Copyright: Copyright 1996,1997 by Kevin McAleavey
Citation: NSClean is Copyright 1996, 1997 by Kevin McAleavey


Contents
How to use NSClean

Copyright 1996, 1997 - Kevin McAleavey

   THIS IS A DEMO! None of the cleanup functions in this demo will actually write to disk. If these actually functioned, there would be no need for you to pay us for the work it took to create and provide this program. The full product does perform every function shown in this demo. Other than these red lines of text warning that this is a demo, the remainder of this text is the standard help system which comes with NSClean.

   NSClean is NOT shareware. It is a commercial program but we also understand that people wish to see what a product is like before they buy it. We felt this demo was the best compromise possible. Another concern is that many people doubt the existence of the files and databases we describe. The NSView function in this program will allow you to see them for yourself.

   This demo version does perform one single cleanup for you to see how easily it is done once the product is configured. If you check the "Remove recent documents" box, it WILL cleanup the "recent documents" list on your Start button. No other cleanups will be done including the NSTweak cookie editor. All of these capabilities are provided only by our full product.

   WARNING: DO NOT run the main NSClean screen the first time after installation until you have entered and then saved your configuration settings under both the "Settings" and the "Preferences" tabs. If you run NSClean without doing this first, NSClean can become unstable requiring removal and a reinstall. Once NSClean has been setup you'll usually only use the main screen thereafter unless you wish to change your configuration.

General Overview of NSClean Privacy Software

Setting up NSClean the first time

Selecting Cleanup options

Running NSClean regularly

Having difficulty?

   NSClean32 4.10 marks the beginning of a completely new interface for future NSClean products. For the first time, it combines several of our familiar utilities along with some new ones into a single program where everything you need is at your fingertips.

   NSClean now has six tabs across the top of its operation window. Each tab represents a separate functionality independent of the others. The tabs are as follows:

   NSCLEAN - This is the primary program you will regularly use. It will always be the first screen you see each time you start NSClean. In regular use, all you will need to do is hit the "OK" button to do your regular cleanups.

   NSVIEW - This is the former NSDemo program we included in previous versions to permit you to examine the various data NSClean deals with. The format is completely changed from NSDemo however. When clicked, NSView will provide you a summary report of what's on your system now. A "Show me" button for each item allows you to click on it to examine the data in detail.

   NSTWEAK - This is our new cookie editor and viewer program. It contains two windows. The top one is a list of cookies you have collected minus the ones you say you want to keep. Desired cookies to be kept are held in the bottom window. A "Show me" button allows you to examine the contents of any of the cookies you wish to look at.

   SETTINGS - This is the former CONFIG program we included in earlier versions of NSClean. This is where you set your Real ID and Alias ID as well as to set NSClean to work with Communicator -or- earlier versions of Netscape.

   PREFERENCES - This tab contains additional customization options to customize how NSClean works for you. Be CERTAIN to read the documentation for preferences so you understand precisely what each option does.

   DOCUMENTATION - This tab allows you to read any of the helpfiles and textfiles associated with NSClean while in the program. This replaces a number of textfiles previously shipped with NSClean. Detailed instructions on using each of the individual tab screens are provided in their own documentation area. A keyword search of any of the help files for specific information will show details from all of the help files on specific topics.

   In addition to the NSClean program your package also includes a program called NSTSR which has been placed in your StartUp group. This program controls the taskbar icon and watches NSClean for changes in your online ID. It updates itself within 5 seconds of a status change and can be shut down by double clicking on it. If you wish to disable NSTSR, all you need to do is use your file Explorer and move it out of the StartUp group. NSTSR is automatically started otherwise whenever you boot your machine.

   If you hold your mouse over the NSTSR icon, you will receive printed confirmation as to whether you are using your real name or alias on line.

   IMPORTANT: If you ever wish to uninstall NSClean, it is highly recommended that you double click the NSTSR green or red icon on your taskbar to shut it down first. After doubleclicking it, it will take 6 seconds before it disappears from the taskbar. Failure to shut down the NSTSR icon will interfere with removal by significantly extending the time it takes to uninstall NSClean.


General overview of NSClean
How to use NSClean

"General overview of NSClean"

   NSClean is a comprehensive package of tools which perform a number of functions to allow you to control your privacy. It allows you to remove sensitive files from your system to prevent others from viewing them, it allows you control over your online identity, cookies, caches, history databases, newsgroups, email, URL window data and your start button document history. This version introduces a new design whereby all of NSClean's various programs have been integrated into a single package with everything in one convenient tab control interface, including the documentation.

