What is Web 2.0

Just recently we've bombarded with the presence of web 2.0. And till this now, yet I still figured otu what it's all about, and this is what I can summarize based on my reading.

The bursting of the dot-com bubble in the fall of 2001 marked a turning point for the web. Many people concluded that the web was overhyped, when in fact bubbles and resulting shakeouts appear to be a common feature of all technological revolutions. Shakeouts typically mark the point at which an ascendant technology is ready to take its place at center stage. The pretenders are given the bum's rush, the real success stories show their strength, and there begins to be an understanding of what separates one from the other.

This article is an attempt to clarify just what we mean by Web 2.0.
In our initial brainstorming, we formulated our sense of Web 2.0 by example:

Web 1.0 -->>> Web 2.0
DoubleClick --> Google AdSense
Ofoto --> Flickr
Akamai --> BitTorrent
mp3.com --> Napster
Britannica Online --> Wikipedia
personal websites --> blogging
evite --> upcoming.org and EVDB
domain name speculation --> search engine optimization
page views --> cost per click
screen scraping --> web services
publishing --> participation
content management systems --> wikis
directories (taxonomy) --> tagging ("folksonomy")
stickiness --> syndication

The list went on and on. But what was it that made us identify one application or approach as "Web 1.0" and another as "Web 2.0"? (The question is particularly urgent because the Web 2.0 meme has become so widespread that companies are now pasting it on as a marketing buzzword, with no real understanding of just what it means.

The question is particularly difficult because many of those buzzword-addicted startups are definitely not Web 2.0, while some of the applications most of us can identified as Web 2.0, like Napster and BitTorrent, are not even properly web applications!).

Speed Up Your PC using MSConfig technique...partTHREE

Back to the previous discussin on the Speed Up your PC using MSCONFIG. If you still can remember, in a previous discussion, you asked to check the Hide All Microsoft Service. It's is to ensure that you can avoid any mistake to turn off some of the important service needed by OS. As Windows XP starts a lot of different services, as engine of the whole Windows system. However, some of them won't be of any use for you! By quitting those unused services, you can realize higher system performances. At the page MSCONFIG, I already mentioned the possibilities to turn off services on the tab Services, as shown below.

This is not the proper way to turn off services, especially not the Microsoft services: please use the Services Management Tool for this purpose. The Services Management Tool (Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services or SERVICES.MSC if you would like to make a shortcut) shows all the available active and inactive services, including a information about what they are meant for:

As you can see, for each services there is a lot of information (this information is not always clear, but gives you an idea whether you probably need it or not...). Here you can change the services start-up type to automatic, manual or disabled. Some services depend on other services to work properly (that's the reason not to turn off services in MSConfig) and others are normally disabled. Right click on a service and pick Properties to make changes to the startup type (first check the tab Dependencies!). Switching a service from automatic to manual makes the service available when needed but disables it on startup by default. To monitor the effect of a service, stop the running service by right clicking on it and choose Stop.

Services which can be disabled safely

There are many Windows services. Most of them you will need for a good functioning Windows system, but some can be turned off safely. Here are services mentioned, which can be switched (almost) safely to manual or even disabled. Read the information carefully and make sure you understand what the service does and/or does not! Keep in mind that possible problems in the future start here (so you will have to fix them here as well). If you are not sure about a service, then don't make any change to the startup type! Don't change them all at a time, if you are not sure what they are for. Don't turn off services which are depended on by other services!

Alerter: Most times this service is not used. It takes care of administrative alerts over a network for administrative purposes.

Automatic Updates: Downloading and installing Windows updates. If you think you don't need this service, you can disable it. Remember that the Windows update website doesn't work anymore without this service, since the introduction of Windows XP SP2. I advise to keep it unchanged. To work properly, the Automatic Updates service also needs Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Event Log and the Cryptographics Services.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): This service enables the possibility to continue downloads after a restart of Windows. Although this function seems not useful all the time, it's necessary for the Automatic Updates service, to update your Windows in the background

Computer Browser: This services lists all computers in a network and gives this information to other computers in the netwerk, when asked for. This makes browsing on the network faster. There is no need for this service, and especially not if you don't have a network situation. With this function disabled, you are still able to browse your network!

