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30
Dec 05

Print Pictures with the Windows XP Wizard

[inline:1]If you like to print your digital pictures at home versus using a service, save time and paper using the Windows XP Printing Wizard. Microsoft built many helpful tools into Windows XP to make working with digital photos much easier and the printing wizard is one of the best features.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open a folder that contains pictures
2. In the Task Pane on the left, Click “Print Pictures” (see picture above)
3. Click Next
4. Put a checkmark next to the pictures you want to print on the screen that pops up with your photo thumbnails
5. Click Next
6. Select your printer and any preferences you have for paper and/or quality
7. Click Next
8. Choose what size and how many of each photo you want to print
9. Click Next
10. Click Finish

This is a great way to save on the more expensive photo paper by having Windows help you print more than one photo per page. If you save photos to your photo folder that you have received too large in email, you can use this tip to print your photos in a size that suits you.

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30
Dec 05

Open Sesame — for your CD-ROM tray!

If your computer is in a precarious or tight position, opening the CD tray can be cumbersome. Use this tip to have your computer open the CD tray for you.

First, you need to create a shortcut on your desktop. Here’s how it is done:

1. Double-click on My Computer
2. Drag your CD-ROM icon to your desktop
3. Click on the Yes button from the resulting message box

Now, any time you need to open your CD-ROM tray, just RIGHT click on the shortcut you just created, and click on Eject from the menu.

For closing your CD tray (with some drives), just repeat the same process as opening. OR, if you just nudge (gently) the tray inward, the machine will pull the tray closed automatically.

If you have a ZIP drive, you can use this same method for ejecting disks.

Unfortunately, there is no automatic method for floppy disks (like a Macintosh has), we still have to push the eject button on the drive to get our floppies out.

One last tip about physical nuances of our computers…if you are trying to shut down your computer because of an error and pushing the power button doesn’t seem to do the job, push and hold the power button for up to ten seconds and then the computer will shut off.

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30
Dec 05

MP3 Players

You can legally and in good conscience use and enjoy an MP3 player. An MP3 is a special compression code used to store music using less space. You may remember the now extinct Napster service where millions of people shared songs online using the MP3 format and the ongoing battle the music industry is fighting against ‘song swapping’.

If you have your own CD collection, you can create your own digital music collection using your computer and not worry about the ethics or legality of downloading music. Then transfer those songs to an MP3 player to take with you on a walk, to the gym or on a trip.

These little devices take up a fraction of the space a CD player take and weigh next to nothing…and you don’t have to carry any CD’s! In fact, some of them will hold hundreds of albums worth of music in the space no bigger than a pack of cigarettes.

To get the songs from your CD’s to your computer, I recommend using Microsoft Windows Media Player. I like this method for a few reasons. It’s fairly quick, compresses the music into almost 1/2 the size of the already small MP3 format and when online will organize the music into albums for you.

Here’s how it is done:

1. Click Start Programs Windows Media Player
2. Insert your music CD
3. When the CD loads Click the “Copy from CD” button
4. Your songs will appear (with the names if you are online)
5. Uncheck the songs you don’t want to copy
6. Click the Copy Music button
7. Wait for the copying to finish (about five minutes for a full album usually)
8.The music will now be stored in your My Documents folder in a sub-folder called My Music (unless you’ve changed the preferences to your fancy)

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30
Dec 05

Learn to Use Your Digital Camera’s EXIF Data

In the olden days of photography, a true student of the hobby would carry a note pad and write down the shutter and film speed as well as the lens setting and information such as whether or not a flash was used. The photographer would then use this information as a reference in becoming familiar with the camera.

Even with digital it is extremely important to learn how your camera reacts in various settings. Digital cameras often have very hot flashes that wash out a subject if it is too close. Other cameras may be picky about shooting strange lighting.

Whether a photo comes out perfect or awful, it is often useful to be able to go back and see how your camera was setup for the shot. Your digital camera automatically records such information but you have to know where to find it.

Along with every photo is recorded EXIF data. EXIF stands for Exchange Image File, but that isn’t really important. What is important is what it contains.

The following is an example of the EXIF data in a single image. As you can see there is very little information that is not recorded. My favorite program for reading EXIF data is called IrfanView. You can download it here for free. Good image editing programs will let you read EXIF data as does Windows XP when you RIGHT click on a digital camera image and click Properties.