   It is designed to work with all existing versions of Netscape, Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator. If you are using an earlier version of Netscape some of the features are unnecessary since they were not supported in earlier versions of Netscape. These features will be safely shut off depending on the version you are using and what protections are required for that version. NSClean will detect the setup automatically and no technical knowledge is required.

   Once configured the way you want it, NSClean allows you to control all of these items with the push of one single "OK" button without inconvenient editing of data unless you wish to make changes to how NSClean is configured. This makes for a powerful and easy to use privacy tool which handles all of your concerns the way you want them handled without ruining your online experience by interfering with your browser's normal operation.

   NSClean provides the ability to use either your real identity or an alias identity. Using an alias identity online allows you to foil spam since the name a spam site may collect will be useless to them. You also are given the option of using your real name so that you can receive replies to email or news postings. The alias ID feature only works with the internal mail and news services of Netscape. It does not extend to outside newsreaders or mailers. If you use an external newsreader or mailer however, you can leave Netscape using the Alias ID all the time and this prevents sites from identifying you and then spamming you at a later time.

   In addition, NSClean comes with a special helper application which resides on your taskbar (bottom right of your screen) which displays a RED NSClean icon if you are using your real ID and it turns GREEN when you are using your alias. This lets you know at all times whether you are using your real name or your alias without having to leave Netscape to find out. You can disable or remove this feature if you wish as it runs separately from NSClean and is located in your "StartUp" group.

   NSClean allows you to remove all traces of your newsgroup activities when using Netscape's news reader. By default it wipes out only records of the newsgroups you've visited and read messages in. You can also configure NSClean to wipe out several ancillary pieces of newsgroup records if you wish. Consult "Preferences" help for details on your options. Two buttons are provided, one removes the database of what you read, the second one also removes newsgroup information you might also wish to remove. This second concern applies only to Communicator. Earlier versions were not as sophisticated in their record keeping capabilities.

   NSClean allows you to clean your email's trash folder of mail you've trashed. You can also have NSClean remove other items of email by using the "Preferences" settings to identify other folders you want cleaned up in addition to the default emptying of just the trash folder.

   NSClean allows you to clear the dreaded "history database" which stores every place you've visited and every filename and picture element you've seen on the web. Some tools which depend on having it present such as "Smartmarks" or other bookmark manager tools will not work if this data is cleared, so we leave you the option of using it or not.

   NSClean allows you to clear the URL window in Netscape which shows you the sites you've visited previously. This will prevent others from easily seeing the last 10 to 15 sites you've visited.

   NSClean allows you to completely control cookies. This button acts upon settings you've made in the NSTweak cookie editor as well as the settings you've made in "Preferences" as to how you want cookies to be handled. You can accept cookies, destroy all but the cookies you want to keep (such as customized screens, newspaper logins and sites you trust), reject all cookies, destroy all cookies, and control whether you are warned of cookies or not. Our cookie handling goes far beyond any other product in its flexibility and ease of use.

   NSClean allows you to remove your bookmarks and reset your bookmarks to a state of emptiness. It provides a backup mode through "Preferences" that will preserve your original bookmarks elsewhere as protection if you wish. Since bookmarks can be easily edited within Netscape, we have not wasted effort on a bookmark editor in NSClean. There's no need for it.

   NSClean allows you to clean up the caches and cache databases which store every file that has been sent to you on the web. While cached data can be handy in saving some download time, it eats up an enormous amount of your hard drive's space. Thus you can recover a lot of wasted hard disk space by removing the cache data if you decide to let NSClean do so.

   NSClean also solves the newly discovered problem with javascript 1.2 which allows remote sites access to your files and your system without your knowledge. NSClean's ecurity features will allow you to disable java and javascript to keep others out of your machine.

   Finally, NSClean allows you to remove downloaded files which appear in the "Documents" section of your Start button. Often when downloading attachments, a file will be placed in the listing of recently viewed documents. Normally you can remove them by going through a string of steps in Win95 or NT. Clicking this on will clean that up along with everything else you choose to let NSClean clean up for you.


Setting up NSClean the first time
How to use NSClean

"Setting up NSClean the first time"

  The very first time you run NSClean, you will need to go immediately to the "Settings" tab and make sure your REAL ID is correctly set, fill in anything for an alias ID, select YES or NO to the Communicator question and then check the directory listed to make sure it isn't something like C:\WINDOWS. Please refer to the documentation for "Settings" on precisely what you need to do here. It is CRITICAL that you select the "YES" button if you are using Netscape Communicator or the "NO" button if you are using an earlier version of Netscape such as Navigator. Failure to select YES or NO will cause NSClean to fail to work properly.

