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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, April 28, 2002
Happy Arbor Day!
For information about this holiday, take a look at the Featured Website
section of this newsletter.
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Power Source Problems
Featured Computer Term: Web Site
This Week's Topic: Updating Your Internet Browser Program
Question: Web Shortcuts
Learning Series: Creating Lists
Featured Website: Arbor Day
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Special Feature: Power Source Problems
You computer can live without the printer or the floppy, and it can even live without the ROM drives-- but it can't possibly hope to survive with no power.
If you were to open the computer’s case, you’ll find a square metal box with big warning stickers on it -- that's the power supply. This is the most important component in your system; it must perform reliably and correctly for your computer to function properly over a period of years.
Early warning signs can accompany a failing unit, so being aware of how your PC normally functions is crucial to picking up problems. One of the most common indicators is your computer turning off and back on again, all by itself (assuming the lights aren't flickering around you at the same time, of course). Excess heat from your computer isn't good either; if it feels h otter than usual, check those fans to ensure they're still spinning. Nothing will fry a power supply faster than a seized-up fan.
If the System locks ups and freezes, this is a red flag, too, although there are other reasons for lockups (to which any long-time Windows user will attest). If no system changes have taken place and things suddenly stop, it could be the power supply.
Hard drives use power - you’ll hear them spinning when you turn the computer on or sometimes when you save a file. If you should hear odd noises coming from within the case, the power supply may be unable to provide adequate power levels. This can result in other weird behavior as system components have to fight for enough power to keep themselves running.
Multiple hardware device failures are another way that power problems reveal themselves; too much, too little or inconsistent power often destroys memory, hard disks, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives or other pieces and parts.
Keep an eye on your computer; while it’s working correctly, pay attention to its behavior. If things go wrong, you’ll then be able to notice the changes and be forewarned.
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Today's Computer Term: Web Site
We all know what a Web site looks like and have probably spent more than a few hours here and there browsing around them for information and entertainment. But, do you really know what a Web site is made of?
A Web site is programmed in a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that can be interpreted by your Web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, or America Online). A Web site may also use other programming languages such as Flash, Java, and many more, which allow the owner of the Web site to produce more dynamic and interactive Web pages.
So a Web site is a collection of HTML files that tell your computer how to display text and graphics on your browser. These files are all placed on a Web Server, a big computer that the owner and creator of the website either owns or rents space on, which you access by using a URL (Uniform Resource Locater) or domain name, such as www.whatever.com.
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Today's Topic: Updating Your Internet Browser Program
If you use an Internet browser such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, then you should continually check to make sure that you have the latest version, or at least the latest upgrade to your version. Hackers continually are finding loopholes through which they attempt to compromise your system's data and integrity. You can help minimize exposure by making sure that you have the latest version.
To check which version you have, click on Help on the menu, and then click About. That will tell you the version you’re running. Go to the Microsoft site for Internet Explorer or Netscape for Netscape Navigator and check the current version available. Download if you’re not using the current version.
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Question: Web Shortcuts
The following question is from a newsletter subscriber:
I have my portfolio set up on a website and I visit that website frequently. I know there’s a way to set it up so I don’t have to type in the very long address every time I go there. What should I do?
Answer:
If you like to visit specific Web sites on a regular basis, you can either create a Favorite within Internet Explorer, or you can create a shortcut on your desktop that, when double clicked, takes you directly to the Web page you want to view.
Open Internet Explorer and go to the Web page. Place the mouse arrow in an area of the Web page that has no links, text or banners. Right-click; from the resulting menu, select Create Shortcut. You’ll see a message telling you that a shortcut to the Website will be placed on your desktop. Click OK.
When you're connected to the Web, all you have to do is click the new desktop icon, and it will bring up Internet Explorer and take you to that Website!
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Progressive Learning Series: Creating Lists
There are two types of lists commonly used in printed material. The first is a bulleted list, and the second is a numbered list. A bulleted list is a nothing but a list of individual items with a symbol to the left side of the first line of each item in the list. For example, the following is a bulleted list:
* This is the first item in the list.
* This is the second item in the list. When there is more than one line in this item, the extra lines should be aligned with the line above, not with the bullet or the text margin (hard to do in email).
* This is the third item in the list.
* This is the fourth item in the list.
In the case of this bulleted list, the symbol used as the bullet is an asterisk.
A numbered list is a little bit different. It consists of a series of items, each with a sequential number in front of it. Numbered lists can be used to describe a sequence of steps to be followed.
Which type of list should you use?
If you have a sequence of steps, which must be followed in order, then you should use a numbered list. If you have a group of items which you want to stand out, but they don't represent a series that must be followed in sequence, then you should use a bulleted list.
Word allows you to quickly and easily create lists. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Type your list, only pressing Enter at the end of each item in the list. If an item runs more than one line, do not press Enter at the end of each line.
2. Select all the items in the list.
3. Click on the Bullets list tool in the toolbar to create the bulleted list, or the Numbering tool to create a numbered list.
Note: this tip applies to both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works word processing.
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Today's Featured Website: Arbor Day
Today is the 130th Anniversary of the Arbor Day. Learn more about this holiday at the National Arbor Day Foundation's website.
http://www.arborday.org/ |
