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Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits October 26, 2001	sheldene chant
	Oct 26, 2001 21:27 PDT

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_______________________________________

 NEWBIES, NERDS & NITWITS

Your 'support' ezine if you're nervous about the Net

 October 26, 2001 Vol.1 Issue.15

 Sheldene Chant, Editor
_______________________________________

By subscription only. Welcome to the 15th issue of

 Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits

You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Our subscriber list is
confidential. Unsubscribe instructions are at the
end of this ezine
____________________________________________

IN THIS ISSUE

 o Time for a Break...

 o Adding Icons To The Start Menu

 o Halloween 'cyberstyle'

 o Error Messages On The Web

 o Putting Images on Your Website

 o Preventing Pain From Long Periods
 of Computer Use

 o Newbie Club Hot Tips - Using
 MsConfig and Alt+Tab

--------------------------------------------------
TIME FOR A BREAK...
--------------------------------------------------

I CERTAINLY need a break - from computers. My
PC has been giving me such a hard time lately what
with constant freezing, and finally cutting all ties with
the mouse, modem and printer, that I was forced to
have Windows98 reinstalled - something I have been
avoiding for years.

Apparently Windows gets 'tired' and needs to be
reinstalled sometimes. I tried to do it the easy way
and simply reinstall Windows over the existing Windows.
However my recalcitrant PC wasn't having that and
a knowledgeable friend eventually reformatted my
C Drive and installed a more up-to-date version of
WIndows98, from scratch.

Prior to this I tried to save everything I might ever need
on a second hard drive - but could have saved myself
the trouble. Once the new Windows was in place hardly
anything worked (certainly none of the programs I really
wanted) so I have had an awful week trying to put
everything back together again.

I have to admit the PC is operating more efficiently now
and no doubt I will recover from my evil humour - in
about two months time.

Enjoy this issue which is packed with information supplied
by outside contributors. I am not among them as I couldn't
think of anything pleasant and constructive to write about.

Fortunately my fascination with my PC will soon return.
I know this, having been here before! And in the meantime -
have a good month.
____________________________________

FREE TUTORIALS BY AUTORESPONDER

I can now offer you two useful Newbie Club tutorials by
autoresponder If you need to know more about
backing up 'stuff' on your computer click on
<mailto:pearlsa-@fastresponder.com> and you
should get the first tutorial within seconds.

If you are thinking about making your own web page, or
merely want to exercise your brain slightly, then send for
the web page tutorials by clicking
<mailto:nerdsand-@fastresponder.com>.

____________________________________

ADDING ICONS TO THE START MENU
by Tom Glander
____________________________________

THE Start Menu was created to make it easy to get to
programs when your screen is filled with, well, a program!
So how do you get new icons onto the Start Menu?
Here's one way to do it. The other, shorter method, is to 'drag
and drop the icon of choice on the start menu.' But let's go
through the traditional step by step method...

(Note: unless stated otherwise, all clicks are assumed to be
left mouse button clicks.)

1. Right click a blank portion of the Taskbar at the bottom
of your screen.

2. Click on 'Properties'.

3. Click on the 'Start Menu Programs' tab.

4. Click the 'Add...' button.

5. Click the 'Browse' button that appears and locate the
program or file you want on the Start Menu.

6. In the Browse window, there's a box named 'Files of type'.
This can be 'Programs' or 'All Files'. If you set it to 'All
Files' you can put anything on the Start Menu.

7. Click OK to pop the path to the file into the Command line.

8. Click 'Next' to get to the 'Select Program Folder' box.

9. Select the folder you want to place the file in by clicking
it once.

10. Click 'Next' and select a name for the shortcut. Either
leave the name that's there by default, or create a new name.

11. Click the 'Finish' button, then click OK. You're done.

Now go to the Start Menu by clicking the Start button. You'll
see the new program listed. Place files or programs on the
Start Menu that you want to access at any time. This is very
handy if your desktop is covered up with open windows.

(c) 2001 The Newbie Club
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another tip-top tutorial from The Newbie Club.
If you are not already a member take the time to
click on <http://newbieclub.com/?pearlsandpigs>
It's free.
_____________________________________

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS ON YOUR MIND?

Then why rely on yesterday's technology? Why plough
laboriously through thousands of websites while
struggling to find the Free Money you want for College?
Savvy students use The Scholarship & Grant Guide to
do the work for them. It's super FAST. It's amazingly
EASY. It gives you INSTANT results from the world's
TOP 20 Scholarship Databases. Go to
http://scholarshipgrantguide.com/c.cgi/sheldene for
more details.
____________________________________

HALLOWEEN 'CYBERSTYLE'
____________________________________

HALLOWEEN is almost upon us and if this is your first
year online you may not have considered celebrating it
by emailing a greetings card to special people.

Not that you have to restrict this to Halloween only.
The greetings card sites cater for all occasions, in some
instances they help you to design your own, and most
offer facilities for ordering gifts as well.

If you want to lash out and send flowers, visit http://www.ftd.com/
where you will find a wide selection of goodies, quite apart from
floral tributes, but I need hardly add that flowers are not free.

