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Computer Tips

Print Preview Revisited

I have a couple of tips related to this topic on the site that I will link later, but this feature is important to keep in mind when creating documents you want to print. Print Preview also comes in handy when printing out documents that you aren’t sure how they will look printed; like spreadsheets and web pages. If something doesn’t look quite right, you can then close the preview window and click into the Page Properties from the File menu to adjust margins or paper size and orientation before previewing again.

Here are two tips related to conserving a little paper, ink and time that you can find on the site:

Remember the size of your program windows

Sometimes Windows forgets what size you like your application Windows to open up with when you start them. To get Windows to remember your preferences, follow these steps:

  1. Open your program
  2. Manually resize the Window using by clicking on the edge of your window and stretch it to the size you desire
  3. Now click File —> Close (or exit) from the menus

When you re-start the program, it should remember your preference.

 

Proper Cleaning of your LCD (flat panel) Monitor

Flat panel monitors make a wonderful addition to any computer. However, they do require more special care when cleaning than traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. CRT monitors all have a glass front. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors, on the other hand, have a much softer face…almost membrane like. Because of this, LCD monitors are much more prone to being damaged from being touched and poked.

Rule #1:  Never touch an LCD monitor with your fingers or poke them with any object. Permanent damage can result.

CRT monitors can be cleaned in a myriad of ways because of their glass exterior. You can use water, glass cleaners, or just about anything that you would use on your windows at home. LCD monitors should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals of any type. Instead, if a liquid must be used, use only water or water mixed with a little rubbing alcohol. Some people even recommend diluted vinegar as well.

Rule #2:  Never spray any liquid directly onto a LCD monitor. Instead, use a soft cotton cloth and apply the liquid to it first.

When cleaning any kind of glass surface, it is common and acceptable to use circular motions and any number of cleaning rags are acceptable. As you probably guessed by now, LCD monitors are different. ONLY use soft, clean cotton cloths or special made LCD screen wipes that can be found in electronic or office stores.

Rule #3:  When cleaning your LCD monitor, do not rub in a circular pattern. Instead, use a side-to-side motion or up and down. And even then try to move your rag in only one direction. For example, wipe from left-to-right only or top-to-bottom.

LCD monitors can last a long period of time and provide you with excellent images IF you follow the simple precautions above to keep it clean.

Find and Replace

One often overlooked feature in word processing programs like Word, WordPerfect and even Microsoft Works is the Find and Replace function. It is used to locate and replace a frequent use of a word with a different word in a document. You might use it if you right contracts, leases or some other long document and need to make a quick change. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open your document in your word processor
  2. Click Edit –>Replace from the menus
  3. Type a word or phrase in the "Find"  box
  4. Type the word or phrase that you want to replace the found word with in the "Replace" box
  5. Click Replace All

That’s it! Give it a try the next time you need to make a few adjustments in a document. 

Choose local Internet providers for DSL

No one likes to sit on hold waiting for ‘customer support’. DSL high speed Internet is growing rapidly because of increased availability from the phone companies and it is inexpensive. However, many computer users choose to get the service through the phone company (which in turn is provided by big guys like MSN or AOL) or they choose to upgrade their dial-up service with their existing large national Internet provider.

DSL offers the opportunity to cut the ties with the large national chains and get your Internet provided by your local Internet company. Part of DSL monies still go to the phone company, but technical support is handled by your local provider. Local DSL providers offer some distinct advantages:

Warning: External Hard Drives

One of my mantra’s over the years is about backup. Over the past few days, I have been working for a newer customer who hasn’t heard my sermons.

He had a "computer expert" setup an extremely complex home network and a NAS (Network Attached Storage) backup system. None of this is out of the ordinary. However, unfortunately, this was the only backup the customer had. Last week, his external hard drive failed. All of his important data existed on that drive that was seemingly lost.

External hard drives use the same hard drives we have in our computers with an added few components to allow the drive to function independent of a computer. Problem is that a hard drive is a hard drive…moving parts and all. Moving parts eventually fail and power can quit as well. These increasingly inexpensive devices work fine as a secondary backup…but should never by your primary drive.

Windows XP Repair Option

I was ‘back in the saddle’ today after a hiatus last week for spring break with my kids. Helped a client out with a problem that, fortunately, isn’t too common, but common enough that it warrants its own tip. It applies to Windows XP only and you might need to try using it if you cannot boot your computer up to anything other than the startup menu screen (where you get the option to start in Safe Mode…see picture).

If after turning on and off your computer a few times to try and get your desktop to come up, AND you can’t get into Safe Mode using the menu shown, AND using the "Last known good configuration" option don’t work, try these steps:

Backup Outlook Express Email

The most reliable way is to search your computer for *.dbx files using Start –> Search. Make sure you check the option to search for hidden folders and files. Then backup any of the dbx files.

To restore these files on a new computer or new installation, Start Outlook Express, Click File –> Import –> Messages. Follow the wizard and choose Outlook Express 6 as the type of email you are importing, then click Browse to where you saved the original files.  

Shareware and Freeware – March 2006

We haven’t covered this topic since 1999!

Shareware is software that you can "try before you buy". The developer usually provides the program for free of charge with either some features disabled or a time limit on how long the product can be used. To unlock all the features or use the program past its expiration date, you must pay for a registration number. This type of marketing works quite well for developers who make good products.

Freeware is software that you can use for no cost at all. Developers providing this software usually create the program to either fill a niche or jus practice creating new programs.

Programs by small developers can be found for almost any purpose you need. Everything from organizing pictures to creating labels and from recording music to changing wallpaper. The only places I recommend hunting for and downloading freeware and shareware are:

Download.com
Tucows.com
Nonags.com
Palm Gear (for Palm Pilot users)

Successful Searching of the Internet

All too often I hear comments like "I can’t find anything on the Internet" or "I’m afraid of getting viruses from the Internet" or "Where do I start". In today’s meetings, we discussed some tried and true methods of searching the Internet successfully and easily.

Google is the current king of web searching and should be your first stop to start any search.

Boolean searching is probably the single best methodology to learn to improve your searching skills. Here’s how it works in a nutshell: