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Welcome to the 24-Feb-2000 Column
In this issue, webDotWiz suggests why you should join a mailing list, how a Hotmail account can help with newsletters, where you can backup your files online, and where to get free anti-virus software. Also, as usual, you can catch up on some headlines and news that have been on the Web over the past few days.
Have Fun.
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| Mailing Lists |
One of the fun ways to meet new people on the Net is to join a mailing list. These lists enable subscribers to join in discussions or offer advice, hints and tips - it just depends on the nature of the list. One of the biggest lists is run by Liszt - when I visited a few days ago they had over 90,000 lists from which to choose. Areas of interest include arts, books, computers, recreation, music, education, and politics.
As a suggestion, choose a list which has a moderator, that is someone who sees that members keep to the objectives of the list so the list's bandwidth isn't taken up with off-topic postings. Secondly, if you're starting out on limited hours with your ISP, subscribe to the digest form of the list, if there is one, to save time downloading postings - some lists can generate quite a lot of daily posts. And thirdly, another email address, such as offered by Hotmail, might be useful while you're finding your way. |
| Hotmail |
There are many sites which offer a free online email account. Hotmail, at http://www.hotmail.com, with over 13 million users, is one of the most popular because of its security and options.
One of the many benefits of an email account such as Hotmail is that you can access it when you're travelling and so keep in touch with those at home and those at home have a point of contact with you. As well, it's a handy place to have your newsletters and mailing lists posted to, especially while you're seeing if a mailing list is to your liking.
Finally, remember to download Hotmail's Instant Messenger so you're notified of new mail and when your friends are online. |
| Newsletters |
Many sites offer subscriptions to a newsletter to keep you up-to-date with their site. They're a handy convenience if you're on limited hours with your ISP - after you receive the newsletter, you can decide if it's worth visiting the site.
After you've subscribed to a site's newsletter, it's usual that you get confirmation of your subscription and details about how to unsubscribe - store this post for future use.
If you get a Hotmail account, you'll find one of the options available is to subscribe to many different newsletters (such as news headlines, sport, technology, media news) - use your Hotmail account as the destination for these posts if you subscribe to several. |
| File Backup Online |
| Backing up our data files is one of those onerous jobs and we're always pushing ourselves to backup regularly. It's also important to have a copy off-site. There are now several free online services where you can store your backups or any other important files. NetFloppy.com gives you 3Mb of space; MediaDepot.com allows 30Mb of storage. And if you join Xoom.com, you can take advantage of 500Mb (yes, 500Mb) when you join the Media Sharehouse. Note that you need Internet Explorer Version 4 or later to use NetFloppy. |
| Hosting Your Site |
Although your ISP gives you 2Mb or so of web space for your personal homepage, it's not always enough after a while, especially when you start a photo gallery or add music or video to your site. As well, you may want more features for your site than what your ISP can offer. There are several free web hosting sites, probably the best known being Geocities (15Mb).
But there are others, some offering unlimited web space: Xoom and Crosswinds are two. Angelfire is another well-known hosting service, offering 30Mb space. These sites also offer email addresses, email, newsletters, access to graphics libraries, and usually an online facility so you can produce your page and store it if you're not confident with an HTML editor.
Note that some of these sites place advertising on your site's pages - Crosswinds is one exception. |
| Anti-Virus Software |
| Now that some anti-virus software can be obtained for no charge, there is really no excuse for not having this feature installed on your system. Computer Associates, one of the world's largest software vendors, has made available InnoculateIT Personal Edition for Windows 95/98 and Windows NT Workstation as a free download. Just as importantly, CAI make available at least one update per week to the package's list of viruses that are checked and fixed. Also, you can subscribe to their virus alert newsletter so you know when there's an updated virus check available. |
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| Brief Headlines |
Did you see these?
- Airwave battle pits "sweaty guys" against high-tech
- Is artificual intelligence the next big thing?
- Intel chip chops components to cut costs
- Help, I'm drowing in e-mail!
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