Distributed Link Tracking Client: This service is only applicable when you make use of the NTFS file system. If you don't use this file system, you can switch off this service. This services makes sure that linked files on different volumes (possibly somewhere on the network) stay connected. If a file has been moved to another location, the link will be updated by this service. There is probably no need at all to for this services on your computer, so disable it.

Error Reporting Service: Enables the option to report system errors to Microsoft. There is no need to do this, enough reason to disable this service.

Event Log: This services logs issues in the log files, which can be viewed with the Event Viewer (Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer). Although you might think it's not useful, do not disable this service but keep it automatic.

Fast User Switching Compatibility: If you don't need the fast switching between user accounts, disable this function. Fast switching of user accounts makes it possible to leave your application open without saving your data. If not needed, don't use this function, it doesn't always work properly.

Help and Support: Without this service, the Windows Help and Support center will not be available. If you don't need this help, switch this service to manual

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service: This function is used to able to burn CD-ROM's with the Windows Explorer (copy-paste files to your CD burner). If you don't have a CD-burner, you can disable this service (or switch to manual). It is possible that this service causes troubles in combination with other burning software

Indexing Service: With this indexing service, you are able to search faster on your computer. The faster searching comes at a cost: the indexing of the content, which slows down your computer. This services is not needed, I advise to disable it for better overall performance.

IPSEC-services: Manages IP security policy, possibly not needed for your system.

Messenger: The Messenger service makes it possible sending messages over the network (it has nothing to do with Live Messenger). This function works by the following command: NET SEND 127.0.0.1 Hello (Start, Run,..), a new message Window should appear if this service is enabled. This service is also available from the internet, which makes it possible to receive strange messages: reason enough to disable this service.

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: This service provides the possibility to invite others to access your computer as a remote desktop. There is no need for this service. For security issues, you better disable this option.

Performance Logs and Alerts: The making off performance logs will probably lower your systems performance: reason enough to disable it, especially if you never read the log files

Portable Media Serial Number Service: Needed to reed the serial number of any portable media player. If this function is disabled, there is a chance not to open (downloaded) protected content. You probably can disable this service without any noticeable consequences.

Print Spooler: Necessary for printing. If you don't want to have the option to print, you can disable it.

Protected Storage: This service provides the possibility to safe passwords (email, websites, dial up,..). Remember that passwords can be easily retrieved with freeware software (see the item Forgotten passwords). Although this issue, I prefer to keep this option on automatic.

QoS RSVP: QoS is probably not needed for your network traffic, so you can disable this service

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager: If you are getting troubles with your internet connection, leave this service on automatic. If you are using a router: disable this service.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: If you don't need remote assistance (the other person controls your computer by your invitation), disable this function.

Routing and Remote Access: If there is no need to dial in by others into your computer, disable this service

Security Center (SP2): Service Pack 2 provided Windows with the Security Center. The Security Center monitors the proper functioning of your system security (Windows updates, firewall and virus scan). If something is not working properly, you will be informed continuously. I can't imagine why you can't do it yourself, reason enough to disable it.

Server: For sharing local files and printers with other computers on your network. If there is no need to share, disable this service.

Shell Hardware Detection: Essential for automatic playing of connected devices (memory cards, CD/DVD).

Smart Card: No reason to run this service when you don't have a smart card.

System Event Notification: Almost never used. Leave the service on automatic if you have a network or a portable PC, else disable it

Task Scheduler: This service enables automatic scheduled tasks (like regularly downloading of virus definitions). Many applications need this service. If you prefer to do everything yourself, you can disable this service. I prefer automatic

Windows Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): This services provides your computer with a software firewall for your internet connection. You can disable the firewall service if you use a third party firewall (do NOT go online without a firewall!). Besides the firewall function, the service provides you with the possibility to share the internet connection with other computers, which is not needed when your network is provided with a router.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA): This service is used for transferring images from your camera/web cam or scanner. Leave this service on manual if you have one of those devices, else disable the service.

WMI Performance Adapter: No need for performance information, only the performances? Disable this service.

