It was interesting to read your article about YouTube last week although one of the disadvantages of this website is that it has not been possible to download [...]]]> I’ve received a couple of e-mails in the last week which I thought I’d share with my Click readers.

It was interesting to read your article about YouTube last week although one of the disadvantages of this website is that it has not been possible to download the videos on YouTube for offline use. This means that you will not be able to view the videos away from an internet connection, and if one of the videos is removed for any reason you will not be able to see it again.

This problem is solved with YouRipper (free from www.snapfiles.com/get/youripper.html) which allows you to download any YouTube video as a Flash video in .flv format. YouRipper acts like a video recorder for YouTube, and allows archiving of your favourite material.

The .flv format that YouRipper will save the video as cannot be played in most of the common media players but it can be played in the freeware FLV player which is available as a separate download at http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/FLV-Player-Download-27852.html. This is a useful piece of software as it is a nuisance to be permanently tied to what is available online at YouTube.

Ian MacMillan, via e-mail

Another good find there by Ian and another piece of software for me to add to my rapidly expanding collection. I see a particularly good use for this program would be downloading music videos then converting them to AVI format with a free program such as Riva (www.rivavx.com) with the intention of then compiling them to a CD or DVD.

Until recently I have been able to transmit & receive photographs in the format JPEG however, I find now that although photographs are received I cannot open them. I get a message to the effect that Outlook Express restricted the opening of the attachments due to unsafe content.

The sources are well known to me so I know that the images are no unsafe and moreover, messages that contain photographs that were previously openable have become unopenable. My AVG anti-virus reports on each e-mail ‘No virus present’ and AdAware reports no critical objects.

Keith Wheatley

This is an extremely common problem for many people hence I have chosen to feature it in Click this week. Microsoft in all their wisdom decided that in a recent update to Outlook Express that they would disable the opening of all files attached to e-mails. Whilst some would consider this prudent security I consider it to be over the top, especially when you consider the files you are discussing couldn’t possibly contain a virus as they are not executable.

There is an easy way around this fortunately so when in Outlook Express click on the ‘Tools’ tab, ‘Options’, then ‘Security’ and then make sure that there is no tick in the ‘Do not allow files to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus’ box.

“We read your columns in the Herald Express and wonder if you can help. We have a Packard Bell PC which we’ve had for about 2½ years [...]]]> This week I think I will once again take the time to answer a question from one of my readers:

“We read your columns in the Herald Express and wonder if you can help. We have a Packard Bell PC which we’ve had for about 2½ years and recently when shutting down the PC we keep getting the message ‘virtual memory low – Microsoft increasing’ which frequently disrupting us when just working on the machine normally. The PC has also been noticeably slower of late.

When working properly, our PC is a wonderful tool for keeping in touch with friends and family, some of whom are on the far side of the world and we would certainly miss it.

John & Kate Clayden, Torquay”

Before we begin troubleshooting your problem I think it would be beneficial to explain to all my readers exactly what virtual memory is as the term should really be included as part of your IT vocabulary.

To start with the basics, RAM (Random Access Memory) is used by your computer as a short term store in which to keep programs such as Windows and Microsoft Word whilst they are being run by the user. Computers do have a limited amount of RAM and so if the programs you currently have running require more of this memory than your system currently has available then the Operating System uses a portion of your hard drive to emulate this temporary store and store the overflowing data.

If we take the typical computer, we can say that it was a 80 GB hard drive and around 256mg (quarter of a GB) of RAM so we can see that the hard drive is typically hundreds of times larger than your normal short term store so why is running low on RAM a problem if the hard disk can act as an overflow? The main reason is that hard drives are EXTREMELY slow in comparison to RAM so is ideal to have as much of this type of memory as possible so that Windows doesn’t have to resort to having to set up large temporary stores on a slow hard drive.

If Windows starts complaining that virtual memory is low then this could be caused for a number of reasons but it is most likely that for some reason the maximum size of the virtual memory pool is set far to low. To allow the system to automatically determine the size of the virtual memory pool in Windows XP you should do the following:

- Right Click on ‘My Computer’ and then click on properties

- Click the ‘Advanced’ tab and then under the ‘Performance’ category select ‘Settings’

- Again click on ‘Advanced’ and then under the ‘Virtual Memory’ category select ‘Change’

- Select the tick box for ‘System Managed Size’ and then continue to click ‘OK’ until you return to your desktop,

- Restart your machine.

