Increasing System Performance

If you have 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system performance
by having the core system kept in memory.

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\Session Manager\Memory

Management\DisablePagingExecutive
Set the value to be 1
Reboot the computer

Hiding the Last User Logged On

If you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:
Start the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options
Scroll down to Interactive logon: Do not display last user name
Set it to Enable

Hiding a XP Computer from Network Neighborhood

If you want to share files from a XP computer,
yet want to remove it from showing up in the Network Neighborhood,
Run net config server /hidden:yes

Hide,Unhide Logon Names

If you want to hide or unhide the names of users that are displayed on the initial logon screen:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Winlogon \ SpecialAccounts \ UserList
Add a DWORD with the name of the user account you want to hide
Make sure it has a value of 0
If there is an existing account, you can unhide it by giving it a value of 1

HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured
Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.
At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Guest Only Network Access

If you try and connect to an XP computer and are shown a logins screen with only the computername/Guest,
You may need to change one of the Local Security Policies:
Got to Control Panel - Administrative Tools
Go to Local Policies - Security Options
Check teh Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts
Set it to Classic - local users authenticate as themselves

Explorer Opens Search Companion Rather than the..

If the Windows Explorer opens up the Search Companion rather than opening up the actual folder, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell
Edit the default value to be explorer or none

Enable , Disable the Task Manager

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Create the Dword value DisableTaskMgr
Give it a value of 0 to enable it
Give it a vaule of 1 to disable it

Easy Way to Share Multiple Folders

If you need to share multiple folders, running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring up a simple dialog box to let you:
Browse to the folder you want to share
Enter in a Share name
Ender in a Share description
Set permissions. Several choices are available
Restart the process from within the same program

Disabling Hibernation

If you don't want to use up the disk space taken by Hibernation, or don't need to use it at all,
you can easily disable it.
Open up the Control Panel / Power Options icon
Click on the Hibernation icon
Uncheck Enable Hibernation

Disable Shared Documents

To disable the Shared Documents folder that shows up on the network
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer \
Create a new DWORD Value
Give it the name NoSharedDocuments
Give it a value of 1
Log off or reboot

Disable Explorer Thumbnail View

If you want disable the Explorer's ability to show the Thumbnail View ,
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \
Change ClassicViewState to 1

Decreasing Boot Time

Microsoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot to WindowsXP
The program is called BootVis
Uncompress the file.
Run BOOTVIS.EXE
For a starting point, run Trace / Next Boot + Driver Delays
This will reboot your computer and provide a benchmark
After the reboot, BootVis will take a minute or two to show graphs of your system startup.
Note how much time it takes for your system to load (click on the red vertical line)
Then run Trace / Optimize System
Re-Run the Next Boot + Drive Delays
Note how much the time has decreased
Mine went from approximately 39 to 30 seconds.

Creating an Automated Install of WindowsXP

On the WindowsXP CP, in the SUPPORT\TOOLS directory,
there is a file called DEPLOY.CAB.
Extract the programs DEPLOY.CHM (help file) and SETUPMGR.EXE (main program)
Run SETUPMGR and answer the prompts.
This will create both a unattend.bat and unattend.txt file you can use for automated installs.
Note: The batch file might need some minor modification for file locations but it is fairly basic.

Corrupted or Missing

If you get the error:
Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.
At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
Enter in the administrator password when requested
cd \windows\system32\config
Depending on which section was corrupted:
ren software software.bad or ren system system.bad
Depending on which section was corrupted
copy \windows\repair\system
copy \windows\repair\software
Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Configure for Auto-Logon

If you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you on,
Start / Run / "control userpasswords2" - no quotes
Uncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computer

Common Control Panel Applets

The follow are some common Control Panel Applets that are located in the \windows\system32 directory.
If you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can simply make shortcuts to them on your desktop.

appwiz.cpl >>Add/Remove Programs
desk.cpl >> Display Properties
firewall.cpl >> Firewall Settings
inetcpl.cpl >> Internet Options
mmsys.cpl >> Sound and Audio
ncpa.cpl >> Network Connections
nusrmgr.cpl >> User Accounts
powercfg.cpl >> Power Options
sysdm.cpl >>System Properties
wscui.cpl >> Security Center
wuaucpl.cpl >> Automatic Updates Configuration

Common Command Console Utilitiesw

WindowsXP comes with quite a few console utilities you can easily run from the command line:
Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Disk Managment - diskmgmt.msc
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Disk Defrag - dfrg.msc
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Group Policies - gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policies - rsop.msc
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Services - services.msc
Component Services - comexp.msc

Cleaning the Prefetch Directory

WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.
To clean this periodically go to:
Star / Run / Prefetch
Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the shorcuts
Delete them

Changing the Registered Owner

Start Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
From there you can edit the name in the Registered Owner key

Changing Programs That Start Automatically

WindowsXP has a similar program, MSCONFIG, that was available in Windows98.
This allows you to view and change what programs are automatically started each time you log in.
The new version also allows you to view and edit the boot.ini file (as well as check for errors and use several advanced switches)





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Changing Drive Letters

If you want to change the letters assigned to your fixed or removable drives:
Right Click on My Computer
Select Manage
Select Disk Management
For a Fixed Disk:
Select it
Right click
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use
For a Removable Disk:
In the lower, right hand panel, right click on the Disk or CD ROM #
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use

Bringing Up the Shutdown Dialog Box

Create a new txt file somewhere on your system, open it and put in this one line:
(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows();
Save and Close the file. Change the extension to js and your got it.
You can make a shortcut to that file to make it easy to shut down your system

Automatically Ending Non-Responsive Tasks

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks
Set the value to be 1
In the same section, change the WaitToKillAppTimeout to the number of milliseconds you want.

Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors

If you are getting errors similar to:
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.
Try copying the file from \windows\repair directory to the one that is in the \windows\system32 directory.

Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors

If you are getting errors similar to:
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.
Try copying the file from \windows\repair directory to the one that is in the \windows\system32 directory.

Add Blogger Search Box

The Google Navigation bar at the top of your Blogger blogs has an embedded search box. However, you may want to include a similar box in the main body of your blog (like what I have done), or the sidebar. Other than the convenience for users, the added advantage is that unlike Google search box, the search results of this Blogger.com search box appear in the main body of your Blog.

Under Template->Page Elements tab, click “Add a Page Element” at the place where you want your search box to appear. Select “HTML/JavaScript”.

There are several HTML codes posted on the net. I tried a few, and found the one that works as follows:-

YOUR BLOG URL/search" style="display:inline;" method="get"> NAME OF YOUR BLOG size="20" type="text"/> value="Search" type="submit"/>

Remember to change YOUR BLOG URL to the URL or web address of your Blog. Also, change the NAME OF YOUR BLOG to that which you want to call your site. For instance, if your Blog Name is long, you may want to write something like “Search Here” or “Search this site”.

You can also change the “Search” button to say, “Hit” or “Go”, by changing the Value.

Save the code and refresh your page. If you want a longer or shorter search box, you can play around with the size. The above example of a width size="20" and value="Hit" will give you this:-

Search Here

Whereas a width size="30" and value="Go" will give you this:-

Search Here

The size of the search box is a matter of appearance. You may have noticed that the maxlength="255". This indicates that a user may enter up to 255 characters in the search box, which I think is sufficient and need not be altered.

Image instead of Search button

Search Tips for New Bloggers

Just for the fun of it, if you want readers to click an image instead of a button, you will first need to do up a small picture. You can also resize a picture you already have with photo editing tools like Google's Picasa. After creating a picture, upload it onto a free server like GooglePages or Google Groups, or other free hosts that offer direct links to the image files. Take note of this IMAGE URL.

The HTML code to insert is this:-

YOUR BLOG URL/search" style="display:inline;" method="get"> NAME OF YOUR BLOG size="20" type="text"/> IMAGE URL" align="top"/>

Remember to insert into the code the IMAGE URL, where your picture is uploaded. You can align the image to the top, bottom or set a horizontal space between the bar and the image by using a hspace tag. For more examples on alignment of images, you may refer to the article Hyperlinks and Image Links (II).

While it is alright to replace the button of your Blogger search box, you may not want to do that with the Google search box since their T.O.S. disallows any alteration of their code.

5 Reasons I’m Not Upgrading to WordPress 2.5

First off, I want to clarify that I love WordPress and without a doubt, it’s the best blogging system on the market today (for free I might add). The features and expandability it allows such as being open source, allowing custom plugins, etc is more than enough reason to rant and rave about this product.
Now that we’re clear, let’s talk about upgrading WordPress in general. I always upgrade my WordPress blogs to the latest version whenever a new release comes out (especially a security fix) but this time I’m holding off on upgrading to 2.5 because I really don’t like it.
I know, you hear all the positive reviews about the cool new features which I like as well but there are a few reasons I don’t want to upgrade quite yet. Here are my top 5 reasons why I’m not going to upgrade to 2.5 and will wait until a newer release is available:
1. I don’t like the new narrower interface which is left aligned and too compact. I wish there was an option to change it to fluid width.
2. I want to make sure all my plugins are updated to be compliant with 2.5+.
3. Usually after a major dot release, there is a smaller dot X release less than a month later. Why upgrade now when you’ll have to go through it again soon?
4. I have several WordPress blogs and it would be a huge undertaking for not a big difference in features.
5. I’m too busy now to spend time getting used to a new interface. I can quickly cruise around and get things done with WordPress 2.3.3.
Some of my reasons are personal and would change my daily work flow environment per se, and a couple reasons are just related to the WordPress product itself. Now if these issues don’t bother you at all then by all means go ahead and upgrade to 2.5. I’d at least recommend installing it on a test site first (localhost will do) and test it out yourself. That’s what I did and I’m glad I did.
I’m a guy who likes to have the latest and greatest versions of everything so not upgrading to 2.5 makes me annoyed. What is even more annoying is the message that appears in the header and footer of the admin section of WordPress telling me “A new version of WordPress is available! Please update now“.
Thanks WordPress but I don’t want to upgrade quite yet so leave me alone. I did some searching for a way to disable this feature (which is only available in 2.3+) so check out my other post on “How to disable the WordPress update message“.

Wireless Headset Tips

The Best Wireless Headset
The best wireless headset for you will depend on your needs and how often you will use it. For a cell phone wireless headset, you will want to look for a blue tooth headset, as that is the industry standard. Other features to consider include:

Comfortable fit
Features you require
Within your price range
Compatible with your current cell phone.
If you need a wireless headset with a landline telephone, you need to consider some alternate options:

What brand name are you most comfortable with? Wireless headsets for your regular phone come from various manufacturers including Plantronics, GN Netcom and Polycom.
How much desk space you want it to take up?
How much range it needs to have (how large is your office)
You may not have considered it, but you can also get a headset for your computer. If you use Skype or any of the other nifty computer phone call programs, you may have a headset plugged into your desktop or laptop already, but wireless may make your life much more flexible.