If the freebie greetings cards appeal to you check out these
sites:-

http://greetings.yahoo.com/

http://www.bluemountain..com

http://www.americangreetings.com

http://www.rats2u.com

http://www.egreetings.com

Another worthwhile site is http://www.hallmark.com.
The email cards are free, and there are a host of
tempting gifts which, unfortunately, one has to pay for.
---------------------------------------------------

SO you're not such a Newbie after all? Like to know
what makes Windows act the way it does? Then this ebook
will give you a quick, easy understanding of your PC's Brain.
It's called 'The Registry For Newbies' and you can read all
about it here...
http://newbieclub.com/rfncopy/?pearlsandpigs
AOL users:
<a href="http://newbieclub.com/rfncopy">click here</a>.

See Techie-Speak translated into Newbie-Speak
by an expert!
---------------------------------------------------
PLEASE RATE THIS EZINE...
Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder
http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20597.rate
<a href="http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20597.rate">
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Editor's note: When you click to rate it, make sure you
check the number. It's automatically set at 5, but you
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__________________________________

POIGNANT PEARLS & POTBELLIED PIGS - a
monthly ezine packed with original and amusing
articles, which will remind you not to take yourself
too seriously. To subscribe
<mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com>.
Or, if you're wary of pigs in pokes, surf to
<http://www.topica.com/lists/pearlypigs/read> to
view back issues.
___________________________________

ERROR MESSAGES ON THE WEB
Tom Glander explains
___________________________________

HOW many times have you clicked a link, and
the next thing you see is...

HTTP 404 - File not found
'The page you are looking for might have been removed,
had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.'

What does this mean? There's something affectionately
called 'link rot' that affects the Internet. People create web
sites,and put up web pages on those sites. Then they change
stuff around, remove a page, or rename a page.
So of course the page is gone, but anyone who may have
linked to that page isn't aware of the fact. You click the link,
and you get the error message.

How can we stop link rot? That is, how can we ensure that
the pages linked to will always be there?

We can't. Link rot is just like wood rot, except you can't spray
a chemical on the code that makes the link!

There are other error messages that you may see during your
Internet travels. But the most prevalent of all is the 404 message:
HTTP 404 Not Found

Think of this as a telephone number you call... and the message
your hear: 'We're sorry. The number you have dialed is no longer
in service. Please check the number, and try your call again.'
Problem is, I did check the number. So calling again won't do
any good. The Internet is full of web pages that are 'no longer
in service.'

Oh well... that's life on the Web!

Copyright 2001 Roglan International
____________________________________

Need a Trustworthy Web Host for your Web site?
The Newbie Club has exactly what you're looking for.
With features and benefits too numerous to list, we
have options to choose from. So whether you're a Newbie
or a Pro you'll be blown away by what we have to
offer - and we talk in Newbie-Speak! It's all explained at...
http://newbieclub.com/hosting/?pearlsandpigs

AOL users,
<a href="http://newbieclubhosting.com/?pearlsandpigs">
click here</a> to visit.

_____________________________________

PUTTING IMAGES ON YOUR WEB SITE
by Amrit Hallan
______________________________________

ONCE upon a time, in the dark ages of the Early Internet,
there were no images on the web pages (in fact, this is
poetic - no images, on the web pages). There were just
links. Hyperlinks, hyperlinks everywhere,
and not an image to click.

But as the Internet and the browsing technology improved,
web developers were able to incorporate images, and as the
HTML matured, images could also be used as Hyperlinks. And
now some developers develop imageless web sites just as
some 'arty' filmmakers want to make black and white silent
movies.

Graphics enhance the look of a page, they make it more
informative [One picture is worth a thousand words, etc.],
and they give your page an identity.

But don't go overboard - the total size of one page should not,
ideally, exceed 25 KB. There are many other issues involved with
web-based graphics, but at this moment, we are just covering the
HTMLization of graphic files. Assuming that you know a wee bit
about basic HTML Tags, you would use the following TAG
definition to insert an image into a web page:

<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif">

Ok, try to use tags in the small caps, as soon there will come a
time when uppercased tags will be loathed by the
browsing and developing protocols.

You notice that an <img> tag does not have an accompanying
</img> tag, which, almost all HTML tags have. 'src' is the source
of the image file you feel like inserting. Take care, that if the image
file is not stored in the same folder where your web page is, you
specify the complete path of the file.

Here, I have used the path "graphics/imaginary.gif", as by habit,
I store all my image files in a folder called "graphics". Of
course first I create this folder on the server, which, tells you
that you can name the folder anything as long as you can use it.
My experience has taught me another thing: be careful about
getting mixed up with uppercase and lowercase alphabets while
naming your files and folders. "imaginary.gif" is different from
"IMAGINARY.GIF" or "Imaginary.gif" Unix, especially, is very
temperamental about such issues and hence gives you a royal
snub at the slightest aberration.

Moving further, you can add the "width" and "height" attributes
too, to the image tag in the following manner:
<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif" width="115" height="100">

This you can use for displaying thumbnails of larger images. It
is advisable to specify the dimensions of the image because then
the browser loads them faster.

Two more attributes are "align", valign and "alt". "align" can have
the following values: 1. center, 2. left, 3. right..

"valign" is for verticle alignment and can hold values such as 1.
top, 2. bottom, 3. absmiddle.

But do remember if the alignment is coming from the top (a
centrally aligner table cell in which you are inserting the
image, or a left aligned <div> tag), the "align" attribute of the
<img> tag doesn't work.

These are the elementary values that are used by 99.99% web
pages. There are a couple of geeky values I cannot recall.

The "alt" attribute is used to provide the "alternate" text. What
happens is, some people don't appreciate your inclination towards
graphics. They turn graphics off on their browser settings so that
image files are not loaded - this speeds up the loading of the web
page. So in such scenario, the text supplied within the "alt" tag
shows up, and tells the visitor what the image cannot.

So now we re-write the <img> tag using all the attributes
we have learnt here.

<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif" width="115" height="100"
align="left" valign="absmiddle" alt="There is an image of a
stripper here!">

Images can also be used in place of the text being displayed
as a hyperlink in the following manner:

<a href="http://www.sheddingpets.net"><img src=
"graphics/imaginary.gif" border="0" width="115" height="100"
align="left" valign="absmiddle" alt="There is an image of a
stripper here!"></a>

Quietly I've introduced another attribute in the <img> tag here,
viz., "border". Actually, when you use an image as a hyperlink,
it is enclosed within an annoying border if you do not use
border="0".

There are mainly two graphic formats used for the web pages:
.GIF and .JPG. Other formats, like .WMF, .PNG, .BMP, .TTF are
there, but they are not very popular. Vector graphics (probably
.PNG) are going to be used extensively in the near future, as
they don't distort with increase-decrease in size.

.GIF files are used for basic animations and images with
transparent backgrounds.

.JPG files are used for photographs (for instance, a stripper).

Well, by now you know how to utilize the potential of graphics
while building a web page. You can create your own graphic
images (you can use tools like Photo Shop, Paint Shop Pro,
Corel Draw, etc.,), get them scanned, or steal them from other
web sites. A safer option, if right now you can't create your own
images and just want to use them in your HTML, is to go to
http://www.google.com and search for "free graphic images", or
something like that. There are hordes of sites eagerly giving out
free images.

Again, do not freak out on graphic files. Use them consciously,
and where there are necessary. Keep in mind that if your web
page has good information and if the visitors are coming for that
information, don't make them load twenty images before they
can view the information. If it takes two long, they'll leave.

So all the best, and as usual, you can write to me if you want to
know more.

Copyright 2001 Amrit Hallan
______________________
Amrit Hallan is a freelance web designer. For all
web site development and web promotion needs,
you can get in touch with him at
amr-@bytesworth.com. For further details, visit
http://www.bytesworth.com You can subscribe to his
newsletter, Bytesworth Reachout,
on Web Designing Tips & Tricks by sending a blank email
at bytesworth-@topica.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T FORGET THE CLINIC!
Ninety professionals providing unlimited answers to
your PC Technical problems for only 8 cents a day?
Any time it suits you? No wonder the Net is buzzing
about it. To find out more click on:
http://newbieclub.com/clinic/?pearlsandpigs

_________________________________________

PREVENTING PAIN CAUSED BY LONG PERIODS
OF COMPUTER USE
by Laraine Anne Barker
_________________________________________

IF you use a computer for much of your day you MUST
take steps to prevent the crippling pain this can cause.
The first thing to consider is the correct (ergonomic)
set-up of your computer desk and chair.

Both the chair seat and its back should be adjustable.
The chair back should have good lumbar support and
you should be able to adjust it to fit neatly into your back
while you're sitting in the chair. The seat should have
gas lift to make adjusting its height easy and should
slope down at the front so that the back of your thighs
are not put under pressure.

With your back against the chair back you should be able
to sit up STRAIGHT--not slumped either backwards or
forwards--and your feet should rest firmly on the floor.
If you feel the need for a footstool, your chair height is
definitely too high.

With your fingers on the keyboard, your forearms should
be level or sloping slightly down. Your wrists should be
straight, not sloping upwards. If they slope up, the
keyboard is too high. This is why you need a FULLY
ADJUSTABLE computer desk, i.e., the monitor and the
keyboard should have their own platforms that can be
raised or lowered separately as required. The top of the
monitor should be about level with the top of your head,
i.e., you should be looking straight into the screen, not
with your head bowed.

You could build a desk specially to your measurements,
but this doesn't make allowance for computer upgrades
(for instance, going from a desktop machine, where the
monitor can sit on top of the computer, to a tower model,
or switching from a 15" to a 21" monitor). The monitor
distance from your seat, BTW, should be about arms
length.=20

Set up your computer in a position that doesn't allow
reflections in the monitor from windows or overhead
lights. Reflections will create eyestrain and tend to
make you tense because you can't read what's on the
monitor properly.

Even with ergonomic furniture it's STILL possible to
suffer neck, shoulder, arm, wrist and finger pain. By the
time it reaches your wrists and hands, of course, you're
in a really bad way. However, there are some exercises
you can do. Preferably do them to PREVENT pain.

