If you send e-mail using software other than Pine, this is a reminder that it's Winnefox netiquette that messages be sent in plain text format, not in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) format. As a matter of fact, some find it rude to send HTMLized messages to listservs (including Winnefox listservs).

HTML formatted mail includes all sorts of hidden (and not so hidden) code, tags and other stuff that make the text of the message quite difficult to read, depending on the recipient's e-mail reader (what you see is not always what others get!) In addition, with all that extraneous coding and tagging, your messages are much larger than necessary. This ties up bandwidth and eats up mail server space.

It's actually possible that you're sending HTMLized e-mail and don't know it, because some e-mail software defaults to HTML formatting. Unless someone tells you you're sending HTML-formatted messages you might not realize it. So take a minute to check your software to be sure...

(Those of you who use Pine can skip this section -- sending HTMLized messages isn't an option.)

If you use Netscape Communicator 4.51, check the Preferences by clicking on these Menu Bar choices:

1. Edit
2. Preferences
3. Mail & Newsgroups
4. Formatting
5. Make sure there's a dot in the circle next to "Use the plain text editor to compose messages". If there isn't one, click in the circle to make it so.
6. Click the OK button.

If you prefer to use e-mail software that's not supported by Winnefox, such as Microsoft Outlook Express or Eudora, you'll need to check the software's documention/help for information on configuring it. Some e-mail software defaults to HTML formatted messages, and should be configured to send plain text instead.

Some electronic discussion group/listserv administrators are so serious about this topic that sending HTMLized e-mail can even get you kicked off! Remember: HTML belongs in web browsers, not in e-mail!

In last month's Ides I told you how you could customize your Netscape 4.x Personal Tool Bar by adding buttons. Soon afterwards I received this e-mail:

"Dear Web Goddess: Well, I created an Icon for a favorite on my personal tool bar, and it was easy. But heck! My tool bar is already cluttered with buttons for places I never want to go. Netscape put them there for me. How, oh mistress of the black void, do I remove these crummy distractions from my personal space?"
A Regular Reader

Well "Regular Reader" (if that *is* your real name), here's how to clean out the extraneous buttons on your Personal Tool Bar:

1. Click on the Bookmarks button on the Tool Bar above the
Personal Tool Bar
2. In the menu that opens, click on Edit Bookmarks.
   
   
   
   
3. In the section of the bookmarks named Personal Toolbar Folder you'll notice there's an entry that corresponds to each of the buttons on the Personal Toolbar.
   
   



4. Say you want to delete the Instant Message button -- just right-click on that entry in your bookmarks, and in the menu that opens choose Delete Bookmark. Continue deleting as many as you want, and when you're done just exit out of bookmark editing.
   
   

The icons on the Windows 95 and NT Desktop are a quick way to access the programs, folders, and files on your computer. Using icons will save you a lot of time, eliminating the need to go through the Start menu every time you want to find an item or start an application.

However, has your PC's Desktop become cluttered with icons for things you never use?

• There may be some icons that Windows put there, but aren't relevant to your work (like "Online Services" or "My Briefcase"). Maybe you've wondered what they'd do if you clicked them, or just ignored them.
• Then there are the shortcut icons that may appear when you install a browser plug-in (like RealPlayers or QuickTime), or when you install a new piece of software.

A shortcut icon is a "pointer" to the actual file, which stays in its original location. You can delete shortcut icons without deleting the original file or icon.

How can you tell if an icon is a shortcut? A shortcut icon has a small white square with a bent black arrow. Here's an example of one:

Here are some icons you can feel safe about deleting from your PC's Desktop:

	Used for moving files from a laptop to a desktop PC or network; Read more about it at "How should I use the Briefcase icon on my desktop?".
	Not connected to Pine or Netscape Communicator's e-mail application; invokes Microsoft Exchange instead
	Most often used only by your Web browser when accessing a Web site containing an audio file.
	A chat program that was combined with newer versions of Netscape (probably about the time AOL bought Netscape.)

There are three ways to remove an icon (in all cases, you will be asked to confirm your action):

You can drag it to the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop;
2. Right-click on the icon and click on Delete from the pop-up menu; or
3. Click the icon to highlight it and press the Del key on your keyboard

If you have questions about whether or not to delete an icon from your PC's Desktop, and you're a staff member at any Winnefox library, contact the WALS Technical Support staff for advice.

The If You Like... Handifile is a database that helps you link readers to fiction books they might enjoy. You can search the file two ways. by keyword, or you may browse a complete list of subject categories.

The The If You Like... Handifile was created by librarians at the Southdale-Hennepin Area Library (Minnesota) to assist library staff in providing reader's advisory service to patrons.

Library staff have wanted this kind of thing for a long time, and now the New England School of Law Library has finally done it: "Search Reserve Room by Book Color". I like that even the URL is a play on words: http://38.232.116.10/screens/well_its_red.html.

is Chuck Wagon Beans.

This issue of The Ides was written on July 17, 2000
Copyright 2000, Winnefox Library System

The Ides is written by Joy Schwarz.
Please direct any questions, comments or recipes to schwarz@winnefox.org

URL: http://www.winnefox.org/ides/idesjul00.html