AOL Users – Find your downloads

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

One common question I get from AOL users is locating files or email attachments they have downloaded. When an AOL user downloads email attachments, by default, they get buried in a sub-folder of the AOL folder. This tip will help AOL folks who have a hard time finding these files.

One easy way to quickly navigate to your AOL download folder is by creating a desktop shortcut…here’s how:

1. Double-click My Computer
2. Double-click the “C” drive (your hard drive)
3. Find your AOL folder and double-click on it (if you are using version 7.0 or greater, you may need to double-click on “Program Files” first). If you have installed the same version of AOL more than once, you will see AOL 5.0b, 5.0c, etc…click on the one with the latest letter)
4. Find the “Download” folder and RIGHT click on it
5. Click Send To –> Desktop as a shortcut from the menu
6. If you don’t have the previous option, you can RIGHT click and drag the folder to your desktop and choose the Create Shortcut Here option

Also, be aware that AOL will automatically compress many email attachments in a ZIP format. If you use AOL 7 or later, when you click on your Download folder shortcut, you will see the compressed file you downloaded, but you will also see a sub-folder of the same name. Double-click on this sub-folder to view the contents of the compressed file.

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Alternative Browser

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Would you like to have your web surfing speed increased? Would you like web sites to pop-up just a little faster? Changing the web browser you use (Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL) will do just that.

This tip does NOT require you to change Internet services. If you use AOL or any other service, that does not change. And whether you connect via a dialup modem (phone line), DSL, cable or other method, this tip applies across the board. The ONLY thing that changes is what program you use to browse the Internet. Lastly, this tip costs you nothing.

Opera is the name of the browser that I am referring to, and it comes all the way from Oslo, Norway. This program has been around for quite a few years, yet has a very small, but loyal, following. Opera takes up only about 25%-50% of the space that Internet Explorer, AOL or Netscape use on your hard drive. Being small and designed for speed makes this browser the speediest you will ever use.

There are two versions; the free one (supported by small unobtrusive banner ads) and a non-ad one for $39. I have been using the free version off and on for more than four years and almost exclusively the past year. You can download and learn more about by clicking here: Opera Web Browser 

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All Search Results are NOT Created Equally

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

When you click on a link provided by a search engine for a medication you are taking or maybe a popular TV show, there is a good chance that you may end up at a site packed with spyware and/or viruses ready to pounce on your computer.

In this week’s tip, I don’t want to rant about viruses and spyware or even the nuances of searching. All of these topics are thoroughly covered here at the web site. Instead, I want to point out some general tips and ideas and to keep in mind when searching the web…regardless of which search engine you choose.

Spelling is paramount. The degenerates who spread filth make a living on taking advantage of our spelling mistakes. Google helps by ‘suggesting’ a corrected spelling on occasion, but don’t rely on it.

  • If your browser has various search toolbars installed, don’t use them! Unless, it is one YOU installed like Google or Yahoo. If you didn’t install any of them, then you have bigger problems with spyware…another topic.
  • Use an alternative browser like Firefox or Opera.
  • When looking at the search engine’s findings:
    • Take a moment to look at the short description of the site found BEFORE clicking. Unscrupulous web designers will use tricks to get their site to appear towards the top of the search results.
    • NEVER click on a search result whose web address looks like numbers (i.e. http://63.175.50.100/)
  • If you arrive at a site and get questionable pop-up ads, immediately close your browser window and any other pop-ups that came up. Next, disconnect from the Internet and run your anti-spyware programs.

Before searching for information, consider using known resources to start your search. For example, if you are looking to answers to medical questions, start at a reputable site like webmd.com. And also remember, that our archives contain hundreds of pre-screened links for computer tips, medical sites, bargain and shopping sites and much more!

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Windows XP User Picture

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Windows XP reached its first birthday last month. Yet, as with all other versions of Windows, learning all the tricks takes a lot of time OR just listening to my show and reading the Tip of the Week!

If you use Windows XP and use the default ‘two column’ Start menu, then you see your Windows user name and picture at the top of the menu. The stock pictures that come with Windows XP include a frog, cat eye, butterfly, space ship and more. They are nice enough pictures, but hardly representative of our individual personalities. Follow the steps below to change your user name and the user picture at the top of the Windows XP Start menu:

1. Click the Start button
2. Click on the picture next to your name at the top of the Start menu
3. In the User Account window that opens, click “Browse for more pictures”
4. This will open the “My Pictures” folder where you can add your own picture (if you don’t have any photos in “My Pictures” click in the Look in box and navigate to your photos
5. Click on the photo you want to use
6. Click Open
7. If you want to change your name as well, click Change my name or simply close the window
8. Click on the Start button and admire your new picture!

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Windows XP Printing

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Over the past year, I have pointed out many of the great features of Windows XP. One more to add to the list is the improved printing engines added to XP.

In particular, I really like that XP prints the last page first and the first page last for documents that span two or greater pages. You might think that this seems backward, but think about it for a moment. When you print with Windows 95/98/Me, you have to take the documents out of the printer and then manually order them. By Windows XP printing the ‘last’ page first, the document comes out of your printer already perfectly in order!

