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Protect Your PC |
Hello
SpringNet1 Internet Subscribers!
To see what's inside this issue, take a look at the index to the left and thanks for reading! - The SpringNet1 Internet Team
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Protect Your PC
- How To Get Free Microsoft Security Updates For Your Computer
Protecting
your computer from viruses, worms, and other hacker attacks is an
unfortunate part of life on the Internet. Because Microsoft Corp. products
have proven vulnerable to such threats, the company helps its customers
fight back with its security updates system.
A list of Microsoft security updates, available at
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins , is updated, when needed,
on the second Tuesday of each month. If you use Microsoft products (such as
Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and MSN Messenger, among others), we
strongly recommend you visit this web page monthly to download the critical
software fixes (called "patches") listed there. At this web page, you can
sign up to receive e-mail, instant messaging, or RSS alerts each time a
major security update is released.
The Microsoft Windows Update website (
http://update.microsoft.com ) provides another easy way to quickly
install software fixes for Microsoft products. When you visit this web page,
your PC is automatically scanned for missing critical software updates,
providing you a list of updates that you can choose to install.
It's important to remember that Microsoft will NEVER e-mail you software
updates or patches as e-mail attachments. Malicious hackers have been known
to send spoof e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft, urging you
to download the accompanying attachment to prevent infection by a virus or
worm. These attachments are actually worms or viruses themselves. If you are
not currently set up to automatically receive software updates from
Microsoft, ALWAYS be sure to go to Microsoft web pages to download
Microsoft-related patches and service packs rather than doing so via links e-mailed
to you.
Of course, it is vitally important to use and regularly update your
computer's anti-virus software. Always scan file attachments of all incoming
e-mail messages, even messages from people you trust. Many viruses and worms
are spread over networks, through attachments, and by sharing storage media
such as diskettes, Zip disks, and CDs. You have the ultimate responsibility
for protecting your computer against these threats.
Springnet1 Moves to New Office
- New Springnet1 Web Coming
September 1
the staff of Springnet1 moved into their new office space at 6900 Preston
Dr., Springfield, IL 62711. Everyone is very excited about the new location.
Instead of being located across three floors of an older residence which was
converted to office space, we are all on the same floor in a newly
constructed building. Springnet1 moved to accommodate the space needs of
Springnet1's sister business, EOS Business Services. To see pictures of the
new office, visit
http://newoffice.springnet1.com
EOS Business Services is providing disaster recovery and business continuity
services to companies primarily located in Illinois. Business continuity
encompasses the breadth of business administrative functions including
telecommunications and information technology - data processing. EOS
Business Services clients recognize business disruptions or disasters will
occur and know planning and preparing for a disruption will minimize down
time when something happens. Clients contract to house duplicate data
processing equipment at the EOS Business Services location or use servers
owned by EOS. In addition to testing day(s) allocated each year to Business
Continuity customers, clients have the right during a disaster to use the
fully equipped office space, including a phone system with auto attendant
and voice mail, for a period of two weeks at no additional charge. It is
critical for every business to have a recovery plan; to know where to go and
what to do to return a business to operation. With planning and practice,
EOS Business Services customers can resume business operations within hours,
not days. For more information, visit
www.eosbcc.com or contact Neal E. Miller at 800-261-6006 x6210.
In September, Springnet1 will be deploying a new version of its web site.
For an early look at the site, visit
http://preview.springnet1.com We will maintain a link from the new site
to the old site for a period of time. Should you have suggestions regarding
the new site, please send them to
nmiller@springnet1.com.
Ask The Help Desk - Is
There A Shortcut When Using Online Drop-Down Boxes?
Question: Sometimes
when I'm using a drop-down box while making a purchase online, it takes
forever to scroll down to the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?
Answer: Yes, there is a better way. We'll illustrate how with an
example.
Let's say you're filling out an online shopping cart form that asks you to
select the item you intend to purchase from a drop-down box. The site's
drop-down box includes dozens of products (listed alphabetically) for you to
choose from. If you are purchasing an apron, you're all set since your
product starts with the letter "a" and will be listed towards the top. But
what if you are buying an umbrella? You'd have to scroll down through lots
of products to get to "umbrellas."
Here's a quicker way. When you get to a drop-down box, type in the first
letter of the item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with
that letter start popping up in the box. So, for the example above, simply
type in the letter "u" and products starting with "u" (there can't be many)
will come up. No more scrolling!