Unfortunately, most need demonstrating with photos or
graphics, but my favourite is easy to describe. Stretch
out on your bed with your shoulders positioned so your
head hangs over the edge. Support your head with both
hands and slowly lower it over the edge of the bed as far
as you can. Take away your hands and rotate your head an
inch or two to both left and right, trying to see as much
of the floor as you can. Then gently lift your head with
your hands until it's level with the rest of your body.
Do the exercise a few more times. Try doing it every
morning as part of your dressing ritual, or every night
before getting into bed. Certainly you should do it as
soon as you notice the slightest pain.

This exercise works on the same principle as the best
exercise for back pain (bending yourself backwards as far
as you can). Backache, especially unexplainable backache,
is usually caused by doing things that force you to bend
forward for long periods. Slouching in your chair
(particularly in a way that forces your body into a
'banana' shape) is another cause of backache.

Armchairs and sofas shouldn't need cushions. If they do
they're badly designed. Cushions are difficult to arrange
for proper lumbar support, so if the chair in which you
sit to watch TV doesn't have good lumbar support, a
special back roll for the purpose is probably your best
bet. And don't forget the seats in your car!

Copyright 2001 L A Barker Enterprises.
__________________________________
Laraine Anne Barker writes fantasy for young people.
Visit her web site, Fantasy for Children & Young Adults
at http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz for FREE stories
and novel excerpts. Sign up for the NOVELLA OF THE
MONTH CLUB, absolutely FREE!
______________________________

Want a FREE Guestbook for your site?

A fully customizable Guestbook that will blend right in
with your page design and color scheme. This Brand
New innovative Guestbook offered by The Newbie Club
is a dream to see, and simplicity itself to paste into your
Site. No programming or CGI experience needed. It's
specially designed for Newbies to install. Get yours
NOW at http://newbieclub.com/gbook/?pearlsandpigs
_____________________________________

NEED A FRIENDLY, HELPING HAND?..
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Sick of feeling like a patronized, second class citizen?
The Newbie Club will treat you with the respect you
deserve and teach you all you need to know with their
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and change your PC and Net experience forever.
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______________________________________

To view previous issues of Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits
go to: <http://www.topica.com/lists/nerdsandnitwits/read>
_____________________________________

PLEASE FORWARD...
IF you have enjoyed reading Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits
please forward a copy to some of your friends.
(If you're new to this simply click on the Forward button
in your email program, then type in your friend's
address when the new mail message, containing this
issue, appears. (It is also a good idea to type in a short
message above the forwarded ezine, so the friend knows
what's happening. I really don't want to be accused of
spamming!)
________________________________________

* --------------HOT TIPS----------- *

TRY MSCONFIG
Windows 98 bogged down and running like a snail? Try unloading
some of the stuff that loads on startup!

Use the system configuration utility
Programs that load upon startup require system resources
(a special memory location). Multiple startups suck up precious
resources, and can cause Windows to creep. To check what's
happening, type 'msconfig' into the Run dialog box from the
Start Menu. (Don't type the quotes.) Then click the Startup
tab. Uncheck everything but 'Explorer' and 'Systray'. There's
a list of stuff and what it does at this web site:
http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Printerdesktop.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

USING 'ALT'+'TAB'
Cycle through open programs with the keyboard. If your fingers
are already doing the walking, why grab the mouse to view a new
window? Just hold down the Alt key with your right hand, and press
the Tab key. Keep the Alt key down while releasing the Tab key.
You'll see a popup window with icons representing your open programs.
Release the Alt key to open the window associated
with the icon that's highlighted in the popup window. It works
like magic! Speaking of magic, have you seen Keyboard
Magic!? http://newbieclub.com/keyboard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tips from The Newbie Club, creators of "How A Newbie
Built A Website In Just 2 days - Absolutely FREE."
Details -->
http://newbieclub.com/builder/?pearlsandpigs

* --------------HOT TIPS---------------- *
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2001 NEWBIES, NERDS & NITWITS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 To view previous issues:
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 --------------------- Signature File----------------------

 Editor/Publisher: Sheldene Chant
 6 Strapp Lane, Amanzimtoti 4126,
 KwaZuluNatal, South Africa.
 <mailto:shel-@icon.co.za>
_____________________________________________________

SHELDENE CHANT is the editor of two
ezines. Poignant Pearls & Potbellied Pigs,
and Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits. To subscribe
email mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com
and mailto:nerdsandnitwi-@topica.com
or visit http://www.newbiesandnitwits.com

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<html>

_______________________________________ 

NEWBIES, NERDS & NITWITS 
Your 'support' ezine if you're nervous about the Net 
 October 26,
2001
Vol.1 Issue.15 

Sheldene Chant, Editor 
_______________________________________ 
 By subscription only. Welcome to the 15th issue of 

Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits 
You are receiving this newsletter because you 
requested a subscription. Our subscriber list is 
confidential. Unsubscribe instructions are at the 
end of this ezine 
____________________________________________ 
IN THIS ISSUE 
 o Time for a
Break... 
 o Adding Icons To The
Start Menu 
 o Halloween
'cyberstyle' 
 o Error Messages On The
Web 
 o Putting Images on Your
Website 
 
 o Preventing Pain From
Long Periods 
 of
Computer Use 
 o Newbie Club Hot Tips -
Using 

