TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: INTERNET SOFTWARE / CDROM TIPS

Today's TOURBUS will challenge you to stretch your online horizons by trying some new Internet software, give you tips to make your CDROMs last longer, and will reveal the secret of toothpaste for repairing damaged CDROM disks. Read on!

Best Internet Software

So, you've got a web browser and an email program... Is that all the Internet software you'll ever need? Maybe, but first take a look at some of the nifty tools in my Best Internet Software reviews. I've scoured the online world to find the best Internet software in many categories, including Browsers, Form Fillers, RSS Readers, File Transfer, Telnet and Utilities. I even tried hard to find Macintosh equivalents for Windows programs when available. I think you'll find something here to make your online experience even better!

http://www.askbobrankin.com/free_internet_software.html

CDROMs and Toothpaste

CDROM disks are great for backups, but how long will a CDROM last? As with any backup medium (floppy disk, tape, CDROM) the lifetime of the data is an important consideration. Some disk manufacturers say their product should last 200 years. But I've heard stories about CDs that were burned and then not readable after just a few months.

My article "Lifetime of a CDROM Disk" will tell you which CDROM brands are rated for the longest shelf life, give you tips on storing your backup CDs, and also describes the Toothpaste Cure for bringing a damaged CDROM back to life.

http://www.askbobrankin.com/lifetime_of_a_cdrom_disk.html

What is Windows OneCare?

Microsoft has announced a new service called Windows OneCare. Is it something you need for your computer? Maybe... If you're worried about not doing everything you should to keep your PC optimized and safe, then Windows OneCare is something that may help.

Are your Antivirus and Firewall packages protecting you adequately from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, hackers, and other threats? Do you find it a nuisance to maintain your hard disk and make sure that critical system fixes are applied? Learn more about Windows OneCare and how it can automate these essential security and performance boosting tasks.

http://www.askbobrankin.com/what_is_windows_onecare.html

The Next Best Thing

Linda from Marlinton, West Virginia recently wrote and said "The next best thing to Tourbus is the Smart Computing magazine that you guys recommend. I've been getting it since last summer and it has solved numerous problems for me and my friends." Thanks, Linda!

We hope other Tourbus riders will discover the Plain English answers to their computing questions that Smart Computing delivers every month. Do you want to speed up your PC? Eliminate the threat of computer viruses? Get rid of spyware and keep hackers out? Try Smart Computing today -- get your FREE TRIAL issue NOW!

http://www.internettourbus.com/smart.htm

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