Messages

Great images guys!  

Nick where'd you find yours??

The rope technique is basically the act of imagining a rope above you that you climb with your arms.  This puts "force" on your etheric body and therefore can be a catalyst for an OBE.

There of info about this, just go to google and type OBE Rope Technique.

Do you have a credit card?  You can by ANYTHING with a credit card, including happiness and even books about OBE.

Check out half.com, amazon.com, etc.  Usually all you have to do is enter yourr credit card number.  I love half.com, I buy paperbacks all the time on half for just a few dollars each, although you are not going to find A.P. that cheap.

Actually, click on this link:

http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=233112&meta_id=null

I found it for less than $10 (not incuding shipping)

Best,
DT

That guy looks pretty normal to me, although he's wearing a pager and that makes me a little suspicious[].

I just wanted to say that I find this one of the most compelling threads I have yet discovered in all the posts made in the astralpulse.  This is where it's at, in other words I think these are the kinds of questions and conversations that lead to the big picture.  These are the kinds of things that SO many people don't understand and realize.

I just want to say this: I am hell, I am heaven.  (The "I" being anyone).  I am god, you are god.  When you understand this, you understand everything.  It doesn't mean you have all the answers, and it doesn't mean you aren't accountable to God (yes I believe in God).

Anyway, I guess this is starting to sound very esoteric, but I am grateful to see other Westerners who percieve the world this way.  (I say Westerners because a lot more people in the East see life in this way).
Dan

Beavis: apparently you missed my point once again and yes, you are correct in that I did use language that was a little strong and overgeneralized, but I stick to my position: the abuse of illicit drugs is wrong and a great deal of drug use is drug abuse.

When it comes down to it, I think some people benefit a great deal from the intrspective, enlightening properties of controlled psychadelics under the supervision of an expereinced guide (especially alcoholics and others who need to step out of their egos and see their lives from a new, unique perspective), but common, how many people who use LSD, psylocibin (magic mushrooms), ecsatcy, etc. are using them under these circumstances?  I'll answer the question for you: very, very few.  Most of these drugs are looked on by the general population as recreational and escapism drugs and they are not.  They are very serious compounds that, when used with respect and prudence, can yield incredible journeys.  Nonetheless, I think all of the things they offer can be obtained through meditation and with the benefit of increased control.

By the way, I didn't say you need a shaman, I said you need a sham or a guide.  Also, your comment about using the drug to get the same result didn't make sense to me...well, I guess it did, but for me someone who uses the same drug over and over to get the same result...that's the very definition of abuse.  One thing that I can say in defense of the amazing psychoactive compound of psylocibin is that it teaches one not to use it once he or she has obtained the expereince that it offers.

Finally, I just want to say that I appreciate your comments and I aploligze for sounding a bit close-minded.  The main reason I defend my position so is because I lived in the drug culture for many years and I saw many very promising young people lose control of their lives as they gobbled and drank up anything they could to avoid facing their lives.  Much too often use becomes abuse for many people, and if you disagree with me on that, then I don't know what to say to you.  

Best,
Dan

Thanks!  If you guys find any sites that have interesting images related to OBE's let me know and I'll link them into this thread.

PS- I have a read some of McKenna's work, namely "The Archaic Revival" (in it's entirety) and have to say that he is a smart guy with some neat insights.  Other than that, I don't think he made an truly significant contributions to science or even to the field of pseudoscience.  

I found this on the net as I was looking over some of his work:
I've read some of Terrence McKenna's stuff. In its complexity, parascience
poetry and flashy graphics, it is a singular example of a high-level
intellect gone to waste.

After decades of drug abuse, McKenna developed liver cancer. His doctors
assured him that his particular drugs of abuse were not responsible for this
condition, but Mckenna disbelieved them. To his credit, IMO, he believed he
had brought on the cancer by his lifestyles choices.

I'm much more willing to believe McKenna was right about the cause of his
fatal illness than about his timewave theory.

Michael LaTorra

Ya'll got me wrong!  <---say with with a thick Texas accent (I don't have a Texas accent, but I would yell that to you in a Texas accent if I could).

