PC Tips

See a 3D Display of Open Apps in Windows 7

2010-04-01T07:48:00.001-07:00

A new feature unique to Windows 7 is the ability to view all open applications in 3D.

Just hold down the Windows key and press the Tab key. Each time you tap the Tab key, a different open application moves to the front of the display.

It's neat. Try it!

How to Block a Website From Your Browser

2010-03-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

Blocking access to certain websites can be important if you have children or if you have a PC that is used by a lot of different people.

An advanced, yet easy way to block a website from access by any web browser follows:

1. Click Start, then Run.

2. Enter the following command line: notepad C:/Windows/System32/drivers/etc/hosts .

3. When the file is displayed, locate the line 127.0.0.1 localhost .

4. To block a particular website e.g. google.com, for example, just add this text under 127.0.0.1 localhost:

127.0.0.1 google.com

127.0.0.1 www.google.com

You can add as many sites as you like, however, you will need to prefix each site with ‘127.0.0.1’ .

5. Once you have entered all the sites you wish to block, be sure to then save the file.

Test Your Internet Connection Speed

2010-03-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder at what speed your internet connection is really running? Wonder no longer. www.speedtest.net provides a free testing service that’s easy and fun to use. It can automatically detect your default broadband server (Tampa area), and also allows you to specify other servers throughout the U.S. and even abroad. It tests both download and also upload speeds, and can be run multiple times in order to observe performance variations during the day.

Stacking PowerPoint Text

2010-03-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Did you know that PowerPoint text or images can be stacked on the same slide and displayed sequentially? This allows more information to be contained on a single slide and, at the same time, presents a cleaner, less-cluttered image.

First, create your images or a text boxes anywhere on the face of the slide. Next, select your first image or text box and use the Custom Animation feature to set the Appear / Emphasis / Exit / Motion-Paths you desire to use. Be sure to also set the Start, Property, and Speed characteristics of each item as well. Then, select the second image or text box and set its custom animation features. Then go to the third item, and so on until you finish.

Finally, move your cursor over each item until it changes into a move-item shape (looks like NSEW arrows), and drag it to the position on the slide you wish it to appear. Then, drag your other items to the same spot and stack them over each other in the order (from first to last) you wish them to appear.

To view the results, click Play at the bottom of the Custom Animation bar. If you don’t like the results, you can use the Reorder arrows or just erase the animation and start over.

Note: While stacked PowerPoint slides can make a neat presentation, they must be viewed in Presentation Format, and can only be printed before stacking.

Office 7 Shortcut Keyboard Commands

2010-01-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

Like to use keyboard-initiated shortcut commands such as Ctrl+B to make words bold or Alt+Z to undo your last action? Office 7 products employ command ribbons instead of the toolbars of Office 3 products. When you press the Alt key, Office 7 presents shortcut keys above the main ribbon tabs Home, Insert, Page Layout, etc... For example, in Word 7, pressing the Alt key will display the letter H above the Home tab and the letter N above the Insert tab. Then, when you press Alt+H, the software will activate the Home tab and show you all of the available command codes for the various options available with that tab. Try it!

Email account over quota

2010-01-08T19:01:00.001-08:00

If a correspondent is using aol, hotmail, yahoo or gmail and your message is undeliverable to them because “their account is temporarily over quota” you may care to remind them their “account” includes inbox, sent items, deleted items, and all their personal folders.

Security Tool virus

2009-12-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

Watch out for a nasty piece of malware going around called Security Tool. It seems that some antivirus programs won’t catch it; worse still, some tools that purport to remove it may be a “rogue” that is itself a virus.

Reduce Printing Costs With Ecofont

2009-12-18T11:38:00.000-08:00

If you print a lot of pages from your computer, you've experienced the high cost of printer ink. One way to reduce ink cost is to use a free, eco-friendly font from Ecofont whenever highest quality is not important.

Ecofont (strang_eco_sans_regular.ttf), based on the popular Verdana font, uses up to 20% less ink, making it ideal for everyday printing.

This free font can be downloaded to your computer from the website www.ecofont.eu/downloads_en.html.

