SP2 Automatically Downloaded |
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SP2 Automatically Downloaded - Important Info For Windows XP Users
Many Windows XP users have noticed the recent inability to see graphics within incoming e-mail messages. That's because Microsoft has now made its Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) a "required critical update" for all people using Windows XP. One of the "features" of the SP2 software is that it blocks images from being displayed within incoming e-mail messages. (See below for information on changing your settings to allow images to reappear within e-mail messages.)
More About Microsoft's Recent Automatic SP2 Update
As of April 12, 2005, anyone using the Windows XP operating system that had not previously downloaded SP2 onto their computer was forced to do so. This was accomplished through Windows XP's Automatic Update feature which is "turned on" as a default setting on all Windows XP systems. Thus, it's highly probable that if you use Windows XP, SP2 has been downloaded onto your machine whether you've requested it or not. Once this download occurs, however, users must then install the software to activate it. For installation instructions, see:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx
Why SP2 For Windows XP Operating Systems?
Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2 is a security software update for Microsoft's popular Windows XP operating system. Costing almost one billion dollars to develop, this free and huge (200 megabyte) software download promises to make users of Windows XP much safer from cyberattacks. SP2 adds protection by closing entries to viruses, increasing spyware barriers, and improving the safeguards of users' personal data.
SP2 Does Not Replace The Need For Third-Party Virus Protection
Windows XP Service Pack 2 DOES NOT REPLACE the need for third-party a) Virus Protection, b) E-mail Filtering, or c) Firewall Protection. If you use third party anti-virus software programs from companies like Symantec and McAfee, for instance, you'll still need to continue to regularly update your software and scan e-mail attachments for viruses as you've done in the past. SP2 does not include robust protection in these three areas.
So Why Am I Unable To See Graphics Within Incoming E-mail Messages?
One of the protective features added to Outlook Express for those Windows XP users who have installed Service Pack 2 (SP2) is the blocking of images being displayed within incoming e-mail messages. However, it's not nearly as much fun to receive an e-mail message from a friend or source you trust unless you can also view the message's graphics and images. Microsoft provides an easy option to allow images to appear within messages, either on a per e-mail basis or for all e-mail messages. To see the graphics within messages on an e-mail-by-e-mail basis, with your Preview Pane open, do the
following:
Note: If you don't see the gray bar, open the message in its own window and follow steps one and two above. Otherwise, click your cursor arrow on the "View" menu and drop down to "Layout." When the "Window Layout Properties" window appears, make sure "Show preview pane header" is checked.
If you want to be able to see all pictures on all incoming e-mail messages that contain images, you can disable this blocking feature. Here’s how:
Note: If you do not have the Automatic Update feature activated on your system and would like to do so, go to this link for step-by-step assistance: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/updates.mspx. If you use Windows XP and are not sure whether SP2 has been downloaded and installed onto your computer, go to this link for more information: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
Ask The Help Desk - When Was A Web Page Last Updated?
Question: Sometimes it's important to know how current the information is on a web page. Is there a way to find out when a web page was last updated?
Answer: Yes, this can be especially important if you are visiting news-related web pages, stock market sites, or other time sensitive websites.
A simple method of finding out when a page was last updated is to go to the page in question and then type (or copy and paste) the phrase below into the address bar replacing the site's web address:
javascript:alert(document.lastModified)
A box will appear telling you the date and time of the last update. This trick doesn't work on all websites and will only work if your browser is java-enabled (which it probably is). However, in most cases this technique will provide helpful results. Head to a couple of your favorite web pages and give it a try!
Great Sites To Check Out
This Month
Locate Recreational Opportunities Before Next Vacation
http://recreation.gov/ -
If you are planning a vacation this summer and want to check out some of our nation's great recreational opportunities, the federal government provides this in-depth informational site to get you started. Recreation.gov allows you to search for recreational areas by state, by recreational activity, by agency, or even by map. Have a great trip!
Google Now Offers Map Images Taken Via Satellite
http://maps.google.com/ -
You've probably used MapQuest.com for map information or driving directions. Now Google.com has gone one step further. It offers maps and driving directions but also provides actual satellite images of addresses you input. Simply go to maps.google.com, type in your Uncle Bob's home address in Toledo, click on the "Satellite" link toward the top right corner of the page, use the zoom feature on the left side of the page, and then check out his house!
Get Involved In A Kitten War
http://kittenwar.com/ -
No, this is not a site showing cat fights. It's a site filled with images of cute kittens where you vote on your favorite feline. Hundreds of pictures of kittens have been submitted. Check out the photo list of the top ten "winningest kittens," the ten "losingest kittens," and the ten most recently submitted entries. Upload your own favorite kitten photo and let the voting battle begin!
Herbie: Fully Loaded Movie Released This Month
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/herbie/ -
This month Walt Disney Pictures presents the fifth feature film in the Herbie series that started with the popular movie, The Love Bug, back in 1969. This time the adventurous Herbie takes on the world of NASCAR! The film stars Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon, Michael Keaton, and Justin Long. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. even makes an appearance. Herbie: Fully Loaded is rated G for general audiences.
LPGA's Open Hosted By Colorado
http://LPGA.com -
This month marks the 60th anniversary of the longest running event currently on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. The U.S. Women's Open will be held June 23-26 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. In last year's exciting event, eventual champion Meg Mallon held off Annika Sorenstam by two strokes. Both will be competing this year for their share of the event's $3.1 million purse. Check out this site for the latest news and stats concerning the LPGA.
Short Tutorial - Locating Hard-To-Find E-mail Messages
Have you ever tried to find an e-mail message in your inbox folder that was sent to you months ago but you can't recall the name or e-mail address of the sender? Plus, your search for key words that were possibly included in the subject line of the message hasn't given you successful results. Well, don't despair. You can also search for key words within the actual message pane windows of e-mail messages located in your inbox folder (and your other folders as well). Depending on how many messages are stored in your inbox and how specific your key word search is, there's a good chance of quickly finding the exact message that you're looking for. See the step-by-step tutorials below.
Outlook Express 6.0 and Windows XP
Mozilla's Thunderbird 1.0 on Windows XP:
Mail.app 1.3.9 on Macintosh OS X
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