   Once you have made sure your settings are correct, you must hit the SAVE button in "Settings" to actually save your settings. If you move to another screen without saving, your settings will be lost as though you had never been there to begin with. This behavior is deliberate to protect against accidental changes to these settings in the future. An "undo" button is also provided to allow you to start again from scratch.

   Once the settings are saved, you'll want to click next on the "Preferences" tab. You will be presented with a screen full of checkboxes which will allow you to customize how NSClean handles it's various operations. All documentation on what to do here can be found in the "Documentation" screen as well. Providing the information in the "Settings" and "Preferences" tabs is sufficient to get NSClean ready to go.

   You will probably also want to go to the "NSTweak" screen before running NSClean for the first time as well. NSTweak also has its own detailed documentation in the "Documentation" area. NSTweak will allow you to review the cookies you've already received so you can decide if there are any you may want to keep for sites that require them. If you do not save cookies you want to keep with NSTweak, NSClean will clean ALL of them when it is run. Therefore you'll probably want to look them over and decide what you want to do. Once cookies are gone, you'll need to get new ones from the sites that you need them from.

   There is also an NSView feature which you may want to look at before running NSClean. NSView allows you to receive a summary of what's on your system and it provides "Show me" buttons so you can examine the contents of the various areas. More details about using NSView are contained in the "Documentation" section as well.

   Once you've checked your settings and preferences and are sure they are the way you want them to be (you've got a bit of reading to do yet), then you can hit the OK button on the NSClean screen and clean up all that data on your hard drive. Take your time, get to know what all of the settings are for first and which ones you wish to use before letting NSClean do its thing. You can leave NSClean without a cleanup by hitting the "Cancel" button in NSClean. Hitting the "Cancel" button will not lose any of your settings or preferences and provides a quick and easy way to leave NSClean without performing the actual cleanup until you're sure you have everything set the way you want it.

   Once NSClean has been setup, you can go to any tab and do anything you want. In the "Settings" and "preference" screens, all you need to do is be sure to hit the SAVE button if you make any changes. If you make a mistake or get lost, the UNDO button will restore the screen to its original settings as of the last time the SAVE button was hit.


Selecting Cleanup options
How to use NSClean

"Selecting Cleanup options"

   The checklist buttons are associated with the cleaning of a specific file or group of files. A check mark will appear next to those that have been activated. Those items which are not checked are ignored and left alone by NSClean. Please be sure to read about each button before you select any:

     Use anonymous User ID online

     Remove your newsgroup tracks

     Remove news database details

     Remove your email activities

     Remove your history database

     Remove your URL windows list

     Remove your unwanted cookies

     Remove all bookmark settings

     Remove caches and databases

     Remove start button documents

   When you click on the "OK" button to perform the selected purges, the program will save the current checklist settings, perform the cleanup and exit automatically. Please read through the above items to determine which items you wish to set NSClean to remove for you.


Remove your newsgroup tracks
How to use NSClean

"Remove your newsgroup tracks"

   This item cleans the news resource file which contains a database of all of the newsgroups you have visited (including naughty ones) and the numbers of each and every message you have read. This file can be useful in keeping you from wasting time and money reading news articles you have seen before.

   However, if you have children, employers or others who you don't want to discover where you've visited, this will clear out any trace of your having been there. This function is used in all versions of Netscape.

   If you have selected "Clean news rcg files" in the NSClean "Preferences" screen, they will also be cleaned up if this box is checked. They will be left alone otherwise. RCG files are not used with Communicator, only earlier versions of Netscape.

   CAUTION: Netscape Communicator users risk wiping out their newsgroup subscriptions by removing this file. Unlike earlier versions of Netscape, Communicator uses this file along with your subscriptions database to keep track of newsgroups for online use. If you don't normally do downloads of "list all groups" from your news server, then feel free to cleanup these files.


Remove your history database
How to use NSClean

"Remove your history database"

   This item clears out the Netscape "history" database. Once cleared out of data, Netscape is instructed to make brand new blank copies to replace the original files and their contents. The Netscape history and related files contain a complete listing of every single picture, file, site and address you've ever seen. It maintains a list of all the web sites, gopher sites, ftp sites and every local file you've looked at in your browser (including confidential internal documents) and who knows what else buried in its encrypted machine code portions.

