Deep Cleaning Temporary Files in Windows XP

Temporary files are used by our computers to provide behind the scenes speed and function. When we use any program from Solitaire to programming a database, our computers are performing hundreds or thousands of duties behind the scenes…creating, modifying, and sometimes deleting files. The files left behind are known as temporary files. Temporary files are just that; temporary and expendable. Thousands of them can stack...

Print Envelopes with One Click – Video Tip

Using Microsoft Word and a little customizing of the Word toolbar, this tip will get you printing envelopes easily. If you write business letters with the recipient’s address in the body of the message, Word will pick up the address and insert it into your envelope when you use the envelope tool. Click on the Tools menu and then Envelopes and Labels. From there, you can print your envelope and set your default return...

You can change your Internet Home Page – Vid...

When you buy a new computer, the Internet browser comes pre-configured with a home page (first web site you see when you start your web browser). For PC’s, it is usually MSN. For Mac’s it is Apple.com. If you download Firefox (which everyone should be using), its default home page is a Firefox branded Google page. Sometimes your Internet provider’s web site takes over as your home page if you run one of...

Watch for check boxes when installing all software

When it comes to installing new software programs I have two rules that should get you through the process and keep you out of trouble. 1. When in doubt, click on the affirmative (Next, OK, Finish, I Agree, etc). 2. ALWAYS WATCH FOR CHECK BOXES! The second rule is becoming more important as search engines and other sites that provide ad-sponsored services promote themselves by partnering up with other software companies....

Learning a new computer

I have spent more than 10 years helping computer users get the most out of their computers. Without hesitation, I can say that the biggest obstacle any computer user encounters is change (which is precisely why I can’t figure out what Microsoft was thinking with Vista and Office 2007). One of the most common services I provide computer users is setting up new systems. No matter how much I try and duplicate the old...

Quickly resizing photos with Windows Vista –...

Web designers, eBay sellers, and other folks who need to quickly and painlessly resize large digital photos had an excellent option in Windows XP. (See our tip: An Easier Way to Resize Your Digital Photos). However, that little utility doesn’t work any longer with Windows Vista. I’ve devised a little workaround that works, albeit not perfect. Here’s how: Open the folder where the photos you want to resize...

How to know if you have spyware

If the popups and sudden system slowdown aren’t sufficient indicators, here are two other ways to tell that you have spyware. 1. Tons of toolbars in Internet Explorer 2. More than 10 items in the system tray by the clock Special thanks to my client who unknowingly contributed material for this video which I recorded with my cell phone. ...

Create a docked Quick Launch bar in Windows Vista ...

One of my favorite tips to teach people is the use of the Quick Launch bar (click here for the tip for all other versions of Windows) for always having your most commonly needed files or programs at your ready. Microsoft made the process harder to accomplish in the new Vista, but it can still be done. Here's how: RIGHT Click on a blank part of your desktop. Click New —> Folder Push Enter on your...

Open Multiple Home Pages with Mozilla Firefox OR I...

Now that Internet Explorer has caught up (sort of) with modern browsers, I wanted to point out yet another function of tabbed browsing (click here for the popular and informative tabbed browsing tip ). If you like to check multiple sites every day or maybe use your browsing sessions for research, let your browser do some of the work for you by opening multiple pages at the same time. Mozilla Firefox Open the first page you...

Email Preview Button in Outlook Express – Vi...

This tip evaded me for many years, but now you can benefit from its use. The tip works in any versions of Windows including Windows Vista's Windows Mail. When asked how to delete a message without opening it in Microsoft Outlook Express, I traditionally answered by directing the computer user to the View menu (See Tip #156). This works, but if you want to turn the Preview back on you have to go through the same number of...

Create a new toolbar in Windows – Video Tip

Desktop icons are great to access commonly used programs and files, but I have found an even faster way to access those commonly used programs and keep my desktop a little cleaner at the same time. After following the outlined steps below, you will have an orderly toolbar that contains easy one-click access to your favorite programs or files: RIGHT Click on your Taskbar (next to the Start button) Click...

Are you missing the Menu bar in Internet Explorer ...

Actually, Microsoft designed the new browser that way so that there is more room for browsing. However, if you want the menu bar (the one with File, Edit, View, Favorites, etc) back, follow these steps:   Start Internet Explorer Press and release the Alt key on your keyboard The menu bar will be visible, Click the View menu option Click Toolbars Click Menu Bar That will do it. You can't move the menu bar above...

Accessing Thunderbird via Firefox (or other email ...

We had an email today from a listener who was looking for a way to access his Thunderbird (email program) from Mozilla Firefox. This is a feature that was found in previous versions of Firefox but is strangely absent from Firefox 2.0. We found a nice little extension that resolves this problem . This extension brings back the email button that was an option for your Firefox toolbar. Clicking this button invokes whatever...

Easily create labels with Microsoft Word

Printing labels can save you a lot of time and energy IF you approach the job correctly. Since Microsoft Word is still the leading word processor, I will discuss how to print labels with it. Today's tip will not discuss Mail Merge, as that is another can of worms for another day. For printing mail merge style labels, refer to this tip . This tip will help you print a single label or a full sheet of labels with the same...

Amazing Photoshop Elements: Toolbox

The Amazing Photoshop Elements Toolbox There are so many wonderful things you can do with Photoshop Elements. You will find many of our tips in our notes from previous meetings. Photoshop Elements Part I Photoshop Elements Part II Photoshop Elements Part III This time we will spend most of our time discussing the Magical Photoshop Elements Toolbox. There are three kinds of tools in the Toolbox: Hover your mouse over any area...