How to Install Shareware

Last week we discussed how to download shareware.  This week we will finish the project and talk about installing and using shareware. Many shareware programs you will download are in a compressed format called a ZIP file.  If this is the case, then you will need an “decompression” utility such as WinZip to get to the programs installation files. Double click on the file you downloaded and one of two...

How to Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Window...

WARNING:  I have done my best to outline the steps in this somewhat arduous task, but undertake this procedure at your own risk. Because of the vast differences in hardware and software, I cannot possibly cover every nuance. Please use this Tip as a guide and not the end all. AND BE SURE TO BACKUP ANYTHING YOU DON"T WANT TO LOSE PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE TASK! Since many of the sites that I used to refer...

Font management

Fonts are the different typefaces that we can choose when we create word processing documents, newsletters and other computer-generated documents.  I am willing to wager that most computer users only use about a dozen different fonts.  However, there are over 400 different fonts installed on many computers today. These fonts utilize precious computer memory resources and also increase computer boot time.  In...

Do you have kids or grandchildren?

If so, don’t throw out your old computer when you upgrade to a newer one. Clean up your old computer and install: a simple word processor drawing program (like Broderbund’s Kid Pix) educational games (there are many good free ones available at download sites on the Web) web browser with filter software This allows your children to learn, use and be responsible for a computer without compromising your...

Daily Diary…or at least important notes

If you have the need to jot down a few notes and have them automatically dated for you, then using Notepad may be a simple answer for you. Notepad is included in all versions of Microsoft Windows and contains a nifty little feature of being able to "time stamp" your entries. Here’s how it works. Click on Start –> Programs–>Accessories –> Notepad (or ...

Create Calendars Easily and for Free

If you have been frustrated at trying to create an attractive and simple monthly calendar, then you have come to the right place.  Days Ease is a free program from the folks at PC Magazine. It allows you to create and print customized monthly and yearly calendars…easily! You can add your own text to the days, customize titles, fonts, colors and more. Follow these steps to start using Days Ease today: Click on this...

Close all your applications at the same time

If you use multiple programs at the same time, when you’re done working on your computer for the day, you probably close each open application one by one. This week’s tip will show you how to shut down all open programs at the same time. Follow these steps to close all your programs at one time: Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on each application button on your taskbar (the bar next to your...

Clone Your Printer

If you routinely print two or more kinds of documents (i.e. draft printing for email, normal for word processing, and high quality with photo paper for photos), each requiring its own printer settings, you’ve probably found it cumbersome to have to re-enter all the printer properties every time you change documents.  You might find it easier to actually install the same printer twice, ...

Citing Internet Resources

With kid’s of all ages returning to school this month, it is important to know how to use the Internet as a research tool.  But the basic premise remains the same as with library research: give credit to the author and provide the information necessary for the reader to locate the source. The most important part of an Internet citation is its URL (web address). Using the URL, the source...

Backups: Don’t try to double-click on them

I received many emails this week thanking me for the tip on how to back up your address book. Don’t forget that I also have past tips on how to print your address book as well, check out the archives below. However, I also received many questions regarding why when you try to double-click to view a back up file an error occurs. When you backup a database from within a program (like Quicken, Quickbooks, your address...

Another Safe Mode Boot Command

I mention entering Safe Mode many times on the show to help people solve problems or perform system utilities. Safe Mode is used when there may be a problem with your monitor or other device drivers required to start Windows normally. Safe Mode uses default settings and a minimum amount of device drivers to run Windows. The screen, in safe mode, displays only 16 colors (ugly) and all the icons seem out of place and abnormally...

An Easier Way to Resize Your Digital Photos

Microsoft, now offers a tool that makes resizing photos almost trivial…for Windows XP users only. Thanks to one of our long time computer user group friends (Bob C.) for finding this great program. Simply called Image Resizer, this program installs itself as an option when you RIGHT click on a picture. It only takes three minutes to download on even the slowest phone Internet connection. Here’s how it...