Re-installing a problematic program

Sometimes a program that is giving you trouble will work better after reinstalling it. Here are some tips to help make that process a little easier and more successful. Uninstall the problematic program by using the Add/Remove programs applet in the Control Panel in Windows Restart your computer via Start–>Shutdown and restart; even if the computer doesn’t ask you to do so. After Windows reloads, shut...

Recycle a Floppy Disk

Floppy disks, as slow and old as they are compared to CD’s and Zip disks, still provide a useful tool in our computing lives. They dutifully back up our important files and allow us to share those files between computers and colleagues.   However,  did you realize that a floppy disk is reusable?  You can turn those old floppy disks into newly usable media again by...

Keep an eye on the kids

One common question I get from parents is how to keep kids safe while using the Internet.  Here are some apps and sites to help answer questions about kids and the Internet: Cyber Patrol  Get Net Wise However, if you use Internet Explorer, then you have a great tool already built into the browser itself.  Here’s how to use it: Click on Start Click on Settings Click on Control Panel Double Click on...

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...

WARNING! Your Internet connection is not optimized...

Banner ads are a real and somewhat necessary part of our Internet world. You see banner ads at the top of nearly every Web site you visit.  In the past year, one particular ad seems to pop up more frequently than others. It reads something like this: WARNING! Your Internet connection is not optimized. Click Here to boost your Internet speed! The ad cleverly (some people say deceptively) resembles...

Use the Internet to stop solicitor calls

Two years ago, Colorado became one of the first states to institute a "no-call" list that consumers could sign up for to prevent solicitation phone calls. This past week, the FTC started a national "no-call" list. These lists must be checked by phone solicitation companies every three months to updated their databases. If a solicitor calls you and you are registered on the "no-call" list, you can...

Tired of looking at clouds?

Here is a quick way to add new wallpaper to your desktop as you browse around the Internet (this tip works with Netscape, Internet Explorer, and AOL): RIGHT Click on any image on any web page Click on “Save Image as Wallpaper” or “Set as Wallpaper” That’s it!  A simple tip with a fun result!

Search the Internet Quicker

Many Internet surfers have discovered and benefited from a great search engine called Google. Doing basic searches with this engine can reduce the time it takes to find relevant information.  Most good web sites will have a search engine that just searches its own site (see ours on the bottom of most of our pages). As helpful as these can be, they sometimes fall short in finding...

Quickly Navigating to a website

When you read about a web site or hear one advertised on the radio or TV, do you know hot to get to it quickly?  If no, here’s how: This tip will work with ANY online service or browser or operating system.   As you are reading this tip, look toward the top of your monitor.  Do you see a long white box with an http:…. address in it?  This is called the browser address or location...

Navigating the Web

Just starting out on the Web? This tip is for you! This tip will work with ANY online service or browser or operating system.   When you are looking at your Internet screen,  do you see a long white box with an http:…. address in it?  This is called the browser address or location bar.   Click ONE time anywhere in the long white address bar toward the top of the...