Microsoft's free antispyware software, still in the beta test mode, is receiving good appraisals by independent sources. If you have Windows 2000 or XP download it from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx. You can run it even though you may already have Ad-Aware and Spybot since they all search for different malicious software.

Folks on the River Bend e-mail list are still sending large attachments to over 400 members which cause me work removing annoyed members from the list. If you must send photos please resize them smaller. An easy way to do this is to download free Photo Resizer Lite that I've posted on the NBCUG website at http://always-online.com/nbcug/. Apparently the free version is no longer available on the web.

George Spang sent the URL http://www.vistaprint.com/ where one can create and print free business cards. I tried it and while it was limited in what I could create it was easy and quick. However, when I went to print my card VistaPrint wanted my e-mail address. Whoa, red light! I'm not fond of giving my e-mail address out for anything free so I bailed out.

Another way to create your own business cards if you have MS Word or MS Works word processor is to go to Tools/Labels/Options and select Business Card #5371 followed by New Document (MS Works directions may be slightly different). Create your card in the first space displayed. Use Insert/Picture to import a graphic. Copy/paste your card to the remaining 9 spaces on the sheet. Use card stock for printing and cut out the cards. You might want to use Format/Border to frame your cards so they'll be easier to cut out.

Bill Healy reported that free FrontGate MX at http://www.presorium.com/index.shtml works great as an alternative to MailWasher that appears to no longer be free. However, I see a free earlier version of MailWasher still available on PC World's web page at http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,20000,00.asp but it may not last much longer there. Both programs let you preview mail waiting to be downloaded from your ISP so you can delete spam and unwanted mail, especially messages with huge attachments.

Did you know that if you have a wheel mouse you can change the screen text size on the fly by holding down the Ctrl key and rotating the wheel?

We have many seniors in River Bend that are probably coming along with cataracts. FDA last March approved a new multifocus intraocular lens (IOL) by Alcon called Acrysof Restor. Check the lens out in www.google.com where lots of praise is mentioned. Most patients are able to get rid of glasses forever.

If you have DSL or high-speed cable and a fast PC go to Earth Google at http://earth.google.com/ and download their free software and zoom in on just about anywhere on earth. This is a fantastic program.

Hey, the MS bike tour is Saturday September 10-11 and I plan to cycle 175 miles to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research. It's not too late to be my sponsor and pledge a couple bucks to the MS Society provided I complete 175 miles. See my MS-150 web page and sponsors at http://always-online.com/dave/2005ms-150.htm