QUESTION Sometimes when using your stationery , and I go back to correct a typo , my correction deletes the next letter and when i try to add the deleted letter , the next one gets deleted and so on; ; what is happening and is there a way to correct this? I use Spybot SD every week and it tells me "Congratulations , nothing found.." . Then I run AD-Aware and it finds several 'nasties' like tracking cookies - so AdAware works better for me though I see it is not high on your list of recommends! ANSWER The answer to your first question is simple. But first let us make it clear that it makes no difference if you're using stationery or not. Stationery has nothing to do with your problem. Here's your answer: If you have pressed the delete key anytime prior to doing a correction you will delete the next letter when you try to add the deleted letter. The solution? Press the "Insert" key before trying to backspace to correct a mistyped letter. This "Insert mode" will remain in effect until you press the "Delete" Key again. If you ever notice that when you go back to correct a typo that the letter is being deleted, just remember to press your "Insert" key again to get out of the "Delete" mode. Second: We continue to recommend Spybot Search and Destroy and not recommend Ad-Aware for many reasons. One of the many reasons we don't recommend Ad-Aware is for the very reason you cite. By calling cookies "Tracking cookies", Ad-Aware is able to fool users into thinking its detecting much more than other anti-spyware. But is it really? Calling cookies "tracking cookies" with the sinister connotation implied by that name is a just a gimmick used by many anti-spyware companies to make it appear the anti-spyware application is finding "SOMETHING". If one company starts it, others will follow, to keep up. Luckily Spybot doesn't resort to this practice. Ad-Aware has consistently, in the past, backed down in the face of legal action by spyware makers. One example? Hotbar threatened Ad-Aware several years ago and Ad-Aware removed Hotbar from its list of detected spyware. Almost all good anti-spyware applications recognize Hotbar is spyware. In fact Zango/Hotbar (Hotbar was bought by 180solutions' developer Zango) is listed as one the top-ten spyware programs - in terms of number of installations. And it's also interesting to note that neither Hotbar or FunWebProducts can be installed on Microsoft's most secure operating system to date: Windows Vista. And, McAfee's highly regarded Site Advisor calls Hotbar "spyware/adware". Site Advisor tested 12 downloads from Hotbar and ranked them all "adware". With a name like 'Ad-Aware' one would think that Hotbar would be removed. Was Ad-Aware acting in its users' best interest or its own best interest when it removed Hotbar from its spyware definitions? Cookies are not spyware, adware, or any other kind of "ware" - they are simple text files that you can delete without any software at all. Whether someone calls them "tracking cookies" or "nuclear cookies" or "spyware cookies" does not make them more evil. It's certainly excellent marketing for Ad-Aware to make you think that their program is superior to other programs by re-labeling cookies "tracking cookies" then detecting them. And as your comment points out so well - it's a great way to make users think it's working better than other anti-spyware programs. But is it, really? Be careful you're not overly swayed by an anti-spyware program which finds a plethora of "bad" files on your computer when another anti-spyware finds nothing. Be sure you know exactly what the files are that are being detected. If, like Rosemary, you're impressed by the sheer number of files found, make sure the files found as spyware aren't cookies. Because if they are cookies, they're not spyware, no matter how sinister a company might make them look by placing a scary prefix in front of the name "cookies". Cookies are text files. Plain and simple. Text files are not applications, worms, or viruses. Why? Because text files cannot "execute" or "run". By definition the suffix "ware" indicates an application. Cookies can be easily deleted by any user without the use of an anti-spyware program or any other software. In fact, any anti-spyware program that places too much emphasis on cookies might be covering up for weaknesses in detecting far more dangerous things. We stand by our recommendation of Spybot Search & Destroy over Ad-Aware. ------------------------------------------------------- The Key To The Keys Windows XP and Windows Vista If you're preparing to reinstall an operating system (for example, doing a clean install of Windows XP) or Microsoft Office, you will need the product key (CD key). Normally this product key is located with the manual or CD that came with your software or in the case of Windows, on the sticker affixed to your computer case Your product key is almost always hidden somewhere in your Windows registry. But digging product keys out of your registry can be very difficult and time consuming. And sometimes all but impossible. Fortunately, there are several good (and free!) key finder programs that will make finding registration keys hidden in your registry easier to find. Here are three top free key finder programs: 1) Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder program is a free utility that retrieves product keys from the registry. It also has the ability to change the product key for the Windows XP operating system if need be. A very small program, extremely easy to use. You don't have to install it, just run it. Instantly displays product keys it finds and gives you several ways to process and or save them. Finds Keys for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 97, Office XP and Office 2003. 2) Winkeyfinder The Winkeyfinder program is another free utility that retrieves product keys from the Windows registry. Very small program, does not need to be installed. Also features a password generator and other features. Finds Keys for Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Office 97, Office 2000 SP2, Office XP and Office 2003. 3) RockXP RockXP is yet another free program that finds lost product keys in the registry. Another small program that does not require installation. Also features a password generator and password retriever. Finds Keys for Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003. Important Product Key Finder Information - If your system was purchased with Microsoft Windows pre-installed, and you have not reinstalled it or upgraded it the key finders above will only find the generic product key that the computer maker used to install the operating system. However, this generic product key will not work when if you attempt to reinstall Windows. If you have a computer that had Windows pre-installed, your product key is on the sticker attached to your computer case. You must use that product key. Also, your security software may detect one or more of these programs as malicious or dangerous. This would be a false positive. Your security software is trying to protect certain sensitive areas of your registry, so it's doing its job. However, these programs are not malicious, and since you know you're the one (not some remote hacker) trying to glean the information from the registry, you can ignore your security software's protests (if any) in the case of any of the software listed above. ---------------------------------------------- Windows All Versions A Cool Computer Tip All computers - All versions of Windows Computer crashes are not always the fault of misfiring software. The can be caused by dirt, dust, and animal hair that collect inside the computer causing overheating. This airborne debris accumulates inside your computer, and prevents your cooling fan(s) from properly cooling your computer. Automatic safety overrides built-in to most all new computer will shut down or slow down your computer whenever the processor starts getting too hot. Desktops most often have at least one, usually more, cooling fans. It is important that you keep the cooling fan motors and blades clean and free from debris to ensure that they keep your computer cool. Here's what you'll need to use this tip: Q-Tips Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol) A Can of Compressed Air (Available at most computer stores) Ready? Let's go! Remove the cover of your computer. Take the compressed air can and spray directly into all the cooling fans inside your computer to dislodge pieces of dirt, dust, and animal hair that have built-up on the cooling fan blades and motor. Take a cotton swab (Q-tip) dip it lightly in the alcohol - making sure to clean both sides of each fan blade. Don't soak the Q-tip in alcohol - just a little bit is fine - but it does evaporate quickly (that is a good thing) so don't be afraid to get the fan blades coated with it - it won't be there long. Clean cooling fan blades and clean computer cases ensure that your computer runs cooler and quieter. If your computer runs cooler, you'll have less chance of your computer's automatic heat overload features kicking in - and your computer will run smoother and much more quietly. While you have the cover of your computer off, be sure to gently vacuum off the motherboard and the rest of the inside of the case. Don't use Q-tips or alcohol on the mainboard (motherboard) though! Just lightly vacuum out the case making sure you don't touch the vacuum nozzle directly to the motherboard. Just hold it several inches above it to remove any dirt, dust or animal hairs that may be sticking to the surface. You should clean your computer following the steps above every two to three months. A cleaner computer really does run better. And it will be much quieter too. Try it and see. ----------------------------------------------------