Once the font has been downloaded and you know where it resides on your hard drive, it can be installed into your Fonts Folder as follows:

Click on START, then RUN

Type %windir%fonts, then click OK

On the ensuing file menu, click INSTALL NEW FONT and instruct the installation software where the font to be installed is located.

It will be necessary that the document to be printed is first typed in or converted to ecofont. You might consider setting your default document creation font to ecofont so you don't forget to use it frequently.

Battery Backup

2009-12-07T20:55:00.000-08:00

Battery backup: How many Joules do you need for a battery backup (Uninterrupted Power Supply – UPS). ANS: This is an emergency device to allow you to shut the computer down safely. The number of plug-ins is a factor to consider. You will need a 500 to 550 volt amp unit, which should be large enough except if you have cable service you will need a 650 VA because you will also need a cable adapter. Plug in the CPU and Monitor into the UPS and all other plugs into the surge protector.—SNUG OK

Find a Picture of Your House on the Internet

2009-12-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

Want to see a picture of your house (or most anyone else's) on the internet?

Go to Google Maps and type in the street address in the space provided.

Then press the "Search Maps" button.

When the bird's eye view appears, double click on the address you entered.

In the pop-up window that appears, select the street view for a close up picture of the address selected.

By playing with your cursor, you can move the picture to get a panoramic view of the area.

Print Greener

2009-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Interested in saving paper, ink, money, and trees?

GreenPrint is a free software program that can be downloaded and used to eliminate unwanted graphics, text, or even pages from your next printing project. It is especially useful when printing web-based articles that contain lots of graphics or pages that are of no interest to you.

Go to www.printgreener.com and investigate this eco-friendly tool. View the easy-to-understand tutorials and decide if GreenPrint is right for you.

While you're at it, why not begin using recycled paper and refillable ink cartridges for your routine, everyday printing needs.

5 Ways to Speed Up Your PC

2009-12-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

If it seems that your Microsoft computer has gotten slower since you bought it, it probably has. Computers require periodic maintenance and upkeep if they are perform at their best. Following are 5 commonly used ways to speed up your PC:

1. Free up disk space. The Windows Disk Cleanup utility identifies files that you can safely delete and free up space on your hard drive.

2. Defragment your hard drive. Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility program that consolidates fragmented files and folders into single contiguous space for faster access.

3. Detect and repair disk errors. The Windows Error Checking utility can be used to detect and repair or reassign bad sectors on your hard drive that slow down hard disk performance.

4. Protect your computer against spyware. Spyware is sometimes deposited onto your computer when you visit certain websites. In addition to intruding upon your privacy, it can hamper computer performance and jeopardize the confidentiality of information. You can find many free downloadable anti-spyware programs on the internet. Perhaps your antivirus software already includes spyware protection features.

5. For Vista or Windows 7 users, a built-in OS feature called ReadyBoost can sometimes use a portion of a USB drive's memory to augment storage space and improve system performance.

This Tip was extracted from an article of the same name published by Microsoft Corporation. To view the entire article, go to...

www.microsoft.com/atwork/maintenance/speed.aspx

Quick System info

2009-09-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

If you call tech support for help with a problem, you may be asked how much memory your PC has, or what operating system you have. Answers can be found quickly by simultaneously pressing the Windows Logo key (next to Ctrl) and the Pause/Break key.—Smart Computing

That Delete key

2009-09-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

We all know that when you click Delete, your document goes to the Recycle Bin. But that’s only true if it was on your hard drive in the first place. If you Delete something from elsewhere such as a flash drive, CD, DVD, or external hard drive, it’s Gone, Gone, Gone!—Smart Computing

Disposing of Old Electronics

2009-08-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

If the time has come to dispose of that old TV, cell phone, computer, or any components, first check out http://tinyurl.com/nqxfxb It will help you decide how to go about it, whether you want to sell it, donate it, recycle it or simply scrap it.—Smart Computing [category PC Technology]

Fix a file association

2009-07-17T09:51:00.001-07:00

If you have a file that won’t open properly, or opens in the wrong program, you need to change the “file association” like this: In Windows XP, right-click the file. Select Open With. Find the program you want to use. Or click Browse to find another program. Again, check "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file." Click OK. -- Kim Komando

Microsoft Offer

2009-06-26T08:13:00.001-07:00

Through July 11, 2009 consumers in the U.S. will be able to buy an upgrade copy of Windows 7 Home premium for $49 or Windows 7 Professional for $99. That offer is good for both XP and Windows Vista PCs, regardless of whether someone has been trying out the pre-release version of the operating system. Details…

C-Nile Virus

2009-06-25T09:43:00.001-07:00

From Maxine,
I thought you would want to know about this e-mail virus. Even the most advanced programs from Norton or McAfee cannot take care of this one. It appears to affect those who were born prior to 1960.

Symptoms:
1. Causes you to send the same e-mail twice. done that!
2. Causes you to send a blank e-mail! well crap!
3. Causes you to send e-mail to the wrong person. yep!
4. Causes you to send it back to the person who sent it to you. DUH!
5. Causes you to forget to attach the attachment. well darn!
6. Causes you to hit "SEND" before you've finished.. oh no - not again!
7. Causes you to hit "DELETE" instead of "SEND." and I just hate that!
8. Causes you to hit "SEND" when you should "DELETE." Oh No!

IT IS CALLED THE "C-NILE VIRUS." Hmmm... Have I already sent this to you?

…David.

Plain talk

2009-06-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

Does all that technical computer talk leave you glassy eyed and ready to quit your PC? Fear not, http://asknerd.net has come to the rescue, where your dumb question is answered in non-technical language. Just beware its search engine is not so smart so just give it one keyword to search for, like firewall or password. (Kim Komando)

Windows XP Power Toys

2009-06-08T12:25:00.001-07:00

Those who like to “improve” their PC, should take a look at Microsoft’s XP Power Toys at www.tinyurl.com/553fw6 or read the Smart Computing article April, 2009 p.27. Perhaps you’ll find at least one of these 14 “toys” to be helpful for you.

Free faxes

2009-01-27T17:44:00.001-08:00

Somebody needs you to send them a fax, but you don’t have a fax machine? Why go to Kinko’s, when you can send it right from your PC. Just go to www.faxzero.com and send it for free.

Can't open a program?

2009-01-15T14:06:00.001-08:00

If Windows can’t find a program on your computer to open a file, visit www.fileinfo.net to look up the file extension in question. Enter the extension in the Search box and click Go. You’ll be given plenty of information, including the type of file, how common it is, what category of file it falls under, and programs that can open it. From there, you can decide if you need to acquire that software. – Smart Computing

Top 20 PC lists

2009-01-15T12:32:00.001-08:00

Here are Kim Komando’s four Top 20 lists for 2008. There’s something here for every computer user. – David Henry

Top 20 Tips of 2008
Top 20 Cool Sites of 2008
Top 20 Downloads of 2008
Top 20 Videos of 2008

Browser Quickie

2009-01-08T08:56:00.001-08:00

To pop your cursor into your browser’s Address field, press Alt-D. Love it! – Mr Modem

Automatic online backup

2009-01-01T09:55:00.001-08:00

For all those who just don’t get around to doing backups regularly, and who don’t mind paying to have a service do it automatically for them, go to www.carbonite.com Or, since Kim Komando recommended it, try the risk-free trail at http://www.carbonite.com/ads/kim/signup.aspx?cmpid=RA_Kommando_1

"Quick Tabs"

2008-11-08T15:12:00.001-08:00

Between the Favorites center and the Tabs bar of the Internet Explorer browser is an icon showing four small rectangles. Click it and up pops a small image of each open site on the tabs bar. Cool and handy.

Is your Vista running slowly?

