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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, November 16, 2003
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Desktop Icons – Windows XP
Tips & Tricks: Keyboards Shortcuts: Open and Use the Start Button Menu
Featured Computer Term: Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte
This Week's Topic: Ways to Delete Files or Folders
Question: Remove Programs from the Start Menu
Question: Mouse Troubles
Websites of Interest: John F. Kennedy; The Great American Smokeout; Biorhythms; How Engines Work; Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
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Special Feature: Desktop Icons – Windows XP
Question: I just got a new computer. It does not have the icons on the screen that my old computer had. My Documents and Internet Explorer are missing, so is My Computer. Do you think it’s broken?
Answer:
No, your computer is not broken. Windows XP does not display those icons automatically – you have to turn them on.
To do so:
Right-click on a blank area of the desktop, and then click Properties from the resulting menu.
Click the Desktop tab and then click the Customize Desktop button.
3. Click to put a check mark in the box next to My Documents, My Computer and Internet Explorer.
Click OK. You should now see icons for My Documents, My Computer and Internet Explorer.
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Tips & Tricks: Keyboards Shortcuts: Open and Use the Start Button Menu
Hold down the CTRL key, press the Escape key. The Start Button menu will open.
Use the arrow keys to maneuver up to Programs. Use the right arrow to maneuver to the right into the Programs menu. When you get to the program you want to open, press Enter on the keyboard.
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Featured Computer Term: Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte
A byte is a unit of computer memory. It is very small - the computer needs one byte of memory to hold one character. For example, the word CAT is three bytes.
Because bytes are so small, file sizes are usually expressed in Kilobytes, abbreviate MB. Kilobytes are approximately 1000 bytes (1024 to be exact). Your computers memory is usually expressed in Megabytes (MB) which is roughly 1000 kilobytes (again, 1024). The hard drive is usually measured in Gigabytes (GB), about 1000 megabytes (1024).
Here’s the rundown:
1000 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (KB)
1000 Kilobytes = 1 Megabyte (MB)
1000 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte (GB)
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: Ways to Delete Files or Folders
Use your computer for awhile and it easily becomes littered with files and folders that you probably needed for awhile, but, when you were done with them, never got around to deleting.
Windows gives you lots of ways to delete files and folders. Next time you’re cleaning up, try any one of these:
-- Right-click the file or folder, and then left click Delete from the resulting menu.
-- Click once on the file or folder, and then press the Delete key on your keyboard.
-- From Windows Explorer, click once on the file or folder to select it, click File on the menu, and then click Delete.
-- If you can see both the file or folder and the Recycle Bin icon, drag the file or folder to the Recycle Bin on the desktop.
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Question: Remove Programs from the Start Menu
Thanks to the help I got on your website, I was able to delete several programs that I no longer use. However, the programs that were removed are still showing up when I click on start and then on programs. I would like them to disappear entirely. Can you tell me how to do that?
Answer:
To remove the pointers to programs in the Start button menu, open the menu and right click on the shortcut. A menu will appear; left click on Delete.
Keep in mind that this will not remove programs from the computer, only from the menu. Programs have to be uninstalled to completely delete them. Learn how to clean up your hard disk and uninstall programs at our website:
http://stsico.com/html/driveclean1.html
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Question: Mouse Troubles
Recently my mouse intermittently stops working. It does not happen all the time – sometimes it is fine, other times it just stops working. When it does stop, I can’t turn the computer off the right way, I just press the button. What should I do?
Answer:
First, make sure the mouse is connected properly, that it’s not loose. Also, look at both ends of the cable to see if the wire might have broken.
If that looks ok, try cleaning the mouse. Take the trackball out – there’s usually a cover over the ball that comes off – remove that and take the ball out. Get in there with a Q-tip and clean the gears. Dust gets in there, clogs things up which can cause mouse problems.
If the problem continues, you may want to try another mouse. If you can borrow one, or purchase an inexpensive one, try it out to see if you have the same problem. More than likely that one will work fine.
As far as turning the computer off: if the mouse does stop working, you can still open the Start button menu and turn the computer off. Instead of clicking on the Start button, press the Windows key on your keyboard (look for the key with the Windows logo on it). This will open the menu. Use the arrow keys to maneuver to Shut Down or Turn Off Computer. Press the Enter key and the computer will shut down as usual.
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Websites of Interest:
John F. Kennedy
The anniversary of a very sad event in recent U.S. history, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, is on November 22. For a comprehensive look at the man, his history, the controversy surrounding the circumstances of his assassination, and more, visit this website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy
The Great American Smokeout
Thursday is the Great American Smokeout. If you’ve been thinking about quitting, this may be a good day to join millions and say no to smoking! Visit this website for help quitting and information on the Smokeout.
http://www.quitsmoking.com/kopykit/reports/smokeout.htm
Biorhythms
If we can see the highs and lows of our physical, emotional, and intellectual cycles, can we improve the quality of our lives? The answer is yes, according to this website. You can have your Biorhythm chart created for you at this link:
http://www.facade.com/biorhythm/
How Engines Work
If you are interested in engines, and learning how they work, this site has explanations and diagrams of many different types.
http://www.keveney.com/Engines.html
Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
November 18 is Mickey Mouse’s birthday. Learn more about this Disney character and his history at this website:
http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characterstandard/mickey/mickey.html |