Wireless Headset: Bluetooth
Bluetooth is another wireless standard, mostly used for short range connectivity. You will often find Bluetooth technology in printers, cell phones and wireless headsets. Its range is significantly shorter then other wireless technology, about 30 feet. It is less expensive then other Wi-Fi standards and works well for many home offices. This is why Bluetooth has been included in many wireless headsets - but beware of that range, you don't want to wander too far from your source and lose you call.

Reasons to Use a Wireless Headset
A wireless headset offers you significantly more freedom while you talk on your cell phone or regular phone. By plugging in the wireless adaptor, you can walk all over your home or office since you isn’t tied to any location with a wire. The benefits in an office environment are clear, but these are also great for stay at home parents who may be chasing an active toddler all over the house! The car is another obvious location for the use of a wireless headset.

Good wireless headsets come equipped with volume control and answer buttons and they should be small and fit comfortably over your ear. They should be snug enough so you don't have to worry about the headset slipping off your ear or falling to the ground.

Problems with Wireless Headset
If your wireless headset is having performance issues, there are a few things you can check.

Make sure your telephone or ell phone is within range and not overly obstructed.
Check to make sure your cell phone battery is charged and you are receiving a good signal.
Typically, with wireless headsets you will have multiple channels from which to select the best signal, so make sure that you have switched around to see which is best and that you aren't still on the default channel.
Make sure you try your phone without the headset on at all to ensure that the line or signal is strong.
Finally, check to make sure the batteries in the wireless headset are charged.

Wireless Headset
A wireless headset is a small device you slip over your ear that allows you to talk via your cell phone, but hands free. Using the blue tooth technology standard, wireless headsets offer an excellent range and great hands free features.

These wireless headsets have been especially popular with commuters and people who need to use their cell phones in their car. The increased safety afforded when you are using both hands to drive makes the investment in one of the headsets an easy decision. Additionally, you aren't hampered by an annoying cord which can also be hazardous if you need full range of motion to avoid a potential car accident.

Wireless Headset with Regular Phone
There are wireless headsets on the market that you can use with a regular phone, but don't think you'll have to buy a different headset for every phone in your home or office. There are also wireless headset devices that you can hook up to a regular phone, cell phone and PDA, and you can alternate which device you wish to use your wireless headset with. This kind of flexibility is key in this day and age of telecommunications - and for your wallet.

Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors

If you are getting errors similar to:
The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.
Try copying the file from \windows\repair directory to the one that is in the \windows\system32 directory.

Adding the URL History to the Start Menu

If you browse the web a lot and want fast access to recent sites you visited, you can put your history list on the Start Menu.

Right click on the Start button

Choose Explore

Right click on the right pane

Choose New / Folder

Name it URL History.{FF393560-C2A7-11CF-BFF4-444553540000}

The label isn't critical. The period, braces and CLSID number are.

If you want to search for the string to enter:

Start Regedit

Search for URL History Folder

Right click the CLSID key

Choose Rename

Press Ctrl-C to Copy

In the Explorer window, press Ctrl-V to paste it in

weightless

Need some help with your weight loss? Below are some great weight loss tips to help you that extra bit, these weight loss tips offers pointers for pratical, effective weight loss tactics. Tips include healthy eating advice, support, exercise, preparation of food and much more. Enjoy!
1. To make a delicious low fat mayonnaise simply combine one teaspoon Dijon mustard or one teaspoon satay sauce with low fat yoghurt.

2. Avoid skipping meals. Eating increases your matabolism, thus skipping meals can 'trick' your body into slowing down its metabolism in an attempt to conserve calories during a period it perceives as a situation where limited fuel is available.

3. Stuffing vegetables such as capsicum and zucchini with tasty fillings of mince chicken, meat or tuna are easy to do and very healthy and low fat.

4. Pita bread roll ups or wraps with salad fillings, are great for picnics, school lunches or to take to work.

5. Exerise, exercise, exercise! Exercise increases your metabolism and burning off excess fat. When is the best time to exercise? Our metabolism slows down about 8 hours after we wake up, so 30 minutes of exercise in the evening, before dinner will increase your metabolism for about two to three more hours just when it was starting to slow down. This produces a significant increase in fat burned off, even after the exercise is over.

6. Adding alfalfa or mung beans to your salad brings in extra iron.

7. Good cooking and healthy eating begins with learning about nutrition and how to prepare healthy recipes.

8. Plan the week's family menus in advance and just purchase those ingredients at a once weekly shopping trip.

9. Be positive! The more you feel good about yourself the easier and faster it is to lose weight.

10. Learn how to make over family favourite recipes by cutting out fats, salt and sugar. Substitute non fat yoghurt for cream, stir fry minus oil and use herbs and spices instead of salt for flavour.

11. Please consult your doctor before beginning an exercise or weight loss program.

12. Eat slowly and chew each bite completely to decrease your appetite

13. Eat three small meals and two snacks daily instead of two or three huge meals.

14. It's a myth that you need oil to stir fry! Use chicken stock instead and cut down on hidden fat.

15. There is more fat in a plate of toasted muesli than a plate of bacon and eggs! Purchase non-toasted muesli instead.

16. Avoid removing the skins of fruits and vegetables - most of the nutrients are concentrated just under the skin.

17. Hot water with a squeeze of lemon before breakfast get the metabolism going for the day, helps prevent constipation and is excellent for the skin.

18. The best source of vegetable protein is from soya beans or tofu. All legumes provide some protein, so include lentils, lima beans etc into casseroles and soups.

