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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, May 1, 2005
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Old Computer Disposal
Tips & Tricks: Windows Key Shortcuts
Featured Computer Term: Grabber
This Week's Topic: Auto Complete
Question: Caps Lock Alarm
Websites of Interest: Safety Rules for Kids on the Internet; United States Game; Free Public Records Directory
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Special Feature: Old Computer Disposal
Question: I recently purchased a new computer and want to dispose of my old computer. My neighbor told me that I can’t just throw it out and that I have to erase everything or someone may get all my personal information. I was thinking about donating it but it is so old, I don’t know if anyone would want it. What should I do?
Answer:
When disposing of old computer equipment, there are some concerns. You must erase all personal information and programs, and must dispose of it according to your town’s recycling policies.
Personal Files and Information
Files that you think have been deleted - even when you empty the Recycle Bin - aren't really deleted at all. They are still on your disk, just altered a little by Windows so that they are ignored by the operating system and are designating as overwritable. Recovering a deleted file before it is overwritten is a simple process with the right set of tools.
If you have a new computer and are disposing of the old computer, you cannot simply delete all your personal files and information. Don’t take the chance of a dishonest person getting your old computer and recovering your personal and financial information. Precautions should be taken to insure that files cannot be recovered.
A File Shredder is a program that permanently removes all traces of deleted files. SysShield Consulting, Inc offers a free shredding program, AbsoluteShield File Shredder, which has been reviewed and recommended by PC World. This program can be downloaded at their website:
http://www.sys-shield.com/fileshredder.htm
or at the PC World website:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22586,00.asp
Note: Sharper Training Solutions, Inc. is not the developer of this software and cannot offer technical support for this program.
The Environment
Computers, especially monitors, contain hazardous materials, including significant amounts of lead and mercury. They cannot be thrown out with the rest of the trash. Most towns on Long Island require computers and computer parts to be dropped off at special recycling centers. Before putting your computer out, check with your town for their recycling policy.
Software and Programs
When you purchase a computer program, the license agreement usually allows this program to be used on only one computer. If you purchase a new computer, the programs must be removed from the old computer for you to legally put them on the new computer. To learn how to uninstall programs, visit our website:
http://stsico.com/html/driveclean1.html
Computer Donations
Very few organizations will accept computer equipment more than three or four years old. Below are links to some organizations to check with; make sure you have the following information about your computer to give to them:
Hard drive size – double click the My Computer icon. Right click on C:. Left click Properties.
Memory – click the Start button. Open Control Panel. Open System. Note the amount of RAM.
Processor - click the Start button. Open Control Panel. Open System. Note the processor type: Pentium, Pentium II, Celeron, etc.
Windows version - click the Start button. The Windows version is on the left side of the menu, running vertically. If there is no version there, it is Windows XP.
Here are some organizations that may take your old equipment. Contact the organization for fees and any other information.
Share the Technology - http://sharetechnology.org/
The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies - http://www.fegs.org/donations/
The Nassau-Suffolk TRAID Center - http://www.nstraid.com/
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Tips & Tricks: Windows Key Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that can be used to quickly perform tasks and give faster access to menu commands. The Windows key, used in conjunction with other keys, is a very useful keyboard shortcut.
The Windows key has small version of the Windows logo on it. Take a look at the Start button – the Windows logo is to the immediate left of the word Start. To use the keyboard shortcut, hold down the Windows key and press and release the key noted below; then release the Windows key.
Use the Windows key keyboard shortcut to perform the following tasks:
Windows key to open the Start menu
Windows key and D to minimize all open programs. Press the Windows key and D again to restore all windows to their previous state
Windows key and E to quickly launch Explorer
Windows key and F to open the Start menu's Search Window (Find, in Windows 98 and prior)
Windows key and M to Minimize all Windows
Windows key and Shift and M to restore all windows to their previous state
Windows key and R to open the Start menu's Run box
Windows key and Pause/Break to open the System Properties Window
Windows key and Tab to cycle through items on the taskbar
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Featured Computer Term: Grabber
Question: I have a photo editing program where the instructions say to use the Grabber tool. Can you explain what that is?