2008-11-04T11:02:00.001-08:00

If so, try this: Start | Control Panel | Hardware and Sound | Power Options and change the setting under Preferred Plans to High Performance. (Mr Modem)

Tabbed browsing trick

2008-11-04T11:01:00.001-08:00

Internet Explorer 7 has a button just to the right of the Favorites and Organize Favorites buttons. It displays thumbnails of all your tabbed browsing windows. (Smart Computing)

Stop unwanted mail in Outlook Express

2008-11-04T10:58:00.001-08:00

Highlight the message in your inbox, click on Message at the top of the page then click on "Block Sender." The next time that person tries to bother you it will automatically end up in your Deleted Items box. (Cyber News)

Expand type in e-mails

2008-10-22T13:46:00.001-07:00

If the type is hard to read in Outlook, or Outlook Express, try holding down the Ctrl key while spinning your mouse's scroll button, if you have one. This also works in Internet Explorer. (SNUG OK)

Made a mistake?

2008-10-22T13:45:00.001-07:00

Made a mistake on your computer? Hold down the CTRL key then tap the Z key. The mistake is gone, and that will work in almost all programs! To restore the previous condition, use Ctrl+Y. (Cyber News)

Enlarge type on websites

2008-10-22T13:43:00.001-07:00

With Version 7 of Internet Explorer, a small control has appeared in the bottom right-hand corner of the window that allows you to expand the window to 125%, 150% etc. Very handy if the type was too small.

Sort your Favorites by name

2008-10-22T13:41:00.001-07:00

All you do is open Internet Explorer and in the top menu bar to the right of View, click Favorites. Point to the first name listed, right click and choose Sort by Name. (Smart Computing)

Clear Type Tuner

2008-10-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

This lets you improve the appearance of type in various fonts. Just Google "clear type fonts" and choose the first result to tune up your fonts right from the web. (Smart Computing)

Frozen Pointer?

2008-10-22T13:35:00.001-07:00

Try clicking the center wheel of your mouse; this sometimes releases the pointer.

Clean up email replies

2008-09-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Look at the message and click reply, reply all or forward.
Now you can edit the message.
Set your insertion point at the beginning of the unwanted addresses and headers.
Hold down the Shift key.
Use the down arrow key to select down to the end of the unwanted stuff.
Let go of the Shift key.
Hit Delete key. Presto! the unwanted stuff is all gone!

Spam reducer

2008-09-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

Highlight a message in your inbox from a person whom you never want to get another email from. Click on Message at the top of Outlook Express, then "Block Sender." (Cyber News)

Instant Help

2008-09-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

Remember, no matter what program you are currently using, the F1 key will instantly bring you a help menu. (Cyber News)

Forwarding Email

2008-09-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

If you want to forward a message that requires you to click through several times to get to it, try the following instead:
Get to it, Click once anywhere in the text, then click Ctrl+A, (selects all the text) then click Ctrl+C, (copies it to the clipboard.) Start a new blank email, then click anywhere in the text area, then click Ctrl+V, (pastes the text into the email) then send it.

Your recipients will appreciate being able to view it with a single click.

How to recover deleted files

2008-09-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

You emptied the recycle bin, then...Oops! Shouldn't have done that! Then try FreeUndelete from www.officerecovery.com If you haven't saved or installed much on your PC since then, there's a good chance FreeUndelete will find your deleted files for you. (Kim Komando)

Dang, I'm printing the whole document...

2008-09-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

...instead of the one page I intended. Then double-click the Printer icon in the System Tray. Right click the document that's currently printing and select Cancel. After a brief pause, the printing will stop. (Smart Computing)

Avoid fuzzy photos

2008-09-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Many people complain that their pictures are out of focus when they use the zoom feature. Most of the time that's because they are holding the camera out in front of them and looking at the LCD which is very unsteady. Instead, look through the view finder. Steady the camera against your head, tuck your elbows into your sides, let your breath out and hold it, and take the picture. You'll find that your pictures will come out much better. Of course for best photos use a tripod. (Cyber News)

Shortcut key

2008-09-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the Shortcut key, located on the right of my keyboard between the Ctrl key and the Windows key. Hit it in most any program and a menu will pop up telling you what you can do next. Go on, just try it!

Changing a file association

2008-09-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

One way to do this is to right-click on the file's icon and select the Open With option from the menu. Click on Choose Program and select the software you want to associate with this type of file. Check the box next to "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" and then click O.K. (NY Times)

Reverse print sequence

2008-09-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Printing of a multi-page document will normally then require you to sort the pages in order. You can have your print program do this for you (printing the last page first) by checking a box in the print dialog called Reverse Pages, or similar.

Resizing images

2008-09-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Feeling that you can't really control the size of your pictures on the monitor or in emails? Then get Microsoft's free Image Resizer (look in the right hand column). Once installed, right click on any image and choose Resize Pictures; it will make a copy of the size you want automatically. -- (Cyber News)

Outlook Express slow?

2008-09-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Things can slow down in Outlook Express and you may wonder why. It's because there's a lot of dead space in your mail folders. With Outlook Express open, click on File, Folder, then Compact all Folders. This will get things up to speed again. (Cyber News)

Make your own Wallpaper

2008-09-06T15:19:00.000-07:00

You can instantly turn any image you find on the Internet into wallpaper by right-clicking the image and clicking Set as Background. (Smart Computing)

Googlemania

2008-09-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Just in case you thought Google was only for searching the Web, hurry on over to

http://www.google.com/options/ to learn about all the other neat things it can do for you.

How to avoid some viruses

2008-09-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

There is a class of virus that can infect your computer by being imbedded(not attached) in graphics within an e-mail. Stop them cold by viewing all e-mails as text-only (no graphics). ln Outlook Express, go to Tools Internet Options Read tab check the box labeled Read all messages in plain text. In Outlook, the default is text only. It may not be so pretty, but it sure is safe.

Return unwrapped software

2008-09-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

In the settlement of a California lawsuit CompUSA, Best Buy and Staples agreed to allow consumers to return unwrapped software for full monetary refunds, even if the shrink-wrap has been opened. Details of the settlement can be found at : http://www.techfirm.com/AmendedComplaint-Filed.pdf (Sue Crane, GTBPCUG)

Finding Text

2008-09-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

To look for a word on a web page, click CTRL+F to find it. To look for a word in an Outlook Express e-mail message, click CTRL+Shift+ F (Jerry Timen)

Windows Key

2008-09-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Windows key sits between Ctrl and Alt on the lowest row of your keyboard. All Windows key combinations are toggles. Reverse the action by hitting the combination again.

Windows key
plus (nothing) - Start Menu
plus D - Go to Desktop
plus E - Go to Windows Explorer
plus F - Find or Search
plus L - Log on to an alternate account

Stickies

2008-09-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

There's a very neat little program at http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/index.html that lets you put "stickies" on your monitor, just like those yellow paper "post-it" notes. Install it and you'll love it. (Donna Gilbert via Frank Zacherl via Larry Spencer)

Daily PC Tip:

2008-09-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

You can get a new PC tip every day! Go to Internet Explorer Help click Tip of the Day. The Tip box also contains a Next Tip button.

Many Tips

2008-09-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Computer and Internet Q&A & Tips at the SeniorNet site are loaded with tips and discussions covering numerous aspects of PC use, and at our level, too!

Disk Cleanup

2008-08-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

One of the best tools for keeping your PC running smoothly is to get rid of unneeded files from your hard disk once a month. In Windows XP, go to Start All programs Accessories System Tools Disk Cleanup, and let it do its thing--it's perfectly safe. And then, do a Disk Defragmentation from the same System Tools folder.

Testing your firewall

2008-08-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Just point your web browser to http://scan.sygate.com/ and click on the black "Scan Now" button. If the result is Unable to determine your system's name and Unable to detect any running services, your firewall is doing its job and you should be safe from crackers.

Maximize Button

2008-08-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

If you find it tough to locate and click the Maximize button in the top right corner of most Windows screens, don't worry; just double-click the Title bar instead. To restore the window, double-click the Title bar again.

Using the Alt key

2008-08-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

Some useful combinations with the numeric key pad:

Alt+0141:
Alt+0162: ¢
Alt+0169: ©
Alt+0188: ¼
Alt+0189: ½
Alt+0190: ¾
Alt+0247: ÷
Alt+Control - locates an otherwise invisible cursor

Google Toolbar

2008-08-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

This handy gadget can be downloaded from here. Stop pop-ups, fill out most forms automatically, and search the web from it.