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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, July 13, 2003
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Power Source Problems
Tips and Tricks: A Quick Way Home
Featured Webpage: Computer Terms Dictionary
Featured Computer Term: Web Site
This Week's Topic: Updating Your Internet Browser Program
Question: Web Shortcuts
Learning Series: Microsoft Word Creating Lists
Featured Websites: Color Quiz; National Hot Dog Month; Top Ten Websites
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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: Power Source Problems
Your computer can live without the printer or the floppy, and it can even live without the ROM drives-- but it cannot possibly hope to survive with no power.
If you were to open the computer’s case, you will find a square metal box with big warning stickers on it -- that is 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 are not flickering around you at the same time, of course).
Excess heat from your computer is not good either; if it feels hotter than usual, check those fans to ensure they are 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 will 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 is working correctly, pay attention to its behavior. If things go wrong, you will then be able to notice the changes and be forewarned.
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Tips and Tricks: A Quick Way Home
Do you frequently return to your home page in Internet Explorer? Here is a very fast way to get back to that web page:
Click once on the address bar to select (highlight) the address of the website that you are currently viewing. The address will turn blue. In the address bar, type two periods and press Enter on the keyboard. This will take you right to the website that you have set as your home page.
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Featured Webpage: Computer Terms Dictionary
BRAND NEW!!
Sharper Training Solutions has teamed up with computeruser.com to bring you one of the largest, most comprehensive computer dictionaries on the Internet.
If you have a computer term that you would like to get a definition for, you can go to our website dictionary and get all the information you want.
Visit our website at:
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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.
Is there a computer term or phrase that you'd like to see an explanation of? Email it to sharpertraining@aol.com and we'll put the term and its definition in an upcoming newsletter.
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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 are running. Go to the Microsoft site for Internet Explorer or Netscape for Netscape Navigator and check the current version available. Download if you are not using the current version.
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Question: Web Shortcuts
I have my portfolio set up on a website and I visit that website frequently. I know there is a way to set it up so I do not 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 create a shortcut on your desktop that, when double clicked, opens your browser and takes you directly to the Web page you want to view.
Open Internet Explorer and go to the Web page you want to set up a shortcut to. 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 will 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: Microsoft Word 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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If you are enjoying this newsletter and find the information useful, please feel free to forward it to your friends and family members. If you would like us to subscribe a friend, please send your name and their email address to sharpertraining@aol.com with the words Subscribe to Newsletter in the subject line of the email.
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Today's Featured Websites:
Note: if you're not sure how to use the following links to websites, take a look at the instructions on using links at the beginning of this newsletter.
Color Quiz
Here is a fun website if you have a little extra time to waste. Select from an assortment of colors presented at this website and Color Quiz will provide a personality profile.
http://www.colorquiz.com/
National Hot Dog Month
July is National Hot Dog Month. In honor of this observation, visit factmonster.com for lots of hot dog information.
http://www.factmonster.com/spot/hotdog1.html
Top Ten Websites This website provides links to the most visited websites, arranged in categories.
http://www.toptenlinks.com/
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