cUlturE cHanneL wEbhelP

Listed below are a few favourite Web Help Fixes and advice on working better on the web. Webhelp is for computers using Microsoft (MS) Windows 2000 (W2K), XP, Vista and MS Internet Explorer (IE). Upgrading to Vista is optional but if you buy a new puter it's mandatory.
As at July 2008.
Recommendations
1: If you do nothing else, having a relatively new computer will greatly improve your security! Don't give your tired, old, slow, non-secure computer to your kids, buy yourself - and them - 2 brand new computers at a 'bulk' discount.
2: If on a budget, plan to upgrade to Vista by the end of 2008. Note that the new Apple computers allow both Windows and Apple operating systems to work using programs such as Bootcamp.
3. You can get good prices and service for software in Australia, delivered to your door, (apart from product download sites, if that's your preference) from City Software.
4: Enough bugs are now out of MSIE 7 to allow the upgrade if you're an advanced user and control auto-updating..
 

Improve Screen Display Resolution & Flicker / Refresh Rate

1. Improve Display: ClearType - For a XP and Vista, to improve screen display on LCD or flat screen displays (and improve the resolution of fonts and edges generally), use ClearType. To do this, right click on the desktop (or open Display in your Control Panel), then on the Appearance tab in the Display Properties pane, click Effects. In the Effects dialogue box that appears, under the Use the following method to smooth edges... choose ClearType from the drop down list, and click OK. When you install the new IE 7 (see below), this becomes part of the set up.
For W2K, always turn ON Smooth Font Edges for an improved screen display. To improve display right click on the desktop (or open Display in your Control Panel), then click the Effects tab and, under Visual Effects, ensure the Smooth Edges... option is ticked, and click OK. See also Smooth Scrolling in MSIE below.
2. Use Smooth Scrolling: Also ensure Smooth Scrolling is ON in Explorer (MSIE). To do this, open IE > Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > and under Browsing, tick Smooth Scrolling.
3. Set Refresh Rate (for old CRT monitors): Finally, you need to check that you have the correct vertical refresh (flicker) rate settings for your screen. To set your screen refresh rate for the least flicker, choose the highest refresh rate (the faster, the less flicker). You must have a display that can be set to, for LCD - 60 or more KHz, and for CRT - 85 KHz or more. If not, first check the correct display driver is installed (Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Adaptor > Properties > Driver), and if it is, then it's time to buy a new monitor, and possibly a new computer as well.

To set display flicker rate, right click on the desktop and select Properties, and from the Display Properties dialogue box that appears, select Settings > Advanced > Monitor > and then from the Monitor Settings / Screen Refresh Rate box select (using the right hand side arrow) the highest setting from the drop down box. You can also get to the Display Settings using Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced > etc.
 
Stand Alone Manual Downloads Vs Automatic Updates
Web Help offers alternatives to simply using Automatic Updates (MS, internet security, players, etc.) because sometimes manual can be better.
Automatic Updates may jam up your connection and your computer or could install unwanted or unnecessary software on your computer. This is especially the case with Lo band (56K dial up) connections. To stop this you need to set the features from "automatic" to "manual" settings where needed. Then *you* choose what and when update software is downloaded, not MS or third parties. In a similar way you can change your email client settings from "download mail every 30 minutes" to "only download mail when I click Get Mail". Then you control all downloads and a key part of your bandwidth.
What policy you use to manage the various update systems depends on your skill level and interest, i.e. 1. Basic, 2. Intermediate or 3. Advanced:
1. Basic Policy: You consider yourself to be "non-technical" on the web (e.g. "I just want to use it.. I don't care how it works.. etc.")
Note: the Basic policy works best when you have a hi speed connection, as automatic updating can happen at any time you are connected.
Set Automatic Windows Update to ON (default). Note: MS now checks for an "authentic" (i.e. not a cracked/"free" version) copy of XP or Vista.
Set MSIE Automatic Update to ON (default).
Set third party antivirus and firewall automatic updates to ON. In most cases this is the default so you don't have to set anything.
2. Intermediate Policy: You don't want to know the details, but want to have optimal web operation and conditions for the least effort.
First ensure any third party antivirus and firewall programs have their automatic updates set to ON. Generally you will be notified first if an update is to be downloaded.
Next set up your Windows Security Center. To do this go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center.
Set Automatic Updates to the Notify me but don't automatically download or install them option. When an update notice arrives, check first at Start > Windows Update > Custom Install, then deselect (hide) or download your chosen updates.
Option 3. Advanced Policy: You know enough to manage your own update policy.
Set Windows Automatic Update to the Notify me but don't automatically download or install them option in the Security Center. When an update notice arrives, go to Windows Update, Custom Install (as above) and only add the updates you need.
If you choose to turn off your third party antivirus and firewall programs, remember to always log into virus and firewall homebase every few days for the latest updates.
Turn off all update features in third party programs (e.g. adobe reader, media and real players, etc.
 

