Brian Miller a.k.a. SwvilChair

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November 10, 2002 

Mouse Pad?.... 

I do not like to talk about hardware.  Yet this time, I will make an exception about something I think is considered hardware (it is hard and used in conjunction with my PC). 

Time I came outta the closet and let you know I don’t use a mouse pad any more! 

A couple of years back I started using something called a mouse board!  I decided to try one when I got sick and tired of how slow the way my mouse was acting, along with a bad case of the stickies.

Before starting, I had to REALLY clean all of the gunk out of my mouse.  (Then redo it one time more after a month or so).  Since then, I’ve never had to clean it again!  The only things I do now is turn the board over when one side gets ugly looking, or wash the cover when the whole thing gets dirty.

WHY am I writing about such a mundane thing?  If someone could come up with a better idea, the world just might beat a path to your mouse board!  (It also could be nice idea for a fundraiser using local materials and labor.)

If you want to read more, or buy one, (it costs $20 including S&H) go to Mouse Board

Some time ago, I used to receive more junk mail than I could shake a stick at.  Telemarketers seemed to call at least once a day.  Spam was at hand for deletion.

There is a way to fight some of it:

First of all, if you receive a survey in the mail, throw it in the trash immediately!  No matter what they offer, it opens you up to more junk by those who sponsor such things.  (Name, address, and telephone lists are sold!)  - If something comes with a purchase and includes a survey, ignore the survey.  Fill in the main info, then hunt for the teeny tiny box to stop any future mail (IF you wish to spend the time and postage!)

Second, if you receive a telemarketing call, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY!  If you aren’t up to that, or want to have some fun with the calls for homeowners in the area, tell them you rent.  (You’d be surprised at how quickly they want to get off the line.) 

SPAM is SPAM!  Bright Net does a better than average job of screening, but some things still get through.  There is a nice thing out there to help, but it is limited to those who use Outlook or Outlook Express for now, and costs a few bucks.

IF some adult (above grade school level) shows up at the door trying to sell something or offer services for something, no comments are necessary.  SLAM the door in their face (then lock it)!  Crooks and general scoundrels abound!

Pop-up windows on your computer are a pain (as they never stop), and the banner ads not only are distracting, they decrease your viewable space.

Finally, if some web site demands any personal information for you to gain any access, please go somewhere else. 

My Recommended Sites:

 The Direct Marketing Association’s  DMA Consumer Assistance page has helpful tips along with ways to remove yourself from lists that target you.  DMA does not stop all of the junk, it just attempts to stop members from doing it once you fill out the forms (some can be done online).  This takes time for the effect, but I have had a very big decrease in junk mail and telemarketing calls.

iHateSpam is a nice email filtering system put out by Sunbelt Software.  It only works with Outlook and Outlook Express for now with an AOL version “coming soon”.  I use it and think it is worth checking into if you don’t mind spending $19.95 or $29.95 for all that it does ($19.95 is a limited time offer).  I just love bouncing SPAM!

AdPurger  really works well to stop pop-up windows and banner ads.  I had no problems configuring it to stop the message board ads (so far), or blocking the pop-ups!  If you use Pop-Up Stopper and like the sounds, copy them, then paste in the Windows Media file using Windows Explorer.  This software allows you to select a sound to play when a pop-up window is blocked.  The cost is $13.00, which I think is pretty good.  Since it only works with Internet Explorer (shows up under the Tools Menu), you won’t want to go there if you use another browser (including AOL’s browser).

I get many email messages that have been forwarded since time began.  Before you forward it, THINK!  If a spammer gets it, they have a fertile field of new names to email.  (One way to get your address.)  I automatically delete those asking for it to be forwarded.  If you feel duty bound to forward such things, take some simple precautions.

Research the claims to see if there is any validity.  If those claims are indeed valid, copy the contents in the body of the original message then paste it to a new email, and send it along to whomever with this.

My favorite research sites:

MetaCrawler uses multiple search engines to search for any or all words or a phrase.  Also includes yellow and white pages search capability.  I use the advanced search.

SARC (Symantec Antivirus Research Center) at the bottom left, you can research computer virus hoaxes and jokes.  Above that, under virus definitions, choose Free Online Virus and Security Check to see if your virus detection or firewall software is working, or if you have a virus on your PC.

Snopes is a good place to search for hoaxes, urban legends, and myths.

Urban Legends is another good search site for ghost stories, urban legends, myths, and hoaxes.

Encyclopedia Britannica online and available for research and purchases.  Use the second column for research.

If you have others you prefer, let me know.  I will look at those sites, and may replace one of mine.  Either way, I will let you know the result.

March 20, 2004

NAIL'em

For those of you who use the Ashville e-mail system, it is under a Spam attack (and I don’t mean someone throwing a canned meat product).  As soon as I realized what was happening, I contacted Web Meister Michael Moore.  He has put in place a filter to block most of it.  However there are some things you can do to help protect yourself.

Never open any e-mails from an unknown sources, and never ever open an attachment from that source.  Many times, they are hoping you will so they can spread a computer virus.  RULE: If you don’t know the sender, delete it immediately.

Arm yourself with anti-virus, firewall, and anti spam software.  There are many of each readily available at what I view as a small cost for peace of mind.  (Always keep your virus definitions up to date!)

If you are using outlook or some e-mail software that gives any preview of the message, turn the preview off!  Some spam will automatically send a confirmation back to the sender that they hit a valid e-mail address when it is previewed (and they sell their list).  With that turned off, I go by the sender and subject only.

Look for key words in the subject title from an unknown source.  The use of “we” and “I was telling you” is suspect.  I normally report it as spam and delete without opening.  (Kinda like the old west, shoot first and ask questions later!)  Anything coming to you with your address ending in “ashville.user” is spam!

On the Ashville Info Links main page there is a link to spamabuse.org for reporting such messages.  My e-mail system has a one button click automatic reporting to them.  Depending on your system and e-mail software, you may have to do more.  I will be happy to walk you through the process for your individual computer set up if you run into problems.

Let’s face it!  With the national and state “Do Not Call” laws in place, the marketers will be trying to get you to buy any way they can.  This will include regular mail (where lists are sold), e-mail, or any other method they can dream up.

SwvilChair    Email SwvilChair