Kenja's Newsletter & Updates

Halloween 2000 Ghost Story and Recipe Contest:

Only four weeks left to enter your submission to the Halloween Contest. If you missed last issue, read the rules at the web based issue Edition 2 Volume 15 and then send me your entries!

The Gift(s):

Please make note that the gifts are only for actual subscribers to this newsletter and not for visitors to the archive copies based on the net. Gifts are available for a limited time with each issue, roughly about 7 days and will then be removed... so get 'em while you can!

Ebooks, Tutorials and Stationery:

Well, I guess we get started with the good stuff. *smile* For this issue I would like to tell you about various learning (tutorial) sites and some great free software:

Ebooks seem to be the latest rage on the Internet these days. These books range from plain text to PDF format (you need the free Acrobat Reader for that format) and others are offered in the newest format that uses the Microsoft Reader (7+ MB download and free). Most books offered in MS Reader format also include illustrations. Sites that offer free Ebooks in all formats include the University of Virginia Ebook Library with over 1,200 free books, and Barnes & Noble Ebooks. Both sites offer books in all genres ranging from classic, youth, to international.

Book Face has books for sale, but you can join the site for free and read the books online. All you need is Java enabled browser, and the online versions have many features, including book marking the spot you left off (you can start there when you get back, even days later), place book titles in your favorites, view new releases, etc.

Everyone knows that you should keep an Inventory of your belongings for insurance reasons. My Stuff is offered free and has many features including: adding pictures for the individual items, dates purchased, a feature that calculates the value of electronics etc., and much more. This program is very easy to use and a must have for any household. *smile*

I know many people spend lots of money on books to teach them anything from how to use a computer and/or certain programs. Save yourself that money and just visit one of these sites. One is called Chalk Soft, where you will find very detailed tutorials with pictures for Windows 9.x, NetObjects Fusion, HTML, Front Page 2000, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and MS Publisher. Free Skills is another excellent source that not only offers tutorials for general computer use, graphics, HTML, but also certification courses for Microsoft and Novell. All courses are offered at both sites for free, and some may also be downloaded.

Many people have asked me in the past how I make my stationery scripts. I use Adlor's Creation Tool (mentioned in previous issues), but if you like to use some other scripts, then visit Stationery Script Tutorials by Joy. Instructions are easy to follow and detailed, however a general HTML knowledge is required.

The following three sites offer some great and somewhat unusual Stationery. Bearz Cave has a collection of 20 very nice graphics Stationery with midis (includes Native, Fantasy and various others). Stationery by Kath Lil offers a huge variety of Stationery sorted into 15 categories. You will be sure to find something here. Mrs Meep offers a small collection of Stationery sorted into 7 categories, to include Animals, Religion, Holidays, Floral, Scenic, Art and Assorted.

Links submitted by Readers:

I have gotten a few links from readers of the newsletter... thanks for the submissions. *smile* If you have a URL for a free program and/or a site, feel free to submit them to me, and I will list them at various times.

This first program was submitted by Gilad, and is called IncrediMail. This program is a free (beta... in testing phase), has the look and feel of Outlook Express, and lets you choose backgrounds, animations, greetings, insert sounds and much more. Message previews are instant at the click of a button. The program has some very neat effects and is worth the 5+ MB download if you don't feel like messing with Outlook or Outlook Express.

Michelle submitted a link for a site called Mister Matt who offers two programs for children. One is a screensaver called Music Brush, it lets kids paint their own designs, assign sounds like midi, wave, or record your own, choose between a big array of colors, shapes and brushes. I found this program very nice and a lot of fun... not just for kids. The program is currently (time limited) offered with a free registration, but the author asks that you send him $20.- if you like it and find it useful for your kids. It is well worth the money. *smile*

On the Lighter Side of Life -:)