File: – C:\Camera Pics\IMG_6031.JPG
Make – Canon
Model – Canon EOS 10D
Orientation – 1 (top left)
XResolution – 180
YResolution – 180
ResolutionUnit – 2 (inch)
Software – Adobe Photoshop 7.0
DateTime – 2004:05:19 21:32:59
YCbCrPositioning – 1 (center of pixel array) ExifOffset – 212 ExposureTime – 1/60 seconds FNumber – 4.0000 ISOSpeedRatings – 800 ExifVersion – 220 DateTimeOriginal – 2004:05:14 17:44:33 DateTimeDigitized – 2004:05:14 17:44:33 ComponentsConfiguration – 1 2 3 (YCbCr) CompressedBitsPerPixel – 3 (average) ShutterSpeedValue – 1/60 seconds ApertureValue – F 4.00 ExposureBiasValue – 0.0000 MaxApertureValue – F 3.50 MeteringMode – 6 (partial) Flash – 9 FocalLength – 35 mm UserComment -

FlashPixVersion – 100
ColorSpace – 1 (sRGB)
ExifImageWidth – 3072
ExifImageHeight – 2048
FocalPlaneXResolution – 3443.9462
FocalPlaneYResolution – 3442.0168
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit – 2
SensingMethod – 2 (other)
FileSource – 3 (digital still camera)

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30
Dec 05

Laptop vs. Desktop Computer II

Starting this week and for the next month, millions of students will be returning to school. Some of these students go to college, some to high school and some are adults going back to school part-time or nights. All these students can benefit from a computer.

For the mobile lifestyle of students, I recommend getting a laptop. Laptops can not only be toted to class, the library or your home, more and more they can be connected to the Internet wirelessly for research and communication anywhere. The mobility of a laptop can make doing homework more efficient and even fun.

Often I am asked which laptops I recommend. My favorites are IBM Thinkpads and Toshiba Satellites. After that I like HP, Gateway, Dell and Adam is really enjoying his eMachines laptop as well. Big name laptop makers tend to offer better support (usually 24/7 support). For an upgrade, you can also get priority overnight service or replacement with these companies.

More importantly is picking out the proper components since buying a laptop can be even more confusing than buying a laptop. Follow these guidelines when considering a laptop

*Size – If the user will be toting the laptop daily from place-to-place, choose a lighter, thinner model (these cost a little more than the bigger 7 pound plus models)

*Screen – Most screens are 14″ and larger and all have great quality, but be sure to compare side-by-side in a store if possible

*Memory – I recommend getting at least 512 megabytes (mb) of memory

*CD – Get a DVD/CDRW combo drive, the only compromise here is if you get a DVD super drive that records both DVD’s and CD’s

*Hard Drive – 40 Gigabytes (gb) should suffice for most users.

*Warranty – Be sure to get at least a one year warranty. For users who rely on their computers being up and usable, consider upgrading to an onsite warranty. Also, laptops are one of the few items that extended warranties make sense…if the prices is right.

These are just shopping guidelines. If you have specific laptop buying questions, call the show on any Saturday!

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30
Dec 05

Laptop vs. Desktop Computer

A question that has been popping up more and more lately from computer users looking to buy a new computer is: “Should I buy a laptop computer or desktop computer?” As with most computer shopping questions, the answer is ‘it depends’. In this article, I will point out the pros and cons of each and what type of user would benefit from a laptop.

In terms of performance, both laptops and desktops handle almost any computer task well. The exceptions being role playing and sport games, computer aided drafting (CAD), movie editing and high end graphic design. A laptop will perform all these functions, but, in general, not as well as a desktop. But for Internet surfing, word processing, email, spreadsheets, basic digital photography, etc, a laptop is a viable alternative to a desktop.

Price vs. performance goes to the desktop. For the same price, you will get more power and flexibility in a desktop unit. Also, desktops are much easier to upgrade or fix than a laptop.

Space obviously goes to the laptop. Laptops rarely weigh over ten pounds and can fit on a surface not much bigger than a piece of paper…or even your lap! Besides a power cable and maybe a printer cable, there aren’t many extraneous wires hanging from the back of a laptop.

Portability also resides with the laptop…the reason for their invention. If you travel and like to stay connected on the road, then a laptop is a must. One overlooked feature of a laptop is ‘local travel’. You can use your laptop in any room in your house, your patio, or even take it with you to the library or coffee shop.

