When Bad Things Happen To Good Javas

Java is a language developed by Sun Microsystems. It can be run on different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, OS X, and Linux. To do that, it uses a program called a virtual machine. The virtual machine translates the Java code to whatever your computer requires.

Most people only use Java when 'surfing' the web. Some websites have Java 'applets'; if a downloaded program refuses to run on your computer, you probably need to upgrade your Java virtual machine. That's easy to do. Go to the Java Web Site. Click on Get It Now.

The Java virtual machine is available for all Windows versions since 98. There is also a link for Windows 95.

Controlling Width of E-mails and Web pages When Printing

To make emails and web pages print - and fit left to right on the page:

Highlight what you want to print
Click on File -> Print
Under "Page Range", pick "selection"
Click on Print

Stop The Pop-up Ads (OK, Stop Some of Them)

Do you ever get any annoying pop-up ads saying that you need to disable a messaging service in WinXp that is a potential hazard for your PC. And these people offer so generously to disable it for you, for the small price of $10. Well, now you can do it yourself for free!

What is this messenger service? It's mostly used on large networks for a system administrator to send out messages to all the workstations to give information (i.e, "The Network will be going down at 10:00am" ) Normal PC users don't need this service, but it starts automatically by default.

To stop this service (for free):

1. Right click on My Computer

2. Left click Manage.

3. Left click on Services.

4. In the right hand pane, scroll until you see Messenger.

4. Double Left click Messenger.

5. In the middle of the window that pops up, you will see "Startup" and a drop down menu next to it. Click on the menu, and select "Disabled"

6. Click "OK" to close the options window, then exit out.

7. Smile, because you just saved $10 bucks, and cleared up a potential hazard in your Operating System.

Blast From The Past

Today's computer games are too fast-paced for me. I preferred these.

Must Be Using Windows. Next Time, try Linux.

Sending Anonymous e-mail

You might think that if you use fictitious information when setting up an e-mail account, no one will be able to figure out the e-mail came from you. After all, you set up a phony Web address. Think again. E-mail contains invisible information about the sender.

The information is in the header. All major e-mail programs can display header information. Here's how:

--In Microsoft Outlook, double click the e-mail. Then click View>>Options.
--In Microsoft Outlook Express, click the e-mail. Then click File>>Properties and select the Details tab.
--In Eudora, double click the message. Then click the Blah Blah button.
--In Netscape, click the message to open it. Then click View>>Message Source to display the header.

The sender's revealing information is in the sections that begin with "Received:." There may be several of these, depending on the number of computers the e-mail traversed. The originating computer is in the bottom Received:.

That Received: section will have an Internet Protocol (IP) number, such as 124.213.45.11. It can be traced on a number of Web sites. I use Arin.net. The number is probably assigned to the sender's Internet Service Provider (such as Earthlink or AOL, etc.), rather than the sender. But the ISP will be able to identify the sender using that number.

The ISP probably will not give another person your name. It probably will let you know that someone is complaining, if that is the case. If the case is serious enough, the ISP may cancel your account. The complaining party would probably need a subpoena to get your name from the ISP. If that person is suing you, he or she probably could get a subpoena.

It is difficult to remain anonymous when you use the Internet. Obviously, some spammers do it - but they know what they're doing.