MsConfig and Alt+Tab 
 
-------------------------------------------------- 
TIME FOR A BREAK... 
-------------------------------------------------- 
I CERTAINLY need a break - from computers. My 
PC has been giving me such a hard time lately what 
with constant freezing, and finally cutting all ties with 
the mouse, modem and printer, that I was forced to 
have Windows98 reinstalled - something I have been 
avoiding for years. 
Apparently Windows gets 'tired' and needs to be 
reinstalled sometimes. I tried to do it the easy way 
and simply reinstall Windows over the existing Windows. 
However my recalcitrant PC wasn't having that and 
a knowledgeable friend eventually reformatted my 
C Drive and installed a more up-to-date version of 
WIndows98, from scratch. 
Prior to this I tried to save everything I might ever need 
on a second hard drive - but could have saved myself 
the trouble. Once the new Windows was in place hardly 
anything worked (certainly none of the programs I really 
wanted) so I have had an awful week trying to put 
everything back together again. 
I have to admit the PC is operating more efficiently now 
and no doubt I will recover from my evil humour - in 
about two months time. 
Enjoy this issue which is packed with information supplied 
by outside contributors. I am not among them as I
couldn't 
think of anything pleasant and constructive to write about.
 
Fortunately my fascination with my PC will soon return. 
I know this, having been here before! And in the meantime - 
have a good month. 
____________________________________ 
FREE TUTORIALS BY AUTORESPONDER 
I can now offer you two useful Newbie Club tutorials by 
autoresponder If you need to know more about 
backing up 'stuff' on your computer click on 
<<a href="mailto:pearlsa-@fastresponder.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:pearlsa-@fastresponder.com</a>>
and you 
should get the first tutorial within seconds. 
If you are thinking about making your own web page, or 
merely want to exercise your brain slightly, then send for 
the web page tutorials by clicking 
<<a href="mailto:nerdsand-@fastresponder.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:nerdsand-@fastresponder.com</a>>. 
____________________________________ 
ADDING ICONS TO THE START MENU 
by Tom Glander 
____________________________________ 
THE Start Menu was created to make it easy to get to 
programs when your screen is filled with, well, a program! 
So how do you get new icons onto the Start Menu? 
Here's one way to do it. The other, shorter method, is to 'drag 
and drop the icon of choice on the start menu.' But let's go 
through the traditional step by step method... 
(Note: unless stated otherwise, all clicks are assumed to be 
left mouse button clicks.) 
1. Right click a blank portion of the Taskbar at the bottom 
of your screen. 
2. Click on 'Properties'. 
3. Click on the 'Start Menu Programs' tab. 
4. Click the 'Add...' button. 
5. Click the 'Browse' button that appears and locate the 
program or file you want on the Start Menu. 
6. In the Browse window, there's a box named 'Files of type'. 
This can be 'Programs' or 'All Files'. If you set it to 'All 
Files' you can put anything on the Start Menu. 
7. Click OK to pop the path to the file into the Command line. 
8. Click 'Next' to get to the 'Select Program Folder' box. 
9. Select the folder you want to place the file in by clicking 
it once. 
10. Click 'Next' and select a name for the shortcut. Either 
leave the name that's there by default, or create a new name. 
11. Click the 'Finish' button, then click OK. You're done. 
Now go to the Start Menu by clicking the Start button. You'll 
see the new program listed. Place files or programs on the 
Start Menu that you want to access at any time. This is very 
handy if your desktop is covered up with open windows. 
(c) 2001 The Newbie Club 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Another tip-top tutorial from The Newbie Club. 
If you are not already a member take the time to 
click on
<<a href="http://newbieclub.com/?pearlsandpigs" eudora="autourl">http://newbieclub.com/?pearlsandpigs</a>> 
It's free. 
_____________________________________ 
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS ON YOUR MIND? 
Then why rely on yesterday's technology? Why plough 
laboriously through thousands of websites while 
struggling to find the Free Money you want for College? 
Savvy students use The Scholarship & Grant Guide to 
do the work for them. It's super FAST. It's amazingly 
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____________________________________ 
HALLOWEEN 'CYBERSTYLE' 
____________________________________ 
HALLOWEEN is almost upon us and if this is your first 
year online you may not have considered celebrating it 
by emailing a greetings card to special people. 
Not that you have to restrict this to Halloween only. 
The greetings card sites cater for all occasions, in some 
instances they help you to design your own, and most 
offer facilities for ordering gifts as well. 
If you want to lash out and send flowers, visit <a href="http://www.ftd.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.ftd.com/</a> 
where you will find a wide selection of goodies, quite apart from 
floral tributes, but I need hardly add that flowers are not free. 
If the freebie greetings cards appeal to you check out these 
sites:- 
<a href="http://greetings.yahoo.com/" eudora="autourl">http://greetings.yahoo.com/</a> 
<a href="http://www.bluemountain..com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.bluemountain..com</a> 
<a href="http://www.americangreetings.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.americangreetings.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.rats2u.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.rats2u.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.egreetings.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.egreetings.com</a> 
Another worthwhile site is <a href="http://www.hallmark.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.hallmark.com</a>. 
