|
Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, November 4, 2007
Daylight Savings Time ends today. Don't forget to turn your clocks back. "Fall falls back; Spring springs ahead."
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Beware: Seniors Scammed by Bogus Census
Special Feature: Mac Security Alert
Tips & Tricks: Keyboard Shortcuts: Fast Moves in Microsoft Word
Question: Windows Vista Menu Bar
This Week's Topic: Return a Program to the Start Menu
Question: Resizing Windows Vista Desktop Icons
Websites of Interest: Write Your Congressman; Eating Well; National Geographic News; City Data
**************************************************************
Special Feature: Beware: Seniors Scammed by Bogus Census
The following is from scambusters.org
A new direct mail scam targets civic-minded senior citizens with a phony "census" that's nothing but a money-making sham.
The questionnaire is supposedly sent by "'The Council of Seniors" and is titled "2007 Census of Senior Citizens," reports Consumeraffairs.com.
You are told that "you have been selected as a representative of your voting district to take part in the official Census of Senior Citizens," and that your responses will "make it crystal clear to our leaders in Washington what our priorities are."
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/08/census_scam.html
In addition to making the package appear to be an official product of the U.S. Census Bureau, the scammers have cleverly directed the "survey" to seniors, knowing they tend to vote in greater numbers and tend to respond more readily to government information requests than younger people.
After asking a series of questions about "hot button" political, economic and social issues, the mailer requests that recipients include a "contribution to help defray the costs of the survey."
In reality, any financial contributions made will land squarely in the pockets of scammers who couldn't care less about what seniors think about healthcare, taxes or immigration.
Action: Avoiding this scam is quite easy: shred the fake survey. The U.S. Census Bureau NEVER asks for financial contributions from the people it surveys.
**************************************************************
Special Feature: Mac Security Alert
The following is for Mac (Apple) users. From worldstart.com.
If you're a Mac user, I know you're probably not used to hearing about virus warnings, but unfortunately, it looks like one is now on the loose. Yes, a new virus has been detected and this time, it is starting to loom around Mac computers. Luckily, this one is the first in a long time for Macs, but we all still have to deal with what this one has brought about. Keep reading for all the important details!
Just yesterday (November 1, 2007), a Trojan horse virus that has been affecting Windows computers for some time now has adapted over to the Mac OS X. This virus basically works as a disguise for a video codec. If you happen to come into contact with it, you will be told to install a file so that you will be able to view certain videos. After downloading the file, you will then be prompted to enter your Administrator password. After doing that, the virus will install itself and launch. It will then take over your Internet connection for use by the hacker.
Now, as you probably know, most Mac users do not use antivirus software, simply because viruses are very few and far between for Mac computers. So, because of that, it is very important for you to be on the lookout for any suspicious videos you may come across that require you to install a new file just to view them. Just remember, it is very rare that a video file will ask you to install a new program. If you keep your eyes open and use your common sense, this virus will pass without any harm to you!
**************************************************************
Tips & Tricks: Keyboard Shortcuts: Fast Moves in Microsoft Word
Hold down the CTRL key and press the Page Down key; the insertion point will be quickly moved to the top of the next page in your document.
CTRL and Page Up will move you to the top of the previous page in your document.
**************************************************************
Question: Windows Vista Menu Bar
I am now a Windows Vista user. I am missing the menu bar on some of the programs. Is this normal for Vista? How can I give commands that I used to use the menu for?
Answer:
Yes, on some programs, Vista does not display the menu by default. To temporarily display the menu, press the Alt key on the keyboard. You will then see the menu, you can choose your command, and the menu will go away again.
If you would like the menu bar to always be displayed, press the Alt key to see the menu. Click View on the menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Menu.
**************************************************************
Today's Topic: Return a Program to the Start Menu
Question: I accidentally dragged a program out of the start menu onto the desktop. Now I have an icon for it, and it no longer appears in the menu. I would prefer it to be in the menu. Do you know how I can fix this?
Answer:
You can put it back into the menu. You are going to drag the icon back into the menu, so you will have to keep the mouse button pressed until you get to the spot where you want the program to appear.
Point to the program and then press and hold down the left mouse button. Drag the icon to the start button. Hold it there until the menu opens.
Still holding down the left mouse button, drag the icon to Programs and wait for the menu to open.
Don’t let go yet. Drag the icon to the right, into the Programs menu. Is that where it was when you dragged it out to the Desktop? If it was there, move it up or down to wherever you want it (a black, horizontal line will display across the menu), and then release the mouse button.
If it was in another menu, don’t let go yet! Drag the icon to the menu, wait for it to open, and then drag to the right into the menu. Position the horizontal line where you want the icon to drop, and then release the mouse button.
Your program should now be returned to its original spot in the menu.
**************************************************************
Question: Resizing Windows Vista Desktop Icons
Question: I just got a new computer with Windows Vista on it. Can I make the icons a little larger so I can see them better?
Answer:
Yes, you can. Here are the steps:
Right Click on the Desktop. A menu will open; point to View. Click on Medium Icons or Large Icons.
If you don’t like the new size of your icons, you can manually adjust them. To do so, left Click on the Desktop. Hold down the CTRL key and roll the mouse scroll wheel toward you to make the icons smaller, or away from you to make them larger.
**************************************************************
Websites of Interest:
Write Your Congressman
It is important for our opinions to be heard by our representatives in Washington. At this site, you will find some useful tips and hints on how to write to Congress.
http://tinyurl.com/2xoqvb
Eating Well
You are what you eat. This is a not for profit website free of commercial influence with recipes, nutritional information, and suggestions for fitting healthy eating into a busy lifestyle.
http://www.whfoods.com/
National Geographic News
The famous magazine now has a wonderful site that provides current events and news focusing on the earth, science, geography, archeology and much more.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news
City Data
Find out information about the city you live in, or just about any other town or city in the U.S. This side has info on income, crime, housing prices, education, demographics and much more.
http://www.city-data.com/
|
|
