Tips & TidBITS
©
by Caroline Horton
Microsoft has released five (6) files comprised of some updates and new components since the release of Service Pack 1. It is my understanding these upgrades will be part of Service Pack 2. I have uploaded them to CNYPCUG’s BBS – they are:
BACKUPD2.ZIP
(388KB) – Windows 95 back-up update, released: May 3, 1996. Provides improved performance over the version included in the original release of Windows 95. This update also protects against the user accidentally erasing media improperly by disabling the "Erase Tape" command while backing up to floppy disks or another hard disk. It also fixes the "out of memory" problem that might have been encountered when restoring data. PLEASE NOTE -- anyone using the Windows 95 backup application should obtain this updated component.COVER_PG.ZIP
(79KB) – MS Fax cover page update, released: April 26, 1996. This file fixes problems with not showing available cover pages while using MS FAX. It also keeps cover pages that are available from not being shown after you back up the disk.DLC32UPD.ZIP
(120KB) – DLC protocol stack update, released: April 24, 1996. Update to the MS 32-bit DLC protocol stack to prevent hang-ups under Windows 95. If a 32-bit application tries to open a network adapter more than once to connect to two separate host computers.INETMAIL.ZIP
(165KB) – Internet Mail Service for Windows 95, released: April 10, 1996. Internet Mail Service for Windows adds a new component, POP3 client mail services to the Windows 95 Microsoft Exchange client.KRNLUPD.ZIP
(236KB) - Windows 95 kernel update, released: April 11th, 1996. The kernel update resolves a memory leak that occurs when opening and closing Sockets while using the Windows Sockets API. If you run a Windows Sockets application over a long period of time without the benefit of this update; especially one which opens and closes a large number of sockets, will result in a significant resource drain. The effect will cause the Windows swapfile to continue to grow very large, overall degeneration of performance, and over time, possible system instability. The kernel update will allows users to run such applications for long periods without loss of system performance and stability, and eliminates the need for users to reboot their systems periodically to free-up system resources.OLEUPD.ZIP
(344KB) – Windows 95/OLE 32 Update, released: April 24, 1996. Update for OLE2 components for Windows 95. Corrects problems when running multiple concurrent ODBC operations, OLE link resolution over networks, or random disk contents being stored in OLE documents. PLEASE NOTE -- users who; run multiple 16-bit applications which use ODBC for data access should install this update; have OLE-linked files on a networked drive; distribute electronic versions of their documents and are concerned with privacy.On May 6, 1996 – Microsoft and Adobe Systems announced that they are collaborating on a new universal font format that will combine TrueType® and Type 1 font technologies. The new font format will be called "OpenType™," this format will streamline the management of existing fonts and provide a new font format to handle the next generation of type for use in personal computers and the Internet. As an agreed part of this initiative, both Adobe® and Microsoft® will cross-license the Type 1 and TrueType font technologies to each other and make the
OpenTypeTM specifications available to other operating system and Internet-based vendors.
OpenTypeTM will embody compression technologies that will guarantee effective, high-quality
reproduction of fonts on the World Wide Web.