Great Sites To Check Out This Month
Photos Of
Cats With Stuff On Them
http://stuffonmycat.com - It's
exactly what it sounds like — lots of pictures of cats with stuff on them
... styrofoam packing peanuts, shower caps, post-it notes, empty pizza
boxes, celery sticks, headphones, jig saw puzzle pieces, loose change, etc.
There are some pretty funny pictures. Go check them out!
Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair
http://Appliance411.com - This site
offers free repair help for do-it-yourselfers when it comes to fixing broken
washing machines, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, humidifiers,
dishwashers, stoves, trash compactors, water filters, refrigerators,
freezers, air conditioners, and more. Looking for an owner's manual for your
make and model? Appliance411.com can help. Looking for the model number on
your appliance but can't locate it? You've come to the right place!
See Our Nation's Fall Foliage By Rail
http://amtrak.com - Autumn is a great time
of the year to travel the states to see the many colors of nature. Why not
leave the driving to someone else this fall and travel by train? AMTRAK
operates the U.S.'s national passenger rail service and offers a variety of
scenic tours throughout our beautiful country. AMTRAK's website provides
information on schedules, fares and reservations, station locations, and on
their "Small Groups Save Big" travel savings program.
Learning Science Can Be Fun
http://ars.usda.gov/is/kids -
This site is an interesting learning resource targeted toward kids ages
8-13. (Adults can learn a lot here too!) The website is sponsored by the
United States Department of Agriculture and was developed by the
Agricultural Research Service information staff in Beltsville, Maryland.
Topics reviewed include "Tastes Like Chicken" (edible bugs), "Vinegar: More
Than Just A Salad Dressing," "Powerful Plants Meet Tough Tanks," and "What's
Good About Sewer Bacteria."
The World's Largest Balloonfest
http://balloonfiesta.com - The end
of this month marks the beginning of the largest hot air balloon festival in
the world. Albuquerque, New Mexico, hosts this annual event which this year
runs from September 30th through October 9th. Over 700 balloonists
participate in simultaneous liftoffs and a variety of flying accuracy
competitions. Balloons with special shapes (i.e. piggy bank, stagecoach,
cow) are also a part of the event agenda. Check out the site for a huge
picture gallery and more event details.
Short Tutorial - Opening
And Saving Received vCard Information
Last month we
provided tutorials on how to create and send vCards via e-mail. Remember,
vCards are digital business cards that can be attached to outgoing e-mail
messages. The vCards usually contain text-based information (such as
address, phone, and fax numbers) and appear as attachments that have a
".vcf" file extension name.
The tutorials below show you how to open and then save information contained
within received vCards to then be placed into your address book.
Opening/Saving a vCard in Outlook Express When Using Windows XP:
- When receiving a vCard attachment from a friend or a business
associate, first save the vCard attachment to your desktop.
- Open your address book by clicking your cursor arrow on its icon in
the Outlook Express tool bar or by going to the Outlook Express "Tools"
menu and clicking on "Address Book" from the drop-down menu.
- When the Address Book Window opens, click on the "File" menu and
drop down to "Import." Click on "Business Card (vCard)" from the
resulting submenu.
- When the "Import Business Card (vCard)" window opens, navigate to
the saved vCard on your desktop and click on it to select it.
- Click on the "Open" button.
- The vCard properties window will open. Click "Okay" to save and close. The vCard information will now be saved onto your Outlook Express address book.
- Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard attachment.
- The vCard will open in its own window.
- Click on the "Save" button on the vCard's button bar. The vCard information will be saved to your Entourage address book.
Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard that you were sent. Your address book will open automatically and display the information that was in the vCard.
Opening/Saving a vCard When Using Mozilla-based E-mail Programs:
While the Mozilla based e-mail software programs (i.e. Netscape 7.2 and Thunderbird 1.0) can send vCard attachments, they don't allow you to import the contact information directly into your address book. However, the information shows up in the preview window so you can simply copy and paste the information into a new address book entry.
We hope you
found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted
on the happenings at our shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive
these bulletins on a monthly basis, click HERE.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
Neal E. Miller
Springnet1, Inc.
Springnet1, Inc.
6900 Preston Dr.
Springfield, IL 62711
800-261-6006
217-241-6000
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2005
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are
trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.