Newsletter No. 24
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Free Pint "Helping 13,000 people use the Web for their work" http://www.freepint.co.uk/ ISSN 1460-7239 15 October 1998 #24 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL TIPS AND TECHNIQUES "How to select and optimise your PC Internet modem" by John Garside FEATURE ARTICLE "A guide to Consumer Health Information on the 'Net" by Sue Welsh FREE PINT FEEDBACK CONTACT INFORMATION ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/151098.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = *** DO YOU NEED TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE INFORMATION INDUSTRY? *** If so, then you should be reading Information World Review. With key coverage of online, Internet, intranet and CD-ROM content worldwide, IWR is all you need to stay informed. To receive all this every month for only 38 pounds UK/ 45 pounds ROW per year please visit www.learned.co.uk or email: customerservice@learned.co.uk > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [li241] SHOULD YOU BE ADVERTISING IN FREE PINT? Send an email to ads@freepint.co.uk requesting the "Guide for Advertisers" or visit http://www.freepint.co.uk/advert.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = EDITORIAL You asked, we listened. You wanted a more convenient way to tell colleagues and friends about Free Pint. So now simply visit ... http://www.freepint.co.uk/reco.htm ... and tell us who you think would like to know about Free Pint. We will then send them a brief courteous email telling them about the newsletter and mentioning your name. As I say, simple! We begin this issue with a look at choosing, buying and setting up a modem. This is followed by a very interesting review of the best sites for finding consumer health information on the Web - now you can find out the background to all your ailments. The Feedback section is once again packed full of search tips, opinion and some great Web links. In fact this has become a great forum for discussion and generates a large number of letters from readers after each issue. May I now invite you to read on and enjoy your twenty fourth Free Pint! Kind regards, William William Hann MIInfSc, Managing Editor e: william@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455435 f: +44 (0)1784 455436 PS: Printing Free Pint means you can read it at a more convenient time. The newsletter looks best in a fixed width font like Courier and you can reserve your free copy by emailing subs@freepint.co.uk with the message "subscribe" or by visiting http://www.freepint.co.uk/ now. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = INTRANET MANAGEMENT - A TFPL GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE This report will assist in getting the maximum return from an intranet and reducing the risk of disappointment that staff often feel when the hype fails to match the reality. Of particular assistance to managers and intranet project teams who have been asked to develop an intranet strategy and are committed to achieving success through good content management. COST 85 pounds & PP. Email kim.mullings@tfpl.com or visit http://www.tfpl.com/consult/intranet_management_tfpl.htm SPECIAL OFFER: 5 pounds discount to Free Pint readers quote ref: FP123 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [tf242] Let Lockergnome do the work for you! We'll e-mail our Windows 95/98/NT newsletter to you for FREE--packed with the latest 32-bit downloads (freeware & shareware), websites, games, media, fonts, updates & patches, themes, tips & tricks, computer industry news, and more! Join now: http://www.lockergnome.com/ > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [lo243] TIPS AND TECHNIQUES "How to select and optimise your PC Internet modem" by John Garside It was only when I sat down to write this article for Free Pint that I remembered the subject of modems is such a broad one and there were so many other questions I have been asked in a long career in data communications. Questions about fax/modems, voice modems, answerphone and message centre capability, simultaneous voice and data, caller display, 56Kbps capability, modulation techniques, International Standards and so on and so forth. Firstly, what factors must I consider before purchasing a modem or, if I've already got a modem in my shiny new "Internet Ready" PC, is it actually going to work properly with the equipment that my ISP has at their end? Secondly, how do I optimise the hardware settings in my PC to get the maximum data throughput in both directions but most importantly when downloading information from the Web? Thirdly, how do I make sure that the settings in the operating system ensure fast log on and optimise the data transfer over my connection to my ISP? So ... 