This month’s Windows 95 tips will help you work smarter:
Copying and Moving Files
– after selecting the files you want to copy or move, click your right mouse button and select Copy or Cut. Open the desired destination location, click your right mouse button and select Paste.Creating a New File or Folder
– click your right mouse button anywhere on the desktop, select New, then select the type of file you want to create from the option’s list.To Create a New Folder while Saving a File
– while using the ‘Save As’ in a Windows 95 common dialog box, you can create a new folder simultaneously to store the file you are saving. Simply, click your right mouse button on the dialog list control and choose the New. Folder item to create a new folder. Double-click the new folder to open it and then continue the save process.For Sending Objects via Send To
– click your right mouse button on a document or folder icon, select Send To, then select a destination from the drop down list. Note -- You can add or delete items in the Send To destination list by entering sendto in the Run command line. This will open the active ‘Send To’ folder. Simply drag the desired shortcut icon(s), printer, fax, drive, or Windows application to the Send To folder and it will appear in the Send To drop down list from now on.To use Quick View
– click your right mouse button on any document and choose the Quick View option from the drop down menu. The Quick View option allows you to view the item without launching the application it is associated with. Note -- Quick View is an optional Windows 95 component that can be installed from the accessories list. If you did not install it during your preliminary installation, use the control panel, add/remove programs icon to add it now.For Deleting Files without Moving them to the Recycle Bin
– choose the file or files you wish to delete. click your right mouse button on the selection and then hold the shift key down while selecting the Delete option with your mouse, or hold down the shift key while pressing the Delete key if using the keyboard.To Close Consecutive Windows
– you can simultaneously close all the windows you have opened, by simply holding down the shift key and clicking the X button on the right side of the folder’s title bar.Review of Delrina’s CommSuite 95
I installed Delrina’s communications suite v7.0 last December and put it through its paces – it works fine. At the end of March I received a free CD-ROM from Delrina which upgraded the communications suite to version 7.01. The latest suite includes WinFax Pro 7.0a, WinComm Pro 7.01, WinFax Scanner 4.1, TalkWorks, and CyberJack 7.03. Did you notice the "extensions" - yep not version 7.0 but 7.0"x". Psychological right - no one likes to see or buy version 1.0 of any program. I reviewed version 1.0.b, when it first came out and stated that "it appears to run smoothly" – well – the Windows 95 version is slick.
Delrina’s Communications Suite for Windows 3.1 came on 6 disks, consumed approx. 15.7 Megs of disk space, and required about 40 minutes to install and run. CommSuite 95 (CD-ROM) requires – CyberJack 13.5 Meg, TalkWorks 20 Meg, WinComm 15.5 Meg, WinFax 24 Meg, and WinFax Scanner 4.7 Meg. (Most people will not use WinFax Scanner, used with Delrina’s WinFax Scanner machine.) The installation requires 53 Megs w/o TalkWorks (20 Meg) and takes about 10 minutes – using a CD-ROM for installation sure makes life easy!
The installation program uses the Windows 95 installation interface, is intuitive and works fine without any problems. The package comes on 1 CD-ROM, and allows you to install each of the programs separately or all four. WinFax Scanner is installed separately from the rest of the Suite though!
Delrina uses the auto-run format on their CD-ROM. (Meaning the CD-ROM is self booting.) The initial screen allows you 5 options; Delrina CommSuite 95 Tour, Install Delrina CommSuite 95, Delrina WinFax Scanner Tour, Install WinFax Scanner 4.1, and Exit.
The installation options allow for the selection of file locations and other options (including tours of the new programs). There is also a choice of; Typical (common installation with common files), Minimum (fewest necessary files to run program - good for laptops), or Custom (select any or all of the installation options) - in all cases you are allowed to set you own directories.
The program asks many questions during the installation and automatically sets your programs up for you. The questions include; Dialing preferences, data number, country, area code, and local number. The prefix and suffix necessary for dialing out, if you need them. Whether you use a credit card and the ability to dial an 800 access number prior to the destination number – this includes; AT&T, British Telcom, Com-Net, custom local numbers, MCI Friends & Family, MCI Vision, Mercury, Sprint, and IniTel with numerous custom combinations. The installation program automatically detects your modem, or allows you to select your own and then configures your software accordingly.
Allows you to opt for direct access to Microsoft Exchange e-mail from WinFax, and to set up WinFax as you default printer. The program automatically converts your old phone books to the new CommSuite format.
You are given the option to uninstall Microsoft Fax automatically after WinFax is installed – the default is yes. A Communications Bar for fast access to all CommSuite applications can be installed along with an image manager. There is the option to install a zip manager, which is capable of handling all zip file commands.
The installation program also asks if you want to connect to the Internet through a LAN or modem. If you select your modem, you are given the option of using an existing setup or creating a new one. CompuServe can be set up automatically or you can create a custom setup by answering a few questions. Plus it will use an existing mail profile or create a new one for you.
After installation the program ask where you want your icons, provides automatic product registration using your modem (always a good way to test your setup), and then deletes any files left over from a previous version.
Next month a comprehensive review of the individual components.
