If you are still using Outlook 2000 and it forever shows "Please wait while Microsoft Outlook exits" when exiting, first try running Office updates. If that doesn't crack it, you could follow the suggestions at http://www.experts-exchange.com/Applications/MS_Office/Outlook/Q_20886730.html

...particularly...

"a)You may want to open outlook in safe mode (start --> run --> outlook.exe /safe)

b)Open outlook .Go to help menu and click "Detect and repair"

c)you may also want to delete the email account and recreate it going to accounts

d) Repair PST : http://www.slipstick.com/problems/scanpst.htm

e)Also take a backup of all emails and go to control panel ---> mail --> delete the profile and recreate one again

f)Check for spywares and virus

g)If nothing works out repair or reinstall office
go to control panel --> add/remove programs --> scroll down to office
click on "change" and repair or reinstall "

In the end, what worked for me was the fix available here...
http://www.adminnotes.com/hotfix/2004/04/outlook_2000_ha.html
and to install it follow the instruction by kharmin half way down the comments...

First install o2kSP3
Then extract the files to a folder on the desktop
RUN: msiexec /p "c:\documents and settings\%username%\desktop\outlookpatchfolder\Outlookff.msp"

What Slows Windows Down?
Top spot shouldn't be a suprise!

Wink
Free screen capture software

How to use remote Desktop Access in Windows XP

MyIVO
Free SSL secured web application offering VPN-like functions for remote desktop, virtual on-site technical support and secure file transfer.

An excellent step by step guide to creating custom Outlook forms here...
http://www.informit.com/guides/content.asp?g=msoffice&seqNum=50&rl=1
Be sure to follow it through to the next page also.

Information about sharing these forms across a company using Organizational Forms Library in Exchange Server here...
http://www.petri.co.il/customizing_new_meeting_request_outlook_form.htm
and here...
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=244591

To remove a form you have published to the Organizational Forms Library...

1.	From Outlook, select the Tools menu, and then click Options.
2.	In the Options dialog box, select the Other tab.
3.	Click Advanced Options to open the Advanced Options dialog box.
4.	Click the Custom Forms button to open the Options dialog box, and then click the Manage Forms button to open the Forms Manager dialog box.
5.	In the Forms Manager dialog box, make sure that the appropriate forms library is showing. If not, click Set. From the Forms Library drop-down list, select the appropriate library.
6.	Select Purchase Order Request, and then click the Delete button. This should remove the Purchase Order Request form from the list of available forms in the library.

DivX Web Player: Code Generator
A form to help you create the code needed to embed DivX files on a webpage.

BTW, when I tested this I noticed that the Dreamweaver workaround for embedding media, without generating annoying prompts, actually stopped my DivX files working. I'm not sure if this would always be true or just in this particular case?

AlterWind Log Analyzer
The lite version of this is an excellent, free log analysis tool.

Speeding up slow PCs

There are plenty of sites telling you how to speed up XP. Some of the tips found out there are useless and some are just plain wrong. The following are safe and worth trying, especially the first one.

Turn off display effects
You don't need the various display effects and styles used in XP and they slow the PC down a fair bit. To turn them off...
1. Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop or in your start panel and select properties.
2. Next, Click on the Advanced tab and hit the setting button under performance.
3. On the visual effects tab, select Adjust for Best Performance and hit OK.
4. Hit OK once more to exit system properties.

Turn off Symantec Network Drivers Service (Norton/Symantec users only)
By default, Norton scans any shared network drives mounted on a PC. In a network situation where all desktops and all servers have their own antivirus protection this is not required and slows things down for everyone.
Turn it off by Start > Run > Services.msc > right-click 'Symantec Network Drivers' in the list > Properties > Change startup type to 'Disabled' > Click 'Stop' to stop the service > OK out

Disable other services not needed
Turn off 'Error Reporting Service' and 'Themes'. There are other services which can safely be disabled or changed to Manual start rather than automatic. You don't seem to get noticeable performance boost from doing this though.

Turn off indexing on the C drive
Indexing service creates a database index of all files on your system when the system is otherwise idle. Unless you do frequent searches, it is suggested you disable this service.
My Computer > right-click C:drive > properties > uncheck the box `allow indexing service....`
This will take a while. When it comes up with an error message tell it to 'ignore all'

Stop unneccessary programs loading at startup
Remove anything from Start > Programs > Startup which doesn't need to load with the PC (eg. Office and Winzip preloaders)

Check network settings have everything needed entered (Network environment only)

Remove anything not needed from the start menu
eg. 'Set program access and defaults', 'new office document', 'open office document', anything with IBM in the name etc.

Persuade user not to dump everything on the desktop!
It works just like any other regular folder, the less you index, the faster it gets

Run CCleaner to remove useless files
http://www.ccleaner.com/ - use the default settings

Remove programs which are not needed or used
eg. IBM PCs may have a whole batch of useless IBM software which needs removing. Get rid of anything with IBM in it, and 'Support.com' using Add/Remove programs.
PCs which used to have Norton AV on but now use another AV program may still have the Norton Live Update software installed - delete this also.