19. Find a weight loss "buddy," club, or support group. This will help you stay with your weight loss program.

20. Though difficult, try not eating 3 hours or more before bed time.

21. I cut up a whole watermelon and leave it in the fridge to snack on over a few days. it is sweet, juicy, yummy and filling. it really has helped me because when i go to the fridge looking for something when i see the watermelon it stops me having something more calorie laden. having it handy so that it is just as easy to eat as a biscuit or whatever makes the world of difference. eating at night time is my downfall too. i cant just not eat at night so i allow for it in my daily eating. i have those 97%fat free rice crackers and/or fruit or air popped popcorn. for me i just cant not eat at night time. i find i dont sleep very well if i go from dinner time to breakfast without anything. although we do eat dinner very early (around 5.30) because we like to eat with the kids. i think it is best to know your weaknesses and try to work around them. also, i dont think it can be said too many times - drinking water makes all the difference.

22. Make pasta your fast food choice - you can prepare a pasta meal and salad in 10-12 minutes.

23. Chilli helps to speed up metabolism - even the milder varieties.

24. Omelettes can be made just using egg whites! A dramatic reduction in fat.

25. Limit salt in cooking. Other names for salt include baking soda, baking powder, MSG and soya sauce.

26. For low fat gravy, drop ice cubes into the baking tray. Fat will stick to the ice cubes and can then be removed.

27. Chew sugarless gum. It speeds up the digestive system, burning more calories, and sometimes kills a craving.

28. Drinking hot water as appose to cold water can increase the speed of your metabolism and burn more calories.

29. Make casseroles the day before use. Refrigerate and skim fat from the top before re heating.

30. Always eat before you go food shopping and always prepare a shopping list. Only purchase food which relates to your weekly menu plan and don't be tempted to buy goodies.

Anfy and Anfy 3D Download

On this site you can download and use FOR FREE a couple of programs for graphicians, artists and web designers. Usable as screen saver too!

Application Hosting

Application hosting is increasing in popularity as more companies look to make their applications available to both customers, vendors and employees. This also requires that the application be available 24/7 so the choice of application hosting provider is critical as well. Unfortunately trying to find an application hosting provider that is qualified is difficult.

Application Hosting Expertise
Go to any search engine and type in Application Hosting and you will be inundated by companies that claim they can provide this service. However, if you visit their web site you will soon realize that there is very little information provided about their application hosting service. In fact most of the time you will be taken to their web hosting page. But don't be fooled. There are very important differences between hosting a web site and hosting a high volume application.

Critical Application Hosting Issues
It is very important you get the application server configured correctly the first time. This configuration will determine how well the application performs, how easy it will be to increase the throughput, and how easy it will be to back-up. Your application hosting provider also must be familiar with your application or have the technical depth to be able to learn it quickly. An application is much more dynamic than a web site, so your application hosting provider must be technically skilled.

There can be great value to having an application available on the Internet, but only if your application hosting provider can properly configure and maintain it.

VPN

(Pronounced as separate letters) Short for virtual private network, a network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. For example, there are a number of systems that enable you to create networks using the Internet as the medium for transporting data. These systems use encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.

Airline Safety Hints

How can I avoid being the victim of a crime at the airport?

Don’t let your guard down just because you are away on vacation. Stay aware of those in your party, your luggage and your surroundings.
Take a look at the airport’s web site so you’ll know where you’re going.
Help airport security do their job and fully cooperate with any requests.
Immediately report any suspicious activity to airport security.
Leave your valuables, flashy jewelry and designer luggage at home. These items will make you more attractive to criminals.
Don’t walk around with your Airline tickets hanging out of your pocket.
Walk with confidence. Strong body language will let criminals know that you are not a victim.
Only use taxis and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation services from the official pick-up points at the airport.
Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.
Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.
Don’t go near abandoned bags, and immediately report them to security.
Never leave your luggage unattended and always keep an eye on them, just lying by your feet will not be enough to keep them safe. Carry-on bags are often stolen from under tables right in front of their owners. If you must set your luggage on the ground, consider hooking your leg through the carrying strap.
If your luggage has locks, be sure to use them. Keep the keys handy in case your luggage needs to be inspected.
Mark your luggage so it can easily be identified as yours. Use something that makes your bags unique, but avoid items that could be caught on a conveyor belt. Colorful tape works nicely.
Don’t delay picking up your luggage when you arrive or you may find it has already disappeared when you get there.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?
Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
Carry your purse under your arm.
Carry your money under your clothes.
Know the pickpocket's tricks

What are some of the pickpocket’s tricks?
There are lots of situations that pickpockets use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself in the following situations.
Getting bumped by someone else.
Having something spilled on you or someone pointing out a spot on your clothing.
Someone approaching you and asking for help or directions.
Someone causing a disturbance that draws everyone’s attention.
Being surrounded by a crowd, especially if you are surrounded by groups of children.

What do I need to know before I use the airport’s public phones or ATMs?
Take care when using public phones and ATMs.
Make sure to completely cover the numbers you enter on both these items since criminals can use the numbers to defraud you. They might not be over your shoulder, but across the street in the parking garage with binoculars. Public phones are targeted at airports because so many valuable calling card numbers are used.
The airport’s ATM will probably be more secure than the local gas station or outside a closed bank branch because of all the airport security around, but if an ATM is isolated or not well lit, you might want to find another one.
Be wary of anyone hanging around the ATM.
Don’t take the time to count your cash there, the exposure might encourage someone to follow you outside or into the restroom.
Take your receipt, it also has numbers that can help a criminal, especially if they just watched you enter your pin number.

How can I find out if the airport terminal has an ATM?
Use these ATM locators.
www.visa.com/pd/atm/main.html
Visa’s ATM locator web page. This site provides a searchable database that locates ATM’s belonging to the Visa, Visa Electron and Plus ATM network worldwide.

www.mastercard.com/atm/
MasterCard’s ATM locator web page. This site provides a searchable database that locates
ATM’s belonging to the MasterCard and Cirrus ATM network worldwide.