Switch Off Windows Automatic Update

There are two main Windows automatic update features that will download and install new software as soon as you connect to the internet - the Windows Update and MS IE Update.
For Lo band (56K dial up) users you can't really afford to download all the MS Automatic Updates - some are 100 Mb or more - so you need an alternative method to stay safe and secure on the web.
Note: MS now checks for an "authentic" (i.e. not a cracked/"free" version) copy of XP or Vista. The new Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) update will not allow downloads if you do not have a "paid for" program disc.
For more details on Automatic Updates see Stand Alone Manual Downloads Vs Automatic Updates above.

1. Turn Off IE Automatic Updates, open the browser, and go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced, and under Browsing > turn off Automatically Check for IE Updates by making sure the box is unticked. Now you're in control of your computer and bandwidth!

Instead visit the Windows Update site first and choose what you download. To do this go to Start > Windows Update > Custom Install, then only install selected updates.
2. Turn Off Windows Automatic Updates (in XP), go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Automatic Updates (and in W2K, after ticking Keep my computer up to date...).
Select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them (and in W2K"..before downloading.."). Now you'll be informed about "critical" MS patches and updates and can choose what and when to download.
When an update notice arrives, check first at Start > Windows Update > Custom Install, then deselect (hide) or download your chosen updates.
MS really, really wants you to turn ON Automatic Updates. Just to be contrary, choose off.
MS also wants to watch and control your third party programs! such as third party security applications. Too bad, switch this off as well. In the Windows Security Center pane, under Virus Protection, click Recommendations, and then tick I have an antivirus program I'll monitor myself...
Do the same for your third party firewall program by turning off the MS firewall.
3. Turn Off Other Application Updates: many other applications have similar automatic updating features (e.g. Windows Media Player, Real, Acrobat PDF reader, and so on).
To save your bandwidth, time and puter, go to the Settings, Options, Preferences and other settings in each program and turn off these other automatic updates, check online for.., and other similar settings. Often slightly older versions of applications are smaller, faster and less buggy. You'll have to research and try some updates first. If in doubt, leave update ON.
4. Leave Internet Security & JAVA VM Updates ON: The only exceptions are your third party internet security software and your JAVA VM (see JAVA VM below). These are best both left on automatic, unless you're an advanced user.
 

Free Anti-Virus and Firewall Programs

Installing and regularly updating good anti virus and firewall programs for your computer greatly improves online security.
Have BOTH an anti virus AND a firewall program installed.

Avast have a great free anti virus. Avast 4 Home Edition replaces AVG which is no longer free. You have to download the 25 Mb application and install it. Then you register and get emailed a rego key which you cut and paste into the application. Then remove AVG using the control panel.

You have to re-register every 14 months to keep up the free edition
To install, download the file to your computer (desktop or folder). Double click the download icon and then click install, and then select the top radio button "Add...". Then restart.
Zonelab (ZL) have a popular free firewall program. When installing don't be fooled by ZL's anti spyware test - the test is only if you wish to buy a spyware program - instead just select only the second Firewall option.
Some versions come with both antivirus and firewall features. Free versions come with minimal but sufficient features. If want more features or like the program, you can try the free version for as long as you like, and then upgrade online to the paid version at any time.
Businesses can purchase "pro" single and multiple license versions of both these programs. There's also other internet security programs such as Norton's, and McAfee.
If you need more info there's a discussion on different virus checkers and firewalls.
 

JAVA VM, not MS VM, with MSIE

MSIE browser users should update their browser MS Virtual Machine (MS VM) application to the Sun Java VM (JVM). This will replace the obsolete MS VM and improve online security (online banking, etc). To use the more secure Sun JVM you must download and install this new browser application on your computer.
To do this, it's best to manually download the Java file to your computer's desktop before installing. Note: it's a 15 Mb file (small enuff for Lo or Hi band).
After installing it's best to leave the JAVA VM automatic updates ON unless you're an advanced user. Also to save disk space you will need to manually delete old versions of the JAVA VM (go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs).
MS does not remove the ol 35Mb of earlier Java VM so you need to do it yourself using Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, then delete all but the most recent Java VM program.
Note that Java is now run by venture capital and not service delivery people (the one's that care) as they now have an Opt-in automatic setting for google toolbar when you download their updates. Talk about a scam! as most people will download the toolbar application unknowingly together with the serious privacy implications where your browsing history is sent to google in the US for analysis.
 