   Of all the portions of Netscape that raises the hackles of those who have actually examined the contents of the Netscape history files, this one has gathered the greatest concern of all owing to the detailed reporting of all activities within.


Remove your URL windows list
How to use NSClean

"Remove your URL windows list"

   This item clears the contents of the window near the top of your screen where your home page address normally appears. If you've never changed the "preferences" configuration in Netscape, the window points you at "http://home.netscape.com/." If you click on the little down-arrow at the right of the box, Netscape will show you a picklist of the last ten places or files you've seen. (15 in Communicator)

   Netscape does not allow you to edit or delete any of these, so if you have visited a site you don't want others to see in this list of "last 10 (or 15)," you have no choice but to remove all of the contents of this window area. This button does this but does NOT affect the normal home page setting.


Remove your unwanted cookies
How to use NSClean

"Remove your unwanted cookies"

  This button, when selected, will remove all of your cookies except those you've told the NSTweak screen you wish to keep. Any desired cookies will be preserved until you decide to remove them from your "kept cookies" selections.

   There are circumstances however under which you may want to keep certain cookies from trusted sites. This function will also block all cookies if set in Preferences (it will do it on ANY version of Netscape, not just Communicator) and any other options you've selected.

   Most importantly, selecting this button will also, along with clearing your cookies as you wish them, set java and javascript on or off depending on your choices for java within the Preferences tab screen. Please refer to "Security issues", "Refuse java and javascript" in the "Preferences" documentation for details on this concern.


Remove all bookmark settings
How to use NSClean

"Remove all bookmark settings"

  Netscape contains a bookmark database in which all bookmarks are kept. Most versions of Netscape allow you to edit your bookmarks so this function should ONLY be selected if you want to completely wipe out your bookmarks. Before checking this box, if you select the "backup your bookmarks" option on the Preferences screen, your original bookmark file will be backed up before NSClean wipes the bookmarks on you.

   The likelihood you will want to use this function is very remote, so think carefully before checking this item.


Remove caches and databases
How to use NSClean

"Remove caches and databases"

   Netscape creates (and uses) an entire directory of files which contain the actual text and all of the pictures from each and every web site you visit. While you are in a Netscape online session, the information contained in the cache directory is used to repaint a screen from a site you visited during this online session so the whole screen doesn't have to be loaded again from the site. This saves a considerable amount of time downloading the same screens all over again.

   However - once you exit Netscape, or if it gets lost among the links to other sites, or if Netscape crashes, this information is useless. Netscape does not have the capability (yet) to use any of this information should you exit Netscape and go back in again. The cache directory can get filled up with tens of megabytes of useless data that fills up your hard disk.

   A nosy person could go into file manager and look through the various sites you've visited if they have access to your machine and can use a graphics browser to look at any or all of the pictures recorded in the cache directory as well. Netscape does have an option built in to purge the contents of this directory, but it isn't all that easy to locate and use. Netscape also allows you to turn off the caching, but most users find the page rebuild feature while online too useful to turn off. Clicking here will allow you to dump the cache area whenever you want.


Having difficulty?
How to use NSClean

"Having difficulty?"

   If NSClean appears to be broken, click on the "Documentation" tab and select the "In case of difficulties" bar to read the most recent technical support information. This file is also available as a text document in the NSClean install directory in case you cannot get NSClean to run at all.

   If this document doesn't solve your problem, then you'll need to get to the "Preferences" tab and select "Diagnostic mode engage" option under "Special modes" section. If the item is already checked, remove the check, hit SAVE, then recheck the box and then hit SAVE again. This will clear any previous diagnostics information so that the information gathered is relevant.

   Then shut down NSClean, then run it once again. Run any features that do not work properly or cause errors. Let NSClean bomb if it is failing on you. Diagnostics will write the data it collects to a file called NSCLEAN.INI located in your \WINDOWS directory. You can attach this file to an email to us at support@nsclean.com along with as best a description as you can muster of what is going wrong and that will help us determine what your problem is.

   Please visit www.nsclean.com for more information and technical support or send an email to support@nsclean.com. We stand by our warranty and are easy to deal with if you need help. Problems are usually the result of a misconfiguration and we can help you through it if the answer isn't already obvious.


Use anonymous User ID online
How to use NSClean

"Use anonymous User ID online"

   Most people mistakenly believe "cookies" are the culprit when they suddenly begin receiving junk email. Nope. Although cookies are often part of the process, the actual snatching of your identity comes from CGI and PERL scripts that make your browser tell them your email address.