Everyone seems to have missed a KEY word that I used, it's even in the quote you took from my post Inguma.  The word is ABUSE.  Druge use and drug abuse are two different things.

I had a mind blowing expereince while using psylocibin that actually changed ny life for the better. The main thing I was taught in this experience, which I am thankfful for, is that I didn't need drugs anymore to realize the bigger picture and see past the illusions (maya) of this world.

So Beavis nothing could be further from the truth.  I am not close minded about drugs, but I take a very strict stance because the VAST majority of people who use LSD or "shrooms," for example, do not sit down with an experienced Shaman or guide and do not have any other reason to do it other than "It's gonna be trippy brah!"  Those people who are not like that don't need to hear people like me say, "Generally, drugs are a bad idea."

Generall they are a bad idea, regardless of the very small fraction of intelligent, openminded people.  I have too many freinds and relatives who used to toke with me who are still doing that, EVERYDAY and have seriously degraded their overall well-being because they can't use, but abuse.  

Spoken.

Hey, it's a new day and I am in a great mood.  After rereading this thread I must say a few things: 1) you are right to have taken offense but even more mature to not have said anything.  I see your point, and I think you see mine.  

Anyway, one thing struck me as funny and that is the fact that every time I use my check card they check my ID, but this is California so, you know...

I believe there is gender beyond the physical.

It's too bad that more people don't realize that when someone says something like that store clerk did, they are doing it because they sincerely believe what they have found and are happy.  They just want to share this happiness with others, even if they are judgemental.  I am not saying this is what you need and I know you don't want it, but it's like you sharing your ideas about OBE with them and then they go home and talk trash (which they prob do).  I think we need to remember that our experiences and beliefs are genuine and real to everyone of us, no matter what we believe and therefore we should tolerate one another (and I know your first reaction is to say, "Tolerance!  You think Christians are tolerant!!").  Obviously what I am saying wouldn't make sense to that guy because he has got the blinders on, but it seems like it should to you guys who are more open minded.

Do you see where I am going with this.  There is a whole continuum of beliefs and feelings and experiences and it all leads to something, and I think we need to remember that we are on different levels of understanding.  

I am just rambling now, but when even I hear a Christian judge someone, or a non-Christian judge someone, or a dog judge a bee, or a fly judge a tree I think "Can't we all just get along?!" [?]  Ok, that was just my bizzare sarcasm, but I think I made a point (although it might be one only I understand).

There have been NUMEROUS posts here in the astral pulse about drugs and how they relate to our spirituality.  The bottom line is that nearly everyone agrees that generally, the abuse of illicit substances in order to obtain some kind of positive experience is naturally wrong and does not lead to long term progress or success.  

I have openly admitted to having been a drug abuser in the past and despite the fact that certain drugs may have given me more knowledge than I previously had before using them, I caution anyone and everyone to steer clear of the dangers of drug abuse.  I nearly lost my life on more than one occassion (mostly due the abuse of alcohol) and jeapordized my reputation numerous times.  Fortunately I was a young and have since grown up and settled down.  I now see the error of my ways.  meditation, prayer, etc. are the only ways to enlightenment and progression.  I think we all know that, and those who would disagree with me do so because they are drug abusers or plan on abusing.

I think I could show you pictures of senile aunt and some of you would read evil into here eyes or something.[]  She is a little creepy looking, I guess I have to give you that.

On a serious note, I think channeling is a BAD idea generally. You leave yourself open to being decieved and most of the entities willing to chit chat through you are no good.  I don't even like that guy on TV who talks to the dead...

The following info is from:
http://interservicesnetwork.tripod.com/floaters/



One or more spots that appear to drift in front of the eye, caused by a shadow cast on the retina by vitreous debris or separation of the vitreous humour from the retina.


It is not uncommon to see semi-transparent irregular lines against a bright background like the sky or a page of print as we get older. It is rarely a sign of serious
Fig #1-1

eye problems. In the photograph you can see my drawing of the typical "floater"(Fig #1-1). It is a shadow cast on the retina. These may be multiple and join. Note the margins are irregular and the center mostly transparent.