What are some of the airport scams I need to know about?
You want to make it through the security checkpoint quickly and avoid delays. One scam involves delaying you at the start of security while your valuables move on down the conveyer belt. The person in front of you might set off the alarm and delay you while they take time getting cleared. This delay gives their partner in crime enough time to steal your items, so keep an eye on your property as it moves through security. Wait until the line is clear in front of you before you release your bags onto the conveyor belt and watch that it does go though and stays there if you are delayed at the checkpoint.
That person that so desperately seems to need your help for directions may just be trying to distract you while someone else helps themselves to your valuables. You still may want to be helpful, but remember to stay aware of your surroundings.
If someone bumps into you, check to make sure they didn’t remove anything. They might have cut your purse strings, taken your wallet or Airline tickets.
Watch your bags closely in the restroom. They may not even be safe in the stalls. If you place them on the floor next to the door or on the coat hook, a thief might reach under or over the door, grab them and run. You will not be in the best position to give them an immediate chase and probably won’t even see their face. If your bags aren’t uniquely marked, they will be able to blend into the crowd and be gone by the time you make it out. Some airports provide a shelf in the stall, if it is there be sure to use it. If you have a choice, pick the stall next to the wall and place luggage between you and the wall.
As always, if someone approaches you with a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Approach any such deals with a great deal of caution.

What do I do if I am a victim of a crime at the airport?
If you are a victim of a crime in an airport, note the time and the location and notify security immediately. Noting the time and location may help investigate the crime since many airports have extensive security camera coverage.

System Faqs

Q: What is DirectX? Do you have a definition?
A: Microsoft® DirectX® is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements, such as full-color graphics, video, 3-D animation, and surround sound.

Q: What is the latest version of DirectX
A: The latest released version is currently DirectX 9.0b for users of Microsoft Windows 98, 98Se, Me, 2000, XP, and Server 2003. The latest version of DirectX for Windows 95 users is 8.0a.

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Q: What is new in DirectX 9?
A: "There are many new and exciting features in all of the DirectX components.

The SDK has added a new member to its core technology called Managed DirectX, a DirectPlay port for the PocketPC, a High Level Shader Language for D3DX, and Windows XP parity on downlevel operating systems for DirectShow and the DirectX audio APIs.

DirectShow also has a new Video Mixing Renderer (VMR9) which uses D3D9 surfaces and always renders video through the 3D pipeline, along with new and exciting samples.

The generic Windows Media Format SDK stub library (wmstub.lib) available in previous beta releases has been removed. DirectShow samples using this stub library have been reverted to the DirectX 8.1 behavior of displaying a warning to obtain the stub separately, and the readme.txt files have also been reverted with information on the process to obtain the stub."

Q: What is new specifically in DirectX 9.0b?
A: DirectX 9.0b includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX 9.0 APIs.

Q: Will there also be a SDK update coming?
A: Yes, Microsoft DirectX 9.0b SDK Summer 2004 Update will be released this summer.

Q: What will be included in that?
A: Primary areas of concentration for the Summer Update was for the Direct3D Extension Library (D3DX), Graphics Samples, Sample Frame work, tools and documentation. This release includes updated developer runtime and the previously released DirectX 9.0b Redistributable.

Q: What was new in DirectX 8.0a?
A: DirectX 8.0a contains updates for issues with international installs on Windows 2000 and issues where input devices could have buttons disabled that were enabled with previous DirectX releases. There are no other changes.

Q: What operating systems is DirectX 9 compatible with?
A: Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000(Professional and server editions), Windows XP. and Windows Server 2003. DirectX 9 is NOT compatible with Windows NT or Windows 95.

Q: You do not have Windows 95 listed as being compatible with Microsoft DirectX. What should I do?
A: The latest version available for Windows 95 is DirectX 8.0a.

Q: Is DirectX compatible with Windows NT?
A: Yes, though the only version supported on Windows NT 4.0 is DirectX 3.0a. You must also install Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6.

Q: How much space will this take up on the hard drive?
A: It will take about 18 MB of space once downloaded and installed. About 60 MB for installation.

Q: Do I need to install DirectX 9?
A: There are improvements over DirectX 8.1, but most users will do fine with running 8.1. Future games and hardware will obviously take better advantage of DirectX 9.

Q: What was new in DirectX 9.0a?
A: DirectX 9.0a featured bug fixes as well as improvements in performance within the graphics and networking components of the original DirectX 9.0 runtime.

Q: I thought that a DirectX Icon would appear in my control panel - what has happened to it?
A: The DirectX Control Panel is only included in the SDK versions of DirectX.

Q: What is the DirectX SDK?
A: The Microsoft® DirectX® 9 Software Development Kit (SDK) contains the tools needed to build cutting-edge, media-rich, interactive applications. It includes the run-time, headers and libs, sample executables, sample source, documentation, DirectX utilities, and support for both C++ and Visual Basic® development.

Q: What versions of DirectX are shipped with the different Microsoft Operating Systems?
A: Windows 98 comes with native DirectX 5 support. While Windows 98 Second Edition comes with DirectX 6.1a and Windows 2000 DirectX 7. Windows NT comes with DirectX 3.0a, and Windows 95 comes with DirectX 2. Windows XP comes with Direct X 8.1. Windows 2003 Server comes with DirectX 8.1.

Q: Will new versions of DirectX affect older games?
A: No, as each new version of DirectX is backwards compatible with older versions.