   Selecting this function writes a predetermined alias to Netscape in place of your email name. This alias will be snatched instead of your real name info. You can even use the alias to post semi-anonymously to newsgroups. The alias will show publicly, but your service provider can still determine it's you should you use this feature for criminal purposes.

   Use the "Settings" screen to set your real name and alias information. Uncheck this item and your normal username and email address will be sent. The NSClean icon on your taskbar (bottom right of screen next to clock) will be RED if you are using your real ID and will be GREEN if you are using the alias ID.


Remove news database details
How to use NSClean

"Remove news database details"

  This is a new privacy issue introduced with Netscape Communicator. In earlier versions of Netscape, just the name of the newsgroups you've visited and the message numbers were recorded. With Netscape Communicator 4.0 there is now recording of the CONTENTS of those newsgroups. Whether you subscribe or not, all of the newsgroups are recorded in a new area specifically for that purpose.

   Selecting this item causes NSClean to wipe all contents of these new databases, and when used with the "clean records of new site visits" completely wipes out all of your activities in newsgroups.

   The files and folders that this item handles can be customized in the Preferences screen in the "News cleanup" options area of four checkboxes. Please refer to the Preferences documentation for details.

   We provided this as a separate checkbox option in case you want to keep this information while wiping out the message numbers read. It makes eminent sense however to wipe out ALL news activities if you want to maintain your privacy.

   The downside to wiping this out is that it will also remove your news server's subscription lists. These can take quite a bit of time to download so you may not want to remove this data even if it is a privacy risk owing to the inconvenience of waiting for those newsgroup listings to download again. Your choice.

   This function is useless if you are using a Netscape version earlier than 4.0. If you're using an older version of Netscape this checkbox will be automatically unchecked if you select it since the files covered by this option do not exist in earlier Netscape versions.

   Netscape and Netscape Navigator users who wish to wipe out their subscription data should enable the "Clean news RCG files" option under "News Cleanup" in the Preferences screen. Normally subscription cleanup is turned off unless you tell NSClean you want it cleaned. Communicator doesn't use RCG files.

   Finally, this checkbox will also purge subfolders of your news databases if they exist if you have selected that option in the Preferences tab.


Running NSClean regularly
How to use NSClean

"Running NSClean regularly"

 All you need to do if you're not changing your configuration or NSTweaking your cookies is to make sure the things you want cleaned up are checked and hit the "OK" button.

   NSClean's most convenient feature is cleaning up all your data by running it and then clicking "OK" once it comes up. Under normal circumstances, that's all it takes to clean up your tracks.

   IMPORTANT: If you need to uninstall NSClean for any reason, be sure to double-click the vacuum cleaner icon (red or green in color) down on the system tray (right next to the time on the bottom bar). Double-clicking the icon will shut it down after a 5 second delay. This is a separate program which needs to be closed so uninstallation can succeed.


Remove your email activities
How to use NSClean

"Remove your email activities"

  By default, enabling this option will remove the contents of your Netscape email trash folder. Since you trashed the messages, you'll probably want to get rid of them too. This option does that.

   If you want to remove your inbox, outbox, draft messages, or sent mail folders as well, you can select each of these additional folders at your option in the "Email Cleanup" section of Preferences. Each item you check in Preferences will be added to Email cleanup if you check this item on the main NSClean screen.


Remove start button documents
How to use NSClean

"Removing start button documents"

  Windows95 and NT keep a list of recently accessed documents on the Start button. You can see the list of recent documents by selecting "Documents" on the start menu of Windows95 or NT.

   Often, documents or pictures you might download while using Netscape may appear here. If this is a concern to you, simply check this item and NSClean will relieve the tedium of having to go through multiple steps to make Win95 or NT remove the documents for you.


Using NSView
How to use NSView

"Using NSView"

  The NSView tab screen allows provides you with a summary report of all of the various bits of information NSClean takes care of. NSView also has "Show me" buttons for each item.

   Hitting the "Show me" button for each topic will show you details of the information which you can browse through and examine in detail.


Using NSTweak
How to use NSTweak

"Using NSTweak"

  NSTweak is a cookie editor which allows you to view your cookies and optionally decide if there are cookies you wish to keep.

   There are two separate information windows in NSTweak to help you edit and control the cookies you wish to keep.

   The box on the top shows you all the cookies you have collected so far. The second box on the bottom stores those cookies you WANT to keep.

   You will notice several buttons on the bottom of the NSTweak screen. To move a single cookie from the list of cookies to the "Cookies you wanted kept" box, you need to highlight the particular cookie in the top box and then hit the "KEEP" button. The cookie in question will be moved to the "kept" window so it will be saved when NSClean does a cookie cleanup.

