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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, June 23, 2002
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Alphabetize the Programs Menu
Special Feature: Installing New Components
Featured Computer Term: Hotlist
This Week's Topic: Power Protection
Question: Viruses
Learning Series: Microsoft Word - Clip Art
Featured Website: Baseball Hall of Fame; National Parks and Forests
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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: Alphabetize the Programs Menu
The following is a question from a newsletter subscriber:
We recently got a new computer which has Windows XP. I used Windows 98 before and my start menu programs were in alphabetical order. Now they are not. Is there a way to make them that way? Thanks. I love your newsletter and have learned many things from it.
Answer:
Yes there is a way. This works with later versions of Windows 98, and with Windows ME and XP.
Click on the Start button and go to Programs.
Right click on any item in the Programs menu and in the menu that comes up, you will see the option Sort by Name.
Left click on Sort by Name and your menu will now be in alphabetical order.
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Special Feature (for advanced users): Installing New Components
You finally went out and bought that new CD burner you've wanted. Or perhaps your old hard drive didn’t have enough room left for you and you bought a brand new one with lots of space.
Follow these simple rules to upgrade to your PC:
1) Always allow yourself plenty of time; never rush
2) Back up your system
3) Make sure pets and children are kept away from the open PC
4) Make sure computer and peripherals are ALL unplugged
5) Make sure the PC is off, and has been off for several hours before opening
6) Never touch any exposed components in your PC without "discharging" (Discharging means that you touch something metal to remove static electricity. One zap of static can literally kill a computer)
7) Follow all the instructions to the letter, since even "insignificant" steps that may seem unimportant can be essential
8) Don't hesitate to consult an expert if you get stuck
After you have installed your new component, place the cover back on your PC and reconnect everything. Turn on the PC and make sure it boots. If your system crashes before Windows even begins, STOP! Turn off the PC and unplug it and have a professional take a look. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, you can cause a great deal of damage.
If Windows begins and the component is PnP hardware compatible, Windows should recognize it right away and install drivers. If you need to install software, follow the manufacturer's instructions. - If Windows does not recognize the hardware, go to the Control Panel and select the Install New Hardware icon and follow the instructions. If it still cannot find the hardware, contact the manufacturer for instructions. The fix may be as simple as downloading the latest driver.
Once the hardware and software are installed, you might still have some problems. Before doing anything else, go to the manufacturer's Web page and see if there are updated drivers on a list of FAQ or troubleshooting tips.
Also, you can go to the Control Panel, select the System icon and then select the Device Manager tab. Your new component should be listed under the appropriate device heading. If you see an exclamation point, then you have a problem.
If needed, press the [+] symbol to open the device's "directory." Now, right-click the device and select Properties. Here you'll find a series of tabs and choices depending upon the product type. Go through the tabs and see if any error messages appear. If possible, you might be able to fix the problem at this juncture. If not, make a note of the specific errors and look in the manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions.
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Today's Computer Term: Hotlist
A Hotlist is a list of frequently accessed documents.
The term is usually used to describe a list of Web pages that you keep in one place for easy access. In Netscape Navigator, the hotlist is called the bookmark list. In Internet Explorer, it's called the Favorites folder. In America Online, it’s called Favorite Places.
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Today's Topic: Power Protection
Power protection is as important as virus protection.
The odds of contracting a virus are actually pretty low (depending, of course, on precautions you take). On the other hand, the odds of a desktop computer running on unreliable A/C currents subject to power problems are high. Whether due to an electrical storm, too many air conditioners, somebody running both the toaster and microwave at the same time, tree removal people hitting the power lines or whatever else, something could cause the power going to your computer to dip or stop.
Most computers aren’t prepared for these kind of things.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is what you need to protect your computer.
A UPS supplies power from its battery when the power goes out, and also keeps the voltage close to the correct voltage if it falls too low, plus it protects against those dangerous surges and spikes.
With a UPS, if the lights go out, you’ll be able to close your files and applications, and turn the system off.
Within the past few years, UPSes have gotten much cheaper. For a home user, boxes with adequate capacity will run around $200 -possibly even lower.
There's no longer any reason to not have a UPS, as opposed to just a surge protector.
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Question: Viruses
The following is a question from a newsletter subscriber:
My son put a shortcut to my bridge game on my computer. It worked fine for awhile but now I can’t find it. Could I have a virus?
Answer:
It’s more likely that this shortcut was inadvertently moved or deleted. Check to see if it’s in your Recycle Bin.
Double click on the Recycle Bin icon and look at the list of things in there. If you see your bridge game, click on it. Click on File on the menu, then Restore. That will put the shortcut back where it was originally.
For more information on viruses, take a look at that page on our website:
http://www.stsico.com/html/viruses.html
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Progressive Learning Series: Microsoft Word - Clip Art
Clip Art is graphics, images, or illustrations that can be inserted into documents such as newsletters, brochures, Web sites, etc.
In Microsoft Word, to insert a picture from the Clip Gallery, click the area where you want to insert a picture or clip art.
Click Insert on the menu bar, point to Picture, click Clip Art and then click the Pictures tab. Click the category you want.
Click the picture you want, and then click Insert clip on the menu that appears.
When you are finished using the Clip Gallery, click the Close button on the Clip Gallery title bar.
Although Word comes with a sizable library of clip art, you may need a picture that isn't available on your CD. There are images available online, and it's simple to insert these images directly into your document.
First, select Insert, Picture, Clip Art and click the Clips Online button. Click OK, and Word will launch your Web browser, connecting you to Microsoft Clip Gallery Live. Here, you will have access to hundreds of thousands of clips, and when you download a clip, it is automatically inserted directly into your own Clip Gallery, into the Downloaded Clips category.
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Today's Featured Website:
Baseball Hall of Fame
It's that time of year again: Summertime! Hotdogs and baseball. If you love baseball, visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Web site. You'll find pictures and bios of every member, information about visiting the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Web-based baseball exhibits, a research library, and even games and activities.
http://baseballhalloffame.org/
Recreation on Federal Lands
How do you like to spend your weekends? If you enjoy outdoor activities, especially with the gorgeous summer weather upon us, then you'll appreciate all this site has to offer. Federal land management agencies have put their information together in this one-stop site. It allows you to search for recreation areas by state, by recreational activity, by agency, or by map. There's information about National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and other rec areas all across the U.S.
http://www.recreation.gov/ |