It is surprising how much difference having a large amount of RAM can make to a sluggish machine; especially one that runs Windows XP. If you can allow the computer to store all of its temporary files in fast memory rather than forcing it to have to overspill and start using a much slower hard drive to keep these files then you will find things a lot less sluggish.

If you do have ample RAM, ample hard drive space and you’ve followed the above procedure to allow the system to automatically determine the virtual memory settings and you still receive errors relating to the size of your virtual memory then visit www.computerarticles.co.uk and refer back to one of my previous articles relating to removing resource memory programs from your system as this is likely to be the cause of the problem.

This week the following question has prompted me to revise and republish an article that I printed last year as I believe that the program I recommend should still be one that all users have installed on their machine.

A question I [...]]]>

This week the following question has prompted me to revise and republish an article that I printed last year as I believe that the program I recommend should still be one that all users have installed on their machine.

A question I have been asked recently about Broadband & Premium phone number pop-ups; is there anyway of telling whether a pop-up during surfing or of inadvertently wandering on to a Premium site can be avoided. The reason for me asking is of course obvious as I want to avoid the kids, Granny etc running up my phone bill unbeknown to me. This of course can happen on both broadband & Dialup connection.

Tom Blakesley, via E-mail

Before we start I think it is quite important to note that this issue would not affect broadband; there is no way that a broadband modem can ‘dial out’ as such. Although it is true that when using ADSL windows does have to create a dial up connection this is more a placebo effect to allow it to verify your user name and password – The broadband link is always active and your modem cannot dial another number; premium rate or otherwise.

The below program that I am about to recommend isn’t a solution to your problem because as far as I am aware there is no ‘one fits all’ solution to these problems caused by rogue programs although Windows XP service pack 2 does make it harder for these things to install themselves without your permission. Instead it is a utility that can be used to locate already installed programs such as these and potentially avoid your machine becoming infected in the first instance.

It has to be said that quite a common complaint submitted by readers is intrusive software which often installs itself onto their systems with no easy way to remove it; whether it dials out premium rate numbers or not. Quite often the software contains questionable content such as pornographic links and it can be quite concerning if the computer is shared with other members of the family as there is often no way to delete the links that have been created. A piece of software that I’ve always found useful in all these instances is ‘SpyBot Search & Destroy’ which can be downloaded free of charge from http://security.kolla.de

Once you’ve started the program you should scan your system for spyware & adware which takes a couple of minutes to complete and the program then displays a list of the problems that it found on your system along with the option to automatically repair them. It’s surprising how much rubbish many of you will have running in the background constantly as I keep a regularly clean out junk applications and the program managed to detect at least a dozen or so unwanted applications installed on my hard drive. By removing them you can free up valuable system resources and also make your computer slightly more pleasant to use and an important point to note is that the software does make a backup as it goes along so if you find that certain programs won’t work anymore then you can always restore your system to how it was previously. Once you’ve cleaned out all the rubbish which has then the program has the option to immunise your system which installs preventative measures to help prevent rouge software from installing itself again.

If you head to http://security.kolla.de/ then the file is 3.5Mg in size so even on a 56k connection it should only take 10 minutes or so to download and the best news is that it’s completely free of charge although the author does ask for a donation if you find it. To conclude, one of the most annoying areas of the modern Internet is the large number of programmers on the Internet who believe that it is acceptable to install useless software on to your computer without your permission and without any easy way to uninstall just so they can make some quick money. Much of this software exposes you to constant pop up advertising without your permission, tracks your browsing habits or in the case of Toms concern above it can actually end up costing you money; personally I believe that any program which tries to kerb this abuse has to be worth installing.

Many of my readers will already have or will be thinking about getting a website of their own so recent readers question seemed like a good opportunity to take a fresh look at a subject I have discussed in the past.

[...]]]>

Many of my readers will already have or will be thinking about getting a website of their own so recent readers question seemed like a good opportunity to take a fresh look at a subject I have discussed in the past.

I’m looking for some help with setting up a website and whilst I believe I’ll be okay with the construction of the site how do I choose who to use as the host? As I see it there are several choices; either going for an aggressive advertiser like 1&1 or Fasthosts or going with someone like Bravenet and living with the pop-up adverts? I am finding it difficult establishing whether some of these names are little better than cowboys and likely to crash & burn in the near future.

