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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, November 9, 2008
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Contractor Scams
Featured Computer Term: Error Message 404
This Week's Topic: Minimizing Spam - Create a New Address
Question: Get to the Desktop
Websites of Interest: Veteran’s Day; Get Cash for Your Old Cell Phone; Road Trip Price Estimate; Flight Arrivals
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Special Feature: Contractor Scams
Question: Thank you so much for your newsletter articles on scams. I hope you know how much you are helping us seniors. Recently someone tried to pull a scam on me but I wasn’t fooled, because I read it in your newsletter! Could you please do an article on contractors? I know several people who were fooled by crooked ones.
Answer:
While most contractors are very honest, this is an industry where scammers can thrive. From our friends at scambusters.org, here are some of the scams out there:
-- A contractor knocks on the door and tells you that he's just finished paving a neighbor's driveway, but has materials left over.
"I'll offer you a big discount if you'll let us repave your driveway, too. I just need a cash deposit, and we'll be right back."
If a contractor has really brought materials from another job, he is likely cheating his previous customer out of the materials they purchased.
Tip: Honest contractors earn most of their business through referrals from satisfied customers. They don't need to travel door-to-door to find business.
-- “Your roof is about to cave in.” “Your chimney liner is disintegrating.” Are you going to climb up on the roof? Always get at least two estimates for any "damage" to your home, and always consult friends, family or neighbors to learn the names of contractors they've used in the past -- ones they were satisfied with.
-- Instant Estimates. The typical scammer will "assess" problems at your home, and offer a verbal quote on how much these problems will cost to fix.
Please note: verbal quotes are NOT legally binding. If the contractor later charges twice his estimate – or damages your property during the repair process -- it's doubtful you could successfully sue him.
Legitimate contractors are certified, insured and/or bonded by the state and/or town where you live. What's more: they offer WRITTEN estimates for you to inspect (and often sign) before work commences.
-- Cash Only. NEVER agree to a cash-only deal. Let's face it: if someone asks for cash only, you almost certainly know you're NOT dealing with a reputable contractor. Chances are, you'll never see this person again after giving him your hard-earned cash.
-- Pay Upfront. Again, this is easy. If you pay upfront, you may never see this "contractor" again. No reputable contractor will ask for most -- or all – of his payment immediately. In fact, most legitimate contractors only bill AFTER the job is done to your satisfaction. If someone asks for a large upfront payment -- run!
Be cautious before hiring somebody to remodel or repair your house. Get two or three estimates and consult with friends, family and neighbors for the names of honest and reliable contractors and tradesmen in your area.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also offers tips entitled "After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home," which you can find here.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/distalrt.shtm
Though the FTC document is about disaster repairs, their advice also works for anyone who has common home repairs that need to be made.
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Featured Computer Term: Error Message 404
Question: Sometimes, when I am on the Internet, I get an error message 404 and the website does not display. Why is this?
Answer:
There are a few reasons why a 404 error could occur.
It is possible that the page you were looking for could not be found on the computer where the website is stored. Click the Reload/Refresh button on your browser. A second try may display the website.
Check the address again. Could you have made a typographical error?
Move up one level in the address until you find something. For example, if the address http://www.whatever.com/who/what/where.htm gave you the error, try http://www.whatever.com/who/what. If you do not get to a site, try http://www.whatever.com/who. Once you get to something, try searching for the information you are looking for.
If you continue to get the error message, try again at a less busy time. Certain times of the day or days of the week may be busier than others for the website you are looking for.
Try searching for the website in your favorite search engine. If you have a name for the site, search for that. If not, search for the information that you are looking for. Maybe the people that run the website changed the address.
If you have tried everything and still keep getting that error message, it is possible that the website you are looking for no longer exists. They may have gone out of business or the webmaster may have lost interest in maintaining that website.
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: Minimizing Spam - Create a New Address
Question: I get so much junk email. How can I get it to stop?
Answer:
There is not much you can do about the mail you are getting. Once a spammer gets your email address, you can expect to get 10 times, sometimes hundreds of times more junk emails than good emails. Unfortunately, due to the low cost of advertising through email, millions of these emails are out there.
There are some steps, though, that you can take to minimize the amount you will get in the future. Over the next several editions of this newsletter, we will take a look at some of the things you can do to insure that your email address does not make it onto a spammer’s list.
Create a New Address
If the spam in your inbox has gotten out of control, you might think about creating a brand new email address. There are many email providers out there where you can get a free email address. Here are some of your choices:
yahoo.com
mail.google.com
hotmail.com
webmail.aol.com
Many of these sites will allow you to import your contacts from your previous email provider. Some will even offer a service where they will email all of your contacts informing them of your new address.
Note: When signing up for these free email accounts, don't use real information about yourself. They do not need to know your name, address or telephone number to provide you with an email address.
In the next edition of this newsletter: Minimizing Spam – Registering Online
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Question: Get to the Desktop
Do you have any tips on quickly getting to the desktop when it is hidden under open windows? If I want to get to my icons, I have to minimize every program I have open.
Answer:
Here are a couple of shortcuts:
Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard (that is the one with the Windows logo) and then press the d key.
or
Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and then press the Tab key. Keep pressing the Tab key until you see the desktop selected. Release both keys.
or
In Windows Vista, press the Windows key and then press the Tab key. You will see the Vista Flip 3D. Press the Tab key until the desktop if up front; release both keys.
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Websites of Interest:
Veteran’s Day
Tuesday is Veteran’s Day. Learn the history of the day and the event at these websites: http://www.patriotism.org/veterans_day
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day
Get Cash for Your Old Cell Phone
http://www.cellforcash.com
Road Trip Price Estimate
Are you traveling for the holidays? This website will estimate how much your road trip will cost you in gas.
http://www.city-data.com/gas/gas.php
Flight Arrivals
If you are expecting guests for the holidays, check this site for information about departure time, type of aircraft, expected arrival time, distance in miles from the destination, speed and altitude, and any expected general arrival delays at the destination airport.
http://www.flightarrivals.com
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