Q: Will Windows 2000 users finally be able to update to each new version of DirectX as they are released?
A: Yes - all future versions of DirectX will install onto Windows 2000.

Q: Does DirectX have a role with Xbox?
A: Yes, all DirectX technologies had played a role in the development of the Xbox both through Microsoft and NVIDIA. Xbox either shipped with a customized version of DirectX or has a similar set of non-updateable technologies.

How to Back Up

Back up regularly, back up often. It is important that you get into the habit of backing up your files on a regular basis. Just having things stored on your hard drive is not enough. A computer crash, a virus, or a hard drive failure can wipe out everything. Don't make this simple mistake! Back up everything at least once a week. Daily is better. If you use your computer daily, it is best to back up important files daily and other data weekly. At the absolute minimum, back up your files monthly.

Keep several backup copies. Never back up over a prior backup copy - keep several copies over time so that you can back up more than one version if necessary. Remember, a problem that is backed up will remain a problem when restored!

Be selective. You don't have to do a total system backup. In fact, why waste your time backing up all those executable program files when you can easily re-install them from the original media in case of a problem. Just back up your important files. Backing up the entire hard drive is time-consuming, not practical, and should not be done. A backup of specific data files is the way to go.

Know what's really important. The most important things to copy are files you create yourself. Be they text documents, e-mail messages, pictures, or game saves, if you made them, be sure to keep their current backup handy. Beyond that, it's helpful to back up the configuration settings for any programs you use, along with critical Windows data such as the registry.

Organize your folders. Backing up is easy if you set your folder structure properly. It's faster and easier to back up if all your files and subfolders are in a single folder, rather than having your documents scattered across the hard drive. The My Documents folder is a good place to store files on any Windows computer. When all your personal files are in one place you are less likely to forget a file when you back up. Organization can be the key.

Use backup software. To automate your everyday backup tasks. You don't have to copy your files manually. You can accidentally omit something, or simply make a mistake. Many decent backup program are available which can creates the backup of your data reliably and automatically.

General Math tips

Read the book

Read carefully over the assigned sections and look carefully at the sample problems. Decide if you benefit more by reading before or after the instructor covers the material. More information about reading math texts will soon be provided in a separate section of this page.

Develop a sound math foundation

Because most math courses are cumulative, in other words new concepts are added to and build upon previous concepts, it is very important that the early material be mastered thoroughly. Similarly, mastery of material from previous courses makes success in later courses more likely, so continually review and practice concepts from prior math classes.

Time management

Complete all readings and especially homework assignments as soon after they are announced as possible. And definitely complete all assignments before new material is covered since math is cumulative. This insures that the inforamtion is fresh in one's mind and linked to prior, more fundamental information. Do your assignments early enough that you can get help with the things you do not understand.

Calculator

Learn how to use your calculator effectively and efficiently, especially if exams are timed and you have trouble completing tests in the allotted time. Check with the instructor about suggestions for the appropriate calculator to purchase for a class. Be sure the machine comes with an instruction manual and read the manual. Learn how to use important function keys. Get in the habit of carrying the calculator with you. It is better in the long run to become proficient with your own calculator rather than borrowing other people's calculators.

Show your work

Avoid the temptation to skip steps when solving a problem unless you are quite clear about how to proceed. This is a good habit to get into with your math homework. And definitely don't skip steps on an exam no matter how well you know the material. Why take chances (unless you're running out of time)? Showing your work allows you to locate logical or calculation mistakes more easily, and sometimes partial credit is given for the correct portions of an answer.

Organize your work and write legibly

Write all numbers and variables clearly so they may be easily distinguished. Pay particular attention to 4 and 9, 1 and 7, x and y.

Spaces are as important in math equations as are the numbers and variables themselves. Allow enough space between different terms in an equation so it is easy to distinguish them.

Be sure to line up terms in each step of the solution, and write steps one below the other rather than to the right or left. Use lined paper or graph paper to help organize the problems on your page. Don't scrunch! Use plenty of paper to work each problem. Recycle the paper at the end of the term if you are concerned about wasting paper.

Support services and materials

Find out about the support services and materials available to you. Support services include workbooks, study groups, self-help videos and cassettes, peer tutors, professional tutors, and instructors' office hours. Using the resources from the start of the course may help your confidence and get you off on the right foot. Minimally, make use of these resources as soon as you feel uncomfortable with the material - do not wait until it is too late!

Preparation and supplies

Being prepared for each course involves several important factors:

• complete any previously assigned homeworks
• compile a list of questions about the previous assignments to ask the instructor
• preview the material to be covered that day
• take your textbook and/or workbook to class
• carry the proper supplies to each class - calculator, pencils, erasers, lined or graph paper, etc.

Information organization

Math information - including definitions, symbols, equations, and steps for solving problems - may be organized using flash cards, running concept lists, flow charts, and matrices (D. Applegate, CAL).

Flash cards

Flash cards are useful for organizing all forms of math information. Two examples are given below.

Running concept lists

Running concept lists organize all forms of math information.

Flow charts

Flow charts are useful for organizing sequential information such as the steps for solving a problem.

Matrices

Matrices may be used to organize math symbols, equations, and definitions.

