Updated 15-Jun-2000
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Column for 15-Jun-2000

In an earlier column, webDotWiz talked about how you can write your own web pages. You don't need to have a subscription to an Internet Service Provider and be "surfing the Web" to have your own web site. You can make your own pages, store them on your hard disk and browse them from there.

Basically you only need a simple text editor and a browser. All computers running Windows have NotePad to use as a straightforward text editor and Internet Explorer to use for browsing web pages.

If you're going to use NotePad to write your web pages, you'll need to know some HTML. Now "HTML" means "Hypertext Markup Language". Marking up a page simply means putting some codes into the text so that it is displayed by the browser in a neat and readable manner. If you want a paragraph of text, you mark it with a <p> at the start and a </p> at the end. Want to bold some text? Surround the word or words with <b> and a </b>. So the first thing is that there are a collection of codes or tags that markup your text.

It's the "hypertext" or being able to link to other pages that makes the concept of Web pages so convenient. A couple of paragraphs ago it was mentioned that a previous webDotWiz column talked a bit about writing your own web pages. So if you were reading this online, you'd be able to click on earlier column to go directly to where it was discussed. Imagine reading a book that had links to certain words so you could "press" a word you didn't understand and that would flick over the pages to a dictionary at the back of the book. Or you're reading one of those 900 page novels with lots of characters and sometimes you'd like to catch up on who a character is after they come back into the story from six or seven chapters earlier.

Getting back to the practical, if you don't know which HTML tags to use to format your writing, you can use an HTML editor which allows you layout how you want your web page to look and then fill in the page with your content. You might already have Frontpage Express installed on your computer - you can use this. Or if you've got Office 2000, you'll probably have Frontpage 2000, a professional-level HTML editor. Failing this, look on the cover CDs of the popular Australian computer magazines for one of the many free HTML editors or try a shareware one. Choose a program that includes information about HTML tags as part of its help section so you can learn as you progress.

While you're looking at a computer magazine's cover CD, you'll notice most now present their content as HTML pages. So that's where you can look for examples of how you might want your pages to look. Writing web pages is a pretty basic process (don't get too carried away by people with the title of "webmaster"): use some HTML tags to lay out your page, try some content and see how it looks when you call up the page in your browser. Not good enough? Then it's back to your editor to make some changes and try again. And so the cycle goes until you've got a layout you like.

So make a new folder on your hard drive - of course, call it "MyWebPages". Secondly, if you've got Internet Explorer, start it up and from the menu, go to "Internet Options" (in IE4, it's under "View"; in IE5, it's under "Tools"). Change the homepage to "about:blank" so it's easier to work with until you get your own page up and running. Then once you're happy with your own page, make it Internet Explorer's homepage. Continue building up your site until the day you get online and upload your pages to a Web server. Then we can all enjoy your site.

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While CNET's main emphasis is computers and technology, the site offers many handy weekly newsletters. Once you've subscribed to those you want, there is just enough information provided so you can decide whether it's worth following up by visiting the site online. webDotWiz has been receiving their PC Dispatch for a number of years now and it's always been fascinating to see the new gizmos and gadgets that appear on the market week by week.

CNET have just begun a newsletter dedicated to music, including, of course, all that's happening in the MP3 world. The Download dispatch every week gives details about new software downloads and what's most popular. Other newsletters concentrate on ideas for Web page builders, what's the latest in consumer electronics and where to find the best prices when you're shopping for computer-related products.

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While upgrading to Winamp v2.64 the other day, webDotWiz was reminded to be careful with Windows when installing programs while online. The best method to use is to stay connected but exit Internet Explorer and Outlook Express while the download and installation take place. This gives Windows the best chance to update its settings in the registry. Once the application is installed, restart OE and IE if you've got more work to do online.

If you've downloaded a program to install and you don't have to be online to do it, close down any programs, such as IE, OE, Word, Winamp or your favourite game. Click Start, then Run...; choose Browse to get to the folder where you saved the download, click Open then OK on the Run dialogue box. That will start the install process and you can be sure you haven't other apps running that might upset Windows while it adjusts its settings for the new application.

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It was mentioned in this column some time ago for Outlook users to keep a watch at Microsoft's Office Update site for the release of a patch to prevent problems with viruses being spread through email attachments. That patch has now been released to provide better security for email attachments, to improve the object model guard and to heighten Outlook's default security settings.

Outlook 98 and 2000 users and administrators can download the patch from Microsoft's Office Update site. If you're using a third-party application with Outlook, you're advised to study how this patch might affect it.

While talking about security updates, Microsoft have also made available a patch as of June 2 for Internet Explorer to prevent a malicious web site operator from posing as a trusted Web site or reading selected files on your computer.

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Readers who've installed InnoculateIT Personal Edition as their antivirus application can increase protection against some of the new email attachment antiviruses. As well as downloading and installing the latest updates of the signature files, follow the advice in one of the latest newsletters to add VBS files to those scanned by InnoculateIT.

Start InnoculateIT and from the Options menu on the toolbar, choose the Options Wizard. Click the Next button until you come to the screen which lists the types of files that are scanned. Add VBS to this list by following the instructions and go through the wizard until you're asked to save your new settings.

Users of other antivirus packages will probably have received similar notification to add the VBS file type to be scanned. If not, it's a good measure to take. As well, check your antivirus package's online site for the latest version of its signature file so you've got the best protection.

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Soccer fans will be disappointed that SBS is unable to show the Euro2000 matches live. TheWorldGame.com.au site at SBS' Web site may be some small compensation so you can follow the competition and get all the information you want about the players and how they're performing.

Cricket lovers can keep up to date with the King Commission in South Africa at Cricinfo.com. The site has a full coverage of the Commission's hearings. Under News Focus|Betting Disgrace, the site has a wide collection of articles dating back to when the betting and match-fixing allegations were first made.

The Australian Consumers Association's Choice site now includes several sections dealing with the GST: GST and your grocery bill and the GST pricewatch. The latter enables you to pass on any information regarding prices so they can be closely watched before and after July 1.

Gamers - don't feel left out! webDotWiz recommends you visit the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2000 review site. Here you'll find what games are being developed, what games may have sequels and when they should appear on the market. There's lots of news and gossip.

A reminder to Winamp users to disable the Winamp agent that's in the system tray (usually in the bottom right of the screen) before running Scandisk or Disk Defragmenter. Just right click on the agent icon and choose Disable from the menu. Scandisk and Defrag need complete access to your hard drive when they're working and Winamp agent restricts this. If Scandisk or Defrag give you a message they're retrying, then a program similar to Winamp agent running in the background (for example, some screensavers) may be the cause of the problem.

The Australian National Mapping Agency provides location and map information for Australian towns and localities. This week's list of sites includes the address to get to the map showing Rushworth. It may be useful to put a link in your homepage or pass it to overseas friends to give them a better idea of where you live.

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