Wireless Zero Configuration-service: Needed for automatic configuration of your wireless network connection. If you don't have any wireless network adapter, disable this service.

Tips to settled down Slow Startup / Shutdown Problem!

Possible other cause of a slow shutting down process of Windows is cleaning the pagefile (if turned on, by default this option is disabled). Disabling cleaning the pagefile is done in the registry: change the DWORD value ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 0.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

how to backup outlook express

Lately people always asking me on how they can easily backup their personal data/mail account in Outlook Express. While this time, this article describes how to back up and restore your messages, Address Book, mail accounts, and news accounts in Outlook Express 5 and later.

If multiple Identities are in use for Outlook Express, these steps should be repeated for each
Identity and the backup data segregated accordingly. This will facilitate restoration of each Identity.

To backup Outlook Express data:
• Copy mail files to a backup folder
• Export the Address Book to a file
• Export the mail account to a file
• Export the news account to a file

To restore or import Outlook Express data:
• Import messages from the backup folder
• Import the Address Book file
• Import the mail account file
• Import the news account file


Copy Mail Files to a Backup Folder
To make a backup copy of your Outlook Express e-mail message files:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. On the Maintenance tab, click Store Folder.
3. Select the folder location, and then press CTRL+C to copy the location.
4. Click Cancel, and then click Cancel again to close the dialog box.
5. Click Start, and then click Run.
6. In the Open box, press CTRL+V, and then click OK.
7. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
8. On the Edit menu, click Copy, and then close the window.
9. Right-click any empty space on your desktop, click New, and then click Folder.
10. Type mail backup for the folder name, and then press ENTER.
11. Double-click the Mail Backup folder to open it.
12. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
13. Close the Mail Backup window.


Export the Address Book to a File

NOTE: This step is very important when multiple Identities are in use. A .WAB (Windows Address Book) file is used by Outlook Express 5.x and 6.0 versions, even if multiple Identities are used. The individual data for each Identity is stored in a folder, by user name, within the .WAB file in use.

Exporting this data, while logged in to a specific Identity, is the only means of segregating the Address Book data. If the .WAB file becomes dissociated from the user Identities, the data can only be exported in total - not folder by folder.Another reason to export the .WAB file to a .csv file is that if the .WAB file is shared with Microsoft Outlook, the addresses are stored in the *.pst file in Outlook.

When you export the file from the Outlook Express File menu to a *.csv file it exports the correct contacts. If the Address Book is shared with Microsoft Outlook, you are not able to export from within the Address Book on the File menu. This option is dimmed or not available.To export your Outlook Express address book:

1. On the File menu, click Export, and then click Address Book.
2. Click Text File (Comma Separated Values), and then click Export.
3. Click Browse.
4. Locate the Mail Backup folder that you created.
5. In the File Name box, type address book backup, and then click Save.
6. Click Next.
7. Click to select the check boxes for the fields that you want to export, and then click Finish.
8. Click OK and then click Close.

Export the Mail Account to a File
To make a backup copy of your Outlook Express mail account:

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the Mail tab, click the mail account that you want to export, and then click Export.
3. In the Save In box, locate the Mail Backup folder on your desktop, and then click Save.
4. Repeat these steps for each mail account that you want to export.
5. Click Close

Export the Newsgroup Account to a File
To make a backup copy of your Outlook Express news accounts:

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the News tab, click the news account that you want to export, and then click Export.
3. In the Save In box, use locate the Mail Backup folder on your desktop, and then click Save.
4. Repeat these steps for each news account that you want to export.
5. Click Close.


Importing Outlook Express data

To restore data, you may need to re-create the Identities for each user, prior to using the following steps. Repeat each step, as needed, for each Identity.

Import Messages from the Backup Folder
To import your Outlook Express e-mail messages from the Backup folder:

1. On the File menu, point to Import, and then click Messages.
2. In the Select an e-mail program to import from box, click Microsoft Outlook Express 5 or Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and then click Next.
3. Click Import mail from an OE5 store directory or Import mail from an OE6 store directory, and then click OK.
4. Click Browse, and then click on the Mail Backup folder on your desktop.
5. Click OK, and then click Next.
6. Click All folders, click Next, and then click Finish.

