Open Road - Info

Well, what the heck is new here? I've been setting up my new home PC over the past day, finally ordered the cable modem installation and, surprise, signed up for cable TV at the same time. We have a decent TV, but haven't had cable in the house for better than a year. Calgary's pretty good for "free" TV stations - we have 5 available via the old aerial (so old in fact that I no longer knew how to spell aerial...), but the reception is lousy at best. So like I said last week, with this new fancy box, I'll be able to get these columns out even faster and they will continue to be edited well by the great editing staff at the Sideroad (plug plug).

And yer thinking enough already. So this week I'm going to review another montrously popular e-mail newsletter by the strange name of LockerGnome and throw in a completely unrelated short as per usual.

Subscription Instructions:
Visit: http://www.lockergnome.com/

WWW location:
http://www.lockergnome.com/

Contact Information:

e-mail to: chris@lockergnome.com

Cost: very free

Review

Content - 5
Lockergnome publishes daily tips, tricks, reviews, opinion and news related to Windows 95/98 and NT 4.0. Sound fairly straight forward? In a way it is, but given the wide variety and depth of information sent out every day, it's a genuine treat to read. The HTML layout alone makes it an enjoyable read, the excellent content makes it an obvious one.

Each issue is broken into sections: GnomeREPORT, GnomePROGRAM, GnomeSYSTEM, GnomeCANDY, GnomeFAVORITE, GnomeDESKTOP and GnomeTIP. The Report starts the newsletter out and covers general thoughts and news along with the occasional reader mail piece. Program covers a new user side application. System mentions a system level tip along with related programs. Candy reviews or mentions another program generally in the entertainment vein. Favorites mostly covers bits and information available on the Web. Desktop provides tips and tweaks for your OS look along the Theme and Font vein. Tip seems to be a catch-all for general operating hints.

I've never read an issue that I didn't use something from - and remember this is a daily newsletter.

Writing Quality/Style - 5
The HTML formatting makes the newsletter great to look and ensures that each section is well laid out and easy to scan. Writing style is casual and witty, cutting quickly to the chase.

Regularity - 5
Every day. Without fail. Honest. And if your server bounced one of the issues on you, you can always read through the weekly text digest.

Extras - 5
Well designed, the HTML really adds to the experience. Each issue has the obligatory copyright and sub/unsub info, including an identifier that lets you know what address you subscribed with - a serious bonus for people like me with 15+ e-mail addresses. The HTML layout makes each issue work just like a web page, providing a whack of links and additional information like easy on the eyes advertising.

On top of that, the site is well designed with archives of past issues and information on why the heck the newsletter is called Lockergnome.

Overall - 5
Another fabulous e-mail newsletter. I'm not sure how to properly throw out the superlatives because it may sound trite. Maybe the best way to put it is "Lockergnome is the kind of newsletter I wish I produced".

Subscription Instructions: Visit http://www.dcomp.com/WordTips/SubWeekly.htm

WWW location:
http://www.dcomp.com/WordTips/

Contact Information:
Visit: http://www.dcomp.com/WordTips/

Cost: free