From:         Bob Rankin 
Subject:      TOURBUS - 28 FEB 2006 - Internet Classics / Urban Legends

IN TODAY'S TOURBUS, READ ABOUT INTERNET CLASSICS -- THE SITES THAT I consider required viewing for all netizens. Also, learn how to

debunk Urban Legends and Hoaxes, surf safely with a wi-fi connection and repair a damaged Windows system. Read on!

Going Viral - Internet Classics

Ever since the Web went graphical in the early 90's, there have been people motivated to create websites that exist only to be amusing, annoying or completely useless. And like a car wreck, we just can't keep ourselves from looking at these things... and telling all our friends. I consider these Internet Classics required viewing. They're part of Internet lore and legend, and everyone should see all of them at least once.

* Go ahead... press The Really Big Button That Doesn't Do Anything. Useless since 1994, the RBBTDDA is one of the first websites to go viral, meaning that it became well-known by word of mouth. http://www.pixelscapes.com/spatulacity/button.htm

* Evil Conspiracy Unmasked! All Your Base Are Belong To Us reveals proof of a conspiracy so large and so complicated that well... you know. Zero Wing, a poorly translated Japanese video game for the Sega Genesis console, served as the inspiration for this phenom. http://allyourbase.planettribes.gamespy.com

Read all 11 items in Internet Classics - Part 1 here:

http://askbobrankin.com/internet_classics.html

Urban Legends and Hoaxes

Is the government planning to implement an email tax? Does lipstick contain dangerous levels of lead? Will Microsoft send you money for forwarding an email? Do you need to add your cell phone number to a "Do Not Call" directory? And should you boycott Pepsi because their new cans are offensive?

No, Nyet, Nein, Non, and Nope!

All of the above are FALSE. Some of the rumors, urban legends and hoaxes you receive in your email inbox may have a ring of truth, but how can you be sure? Learn how to avoid a knee "jerk" reaction -- get the scoop on these hoaxes and tips for debunking on your own:

http://askbobrankin.com/urban_legends_and_hoaxes.html

Surfing Safely in Starbucks

If you use wireless Internet access in public places like Starbucks or the airport, you should take some simple precautions to make sure you're not broadcasting your passwords and other personal info to others in the vicinity...

A few months ago I met with a group of Internet professionals, all of us sporting laptops with wireless connections. One attendee put up a slide on the overhead showing logins and passwords from a dozen other attendees. Needless to say, many jaws dropped open.

Learn how to surf safely on a wireless connection, whether you're in a public place or your home...

http://askbobrankin.com/is_public_wifi_access_safe.html

Missing or Damaged Files

A reader asked me this question about a damaged Windows system:

> "When my uncle's PC is powered up he gets message CAN'T LOAD
> MSMGR32.DLL - is there a way to keep the message from displaying,
> or do I need to reload the whole system?"

If Windows is whining about a missing or damaged file, you don't need to reload the system. That's a rather drastic measure, since you'd have to re-install all your software, as well as apply all the security patches. Even on a fast system with a high-speed Internet connection, that would take hours.

Here are some tips on replacing a missing or damaged Windows system file:

http://askbobrankin.com/missing_or_damaged_dll_files.html

Fiddling While Your Hard Drive Crashes

In last week's TOURBUS, I wrote about the Click of Doom, and other sounds that hard drives make when they're about to self-destruct. After reading that article, long-time reader MmeMoxie sent me a link to something absolutely hilarious -- music based on the sound clips of hard drive failures. Read the original "Click of Doom" article and the followup here:

http://askbobrankin.com/fiddling_while_drive_crashes.html

That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin