The AI Help Desk Archives
Q: How do I set my computer's clock?
A: To set the time, just double-click the clock in your system tray (your system tray is located on your taskbar, opposite your Start button). A "clock screen" will be displayed. You'll see a box under an analog-looking clock where you can click on the hour, minute, or second. Either type in the correct time or use the little up and down arrows to do so. That's it.
SPECIAL CHARACTERS
Have you ever been working on a document and had to insert a special character that's not found on your keyboard? You know, stuff like a degree symbol, a small square (checkbox), or copyright symbol (a small list, but it gives you the idea).
Here's How: Click the Start Button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools - Select Character Map.
You'll be presented with a screen that has lots of different symbols. When you click (and hold) a symbol, it gives you an enlarged preview of it.
To actually select the symbol:
Click the symbol you want
Click the Select button, then the Copy button.
This will copy your symbol onto the clipboard where you can then paste it into any word processor. Some word processors give you direct access to the character map. In Word for example, click the Insert menu and select Symbol... You will be given a "customized" screen that can automatically insert a symbol into your current document.
Finally, if you find yourself using a particular symbol all the time, check out the lower right hand corner of the above window (on the status bar) it gives you a keystroke combo you can use to generate the current character.
Q: How can I shut down two or three open programs quickly, but leave the rest running?
A: The fastest way to close multiple programs is to hold down the CTRL key as you click their buttons on the taskbar. Then, right-click (still holding down the CTRL key) one of those depressed buttons and select Close from the resulting menu. Note that you can also minimize, maximize, restore, cascade, or tile these windows using this technique.
SELECTION SAVVY
Ever need to make more than one choice in a list box? (A list box is basically an item by item list. You've probably seen them on web pages or in computer programs you've used.)
Here's how:
Click the first item on the list you would like to have selected.
Next, while holding down the SHIFT key, click the last item you would like selected.
That's it, the first and last selected items are now highlighted, as well as everything in between.
OK, so what if you just need specific items selected, not whole sections?
That's easy too. Hold down the CTRL key while making your selections. As long as the CTRL key is down, you can click select individual items on in a list box.
Note that not all list boxes support multiple selections. You can experiment with this technique using the list of e-mails in your inbox with a program like Outlook Express.
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
THIS WEEK'S LINKS:
http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020307/n0778549_1.html - HP will replace power cords.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20020305/wr_nm/tech_microsoft_dc_2 - Microsoft to repay overcharged MSN subscribers.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nf/20020304/tc_nf/16592 - Online privacy is dead - now what?
http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/ - Have a little fun with some neat games.
THIS WEEK'S DOWNLOAD:
http://www.adcsoft.com/bjigsaw.html - Download an evaluation copy of B-Jigsaw. If you decide not to buy, you will still have 10 days of use.
Until next week,
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine
WHAT IS "MULTITASKING?"
You see that guy over in the next cubicle trying to drink coffee, answer the phone, and read his e-mail? Well, he's multitasking, or doing several operations at the same time. Windows does this too, although it usually doesn't dump the afore mentioned coffee in its lap when the boss walks by.
Windows basically rotates CPU time between programs when it mulitasks. One program gets some CPU time, then another, until all your little programs have finished what they're doing. (You would need multiple CPUs to actually have the computer do two things simultaneously. This is called multiprocessing)
Anyhow, there are basically two types of multitasking, preemptive and cooperative. Here's the scoop on how they work:
Preemptive: The operating system controls the multitasking and determines how much time each program gets to spend with the CPU. Used with Win 95 and up.
Cooperative: The programs themselves control CPU time. Typically a program will use the CPU for as long as it needs it then turn control back over to the other programs. Used with Win 3.x.
PROGRAM ARRANGEMENTS
If you would like to change the order of the programs in your Programs menu (Start button, Programs), you'll be glad to know it's easy as drag and drop. Here's how:
Click the Start button, Programs.
Once you're in the programs menu, click and hold the icon next to the item you would like to move.
While holding the mouse button down, move the item up or down the menu, you'll see a black line showing where you can drop the item as you move it.
If this doesn't work, you probably don't have active desktop installed (in other words, you gotta have IE 4.0 or better).
