March 2 2007 COOLSITES newsletter by Mark Donaldson

I have published the March 2 2007 COOLSITES newsletter by Mark Donaldson.

The following is an excerpt from this weeks newsletter. To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please go to my website at: http://luem42.com/coolsites.aspx Thank you. Mark.


March 2 2007 COOLSITES by Mark Donaldson Issue 102

Collect them. Trade them. Line your birdcage with them. But for your sake read them.

Wherever you go if you see the user name LUEM42 that's me

COOLSITES is a list of safe, fun, useful, informative and just plain cool websites and programs that are FREE, FREE and FREE. All of the programs and websites I list are free. If I list anything that is so good but isn't free I will list the price with it.



Pirillo's Picks for February 13 2007

"And if you think that's a lot of links, you should see how many http://luem42.com/ collects every day. It's enough to make you wanna never leave the house again as long as you live" Yours Digitally, Chris Pirillo http://chris.pirillo.com/


Review from Clif Notes http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotes , Feb 2007, http://freewarewiki.com/CoolSitesNewsletter
The COOLSITES Newsletter - find the coolest links here. This fella named Mark Donaldson has been sending out his lists of cool sites since 2003. I'd never heard of him before last week. One day I was Googling myself to see who was posting links to my newsletter, and I found his website. I guess he's mentioned my newsletter at least 3 times. I like the COOLSITES website too, but I think it could use some reformatting to make it a bit easier to read. What I really like is the content there. Mark must really read a lot of stuff on the web and he takes the best links then tells you about them.


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Security News
Websense® Security Labs(TM) has discovered emails that attempt to lure users to click on a link in order to upgrade their system security. The emails, which are spoofed from Monster, are written in HTML and claim that Monster systems have been upgraded and that users need to download a certified utility to be able to use Monster. The domain name that the emails point to are using five different IP addresses. Upon connecting to one of the IP addresses, the code is run, several files are downloaded and installed on the user's machine, and another file is downloaded and installed from a server in Denmark. The files appear to be designed to steal end-user information.


For additional details and information on how to detect and prevent this type of attack:
http://www.websensesecuritylabs.com/alerts/alert.php?AlertID=747


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Security Links
911 Rescue CD - The Admin Swiss Army Knife: http://www.911cd.net/911disks/rescue_soft/

Demystifying online virus scans - Which one is best: http://webware.com/8301-1_109-9692504-2.html?tag=nl.e404

EZ Wipe gives you the opportunity to permanently remove files from your Windows Explorer when you right-click any files and folders: http://www.xcrysoft.com/Development/product.aspx?q=EZ%20Wipe

Global Incident Map Displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News: http://www.globalincidentmap.com/home.php

How to Secure Your Computer- Maxim #2 (or, How Not to Invite Attackers Into Your PCs and Networks) ~ Ask the Geek, Too: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/gnomewriter/2007/02/22/how-to-secure-...r-compu

Identity Theft Information Center: http://www.scambusters.org/identitytheft.html

Internet Security Logger. Save all outgoing and incoming Internet traffic all data sent or received by Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera; Outlook, Thunderbird; ICQ, Skype, etc.: http://www.securitysupervisor.com/InternetSecurityLogger.html

Lenovo Recalls 200,000 ThinkPad Batteries: http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/gazette/2007/20070302_l...vo_reca

New. Dr.Web CureIt download and review - on-demand virus scanner from SnapFiles: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/cureit.html

PC World Downloads - Netcraft Toolbar. A second line of defense against phishing attacks: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64437/description.html?tk=nl_hsxdwn

PC World Downloads - Password Hash. Memory cells in short supply- This tool remembers passwords for you: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64436/description.html?tk=nl_hsxdwn

Phishing Scam Uses Google Maps: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,129164/article.html?tk=nl_spxnws

Prevent Remote Connections To Your Computer. Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 all support Remote Desktop: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2007/02/26/prevent-remote-con...tions-t

Read RSS, Get Hacked. Web feed services such as Real Simple Syndication (RSS) and Atom may be sending you malicious code along with your favorite Web content: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,129262/article.html?tk=nl_cxanws

ScamBusters.org Identity Theft Information Center: http://www.scambusters.org/identitytheft.html

