|
Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Tuesday, July 3, 2001
In this Issue:
Featured Computer Term: Applet
Topic: Mouse Tips
Progressive Learning Series: Saving Files and Filenames
Featured Website: Happy Independence Day!
***********************************************************************
Today's Featured Computer Term: Applet
Am applet is a small application that can perform a task instantly, typically run within Web pages. Applets are the small programs that do things like calculate numbers and animate graphics.
Since an applet is executed from within a larger application, they can't be launched from a regular operating system. Browsers, like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, can run applets from Web sites. Because applets are small in file size, compatible with any computer, and secure (they can't be used to get into your computer and access information), they are perfect for small Internet applications.
***********************************************************************
Today's Topic: Mouse Tips
Thanks to newsletter subscriber Gayle for the following question:
My mouse is suddenly acting very weird. The arrow will disappear, and then appear somewhere else on the screen. It doesn't seem to go where I want it. Is there something wrong with my computer?
Since erratic mouse behavior is pretty common with mechanical mice, more than likely your problem is being caused by the mouse and not the computer or any software.
A mechanical mouse has a little ball inside that rotates rollers, which in turn moves the pointer on the screen. These rollers can get covered with dust, grime, crumbs, animal hair, etc., and will occasionally need cleaning. A dirty roller will definitely cause bumpy mouse action
Turn the mouse over and you'll find a little round cover on the bottom; you can see the mouse ball through this. The cover will have directional arrows on it. Rotate it in the direction of the arrows. The ball will fall out; then you can see the little rolling pins and the little wheel. Use a small knife, a paper clip, or small screwdriver to reach the rollers and wheel and clean any dirt off. When you're done, replace the ball and the cover.
To avoid having to perform this chore, a good investment is an optical mouse. It has no rolling ball, no moving parts, and never needs maintenance.
***********************************************************************
Progressive Learning Series: Saving Files and Filenames
Saving a file is taking the document you just created and putting it away in permanent storage - the disk. If a file is saved, you can use it again, whenever you need: tomorrow, next week, next month, or in 5 years.
To save a file, the computer needs to be told two pieces of information: 1) where to store the file, which usually means either the hard disk (c:) or the floppy disk (a:), and which, if any, folder on the disk; and 2) what to name the file.
Every file has to have a unique filename. If you're working in DOS or Windows 3.1, the filename can have up to eight characters. Windows 95 and above lets you have as many characters as you want (up to 255). Get into the habit of giving your files descriptive filenames, so you can find them easily. Don't use names like Letter1, Letter2, Memo4, Paper6, Paper7; you'll have to look at each file to find the one you want. Use names like SmithLetter, JohnsonMemo, EnglishCompPaper.
To save a file, open the File menu by clicking on the word File on the Menu Bar. lick Save from the drop down menu. The Save Dialog Box will appear.
Here's where you put in those two pieces of information:
1) where you want to save the file in (which disk and which folder) that's called Save in, and
2) what you want to name the file - that's called filename.
To tell the computer where to save in, click the down arrow to the right of the Save in textbox. That will give you a list of all the disks on the computer - just pick the one you want.
To tell the computer the filename, you must remove anything that's in the filename textbox. Click on the box and use the delete and backspace keys on the keyboard to erase what's there, then type the filename you want in the textbox.
When you're all done, click the Save button.
***********************************************************************
Today's Featured Website: Happy Independence Day!
From the Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson, read his account of the circumstances leading to the Declaration of Independence.
http://www.leftjustified.com/leftjust/lib/sc/ht/decl/home.html
Virtualology: The Declaration of Independence - features background, with scans of original documents and handwriting samples of the committee.
http://www.thedeclarationofindependence.org/
Happy Birthday America - for the history behind the observance and symbols associated with it, and events listings for fireworks shows across the States.
http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/
What the Presidents Did on the Fourth of July - chronology gives information on what the presidents were doing on the Fourth of July, during their time in the White House.
http://gurukul.american.edu/heintze/FourthPres.htm
Fireworks Safety for the Millennium - includes safety tips, statistics on firework-related injuries, and more.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/july4/4thjuly.html
For 4th of July happenings on Long Island, check out Digital City
http://digitalcity.com/longisland/entertainment/article.dci?aid=1575
Send a virtual 4th of July greeting card:
http://www.bluemountain.com/eng3/fourthofjuly/
http://www.123greetings.com/events/4july/
http://www.freewebcards.com/cards/fourth/ |
