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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, January 5, 2003
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Change Your Windows XP Computer to the Old Windows Look
Tips and Tricks: Do You Use Your Right Mouse Button?
Featured Webpage: BRAND NEW!!! -- Your Current Weather Report
Featured Computer Term: Dialog Box
This Week's Topic: Missing Taskbar/Customize Your Desktop
Question: Check Status of Sent Email
Featured Websites: The Internet's 20th Birthday; Wednesday is Elvis Presley’ s Birthday: Practice Your Putting; NASA Flight Research Center
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Using Links
A Link is a reference to a website. In this newsletter you will see links to many worthwhile, informative and fun websites. Here are the instructions on how to use links:
A link will be used one of two ways, depending on your email program.
If you see the link in blue, underlined text, all you have to do is click on it and a window with the Website in it will automatically appear on your screen.
If you see the link in plain text, you can copy and paste it into the address bar on your browser. Highlight the link with your mouse, click Edit up on the menu bar, and then click Copy from the menu that you just opened up. Open your browser (click the Start Button, point to Programs, click on Internet Explorer); click on the address bar. Click Edit up on the menu bar, and then click Paste from the menu that you just opened up. Press the Enter key on the keyboard and this will take you to the Website.
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Special Feature: Change Your Windows XP Computer to the Old Windows Look
If you just got a new computer this holiday season and you don’t like the new look of Windows XP, this tip is for you!
You can go back to the Windows Classic Desktop (the one you’re used to if you used 95, 98 or ME) with just a few clicks.
Right-click on your desktop, and then click Properties.
Click the Appearance tab.
On the Windows and Buttons menu, select Windows Classic and click OK.
Now you can feel right at home with the old Windows look.
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Tips and Tricks: Do You Use Your Right Mouse Button?
If you don't, you should, it's a great way to discover new shortcuts.
When you right click on an icon, a context menu will pop up filled with actions that you can do with that object. The context menu will be different depending on where you right click.
Go ahead, try right clicking on everything you can see. Even a blank spot on your desktop has a useful context menu when right clicked.
If you'd like to learn more about using the right mouse button, visit the Newsletter Archives article at: http://stsico.com/html/rightmouse.html
To visit the Newsletter Archives index: http://stsico.com/html/newsletter.html
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Featured Webpage: BRAND NEW!!! -- Your Current Weather Report
We’ve teamed with AccuWeather.com to bring you the current weather and forecast for your area. Now you can instantly get your weather report: bookmark and visit our website every time you want to know the temperature, humidity, winds and forecast for your area.
http://stsico.com/html/weather.html
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Today's Computer Term: Dialog Box
A Dialog Box appears on the screen to request input from the user, usually following a command the user gave where the system needs more information in order to carry out the command. Dialog boxes are temporary -- they disappear once you have entered the requested information.
In Windows, any menu option followed by an ellipsis (...) will, when selected, open up a dialog box. Options without ellipsis points perform the command immediately.
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Today's Topic: Missing Taskbar
Question: Somehow I have lost my task bar at the bottom of my screen. It shows up when I am at my desktop though. Thanks for all the great information you send in your newsletter.
Answer:
It sounds like your taskbar (that gray area at the bottom of the screen) is either set on auto hide, or it is not set to always be on top. Either way, you can fix it by following these directions:
1. Right click on your taskbar and click Properties.
2. Make sure there is a check mark in front of Always on top (or in XP it will say Keep the taskbar on top of other windows)
3. While you are there, make sure there is no check mark in front of Auto Hide.
4. Click OK and you will be done.
Note: Always on top does NOT mean that the taskbar will appear at the top of the screen; it will be on top of other windows, still at the bottom of the screen.
You can use this feature to add space to your desktop. If you'd like to have a larger area to display program windows, change the taskbar to Auto Hide (follow steps above. When you need the taskbar, point the mouse at the bottom of the screen; the taskbar will display. When the mouse is not at the bottom of the screen, the taskbar will hide behind the active window.
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Question: Check Status of Sent Email
Question: I use American Online. Can I see if an e-mail I sent was read?
Answer:
Yes, you can; only, though, if you sent it to another America Online user. After you've sent the e-mail, open up your Mailbox, click on the Sent Mail tab, then click on the e-mail that you’re interested in. Click on the Status button on the bottom of your mailbox. A box will open; you’ll see if and when the email was read by the recipient.
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Today's Featured Websites:
Note: if you're not sure how to use the following links to websites, take a look at the instructions on using links at the beginning of this newsletter.
The Internet's 20th Birthday
The Internet officially celebrated its 20th birthday on January 1, 2003. on that day, due to a major technology change, it became what people all over the world use today. To read more about the event and the technology, visit this website:
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1137772
Wednesday is Elvis Presley’s birthday. Visit the official Elvis website at:
http://www.elvis.com/
Practice Your Putting
Too cold and too much snow to play golf, but at least you won’t have to lose your putting skills. Practice online at this website. (Warning: it’s extremely addictive!)
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~pyang/flash/miniputt.swf
NASA Flight Research Center One of NASA's sites for studying and testing flight and experimental aircraft is the Dryden Flight Research Center located in Edwards, California. For aeronautic enthusiasts, airplane fans, and history buffs, the Center's website has a great collection of photos showing all kinds of aircraft. http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/photo/index.html
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