AOL issue has easy solution

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 13, 2003 by James Derk Scripps Howard News Service

Questions are piling up in the mailbox.

Question: Oftentimes when I am logging on to AOL, there is an "updating AOL database." What does this mean? I cannot get the info from the AOL screen.

Answer: At last, a question I know the answer to off the top of my head. You'll get this message for two reasons. First, if you disconnect from AOL incorrectly and the application "crashes," the next time you start, it will rebuild. The other reason is if your allotted space for graphics is set too low. Start AOL, then go to Settings (across the top) then Preferences. There you will find all kinds of things you can preset about AOL and how it behaves. One of them is Fonts, Text and Graphics. Select that one and double the amount of space set aside for graphics and art.

By the way, it's a good idea to flush this cache every month or so. Set the number to 1, log off, then log back on and reset it to the bigger number again.

Question: I read the articles with interest concerning the music industry's lawsuits against those who share music files online. I am very confused over what is legal and what is not legal in regards to having music on your computer. I read one article that said it was legal to copy music from your own computer to a CD for your personal use. This confuses me. Isn't that also violating copyright laws?

Answer: Well, yes. However, it is generally accepted that the reverse is allowed. In other words, you can copy music tracks from CDs you own to your PC, then burn the tracks back onto a CD to make a "best of" CD or whatever. It also is accepted that you can make one backup copy of a disc you own for your own use.

Like everything else, it's a matter of moderation, I think. The RIAA isn't going to sue someone for burning a copy of a CD (although they have sued a 12-year-old girl and a grandmother). It is larger file-sharing systems they are going after -- those sharing hundreds of files.

You have two options. You can sign the amnesty agreement that the RIAA has put on its Web site . . . (but before you do I would consult a real lawyer since it opens you up for liability from non-RIAA members), or you can quit sharing files if you are using applications such as Kazaa, Grokster or whatever.

Many people don't realize that once you close Kazaa, for example, it is still running on your system and sharing files. (Look for the little "K" in the lower right corner system tray. Right-click on that, and select Exit to really close it.)

If you want to remove the applications from your system, hit Start, then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs. Select the music- sharing program and remove it.

Question: You mentioned software for the PC that helps screen porn from the kids. What is the best choice?

Answer: I liked Actiontec's Kid Defender. The best thing, the company has offered a free "Lite" version of the product for download. Check it out at www.kiddefender.com.

WEEKLY WEB WONDER: Have you fed the world's children today? For information go to www.hungersite.org.

James Derk is new media editor for The Evansville Courier & Press. E-mail: jderk@evansville.net.