Keep your system running clean

It’s easy to become a digital pack rat. However, using all this space on your computer can contribute to slower performance. Here are some tips of how to keep your system clutter free. * Use the Disk Cleanup utility (Windows 98 and Me users) to delete temporary windows and Internet files. * If you use a digital camera or scanner, archive your older images on a ZIP disk or CDR (also important for backups). *...

Drag and Drop

Over the past few weeks, we discussed the usefulness of cut, copy and paste. Another great skill to have at your disposal is “drag and drop”. With very few exceptions, drag and drop requires your mouse. To drag and drop an object, click and hold the left mouse button on the file, object, or text and then move (drag) the mouse to its destination. It is the same exact maneuver computer users use every day to play...

Delete an Email without opening it

A common question I am asked is how to delete an email without opening it first. Keep in mind that if you keep your anti-virus software up to date AND you don’t open suspicious attachments…even from people you know, you will lower your risk factor significantly. To delete email without opening it in Outlook Express follow these steps: 1. Click on View from the menus 2. Click Layout 3. Uncheck the box next...

Cleaning up Headers in Email

This tip was prompted by an email from Jean. She, like many other people, is frustrated with email header information and wanted to learn how to print email without all the headers. This technique will work no matter what email program you are using. The only way to get rid of headers when printing is to follow this procedure: 1. Start your Email session as normal 2. Keep your email open, but now Click on...

Beware of Fraudulent Email

This week I had the unfortunate job of helping a client of mine change email addresses and passwords. Not that the change itself was unfortunate, it was the reason for the change. Earlier in the week, she fell prey to an Internet scam known as ‘phishing’. Phishing starts in our email box. The email looks and almost sounds completely official and usually claims to represent a large company like AOL, Earthlink,...

Attach files to email

Follow these simple guidelines for attaching files to email. 1. First and foremost, pay attention to the size of the files you are sending. As a rule of thumb, try not to send files larger than 750 kilobytes per email. If your files are larger than this, use a compression program like WinZip to make them smaller. 2. Be cognizant of what types of files you are sending. Sending files that are ‘generic’ in format...

Adding a Mail notification sound to your email

OK, I?m going to pick on AOL a little this week. Who believes that ?You?ve got mail!? is not only horrible grammar, but also pretty corny! If you are an AOL user and want to change that sound or are an independent Internet user who uses Netscape, or Outlook Express, Eudora, etc for their mail, this tip will help you add your own customized sound to your email. The first thing you need is a sound file. You can get this one...

When Should You Use the RIGHT Mouse Button?

Many people ask me when is the appropriate time to click the RIGHT mouse button. My short answer is to try it everywhere. The RIGHT mouse button (or secondary mouse button) provides quick access to many common functions via a pop up menu. And those functions change depending on what program you are using and where you are in that program. For example, in almost any application, if you click the RIGHT mouse button, you will...

Recycling Your Old Computer

If you received or bought yourself a new computer during the holidays (or any time), many options are available for the use of your old computer. In addition to passing on a still useful machine, remember that in many cities throwing out old computers or monitors is illegal. First and foremost BEFORE giving away your computer, make sure you purge it of any of your personal information. If your computer came with restore...

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...

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...

CDR vs. CDRW

This week’s newsletter sparked a tremendous amount of email already about the use of CDR/W drives and their use. Specifically, newsletter readers were interested in knowing the difference between CDR and CDRW. In a nutshell, CDRW allows you to use a CD like a floppy disk and copy, delete and recopy files. CDRW’s do NOT work for music CD’s, and are not easily shared with other computer users. CDRW media also...

Give Your Digital Pictures an Artistic Flair

Whether you use a digital camera, scanner, get your film developed on disk, or just collect digital photos from your friends and family via email, learning to work with and edit your photo’s with your computer is great fun. One of my favorite (and easy) tricks to do with digital photos is convert them to black and white. Black and white photos offer a unique perspective and effect to almost any photo but work...

Create a Watermark in Microsoft Word

Believe it or not, the post office is capable of mailing a real letter! Letter writing in this era of email is slowly becoming a lost art. However, if you had some nice stationery to write on, you might be more willing to write letters. Even if you want to ‘write’ your letter on your computer, learning how to do so with some nice self-designed stationery would be nice. Watermarks are the very lightly printed...

Customizing the Windows XP Start Menu Part II

If you RIGHT click on your Start button in Windows XP and click properties, you will be presented with the “Taskbar and Start Menu properties” box.  From here, you can further put your own personal touches on the new Windows XP start menu. Fist click on the “Customize” button next to the Start menu option. From this screen, you can choose either large or small icons for Start menu display, select...