Speed up start menu
1. Start Regedit. (Click on Run in the start menu, then type "regedit" without the quotes and hit enter)
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
3. Select Menushowdelay from the list on the right.
4. Right on it and select Modify.
5. Change the value to 150, its the perfect speed setting so menus appear quick, but not to quick so that the un-wanted ones appear.
6. Reboot your computer.

Defragment the C drive

---

Links
http://www.tweakxp.com/article37050.aspx
http://majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=12
http://www.tweakxp.com/article37006.aspx
http://www.ccleaner.com/

This is adapted from an excellent document on the Apple website...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25392
...but given a slight PC slant.

Isolating issues

By using the approach here, you can learn how to isolate an issue to its root cause, or at minimum to determine the sequence of events that causes the issue to occur. Using this approach may help you solve the issue, locate other documents on the Internet, or communicate effectively with Technical Support.

Please follow only the steps which are relevant to the problem.

1. Describing the issue

Start by asking yourself basic questions about the issue that will help you describe it.

What is the issue?

When answering this question, be sure to note any alert or "error" messages that appear. Be sure to describe any unexpected hardware or software behavior, and any other details that seem relevant.

Users accustomed to reading logs should review them for any relevant information. If you are not experienced with reading logs, it is generally best to ignore them unless instructed to search for a specific message.

When does it occur?

• If you can identify a sequence of events that lead up to the issue, be sure to document each.
• If the issue seems to occur at certain time intervals, be sure to record the times at which it happens. Does it happen only at certain times (for example, daily at 9:00) or on a periodic basis (for example, every 47 minutes)?
• If the issue occurs so irregularly that you cannot yet describe when it happens, the suggestions below will help you troubleshoot the issue over time by making certain changes, then watching to see if the issue stops.

When did the issue start?

Note any recent changes to the computer and its software, since they could affect the issue. Was any new software or hardware installed?

2. Check documentation

After you can describe the issue, check known documentation sources, searching on key terms you have identified.

If an application program is affected, first check any "read me" files included with it. These may describe known issues.

If the issue is with a third-party product, check the manufacturer's or publisher's website for information about the issue. Check the internet for forums dealing with problems related to this product.

3. Up-to-date software and firmware?

As a general rule, make sure you are using the latest versions of system and third-party software for best compatibility. Also make sure your computer's firmware is up-to-date.

4. Is it a software or hardware issue?

Pay attention to important clues.

• If the issue seems specific to a certain application or system feature, troubleshoot software before hardware.
• If the issue occurs as the computer starts up--unless the computer does not turn on at all-- troubleshoot software before hardware.
• For other issues, or when software troubleshooting does not produce a resolution, use the rest of this document.

5. Use disk utilities to check for disk errors and system file corruption issues

Such issues can contribute to other symptoms, but are usually easy to fix. On a PC, start with system file checker.

6. Can you isolate to a hardware device?

Issues with a hardware device can sometimes appear to be software issues, but are not resolved with software troubleshooting. Eliminate hardware as a cause (or conversely, isolate the issue to software):

a. Disconnect external devices except keyboard and mouse. If this resolves the issue, add devices back one at a time (shut down first if the device requires it) to further isolate the issue. On a PC you can also disable devices in 'Device Manager' to test.

b. Shut down the computer and remove any third-party memory upgrades, expansion cards, additional hard drives, or other internal hardware upgrades.

• If the issue is resolved, add your devices back one at a time. When the issue returns, remove the most recently-added device. If the issue goes away again, you have identified the cause. If software was included with the device, try deleting and reinstalling it. You may also wish to contact the vendor or manufacturer of that device for specific troubleshooting steps.

• You may want to test devices on all available ports into which they can be used. If a USB device works on USB port 1 but not on USB port 2, try connecting other devices to port 2. It is possible that your computer's ports aren't working properly.

--The following steps not to be taken lightly!--

7. On a PC, use System Restore to revert to an earlier version of the system

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

8. Reinstall system software

If an issue persists, reinstalling system software may well resolve it. This is the nuclear option, so try everything else you can first.

Reinstall additional software one item at a time, restarting the computer after each install. For best results, use the computer for several hours after each installation to determine if that particular software contributed to the issue. Reinstalling everything at once without noting when the issue returned may lead to a need to repeat this process.

Links:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25392
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/mailmerge_tools.htm

Using Word you can create personalised emailshots in pretty much the same way as you do Mail Merge mailshots.

Video Formats and The Web
from Ulead Learning Center

Compressing video for the web
Some handy tips here

An online tool for making XML Sitemaps
Google can use these to properly index your site. You can manually submit yours via Google Webmaster Tools.


2 'free' photo websites doing the rounds at the moment are...
everystockphoto.com and yotophoto.com

Many of the photos included are Creative Commons licensed, which usually means there are some restrictions or rules for their usage. A guide to the various CC licenses can be found here. Others have their own license terms. See the Yotophoto Licenses FAQ.