The email cards are free, and there are a host of 
tempting gifts which, unfortunately, one has to pay for. 
--------------------------------------------------- 
SO you're not such a Newbie after all? Like to know 
what makes Windows act the way it does? Then this ebook 
will give you a quick, easy understanding of your PC's Brain. 
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See Techie-Speak translated into Newbie-Speak 
by an expert! 
--------------------------------------------------- 
PLEASE RATE THIS EZINE... 
Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder 
<a href="http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20597.rate" eudora="autourl">http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20597.rate</a> 
<a href="http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra20597.rate";> 
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can go as high as 10. Make sure you change it to the 
number you want 
__________________________________ 
POIGNANT PEARLS & POTBELLIED PIGS - a 
monthly ezine packed with original and amusing 
articles, which will remind you not to take yourself 
too seriously. To subscribe 
<<a href="mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com</a>>. 
Or, if you're wary of pigs in pokes, surf to 
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view back issues. 
___________________________________ 
ERROR MESSAGES ON THE WEB 
Tom Glander explains 
___________________________________ 
HOW many times have you clicked a link, and 
the next thing you see is... 
HTTP 404 - File not found 
'The page you are looking for might have been removed, 
had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.' 
What does this mean? There's something affectionately 
called 'link rot' that affects the Internet. People create web 
sites,and put up web pages on those sites. Then they change 
stuff around, remove a page, or rename a page. 
So of course the page is gone, but anyone who may have 
linked to that page isn't aware of the fact. You click the link, 
and you get the error message. 
How can we stop link rot? That is, how can we ensure that 
the pages linked to will always be there? 
We can't. Link rot is just like wood rot, except you can't spray 
a chemical on the code that makes the link! 
There are other error messages that you may see during your 
Internet travels. But the most prevalent of all is the 404 message: 
HTTP 404 Not Found 
Think of this as a telephone number you call... and the message 
your hear: 'We're sorry. The number you have dialed is no longer 
in service. Please check the number, and try your call again.' 
Problem is, I did check the number. So calling again won't do 
any good. The Internet is full of web pages that are 'no longer 
in service.' 
Oh well... that's life on the Web! 
Copyright 2001 Roglan International 
____________________________________ 
Need a Trustworthy Web Host for your Web site? 
The Newbie Club has exactly what you're looking for. 
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_____________________________________ 
PUTTING IMAGES ON YOUR WEB SITE 
by Amrit Hallan 
______________________________________ 
ONCE upon a time, in the dark ages of the Early Internet, 
there were no images on the web pages (in fact, this is 
poetic - no images, on the web pages). There were just 
links. Hyperlinks, hyperlinks everywhere, 
and not an image to click. 
But as the Internet and the browsing technology improved, 
web developers were able to incorporate images, and as the 
HTML matured, images could also be used as Hyperlinks. And 
now some developers develop imageless web sites just as 
some 'arty' filmmakers want to make black and white silent 
movies. 
Graphics enhance the look of a page, they make it more 
informative [One picture is worth a thousand words, etc.], 
and they give your page an identity. 
But don't go overboard - the total size of one page should not, 
ideally, exceed 25 KB. There are many other issues involved with 
web-based graphics, but at this moment, we are just covering the 
HTMLization of graphic files. Assuming that you know a wee bit 
about basic HTML Tags, you would use the following TAG 
definition to insert an image into a web page: 
<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif"> 
Ok, try to use tags in the small caps, as soon there will come a 
time when uppercased tags will be loathed by the 
browsing and developing protocols. 
You notice that an <img> tag does not have an accompanying 
</img> tag, which, almost all HTML tags have. 'src' is the source 
of the image file you feel like inserting. Take care, that if the image 
file is not stored in the same folder where your web page is, you 
specify the complete path of the file. 
Here, I have used the path "graphics/imaginary.gif", as by habit, 
I store all my image files in a folder called "graphics". Of 
course first I create this folder on the server, which, tells you 
that you can name the folder anything as long as you can use it. 
My experience has taught me another thing: be careful about 
getting mixed up with uppercase and lowercase alphabets while 
naming your files and folders. "imaginary.gif" is different from 
"IMAGINARY.GIF" or "Imaginary.gif" Unix, especially, is very 
temperamental about such issues and hence gives you a royal 
snub at the slightest aberration. 
Moving further, you can add the "width" and "height" attributes 
too, to the image tag in the following manner: 
<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif" width="115" height="100"> 
This you can use for displaying thumbnails of larger images. It 
is advisable to specify the dimensions of the image because then 
the browser loads them faster. 
Two more attributes are "align", valign and "alt". "align" can have 
the following values: 1. center, 2. left, 3. right.. 
"valign" is for verticle alignment and can hold values such as 1. 
top, 2. bottom, 3. absmiddle. 
But do remember if the alignment is coming from the top (a 
centrally aligner table cell in which you are inserting the 
image, or a left aligned <div> tag), the "align" attribute of the 