EASY SCROLLING (Internet Explorer)
Here's a quick little trick with MS Internet Explorer's scroll bar.
Most of us actually grab the scroll bar when we go to scroll down the length of a web page (well, unless you have one of those little scroll mice). A better way is to right-click the scrollbar. A little menu will pop up that's chock full of scrolling options. Give it a try. It's kind of fun.
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
THIS WEEK'S LINKS
http://www.paessler.com/index.htm - Download IE Booster, a freeware collection of tools that extend the context menu of the web browser MS Internet Explorer (version 5 and up).
http://ivillage.nesteggz.com - Need some coupons?
http://www.freecartridges.com/ - Need replacement printer cartridges?
http://www.unbeatabledeals.com - Free software....you pay only S&H.
Until next week,
"I have a spelling checker
It came with my PC;
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I've run this poem threw it,
I'm sure your pleased too no,
Its letter perfect in it's weigh,
My checker tolled me sew."
--Janet Minor
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ZIP DRIVE, A CD-R DRIVE AND A CD-RW DRIVE?
Probably the easiest way to explain it would be to define each of them:
1. Zip Drive - A zip drive is basically a floppy drive on steroids. The disks work in the same manner as a regular 3.5" floppy disk, except they can store up to 100 MB. A 3.5 floppy can only store 1.4MB. In case you're wondering, no, you can't stick a zip drive into your 3.5" floppy drive and expect it to work. In fact, you would have to insert it with the assistance of a hammer :) If you wanna use Zip disks, you'll need a Zip drive. Oh, and Zip drive should not be confused with Zip files!
2. A CD-R is a writable CD, meaning you can record data to the CD. Works just like a regular CD ROM drive otherwise. Although you can add data to a CD-R, you can't delete data from it. Once it's there, it's there. Most CDs hold 675 meg of info.
3. CD-RW- Same as a CD-R except you can re-write the CD. So, you can remove old files, and add new ones if you like. The only disadvantage to this over the CD-R is the disks are generally more expensive.
That's it. One more hint on CDs though. If you're using any type of CD-R/RW make sure you buy good quality disks. Cheap disks don't work in every CD player (trust me, I found out the hard way). How do you know good disks from bad? Usually if you go with a name brand, you'll be OK. I've had good luck with Sony & Verbatim CD-Rs.
EVER HAVE TOO MANY OPEN WINDOWS?
So many that you're not sure which button is which on your taskbar? An easy way to switch between them is to hit ALT-TAB. A small box will pop up with icons for all the currently open programs (even settings windows that don't display on the tool bar - like display properties for instance).
Simply hit TAB (keeping ALT pressed down) until the window you're looking for is highlighted. Notice that as you tab, the title bar information is displayed below the icons. Oh, also - hold down the ALT & SHIFT key while hitting TAB to go backwards through the list. Open a couple of programs and try it. Happy hunting :-)
I ACCIDENTALLY BLOCKED A SENDER WITH OUTLOOK EXPRESS. HOW CAN I UNBLOCK HIM?
First, for those who don't know, you can block senders with most e-mail software (when you "block" someone all their e-mail gets deleted as it comes in). When you block a sender, it automatically deletes any e-mail coming from them. In Outlook Express, just hit the Messages menu, Block Sender to block the currently selected e-mail - don't try this now though, or you'll accidentally block our newsletter!
OK, so how do you unblock someone you've accidentally blocked? In Outlook Express, hit the Tools menu, Message Rules, Blocked Senders. Just highlight the person you want to unblock and hit the "remove" button.
PS - Most other e-mail software will allow you to block people - either using a similar method or by using "filters". You can set these filters to automatically send messages to the recycle bin if you like.
PEEK-A-BOO WINDOWS
Ever have a window that has wandered partially off-screen? Not a big problem, unless you can't get to the title bar to move it. For example, what do you do if you have a window that gets its title bar hidden above the TOP of the screen? (It happens, sometimes due to a system error, sometimes due a change in screen resolution.) The problem is, you can't grab the title bar with your mouse to move the window. Don't worry, there's an easy way to move the darn thing. Here's how:
1. Make sure the window has focus (i.e. it's the active window).
2. Next, click ALT-SPACE, then press the letter "m".
3. Now, use your arrow keys to move the window back to where you want it.
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/ - If you enjoy scrapbooking, you will like this site.
http://www.wuzupgod.com/sept11/sept11_memorial_worldwide.html - Remembering 911.
http://www.prestigepages.com/lightswtc.jpg - Lovely photo of the memorial lights at the WTC.
http://geocities.com/closeiex/ - Download "Close IEx," a great way to close your browsers and all those annoying pop-ups.