Tips to Keep Your Teens (and Yourself) Safe on MySpace and Other Social Networking Sites: http://www.scambusters.org/myspace.html

Updated 02-16-07 Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Updated- Jan. 20 '07 Resources- Ad Blocking Resources: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

Vista. Easily Manage Security Settings In Vista: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2007/02/27/easily-manage-secu...y-setti

Vista. Find The Local Security Settings In Vista: http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2007/02/27/find-the-local-sec...ty-sett

Vista. Malware Protection In Vista (Part II): http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/it/2007/02/23/malware-protection-in-v...a-part-

Vista. Malware Protection In Vista (Part III): http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/it/2007/02/26/malware-protection-in-v...a-part-

Vista. Protecting Against Computer Theft In Vista (Part I): http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/it/2007/02/28/protecting-against-comp...r-theft

Vista. Protecting Against Computer Theft In Vista (Part II): http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/it/2007/03/01/protecting-against-comp...r-theft

You can now find the current issue of Internet ScamBusters online here: http://www.scambusters.org/preventidentitytheft.html


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Space Weather News for March 1, 2007

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE: Set aside some time this weekend for sky watching. On Saturday night, March 3rd, there's going to be a total eclipse of the Moon. This means the Moon will glide through the heart of Earth's shadow and turn a beautiful shade of sunset red. Totality can be seen from parts of all seven continents including all of Europe and Africa and the eastern half of North America.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips, maps and links to live webcasts


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You've got errors even if you don't

I got this email and have determined that it is one of those places that will test your computer and say it has errors, even if it doesn't, that you need to remove them by buying their software. My system won't even let me go there because it has been blocked by either my custom hosts file ( Updated 02-16-07 Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm ) my restricted sites file ( Updated- Jan. 20 '07 Resources- Ad Blocking Resources: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm ) or OpenDNS.com ( OpenDNS - Providing A Safer And Faster DNS: http://www.opendns.com/ ). Mark.

Press HERE to begin:
stonedainty . com

If after completing the free Diagnostic Test it is brought to your attention that your computer's registry does contain file "errors", then it may be in your computer's best interest to fix the potentially harmful file errors in your registry.

Once again, there are NO OBLIGATIONS for this FREE OFFER that includes our FREE Software, FREE Analysis, FREE Report and 24 Hour Support!

Stonedainty sent me another email for the program called Evidence Nuker which I have never heard of. Mark.


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luem42 I love it


I love my user name. When I went online I used AOls free trial ( which they kept on extending when I called to cancel ) and choose luem42. When I did cancel they said that my name can never be used again. luem42 is so unique that where ever I go they never say "name already used select another". I read that all of the 3 and 4 letter domain names have been used up and most of the 5s and a lot of the 6s are used. so whereever you see luem42 you can be sure it's me. BTW it's pronounced loom ( like fruit of the loom ) forty two



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Here comes more subscribers

I just got a mention in Pirillo's Picks which got me 200 new subscribers and now I get mentioned in Clif Notes. Yes I have mentioned Clif Notes several times and like to put the contents from the email notice and a link to the newsletter in my newsletter like this:

Welcome to Clif Notes Newsletter
February 25, 2007 http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotesNewsletter070225

Thanks for reading my newsletter. Each week, I will have freeware
reviews, tips, tricks, news, and lots of cool websites for you to
check out.

I hope you enjoy this week's letter. Be sure to write me for advice or
yell at me for messing up.

A. REVIEWS
1. Dial-a-fix - fixes a few Windows foul-ups
2. FileZilla - monstrous powers to transfer files
3. Sharpshooters Miniature Golf - play and design your own courses
4. Donation Coder Review - Altiris SVS
5. Old Newsletter

B. TIPS AND FEEDBACK
1. Tips from Tiffany
2. Website Change Detection Tools - when there are no feeds
3. Comments last week

C. COOL WEBSITES
1. PhishTank - Out of the Net, into the Tank
2. The COOLSITES Newsletter - find the coolest links here
3. Windows Live Contacts (Beta) - trying it out
4. Websites I've visited recently

Here is the quote. Mark.
The COOLSITES Newsletter - find the coolest links here
Review from Clif Notes Feb 25 2007

This fella named Mark Donaldson has been sending out his lists of cool sites since 2003. I'd never heard of him before last week. One day I was Googling myself to see who was posting links to my newsletter, and I found his website. I guess he's mentioned my newsletter at least 3 times.