   Should you decide that one of the cookies you have been keeping should be discarded, highlight the cookie in question in the "kept" window and then hit the "REMOVE" button. It will then be placed in the top box where it will be removed during the next NSClean operation.

   A "Show me" button is also provided. Simply highlight any cookie in either box and click on "Show me" and NSTweak will pop up a window showing the entire contents and details of that individual cookie.

   Finally, when you are done editing your cookies, hit the SAVE button to store your new desires. If you made mistakes during editing, hit the "UNDO" button and everything will be put back as it was prior to your last SAVE.

   IMPORTANT! NSTweak will only apply the cookies you want saved if you go to the "Preferences" tab and turn on the checkmark next to the item labelled "Clean all but desired cookies." If this checkbox in "Preferences" isn't checked, this item will fail to save your desired cookies when NSClean is run.


Using Settings
How to use Settings

"Using Settings"

  The Settings tab screen is where you place your Real ID information as well as your Alias ID information. The Real ID information should be filled in the first time you use it as the information is gathered from Netscape.

   If the Real ID settings are blank, this is not a good sign. It's possible you may have never entered your settings into Netscape for email and news and that's why it would be empty. If so, you need to close NSClean, go run Netscape and put your email name, address and signature file data into Netscape's settings.

   Be sure to fill in both REAL ID and ALIAS ID information. Leaving the default ?'s may cause problems while online. If you don't want to use an Alias, then put your real name as shown on the left in the boxes on the right.

   IMPORTANT! If you use a signature file - if you see double backslashes (\\) then you must use double backslashes throughout the filename. This should only be an issue with Communicator as it stores file pathnames in a funny way that results in double backslashes instead of the single backslashes you may expect. If you have problems with your signature file not showing up, this is probably the reason why it is disappearing on you.

   IMPORTANT! Any time you are about to SAVE your changes in this screen, you MUST select the YES or NO to the "Are you using Communicator?" question before you hit SAVE. An UNDO button is also provided to restore the previous settings.


Using Preferences
How to use Preferences

"Using Preferences"

  The Preferences tab screen allows you to customize NSClean to perform specific handling of News, Email, cookies and NSClean features.

   The items on your preferences screen are detailed below:

   [News Cleanup]

                                  Clean archives

                                  Clean news rcg files

                                  Clean news hostinfo.dat

                                  Clean news subfolders

   [Email Cleanup]

                                  Clean sent mail folder

                                  Clean draft mail folder

                                  Clean inbox mail folder

                                  Clean outbox mail folder

   [Security issues]

                                  Refuse java and javascript

                                  Refuse ALL incoming cookies

                                  Warn me of incoming cookies

                                  Defeat cache error warning

   [Special modes]

                                  Diagnostics mode engage

                                  Do NOT change login name

                                  Back up bookmark database

                                  Use alternate config file

IMPORTANT! If you make any changes in the preference settings, you MUST hit the SAVE key for them to take effect. If you've gotten lost in your settings but haven't saved yet, hitting the UNDO button will restore all settings to their prior condition allowing you to start over.


Clean archives
How to use Preferences

"Clean archives"

  Communicator provides a new \ARCHIVE directory which is used by Netscape to store java archives and other bits of data associated with java and stored applets.

   If you are concerned about leaving java applets and other associated files on your machine, checking this box will remove the entire contents of the \ARCHIVE directory.

   If you check this box, you will need to check the "Remove caches and databases" box on the main NSClean screen. If this box here is not checked then the \ARCHIVE directory will be left alone when NSClean does cache cleanup.


Clean news rcg files
How to use Preferences

"Clean news rcg files"

  In Netscape versions 1.1 through Navigator (not used by Communicator) your newsgroup subscriptions are kept in a series of files in the news database with an RCG data extension to the filenames.

   If you are using Navigator or an earlier version of Netscape *and* you want to eliminate the listing of newsgroups on your service provider's host system, checking this box will clean them away if it is checked.

   RCG files will be removed by NSClean if you have checked the "Remove your newsgroup tracks" box on the main NSClean screen AND you have this box checked here.

   CAUTION: If you search through newsgroups to find new ones on a regular basis rather than just typing them in by name, replacing this database may take a while depending on the number of newsgroups your provider serves up.