TERM	DEFINITION	EXAMPLE
numerator	top number in a fraction	the 1 in 1 5
denominator	bottom number in a fraction	the 5 in 1 5
reciprocal	the inverse of a fraction (flip it)	2 3 the reciprocal is 3 2
integer	any member of the set of positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero	1, 2, 3, -1, -2, -3, 0

PROBLEM	EQUATION
perimeter of rectangle	P = 2L + 2W
area of rectangle	A = L * W
volume of a rectangle	V = L * W * H
perimeter of square	P = 4s
area of square	A = s * s

Student Visa

Now that you have been admitted to any University in US, you are probably thinking about when and how to get your F-1 Student Visa. This article will address general requirements and provide some tips for making the student visa application process a smooth one. We also recommend that you visit the State Department's new web site that provides helpful information and tips about obtaining visas.
The first thing to understand is that there are always exceptions and that the particulars will vary for each person; therefore, it will be very important to obtain accurate information, instructions and forms for the specific U.S. Consular post through which you will be applying for the student visa. Click here, "U.S. Embassies and Consulates" for an official list of U.S. embassies and consulates in your country.
In general, most U.S. Consulates allow students to apply for the F-1 student visa no sooner than 90 days before the “start date” indicated on the I-20. UB’s official start date for Fall 2004 is August 23, 2004 (although it may vary for some majors and summer programs); that means most consulates will only allow you to apply for your visa after May 23, 2004. Some U.S. Consulates may have different application filing dates and deadlines; be sure to check directly with the U.S. Consulate through which you will apply for the F-1 visa.
There is no standard visa processing time; some consulates can review and issue an F-1 visa in as little as one week or less; some consulates may take as long as two months or more. We strongly recommend that you begin the student visa application process as soon as you can. May through August will be the busiest months for issuing student visas; allow enough time to learn about the requirements; allow enough time in the process in case you are called for an interview or must come back a second or third time. Some U.S. Consulates may require a 30-day waiting period so that a background check can be conducted. Do not wait until the last minute!
Most U.S. Consulates require that your passport be valid for at least six months after the date you plan to enter the U.S. For example, if you plan to enter the U.S. on August 23, 2004, most U.S. Consulates will require that your passport be valid at least through February 23, 2005. Even if the U.S. Consulate in your country does not have this requirement, it might be a good idea to make sure that your passport does meet this requirement – we don’t want you to encounter any problems when you attempt to enter the U.S. If you arrive in the U.S. with a passport that is valid for less than six months, the immigration officer at the Port of Entry has the right to deny your admission to the U.S. and send you back home. Check your passport now – better to be safe than sorry.
Most U.S. Consulates have very strict requirements about how you can submit your visa application form and documents. Some have a “drop box”; some require that you mail the application; some require that you use a visa service or authorized travel agent. Follow the instructions provided by the U.S. Consulate in your country.
Most U.S. Consulates do not accept letters or faxes sent to them directly from UB. We will not be able to honor requests for letters of support sent on your behalf. The merits of your visa application will be determined by your own efforts and your own documents.
» What do visa officers look for when you apply for an F-1 student visa?
1. They must be sure that you have the ability and intention to be a full-time student in the program and school to which you have been accepted.
You will demonstrate this by presenting your Certificate of Visa Eligibility (the I-20 Form or the DS-2019 Form for J-1 visas) and your official university acceptance letter. The consulate may also require that you present documents showing scholastic preparation: academic transcripts (with above average grades), TOEFL score reports, and standardized test scores (SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.). Sometimes the U.S. Consulate asks to see documents that the university did not require; this is their right – they can do this; that’s why it’s always a good idea to have taken the typical standardized tests even if not required by UB. They may also check to see if you are prepared, in their opinion, to successfully complete your studies for the major to which you have been admitted. So if they doubt that you will succeed at UB in the major/department you indicated, they can reject your visa application.
2. They must be sure that you have adequate financial resources to pay for all of your studies and living expenses while in the U.S. without needing to work while in the U.S.
You will demonstrate sufficient financial resources by showing the visa officer your financial documents.
If you’re receiving a scholarship and/or an assistantship, be sure that your award letter is printed on official university department letterhead paper; if it’s not, contact your department immediately to request this. The visa officer will expect these letters to be printed on university letterhead paper.
If you’re documenting your own finances (from your personal funds, your family’s, or another sponsor’s), check with the U.S. Consulate in your country to see what forms of documentation they require. Some consulates require bank statements, past tax statements, company letters, employment contracts, etc. Some consulates require that you show evidence of funds for all years of study; some require evidence of only one year; some require that you actually bring a bank draft for the amount listed on the I-20. Check with the U.S. Consulate to see what you must bring. Then be absolutely sure that the documents are prepared and presented in exactly the manner required (for example, if they say “original only,” that means original only – no copies, no certified copies, no notarized copies, etc.).
3. They must be sure that you intend to go to the U.S. only to study; they must be sure that you have no intention of working; they must be sure that you do not intend to immigrate to the U.S.
This is the tough one! The U.S. Consular visa officers are required by law to begin with the presumption that visa applicants intend to immigrate to the U.S. and that they should therefore reject your visa application. The consular visa officers are supposed to issue the student visa only if they are persuaded beyond any doubt that you do not intend to immigrate; they must be 100% convinced you are going to the U.S. only to study, that you will not work, and that you will return to your home country after completing your studies.
You will attempt to document your intentions of returning home by showing that you have “strong ties” to your home country and legitimate, self-serving reasons to return home after graduation. “Strong ties” to your home country are things that bind you to your home town or homeland: future job, family, financial prospects, property that you will inherit, investments, etc. You will need to explain how you will gain the education and talent to succeed in jobs that are in high demand in your country. You will need to show that you are a familial son or daughter and will feel obligated to return home after graduation. If the visa officer thinks that you may work or stay in the U.S. after graduation, your student visa may be rejected.
Some U.S. Consulates may require a personal interview as part of the visa application process.
»If you are required to have a personal interview, what can you expect?
The interview will almost always be conducted in English.

The interview will be very short (probably 2 – 3 minutes).
Usually no other family members, friends or representatives can attend the interview with you.

