do not have the time to go into the details but want to know the general concepts. Highly recommended! IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. "Small Business Networking for Dummies" by Glen E. Weadock Product Web site: http://my2cents.dummies.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buy Small Business Networking for Dummies at Amazon.Com Now and Support CompuNotes! Amazon.Com - $19.99 -- Click Here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764502891/compunotes/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FREE NEWSLETTERS!| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Get Free Newsletters delivered to your inbox. Check out this FREE service NOW! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/nl.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8=> Program: Disk Mapper 2 NT Edition, utility Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com MSRP: NT Version $99.95 The Disk Mapper program arrived on one 3 1/2 floppy disk, and program installation was simply a matter of selecting Run from the start menu, and typing A: Set-up. The installation menu appears and the installer follows the on screen instructions. The test system used for Disk-Mapper was an Intel based Pentium 233, 64 MB SDRAM, ATI 3D graphic card, running Windows NT. Before installing the software, I visited the company's web site to and checked out the Guided Tour of DiskMapper. The DiskMapper site is a wealth of information and contains many rave reviews on the product, plus screen shots of the product. Supplied with DiskMapper is a nicely written, thirty-page manual in plain English, covering the installation and program functions. After the program finished installing, I rebooted the computer and executed DiskMapper. I wanted to see if this program could live up to all the media hype on their web site. My very first impression DiskMapper was "the program is colorful, and it display the hard drive, and file locations, so what is the big deal." As other computer consulting and repair tasks took priority, more testing with DiskMapper would have to wait. Time permitting a few days later I set about reading the manual and working with Disk Mapper. I soon found my mind drifting back to fond memories of Xtgold, PC Tools and Norton Utilities for MS-DOS. Using these utilities, one could inspect the directory tree, and visually locate a program or file locations on a hard drive. The graphical interface of DiskMapper has the usual windows text selections of: File, View, Options, and help selection across the top. In Addition there is a tool bar containing the follow buttons: Drive: choose which drive or subdirectory you want to map. Flat: switch between a "flat" map view that shows you only a single subdirectory level, and a more complex map view that shows you several nesting levels. Free: display or hide free space on the map. Filter: several mapping methods highlight specific files (e.g. BAK, EXE, TXT files). Sync: synchronize the file tree and map views. Run: the file or application currently selected on the map, or launch a viewer for the selected data file Explore: run Windows Explorer directly from DiskMapper. Info: information and properties of the currently highlighted file or subdirectory (i.e., size, date, and other attributes). Method: choose among several mapping methods. Search: a file name (including wildcards) that you want to search for. Zip/Un: compress or uncompress the selected files or directories. Advisor: a brief explanation of the purpose of a file to help you decide whether you can delete it. Delete: selected file, group of files, or subdirectory. The tool bar gives the user instant access to the power of DiskMapper and a convent way to map the hard drive, move, archive or delete files, and monitor free space. One feature I especially liked in Disk Mapper is the when you click on a drive letter you are given a graphic display of all files and folder sizes. The screen is divided in two main sections containing left and right windows--similar to Windows Explorer. The left window displays the drive tree and the amount of space each folder and the files contained therein are utilizing. The right window displays all of the folders in colorful block graphics. The larger the folder sizes the bigger the block displayed on screen. Moving the mouse around the right window map instantly provides a user with all file data across the bottom of Disk Mapper. As the mouse is positioned on the map, data appears at the bottom of the Disk Mapper screen displaying: the current directory, file dates, quantity of files in each folder, size, and remaining free space. Options in Disk Mapper allow the end user to customize the display color and create their own custom colors for the display. The end user can also customize the search functions of Disk Mapper and search by, file type, size, and extensions to suit his or her requirements. Micro logic defiantly has a hit on their hands with this innovative and practical Windows 95/98 and Windows NT file utility. However, does Disk Mapper live up to all the "media hype" found on Micro Logic's web site? Absolutely, the product proved to be a great utility, and if anything I would say a bit underrated on the companies web site. Try as I may I could not find anything negative with the Disk Mapper program. Not only did the utility install without a fault being detected, the program continued to operate during testing without a single slip-up. Worth the money? You bet. Disk Mapper is an excellent utility and welcome addition to any users utility belt. Micro Logic Product Info: http://www.miclog.com/dm2ntdesc.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Money Magazine for Free!| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Worried about the markets? Concerned about your retirement? Why not listen to the experts? Why not secure professional advice for free? FREE TRIAL ISSUE of Money Magazine! Your personal guide to a great future of Financial Success! Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/money.