Kenja's Newsletter & Updates

Volume 2/ Edition 6

March 19, 2000

Hello again everybody

Welcome to the latest edition of Kenja's Newsletter & Updates.

Record numbers of people signed up with the newsletter after the last edition. I guess everyone liked the story about "the website that speaks in tongues". You all are sick... *laughing* The mountain of email was amazing as well, and so at this point I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to send me an e-mail with your comments (99% were positive).

I finally decided to splurge and bought myself a new computer. A fine machine when and if I get all the bugs worked out of it (goes back to the shop on Tuesday). *smile* Seems as though the more high-tech you go, the higher the risk of the machine acting temperamental about certain software and/or hardware. This machine is a great step up from the old 233 MHZ with only 64 MB RAM. So here is the break down of my new machine:
AMD-K7 650 MHZ Athalon, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB Viper Video Card, Creative 52x CD ROM, Sony CDRW, Creative SB Live Sound Card, LabTec 100 Watts Speaker system with Subwoofer, 17-inch KDS Monitor with Trinitron Tube, 20 Gigs of Ultra DMA hard drive, SupraMax 56i Voice modem, Artec Scanner, Epson 440 Color Printer, Microphone and an Intel Video Camera.

Site Related News:
The CyberCard section is still not functional, so I ask that you use the mirror site for the time being. There too you will get a Server Error message after you composed the card and click SEND. However, it will send the card and you will be able pick them up (that is most important).
The Newsletter section has received a major face-lift on Saturday. I placed that whole section inside of frames, which should make the navigation much easier than before. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

Desktop Theme & Screensaver News:

Only had time to make the following three themes in the last two weeks. Themes were added to the Miscellaneous and the Native sections as follows:

Homecoming is a new Native Theme and includes wallpaper based on a painting by Henri Peter © for 800x600 screen settings, set of cursors (2 animated), set of original icons, set of Native wave sounds for all Window events, set of Logo SYS files (start-up, wait and shutdown screens) also based on the paintings by Henri Peter ©, and of course a light peach color scheme.
Old Cowboy features a wallpaper based on a painting by Norman Rockwell © for 800x600 screen settings, a set of cursors (1 animated), set of original icons, set of Country wave sounds for all Window events, and a set of Logo SYS files (start-up, wait and shutdown screens), and a blue/gray color scheme.

The Special Love is my attempt at an African American desktop theme, and I think it came out quite beautiful. The theme features a wallpaper based on paintings by Dexter © of parents with their kids for 800x600 screen settings, a set of cursors (1 animated), set of original icons, set of mellow Jazz wave sounds for all Window events, and a set of Logo SYS files (start-up, wait and shutdown screens), and a gold color scheme.

A lot of people have been asking me how to change the icons that refuse to change, even though you just installed a new theme (I experience the same problem with every theme change). I am not sure if this is an issue with Windows 98 and/or with the program Desktop Themes. In any event this is a minor problem and very easy to fix. Here is how:

Go to Desktop Properties by either right clicking on your desktop and choosing PROPERTIES or by going to your Control Panel and then choosing the DISPLAY icon.
Once on Desktop Properties, choose the EFFECTS tab at the very top. This will show the window that controls the way your icons are displayed on your desktop.
In the second half of this window you will notice the section called "Visual Effects". At the very top of that section a check box that says "USE LARGE ICONS" next to it. Place a check mark here (or uncheck) and then press on APPLY at the bottom of the window.
Check and/or uncheck the same box again to get the settings to where you want and press APPLY again, and then OK. Your icons are now changed to reflect the new theme.

* NOTE* I use Zip Magic to compress and turn Stationery and/or Desktop Theme files into EXE format. If you ever get a password prompt during installation... ignore it and proceed. They are not password protected! For more installation help visit either the Stationery Help or the Theme Help sections.

If you need Java Scripts, don't forget to visit the Steal My Java Scripts section, where you can choose from 23 popular Scripts, test them on site and then copy & paste into your own homepage(s).

Visit the Native American Music Shop for great Native American Music selections.

For great gift items visit Kenja's Gift Shop. Gift categories include Fine Jewellery, Gardening Decor, Crystal, Clocks, Brass, Sculptures and so much more. Now with a time limited Discount of 40% on all items!

The Gift:

The Gifts for this issue are a Stationery with scrolling background and midi, and also a wallpaper (800x600 screen settings) for non stationery users. The graphics for the stationery and the wallpaper were created from ground up with PSP 6.0 tubes, various brushes and filters for effect.

Hope you enjoy the Gifts!

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!

Desktop Enhancements:

I have accumulated so many URL's for the Newsletter, that I now have to go through them by category. The graphics and desktop enhancement categories have the largest amount of URL's and that is what I will talk about today:

Customize.Org is a huge site that offer a variety of things like wallpaper and icons, but mostly dedicated to Skins for a large variety of programs. You can vote and/or review everything they have at their site. Nice touch, though keep in mind that opinions will differ, and what some may give a bad review, may just be what you were looking for. *smile*
Desktopia on the other hand is dedicated to offering hundreds of nice wallpaper in a huge variety of 35 main categories, most of those are then divided again into sub-categories. Categories include but are not limited to Holidays, Computer Art, 3-d, Nature, People (caution... some are intended for adults) and many more. It would be virtually impossible not to find anything here. By the way, wallpapers are offered for both Windows and Mac users. *smile*
YourWallpaper.Com doesn't have a huge selection, but what they do have is absolutely gorgeous and of great quality. I especially loved the TV section (Buffy the Vampire Slayer... even though I am not too big a fan of that show, but the quality is out-standing!), the Sports section (not much on sports either, but same as with the TV section... awesome quality!), and the new Creations section.
DesktopStarship is the mother-load for all SciFi buffs like myself, dedicated to mostly Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, and other similar movies and of course SciFi in general. This site is really awesome and a must visit. Here you will find not only hundreds of awesome wallpapers, but also sound waves, fonts (TTF), a huge amount of screensavers (every month a new one derived from all the new wallpaper), Desktop Themes (only about 2 dozen), movies, magazines, chat and much more.
Last but not least I would like to mention a program called Cursor Maker, created by A. Bates. He sent me an e-mail about a week ago to tell me about his program... I am glad he did. This program is offered in 2 flavors... Freeware supported by Banner Ads, and a Banner Ad free Shareware version, that needs to be registered (no idea how much it costs, as I could not find a price listed). I downloaded the free version and I must say that, not only is it easy to use (a Tutorial section is provided online), but also lets you create True-Color icons and cursors (static and animated) with ease. His site also offers a large variety of Cursors and icons that you can download for free. This program is great for any theme creator or anyone who wants to try to make their own cursors and/or icons.

Graphics, Filters & Plug-ins:

This newsletter seems to get longer and longer with each issue, but as promised above I will now talk about some sites that offer free Plug-ins & Filters, and graphic programs. These Filters and Plug-ins will work in Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, MS Image Composer, and a variety of other graphic programs that are Photoshop compatible (most are).

GrafoManiac is one of the sites dedicated to Paint Shop Pro and offers many things like 35 online Tutorials, Textures and links to other sites. What I found most mentionable about this site is, the extensive library of 1542 free Filters with previews, that are offered in the Plug's n' Tool section. You will spend days here looking through everything and downloading new filters. Get your disks handy for this one. *smile*

Ulead is another company that offers a wide variety of graphic programs that are widely used. At their free download section you will find Trial versions in the top half, and Freeware like Ulead Gif Animator, Photo Viewer and their newly released free program called Photo Explorer. Further down on the same page you will find some Templates, frames and other useful stuff to use with your Ulead products.

While we are still on the subject of Ulead products... PC PLus Online Magazine offers the full working version of Ulead Morph Studio 1.0 for free. Morph Studio is one of those programs that lets you make funny looking pictures of your loved ones. *smile*

Net Magazine: The Internet Magazine also offers a free graphic program called Web Painter 1.0, which is a program that lets you make graphics for your website like animations, and banners etc. This is not the latest version of the program, however it works great and the site also offers a 5 part online tutorial. The program is offered for both Windows and Mac users, and I guess for free... you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. *smile*

Nothing to do with graphics, but Net Magazine also has the Internet Explorer 5 Companion. Everyone who uses this browser with Outlook Express and/or Front Page Express should check it out... you will learn a lot, believe me.

On the Lighter Side of Life -:)

Caution... this section is very funny but also very sarcastic. *smile*

The Human Race is Doomed (through stupidity)!
Here are some perfect examples on how your intelligence is being questioned by some Manufacturers. The following are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:

On a Sears hair dryer:
Do not use while sleeping.
(Gee, that's the only time I have to work on my hair!)
On a bag of Fritos:
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(The shoplifter special!)
On a bar of Dial soap:
Directions: Use like regular soap.
(and that would be... how??)
On some Swanson frozen dinners:
Serving suggestion: Defrost.
(But it's "just" a suggestion!)
On a hotel provided shower cap in a box:
Fits one head.
(Duhhh!!! Which one?)
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert:
Do not turn upside down. (printed on the bottom of the box)
(Too late! You lose!)
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding:
Product will be hot after heating.
(Are you sure???)
On packaging for a Rowenta iron:
Do not iron clothes on body.
(But... wouldn't that save more time???)
On Boot's Children's cough medicine:
Do not drive car or operate machinery.
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we just kept those 5 year olds off those fork lifts!)
On Nytol sleep aid:
Warning: may cause drowsiness.
(One would hope!)
On a Korean kitchen knife:
Warning: keep out of children.
(...Or pets! What's for dinner?)
On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights:
For indoor or outdoor use only.
(As opposed to outer space or underground)
On a Japanese food processor:
Not to be used for the other use.
(Hmmmm, now I'm curious... !!!)
On Sainsbury's peanuts:
Warning: contains nuts.
(no comment)
On an American Airlines packet of nuts:
Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.
(what is going on here?)
On a Swedish chainsaw:
Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.
(as if you try to stop *anything* with your genitals... clearly my favorite of the list)
On a child's superman costume:
Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
(Way to destroy a universal childhood fantasy!)
On a toothbrush given at the Dentist:
"Use Fuzzy End"
(I kid you not... this one says it all!)

Author unknown

The Finishing Touches:

Hope you enjoyed this edition of the newsletter, and found lots of useful information. Remember, the next newsletter will be published on or around April 2nd, 2000. If you have any comments or suggestions, e-mail me at

webmaster@kenja.net

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Kenja's Newsletter & Updates

Quote of the Week *Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.*
Author: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

Copyright © 2000-2001 Kenja's Newsletter & Updates ISSN: 1530-700X All Rights Reserved.
Content written & edited by A. Way aka Kenja. The opinions expressed herein are my own. The reproduction and/or unauthorized use of any parts of this Newsletter, it's content and/or graphics is strictly forbidden.