|
Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, January 25, 2004
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Windows XP: Account Picture
This Week's Topic: The Quick Launch Toolbar
Questions: Windows XP: Pin to Start Menu
Websites of Interest: Kelley Blue Book; Translation Wizard
******************************************************************** ***
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.
******************************************************************** **
Special Feature: Windows XP: Account Picture
When you first create a user account, Windows XP randomly assigns a picture to your account. These come from Windows store of pictures that include butterflies, fish, soccer balls and more. If you prefer to use a different picture, or perhaps you have one that you took with your digital camera, you can customize this picture easily.
To do so, click the Start button and choose Control Panel. Click the User Accounts icon and select Change My Picture. A new window appears.
If you like any of the currently shown pictures, click the picture and click the Change Picture button. If you have your own picture that you would prefer to use, click the Browse for More Pictures button. A new window appears, this time showing the contents of your My Pictures folder. If your picture is in a different folder, maneuver to that folder. Once you find your picture, click it to select it, click Open, and click Change Picture.
Don't worry about choosing a picture that's too big or too small. Windows XP automatically shrinks or expands the image to fit the postage-stamp-sized space.
******************************************************************** ***
Today's Topic: The Quick Launch Toolbar
This toolbar contains icons for the internet, e-mail and other programs. It also contains the very useful Show Desktop icon. This icon minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop, giving you access to your icons should you want to open another program. You can also add icons for your favorite programs to the Quick Launch toolbar.
The Quick Launch toolbar is usually displayed on the Taskbar. If the Quick Launch toolbar is not displayed on your taskbar, here is how you can get the back:
Right click on a blank spot on the taskbar. From the resulting menu, point to Toolbars and then left click on Quick Launch. This will put the Quick Launch toolbar on your taskbar to the right of the Start button.
You can add icons to the Quick Launch Toolbar by dragging them from the desktop or start menu. Find the program you want to add, either on the desktop or by opening the Start button menu. Point to the program and drag it right onto the Quick Launch Toolbar. Release the mouse button and, from the resulting menu, click Copy Here. That will place an icon for the program in the Quick Launch Toolbar.
The Quick Launch Toolbar is available in Windows 98, ME and XP.
******************************************************************** ***
Question: Windows XP: Pin to Start Menu
Question: In the start menu at the top of the left column, two programs which I use very infrequently are displayed. How do I get them out and place programs that I use more often in their place?
Answer:
In Windows XP, the left column in the Start button menu is divided into two parts. The lower part contains your recently used programs list. This will show the five or six programs that you used last. The programs listed here will change as you open and close different programs. If a program that you would like to open is on this list, just click once on it and it will open.
The upper part of the left column, right about the recently used programs list, is an area where programs can be listed permanently. When a program is pinned there, you will always see that program in the list, no matter how many other programs you are opening and closing. This is a good place to list a program or two that you use all the time.
To place a program in that area, find the program in the start menu, right click on it and then click on Pin to Start Menu. The program will appear in the list; just click once on it and it will open.
If you would like to remove a program from that area or on the recently used programs list, right click on the program. From the resulting menu, left click on Remove from this list.
Programs can be added to or removed from this list at any time.
******************************************************************** ***
Websites of Interest:
Kelley Blue Book
How much is your car worth? Find out at the Kelly Blue Book website.
http://www.kbb.com/
Translation Wizard
Here’s a website that will translate for you. Type in a phrase, choose the language to translate into, and click!
http://www.faganfinder.com/translate/
|
