Links Page Note: This is the only page on this site where banner advertising might appear.  No pop up advertising is ever done anywhere on this site.  If you ever encounter pop-ups or see banner advertisements on other pages on this site, your browser is infected with 'Malware'.  These nasty programs steal your privacy and detract from you browsing experience.  Check below for more information. Diabetes Links  These are sites that contain useful information for those of us with diabetes.  Looking for a good Nutrition database?  Try the one from the USDA.  It is very complete and it's FREE!  It requires 2MB on you palm.  For more information click Here  Rick Mendosa is a freelance medical writer and consultant specializing in diabetes.  He's also an interesting guy!  His home page is http://www.mendosa.com.  Rick has compiled THE authoritative guide to diabetes information on the web.  We highly recommend that you check out his Diabetes Directory and On-Line Diabetes Resources.   Children With Diabetes As the name implies, promotes understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children.   Jewish "Friends With Diabetes" offers quality education and support about controlling diabetes and incorporating it into the Jewish tradition and lifestyle.  Books and guides available for download at http://friendswithdiabetes.org/  Visit the Diabetes Mall for the latest in diabetes information, technologies, and resources. A new patient-oriented website "A Diabetes Website" provides information, education, and support for people with diabetes. This site is published by a husband and wife team. Both are healthcare professionals with impressive credentials in diabetes care and education. This is a welcome addition to our short list of favorite sites!   Fun Stuff! Chess Whether you are a beginner or a master, you can easily find a fun game at ChessWorld.net  Take a minute or a week to move. The site will email you when it's your turn! Malware - beware of unwanted guests! So you've got your anti-virus updated (you ARE running an anti-virus and updating it regularly, aren't you?) and you think you are safe from the scum that lurk in hyperspace.  Well, not exactly.  Viruses aren't the only hostile software out there waiting to invade your computer.  Most users aren't even aware of the threat, and anti virus programs won't protect you!  These programs, known as 'spyware' and 'adware' come into your system as invited guests.  Often they install themselves as part of freeware that you download and install.  What you don't realize at the time is that the wonderful utility that you found for 'free' brought with it one of these unwanted pests.  Once installed on your system these intruders hide themselves and run quietly and constantly in the background.  Some cause ads to pop up while you are browsing.  Some insert or replace banner ads on web pages.  Almost all keep track of your browsing habits and transmit this information back to their masters.  Many disable firewalls and other protection.  Some even go out to the web and download more of their friends.  All without your knowledge. It gets worse!  Did you know that the online greeting card you just received installed a spy in your computer?  There are companies out there right now selling just this service.  After sending you one of these 'cards', the sender is able to watch everything you do on your computer!  Your documents, your emails, even your passwords and credit card numbers are available to a stalker or business competitor across town or across the country! DON'T BUY A NEW COMPUTER! Those hang ups and 'illegal operation' messages are often the result of malfunctioning malware.   Don't get a 'Pop Up Blocker'! If you are plauged by pop up advertisements, chances are they are coming from adware installed on your computer. In fact, at least one spreader of these pests also widely markets pop up blocker software! You guessed it, their adware often pops up ads for their blocking software. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW! Several companies offer software that can detect and remove these parasites.  Here are the ones that I use: SpyBot Search & Destroy  The full version is absoulutely free (although the author does accept contributions). It has loads of features and works very well. Highly recommended. Ad-Aware  Download the free version and try it on your computer. I think you will be amazed at what you find! Pest Patrol Industrial strength protection. I use this to protect a network that I manage. Their website features a extensive directory of known threats. Probably not a good choice for dial-up users because updates take a long time to download even with broadband. I urge you learn all you can about this, and that you tell your friends.  Here is a good place to learn more: Spyware Watch (UK)