<img> tag doesn't work. 
These are the elementary values that are used by 99.99% web 
pages. There are a couple of geeky values I cannot recall. 
The "alt" attribute is used to provide the "alternate" text. What 
happens is, some people don't appreciate your inclination towards 
graphics. They turn graphics off on their browser settings so that 
image files are not loaded - this speeds up the loading of the web 
page. So in such scenario, the text supplied within the "alt" tag 
shows up, and tells the visitor what the image cannot. 
So now we re-write the <img> tag using all the attributes 
we have learnt here. 
<img src="graphics/imaginary.gif" width="115" height="100" 
align="left" valign="absmiddle" alt="There is an image of a 
stripper here!"> 
Images can also be used in place of the text being displayed 
as a hyperlink in the following manner: 
<a href="http://www.sheddingpets.net";><img src= 
"graphics/imaginary.gif" border="0" width="115" height="100" 
align="left" valign="absmiddle" alt="There is an image of a 
stripper here!"></a> 
Quietly I've introduced another attribute in the <img> tag here, 
viz., "border". Actually, when you use an image as a hyperlink, 
it is enclosed within an annoying border if you do not use 
border="0". 
There are mainly two graphic formats used for the web pages: 
.GIF and .JPG. Other formats, like .WMF, .PNG, .BMP, .TTF are 
there, but they are not very popular. Vector graphics (probably 
.PNG) are going to be used extensively in the near future, as 
they don't distort with increase-decrease in size. 
.GIF files are used for basic animations and images with 
transparent backgrounds. 
.JPG files are used for photographs (for instance, a stripper). 
Well, by now you know how to utilize the potential of graphics 
while building a web page. You can create your own graphic 
images (you can use tools like Photo Shop, Paint Shop Pro, 
Corel Draw, etc.,), get them scanned, or steal them from other 
web sites. A safer option, if right now you can't create your own 
images and just want to use them in your HTML, is to go to 
<a href="http://www.google.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.google.com</a> and search for "free graphic images", or 
something like that. There are hordes of sites eagerly giving out 
free images. 
Again, do not freak out on graphic files. Use them consciously, 
and where there are necessary. Keep in mind that if your web 
page has good information and if the visitors are coming for that 
information, don't make them load twenty images before they 
can view the information. If it takes two long, they'll leave. 
So all the best, and as usual, you can write to me if you want to 
know more. 
Copyright 2001 Amrit Hallan 
______________________ 
Amrit Hallan is a freelance web designer. For all 
web site development and web promotion needs, 
you can get in touch with him at 
amr-@bytesworth.com. For further details, visit 
<a href="http://www.bytesworth.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.bytesworth.com</a> You can subscribe to his 
newsletter, Bytesworth Reachout, 
on Web Designing Tips & Tricks by sending a blank email 
at bytesworth-@topica.com 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
DON'T FORGET THE CLINIC! 
Ninety professionals providing unlimited answers to 
your PC Technical problems for only 8 cents a day? 
Any time it suits you? No wonder the Net is buzzing 
about it. To find out more click on: 
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_________________________________________ 
PREVENTING PAIN CAUSED BY LONG PERIODS 
OF COMPUTER USE 
by Laraine Anne Barker 
_________________________________________ 
IF you use a computer for much of your day you MUST 
take steps to prevent the crippling pain this can cause. 
The first thing to consider is the correct (ergonomic) 
set-up of your computer desk and chair. 
Both the chair seat and its back should be adjustable. 
The chair back should have good lumbar support and 
you should be able to adjust it to fit neatly into your back 
while you're sitting in the chair. The seat should have 
gas lift to make adjusting its height easy and should 
slope down at the front so that the back of your thighs 
are not put under pressure. 
With your back against the chair back you should be able 
to sit up STRAIGHT--not slumped either backwards or 
forwards--and your feet should rest firmly on the floor. 
If you feel the need for a footstool, your chair height is 
definitely too high. 
With your fingers on the keyboard, your forearms should 
be level or sloping slightly down. Your wrists should be 
straight, not sloping upwards. If they slope up, the 
keyboard is too high. This is why you need a FULLY 
ADJUSTABLE computer desk, i.e., the monitor and the 
keyboard should have their own platforms that can be 
raised or lowered separately as required. The top of the 
monitor should be about level with the top of your head, 
i.e., you should be looking straight into the screen, not 
with your head bowed. 
You could build a desk specially to your measurements, 
but this doesn't make allowance for computer upgrades 
(for instance, going from a desktop machine, where the 
monitor can sit on top of the computer, to a tower model, 
or switching from a 15" to a 21" monitor). The monitor 
distance from your seat, BTW, should be about arms 
length.=20 
Set up your computer in a position that doesn't allow 
reflections in the monitor from windows or overhead 
lights. Reflections will create eyestrain and tend to 
make you tense because you can't read what's on the 
monitor properly. 
Even with ergonomic furniture it's STILL possible to 
suffer neck, shoulder, arm, wrist and finger pain. By the 
time it reaches your wrists and hands, of course, you're 
in a really bad way. However, there are some exercises 
you can do. Preferably do them to PREVENT pain. 
Unfortunately, most need demonstrating with photos or 
graphics, but my favourite is easy to describe. Stretch 
out on your bed with your shoulders positioned so your 
