How to use this column (or anything else) properly.

The Last Manual You'll Ever Need!

Contributing Editor Stephen Manes has been writing about technology for two decades.

Thank you for using one of the PC World columns written by people named Steve, or one of the many articles and advertisements in this publication. Features and connectors may vary between products, but this UUGOM (Universal User Guide and Operation Manual) should help you get the most out of this product, any other PC World product, or any other product you may encounter.

Important safety precautions! Do not operate this product with the cover removed. Do not place the product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. For added protection, do not attempt to use this product under a tree during a lightning storm.

To prevent fire, never put any type of flame near this product. If the product begins to produce unusual sounds or smells, discontinue use. Contact a PC World service center for repair.

If your copy of this product is in bound form, do not attempt to use it in a pitch-black room. If your copy is designed for an electronic display, do not attempt to read it without one.

To use an Internet edition of this product, make sure you have a working Internet connection. If not, please consult the online help screens at www.pcworld.com.

In the U.S. and other English-speaking markets: Please read from left to right. In other markets: Please consult the "Additional Features" section of the CD-ROM edition of this manual, which is found in the folder called /product/instruct/userg/manuals/hidethem/xlang.pdf, where xlang is the language you wish to use. Esperanto is not supported.

The printed version of this product is made with ink and paper. Occasionally you may find ink areas that are lighter, darker, or blotchier than normal, or paper that has been folded or crumpled. These cosmetic blemishes in no way affect the performance of the product and are not grounds for a warranty claim. Similar blemishes in the online version may be grounds for such a claim; contact the maker of your display, not us.

If an individual product accidentally gets damaged by cat claws, dog teeth, or spilled coffee, please reinstall the product. If you see a 'Digital signature not found' message when reinstalling, please download an updated driver. If you see the message again, ignore it and continue with the installation--what the heck! If your product is subsequently unusable, please send full particulars to billg@microsoft.com.

Be sure to register this product so that we may contact you in the likely event we want to sell you something else. Failure to register may mean your junk mail filter will not receive as much correspondence as it may otherwise expect.

If this product has mocked and ridiculed the uselessly generic documentation that comes with so many electronics products, it is about to reach its end, which will spare you a tirade about the other reasons why today's documentation generally stinks--when it's included at all. Otherwise, please consult the online User Guide for a duplicate copy.