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Font management

Fonts are the different typefaces that we can choose when we create word processing documents, newsletters and other computer-generated documents. 

I am willing to wager that most computer users only use about a dozen different fonts.  However, there are over 400 different fonts installed on many computers today.

These fonts utilize precious computer memory resources and also increase computer boot time.  In this week’s tip, I will share with you how to better manage your fonts so that you can release some of your computer resources and decrease the time your computer takes to boot up.

Lose the ads in the Netscape Messenger (email) Preview Pane

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 Edit 

7. Type or copy and paste the following line into the file: user_pref("mailnews.start_page.enabled", false); 

Windows XP Makes Computing Easier

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.

Take Advantage of Window’s Folder Views

Viewing files and their attributes works great in all version of Windows IF you know hot to take advantage of the different folder views. It makes managing and searching through your files much easier.

In all versions of Windows, you can view files in List, Icon, Tile, or Details view. With Windows XP, you can view files in Thumbnail view or Filmstrip view for pictures.

  • Tile view shows an icon representing the program used to create or open the file, type of document and size of document

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 to “Show Preview Pane”
4. Click OK

Now you have to double-click on messages to read them, but you can delete messages without them opening

Digital Cameras

The Photo Marketing Association show was last week in Orlando, Florida and there were dozens of new cameras announced for the consumer level. If you have been putting off purchasing a new camera because you wanted to wait for the latest models, now is the time to consider making that purchase. This is also a great time to buy the older models at a closeout price.

Here are the important features that you want to look for:

Megapixels – The higher the megapixel, the larger you can print your images AND the more you can crop out of the photo and still get a sharp image. With a six megapixel image you can make a 5×7 out of a quarter of the image, by comparison you can’t print an entire two megapixel image any larger than 5×7. However, megapixels don’t make the camera, there are some crummy 6 megapixel cameras on the market.

Optical Zoom – I would be willing to argue that this is the most important feature on a digital camera. The more powerful the optical zoom, the better you can compose the shot. Powerful optical zoom also allows you to take close up pictures from farther away. This can make for great candid and wildlife shots.

Print your Word document on one page

If you have a letter or some other document you typed in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000, and you want to print it on a single page then this tip will save you some time and frustration.

Before I discovered this feature, I would adjust the margins, shrink the font and make other formatting changes to make my letters fit on one page. Thankfully, one of the more useful additions to Word 97 and Word 2000 is the ability to shrink a document to one page automatically. Here’s how.

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1. Type and edit your document as normal
2. Click on File, then Print Preview
3. Click on the “shrink to fit” icon