ASC Newsletter


Must have downloads: Refer to my downloads page to get these critical applications!	In this issue: ►How to alphabetize all the programs under Start/Programs ►AOL now offers "Open Mail Access" ►Microsoft releases new AntiSpyware Replacement ►Cool site for free stuff: freecycle.org! ►A "kids contract" for safe Internet usage	When was the last time you had your computer cleaned? Call for an appointment! (805) 968-6366
Ad-Aware Personal SE (version 1.06)
Microsoft Defender Beta 2	How to alphabetize all the programs under Start/Programs Have you ever opened your Program Files list and found a jumble of installed programs in no particular order? Here is how to clean up that list in a snap!: 1. Click the Start button, Programs. Highlight any program group (i.e. menu item) that's listed there. 2. Now, just right-click and select Sort by name from the resulting menu. That's it. Remember that you can still drag and drop program groups around if you want to manually specify which ones sit at the top of the list. This item reprinted with permission from Computer Tips & Techniques, Weekly Edition (a free email newsletter available at www.worldstart.com), Copyright © 2005 WorldStart, Inc.	Is your computer getting slower? Pop-Ups driving you crazy? Is it just acting weird? You may be infected with spyware. Try one of the programs to the left, and if that does not work... Please call me! If you have a wireless router, remember to enable security! WEP is good, but WPA is way better. Feel free to call for assistance.
McAfee's Stinger, downloadable virus removable tool	AOL now offers "Open Mail Access" With the proliferation of high speed Internet access, many people are either switching away from AOL, or using it as a backup source for their internet access. Additionally, AOL offers a BYOB plan (bring your own broadband). The problem that many of my clients come up against is, how to check mail on AOL, if they are not logging on regularly. AOL has just released a way for you to check your mail with Outlook (not Outlook Express) or an other IMAP capable email client. Here is all the information right from AOL's own site: AOL e-mail can be sent and received using other e-mail applications by setting up a connection to AOL’s e-mail servers. Setting up access to the servers is relatively simple, and the settings are similar for most e-mail applications. The incoming e-mail server is an IMAP server. You will need to ensure that your e-mail application supports the IMAP protocol and you will have to select IMAP at some point during the setup process. The outgoing e-mail server is an SMTP server. The SMTP server requires authentication, and you will have to select this feature at some point during the setup process. Using an authenticated SMTP server means that in order to send e-mail you must log in the SMTP server with a user name and password. The user name and password are the same as your AOL screen name and password. In addition, you need to change the outgoing mail (SMTP) port number to 587. Incoming e-mail server address: imap.aol.com. Outgoing e-mail server address: smtp.aol.com. Please feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions or comments about this page. Further resources: E-mail Client Setup, More On Open Access, Keyword: Open Mail Access	Is your existing system showing its age? Don't forget, I build my own systems with the highest quality parts available. *If something does* go wrong, you won't be speaking to someone in a foreign country, you'll be speaking directly to me!**
Other Important Downloads: Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 If your web pages are not loading properly, you may need this download	Microsoft releases new AntiSpyware Replacement Microsoft continues to fine tune their Microsoft Anti-Spyware program. Now in it's Beta 2 release, it gets a new name: Microsoft Defender. The new version builds nicely on its predecessor. It is almost transparent except when you need it. I urge all of my clients to install this new release.
	Cool site for free stuff: freecycle.org! I was recently looking for a place to donate a bunch of my older computer parts. Like most people, I know that although junk to most, it really is treasure to a few. So, I hate throwing this stuff away. P.S. are you aware that with some new laws, you now cannot just throw most of this stuff away? I found a great site that fixes my problem! If you go on over to http://www.freecycle.org, you can either visit daily, or get on their mailing list. You start by finding out if there is a local site (of course there is one right here in Goleta/Santa Barbara). When you join the group, you get access to that local site. Here, people post items that are completely free, you are expected to arrange to go pick up the item. You also can ask for items, although that is not the main thrust of the group. If you choose, you can get an email of each of these offerings, or do what I did, and sign up for the digest. The digest is a once per day email of all that days offerings. I find the list has an average of 2-4 listing per day. But be warned! If you sign up for the digest email, chances are pretty good the item will have been taken by the time you get the email! I have been signed up for about three weeks now and have already missed out on two items I really wanted. Treasure!	Are you backing up? These days, a good backup is a must!
	A "kids contract" for safe Internet usage I have recently had many clients ask me about how to deal with where their kids go on the Internet. I always start by telling them that the best solution is to have the kids understand where they are going, and where they shouldn't go in the first place. Kim Kommado has prepared a contract that the parent and child sign. This contract lays out the expectations from each side. It may not fix your "online issue", but it is a great first step. http://www.komando.com/kimskidscontract.html This item reprinted with permission by Kim Komando Copyright ©2005 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Subscribe to Kim Komando's free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com

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	The AS Consulting newsletter is brought to you by: Andy Shapiro, Owner AS Consulting You can reach me at: P.O. Box 1728, Goleta, CA. 93116-1728, Voice: (805) 968-6366, email: asc2@asconsulting.com, Web: www.asconsulting.com See you next month!