There is so much information that amateurs like me feel overwhelmed; I am after all only making this site for a relatively small social organisation.

I already own the required domain name which I purchased from a company called ‘LoCostNames’ and so I was wondering if hosting companies charge extra or give discounts if you join their service with the domain name already registered? What are things like ASP & Perl and would I need a degree in computer science to operate a site effectively?

Finally, who hosts your www.refreshcartridges.co.uk site and are they satisfactory? I’m sorry to ask what are probably really thick questions but information overload can sometimes make you feel very inadequate!

Pat Chimes, via E-mail

Pat asked a number of good questions which I hope that I will be able to resolve. To cover the basics for those who aren’t quite up to speed I should explain that when creating a website you are required to have your domain name registered (i.e. www.microsoft.com) along with arranging for a company to host the files that will be viewed by your guests. The alternative is to use the free webspace that most ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) will offer you but this is extremely unprofessional and should be avoided by all but the smallest & stingiest sites.

The question regarding which host to go for is unfortunately a little too generic as obviously different people have different needs and so there isn’t really any one answer that I can give here. I would strongly advise against going for a host that supports a free service by exposing your visitors to pop-ups as this is EXTREMELY annoying for those browsing your site.

I have always found that if running a website on a shoe-string then a company called Freeola (www.freeola.com) is definitely worth a look since it is free of charge, fast and reliable. On the downside, it is missing some of the more advanced functions that the paid hosting companies provide and you have to dial a local call rate number to upload files rather than using your standard ISP connection; for a free service however, this is perfectly acceptable.

If you are considering a paid host then it may be worth your while to type their name followed by the word ‘review’ into your favourite search engine as if the company is practising cowboy tactics then you will usually find quite a few people slating them. I don’t feel qualified enough to recommend a particular paid hosting company as my website, www.refreshcartridges.co.uk is hosted by RedStation and whilst they are more than acceptable I don’t rate them particularly well so we will be changing when our year contract has expired.

With regards to getting a discount since you have already registered your domain name, unfortunately most hosting providers will actually charge you more to bring it with you as the majority of them have introductory offers to encourage users to register a domain name at a subsidised price with free hosting thrown in to the package. They then rely on the theory that once your first year worth of free hosting has expired that you will then start paying their standard rates for years to come.

Finally we come to the subject of Perl and ASP; you probably won’t have to worry about them for a simple site as these are established programming languages that can be used to support features such as mailing lists and guestbooks. If you find that you require additional features in the future than your current host provider can support then do bear in mind that you can always change at some point down the line.

There comes a time in every mans life where he feels it’s about time that he got himself back into shape; for most men this urge lasts for a couple of days before the beer and fags take over and he is back at stage one but in my instance [...]]]>

There comes a time in every mans life where he feels it’s about time that he got himself back into shape; for most men this urge lasts for a couple of days before the beer and fags take over and he is back at stage one but in my instance this feeling has lasted for a whole 10 days now. I remember back in my youth when I used to spend pretty much an hour a day playing squash for a period of around 3 years and I never felt run down or tired. Now if I were to have a single session on a squash court I feel that the paramedics may have to be called to carry me to the hospital.

I am lucky in the respect that I never put on weight no matter how much I eat or drink but that is besides the point; I am wanting to get myself back in to shape in order to be physically fit; not thinner. I wouldn’t be surprised if all of you are scratching your heads and wondering whether I’ve forgotten that this article is supposed to be focusing on computers and not my wish to by fit but you’d be wrong as today I plan to marry the two subjects.

As unlikely as it seems, the Internet can be a good resource for those wanting to get in shape or lose weight so today I thought I’d do a search for sites that could help all of us become that little bit more active. Whilst the majority of them were all trying to sell my slimming products there were a few gems which concentrated on the sensible notion of getting fit & slim the healthy way not by the use of products.

One such site that I’ve been having a look around is www.weightlossresources.co.uk – Whilst not free the site does give you a three day free trial (no commitment and they don’t take your credit card number) so you can have a look to see if it is for you. Although more tailored towards those wanting to lose weight there is also a large amount of different articles relating to general fitness. Online you’ll find a number of resources including a goal and results planner, food planner and database, exercise database and planner as well as associated research and articles relating to exercise, eating and weight loss. For those looking to lose weight this resource could be indispensable but unfortunately the £8 a month subscription does seem a little bit steep.