This works for any type of printer that prints and then spits out the page print side up. Laser printers that print and then spit the paper out face down will not experience any changes.

Now, if you are the type that likes to manually sort your pages, you can turn this feature off by doing the following:

1. Click Start –> Control Panel
2. Click Printers and other hardware (or Printers and Faxes, if you are viewing the Control Panel in “Classic” view)
3. Click View Installed Printers
4. RIGHT Click on your printer
5. Click Properties
6. Click the Advanced tab
7. Uncheck the “enable advanced printing features” box
8. Click OK

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Windows XP Makes Computing Easier

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

When Microsoft released the latest version of Windows in October ’01, one of the most touted features was its redesigned user interface. The press and reviewers of the software initially called the interface “Fisher Price” like, but after working with the operating system over the past four months, I have come to appreciate some of the new usability features.

Some basic computing functions like renaming, copying, and even deleting files remain elusive to many computer users. The new “Explorer Bar” that runs vertically along almost every window in Windows XP addresses the problem quite admirably. For example, in the My Documents folder (or any other folder for that matter), one click buttons along the left side of the window offer easy access to functions such as moving, copying, printing, deleting, and even emailing files.

When a file is highlighted, you can also view details of the file like the date it was last edited, the size of it and even the program that created the file.

Remember that Windows XP won’t run on just any computer, but if you purchase a new computer and give XP a chance, you will find yourself enjoying and being more productive with your computing.

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Windows XP Look and Feel

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Recently, I read an article that described the new Windows XP color and icon scheme as “Fisher-Price” like…you know, the toy company. It made me chuckle and has some truth to it.

I happen to be ok with the new change, but you may not. If you aren’t, you can easily revert back to the traditional Windows colors and icons by:

1. RIGHT Click on the desktop
2. Click on Properties
3. Choose Windows Classic as your theme
4. Click Apply
5. Click OK

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Windows Update? Yes, you should…

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

When Windows XP was released nearly two years ago, it was hailed as a ‘self-healing’ operating system (via the Windows Update system). Two years later, it has, in my humble opinion, held its own as a stable, fast operating system. However, Microsoft remains a large target for the tech degenerates of the world to launch assaults upon. And when these ingrates go after Microsoft, they unfortunately take many of us along for the ride.

That’s my soap box for the week. Where this all relates to this week’s tip of the week lies in the updates that are made available for Windows that help thwart these attacks. These updates arrive on our computers through the Windows Update program. You should see a little globe pop up near your system clock when updates are available. Don’t just ignore the little globe, click on it and install the updates that have been presented.

If you are not receiving this automatic updates, then make sure your system is set to receive them by:

1. RIGHT click on the My Computer icon
2. Click Properties
3. Click the Automatic Updates tab
4. Make sure the box that says “keep my computer up to date…” is checked
5. Choose the way you want the updates delivered in the next box
6. Click Apply and OK

In addition to keeping Windows updated, also make sure you are running an anti-virus program (AND keeping it updated at least bi-weekly). And if you use high speed Internet, also use a firewall. Taking these steps helps insure that your system does continue to operate with minimal interruptions.

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Windows Tools that Moved

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Windows XP has been with us almost eight months now and XP users are starting to request some XP specific tips. Don’t let it be said that I’m not responsive to my listeners requests (I welcome and consider them all).

If you are using the new Windows XP and have been looking for some old favorite tools from your Windows 95/98 days, read onward my friend.

I use Windows Explorer probably more than any other tool in Windows. In previous versions of Windows, it was located in the Programs menu. With Windows XP (and Me, by the way), you have to dig in the Accessories menu to find it. Of course, you can always get to it in any version of Windows, including XP, via the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut.

How about Scan Disk? Scan disk has changed in Windows XP and is now called “Error Checking”. To access it:

1. Click Start –> My Computer OR double-click on My Computer from the desktop
2. RIGHT click on your hard drive (C)
3. Click Properties
4. Click the Tools tab
5. Click the Check Now button

One last note for XP users. The Registry Checker tool featured in last week’s tip is not available in XP. XP considers itself ‘self-healing’ and does not require some of the same tools we used in earlier versions of Windows.

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Using the Resource Meter

Posted on December 30, 2005 by Rick

Lack of memory can cause many of the most common computer problems. Learn how to keep track of your computer memory and what to do about it using the Resource Meter. 

Windows 98 and Me usually have this feature installed by default. You can find the resource meter by clicking on Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools –> Resource Meter

Windows 95 users may need to install the feature by going to the Control Panel –> Add/Remove Programs –> Windows Setup –> Accessories.

Once started, you will see a little green indicator in your  system tray by the clock. Float your mouse over it to see a readout of available memory. You need to only concern yourself with the first number (System). If this number falls below 50%, you increase your chances of lockups, illegal operations and other unwanted side effects. So, save your work and restart your computer when this number falls below fifty.

If you want to have the program start up automatically with your computer, then drag the Resource Meter icon to the Startup folder in Programs.

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