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SP2 Automatically Downloaded |
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Greetings from Polar's
E-Connections Team
We think
you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable
tool for enhancing your Internet experience. If, however, you'd prefer not to
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SP2
Automatically Downloaded -
Important Info For Windows XP Users
Many Windows XP users have
noticed the recent inability to see graphics within incoming e-mail messages.
That's because Microsoft has now made its Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) a
"required critical update" for all people using Windows XP. One of
the "features" of the SP2 software is that it blocks images from
being displayed within incoming e-mail messages. (See below for information on
changing your settings to allow images to reappear within e-mail messages.)
More About Microsoft's Recent Automatic SP2 Update
As of April 12, 2005, anyone using the Windows XP operating system that had not
previously downloaded SP2 onto their computer was forced to do so. This was
accomplished through Windows XP's Automatic Update feature which is
"turned on" as a default setting on all Windows XP systems. Thus,
it's highly probable that if you use Windows XP, SP2 has been downloaded onto
your machine whether you've requested it or not. Once this download occurs,
however, users must then install the software to activate it. For installation
instructions, see: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx
Why SP2 For Windows XP Operating Systems?
Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2 is a security software update for
Microsoft's popular Windows XP operating system. Costing almost one billion
dollars to develop, this free and huge (200 megabyte) software download
promises to make users of Windows XP much safer from cyberattacks. SP2 adds
protection by closing entries to viruses, increasing spyware barriers, and
improving the safeguards of users' personal data.
SP2 Does Not Replace The Need For Third-Party Virus Protection
Windows XP Service Pack 2 DOES NOT REPLACE the need for third-party a) Virus
Protection, b) E-mail Filtering, or c) Firewall Protection. If you use third
party anti-virus software programs from companies like Symantec and McAfee, for
instance, you'll still need to continue to regularly update your software and
scan e-mail attachments for viruses as you've done in the past. SP2 does not
include robust protection in these three areas.
So Why Am I Unable To See Graphics Within Incoming E-mail Messages?
One of the protective features added to Outlook Express for those Windows XP
users who have installed Service Pack 2 (SP2) is the blocking of images being
displayed within incoming e-mail messages. However, it's not nearly as much fun
to receive an e-mail message from a friend or source you trust unless you can
also view the message's graphics and images. Microsoft provides an easy option
to allow images to appear within messages, either on a per e-mail basis or for
all e-mail messages. To see the graphics within messages on an e-mail-by-e-mail
basis, with your Preview Pane open, do the following:
- Click your cursor arrow on the gray bar located just
below the subject line of the message. It will say, "Some pictures
have been blocked to help prevent the sender from identifying your
computer. Click here to download pictures." If you click anywhere on that
gray bar, the pictures for that particular e-mail will appear for as long
as you have that e-mail open.
- If you go to a different e-mail and then come back to
this message, you will need to click on that bar again to see the images
within the message.
Note: If
you don't see the gray bar, open the message in its own window and follow steps
one and two above. Otherwise, click your cursor arrow on the "View"
menu and drop down to "Layout." When the "Window Layout
Properties" window appears, make sure "Show preview pane header"
is checked.
If you want to be able to see all pictures on all incoming e-mail messages that
contain images, you can disable this blocking feature. Here’s how:
- Go to the Outlook Express "Tools" menu and
drop down to "Options."
- When the "Options" window appears, click on
the "Security" tab. About half way down the window, you'll see
an item titled "Download images." You will see a checkbox next
to the words "Block images and other external content in HTML
e-mail." If you uncheck this box, it will allow images to be viewed
again just like before your SP2 update.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save
your new settings and close the window.
Note: If
you do not have the Automatic Update feature activated on your system and would
like to do so, go to this link for step-by-step assistance: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/updates.mspx.
If you use Windows XP and are not sure whether SP2 has been downloaded and
installed onto your computer, go to this link for more information: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
Polar
High Speed Internet Is Heating Up June - With FREE INSTALLATION!
Sign up for Polar High
Speed Internet before June 30, 2005 and your installation is FREE! That
saves you $125 and you get a download speed of 1.5Mbps from a local
provider you know and trust! Heat up your summer with Polar High Speed
Internet!
Summer is short so call today at 1-800-284-7222!
Some restrictions
apply. Call Polar for details.
Ask
The Help Desk - When
Was A Web Page Last Updated?
Question: Sometimes
it's important to know how current the information is on a web page. Is there a
way to find out when a web page was last updated?
Answer: Yes, this can be especially important if you are visiting
news-related web pages, stock market sites, or other time sensitive websites.
A simple method of finding out when a page was last updated is to go to the
page in question and then type (or copy and paste) the phrase below into the
address bar replacing the site's web address:
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javascript:alert(document.lastModified)
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A box will appear telling you the date and time of the last update. This trick
doesn't work on all websites and will only work if your browser is java-enabled
(which it probably is). However, in most cases this technique will provide
helpful results. Head to a couple of your favorite web pages and give it a try!