Until next week,
"640K ought to be enough for anybody." - Bill Gates, 1981 (Yeah right, then why does his new Windows version need at least 4MB of it?)
E-MAIL ETIQUETTE
PLEASE DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. IT'S HARD TO READ AND IS THE EQUIVALENT TO SHOUTING. I know, some of you think it's easier to read, but I don't make the rules, I'm just tellin' ya about them. use punctuation its hard to read stuff that doesnt have any commas capital letters periods or apostrophesUsee yur spall chacker. Its annyang to try to reede constent spalling misstakes. When forwarding an e-mail to someone, copy and paste what you want to send into a new e-mail, then send it off. This is especially true if you had to dig through tons of "layers" to actually get to the message of the e-mail. Re-read your e-mail message before you send it out. I don't know how many times I thought I had everything just right then found something that was way out of place when I re-read the document. Hey, sometimes I miss stuff even after I re-read (and re-read again :-). Finally, don't use short hand. Stuff like "r u going to stp by ltr" can be hard to read. Don't be lazy, type the whole word.
Well, I guess that's about it. I know that I occasionally have an e-mail transgression (I think we all do), but maybe these guidelines will help everyone communicate a little better.
I HAVE A SURGE PROTECTOR ON MY COMPUTER. SOMEONE TOLD ME I SHOULD GET ONE THAT I CAN USE WITH MY PHONE LINES AS WELL. IS THAT REALLY NECESSARY?
It's actually good advice. When we think of power surges, we tend to picture power line problems. Well, telephone wires can also carry a dangerous surge into your computer. I've repaired (and seen) more than a few computers that were damaged due to telephone line power surges.
Most people don't know it, but phone line surges are more likely to cause damage than power line surges. Why? Your computer's power supply acts as a built in surge protector. Even if a surge gets through your regular surge protector, the power supply may be able to keep it from doing any damage.
That's not to say that you shouldn't have a good surge protector. There have been lots of computers damaged because they didn't have a surge protector between them and the wall outlet.
Finally, when you buy a surge protector, try to find something better than those little power strip things. Although they are better then nothing, they are notoriously unreliable. Most computer stores can sell you a good quality surge protector.
Oh, before you ask, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is your best bet for surge protection. They supply power to your computer from a built in battery. The power is always "clean" and should the power go out, they give you a few minutes (or more) of battery time to save and shut down.
QUICKER FILE ACCESS
Want a faster way to open a file?
When most of us go to open a file, we click the File menu, Open (OK, some of us use the little toolbar button), then we scroll along hunting for the file so we can double-click it. Well, if you have a ton of documents in a folder, this can get time consuming. If you know the exact name of the file, you can simply type it in the little dialog box and hit Enter.
For example, if you're looking for a file named "my file.txt" you would type in "my file" in the document name area. Then hit Enter.
What if you don't know the exact name of the file? Don't worry, I have a shortcut for that too. Click inside the little dialog box (specifically, the area where the file list is) and start typing the first letter or two of the file. The dialog box should highlight the first file that starts with those letters. Oh, and you need to type those first few letters quickly for this little trick to work.
Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.
THIS WEEK'S LINKS
http://www.thestreet.com/tech/georgemannes/10014424.html - Yahoo will charge for some email services.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/020317/web_feedom_1.html - more websites to charge for their content.
http://www.make-stuff.com/ - interesting hobby site with lots of recipes (for the kids, too).
http://www.digital-women.com/daily-planner/ - free, printable, daily planner sheets. (This is a woman's site but I'll bet there are a lot of men out there who would like to become organized :)
http://stationeryheaven.net/welcome.htm - free stationery for your email (such as Outlook).
Until next week,
"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?" -- Edward Giobbi