Another good resource is www.thefitmap.com as this contains plenty of free information including a fitness training planner, online personal trainer, quizzes, a BMI calculator and various articles relating to health and fitness. Looking through the online archive I discovered several hundred articles focussing on male and female health and fitness issues ranging from cutting down on alcohol to diagnosing and treating male pattern baldness – could be helpful to me in a few years. The site is primarily paid for by advertising which means that the resources on offer are all free of charge and therefore there is little excuse not to visit this site.

For those concentrating more towards the fitness side of things www.menshealth.co.uk would be a worthwhile resource although it should be noted that to access the majority of the articles you have to be a subscriber of the paper based magazine to access. Rather alarmingly I clicked on the “Subscribe to Mens Health magazine” link and then clicked the back button before actually making a payment and I got all the resources for free. I’m sure this wasn’t supposed to happen and it’ll probably be fixed by the time you read this but it’s worth giving a go if you do happen to visit this site. Online there are plenty of exercise and workout plans which focus on all the major muscle groups and a large number of articles covering all areas of male health from sexual problems to calculating your cancer risk group.

To summarize, all three of the websites above are worth a look and all three of them have free of charge information available in varying degrees.

Once again I’ll be spending this week answering a question recently sent in by one of my readers.

Just to inform you that I recently bought a #17 Black cartridge from Lexmark for my Lexmark X1160 printer from Argos [...]]]>

Once again I’ll be spending this week answering a question recently sent in by one of my readers.

Just to inform you that I recently bought a #17 Black cartridge from Lexmark for my Lexmark X1160 printer from Argos in Torquay, I am very disappointed with the Lexmark brand as it seems to have lasted only a few weeks with only probably 50 x A4 printouts. Can you tell me if this is usual and what is the difference between the cartridge numbers 16 & 17 Black or the 26 & 27 Colour in respect of longevity? Can you give me any suggestions for a decent replacement set of cartridges for my machine?

Tom Blakesley, Paignton

For some reason the majority of the people in Paignton seem to own Lexmark printers and so I thought I’d take a minute to explain why you should probably bin yours and go out and buy a cheaper printer to run. Firstly, to answer your question, Tom, the Lexmark 16 and Lexmark 26 are the high capacity versions of the Lexmark 17 and Lexmark 27; the cartridge you purchased was the lower capacity cartridge but still getting only 50 print-outs is abysmal and it may be worthwhile taking it back to Argos to see if there is anything they can do to help you.

Obviously, since I run a printer cartridge company I can get quite passionate from time to time with the ludicrous price that some people are paying for replacement inks when it really isn’t necessary. Whilst Epson and Canon printer owners can often buy a set of cartridges from us for as little as £4.98 for the pair, those with Lexmark (and to a lesser extent, HP) are stuck buying cartridges that can cost around £50 for a pair. What really rubs salt in to the wounds is that the £50 cartridges often contain less ink than the £4.98 cartridges and so suddenly the twenty quid printer that you bought at such a bargain price several weeks ago doesn’t seem like such a good deal.

To make matters worse, Lexmark are practically giving their printers away to system manufacturers such as Dell who then provide them with it as part of a package deal when you buy a new PC. I’m not saying as such that Lexmark printers are rubbish but just think that if you consider buying 2 sets of replacement cartridges at £50 a set then you’ve instantly got £100 that could be used to buy a printer that uses much cheaper cartridges; an Epson or Canon printer for example. Then every time you replace the cartridges in your machine you’re making a saving; I would consider it an investment more than anything else.

Personally I would like to see more of an effort made by the large chain stores to make customers aware of the ongoing costs of running a particular printer before it is purchased; you wouldn’t buy a car for example if the salesman told you that it could only use a specific type of fuel that cost £1.49 a litre or a mobile phone that although only costing £9.99 to buy would then cost you 99p a minute whenever you used it. Customers are made aware of the ongoing costs of running pretty much anything they purchase but yet there is no universal system in place to compare the price per ml of ink when it comes to buying replacement original, remanufactured or compatible cartridges. Such a system would certainly help to avoid people getting ripped off in the long run.

I sent a copy of the above reply back to Tom a few days ago and received a nice poem he composed about Lexmark by return which unfortunately the editor wouldn’t let me print for legal reasons. In addition, after my article about smoking support sites last week he has told me that has now tried to quit smoking and so the best of luck to him.