Import the Address Book File
To import your Outlook Express address book:

1. On the File menu, click Import, and then click Other Address Book.
2. Click Text File (Comma Separated Values), and then click Import.
3. Click Browse.
4. Locate the Mail Backup folder on your desktop, click the address book Backup.csv file, and then click Open.
5. Click Next, and then click Finish.
6. Click OK, and then click Close.

Import the Mail Account File
To import your Outlook Express mail account file:

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the Mail tab, click Import.
3. In the Look In box, locate the Mail Backup folder on your desktop.
4. Click the mail account that you want to import, and then click Open.
5. Repeat these steps for each mail account that you want to import.
6. Click Close.

Import the Newsgroup Account File
To import your Outlook Express news account file:

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the News tab, click Import.
3. In the Look In box, locate the Mail Backup folder on your desktop.
4. Click the news account that you want to import, and then click Open.
5. Repeat these steps for each news account that you want to import.
6. Click Close.

What are the Safe Mode options? When should I use them?

If you are unable to start your system by using Last Known Good Configuration, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 provides safe mode, a startup option that disables startup programs and nonessential services to create an environment useful for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems. In safe mode, Windows XP/2000/2003 starts a minimal set of drivers that the operating system needs to function. Support for devices such as audio devices, most USB devices, and IEEE 1394 devices is disabled to reduce the variables that you need to account for when diagnosing the cause of startup problems, Stop messages, or system instability.

Logging on to the computer in safe mode does not update Last Known Good Configuration information. Therefore, if you log on to your computer in safe mode and then decide you want to try Last Known Good Configuration, the option to do so is still available.

Essential drivers and system services enabled in safe mode include the following:

• Drivers for serial or PS/2 mouse devices, standard keyboards, hard disks, CD-ROM drives, and standard VGA devices. Your system firmware must support universal serial bus (USB) mouse and USB keyboard devices in order for you to use these input devices in safe mode.
  


• System services for the Event Log, Plug and Play, remote procedure calls (RPCs), and Logical Disk Manager.
  

Enabling only components needed for basic functionality allows the operating system to start in the following situations:

• The computer consistently stops responding: You can restart the operating system in safe mode and use the tools described in this appendix to diagnose and resolve problems.


• The computer starts with a blank or distorted video display: You can start your computer in safe mode and then use Control Panel to select video adapter settings that are compatible with your monitor. New settings take effect when you restart the computer.


• The computer does not start normally after you install new hardware or software: If recently installed hardware or software prevents you from starting Windows XP Professional in normal mode, you can use safe mode to uninstall software, or to remove or roll back device drivers.

Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or reverse the change.

There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.

Safe Mode also bypasses startup programs. Bypassing startup programs reduces system complexity and enables you to see whether a startup program is the source of the problem.

In safe mode, the operating system does not run network-based startup programs. To enable network logon scripts in safe mode, select Safe Mode with Networking on the Windows Advanced Options Menu.

To start your computer in safe mode:

1. Remove all floppy disks and CDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
   


2. When prompted, press F8. If Windows XP Professional starts without displaying the Please select the operating system to start menu, restart your computer. Press F8 after the firmware POST process completes, but before Windows displays graphical output.
   


3. From the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select a safe mode option listed in the following list:

Safe Mode: Loads the minimum set of device drivers and system services required to start Windows XP/2000/2003. User specific startup programs do not run.

Safe Mode with Networking: Includes the services and drivers needed for network connectivity. Safe mode with networking enables logging on to the network, logon scripts, security, and Group Policy settings. Nonessential services and startup programs not related to networking do not run.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Starts the computer in safe mode, but displays the command prompt rather than the Windows GUI interface.

Enable Boot Logging: Creates a log file (Ntbtlog.txt) in the systemroot folder, which contains the file names and status of all drivers loaded into memory. Systemroot is an environment variable that can vary from one system running Windows XP/2000/2003 to another.

Enable VGA Mode: Starts the computer in standard VGA mode by using the current video driver. This option helps you recover from distorted video displays caused by using incorrect settings for the display adapter or monitor.

