IT Update - Last month I told you about the Trojan that got my system.  But, what you don't know is that it took me nearly a week to perform a system upgrade and get everything working again.  What fun!  Now I'm looking at having much of this fun all over again with the release of SP2.  Oh yeah, when "pigs fly".  I think I'll wait until some of the problems surfacing have been addressed by others.  If you're interested in reading about the problems with SP2, here's a few sites to check out. However, keep in mind that not everyone has these problems.

1. The latest on SP2.

2. Important information on programs that won't work properly after SP2 is installed.

3. Pay attention to the version of the software in the Program Version column. Also, if you have a 32 bit system (under column titled Processor Type), many of these annoyances won't affect your system because they only affect 64 bit systems. However, you might want to pay particular attention to Norton's and Zone Alarm problems.

4. The Free SP2 CD. If you happen to have a really old copper cable connected to a slow access provider, then this is for you.

IT Tip - HTML Validation. Most builders of web pages rarely take into consideration that there may be more web browsers around than Internet Explorer (IE) or AOL's Netscape and they fail to take into consideration the limitations of those browsers. One thing they need to realize is that there are many folks still using those older browser versions. Many folks get comfortable with what they're using and don't wish to move to a newer version or a even a different one. So not only are there older versions of IE in use, there are also pre-AOL Netscape versions 4 and earlier still in use, and many of these require correct and complete use of HTML tags to even display a web page. When it comes right down to it, there are literally dozens and dozens of browsers, common and specialty, which all should be taken into consideration when developing a web page. If not considered, then the page designer is automatically forbidding hundreds if not thousands of surfers from viewing that page they worked so hard to create. While this is seemingly a daunting task, it is easier to overcome than you might think - just use the HTML tags correctly and don't rely on any WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) software to do the job for you. They often add unwanted or unneeded tags and can leave tags out, and if even one tag isn't closed that should be, many earlier browser versions won't load a page at all and you've just eliminated a large part of your audience.

I've always tried to validate each page I've developed or made changes to for the WINS web site so that the page were available to everyone that accesses them. I would rather take a few extra minutes to make the correct than run the risk of possibly loosing a future member of the club. If you would like to give the largest number of users the ability to view your page, then I offer the following to assist you:

1. A free download of a tool I use on my own system to start the validation process. It validates and provides problem locations and solutions: CSE Lite validator.

2. A web site where all you need do is enter the URL of your online web page and select enter, and it does the validation and lets you know of any problems with online or email reports: NetMechanic.com.

3. A site that will thoroughly wring your page out, including any java or cgi scripting and once again provide not only the validation, but also reports and solutions to any problems. It is however, less forgiving and much stricter than item 2 above and sometimes the solution is not easy to understand or implement: W3C.

Web Site Update - The "About Us" page has been updated and now includes information concerning the use of various WINS related items, such as:  Use of the WINS name and URL, business cards and the Site Link Button.  Take a look at the "About Us" page.

Auction Update - Auction 23 closed on August 14, at 7:00 PM MST, and it was another resounding success.  Seventeen sellers offered 94 Lots, and by the time the final bell rang the WINS Treasury had grown nicely (see the Treasurer's Report).  Well done members and thank you for your participation.  By the way, I've already received submissions for the next auction so I'm not the only one thinking about it.  Why not see if you can find something to place in Auction 24?  Your participation can only make the auction better.  Auction 24 opens on September 25 so keep an eye on the Auction Index page to see when the new auction page is ready to view.

Lastly, I would like to remind all auction participants, sellers and bidders.  The WINS auctions are between club members. Low bids hurt the sellers and even worse - sniping hurt everyone and really have no place in these auctions.  Lets keep it friendly and treat club members the way you would like to be treated.

If you have any suggestions for the web site, please feel free to submit them to me.

WINS Loses Supporter - She wasn't a coin collector and she wasn't even a WINS member, but Linda Diedrich, the dYneX internet group owner which included dynamic expressions and the dynexgroup server, provide WINS free domain hosting on the dynexgroup server since the WINS web site came on-line in June of 1999.  Although she wasn't a coin collector, Linda was very impressed by what the WINS founding group were trying to accomplish and by the "family oriented" collecting environment they wished to create.  So impressed that the WINS web site became one of the primary sites she proudly referred that represented her "family oriented" server environment.  She also provided WINS behind the scenes support with the database setup, the email lists and any scripting software we needed.  Linda died of complications resulting from a brain tumor and subsequent post-biopsy infection of the brain, early Tuesday morning, August 24, 2004.  Linda was not just someone I worked for.  She was one of the brightest women I've ever known, my mentor and my good friend,... I shall miss her terribly.

Thank you kindly,
JD White, WINS#7