Great
Sites To Check Out This Month
Locate Recreational
Opportunities Before Next Vacation
http://recreation.gov/ -
If you are planning a vacation this summer and want to check out some of our
nation's great recreational opportunities, the federal government provides this
in-depth informational site to get you started. Recreation.gov allows you to
search for recreational areas by state, by recreational activity, by agency, or
even by map. Have a great trip!
Google Now Offers Map Images Taken Via Satellite
http://maps.google.com/ -
You've probably used MapQuest.com for map information or driving directions.
Now Google.com has gone one step further. It offers maps and driving directions
but also provides actual satellite images of addresses you input. Simply go to
maps.google.com, type in your Uncle Bob's home address in Toledo, click on the
"Satellite" link toward the top right corner of the page, use the
zoom feature on the left side of the page, and then check out his house!
Get Involved In A Kitten War
http://kittenwar.com/ -
No, this is not a site showing cat fights. It's a site filled with images of
cute kittens where you vote on your favorite feline. Hundreds of pictures of
kittens have been submitted. Check out the photo list of the top ten
"winningest kittens," the ten "losingest kittens," and the
ten most recently submitted entries. Upload your own favorite kitten photo and
let the voting battle begin!
Herbie: Fully Loaded Movie Released This Month
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/herbie/ -
This month Walt Disney Pictures presents the fifth feature film in the Herbie
series that started with the popular movie, The Love Bug, back in 1969.
This time the adventurous Herbie takes on the world of NASCAR! The film stars
Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon, Michael Keaton, and Justin Long. Dale Earnhardt,
Jr. even makes an appearance. Herbie: Fully Loaded is rated G for
general audiences.
LPGA's Open Hosted By Colorado
http://LPGA.com -
This month marks the 60th anniversary of the longest running event currently on
the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. The U.S. Women's Open will be
held June 23-26 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
In last year's exciting event, eventual champion Meg Mallon held off Annika
Sorenstam by two strokes. Both will be competing this year for their share of
the event's $3.1 million purse. Check out this site for the latest news and
stats concerning the LPGA.
Short
Tutorial - Locating
Hard-To-Find E-mail Messages
Have you ever tried to find
an e-mail message in your inbox folder that was sent to you months ago but you
can't recall the name or e-mail address of the sender? Plus, your search for
key words that were possibly included in the subject line of the message hasn't
given you successful results. Well, don't despair. You can also search for key
words within the actual message pane windows of e-mail messages located in your
inbox folder (and your other folders as well). Depending on how many messages
are stored in your inbox and how specific your key word search is, there's a
good chance of quickly finding the exact message that you're looking for. See
the step-by-step tutorials below.
Outlook Express 6.0 and Windows XP
- With Outlook Express open, click your cursor arrow on
your "Inbox."
- Click on the "File" menu, drop down to
"Find," and then select "Message" from the submenu.
The "Find Message" dialog box will now appear.
- Where it reads "Look In," the location should
say "Inbox." Make sure the box is checked beside "Include
subfolders."
- Look for the field marked "Message" and type
your keyword(s) into it. Those words will be searched for in the body of
your message. Remember, the more words you put into that field, the
narrower your search will be.
- Click the "Find Now" button. The results will
be shown in a frame at the bottom of the window.
Mozilla's
Thunderbird 1.0 on Windows XP:
- With Thunderbird open, click your cursor arrow on your
"Inbox."
- Click on the "Edit" menu and drop down to
"Find." Select "Search Messages" from the resulting
submenu. The "Search Messages" window will appear.
- Make sure it says "Search for messages in: Inbox
on Local Folders" and that "Search Subfolders" is checked.
- Select "Match any of the following."
- Locate the pane that includes three fields. One will be
called "Subject," one will be called "contains," and
the third field will be blank. Click on the word "Subject" and a
drop down menu will appear with other options. Select "Body"
from this list. Leave the field that says "contains" as it is.
In the blank field, type in your keyword(s). Remember, the more words you
put into the field, the narrower your search will be.
- Click the "Search" button and the results
will appear in the lower pane of the window.
Mail.app
1.3.9 on Macintosh OS X
- In the search field on your Mail.app tool bar, click on
the letter Q with the downward pointing triangle next to it.
- A drop-down menu will appear with a number of options
listed for either the mailbox you are currently in or for all mailboxes.
Select "Entire Message" and type in your keyword(s).
- A list of messages that include the keyword(s) you
typed will appear in the message list.
We hope you found this newsletter
to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our
shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly
basis, click HERE.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
The E-Connections
Team
Polar E-Connections
Polar Communications
110 4th St E
Park River, ND 58270
800-284-7222
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information
published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all
liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such
errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2005
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are
trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.