When you were a child and looked inside an old box camera you will recall the space from the shutter and lens in the front and the film in the back was just air. In the eye, this space is filled with a jelly-like material (vitreous). It tends to get watery as we get older. With the back and forth movement of our eyes this liquified jelly sloshes around like water in a pail. The movement causes the fibers running through the vitreous to pull loose from the retina because they are loosely attached there. In the front of the eye, near the lens and shutter (iris), they are attached too firmly to come loose. When the fibers fall away from the retina they cast a shadow as I illustrated in Fig #1-2. If an object was in the air space of the camera you can see how it would cast a shadow on the film.
Fig #1-2
(click image to enlarge)

These changes in the vitreou...

Yes, it's matter floating around inside your eye...I have them, in fact most people do.  I have had them in my eyes since I was young and if I focus on them enough, they actually bother me.  

Some other members were talking about them a few months ago at length.  Maybe someone who sees this will remember and can link you up to the post.

Hey Links, I didn't mean about the patch, but about the worm/virus being the real deal, besides, I was just kidding[] about that.  My whole goal is to protect people from malicious intrusions into their systems.

Anyway, as far as I know the patch a long with the firewall is sufficient, but according to others here who I can tell are far better informed than myself, I guess there are other things we should do to protects oursleves as well.

Set up firewall on your home computer with XP:
WinBook Tech Article
For more information visit www.winbookcorp.com

Subject:
How to set up Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP

Keywords:
enable firewall Windows XP

Tech Article Number:
WBTA00000789


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Description: Enabling the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP can make your computer less vulnerable to intrusions when on the internet. To set up the Internet Connection Firewall:

Click on the start button then right click on My Network Places. In the menu that opens click on Properties.
This will open the Network Connections window. Right click on your Local Area Connection or Dial-up Networking Connection Icon and click Properties.
In the Connection Properties window click on the Advanced tab.
Place a check in the box next to Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the internet.
For more information on how to use and set up the Internet Connection Firewall to suit your individual needs click on Learn more about Internet Connection Firewall.
Click OK after configuring your Internet Connection Firewall settings.
Note: You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you have noticed any problems with this tech article, or if you feel that something is not clear enough, please E-mail our Technical Support department by clicking on the link below. Please include the Technical Article Number and the specific area that you feel is inaccurate. Thank you.
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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you as a service from the Technical Support Department of WinBook Computers. It is intended to assist you in the resolution of your technical problems or questions. If you feel uncomfortable implementing any of the information or suggestions contained herein then you should e-mail the WinBook Technical Support Department. WinBook will not be held responsible for any loss of information, data or programming as a result of the use of this TechNote.



TO set up the firewall for a small network:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/networking/icf.asp

Other cool stuff for XP:

On the Road with Windows XP  
 
  This issue of WinXPnews™ contains:

 
EDITOR'S CORNER
Staying Connected with Windows XP at Home and on the Road
Followup: Microsoft as Good Guy?
HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS & TWEAKS
Having Fun with the Windows Logo Key
Synchronize Your Internet Explorer Favorites Automatically
Use Autoruns to Discover What's Starting Automatically
More Cool Outlook Note Tricks
A Possible Solution to the Dead System Restore Problem
How to Run Ancient Computer Programs on Windows XP
HOW TO'S: ALL THE NEW XP FEATURES
Internet Explorer Tips and Tricks
WINXP SECURITY: UPDATES & PATCHES
Beware the Mimail Internet Explorer/Outlook Virus
Protect Your College Student's Windows XP Computer
WINXP QUESTION CORNER
How can I easily and automatically synchronize content in folders?
Can I delete compressed old Files?
WINXP CONFIGURING & TROUBLESHOOTING
Pop-Up Windows That Contain Advertisements to Adult Web Sites Intermittently Appear on Your Desktop
Windows Explorer Quits Unexpectedly or You Receive an Error Message When You Right-Click a File
How to Configure a Direct Cable Connection with Windows XP Home Edition (PART 1)
Cannot Upgrade with the MSDN Version of Windows XP
FAVE LINKS
This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
FTP Voyager: Winner of 2003 Shareware Industry Award "Best Internet Enhancement or Utility"

 
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  EDITOR'S CORNER

 
Staying Connected with Windows XP at Home and on the Road

The Internet is everywhere; that's fast becoming true as we surf our ways on into the 21st century. A 'net connection at home has long been the norm for many of us. Now it's getting easier and easier to stay connected no matter where you go. Last week, Tom took over the editorial duties for me while I took a road trip from the Dallas area up to northern Illinois to visit my daughter. However, I was able to easily stay in touch via email and web, thanks to the increasingly ubiquitous nature of the network. With a laptop computer equipped with integrated Ethernet adapter and built in wireless adapter and antenna, you're ready to take advantage of connectivity wherever you find it.

More and more hotels now offer not just modem dataports, but broadband service so you won't be relegated to the "world wide wait" when you're on the road. A number of the hotels we've stayed in over the last couple of years have offered cable or DSL, usually at a per-day price (in the neighborhood of $10/day). On this trip, though, I had the good luck to find Drury Inn and Suites, which not only provided a huge, beautiful two room suite for $79/night, but also included broadband Internet free. Hookup was simple (just plug the Ethernet cable from the phone into your computer's RJ-45 jack and make sure your TCP/IP settings are configured to use DHCP) and the connection was not noticeably slower than the T-1 we have at home.

(Here's a tip: if two of you are traveling together and you both have laptops, you don't have to take turns at the connection - at least, not if the terms of service don't prohibit multiple connections. You can take along a wireless cable/DSL "router" - really a NAT device - and plug the Ethernet cable in the room into it, then both of your wireless NIC-equipped laptops can surf the web at the same time. Be sure to check the TOS before you do this, though).

If you can't wait until you get to a hotel room, a number of public locations now have wireless access. Many Starbucks coffee houses provide service through T-Mobile, and there are now numerous restaurants, convention centers, airports, hotels and other locations that provide wireless "hot spots" around the country. Many of these aren't free - you either have to pay a monthly fee or you can pay a per-use fee (there are, however, quite a few wireless "freenets" springing up, too). If you're going to be traveling, you might want to check out http://www.ezgoal.com/hotspots/wireless/ for a list of wi-fi locations in the U.S. You can search by state, by wireless provider or by location type (restaurants, bars, health clubs, hotels, etc.). SBC (Southwestern Bell) recently announced that they are going to deploy 6000 wireless access points throughout the country, as well. For more info see:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812ED-WAP

When I got to my daughter's house, my networking concerns weren't yet over. She was using a cable modem to connect to the 'Net, and she was a little frustrated because the cable was short and she was limited in where her computer could be placed. Well, I could fix that easily; we went down to Target and I bought her a Microsoft wireless access point and wireless network card. I hadn't used the Microsoft brand equipment before, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to set up. Plug the Ethernet cable from the cable modem into the WAP, put the wireless PCMCIA (PC Card) NIC into her laptop, run the software, and she was up on running wirelessly, and able to take her computer into her bedroom, out onto the balcony or wherever she wanted, within 15 minutes.

Let us know how you stay connected when you travel. Do you use high speed broadband in hotels? Do you seek out wi-fi hotspots when you're on the road or around town? Which services have you had good (or bad) luck with? How much - if anything - are you willing to pay for wired or wireless 'net connectivity in hotels, restaurants, etc.? Send your answers to feedback@winxpnews.


Followup: Microsoft as Good Guy?

Last week, Tom posed the question as to whether Microsoft could become the "good guy" by dropping support for digital rights management (DRM), the software that seeks to prevent copyright violation and often ends up doing a whole lot more. I came back to a flood of responses from readers on the subject.

Considering how popular it is in many circles to bash Microsoft, I was pleasantly surprised at the large number of folks who wrote to say that they already consider Microsoft to be a "good guy." Don't get me wrong - I don't support everything they do, and we've voiced our complaints about some of those things here on occasion, but we believe that if you're going to rant when someone does something you don't like, you also ought to express your positive opinions when they do something you do like.

Some folks seemed to think that last week's editorial was advocating illegal downloading of music. That wasn't the intent at all (I made a special trip to the attic to check with Tom on this). Hey, folks, we make our living creating intellectual property, too. Our complaint with RIAA and DRM as it's being implemented is about the "innocent until proven guilty" attitude and the efforts to squash copying at all costs, even when it's legal (e.g., making backups of music you've purchased, or being able to play songs you paid for in more than one location).

We got a number of messages from musicians and composers who are (rightly) concerned about their livelihood. We have many friends in that business, and from what we've seen, (most) record companies treat the creators just as badly as they're treating the consumers. Any comments we've made about greed was directed toward those companies, not to the individuals who write and perform the songs.

Bottom line: this is an emotional issue, on both sides. We're not done with it yet. Next week, I'll address DRM from another side. 'Til then, have a great week.

'Til next week,
Deb Shinder, Editor
(email us with feedback: feedback@winxpnews.com)

 
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  HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS & TWEAKS

 
Having Fun with the Windows Logo Key

Todd Green wrote and reminded us that you can use the Windows Key + L combination to lock your Windows XP computer. He also sent in these other cool Windows Key combinations that can speed up your work:

Windows Key - Display or hide the Start menu
Windows Key + Break - Display the System Properties window
Windows Key + M - Minimize all windows
Windows Key + E - Open the My Computer window
Windows Key + F - Open the Find Files or Folders window
Windows Key + F1 - Open Windows Help
Windows Key + R - Open the "Run" dialog
Synchronize Your Internet Explorer Favorites Automatically

A few weeks ago, we shared with you a method you can use to copy your Favorites from one computer to another. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to automatically update your Favorites and have those Favorites available on any computer you work on? David Robinson wrote in and said that he's been using SyncIt for years and has been pleased with the service. You have to pay a one time fee, but if you like the convenience, it's worth it. Check it out at
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812TI-Bookmarks

Thomas Tueber wrote and said he likes MyBooksmarks. This is a free service that allows you to publish your bookmarks. It doesn't work quite as automatically as SyncIt, but you can't beat the price.

Use Autoruns to Discover What's Starting Automatically

Is your machine running slowly? Maybe it runs OK sometimes and other times it's whacked out. It could be that some software inserted itself into your Windows XP computer's startup routine. Remember that not all startup programs show up in the Startup folder in the Start menu. Some run from the Registry. David Soloman created a great tool called AutoRuns that tells you everything that starts automatically. Armed with this info, you can take the machete to some of those errant startup programs!
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812TI-Autorun

More Cool Outlook Note Tricks

In a previous newsletter, we shared a trick you can use to save information in email messages as notes in Outlook 2000/2002. Andrew Moore sends in another great Outlook notes tip:

"I don't know about the size, but your tip seems to imply that the trick only works with email messages. In fact, you can create notes this way from any application that supports dragging a selection (other office apps, Internet Explorer, some text editors, etc.). For example, you can select text in Internet Explorer, drag it over the Outlook toolbar icon long enough to activate Outlook, and drop it on the notes folder to create your note."

A Possible Solution to the Dead System Restore Problem

The Windows XP System Restore feature is one of XP's pivotal recovery features. Why doesn't Microsoft have a definitive answer to the broken System Restore problem? While we are still trying to come up with an answer to the whacked System Restore problem, Lisa Hoffman wrote to say that the problem might be Norton System Works. In her case, System Restore stopped working after installing Norton and then worked again when she uninstalled it. We've seen similar references to this solution on the Web, so it might be worth a try.

