When booting into Linux, pages of status messages flash across the screen. At one point when the activity slows to a human-readable pace, you may notice lines like:

These items are very similar to the control panels and extensions that load on the MacOS at boot time. And just like on the Mac, managing these items can make your computer boot faster. (Continued...)

After reading the Apple TIL on Hosts file that states, "In general, use of the Hosts file is discouraged, as it often simply wastes memory ... Should a Hosts file be used, every effort should be made to keep it as small as possible and to only include entries that will be accessed frequently." A reader asks, "Just what is too big?"

Apple recommends the Hosts file stay under 7k, and the ResEx Hosts file is just under 3K with 60 of the most popular Mac sites. I'll keep adding to it until we reach 7k. As of now, I can not see any difference in memory on my computer, and the benefit of speed out weight and small memory hit.

Is there a Hosts file under Linux? You bet! Look at /etc/hosts. The format is a little easier to use than the MacOS

MacInstruct has updated an older tutorial How to Turn Off Your Modem's Sound for use with Remote Access.

• After come constructive criticism from ResEx readers, Mike Vannorsdel updated his Interarchy Wand
  
  
• Akio submitted a Giant MOSS of Danger girl, Natalia Kassle.
  
  
• Strigmaga created a cool looking Netscape splash featuring a young lady from Farscape. You can find three similar splashes, and a ton of other stuff at his web site.
  
  
• A slick Giant MOSS by Erik Fritz features a montage of female vocalists.
  
  
• XgarrettX submitted a Explorer splash. I don't know the pictured dude, but he's rockin'.
  
  
• ibson created a Remote Access makeover with an Aqua look.
  
  
• Here's another iMac series from Alex Kleiner. This group of About this Mac replacements come in the new bolder colors.
  
  
• Chris Avilla submitted two files featuring Star Trek's 7 of 9. The first is a Borg MOSS, but in the Quark splash, she's definitely not in uniform.

A Hosts file acts like a mini domain name server (DNS) on your computer. Your TCP connection will access it before going out to the internet to equate the written name (ResExcellence.com) with its internet IP address (207.208.148.74).

This saves time and can dramatically speedup access to commonly visited sites, like your mail and news servers. You can download a prepared Hosts file containing dozens of popular Macintosh sites. Place the file in your System Folder, add your own favorites, and enjoy the increase in speed.

To add your ISP's mail and news servers, I recommend a great piece of freeware called What Route. Using it, you can convert your POP, SMTP, and news servers into IP addresses. Once you have the IP numbers, add the following lines to the Hosts file as shown in the example below:

pop.my_mail_server.com A 111.222.333.444
smtp.my_mail_server.com A 111.222.333.445

To add your news server, try something like:

news.my_news_server.com A 111.222.333.446
nntp.my_news_server.com A 111.222.333.447

Remember, these are examples, your servers and IP numbers will be different! This will get you started, and if you want learn about more options, this Apple TIL has more information.

On this Hosts page are the contents of the current ResExcellence Hosts file, and a form you can use to suggest additions for other readers. Watch for updates.

• Another beautiful Interarchy Wand was submitted by Mike Vannorsdel. This Aqua styled creation is slick. Can you say, "Time for a new archive section at ResEx?"
  
  
• Nick Jhirad created a cool looking 'distressed' MOSS. Unfortunately, the preview doesn't do it justice.
  
  
• Fans of Gillian Anderson who own Freehand will like this replacement splash by Chris Avilla.
  
  
• If you follow the work of Toren Valimir, and who doesn't, then checkout these two About this Mac replacements. They match his I/OS X Steel designs.
  
  
• Miguel D'Amico created some variations on the Happy Mac MOSS. There are three in the set, and two are previewed.
  
  
• Juan Negret sent this interesting Explorer splash.
  
  
• Sarah Michele Gellar is featured in this Netscape splash by Jay Bachman.

• Well how about that. We have another Interarchy Wand! Jimmy Solis created a great looking Aqua Wand. Hmmm, seems I better start the layout for a new ResEx section.!
  
  
• The dynamic-duo of Akio and Neo have come through again with a couple of nice splash screens. Akio sends another cool looking Danger girl splash for Explorer, and...
  
  
• Neo created a splash for Outlook Express that features an exploding star nebula. These guys are such impeccable artists, even their READ ME's are beautiful.
  
  
• Alex Kleiner has submitted a ton of new About this Mac replacements. This first batch is stuffed with 4 colorful iBooks. Watch for more packages in future updates.
  
  
• If you like the Convergence desktop made famous by MacOS X, then you should have this Giant MOSS made by antoudewo.
  
  
• Chris Avilla sent this splash for Netscape that features a lovely lady.