Last Known Good Configuration: Restores the registry and driver configuration in use the last time the computer started successfully.

Debugging Mode: Starts Windows XP/2000/2003 in kernel debugging mode, which allows you to use a kernel debugger for troubleshooting and system analysis.

Start Windows Normally: Starts Windows XP/2000/2003 in normal mode.

Reboot: Restart the computer.

Updating Windows: critical/optional updates

After you have installed Windows, the device drivers, a firewall and setup the internet connection, the first thing to do is updating the Windows software. Updating Windows is actually very easy, first you visit the Windows Update website: Start, All Programs, Windows Update (or visit the Windows Update website with the following link: windowsupdate.microsoft.com). By visiting the Windows Update website, you will have two options:

Install critical updates only (Express Install, High Priority updates)
Install both the critical and optional software updates (Custom Install, High Priority and Optional Updates).

High priority Windows updates

It is very important to install all the critical updates. Without these critical updates, you have some important security issues, which need to be fixed as soon as possible. Install the critical updates before you visit other websites! On the Windows Update website, use one of the above options and install all the High priority updates. After you installed the high priority critical updates, restart Windows and visit the Windows Update website again.

These updates can be massive, especially if service pack 2 is not installed yet. If you have SP2 on CD-ROM, you can install it without installing SP1 first. SP2 is provided with and auto update function for critical updates (the yellow shield in the system tray) and the Security Center (the red shield in the system tray) which is actually not needed at all. On the page how to optimize the Windows services, you can read how to disable the Security Center.

Optional software updates

If all critical updates are installed, check the optional updates to enhance your Windows system. You will find updates for the Media Player, Outlook Express, DirectX .NET Framework and more. After you installed the optional Windows updates, reboot and check the Windows Update website again until all needed optional and all critical Windows Updates are installed!
Optional hardware updates

You are also able to download updated drivers for the hardware. Although Windows has many build-in device drivers, I prefer to install or update the device drivers with the most recent drivers from the manufacturer.
I have frequently seen, things going wrong (blue screen) after updating device drivers from the Windows update website. That's why you better install one device driver update at a time. If the new driver is giving a BSOD (Bleu Screen Of Death), boot in safe mode (press F8 at reboot), Control Panel, System, tab Hardware, button Device Manager, right click the updated hardware, choose Properties, tab Driver, button Roll Back Driver.

Microsoft-Updates (like MS-Office)
Besides installing the Windows updates, you can choose to update all Microsoft products like MS-Office. Therefore, you go to the Windows Update page and choose for Microsoft-Updates in the menubar. The update procedure is similar to Windows Update.

Service Pack's
If you have just reinstalled Windows XP, it's wise to update directly with the latest available Service Pack. You can download (and install) the Service Pack files directly from the Windows Update site or download the Service Pack file first from the Microsoft downloadcentre (www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx). You can directly install the latest service pack, there is no need to install the previous service pack's!

TIP: After the installation of SP2 there are still many updates to download and install. These updates are also available in one file from the site http://www.autopatcher.com/. AutoPatcher contains all essential and optional updates, which is handy if you have to update multiple Windows installations.

Deleting update files
If all updates are installed (or if you have troubles with the Windows Update website), you can safely delete the files in the following folders:C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download

I can't imagine you would like to roll back the installed high priority Windows updates. To delete the undo files, remove all the hidden folders starting with a "$" in the folder C:\WINDOWS (this can free a lot of hard disk space!) If you are still having Windows update problems, try to turn off and on the Windows update function (Control Panel, Automatic Updates).

NOTE: These files are hidden in the Windows Explorer! To unhide: Tools, Folder Options, tab View, enable Display the content of system folders, enable Show hidden files and folders, disable Hide extensions for known file types and disable Hide protected operating system files.
Saving update files (optional for a slow internet connection)

With the new Windows Update software, all updates are stored in the folder C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download. By copying these files to a safe location, you have a backup for a new Windows installation. This can save a lot of download time, especially if you have a slow internet connection.

NOTE: The files don't have an extension and the name doesn't make you happy as well. Add the extension .exe or .msi to get them working (you can rename to recognize them if you wish). The folder C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations also contains downloaded software updates!