If you do shop for a laptop computer, I recommend getting one with the following minimum features:

1. 14″ screen
2. 512mb of RAM (temporary memory)
3. 40gb Hard Drive
4. DVD/CDRW combo drive
5. Built-in Ethernet and wireless capability

If it sounds like I lean towards laptops, you are correct. Laptops make a lot of sense for many computer users because of the simple setup, portability, and they have dropped in price significantly over the past eighteen months. So, if you are contemplating a new computer purchase, take a strong look at laptops.

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30
Dec 05

Keeping Track of Your Computer Storage

This week?s tip is a prelude to my tip for next week and a follow up from last week?s tip. Following these steps, you can easily keep track of how much space you have on your computer for new documents and programs.

1. Double-click on the ?My Computer? icon on your desktop
2. RIGHT click on your hard drive (labeled C)
3. Click on Properties
4. An easy to read pie chart informs you how much free space and how much empty space you have on your computer

# Hint: Your free space should be equal to or greater than twice the amount of RAM you have on your computer (example: 32 megabytes of RAM = 64 megabytes or greater of free hard drive space)

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30
Dec 05

Keep Your Computer Clean

I am often asked what is the best way to clean a computer. Here’s how to do it safely:

In past tips, we discussed the importance of good air circulation around your CPU (Central Processing Unit)…the big box where you put CD’s and disks. One spot to start your cleaning is looking at the back end of the CPU and make sure that the vents do not contain too much lent and dust. If so, use a can of compressed air to blow the dust and lent away. It is best to keep your computer off when blowing the dust
from it.

If you feel up to the task, opening the CPU case and blowing out the inside of it is helpful as well. Again, shut the computer off first.

Next, just take a slightly dampened cloth and dust the entire case of the CPU. Use the same rag to dust the keyboard and mouse.

Speaking of the mouse, if you don’t have one of the newer optical mice and your mouse has a ball if you turn it over and look at it, then check out this site on how to clean and keep the mouse working well.

If you have the standard CRT type monitors (looks like a TV), then use standard glass cleaner to clean the screen. Or you can use monitor wipes that you can get from any office supply store. For flat panel or laptop screens, I recommend getting LCD panel cleaning materials. Do NOT use glass cleaner on your flat panel.

For more information on keeping your computer clean, do a Google search for “clean computer”.

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30
Dec 05

Is a Cordless, Optical Mouse in Your Future?

The two most used computer peripherals we use get the least amount of respect and thought…the mouse and keyboard. In fact, many of us shop for the cheapest possible mouse or keyboard when it comes to replace our existing one.

If you still use a standard, corded mouse, you might want to strongly consider spending $30-40 on a new optical or cordless, optical mouse. The primary difference between an optical and standard (mechanical) mouse is the absence of the little ball in the standard mouse.

Optical mice use a LED (Light Emitting Diode) to stimulate a CMOS sensor (the same surface found in digital cameras). Essentially, optical mice have mini-cameras in them that take up to 1,500 pictures per second to track and move our computer cursor around the screen. This leads to our first advantage over standard mice…NO moving parts. Standard mice can accumulate dust, fuzz, and other contaminates that lead to jumpy cursors.

Optical mice also offer these advantages over standard mouse:

* More accurate
* No need to use special surface like a mouse pad.
* Can run on almost any surface except glass.

Add the cordless feature to an optical mouse and you have a great little tool to use with your computer…although you will need to keep an eye on battery strength every 3-4 months or so.

One other type of mouse I feel would benefit many computer users is the track ball. A track ball is basically an upside down mouse. Instead of having to move a mouse around your desk or pad, the unit sits in one place and you roll a ball around to control the cursor.

Trackballs are great for computer users who have trouble holding a mouse still or need more accuracy with clicking on icons or selecting text. A trackball allows the user to first move the cursor to the desired location, take the hand off the ball and click separately.

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30
Dec 05

Windows Key Shortcuts

We featured this particular tip about a year ago, but it bears repeating. Also, I discovered a few additions.

The Windows Key (located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on your keyboard) allows you to push it and another key to gain quick access to some Windows utilities and programs. Here are the combos:

* Windows Key + F = Find
* Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer (my favorite)
* Windows Key + R = Run
* Windows Key + M = Minimize all open windows so that you can see your desktop again (Windows Key + D will do the same thing)
* Windows Key + C = Control Panel
* Windows Key + Pause/Break = System Properties
* Windows Key + P = Printers Folder
* Shift+Windows Key + M = Undo minimize all windows
* Windows Key + K = opens Keyboard properties
* Windows Key + I = Open Mouse Properties