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 9=> Product: E-Z Accounting, business Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com Requirements: 486 or higher & Windows 95/98 MSRP: $39.95 Founded in 1987, E-Z Legal Forms produces business and self-help legal software. The company has a varied product line covering over 200 different products. The E-Z Accounting program came on three 3.5 inch floppy disks and one CD-ROM disk. Installation is straightforward and easy, just type d:\setup and follow the screen instructions-the program install does not auto-play. The test system was a Pentium 133 MHz with an Intel CPU, ATI 3D Xpression 4 MB on Video Card, 64 MB of RAM, and a 14-inch Super VGA monitor (set for 800 X 600). The program required seven meg-a-bytes of hard drive space for program installation. When you create a new company the program automatically makes a new directory to store the data. Central Technologies Inc. licensed the accounting package to E-Z Forms Ltd. After installation, a program screen appears requesting that you mail in the registration card or call their 1-800 number to get a customer number. One draw back to E-Z Accounting is the program comes without a user guide or setup manual. However, you can order an optional printed manual by calling the company. For any user experienced with accounting this may not be an issue, but for first timers a manual is not an option, it is a necessity. However, E-Z accounting has a good help database and explanations of accounting terminology such as: Asset is a property of value owned by a business. Properties such as money, accounts receivable, merchandise, machinery, buildings, inventory for sale, are common examples of business assets. Liability is a legal obligation of a business to pay a debt. Debt can be paid with money, goods, or services, but is usually paid in cash. The most common liabilities are notes payable and accounts payable. Capital, also called net worth, is essentially, what is yours: what would be left over if you paid off everyone you (or your company) owe money. If there are no business liabilities, the Capital, Net Worth or Zero The program offers the usual accounting functions as: General Ledger, GL Financial Reports, Trial Balance, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Job Costing Reports, Checking Account Balance, AP Posting, Inventory Adjustment, Commission Report, Payroll, Sales Tax Setup, and Check Register Reports. The data file convention used in E-Z Accounting are set as Fox Pro 2.6 format and not in the usual dBase format. There are pull down menus located on the top of the main screen: File, Purchases, Inventory, Receivables, Ledger, and Help. Right below this line is the Toolbar which has buttons for various functions: Product, Invoice, Payments, Pay-bills, Check-book, Bank Reconcile, Budget, Journal, Forms, Backup, Calculator, Exit and Help. As soon as the program has finished installing, a user can start setting up his or her company following the on screen instructions and entering the company's name, address, etc. When completed, you can move on to data entry for bank accounts, customize the ledger and add entry accounts for your business. The end users can also set-up different state or provincial tax rates. I was a bit surprised that E-Z accounting already had the Canadian G.S.T. (good and services tax) rate set in the program. Adding the P.S.T. (provincial sales tax) was easy. All the end user has to do is access the Tax set-up under the File menu, and enter the 8%. Without a printed manual to refer to, it was a matter of referring back and forth to the help file. The program does have a limited form printer set-up and you can order preprinted dot matrix or laser forms from the company. The program is not without problems, which I soon hit during my testing. The first being some of the buttons on the toolbar bar were partially covering the next button. On the 14-inch monitor, I had set the display for 800 x 600, using large fonts. Resetting the display to 800 x 600 with small fonts corrected this minor problem. More testing another problem, when I clicked on the: Invoice, Payments, Pay bills, Bank Reconcile, and journal buttons. As the windows opened they covered most the toolbar, and you could not move or resize the box. Many of the data entry screens the cursor would appear almost in the middle of the entry line, and it had to be manually moved over to the left side. There are several instances during entry of postal codes, or phone and fax numbers, the entry would not move past the dash line-example 519-222-3333. The E-Z accounting program would make a good inexpensive learning tool for anyone interested in accounting. However, this program is not user friendly and has several faults. In addition, the lack of a setup manual hinders first time users to understand the programs operation and setting or changing of accounts. The program lacks the user friendliness and pre-designed business situations available in accounting packages like Quick Books and MYOB. Then for $39.95 one cannot expect every bell and whistle. E-Z Accounting Product Info: http://www.e-zlegal.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=58841144&action=serve &item=credit.html -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= All Kinds of Catalogs for You! Free!| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Do you shop by mail? Looking for that hard to find item? Just like unique products? Then you need the Catalog Request Center! You'll find over 300 FREE catalogs! Use this FREE service to quickly locate the catalogs that have the products you want. Click On Me: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/catalogs.htm -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Managing Editor: Patrick Grote -- mailto:pgrote@i1.net Assistant Editor: Doug Reed-- mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Assistant Editor: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com Archives: ftp://ftp.compunotes.com/pub/archive Website: e-mail: mailto:notes@compunotes.com Want to Write for Us?: mailto:writers@compunotes.com fax: (314) 909-1662 voice: (314) 909-1662 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= CompuNotes is: Available weekly via e-mail and on-line. We cover the PC computing world with comprehensive reviews, news, hot web sites, great columns and interviews. We also give away one software package a week to a lucky winner for just reading our fine publication! Never dull, sometimes tardy, we are here to bring you the computing world the way it is! Please tell every on-line friend about us! CompuNotes B440 1114 West Essex Ave. St. Louis, MO 63122 notes@compunotes.com (C)1999 Patrick Grote