By Diana Ezell

Have you ever looked through your System folder and wondered, "What is all this stuff?" Or thought to yourself, Úquot;I don't remember installing that extension or control panelÚquot; as you see a strange init icon flash across the bottom of your startup screen.

These days, with all our ever­expanding choices for low­priced online services combined with simple and fast connections to the Internet, it is easier than ever to cram your System Folder full of stuff you don't need. Sure, it may be fun at first to have the Úquot;eyeballsÚquot; follow your cursor around the screen or to have Úquot;an ugly green monster from your childhoodÚquot; eat your trash, but in the long run, practicality should prevail. When you notice that your computer is starting up slower, or maybe it is freezing randomly, it may be time for a change.

Before you know it, you may be learning the intricacies of the Extensions Manager, practicing your patience during numerous Úquot;clean installsÚquot; of your system software, and finally admitting that maybe you can live without having your every move responded to by another obnoxious sound. It's not only the free fun stuff that can bog down your operating system. A lot of us possess that same Úquot;gotta have itÚquot; attitude about every new software update that comes down the pike. Sometimes, there is a lot to be said for having a functional computer. In other words, if it works, don't fix it. Not all system updates are necessary for every system.

I can't lay all of the blame on our computer nerd­like desire for fun and exploration. We often have the wool pulled over our eyes by software installers. You may find yourself choosing Úquot;easy installÚquot; more often than Úquot;customÚquot; simply because you don't know which options to choose. Unfortunately, this may cause you to end up with a lot of unnecessary software installed in your system.

Believe it or not, you may be able to avoid all of this high drama and hassles. What can save you from it? You already know the answer. Yes, you probably really should read those files labeled Úquot;Read Me FirstÚquot;. Read Me files are often the only documentation you are going to get for most software updates and shareware. They usually contain last minute important information.

I am not trying to discourage you from experimenting. It can be fun. Just remember, it is a lot like going trick or treating; you should check your candy for dangerous objects before you eat it. If you're feeling adventurous, check out the new Apple area on America Online. Happy Halloween!

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