Answer:
The Grabber is a special tool that enables you to select objects on the screen and move them or manipulate them in some way. The grabber tool is often represented by a hand icon.
Is there a computer term or phrase that you'd like to see an explanation of?
Email it to info@computerkindergarten.com and we'll put the term and its
definition in an upcoming newsletter.
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Today's Topic: Auto Complete
On the Internet, when I type in a word to search for, the box will display something different than what I’m typing, usually something I searched for in the past. Why does it do this? And can it be stopped?
Answer:
That’s called auto complete. It works with web addresses, forms, or passwords. When you type a letter, it will put whatever you previously typed in with that letter, as a suggestion for you. If you wanted to input the same thing, then it would be very convenient.
If you’re typing in something different, all you have to do is ignore it and keep typing. But if you would prefer to turn the feature off, you can do so. Follow these steps:
Internet Explorer
Click Tools on the menu, the Internet Options. Click the Content tab at the top. Click the Auto Complete button.
The Auto Complete Settings dialog box will open. In this window, you can turn AutoComplete on or off for web addresses, forms, or passwords.
To remove all your previous entries, click the Clear Forms button.
If you don’t want Internet Explorer to remember your previously input passwords, click the Clear Passwords button.
Click the OK button to close the Auto Complete Settings dialog box. Click the OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box.
America Online
Click the Start button. Open Control Panel and then Internet Options.
Click the Content tab at the top. Click the Auto Complete button.
The Auto Complete Settings dialog box will open. In this window, you can turn AutoComplete on or off for web addresses, forms, or passwords.
To remove all your previous entries, click the Clear Forms button.
If you don’t want Internet Explorer to remember your previously input passwords, click the Clear Passwords button.
Click the OK button to close the Auto Complete Settings dialog box. Click the OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box.
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Question: Caps Lock Alarm
I always accidentally hit the Caps Lock key and sometimes I have a whole sentence typed in before I realize my mistake. Is it possible to turn off the Caps Lock feature?
Answer:
You can’t turn off the Caps Lock feature but you can set alarms to notify you when you press the Caps Lock key instead of the Shift key. This alarm will make your computer beep and flash when you turn on Caps Lock.
Here's how you set that up:
Click the Start button and open Control Panel. Open Accessibility Options.
On the Keyboard tab, click the Use Toggle Keys checkbox. Click the OK button.
The computer will now make a beeping sound when you press the Caps Lock key.
Next, open Accessibility Options again. Click the Sound tab and check the Use SoundSentry checkbox.
The next step varies depending on your version of Windows.
Windows 9x - click the Settings button and select Flash active window from the Warning for windowed programs drop down box.
Windows XP – click the small down arrow to open the drop-down list box under Choose the Visual Warning. Click to select Flash active window.
Click the OK button.
The window that you are working in will now flash when you press the Caps Lock key.
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Thank you for reading our newsletter. We hope you enjoy it. We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.
info@computerkindergarten.com
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Websites of Interest:
Safety Rules for Kids on the Internet
The Internet can be a wonderful tool for children to find information, friends and topics that interest them. It can also be dangerous place if they are not properly supervised. Learn more at this website:
http://crime.about.com/od/online/qt/kidsonline.htm
United States Game
How well do you know where each state is? Here is a fun website where you can test your knowledge. Great for kids, too, who are learning about the US.
http://tinyurl.com/6osj9
Free Public Records Directory
This website claims to be the “largest directory of links to free public record databases on the Internet. Find business information, corporate filings, property records, unclaimed property, professional licenses, offenders, inmates, criminal and civil court filings, and much more.” May be useful if you are looking for any public information.
http://www.searchsystems.net/ |