1/. When considering purchasing a modem for connecting your PC to the Internet there are several factors which need to be taken into consideration. Here's my selection : The first thing I need to know is whether my ISP supports one, or both, of the newish 56K modem connection types and, if so, which one; K56flex or X2? Do they or will they support the latest V.90 modem standard and, if so, when? The only way to find out is usually to ask their help desk. Once I've found out I add that information to my shortlist. Next, do I want to be able to send and receive faxes and/or answerphone messages? Yes, the latest modems will allow you to do that! You're right, this has nothing to do with the Internet! And, do I want to be able to receive Caller Display information so I know who's called even if they don't bother to leave a message? Also, do I want the modem to receive all these different message types with the PC switched off? Yes, such paragons of hardware virtue do exist! Again, what software package comes with the modem I'm considering and does it have a reasonable reputation? Can I get a cheap upgrade to the "pro" version? The next question must be "can I afford it?" And finally, if there are two versions of the modem, do I choose the internal or external version? Which brings me on to my second point about hardware optimisation. 2/. So what about the hardware? Well, in order to drive an external modem connected to the Com or serial port(s) of your PC, the PC has to have a special chip inside it (no, not the processor, it needs that too, of course) called a UART and it needs one for each Com port. UART stands for Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter but I'm not sure you wanted to know that! This chip basically drives the data you're sending out to the modem or receives the data sent to you and passes it on to the data communications program you're using e.g. your Web browser. There are several models of UART out there and they've gradually been improving in both quality and speed. If your PC doesn't have at least a 16550 UART (16650 is even better) then you'll get much better transmission rates using an internal modem. If you are using an internal modem then you need to make sure that it doesn't conflict with devices already in your PC. When you set up your modem you will have a choice of selecting a Com port for it. This will probably be Com3 or Com4. The rule is, if you're using Com1 for your mouse then set the modem to Com4. If you're using Com2 for your mouse then set the modem to Com3. This avoids an internal conflict within the PC hardware. If you have a PS/2 mouse then this problem doesn't arise. 3/. Now, assuming that you're using Windows 95 here's what to do: N.B. Before we make any changes get a piece of paper and a pencil and note down what the settings are before you change them. This way it's easy to go back if there's no improvement or worse still, things stop working. Don't worry, often getting the best performance takes a little trial and error! Also, only make one change at a time, then try it out. If it works keep it and move on, if it doesn't change it back before trying the next tip. Find the folder called "Dial-Up Networking" and open it. In here you should find at least two more folders - "Make New Connection" and another one already set up for your ISP. It's that second one you want. If you right click on that icon and select "properties" a new window will open with General, ServerType and Scripting tabs. You will now be able to configure your modem and the TCP/IP parameters for your ISP connection. My suggestions for settings are as follows: Modem speed:- 57,600 or 115,200bps if possible. Dial Up Server Type:- PPP, Win95 etc. No log on to network, no Software compression, no password encryption, no Netbeui, no IPX/SPX, just TCP/IP. Your TCP/IP settings will depend on your ISP. If they provide you with an IP address then they'll look like this: Specify IP address:- nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn ... insert your IP address here. If your ISP specifies DNS (Domain Name Server) addresses insert them next. No IP header compression. Use the default gateway. If your ISP assigns you an IP address on connection (dynamic allocation) then the TCP/IP settings will probably look like this: Server assigned IP address. Server assigned name server addresses. No IP header compression. Use the default gateway. Remember, write all settings down first and only change one parameter at a time then test it before moving on. These settings work well for me with Demon and BT Internet connections and they should work for you. However, it's always possible that your ISP is different, so I cannot be held responsible if they don't work for you. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Garside is a data and telecommunications consultant with over thirty years experience in the Data Processing and IT industry. Twenty years of his career has been spent as a data communications specialist within ICL rising to Principal Consultant ISDN. He has been running the Consultancy and Training company ISDN Services since 1993. He can be contacted by email at isdn.services@btinternet.com > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Who owns yourcompany.co.uk? What about yourproduct.com? Are they available to you? Find out instantly, confidentially and free at: http://www.willco.co.uk/services/domreg.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [wi234] -#- EVEN EASIER TO RECOMMEND FREE PINT TO A FRIEND -#- It doesn't get any easier. Simply visit this page ... http://www.freepint.co.uk/reco.htm ... type in your colleague or friend's email address and we'll send them a brief note telling them about Free Pint. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FEATURE ARTICLE "A guide to Consumer Health Information on the 'Net" by Sue Welsh There is no doubt that health consumers are using the Internet as a source of medical knowledge. Material published with patients in mind is commonplace as searching for a disease name using any search engine will reveal. In addition, the distinction between information designed for consumers and information published with health professionals in mind is blurring. When US Vice President Gore launched the National Library of Medicine's PubMed service (a freely available version of their MEDLINE database) he searched for references to a condition he had once suffered, and compared the treatments recommended in the results to the treatment his physician had offered. In effect the National Library of Medicine has made MEDLINE available to millions of health consumers in the US and world-wide. For the first time, patients are able to access some of the same sources used by physicians to plan their treatment. (See http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/nlmnews/maraug97.html#Gore for a report of the PubMed launch). More accessible information for patients must be a positive thing. However, there is also a downside - the quality of the patient-oriented information available via the Internet varies considerably. Misinformation may, at worst, put patients in danger, at best it may result in an increased workload for health professionals who must spend time refuting inaccurate statements. This article describes in general terms the types of consumer health information available and gives pointers to some of the most significant sites in the UK. So, what is available? Access to the Internet puts the patient in easy reach of: Health Promotion Advice on issues such as quitting smoking Data about diseases Information about specific conditions, such as cancer or AIDS Treatments and procedures Explanation of particular treatments in non-technical language Peer support and experience Knowledge and support from other health consumers. Commonly, information is presented in the following formats: Documents Simple on-line versions of patients handouts/leaflets. Databases Searchable and/or browsable collections of data, especially pharmacological data. Interactive Mailing lists, on-line chat facilities and newsgroups allowing communication and discussion. Where is this torrent of information coming from? It is important to realise that consumer health information on the Internet is published by a number of different types of organisations and individuals with different motives. These include commercial companies, patients themselves (and their relatives/carers), health care organisations/personnel and organisations with a lobbying or health education role, such as the Health Education Authority. It is useful to bear this in mind when evaluating the information offered. In response to concerns about the quality of medical information that is freely available from the Internet, some codes of conduct for authors and publishers have been developed. BHIA guidelines for Web publishers The British Healthcare Internet Association is a group of health care workers and others who aimed to promote use of the Internet in health care. In 1996, the BHIA produced a set of guidelines for anyone publishing medical information on the Internet, which is freely available on their Web site. http://www.bhia.org/ Health on the Net Code of Conduct The Health on the Net Foundation, based in Geneva, is supported by a collection of European health organisations. One of HON's activities is the promotion of their code of conduct, the "HON code", which sets out a range of principles which should be followed when publishing medical information on the Internet. Publishers agreeing to abide by these principles may display the HON logo on their pages. http://www.hon.ch/ In the UK, the recently established Centre for Health Information Quality is funded by the NHS to promote the production of good quality patient information. CHIQ, which is run by the Help for Health Trust, has produced a bulletin devoted to health information quality on the Internet, which may be obtained from their web site. at: http://www.centreforhiq.demon.co.uk/tb2.htm The following list gives pointers to major providers of consumer health information, especially in the UK. Of course it is impossible for me to list all the consumer health information available via the Internet here, and to find resources on a specific topic, a search tool is required. OMNI (http://omni.ac.uk/) is a UK based medical gateway which emphasises both high quality and UK information. Try searching for the phrase "patient education" and/or a disease term for selected resources. HEBSWeb HEBSWeb is the Health Education Board for Scotland web service. Part of the HEBS remit is health promotion and education of the public by production of printed literature. This site contains on-line versions of their publicly available information, in formats which can be easily downloaded and printed. See especially the HEBS Health Centre. http://www.hebs.org.uk/ HealthPromis HealthPromis is the Health Education Authority's database of health promotion resources (often non-Internet resources such as print, software or video). http://healthpromis.hea.org.uk/ Health Education Authority The Health Education Authority web site is the ideal place to find information about HEA activities such as special campaigns and forthcoming events and initiatives. http://www.hea.org.uk/ Hybu lechud Cymru ...or Health Promotion Wales. Health promotion for people in Wales in Welsh and English languages. http://www.hpw.org.uk/ NHS 50th Anniversary site This site offers plenty of NHS related information for the