I like the COOLSITES website too, but I think it could use some reformatting to make it a bit easier to read. What I really like is the content there. Mark must really read a lot of stuff on the web and he takes the best links then tells you about them.

Quote from the website
In February 2000 I went online (I waited out the bogus y2k scare) with a used IBM 486. Since I've been online I have spent less than $800 which includes purchasing 2 used computers (I'm presently using a Compaq that was owned by Enron), Ram, HDDs, printer, CD drives, modem and ISP monthly fees (I'm on Juno at $4.95 a month). Just about every program I use is freeware. Every newsletter I get is free.

http://luem42.com/coolsites.aspx

If anyone has suggestions on how to make the newsletter and website more readable just tell me at http://luem42.com/contactus.aspx . Mark.

ClifNotes FreewareWiki - freeware & free info: http://freewarewiki.com/ClifNotes
ClifNotes review of CoolSites Newsletter by Mark Donaldson: http://freewarewiki.com/CoolSitesNewsletter

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Get it your way
From subscriber camphill:

Love your Coolsites Newsletter. One suggestion: Any

chance of formatting the newsletter "Justified Left"? Some sections are Center Justified and is a bit difficult reading.

Thanks for the great newsletter!

From subscriber bluepwrdup

Hi Mark ... please add me to your free newsletter. BTW, I picked up on your site not only through Chris Prillo, but Clif Notes as well. I agree with Clif, you really need to do some major overhauling on your page design. Your site content is fantastical and as soon as you reformat you'll have an absolutely kick - ass site to visit. Cheers and happy surfing!

How can I make this newsletter better? By listening to my subscribers. I will left justif y as much of the newsletter as possible but the header and footer just looks good centered. I use carriage returns only at the end of paragraphs so that your email reader can word wrap. I have decreased the font size and changed the font to Arial from Times New Roman since I now have a bigger monitor and are seeing it how you see it. I always used Times New Roman before so you can tell the Is, 1s, and Ls from each other but does it really matter with clickable links? The Arial font doesn't look too good italicized to me but my Windows 98SE system doesn't have Cleartype. How does it look to you? The html version and it's format just looks good to me at 1024 768 resolution and is convenient for it's clickable links. If you have any other suggestions j ust reply to the newsletter or tell me at http://luem42.com/contactus.aspx . Mark.



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Not freeware but free software part 3

In my January 5 2007 newsletter and January 12 2007 newsletter I told you about giveawayoftheday.com and gamegiveawayoftheday.com. I said how you can activate the installer while online and then archive the program for future installation or reinstallation. I have downloaded and archived several including some that will only run under XP because I know one of these days I will upgrade my system. A couple of these programs used a registration key which was transmitted when I activated them. I just saved the key as a text file along with the program for future installation. This week I downloaded GreenChess and found I had to install it that day because it could not be permanently activated. If you do download these programs you should test them to see if you can archive them by activating them and then go offline and try to install them. Mark.

http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/ http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/



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Subscriber's sites

Mark:
I have been teaching astronomy for about 20 years. Teaching kindergarten to collage level. I have a 10" dobsonian telescope
a 6" Mead with Astroscan, and assorted other telescopes and binoculars. I have put you link up on my web site, http://www.rogershideout.com on the second page. I have no teaching certificates. what I teach I have learned on my own. I am also interested in astrophot ography. I am also a ham KA9ZFB
Regards Roger

I was a ham in the late 60s and also had a commercial radio telephone license with a radar endorsement. Passing that FCC test got me an automatic A in electronics shop in my senior year at Camden County Vocational High School. Mark.



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COOLSITES 105 cool links.

I harvest what I beleive to be the best links from the best sources that are safe, fun, informative, useful and just plain cool. I categorize them and edit their descriptions for clarity.

To see the full newsletter with all of the COOLSITES links please go to my website at: http://luem42.com/coolsites.aspx Thank you. Mark.