The visa officer will render his/her decision immediately when the interview is finished.

» What does the visa officer expect from you?
Honesty.
Short and direct answers; not a memorized speech.

Good English proving that you have the necessary language skills to succeed in a competitive university in the U.S.

Documents that are in proper order as specified in the consulate’s instructions.

» What kinds of questions might you expect in an interview?
What is/was your high school (secondary school) GPA (grade point average)?
Graduate students: What is/was your university GPA?

Did you apply to local universities?

If not, why not?

If yes, why aren’t you going to a local university?

How many U.S. schools did you apply to?

How many U.S. schools accepted you?

Why did you apply to UB?

Did you do a lot of research about UB?

What’s so good about UB?

Why did you choose UB?

Name five things about UB that made you decide to choose UB.

Why didn’t you choose the other universities?

Why did you choose UB over the other universities?

What do you want to study? or What’s your major?

Why are you choosing this major?

What do you expect to get out of your education?

What’s the job scope (job market) for this major?

Do you intend to stay in the U.S. after graduation and work?

Would you like to stay in the U.S. after graduation in order to work?

Do you have any family in the U.S.?

Do you have examples of any family that studied in the U.S. and then returned home (to your home country)?

Does your family own any homes, businesses or property in the U.S.?

Does your family have any funds (bank accounts, money markets, stocks, etc.) in the U.S.?

How do you and your family intend to finance your education in the U.S.?

Don’t memorize your answers; rather prepare well and give short, direct answers.
You can see that most of these questions attempt to check and verify your academic intentions, how serious you are about your academic decisions, and your true intention of staying in the U.S. or returning home. Think about these questions carefully so that you can answer quickly and with confidence.

Final tips
Come to the interview well groomed and dressed neatly (but a suit or formal dress is not required).

Come to the interview prepared with all of the forms and documents as specified in the consulate’s instructions.

Have all of your documents organized neatly and logically. If the visa officer asks for a specific academic document, test score or financial document, you should be able to pull it from your file/organizer quickly. If you have to hunt through a stack of papers, the visa officer will think you are disorganized and hence not serious about your academic future.

Be prepared for quick, rapid-fire questions from the visa officer.

Keep your answers short and direct.

Practice your conversational English. Speak clearly (enunciate!) and with the appropriate volume.

Do not argue. Maintain a positive attitude. Be friendly and courteous.
The outcome of your interview depends on your answers, how well prepared you are, and some luck. So prepare well and hope for some luck!

8 Easy Ways to Optimize Your Website

Traffic from search engines is widely considered the best (and cheapest) way to generate traffic to your site. The increasing popularity of search engines has led to the development of a whole industry that revolves around ways to "optimize" websites.

The end result is that many people now think that only "professionals" can help their website rank high within search engines. But, the truth is that anyone can structure their site so they rank high for many keywords.

Below, I have listed 8 simple steps that you can take to optimize your web pages. By following these, you will improve your chances of increasing your rankings:

1) Target one word for each page: A huge mistake that many beginners make is cramming numerous keywords onto every page. Instead of doing this, you should focus on one specific keyword for each page. That way, you can make sure that the page is focusing on that one word without any distractions. If you want to target multiple keywords then it is necessary to create a separate page for each.

2) List your major keywords in the links back to your site: Many search engines, Google being the most famous, have started to take into account the words that are mentioned in the title tag of the links that point to your site. So, a great way to improve your rankings for your keywords is to place it in the title tag.

3) Make your first 100 words on the page keyword rich: Another mistake that most webmasters make is to have a menu on the left-hand side of a website. Since search engines primarily focus on the first 100 words of a website, a left side menu is a misuse of valuable space.

Instead of doing this, you should have your title, description and web copy within the first 100 words of your site. An easy way to do this is to have your menu on the right instead of the standard left-hand side.

But, since the left-handed menu is now commonplace, you can also choose to put your first 100 words above the left-handed menu, so this text will be the first thing read on your website.

4) Insert the keyword into your title tag: In the source code of most pages are "header tags" (also known as Meta tags), which help search engines understand the content of the page.

To fully optimize your website, you can tweak the source code of the page. The first step is to insert the keyword in the title tag. (This is what is shown in the results of a search engine when your site is listed)

5) Insert your keywords in the description tag: The description Meta tag is almost as valuable as the title tag. The information in this tag is listed directly below the title tag in search engine results. As a result, a good description can make your website stand out from other listings. To get the prospect to click on your site, it is important to write a snappy description while using your keyword.

6) Insert them into your keywords tag: Like the title and description tags, keyword tags are used to help search engines understand the content of your web page. Although this Meta tag has become less popular, it doesn't hurt to put your keywords here.

7) Place your keyword in the header: When writing the actual text of your site, the first part should be the headline. Whenever a search engine scans your site, it rates all words in the headline as being more important then the rest of the web copy. To take advantage of this, you should have your keyword in the page headline. But, since the header tag (h1) is quite large, you should format it so that it is smaller.

8) Write your keyword enriched web copy: Now that you have set up the structure of your page, you can write your web copy. While creating the text, you want to include the majority of the keywords at the top and the bottom of the page. In addition, the keyword should be included a few times in the middle. Basically, the common saying is that the keyword density should resemble an hour glass shape.

The total web copy of your page should be about 300-500 words. Also, the keyword should be included about 5-12% of the total words of the page. The percentage varies according to each search engine, so you might want to play around till you find the best results.

If you follow all these steps, you will definitely see an improvement in the search engine rankings for your keywords. The best part is that you do not have to spend any money on the expensive search engine optimizers!