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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, February 6, 2005
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Important Reminder - Avoid Internet Scams
Special Feature: Changing Window Views
Tips & Tricks: Outlook Address Book
Tips & Tricks: Create a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 98
This Week's Topic: Files – Kilobytes and Megabytes
Questions: Disposing of Old Computers
Question: Using Older Programs in Windows XP
Websites of Interest: Mardi Gras; Ash Wednesday; Mythology; Megaliths
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Special Feature: IMPORTANT REMINDER - AVOID INTERNET SCAMS
Online fraud has become a huge threat on the internet. One type of fraud, Phishing, is a scam that uses phony e-mails to trick people into revealing their personal information. These emails, and the websites they direct to, can look very official and appear just like the real ones they are copying.
No Internet Service Provider, bank or other business will ever ask you for personal information in an email. If you receive an email asking you for information such as bank account, credit card or social security numbers, do not respond to it. Simply delete the email. If you are unsure and would like to check, call the bank, ISP or business the email claims to come from (do NOT use the phone number provided in the email!)
How to Avoid Scams
Be very careful if you receive a request for personal information.
If you are unsure about the validity of an email you receive, don't visit the Web site listed in the email. Instead, contact the company by telephone (do NOT use the phone number provided in the email!)
Be extremely careful if you share personal or financial information online. Make sure you are using a legitimate website. Review the website address very carefully.
Never send sensitive information in an email or in an Instant Message. No legitimate business would ever request information in this manner.
If you submit information to a Web site, make sure the site is secure. Look for one or both of these: at the bottom of the window, there will be a small picture of a padlock. Make sure it is in the closed position. Note the website address; if should display https instead of http.
Review your credit card and bank account statements carefully. Make sure you receive these statements when you are supposed to. Most banks and credit card companies have websites where you can view your statements and current transactions; you can look at your information more often than monthly.
If you are using Windows XP, keep it up to date. When you see the message that appears at the system tray (where the clock is on the taskbar) telling you that updates are available, take a look at these and download the ones that apply. These updates are important and necessary for your operating system to stay up-to-date and protect against vulnerabilities.
Spyware can send out information from your computer to any computer in the world. Protect your information - download or purchase spyware protection software. We recommend Spybot, a free spyware protection program. Visit our newsletter archives to learn more about downloading and using this program:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/062704.html
Install a pop-up blocking program on your computer. If advertising windows pop up and you inadvertently click on a link, it could direct you to a website or accidental download that could be harmful to your computer.
Install a firewall on your computer. Visit our website for more information on firewalls.
http://stsico.com/html/firewalls.html
Use a virus protection program. Buy one if you do not have one on your computer, keep it updated, and regularly scan your computer for viruses.
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Special Feature: Changing Window Views
To make any window as large as it can get and make full use of your computer screen, maximize the window. To do so, double-click anywhere on the window’s Title Bar; that’s the bar along the top of the window, usually blue. The window will then fill the entire screen (with the exception of the taskbar) and covering up all other open windows.
An alternative to double clicking the Title Bar is to click the Maximize button on the right of the Title bar. The Maximize button is the one in the middle; it has one small square on it.
Another way to change the Windows size is with the Control Menu Button. That is the small icon on the left of the Title Bar. Click it; a menu will open. Click Maximize.
To bring the window back to its original size, double-click on the Title Bar again. The window goes back to its former size. You can also use the Restore button, on the right. That’s the one in the middle with two small squares on it. Or you can use the Control Menu Button; click it and then click on Restore.
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Tips & Tricks: Outlook Address Book
When addressing an e-mail message, click on the To: or CC: buttons to select names directly from your address book.
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Tips & Tricks: Create a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 98
Desktop shortcuts allow you to access a program quickly double clicking the icon on the desktop. Create one for programs that you use frequently.
Open the start menu and find the program you want to create the shortcut to.
Let’s use Solitaire for our example. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Games and then point to Solitaire (do NOT click on Solitaire or you will open the program).
Right Click on Solitaire but do NOT release the button. Hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse over to a blank spot on the desktop. Let go of the mouse button.
A context menu will display. Click on Create Shortcut(s) Here.
You will now have an icon for Solitaire on your desktop. Double click it to open the game.
Note: these steps will work to create an icon for any program listed in your Start menu.
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Today's Topic: Files – Kilobytes and Megabytes
Question: How can I find out the size of a file? I would like to save pictures onto a floppy disk, but my son says I can only fit files smaller than 1.3 megabytes. How do I know if a file is larger or smaller than that? I really enjoy reading your newsletter. Thanks for taking your time to help all of us who are not so computer literate!
Answer:
Find the file by opening the folder in which the file is saved. There are several ways to find file size information.
Right click on the file. From the resulting menu, left click on Properties. This will display the file Properties dialog box; click the General tab at the top. File size information will be displayed.
Or
On the menu bar, click View and then Details. The Size column will display file size.
File sizes will be displayed in KB (kilobytes) or MB (megabytes). a megabytes is 1,000 kilobytes. Therefore, a file larger than 1,300 KB will be too large to fit on a floppy disk.
Picture files tend to be pretty big. It would be very unusual if more than one picture file could fit on a floppy disk. CD-ROM disks would be a better medium for saving picture files or other large files.
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Question: Disposing of Old Computers
I purchased a new computer and would like to get rid of my old computer. I was warned by a neighbor that even if I delete all the files, these files can still be recovered. Is this true? I am concerned that someone who is not honest will get a hold of my computer and find personal information about me. What should I do?
Answer:
It is true that files can be recovered after they are deleted. There are programs, called Shredders, that will remove all traces of files.
AbsoluteShield offers a free shredding program that very effectively completely removes all files from your computer. You can download it at their website:
http://www.sys-shield.com/fileshredder.htm
We offer a computer disposal service. We will remove all files and uninstalled software. For more information, visit our website at:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/disposal.html
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Question: Using Older Programs in Windows XP
I have an old bridge program that I really like a lot but it will not work on my new Windows XP computer. I can’t find a new version. Any suggestions?
Answer:
You may be able to get it to work. Windows XP has a feature called the Program Compatibility Wizard. It may work for your program.
Install your program and then open the Program Compatibility Wizard. To do so, click Start, then click Help and Support. Click the Find Compatible Hardware and Software for Windows XP and then click the Program Compatibility Wizard at the bottom of the window navigation pane.
Read the instructions on the Welcome to Programs Compatibility Wizard screen. You will need information about your old computer – what version of Windows it was designed for – that’s the Compatibility Mode. Follow through the Wizard, reading the instructions and answering questions on each screen.
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Websites of Interest:
Mardi Gras
Tuesday is Mardi Gras. This event is celebrated all over the world but nowhere like it is in New Orleans. You can watch the celebration right on the Internet at this site:
http://www.mardigras.com/
For the traditional history of Mardi Gras, visit this site:
http://www.icorp.net/carnival/history.htm
Take a look at this website for an interesting timeline of New Orleans and Mardi Gras history:
http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/html/mardi_gras_history__timeline.htm
Ash Wednesday
The Holiday Spot website offers history, origins, traditions and customs.
http://theholidayspot.com/ash_wednesday/
Visit the Catholic Encyclopedia website for the definition and history of the holy day.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01775b.htm
Mythology
if you are interested in mythology, you will enjoy Encyclopedia Mythica, a website filled with info on mythology and folklore.
http://pantheon.org/
Megaliths
Megalithic Mysteries provides a photographic guide, maps and information on prehistoric monuments in England, Scotland and Ireland.
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/%7Eaburnham/stones.htm |