Clean news hostinfo.dat
How to use Preferences

"Clean news hostinfo.dat"

  HOSTINFO.DAT is a newsgroups database kept only by Netscape Communicator. It is far more extensive and detailed than the old RCG files used in earlier versions of Netscape. Like the RCG files in earlier versions of Netscape, the HOSTINFO.DAT file contains a list of all newsgroups available on your provider's new server and can be useful if you pick from a list of newsgroups rather than typing in the newsgroup you want in Communicator's URL window.

   If you are using Communicator *and* you want to eliminate the listing of newsgroups on your service provider's host system, checking this box will clean them away if it is checked.

   HOSTINFO.DAT will be removed by NSClean if you have checked the "Remove news database details" box on the main NSClean screen AND you have this box checked here.

   CAUTION: If you search through newsgroups to find new ones on a regular basis rather than just typing them in by name, replacing this database may take a while depending on the number of newsgroups your provider serves up.


Clean news subfolders
How to use Preferences

"Clean news subfolders"

  This is a Netscape Communicator-only issue. If you subscribe to more than one news host (such as your regular newsgroups PLUS additional newsgroups such as secure newsgroups or more than one provider, your newsgroups HOSTINFO information will be placed in subfolders of the main newsgroups folder instead of the normal location.

   Selecting this checkmark tells NSClean to dig deeper into the news folders and remove anything found below the main newsgroups database levels.

   CAUTION: If you search through newsgroups to find new ones on a regular basis rather than just typing them in by name, replacing this database may take a while depending on the number of newsgroups your provider serves up.

   If there are HOSTINFO.DAT files in any of these subfolders, they will be left alone unless you also check the "Clean news hostinfo.dat" here in the Preferences tab as well.

   THIS FEATURE IS NOT AVAILABLE AS YET...


Clean sent mail folder
How to use Preferences

"Clean sent mail folder"

  Normally NSClean only cleans out the TRASH folder and its database in Netscape's built-in email system. If you placed a message in the trash, chances are you want it to disappear. NSClean removes the trash folder by default if the checkmark on the main screen next to "Remove your email activities" is checked.

   Checking this box will also cleanup the SENT MAIL folder when you check the "Remove your email activities" on the main NSClean screen.

   CAUTION: Checking this item will cause ALL messages in this folder plus its index database to be completely removed without the ability to undelete the contents.


Clean draft mail folder
How to use Preferences

"Clean draft mail folder"

  Normally NSClean only cleans out the TRASH folder and its database in Netscape's built-in email system. If you placed a message in the trash, chances are you want it to disappear. NSClean removes the trash folder by default if the checkmark on the main screen next to "Remove your email activities" is checked.

   Checking this box will also cleanup the DRAFT MESSAGES folder when you check the "Remove your email activities" on the main NSClean screen.

   CAUTION: Checking this item will cause ALL messages in this folder plus its index database to be completely removed without the ability to undelete the contents.


Clean inbox mail folder
How to use Preferences

"Clean inbox mail folder"

  Normally NSClean only cleans out the TRASH folder and its database in Netscape's built-in email system. If you placed a message in the trash, chances are you want it to disappear. NSClean removes the trash folder by default if the checkmark on the main screen next to "Remove your email activities" is checked.

   Checking this box will also cleanup the INBOX folder when you check the "Remove your email activities" on the main NSClean screen.

   CAUTION: Checking this item will cause ALL messages in this folder plus its index database to be completely removed without the ability to undelete the contents.


Clean outbox mail folder
How to use Preferences

"Clean outbox mail folder"

  Normally NSClean only cleans out the TRASH folder and its database in Netscape's built-in email system. If you placed a message in the trash, chances are you want it to disappear. NSClean removes the trash folder by default if the checkmark on the main screen next to "Remove your email activities" is checked.

   Checking this box will also cleanup the OUTBOX folder when you check the "Remove your email activities" on the main NSClean screen.

   CAUTION: Checking this item will cause ALL messages in this folder plus its index database to be completely removed without the ability to undelete the contents.


Refuse java and javascript
How to use Preferences

"Refuse java and javascript"

  This option gives you the ability to turn java and javascript on and off from within NSClean. You can do the same within Netscape by using the preferences options there as well.

   Communicator users in particular need to be wary of Javascript version 1.2 which is now capable of allowing outside sites to read, write to and delete your files as well travel anywhere in your system without your ever knowing it. The new javascript has the potential of becoming a serious security risk to your machine.

   Javascript 1.2 requires a signed certificate and a warning may or may not pop up in Communicator to advise you that a site may wish to write to or read from your disk. Alas, this is the same method Microsoft uses with their ActiveX controls and therefore it is possible that a rogue site may well forge a valid signature.