public, including the Healthy Living section which publishes a regular Internet column penned by a GP, Dr Harry Brown. http://www.nhs50.nhs.uk/ HealthFinder Finally, I recommend this US site, as an example of how it should be done! Easy to use, well designed and bringing together information from many US agencies in one place for the consumer. http://www.healthfinder.gov/ or http://www.healthfinder.org/ > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sue Welsh sits on the OMNI Steering Committee. OMNI is a JISC funded project based at the University of Nottingham. More details can be found at http://omni.ac.uk/ Sue can be contacted by email to sw@omni.ac.uk > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Many of the people we help see more of us than you might think. It may surprise you to know that RNIB is here to help not only totally blind people, but also the one and a half million in the UK with serious sight problems. The kind of problems that could affect any of us. If you or someone you know has a serious sight problem, we can help. Call the RNIB Helpline Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Information, support and advice for anyone with a serious sight problem. Learn more about RNIB at www.rnib.org.uk or call 0345-66 99 99 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [rn245] FREE PINT FACT When Free Pint is published there tend to be a certain number of returned emails - people have changed their address, moved jobs, etc. We remove ALL incorrect or out-of-date email addresses from our list and can therefore boast a distribution list fresher than any other. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREE PINT FEEDBACK > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Various Search Engine Tips From: William Hann, Managing Editor Date: Wednesday 14th October 1998 Following the feedback in the last issue about the meta search engine "Mamma", we have had a pile of letters with feedback and questions about various search engines. I have therefore summarised the major points here for convenience: >- "Richard Creak (Free Pint #23) says that Mamma appears to search the other engines faster than if he accessed them directly. I have also noticed this using Dogpile (http://www.dogpile.com/), especially with AltaVista. However, I find it increasingly difficult to access AltaVista directly. For a while, I used AltaVista Northern Europe (http://altavista.telia.com) but this has recently been discontinued. Using Dogpile and Mamma, I can retrieve results from AltaVista, but still cannot access it myself, even from the meta search engines' results pages. I e-mailed both AltaVista and Dogpile some time ago, but received no reply. Has anyone else had similar problems?" Peter Carter, Information Manager, Chemical News & Intelligence (CNI) http://www.cnionline.com/ - 7/10/98 >- "I first used the Mamma search engine in May 1997 and since then have used very few others." John Starbuck, Y2K/EMU Information Manager, Information Services Wakefield MDC, West Yorkshire - 2/10/98 >- "I too saw an article on Mamma (in the Guardian online supplement). It also mentioned Dogpile and implied it was better. Personally I only use Dogpile which does all the things your correspondent claims for Mamma." - Richard Morris - 1/10/98 >- "My very favourite now is http://www.copernic.com/ It's a local search tool that looks at 12 or so top search engines all at once, and stores that information locally to look at anytime." - Doug Sutton - 23/7/98 >- Northern Light once again can be praised for their attention to customer service following my recent enquiry to them: "Thank you for your interest in Northern Light. While searching in Northern Light is not strictly case sensitive, putting terms in capital letters or initial caps will affect the relevance ranking of your results. You will receive the same results on searches for "general electric" and "General Electric" but the results will be in a slightly different order, with results containing the words in initial caps ranking higher in the second search." Customer Service, Northern Light http://www.nlsearch.com - 28/7/98 >- Other interesting links: http://www.bird-online.co.uk - BIRD (Business Information Resource Directory) provides quick and easy access to a searchable database of free business information on the Net, relevant to doing business in the UK and Ireland. http://www.links2go.com/ - search engine based on collaborative agenting. It considers two sites similar if they tend to link to the same sites. http://www.beaucoup.com/engbig.html - Beaucoup is a listing of many search engines, meta engines, and much more. Thank you also to Allan E. Goldman for supplying detailed search comparisons across the meta search engines. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Cheap and fast Internet access From: Olly Ogg Date: Friday 2nd October 1998 More and more Internet access companies are jumping on the 'free' wagon. I know I may have a rather sceptical view of the word 'free', and I do think that for light users these services will be highly beneficial. If it gets more people on the net then that must be good. However, is it always the telcos that get in the way of Internet access? When I first heard about British Telcom's "Home Highway" I was drooling, until a few months later someone mentioned the very fast ADSL, then I was really dribbling. Well, Home Highway is here, I almost hope not for long as ADSL seems so much better. Still, I did hope that BT would for once appreciate that HOME Highway was really for people at HOME with a limited amount of funds. I do believe Home Highway is too much for the average home user. Fine for the SOHO market, or home business, but once again priced above what many will be able to afford. Another stifling affect on British net use and acceptance. (The British Banks could be mentioned here). I can only see the Internet really being widely accepted when we are constantly connected, which may come along with internet access through the power lines (Nortel) - another promised technology or the aforementioned ADSL. I would personally prefer to trade off some speed for a constant connection. I could then just tell my browser to search for a few things while I get on with some work, or constantly check for email without worrying about the minimum call charge... A real shame, and I believe another opportunity lost. Olly Ogg William Hann replies: What do other readers think? How would users in other countries feel if they had to pay per minute charges for their Internet connection as we do here in the UK? Write to feedback@freepint.co.uk with your comments. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Charity Links From: Rex Cooke, Editor, Free Pint Date: Thursday 17th September 1998 We have had the following query from a reader: "I would like to pick the collective brains of the Free Pint readership for some help if possible! I am trying to ascertain some decent sites that contain information on UK charities (any kind of info!). I do intend to do my own search but thought I'd check to see if you know anyone knows of some good sites." The reader's name has been withheld due to his company's policy, but if you have any suggestions then please let us know and we will summarise for the next issue and forward to the enquirer. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Free Business Information Links From: Gillian Hornsey, Marketing Manager, Informed Business Services Date: Tuesday 29th September 1998 Hi William... I just thought I would write and congratulate you on the success of Free Pint. We are now recommending it to all our delegates on our Internet training courses. Something that may be of interest to your readers is a section on our website. Its a link to a page containing over 400 Business Information links that have been compiled by our Research division. Check out http://www.informed-ibs.com/ and click on the red button. Keep up the good work ...Gillian > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COMMENT OR REPLY? Let us know your feedback or favourite site by sending an email to the Free Pint team now by email to feedback@freepint.co.uk remembering to include your name, title and company or organisation. Please note, if you write to us we may publish your letter in whole or part for the interest of our subscribers unless you request otherwise at the time of writing. Please let us know if you wish your contact details to be withheld. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Thank you for reading Free Pint. We hope you will forward this copy to colleagues, friends and journalists, or ask them to visit our Web site soon at http://www.freepint.co.uk/ See you in two weeks! Kind regards, William Hann, Managing Editor william@freepint.co.uk (c) Willco 1998 http://www.willco.co.uk/ > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREE PINT FUTURE ISSUES 29/10/98 #25 - Business Sources & Publishing/Journalism 12/11/98 #26 - Cookies and CD-ROM and the Web 26/11/98 #27 - Innovation 17/12/98 #28 - Christmas Tips and Review of "Online 98" [Provisional] > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = CONTACT INFORMATION William Hann, MIInfSc, Managing Editor e: william@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455 435 f: +44 (0)1784 455 436 Rex Cooke, FIInfSc, FRSA, Editor e: rex@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455 435 f: +44 (0)1784 455 436 Jane, Administrator e: jane@freepint.co.uk Address (no stamp needed) Willco "Free Pint", FREEPOST (SEA3901), Staines Middlesex, TW18 3BR, United Kingdom Web - http://www.freepint.co.uk Advertising - ads@freepint.co.uk Subscriptions - subs@freepint.co.uk Letters & Comments - feedback@freepint.co.uk Latest Issue Autoresponder - auto@freepint.co.uk > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Free Pint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a free email newsletter for anyone who uses the Internet to get information for their work in any business or organisation. The newsletter is written by professionals who share how they find quality and reliable information on the Internet. To subscribe, unsubscribe, find details about contributing, advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at http://www.freepint.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)1784 455 435. Please note: The newsletter is published by the information consultancy Willco (http://www.willco.co.uk/), and the publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation. The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Product names used in Free Pint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Free Pint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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- Publication Date: 14th October 1998
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