Add folders to Picasa’s index

When you first install Picasa, it asks if you want to scan your entire computer or just your My Documents folder for pictures. If you select one option but change your mind, you can add more folders or subtract folders to the Picasa index by doing the following: 1. Click on FILE 2. Click on Add Folders to Picasa 3. Select a file then click on the "Always Scan" bullet at the side. 4. Click OK and it will scan all the...

Export your PST folder

Lately I have seen several people who use Microsoft Outlook to manage their calendar, email, memos and to do lists. Microsoft Oultook is similar to the Outlook Express program that comes with all Windows computers, but it adds more features. It is essentially a Franklin Planner for your computer. One of the great things about Microsoft Outlook is that it is so easy to backup everything at once, you just have to go through a...

Xatshow Slideshow & Screensaver Creator

Xatshow: create slideshows and screensavers with ease!! Xatshow is a freeware program. It can be downloaded through the following link: Xatshow.com Although the program is free – there is a more robust version which can be purchased for $39 or $99 for free upgrades for life! If you get lost in the program, you can visit the support page at xat.com for great FLASH tutorials and other help. Since the Xat...

Lose the ads in the Netscape Messenger (email) Pre...

Here is how to get rid of those email ads from Netscape: 1. Click on Start –> Find –> Files or folders  2. Type: *prefs.js in the "find" box  3. Make sure the Look in box says My Computer  4. Click Find now  5. The search should yield at least two files (depends on how many profiles you have set up in Netscape)  6. RIGHT click on each of the files and click...

Use Email Filters to Organize Email

If you receive more than a few email per day, you could probably benefit from using email filters. All major email programs can be used to look at your email as it comes in and then shift it to a designated folder or even delete it. Before starting to use a filter, set up some email folders to organize your messages. Simply having an Inbox that collects all incoming mail can be cumbersome to work with and makes it easy to...

Stop the Windows password screen

Follow either of these techniques to get rid of the Windows logon password (it doesn’t provide any type of security any way). I’m going to give a couple of ways to go about it, because it can be quirky and not work the same way on every machine (imagine that). Technique 1: 1. Click on Start–>Settings –> Control Panel 2. Double-click on the Passwords icon. 3. Click the Change Passwords tab and...

Remove Password at Startup

Are you annoyed by a ‘password’ screen that starts up every time you start your computer? Did you know that this password affords you NO extra security what-so-ever? Well, if you are itching to get rid of it, here’s how: 1. Click on Start –> Find –> Files or Folders 2. Type: *.pwl in the named box 3. Click in the Look In box and choose My Computer 4. Make sure the Include...

Organize Files with Windows XP Move function

Organize Files with Windows XP Move function Use this tip to quickly and easily move your files (documents, music, pictures) from one folder to another on your computer. Once you master this tip, you will be able to organize your digital files with confidence. You can also use the tip to copy digital photos from a memory card or CD to your hard drive. Open the folder or drive containing the files (pictures, music,...

Make Windows XP Thumbnails Larger

Windows XP brought many new and useful features to computer users. Digital photographers benefited greatly with the roll out of Windows XP nearly three years ago. One of my favorite features is the ‘thumbnail’ view in my photo folders. Thumbnails allow you to see mini pictures instead of just file names. Windows Me had this feature albeit not as elegantly implemented as in XP. To view your photos in thumbnail...

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). *...

Finding Files You Thought Were Lost

Windows contains a powerful search agent to look for those lost treasures. Follow these steps to find your lost files. Click Start Click Find Click Files or Folders In the Named box, type any part of the file name you lost Make sure that the Look In box says My Computer and the box is checked to include Subfolders Click on Find Now The results will appear below the find box NOTE: When you find your file, before opening...

Save Files to your ZIP, CDR/RW or other Removable ...

First, create a shortcut to your drive on the desktop following these steps: 1. Double-click on My Computer 2. Drag the icon of your removable disk to the desktop 3. When you let go of the mouse, the computer will inform you that you can’t move the item there, but would you like to create a shortcut…answer ‘yes’ Now that you have the icon for you drive in place, you can simply drag and drop...