If you're an enterprising sort, check out the following for more information on troubleshooting a broken System Restore:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812TI-Broken_Restore

How to Run Ancient Computer Programs on Windows XP

We get a ton of mail each week from WinXPnews readers who have problems getting old programs to work in Windows XP. The sad news is that often it's impossible to get these old chestnuts to roast on a Windows XP machine. The good news is that there is a better solution than dual booting or using two computers. VMware is an incredible software program that allows you to run multiple "virtual" computers on your machine. You can load a full version of Windows 98 in a window on your Windows XP desktop. You can run your old programs in that virtual Windows 98 machine while doing your other work on your Windows XP computer. You have to see it to believe it! Check it out at:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812TI-VMWare

 
  HOW TO'S: ALL THE NEW XP FEATURES

 
Internet Explorer Tips and Tricks

Every few months, we feature a few fun Internet Explorer 6.0 tips and tricks here in the How To section.

Want to make Internet Explorer appear in full screen mode? Open Internet Explorer and go to a Web page. Then press the F11 button on the keyboard. The Web page takes up the entire screen. Press F11 again to return the Internet Explorer window to its previous size
Tired of seeing that "Links" toolbar in Internet Explorer? Get rid of it! Right click on an empty area just right of the Help menu. You'll see that the "Links" entry has a checkmark next to it. Click the "Links" entry to remove the checkmark and the Links toolbar. Repeat the procedure if you want to get the links toolbar back.
Want more viewing space in the Internet Explorer window? Try this: click the View menu, point to Toolbars and click on Customize. Click the down arrow in the Text options drop down list box and select Selective text on right. Click the down arrow in the Icon options drop down list box and select Small icons. Close the Close button. Now you have small icons with only a few of them showing text, and a lot more room to view your Web pages.
How about a way to type in Web addresses without opening IE first? Right click an empty space in the taskbar, point to toolbars and click Address. Now you can type a Web address in the address box in your toolbar and Internet Explorer will open and take you there.
Prevent the Internet Explorer toolbars from moving around! Right click an empty area just to the right of the Help menu and click the Lock the Toolbars command.
Are you behind a Proxy server? Click the Tools menu, then click Internet Options. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab. On the Advanced tab, find the HTTP 1.1 settings section. Put a checkmark in the Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections checkbox. Click Apply and then click OK. This will significantly speed up your Web browsing.
Has some scumware hijacked your browser settings? You can reinstate the default home and search pages with a single click. Click the Tools menu and then click Internet Options. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Programs tab. On the Programs tab, click the Reset Web Settings button.
We're sure you'll find some of the above tips new, useful and fun!  
 
  WINXP SECURITY: UPDATES & PATCHES

 
Beware the Mimail Internet Explorer/Outlook Virus

Yet another new virus is being spread via email. The "Mimail" virus poses as an email message from an "Administrator" with an attachment that you're asked to read. Don't read it! Opening the attachment (which contains an html file) will run a program that captures information from your desktop and emails it to specific addresses. For more information about the virus, check out:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812SE-New_Virus

There are links on the page to anti-virus software vendors with more information about how each anti-virus package deals with the problem.

Protect Your College Student's Windows XP Computer

A computer is no longer a luxury, it's now a requirement for just about all college students. While most new Windows XP computers used by college students have lots of productivity software that allows them to create papers and make graphs, they also need something to protect them from Internet criminals who create and distribute destructive programs.

Do you know where your student goes when online? Does the student use Instant Messaging? Do you know who else will be using the computer, or what programs or games might be downloaded? Web sites, Instant Messaging and friends with 'warez' CDs can all introduce spyware and scumware onto your child's computer. When the crapware is there, neither you nor your child might ever know if a hacker is secretly learning everything your student is doing. The Internet criminal might even be a school friend! This is a gross invasion of privacy that you need to prevent in order to protect your child (and yourself).

Whether or not you're purchasing a new computer, it's imperative that you add a spyware/scumware whacker and other security tools. These include anti-virus software, pop-up blockers, and anti-spyware software to keep hackers from stealing your student's personal and private information.

Spyware and scumware are the fastest growing forms of malicious code, and the most intrusive of your privacy. Spyware takes away your control and steals the data in your computer. Scumware can disable your programs and files (e.g., DRM). Firewalls don't stop it, and anti-virus software doesn't detect it.

