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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, December 5, 2004
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Shopping for High Tech Gadgets
Featured Webpage: The Holidays
Tips & Tricks: Shop Safely Online
Question: Changing the Default Font in Word
This Week's Topic: Computer Safety Precautions
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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: Shopping for High Tech Gadgets
Over the last several weeks, we have received a lot of requests for information on buying computers and related equipment. Computer equipment may seem complicated and the lingo hard to understand but with a little research you can become an informed shopper. There are many websites that can teach you how to shop for the device you want, explain what to look for and how much you need to buy.
Here are some sites that we found. Don’t be afraid to use your favorite search engine to get more information.
If you do not want to copy and paste these links into your browser, you can read this article on our website, where you will be able to simply click on a link to go to the site. You'll also find information on MP3 players, digital camcorders, memory, CD and DVD-ROM drives and more.
http://www.computerkindergarten.com/html/gadgets.html
Computers
Computer Buying Primer
www.infohq.com/Computer/computer-buying-primer.htm
Before You Buy a Desktop
compreviews.about.com/cs/desktops/bb/aabybdesktops.htm
Laptop Buyer's Guide
www.geek.com/htbc/faqlap.htm
How to Buy a Notebook PC
www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,13,page,1,00.asp
Computer Review
reviews.cnet.com/
Digital Cameras
about.com - Before You Buy a Digital Camera
cameras.about.com/od/choosingacamera/bb/bybcamera.htm
learnthat.com - How to Buy a Digital Camera
www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/camera/index.shtml
howstuffworks.com Digital Camera feature comparison chart
electronics.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera28.htm
Digital Camera Reviews
www.dpreview.com
Scanners
Ehow.com - How to Buy a Scanner
www.ehow.com/how_2501_buy-scanner.html
PC World - How to Buy a Scanner
www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,10,00.asp
PC Magazine Scanner Product Reviews
tinyurl.com/643js
Printers
PC World How to Buy a Printer
tinyurl.com/4xj7u
ZDnet Printers Buying Guide and Reviews
reviews-zdnet.com.com/2001-3155_16-0.html?legacy=cnet
Computer Speakers
about.com Before You Buy Computer Speakers
peripherals.about.com/od/speakers/bb/choosingspeaker.htm
about.com Top 5 Best Budget Speakers
peripherals.about.com/od/speakers/tp/budgetspeakers.htm
Visit our website to find information on more computer gadgets including memory, personal digital assistants, external storage, digital camcorders and more.
http://www.computerkindergarten.com/html/gadgets.html
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Featured Webpage: The Holidays
Take a look at our website for a countdown to Christmas and for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa links to fun and useful sites.
Christmas: http://computerkindergarten.com/html/christmas.html
Hanukkah: http://computerkindergarten.com/html/hanukkah.html
Kwanzaa: http://computerkindergarten.com/html/kwanzaa.html
If you have any sites you think we should add, please send us an email with the website address and a short description of the site.
info@computerkindergarten.com
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Tips & Tricks: Shop Safely Online
Shopping on the Internet is easy, convenient and can sometimes save you a lot of money. Take a look at these sites to learn how to make sure your experience is a safe and successful one.
Created by the American Bar Association, this site helps consumers shop safely online.
http://www.safeshopping.org/
From the Federal Trade Commission, some online shopping safety tips to keep in mind.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/cybrsmrt.htm
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Question: Changing the Default Font in Word
In my Word program, the letters and numbers are very small on the screen and on my prints. Can I make them bigger?
Answer:
The Font used determines the appearance and size of the letters, numbers, punctuation marks, spaces and blank lines. Font size, the size of the letters and numbers both on the screen and on the printed copy, is measured in points (pts); seventy-two points equal approximately one inch.
More than likely, your program is using a 10-pt font size, which is a little small. You can change it to 12 points, a better size for viewing on the screen and for printing out. To make sure your change is permanent; that every new document you start will use the point size you change to, you must change the default font.
Word includes a way to easily change the default font for your documents. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Create a brand new, blank document.
2. Choose the Font option from the Format menu. Word displays the Font dialog box.
3. Select the font settings you want to use by default.
4. Click on the Default button. Word asks you if you are sure you want to change the default font.
5. Click on Yes.
You have now changed the default font. The changes will take effect in the current document and every new document you create.
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Today's Topic: Computer Safety Precautions
A reminder: Here are some precautions to take that will keep your computer and your work healthy and in good shape.
Never open a file someone sends you unless you know the file is virus-free. Even if you're using an updated antivirus program, you still should refuse to open file attachments from strangers. It's just not worth the risk. And remember, if you don’t know them, they probably don’t have anything you’re interested in anyway.
Update your antivirus software. People are out there writing new viruses even as you’re reading this. Just buying and setting up antivirus software won't protect you. Instead, you must routinely update your virus definitions so that your software will recognize new viruses. Much like backing up, this is an easy task. The hard part is to remember to do it. If you share a lot of files with others, you should update your antivirus software weekly.
Back your work up. If your files are important, back them up! It just takes a few moments to save your file to a floppy disk (or better yet, save them all to a CD-ROM if your computer has a readable writeable CD drive). In case anything happens to your computer, or to that file, you have it safely stored away in another location.
For Windows XP users:
For those connecting to the Internet through a cable or DSL connection, Windows XP has a built in firewall to keep you safe from hackers. You may have to turn it on though. Here’s how:
Click on Start and then the Control Panel. Double-click the Network Connections icon.
Right click Local Area connections, left click on properties. Click on the Advanced tab on top. In the Internet Connection Firewall section, click the box next to Protect my computer.
Once you know that your firewall is on, you can see how good it works by going to http://www.grc.com and test it with ShieldsUp. |
