KSFO's Web Wanderer

The Links for June 14, 2003

Panoramas - BimrJim

BimrJim says: "Another site one could spend a lot of time cruising. These are 360 degree views of well known sites all over the world. They work great with a high speed connection, but once loaded with a slower connection, I believe they are worth the wait."

This is THE SITE for quicktime panoramas.

From the site: "(Here) ... you will find more than 80 fullscreen QTVR movies from more than 25 different countries made by more than 50 photographers. They are from 500 kb to 2.2 mb in download and you can load the movies from the INDEX pages to the right or from the Week No at the top of each page.

"Websites or pages with VR panoramas of a general interest. Nature, landscapes, cityscapes, museums, art galleries or other cultural places. Panoramas from events, festivals etc."

I poked around some California missions, and I agree with BimrJim - even with a slow modem, they are worth the wait. Check 'em out.

Thanks, BimrJim!

The Secret Guide to Computers - Dudley

Dudley found this helpful site on Tudogs. Here's the Tudogs description:
"Claimed as the world's only complete computer tutorial. It's all online and it's free and it isn't boring!! Free"

From the site: Read it online for free! The Secret Guide to Computers is the world's only complete computer tutorial. It includes:

• Hardware: Learn about all of the parts of your computer and what they do. Use the buyer's guide to discover how to buy a great computer cheaply. Find out what to look for in a system and compare different brands. It even goes so far as to offer unbiased recommendation of places to purchase what you choose!
• Software: Find out everything you wanted to know and more about your operating system, word processor, spreadsheets, databases, games, and more. Learn to tweak your computer for maximum performance and neat shortcuts to make you more productive.
• Internet: Go beyond just surfing the web. Start using email, newsgroups, and more.
• Fix Your Computer: Why spend money to fix your computer when you can do it yourself. Discover how here.
• Programming: Learn multiple programming languages that allow you to make your computer putty in your hands.

The site supports older stuff (Windows 3.0!) and newer stuff as well. Very good for beginners.

Check it out.

Thanks, Dudley!

1Up Info - Shaan

Shaan says: "Browse articles in all areas of topics within Earth & Environment, History, Literature & Arts, Health & Medicine, People, Philosophy & Religion, Places, Plants & Animals, Science & Technology, Social Science, Law, Sports, Everyday Life, and more."

1Up Info is a broad encyclopedia, but very shallow in original content. This isn't bad - it gives you a quick overview of topics, and links to other sites for more details.

In all - pretty cool. Well worth a bookmark.

Thanks, Shaan!

Twinto - Frans

Frans says: "I'm visiting your site for a long time now. You have some great links there on your site. I know a good link that would be perfect for your links. It's a site with a lot of information how to tweak Windows and some good programs, I think your visitors would be interested in this link."

From the site: "Welcome to Twinto, which stands for Tweaks, Info And Tools. You can find tweaks and information on this site to tune Windows the way YOU like it. You can also find tools that can fix problems or improve Windows. Mostly you find stuff for Windows XP on this site. All things found on this site are free to use by anybody. Feel free to contact Twinto. Enjoy your stay!"

The tools are:

• Anti Virus
• Browser
• Clock/Time
• Desktop
• Files and Folders
• Hardware Optimisation
• Internet
• Miscellaneous
• Password
• Sound
• Start Menu
• System Info
• Windows Settings
• Windows Startup

These are more sophisticated tools - the internet section has download accelerators, cache programs, whois tools, etc. Not your basic email and browser stuff.

The tips and tweaks are MOSTLY Win XP, but some Win 98 as well. These are sophisticated as well: In Win98, sometimes programs don't unload DLLs when closed. The site provides a REGISTRY fix (using Regedit) to check your systems setting and force the DLLs to unload. Not for the faint of heart.

Great site - thanks, Frans!

Free For All!

"Free For All" picks are hot, FREE items or services. It can be software, online services, you name it - but it's got to be free, with no strings attached.

Free web hosting - Mike at Com-Techs

Mike at Com-Techs is providing free website hosting.

From the site: "Host your web site on com-techs for free. no banners or popups. no e-mail opt-in spam. all that is required is a link to www.com-techs.net somewhere on the front page, or in the links area of your site."

"all you need to do to obtain a fully functional site is to send an e-mail to freewebsite@com-techs.net and state weather you want a prebuilt site, or FTP access to upload your own site. please allow up to 1 week for your account to be setup. they are done in batches of 50 at a time."

"this is a limited time offer. and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. disclaimer. it is the responsability of the site owner, not com-techs to backup thier content. There is no Support for any sites on our servers. we will try and help when we can, but are busy people. if you complain about the lack of support form us. you will be reffered back to us. here. and ponted to this document."

"should you get so upset as to not want your site any more, then send an e-mail to deletemysite@com-techs.net with your site name, user ID and use your e-mail address. and we will gladly delete your site, and Give the space to someone who wants it."

Com-Techs is a technical support provider, and is only offering these sites until June 31'st. If you're interested, don't wait - this may be too good to last!

Thanks, Mike!

StudioLine Photo Basic - Santa Rosa Steve

Santa Rosa Steve says: "StudioLine Photo Basic 1.1.12 [Windows Operating System] http://www.studioline.biz/EN/downloads/download-photo-basic/download-photo-basic/default.htm While this free version of StudioLine Photo Basic weighs in at 27 MB, its capabilities are worth the download time. Some of the features of this program include the ability to import numerous image files without compression and the ability to share picture thumbnails. Users can also use the program to turn their computer into a slide projector and upload entire Web galleries to the Internet. The StudioLine Web site also includes several online tutorials that can be downloaded for reference use. StudioLine Photo Basic is compatible with all systems running Windows 98 and higher. "

From he sitt: "Maximum security - There is always a way back! You want to change or delete an effect you don't like? There is more than one way:

• You can use the multiple undo function.
• You can re-open the dialogue and change the settings, no matter when you applied the effect.
• You can always delete the effect by dragging it into the waste bin. All other effects on the picture remain unaltered.You can always delete the effect by dragging it into the waste bin. All other effects on the picture remain unaltered.

The undelete features are so user friendly, this looks perfect for the occasional user. And - the price is right.

Thanks, Steve!

Organic Art - MS Edition Screen Saver - Santa Rosa Steve

Santa Rosa Steve submitted this VERY cool screen saver.

"I'm not big on screen savers and usually avoid them. But "Organic Art - MS Edition" caught my eye (Thanks to JoeT) It's graphically interesting, and I've had it on my PC for two months.

"This screensaver has 23 different 'subjects'. Once installed go to the 'settings' -> playlist' and you can choose your favorite configuration, default settings will show all 23."

"Watch wonderful 3D organic sculptures grow on your screen. One of the best FREE screensavers around--extremely popular! Download size is 5.08 MB.

I gave it a go - the screen saver is VERY cool. Check it out.

Thanks, Steve!

This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 2003 by Michael A. Solinas.