The only way to know it's there is to use software specifically designed to find it. PestPatrol is the leading anti-spyware software, able to detect over 70,000 different pests, including hacker tools, key loggers, cookies, Trojan programs, Remote Access Trojans (RATS), and much more.

Click here to download a trial version, or purchase it online:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812SE-PestPatrol

 
  WINXP QUESTION CORNER

 
Send your Windows XP questions to feedback@winxpnews.com

How can I easily and automatically synchronize content in folders?

Question: Perhaps you could write an article about synchronizing folders. I know that Briefcase can be used to sync offline files but what about synching files or folders on one drive with files or folders on another drive? With thanks for your consideration. -- Timothy O'Connor

Answer: Synchronizing folder content on the same machine is a popular way of backing up important information. We do this with our My Documents folders. Everything in the My Documents folder (including all the folders in the My Documents folder) is copied to another hard disk on the same computer. This makes it very easy to recover when one of the drives in the computer dies. How do we do it? We've been using a little program called Second Copy for many years. It's won the Shareware Peoples Choice Award several years in a row (http://www.sic.org/peopleschoice.asp). Second Copy makes it a no-brainer to automatically synchronize information between two disks on the same computer, or between a computer and a network drive. Check it out at:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812QC-Synchronize

Can I delete compressed old Files?

Question: When I run Disk Cleanup, one of the categories of files available is "Compress Old Files." From the description of these files I would presume that it is not safe to actually remove them (as they may be programs of data that I would need in the future), but the fact that they are presented during Disk Cleanup leads me to suspect that they could/should be deleted. Unfortunately, when I highlight this category in Disk Cleanup, I am unable to determine just which files are being referred to. Thus, two questions:
1) Can these files safely be deleted?
2) Is there a way to determine just which files will be deleted?
Thanks! --David Sumner

Answer: The "compress old files" feature allows you to squeeze down the size of files on your hard disk so they'll take up less space. Any file on the disk that is older than a specified age is compressed. Note that you can still open these files. They aren't removed from the disk. Windows XP does not "zip" these files. It uses NTFS compression, which compressed each cluster within a file individually. To use it, the drive needs to be formatted with NTFS. You won't even know that the file is compressed unless Windows Explorer is configured to show compressed files in a different color. Here's how you change the age files need to be before Disk Cleanup compresses them:

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories and then point to System Tools. Click Disk Cleanup.
A Disk Cleanup dialog box will appears. Select the drive you want to clean up and click OK.
In the Disk Cleanup for dialog box, click on the Compress old files entry, then click the Options button.
You can change the number of day in the Compress Old Files dialog box. Sixty days is a good round number. Click OK.
Click OK in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.
Disk Cleanup is designed to mark the following types of files for removal: temporary Internet files, downloaded program files (such as ActiveX controls and Java applets), Windows temp files, Windows components that aren't being used and installed programs that aren't being used. It's usually safe to remove these. In the Files to Delete box on the Disk Cleanup tab of the Disk Cleanup applet, you'll see a list of the types of files recommended to be deleted. For example, if Disk Cleanup lists "Office Setup files," these are the files used to install Office. Removing them won't harm your program, but if you do a repair or patch operation, you might have to insert the Office installation CD. On the More Options tab, if you click the Clean up button for Windows components or Installed Programs, you'll be shown a list where you can check or uncheck boxes to indicate which components or programs you want to remove.  
 
  WINXP CONFIGURING & TROUBLESHOOTING

 
Pop-Up Windows That Contain Advertisements to Adult Web Sites Intermittently Appear on Your Desktop

Many of you have written to us about inappropriate pop up ads showing up spontaneously on your desktop. Not good! It could be that you have the W32.DSS Trojan (a Trojan is a malicious program). This link shows you how to fix the problem:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812CO-Popup_trojan

Windows Explorer Quits Unexpectedly or You Receive an Error Message When You Right-Click a File

Several WinXPnews readers have written about this problem. They right click a file in Windows Explorer and POW, they get an access violation message and Windows Explorer closes. What's up with that? Check here and find out:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812CO-Explorer_quits

How to Configure a Direct Cable Connection with Windows XP Home Edition (PART 1)

Here's another great "how to" article from the Microsoft site. A Direct Cable Connection allows you to connect two PCs using a serial cable to create a "mini network". The article includes good pics and step by step explanations:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812CO-Mini_network

Cannot Upgrade with the MSDN Version of Windows XP

MSDN users receive loads of Microsoft software with their subscriptions. However, some subscribers have had problems upgrading their Windows 2000 test machines to Windows XP. It seems there's a problem with the folder layout with some versions of the XP software. Check out this link for the details:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812CO-MSDN_upgrade

 
  FAVE LINKS

 
Got a fun link? Send it in! feedback@winxpnews.com

This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff


Sit back and enjoy the flight: the Bad Movies database
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Bad_movies
I hate when this happens!
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-a
The long, sad tale of Clippy the Microsoft Office help-thing
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Clippy
Britney's Guide to semiconductor physics
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Britney
Here's a great role model for all young women (thanks for Jarrette Smith for the link)
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Role_model
Get a great tropical island vacation spot cheap
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Tropical_Island
Janis Ian's take on why the RIAA blows
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-RIAA
Apollo Moon landings on DVD:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=030812FA-Apollo

 
  PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

 
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Silva Mind Control Method


Quiet your mind. Clear your thoughts.

In your mind say:

"I'm going to count down from 3 to 1, visualizing each number on a white orb suspended in the air above my head. When I reach the third and final "1" my body will be deeply relaxed. I will have no awareness of physical sensations.  I will not perceive any physical discomfort. My consciousness will be focused on my astral body.

Now visualize a white orb suspended in the air above your head. Mentally focus on the orb I visualize a number "3" on the face of the orb. The numbers can be any color. They may vary with each experience. Visualize the 3 --three times: three number "3's" on the orb. Your body is completely relaxed. You are losing awareness of your physical body.

Then repeat the visualization with three number "2's." You are into greater relaxation. Now visualize the "1's." You are losing awareness of physical sensations. Your consciousness will be in your astral body.

Repeat this using the number "1's" three times. Your consciousness is now in my astral body.

This could involve training of several sessions. You may also find audio tapes that take you down into these altered states as well. You getting better and faster as you go along each time.

There is no set agenda for how often you practice astral projection or any other out-of-body technique. It soon becomes fun. It is like a deep meditation.

Now the key is to remain conscious while my body is asleep. Different thoughts may pull you from your focus as the mind loves to chatter. Just push these thoughts away.

My belief regarding the concept of "the meaning of life" is dualistic:  I know the objective, universal meaning of life.  At the same time, however, I believe firmly the meaning of life is different for everyone.  

I believe the logician would shoot me for the above statement.  Oh well, he doesn't know the meaning of life then![]

Hello everyone!  Yes, this question has been brought up here before in the AstralPUlse by myself and others.  I think it practically goes without saying that younger children, especially certain individuals, are very susceptible to seeing the "otherside."  Go to the search engine built into this site (at the top of the page over towards the right) and then enter "children" "kids" or other words and you can read a lot about these kinds of experiences.

By the way Hanibani, welcome to the forums!  I can see you are new to your community.  I hope you are finding yourself comfortable here!

Dan

I originally posted this message on the first of August and I hate to say I told you so, but I am saying it now!  jk

One of the best things to do besides getting the "patch" (I feel like I am helping someone quit smoking) is to set up the firewall built into your OS, that is if you are running XP.  If you don't know how, I will post a link explaining how.
Dan

Hey, I'm glad you dig the images!  It took some time to find them all and put them here.  Now I am interested in seeing what other people have found on the net or have scanned and put up.  If you have any questions about how to insert images (link images) please read my first post, IM me, email me or ask someone who knows how.  It's really simple, but the first time might be a little tricky.
-DT

Southern California.

Home of the political circus and the End of the world.