Swooping down from Mozilla's Web site like a diving bird of prey, capturing and devouring e-mail as if it were a field of mice, Thunderbird 2 is here and this time, it means business.

Thunderbird, as you all may be familiar with, is Mozilla's (the open source corporation that created the Firefox Web browser) version of an e-mail client. Similar to Outlook Express in more than one way, Thunderbird offers PC users an alternative to the Windows embedded software, which is consequently raising the bar for Microsoft at the same time.

Thunderbird 2, Release Candidate 1 was released on April 6, 2007 and although it is a Release Candidate and not the official release, the program is extremely stable. The release doesn't offer up any serious changes or groundbreaking features, but instead, it has improved on existing features and it focuses more on user efficiency and production. The interface is not a far departure from Outlook Express, which makes for a painless migration if you're interested in trying things out. But, it is a lot more streamline by default, which gives you the control over which tools to add to the interface.

In addition to all of these great new features, there are a few resources for Thunderbird that may make Outlook Express green with envy. For instance, there is a complete guide on how to install Thunderbird, along with the use of most of the popular features listed on their site. There is also a message board that you can use to answer any questions you may have that are not covered in the guide or FAQs section. Also, just like for Firefox, there are all sorts of downloads (add ons) you can get to enhance your Thunderbird. You know, by either adding functionality or simply changing the look of things.

If you use Outlook Express and like Firefox, you owe it to yourself to check out Thunderbird 2. Installing it is a piece of cake too. It will import most of your Outlook Express settings, minus the password, for the accounts, so you really don't have to worry about that. Not to mention, you can use them both side by side. Just choose to "Leave a copy of the message on the server" and you will be able to pull up the same message on both e-mail clients. That way, it kind of holds your hand while you're trying out the software. Then, you can decide if you would like to go with it and get out from under the Microsoft yoke of dominance.

I love the Mozilla corporation and I love their products. They are the "good guys," in this geek's opinion, looking out for the John Q. Public and I for one, would like to say thanks for all the great programs. You keep making them and I'll keep showcasing them!

You can download Thunderbird 2 here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I already do!

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Have you ever wondered how often you should shut down your computer and then restart it? I don't know about all of you, but there's always been a question in my mind about how many times a week (or day or month, etc.) I should be restarting my computer. I mean, does every computer need a certain amount of rest time or are they more durable than we may think? Well, allow me to explain some of your options!

To be honest, there really isn't a certain time frame set up for computers when it comes to shutting down and restarting them. There's no minimum or maximum requirement for any computer. Now, if your computer is requesting that you restart it (for example, after an update), then you should oblige, but otherwise, it's not going to harm your computer to leave it on for an extended period of time.

The only time I can think of that you should be restarting your computer on a regular basis is when you're having some system problems. The restart function often helps troubleshoot certain issues. Restarting your computer can really help fix any abnormal problems your computer may be experiencing as well. That probably happens more often than you think. So, while it's a good idea to shut down your computer every once in awhile (just to give it a breather), you don't have to do it every single day. I'd say once a week is a good rule to go by. Of course, do what you want, but I urge you to keep this tip in mind as well. And that's all I have to say about that!

It's Friday, it's Friday! Make sure you keep reading to learn some much easier directions for creating your very own e-mail whitelist, find out how to adjust your MS Excel charts and data all at once and learn 10 new Windows Vista tricks. Also, be sure to check out the Friday Funnies for your daily laugh and of course, don't miss out on Amanda's Cool Site of the Day. Enjoy and have a great weekend, everyone! : )

Q:
I've looked over your tip on creating an e-mail whitelist several times, but I still cannot get it to work. Do you have any other more "simple" instructions or what can I do differently? Please help!

A:
It's kind of a coincidence that you asked this, because I just had a customer call the other day and they were having the same exact problem. While on the phone with them, I started reading through the tip we have in our archives on making your own e-mail whitelist and after doing so, I have to say, I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is a little confusing and to be honest, there's no good reason for it.

Creating a whitelist is not very hard at all. The process is really pretty simple. So, I'm going to help all of you out today and give you a much less confusing version of how to do this. At least I'm going to try! Now, before I go any further, I want to make sure everyone understands what a whitelist is. A whitelist is basically a list of e-mail addresses that one would like to accept e-mails from in their Inbox. Creating a whitelist ensures that you'll always get the e-mails you want to receive. You know, all those important messages from your family members and all the fun forwards from your friends, etc. The whitelist also helps to keep out all the e-mails you don't want to get, like spam and advertisements.

Alright, so to create your own e-mail whitelist, follow these simple instructions. (Note: This tip is only for Outlook Express users).

1.) Open Outlook Express and go to Tools, Message Rules, Mail. From there, click the New button.

2.) A New Mail Rule box will open up and in the first box, checkmark the option that says "Where the From line contains people." The people it's referring to are your friends, family, etc.

3.) In the second box, checkmark the option that says "Move it to the specified folder." This is what your screen should look like so far:

4.) Now, in the third box, just click on the blue link that says "contains people."

5.) A new window will open up and from there, click on the Address Book button. This will bring up all of the contacts you already have saved in your address book. Go through your list and find the addresses you want to accept for your whitelist. When you're ready, highlight an address and hit the From button. That will automatically move that address over to your "accepted" list on the right side. Do the same thing until you have all the addresses you want in that far right box. I found that it's easier to go through and add them one by one, because that way, you're sure not to miss anyone or add someone you don't want. When you're all finished with that, click OK twice. The addresses you chose will then show up in the new message rule box.

