May 1996 Letters

• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• A Whole New World
• No Doze
• Proceed with Caution
• Banking on Privacy
• Win Some, Lose Some
• Mac Attack
• Correction

Mike Elgan's "Eight Ways to Work in Windows 95" ("The Worst and Best of Win95," January) was well conceptualized, simple to understand and easy to follow-so much so that I spent one whole evening having fun customizing my PC's interface. Now, my computer's Windows 95 interface sports a lean-and-mean look and feel and is customized to suit my personal style. I've actually discovered how I've always wanted to do my computer work. If before I was a combination of Mouse Maniac, Shortcut Showoff and Explorer, I am now a Minimalist. Mike Elgan has converted me.
Dominique James via the Internet

Putting Win95 technical support on your Bottom 10 List ("The Worst and Best of Win95," January) misses the mark by a wide margin. I have never waited for tech support for more than one minute, and the support I have received has been extremely helpful and wonderfully courteous. I consider myself a power user with some very tough technical questions, and I have only the highest compliments for Microsoft's Win95 support.
Dick Jarvinen via the Internet

Instead of stressing the limitations of the Network Computer (Start, February), look at the positive things it has to offer: People or organizations who don't have a lot of money (such as low-income households, nonprofit agencies, educational institutions and libraries) could afford a bare-bones computer. Making the Internet and e-mail accessible to millions of people could have a tremendous impact on the political and social arena.
Lori Schultz via the Internet

Fred Langa is a computer person. He loves computers; he understands computers. Ninety percent of the people out there don't understand PCs and find them hard to use. But they've heard all the hype about the Internet. Now, for one-fourth of the price of a computer they, too, can surf the Net-and they will. Network PCs will be this year's hot Christmas item. They won't do anything for Fred that he can't do now, but for a lot of people, they'll open up a whole new world.
Joseph Dominianni via the Internet

Wow, talk about the potential for Big Brother to see what everyone's doing! Not many people would like the idea of their home budget being sent across the world for some bored network administrator to view and/or sell. I'm as sure as Fred Langa that it just won't fly.
Kevin Kibbe via the Internet

Sixteen years ago, the PC revolution took off because it offered us an alternative to the tyranny of centralized data control. Workers embraced the ability to control their own data and the way they did their work. These new toys-and that's all they'll ever be-are attempting to stuff 16 years of history and practice back into the electronic womb. It just won't go.
It's questionable whether the Web's a viable place to do business. As currently structured, the Web's a fascinating place to play, but it'll be years before it becomes a civilized society.
Chuck Clark via CompuServe

Shifting computing back to the glass-walled mainframe is a step in the wrong direction. But moving topical information from a downtown printing press to my living room is a step in the right direction. And if I can interact with it, the ideal of "one person, one vote" could become a reality.
Jim Scandale via the Internet

I usually agree with Mike Elgan and his recommendations, but I strongly disagree with his review of Bill Gates' book, "The Road Ahead" (R&R, February). I did not doze while reading it. In fact, I read it in one sitting. As someone who already knows a considerable amount about the computer industry and the information superhighway, I found it to be quite worthwhile.
I see the book as a classic Microsoft product: late and not as good as it should be, but it will sell well. WINDOWS Magazine spends a considerable amount of time reviewing Microsoft products. What in the world would you fuss about if everything from Microsoft were perfect?
Bob Kober via America Online

I would like to caution readers with regard to Karen Kenworthy's recommendation of Stabilant 22 for use in computers (Power Windows, February). My first encounter with the product was a disaster. I ended up having to wash the motherboard and every plug-in board that came into contact with the stuff in a freon-based circuit board washer.
George Novacek via the Internet

Karen Kenworthy advocates the stripping down of a PC's components and spraying stuff over the contacts. Surely this should only be undertaken by skilled engineers. I'm more than happy to take a PC to bits (no pun intended) and put it all back together again. But I would not take a spray to my PC's innards. I believe her recommendation is misguided.
Paul N.Cannon via the Internet

Editor's reply: The proper way to use Stabilant is to place one drop on a cloth, then use that cloth to apply the chemical sparingly. The result should be a thin layer, just 1 or 2 thousandths of an inch thick.

I found Mike Elgan's article on online banking (The Explorer, January) very interesting. I'm concerned about the loss of privacy resulting from someone other than me and my bank knowing every transaction I make. It seems like an opportunity for someone to sell this information for sales targeting or for hackers to find a way to divert money for their own use. Are safeguards now in place to prevent such problems? I'm going to hold on to my checkbook until these issues are addressed.
Harold Downing via the Internet

I am writing regarding "The Win 100 Software" feature (February). I never thought I would see the day when the good people at WINDOWS Magazine would pick a CD-ROM containing "searing images of torture and execution" as a top software selection.
Margaret Groat Ava, Mo.

Editor's reply: The powerful images on the Xplora 1: Peter Gabriel's Secret World CD are from Amnesty International. The intensity of the images represents both Mr. Gabriel's interest in cutting-edge technology and his personal commitment to this human-rights cause.

Was Bradley Johnson (Dialog Box, January) getting a kickback from Microsoft Corp.? He couldn't have been a better Microsoft cheerleader if his photograph had him in a miniskirt and pom-poms! I want a reason to start using Windows 95 other than "been there, done that" with the Mac, or because everyone else is switching to Windows 95, which is a big assumption. Mr. Johnson needs to give his readers credit for being humans with brains, rather than the sheep he perceives them to be.
T.G. Raev via the Internet

In our March New Products section, the writeup of UnInstaller 3 listed an incorrect phone number for MicroHelp. The correct number is 770-516-0899.

We want to hear from you! Please send your letter and phone number to: Letters, WINDOWS Magazine, One Jericho Plaza, Jericho, NY 11753, or by e-mail to winmag@cmp.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

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