   Therefore we've given you this option in NSClean so you can prevent such access without having to figure out where to turn off java and javscript on your own. If you DO turn off java and javascript, you will be protected against this problem but pages that use java and javascript features will no longer work. As a result, we leave the choice of turning these on or off to you.


Refuse ALL incoming cookies
How to use Preferences

"Refuse ALL incoming cookies"

  Selecting this special option will tell NSClean to set Netscape so that it cannot EVER save cookies as long as this checkmark is on. Communicator allows you to refuse all cookies, this checkbox allows Communicator and *ANY* version of Netscape to just refuse to accept cookies or save them.

   This eliminates the need to step up to Communicator if you prefer Navigator just to take advantage of Communicator's ability to repel cookies.

   IMPORTANT: This option only prevents cookies from becoming persistent or stored beyond a single session online. It will still allow cookies to be used while you are at a particular site since it is only those cookies which remain stored on your system that pose a privacy risk.


Warn me of incoming cookies
How to use Preferences

"Warn me of incoming cookies"

  This feature applies only to Netscape Navigator version 3.xx and Communicator. Earlier versions of Netscape did not provide for warning of incoming cookies and there is no way for us to make these earlier versions do so.

   Selecting this checkbox tells Netscape you still want to be warned of incoming cookies (annoying to say the least). Leaving it unchecked will turn off the cookie warnings since NSClean now takes care of those cookies when you perform a cleanup.


Defeat cache error warning
How to use Preferences

"Defeat cache error warning"

  CLICK THIS ON WITH *EXTREME* CAUTION!

   NSClean is designed to protect your system against file damage by engaging a protection mode that prevents cache directory contents from being deleted. Prior to Communicator all cache files were saved to a directory that had the path \CACHE in the directory name.

   Communicator gives you the option of setting any drive or any directory of your choice to save the cache files. As a result of this change in Communicator, the NSClean protection trigger may occur because the directory you chose for cache databases and files doesn't have the directory name of \CACHE anywhere in its path.

   This checkbox exists only to tell NSClean that it's OK to proceed even if the name isn't CACHE. BE CAREFUL and BE SURE you really did configure Communicator to the proper path. You can use NSView to check and verify this.


Diagnostics mode engage
How to use Preferences

"Diagnostics mode engage"

  NSClean is provided with special diagnostics capabilities in the event you may have a problem. This checkbox should normally be turned off. If you need to run diagnostics on the system, check this box ON for the duration of running NSClean to provide the author with data.

   Please refer to the "In case of Difficulty" documentation for more details on using this feature. If you ever need to run diagnostics, be sure this box is NOT checked first. If you find it checked, uncheck it and then immediately hit the SAVE button, then turn it back on and hit SAVE again. This will clear out any previous information gathered so your diagnostics data reflects your current problem. (if any)


Do NOT change login name
How to use Preferences

"Do NOT change login name"

  In rare situations, when you are using your alias online, your service provider may not be able to log you in to receive news or mail.

   If you encounter that problem while using your alias ID, check this box on. It will adjust NSClean so that your mail server/news server logins are not affected by your alias.


Back up bookmark database
How to use Preferences

"Back up bookmark database"

  When checked, this box will tell NSClean to make a backup of your existing bookmarks prior to performing a cleanup of bookmarks. This protects against accidental destruction of your bookmarks file if you didn't intend to remove your bookmarks. The backup is copied to your NSCLEAN directory as BOOKMARK.BAK

   To protect against "happy fingers" checking this box will back up your bookmarks ONLY ONCE. The checkmark will be automatically turned off once NSClean has replaced the original bookmark file which you backed up here.

   Each time you want to backup your present bookmarks, you will have to check this box once again to backup the present bookmark file which will overwrite the previous backup.


Use alternate config file
How to use Preferences

"Use alternate config file"

  This is a special circumstance option. If you are using multiple copies of Netscape or you have more than one user on your machine, you can check this box and NSClean will use a secondary configuration file instead of the normal NSCLEAN.INI configuration file.

   This secondary file is called NSCALT.INI and is located in your directory along with NSCLEAN.INI. This option should only be used as a last resort if conflicts between two users' choices and setups occur.

   If you are using Communicator, NSClean will use the settings from the Communicator user profiles and cleanup whoever was the last user according to the Communicator user profile last used. If a second user using Communicator   wishes to clean up their files, it is best to login to Communicator (even if offline) as that user, then close Communicator then run NSClean.

   However if you must have a secondary NSClean file for whatever reason, this checkbox is here to allow you to do this if need be.