head hangs over the edge. Support your head with both 
hands and slowly lower it over the edge of the bed as far 
as you can. Take away your hands and rotate your head an 
inch or two to both left and right, trying to see as much 
of the floor as you can. Then gently lift your head with 
your hands until it's level with the rest of your body. 
Do the exercise a few more times. Try doing it every 
morning as part of your dressing ritual, or every night 
before getting into bed. Certainly you should do it as 
soon as you notice the slightest pain. 
This exercise works on the same principle as the best 
exercise for back pain (bending yourself backwards as far 
as you can). Backache, especially unexplainable backache, 
is usually caused by doing things that force you to bend 
forward for long periods. Slouching in your chair 
(particularly in a way that forces your body into a 
'banana' shape) is another cause of backache. 
Armchairs and sofas shouldn't need cushions. If they do 
they're badly designed. Cushions are difficult to arrange 
for proper lumbar support, so if the chair in which you 
sit to watch TV doesn't have good lumbar support, a 
special back roll for the purpose is probably your best 
bet. And don't forget the seats in your car! 
Copyright 2001 L A Barker Enterprises. 
__________________________________ 
Laraine Anne Barker writes fantasy for young people. 
Visit her web site, Fantasy for Children & Young Adults 
at <a href="http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz/" eudora="autourl">http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz</a> for FREE stories 
and novel excerpts. Sign up for the NOVELLA OF THE 
MONTH CLUB, absolutely FREE! 
______________________________ 
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_____________________________________ 
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______________________________________ 
To view previous issues of Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits 
go to: <<a href="http://www.topica.com/lists/nerdsandnitwits/read" eudora="autourl">http://www.topica.com/lists/nerdsandnitwits/read</a>> 
_____________________________________ 
PLEASE FORWARD... 
IF you have enjoyed reading Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits 
please forward a copy to some of your friends. 
(If you're new to this simply click on the Forward button 
in your email program, then type in your friend's 
address when the new mail message, containing this 
issue, appears. (It is also a good idea to type in a short 
message above the forwarded ezine, so the friend knows 
what's happening. I really don't want to be accused of 
spamming!) 
________________________________________ 
* --------------HOT TIPS----------- * 
TRY MSCONFIG 
Windows 98 bogged down and running like a snail? Try unloading 
some of the stuff that loads on startup! 
Use the system configuration utility 
Programs that load upon startup require system resources 
(a special memory location). Multiple startups suck up precious 
resources, and can cause Windows to creep. To check what's 
happening, type 'msconfig' into the Run dialog box from the 
Start Menu. (Don't type the quotes.) Then click the Startup 
tab. Uncheck everything but 'Explorer' and 'Systray'. There's 
a list of stuff and what it does at this web site: 
<a href="http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Printerdesktop.htm" eudora="autourl">http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Printerdesktop.htm</a> 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
USING 'ALT'+'TAB' 
Cycle through open programs with the keyboard. If your fingers 
are already doing the walking, why grab the mouse to view a new 
window? Just hold down the Alt key with your right hand, and press 
the Tab key. Keep the Alt key down while releasing the Tab key. 
You'll see a popup window with icons representing your open programs. 
Release the Alt key to open the window associated 
with the icon that's highlighted in the popup window. It works 
like magic! Speaking of magic, have you seen Keyboard 
Magic!? <a href="http://newbieclub.com/keyboard" eudora="autourl">http://newbieclub.com/keyboard</a> 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Tips from The Newbie Club, creators of "How A Newbie 
Built A Website In Just 2 days - Absolutely FREE." 
Details --> 
<a href="http://newbieclub.com/builder/?pearlsandpigs" eudora="autourl">http://newbieclub.com/builder/?pearlsandpigs</a> 
 * --------------HOT TIPS---------------- * 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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<a href="http://www.published.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.published.com</a> 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Copyright 2001 NEWBIES, NERDS & NITWITS 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
LIST MAINTENANCE: 
To subscribe : 
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WEBSITE: <http://www.newbiesandnitwits.com>; 
 
 
 --------------------- Signature File---------------------- 
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab> Editor/Publisher: Sheldene Chant 
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab> 6 Strapp Lane, Amanzimtoti 4126, 
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab> KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. 
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab> <<a href="mailto:shel-@icon.co.za" eudora="autourl">mailto:shel-@icon.co.za</a>> 
_____________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<x-sigsep></x-sigsep>
SHELDENE CHANT is the editor of two 
ezines. Poignant Pearls & Potbellied Pigs, 
and Newbies, Nerds & Nitwits. To subscribe 
email <a href="mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:pearlypigs-@topica.com 
</a>and <a href="mailto:nerdsandnitwi-@topica.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:nerdsandnitwi-@topica.com</a> 
or visit <a href="http://www.newbiesandnitwits.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.newbiesandnitwits.com 
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