Refresh Cached (Old) Website Content in Browsers
If your internet service provider (ISP) operates a server cache, popular website content is cached (copied and stored on their servers) and can take from 6 to 48 hours before it's refreshed with the latest version of a site. You see an outdated site! This is generally the case with large ISPs such as Telstra, Pacific Net, etc.

To get around this in MSIE hold down the Ctrl key while clicking Refresh in the browser menu. For Firefox etc hold down the Shift key while clicking Reload, or press Ctrl-Shift-R (or Cmd-Shift-R for Apple).

Sadly, just clicking Refresh in IE doesn't actually "refresh" your content every time. Ha! Gotcha! You can also set IE to check for new website content more often than the default (which is useless). The default, Automatically, doesn't actually "automatically" refresh the content every time. What a crazy, mixed-up world, eh?!
To change browser cache settings, go to Tools > Internet Options > General > and under Temporary Internet Files, click Settings, then under Check for newer versions of stored pages content, select Every visit to the page. This improves the situation, but take care! as the content may still not be the latest that's online. Keep checking to be sure. If in doubt you can always also clear the History and delete the Temporary Internet files under Advanced > General in your browser.
 

Display or Show File Extensions

By default the MS desktop hides file extensions. This is a pain if you need to display or show the file extensions (e.g. filename.ext, .doc, .htm, .wav, .mp3 and so on).

To show the different file extensions go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Folder Options > View > and under File and Folders ensure Hide Extensions for Known File Types, is unticked. Now you can see which file is which.
 

How to Back Up Everything on Your Computer

Life is short. You NEVER have to lose data, files, email, or your desktop and its installed programs if you follow a few simple steps..
Most people back up files to disk, the web, or to a Micro USB drive key. This should be carried out on a regular basis and a copy of vital work and files kept AWAY - at another location - from the computer. Burn a CD or DVD or copy to a micro USB drive and mail it to a friend, bury it in a bottle in the garden, or wear it 'round your neck. Fire, theft or computer failure then becomes a distant threat.
But to back up everything (including the system state with all the installed programs, emails and other settings that will "bring back" or restore your entire desktop and files), you'll need a powerful program such as the Restore feature (in Windows) or Norton's Ghost. See Windows help for details.
Do not carry out any Webhelp procedure without first backing up your data! In fact, don't go on the web without first backing up all your latest data. Once you've saved everything then you only need to back up the latest data files now and again, say to a cute little micro USB drive, or dirt cheap CD or DVD ROM.
 

Against Spam: Spam Will Kill The Web Unless.. (Rant)
You may notice that a major proportion of WebHelp is taken up with security issues. Combined with all the bandwidth used worldwide to download security updates, and the bandwidth spam mail (or dealing with security and spam) takes up, estimates that over 70% of all internet bandwidth are used up on spam are probably correct.
Spam and similar personal security issues will kill the web if left unregulated by government. See for example one US anti spam solution: http://www.donotcall.gov, where you register to not be sent spam to your phone, and email address.
Spam is a security issue. Solve email spam, and you solve email security and vice versa.
To be effective, any future government regulation must include ALL personal digital communications such as web messaging, chat, RSS/XML feeds, mobile phone and internet, SMS, Web TV, satellite, digital and Cable TV messaging, and all other existing and new forms of personal communications technology.
Opt-in is what we need, and it's a good compromise. The chance to choose is what we'd lose. Email your friendly political representatives today! Tell them you've had enough.. and you're just not going to take it any more.. See also the current anti-spam work by the Australian government. We need more and stronger protection now!.
News! Looks like it may have worked! Sign up soon for the Australian Do Not Call Register. More is on our home page.
 
Website Design Guidelines and Templates 101
Web developers require a general styleguide for building websites, and a simple website template.
 

Hard Disclaimer and Always Back Up!
Don't carry out any Webhelp procedure without first backing up your data! (see How to back up.. above). If you back up first, you'll never get in trouble with lost data. The risk to your data is high and is all yours if you don't always back up first.
 
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