7.) Once there, click on the New Folder button. Then give your new folder a name. I chose to name mine "Whitelist," but you can name it anything you want. For example, "Friends" or "Accepted." When you're done, click OK twice more.

8.) Now, in the fourth box, delete the text that reads "New Mail Rule" and type in the name of the new folder you just created. (Again, mine is called "Whitelist"). Click OK again to finish the process. Just to give you an example, your message rule should look something like the image below (that is, before you click OK for the last time).

9.) You will then be taken back to the original Message Rules box and you'll be able to see your new whitelist included there. Make sure it's checkmarked as well. If it's not, it won't be applied to the e-mail messages you receive. When everything is set the way you want it to be, click OK one more time and you'll be all ready to use your new whitelist!

10.) Your new folder will also show up on the left side of your Outlook Express window, along with all your other folders (Inbox, Outbox, etc). So, when you check your e-mail again, the messages you receive from the addresses you added will be in that new folder. Just open that folder and you'll be able to see all the e-mails you actually want to read.

Now, making a whitelist will help filter out the good from the bad when it comes to your e-mails, but you may also want to create other message rules to keep your e-mail filtered out as much as possible. You can read here for some endless message rule possibilities. Also, when you're creating your whitelist, make sure you add WorldStart to that list (under the address of steve@worldstart.com). That way, you'll receive our newsletters and e-mails from us with no problems whatsoever. You gotta love that!

I hope this whole whitelist thing comes a little easier to you this time. Good luck and happy whitelisting, my friends!

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So, you've already shifted to Vista, huh? Well, although most of the things in the operating systems released by Microsoft remain the same, each time, there are a few nifty functions and tricks that can help ease the tasks you need to get done. Today, I am going to discuss with you some new helpful Windows Vista tricks, so let's roll!

1.) To quickly change the size of the desktop icons, select one and hold down the Ctrl key and scroll with your mouse wheel. You can do the same in other windows, in order to increase the font size too.

2.) Sharing a folder with other people in your network is even easier with Vista. Open any Windows Explorer window (say My Documents, for example) and highlight it. From the command bar, select Share. Then use the down arrow to select all the users in your list or you can type the name of the person in the network you want to share with and click Add. After that, you can select the permission level you want to grant to that person. Vista can also auto-generate an e-mail that will allow the recipient quick access to the shared document.

3.) The Vista magnifier is a very handy tool if you have trouble seeing what's on your computer screen or if your eyes get strained from reading text. To access it, simply press Win + U (Win is the button with the flag on it). From there, select Start Magnifier.

4.) Microsoft releases a lot of operating system upgrades and at times, one can lose track of what updates have been installed on their PC. With Vista though, this job is a cakewalk. Go to Start, Control Panel, move to Windows Upgrade and in the left side bar, click View upgrade history.

5.) The Briefcase feature that has been a common fixture in previous Microsoft operating systems is a useful way to sync PCs. This is especially true for the ones that are not on the same network. This useful feature appears again in Vista.

Go to the folder where you want to create a new Briefcase and right click. Select New, Briefcase. Give the Briefcase a name so it's easier to locate. Now, simply drag or copy any files that you want to sync into the Briefcase. Once you have selected all the files, right click the Briefcase and select Send To. Choose the removable media you want to copy it to.

Next, simply insert the media on which you copied the files into a second PC, open the Briefcase and make any changes you want to the files. Then save the changes. Once you're back on the first PC, reinsert the media, right click the Briefcase and select Update All.

If you are using the Briefcase feature over a network, simply move the Briefcase to the second PC and once you or the other user has made changes to the files, right click the Briefcase and select Update All.

6.) If you, for some reason, don't like the sound of audio notifications in Vista, you can replace them with visual ones. Simply switch on the visual notifications for sounds and then choose the visual warning that you want.

Go to Start, type "Ease" in the Search box and hit Enter to open the Ease of Access Center (or press the Win key). Select "Use text or visual alternatives for sounds." Place a checkmark on "Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry)." Then under "Choose visual warning," select the option you would like to use and click Save. Now, no more will you hear the repetitive Windows sounds. You have to love it!

7.) If you can't or don't like pressing combination keys (like Ctrl + Alt + Del, for instance), you can set up your keyboard so you can press the keys one at a time. Again, go to Start, type "Ease" and hit Enter to open Ease of Access Center. Select the option that says "Make the keyboard easier to use." Under "Make it easier to type," place a checkmark next to "Turn on Sticky Keys" and then hit Save.

8.) One of the coolest things that ever happened to mankind was speech recognition for computers. Speech recognition allows you to control your computer by voice. By using it, you can do virtually all the tasks you can do with a mouse and a keyboard. For example, starting programs, opening menus, dictating text into documents, e-mails, etc. To activate the speech recognition feature, click Start, type "Windows Speech" in the Search box and hit Enter to open the Windows Speech Recognition window. Select Start Speech Recognition and follow the simple tutorial to set up your microphone and the actual speech recognition. Once you're done, remember to set the speech recognition to start each time you log on to your computer.

9.) If you are a busy bee and have multiple documents open in applications (like, say five Word documents that you are simultaneously working on), you can switch between each document by pressing the Ctrl + F6 key combination.

10.) So, one of your close friends has moved away and you can't seem to keep track of their time difference. No problem! You can simply add an additional clock in Windows Vista. To do so, click the clock, go to Date and Time Settings and click the Additional Clocks tab. You can add two additional clocks to the tray and select the time zones for both.

I am sure all you Vista users will find these tips useful and the ones who haven't upgraded yet can at least get an idea of the new features available with the new operating system. Go give these a spin!

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