To send an email message to a number of people without showing them the addresses of other recipients,use the BCC field in your email programme. BCC stands for 'blind carbon copy'.
It's used frequently by those who send out e-newsletters,but it's also a great way to maintain the privacy of your recipients if you're unsure about whether they would mind having their email addresses displayed to others.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Formatting disks
If you've ever formatted a disk in Windows,you know that you have a choice between regular and 'quick'formatting.
Regular formatting will scan the disk for bad sectors and remove those from being used later on,but it can take a long time.This is the type of formatting you should do on new disks.
Quick formatting takes much less time - often under a minute - but merly removes data from the drive.
Regular formatting will scan the disk for bad sectors and remove those from being used later on,but it can take a long time.This is the type of formatting you should do on new disks.
Quick formatting takes much less time - often under a minute - but merly removes data from the drive.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Protect your privacy
Social networking sites make it easy to keep your friends up-to-date on your life,but they can also broadcast your infomation to people you don't know.
You should regularly check their privacy options to make sure you're not publicising yourself more than you want.On Facebook,click the "Privacy"link at the top right corner of the page to see the dozens of different setting available.The most important ones are under the "Profile" category,but you should also familarise yourself with the site's "Limited Profile"feature,which lets you present a subset of your infomation to people outsite your circle of close friends.
MySpace doesn't provide nearly as many options,but it's still worth checking them: Log into your account,click the "Settings" button in the box below your profile picture,and then click the "Privacy" link to adjust who can see your profile(everybody over 18,or only your friends) and if people can see when you're on line.
You should regularly check their privacy options to make sure you're not publicising yourself more than you want.On Facebook,click the "Privacy"link at the top right corner of the page to see the dozens of different setting available.The most important ones are under the "Profile" category,but you should also familarise yourself with the site's "Limited Profile"feature,which lets you present a subset of your infomation to people outsite your circle of close friends.
MySpace doesn't provide nearly as many options,but it's still worth checking them: Log into your account,click the "Settings" button in the box below your profile picture,and then click the "Privacy" link to adjust who can see your profile(everybody over 18,or only your friends) and if people can see when you're on line.
Free Stuff?
You will find some of the best,no-string-attached freebies listed at The Free Site.
Everything on the site is FREE.You'll find a lot of computer-related freebies,but there are plenty of other things as well,including newsletters,web space,and fonts.
Minimise on the fly
When you find that you have three or four application windows cluttering your Windows screen,you can quickly gain your sanity by holding down the Windows key and tapping the letter D.
Doing so immediately minimises all open applications,without shutting them down.
Tapping them again opens all Windows just as they were before you minimised them.
This trick works with all recent version Windows,beginning with Windows Me up thru Vista.
Doing so immediately minimises all open applications,without shutting them down.
Tapping them again opens all Windows just as they were before you minimised them.
This trick works with all recent version Windows,beginning with Windows Me up thru Vista.
Keep your PC clean
Computers are no different from closets,bookshelves or pantries:They accumulate old,unwanted purchases.
A program that you no longer need will only take up valuable disk space,as well as a spot in Windows Start menu or a Mac Applications folder.
So every few months,inventory the software on your machine,decide which programs you still need and get rid of the ones you don't.
On a Mac,you usually only need to drag unwanted programs icons to Trash,but in Windows you'll need to open the Control Panel and click "Add or Remove Programs"to uninstall excess applications.
A system-cleaner application such as the free CCleaner
can help find any program leftovers that uninstallers didn't clean up:Click the Registry button,let it scan your system and click the "Fix selected issues...."button.
A program that you no longer need will only take up valuable disk space,as well as a spot in Windows Start menu or a Mac Applications folder.
So every few months,inventory the software on your machine,decide which programs you still need and get rid of the ones you don't.
On a Mac,you usually only need to drag unwanted programs icons to Trash,but in Windows you'll need to open the Control Panel and click "Add or Remove Programs"to uninstall excess applications.
A system-cleaner application such as the free CCleaner
can help find any program leftovers that uninstallers didn't clean up:Click the Registry button,let it scan your system and click the "Fix selected issues...."button.
Get a virtual keyboard
One of the hidden applications in Windows XP and Vista is a graphical keyboard.
In Vista,launch it by opening the Start menu and type OSK and pressing Enter.
The representation of the keyboard will appear.Thjis is handly for people with disabilities,or if your keyboard starts acting up.
Scroll wheel uses
If your finger is tired of turning the wheel in the middle of a computer mouse to roll through a page,press down on the scroll just moving the mouse up and down.
Click the scroll again to return to normal scrolling.The trick works on many web browsers and in long documents in some versions of Microsoft Word.
Firefox users have another shortcut with the scroll wheel button: Click on a link to open that link in a new browser tab.
Click the scroll again to return to normal scrolling.The trick works on many web browsers and in long documents in some versions of Microsoft Word.
Firefox users have another shortcut with the scroll wheel button: Click on a link to open that link in a new browser tab.
Use a paper clip on stuck disk
Sometime you can have a DVD stuck in your computer's drive and it will not eject using traditional methods.
In some cases,all you need to ease open the drive is a paper clip,unfolded.
If you have a computer with a tray-loading CD or DVD drive, look for a small round hole on the door of the drive,then gently push the end of the paper clip through the hole until you hit the internal latch to pop open the drive door.
You may have to adjust the angle of your paper clip while poking.If the door is moving slowly,ease it out and do not yank on it.
If you have a Mac that lacks a hole in the drive door,restart the computer and hold down the mouse button as the machine boots up.
In some cases,all you need to ease open the drive is a paper clip,unfolded.
If you have a computer with a tray-loading CD or DVD drive, look for a small round hole on the door of the drive,then gently push the end of the paper clip through the hole until you hit the internal latch to pop open the drive door.
You may have to adjust the angle of your paper clip while poking.If the door is moving slowly,ease it out and do not yank on it.
If you have a Mac that lacks a hole in the drive door,restart the computer and hold down the mouse button as the machine boots up.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Scroll wheel uses
If your finger is tired of turning the wheel in the middle of your computer mouse to roll through a page,press down on the scroll-wheel button.
Arrows appear and you scroll just by moving the mouse up and down.
Click the scroll wheel again to return to normal scrolling.The trick works on many web browsers and in long documents in some versions of Microsoft Word.
Firefox users have another shortcut with the scroll wheel button;Click on a link to open that link in a new browser tab.
Arrows appear and you scroll just by moving the mouse up and down.
Click the scroll wheel again to return to normal scrolling.The trick works on many web browsers and in long documents in some versions of Microsoft Word.
Firefox users have another shortcut with the scroll wheel button;Click on a link to open that link in a new browser tab.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Speed up your broadband link
Here are some troubleshooting tips to try to speed up your broadband connection.
You can check your broadband connection speed with a free online test,such as www.speedtest.net
Spring cleaning your computer - delect old webpages and infomation that your machine automatically stores when you surf the Intenet. In Internet Explorer, go to Tool then Internet Option and click on delete files,delete cookies and clear history.
Like the roads,the Internet gets clogged during busy periods.Consider using the Internet outside peak hours.
Also,viruses and spyware can ruin a computer's performance. Run antivirus programs regularly.and switch off any filesharing applications.These can slow down your connection.
Check your router and the quality of the phone wiring,resetting your router or changing it may help.
You can check your broadband connection speed with a free online test,such as www.speedtest.net
Spring cleaning your computer - delect old webpages and infomation that your machine automatically stores when you surf the Intenet. In Internet Explorer, go to Tool then Internet Option and click on delete files,delete cookies and clear history.
Like the roads,the Internet gets clogged during busy periods.Consider using the Internet outside peak hours.
Also,viruses and spyware can ruin a computer's performance. Run antivirus programs regularly.and switch off any filesharing applications.These can slow down your connection.
Check your router and the quality of the phone wiring,resetting your router or changing it may help.
An overview of your font
Windows comes with dozens of fonts,otherwise know as typefaces.You can also install hundreds of additional fonts.
The trouble is,after a while,you no longer remember what all those font look like.
Thankfully,a tool called Fast Font Preview give you an overview of the fonts installed on your system.A quick glance at your fonts should tell you which one is best for the job.
The trouble is,after a while,you no longer remember what all those font look like.
Thankfully,a tool called Fast Font Preview give you an overview of the fonts installed on your system.A quick glance at your fonts should tell you which one is best for the job.
Closing IE windows
You can quickly close an Internet Explorer window by holding down the Ctrl key and tapping the letter W on your keyboard.
This is a handy shortcut,especially when you have multiple Internet Explorer windows open.Pressing Ctrl+W repeatedly will make short work of getting rid of many IE windows.
This is a handy shortcut,especially when you have multiple Internet Explorer windows open.Pressing Ctrl+W repeatedly will make short work of getting rid of many IE windows.
How to keep the juice flowing
If you are using the laptop as your primary computer and keeping it plugged into the electrical outlet all the time, removing the batttery is fine.
Many companies actually recommend against keeping the battery constantly plugged in,as heat and other factors could affect its internal chemistry and shorten its overall life span.
Sudden surges of current from the wall outlet can do bad things to computer,modems and other delicate electrical equipment.
To help protect against electrical fluctuations,many people use a surge suppressor - a device that goes between a computer's power cord and the wall outlet.
If you want to make sure your computer has a backup power system in case the electricity fails,you might want to buy an uninterruptible power supply.
Beside protecting your computer from electrical fluctuations.a UPS can also serve as an emergency battery backup when the power goes out,to give you enough time - two to five minutes - to shut down the compputer properly.
A detailed explanation is at http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question28.htm
If you don't use the laptop battery,charge it to about 40% to 50% of its capacity and tuck it away in a cool, dry place.
Many companies actually recommend against keeping the battery constantly plugged in,as heat and other factors could affect its internal chemistry and shorten its overall life span.
Sudden surges of current from the wall outlet can do bad things to computer,modems and other delicate electrical equipment.
To help protect against electrical fluctuations,many people use a surge suppressor - a device that goes between a computer's power cord and the wall outlet.
If you want to make sure your computer has a backup power system in case the electricity fails,you might want to buy an uninterruptible power supply.
Beside protecting your computer from electrical fluctuations.a UPS can also serve as an emergency battery backup when the power goes out,to give you enough time - two to five minutes - to shut down the compputer properly.
A detailed explanation is at http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question28.htm
If you don't use the laptop battery,charge it to about 40% to 50% of its capacity and tuck it away in a cool, dry place.
Zooming on the fly
Your wheel mouse in conjunction with the Control key can perform some nifty tricks.
In Internet Explorer,holding down the Ctrl key and scrolling the wheel on a wheel mouse will increase or decrease the font size of webpages.
In Office applications,the same action will zoom and or zoom out of a document.
Move the wheel one increment at a time to see the effect that the movement has.
Choosing sites for kids
Kids love the internet.But parents should know where to send their youngsters online.
That's what Bert's Best Sites for children www.beritsbest.com is all about.
This site categorises children's website by activity,age or topic and allows you to preview sites before visiting them.
Once you settle on the sites appropriate for your children,bookmark them,and you're done.
That's what Bert's Best Sites for children www.beritsbest.com is all about.
This site categorises children's website by activity,age or topic and allows you to preview sites before visiting them.
Once you settle on the sites appropriate for your children,bookmark them,and you're done.
Make space
If you have noticed that your hard drive spce is shrinking and you are not sure what is hogging all the megabytes,you can get a quick,colourful look at the big picture - without wading through folders or fidding with the system utilities.
Just download a tree-map program like WinDirStat for Windows http://windirstat.info/ or Disk Inventory X for the Mac www.derlien.com.
Once you open and run the program, you will get a tree map,or screen full of coloured boxes that deplict what files(and types of files)are filling up your hard drive.
Once you know what is taking up all the room,you can take appropiate cleanup measures.
Just download a tree-map program like WinDirStat for Windows http://windirstat.info/ or Disk Inventory X for the Mac www.derlien.com.
Once you open and run the program, you will get a tree map,or screen full of coloured boxes that deplict what files(and types of files)are filling up your hard drive.
Once you know what is taking up all the room,you can take appropiate cleanup measures.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The good of rebooting
Plenty of unexplained PC problems have solved by simple restart of the PC.
While your PC may be capable of running for days at a time,its a good idea to reboot your system on a regular basis - daily if possible.
That way,your PC's memory will have a chance to clear,and misbehaving programs won't bog down your system.
While your PC may be capable of running for days at a time,its a good idea to reboot your system on a regular basis - daily if possible.
That way,your PC's memory will have a chance to clear,and misbehaving programs won't bog down your system.
Active programs at a glance
The Windows Task Manager can show at a glance exactly which programs are running on your computer - including hidden programs or those that run at startup.
There is a quick way to get to the Task Manager.Simply hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys,and tap the Esc key.
Doing so will present you with the Processes tab of the Task Manager.From there,you can select a running application and click the End Process button to shut it down.
There is a quick way to get to the Task Manager.Simply hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys,and tap the Esc key.
Doing so will present you with the Processes tab of the Task Manager.From there,you can select a running application and click the End Process button to shut it down.
Easier way to undo mistakes
In Windows,its easy to undo a mistake by selecting Undo from the Edit menu of any application.
But there's an easier way.Instead of navigating to the Edit menu,simply hold down the Ctrl key and the letter Z on your keyboard.
Doing this will undo your last action.To redo an action that you "undid".try pressing Ctrl-Y.This work in some but not all applications.
But there's an easier way.Instead of navigating to the Edit menu,simply hold down the Ctrl key and the letter Z on your keyboard.
Doing this will undo your last action.To redo an action that you "undid".try pressing Ctrl-Y.This work in some but not all applications.
Shop safe
If you are an online shopper,you should bookmark
www.resellerratings.com
Thats'where you can find out whether an online retailer is trustworthy.There,you'll find lots of candid users reviews from people who have purchased from retailers in the past.
Remeber that when deals you find online sound too good to be true,they often are. So,check them out thoroughly.
www.resellerratings.com
Thats'where you can find out whether an online retailer is trustworthy.There,you'll find lots of candid users reviews from people who have purchased from retailers in the past.
Remeber that when deals you find online sound too good to be true,they often are. So,check them out thoroughly.
Pitfall of using JPEG
Repeatedly opening and saving jpeg image files will result in deterioration of the image.
So if your digital camera takes pictures in the jpeg format - and many do - copy the files to your hard drive,open them in an image editor's native format.
The way,you can often avoid the worry and probability the your images will suffer from multiple alterations.
So if your digital camera takes pictures in the jpeg format - and many do - copy the files to your hard drive,open them in an image editor's native format.
The way,you can often avoid the worry and probability the your images will suffer from multiple alterations.
Uninstall programs safely
Be careful when removing software from your PC.
Occasionally,software can replace files that are used by other programs.When the software is removed,all files could be deleted,including those that were used by other programs.
As a result,some of your software may not work.If during uninstallation,you receive a warning that some files may be used by other programs,choose not to delete those files unless you know that they will not be needed.
Occasionally,software can replace files that are used by other programs.When the software is removed,all files could be deleted,including those that were used by other programs.
As a result,some of your software may not work.If during uninstallation,you receive a warning that some files may be used by other programs,choose not to delete those files unless you know that they will not be needed.
Learn languages fast
If you have a business trip to a foreign country where the native language isn't English,you can try out a new online.www.mangolanguages.com
The site makes use of slides and audio dialogues to walk you through the basics of a foreign language.
At the end of a short session you can quiz yourself to see how well you are doing.
Mango is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills for 12 different languages. It's so easy to use, you'll see incredible results after just one lesson!
Simply sign up with your email address and you are good to go
The site makes use of slides and audio dialogues to walk you through the basics of a foreign language.
At the end of a short session you can quiz yourself to see how well you are doing.
Mango is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills for 12 different languages. It's so easy to use, you'll see incredible results after just one lesson!
Simply sign up with your email address and you are good to go
Snipping Tool
Snipping tool allows you to select and capture a portion of your screen-part of a Web site,document,or application.Then add handwritten comments
The screen capture utility is built into Vista didn't make it into all version of the OS.Here's how to turn it on if you have it.
If you have a version of Vista other than Home Basic, you already have the Snipping Tool screen capture utility:
Choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, Snipping Tool.
If you don't see it there, it may not be activated.
Go to Control Panel and open Program and Features (you may have to click Programs first).
In the task pane on the left, click Turn Windows features on or off. If necessary, click Continue when prompted by User Account Control.
Scroll through the list of features, check the box next to Tablet PC Optional Components, and click OK. Turning on these features gives you not only the Snipping Tool, but also the Tablet PC Input Panel, Windows Journal, and other stylus-related features.
The screen capture utility is built into Vista didn't make it into all version of the OS.Here's how to turn it on if you have it.
If you have a version of Vista other than Home Basic, you already have the Snipping Tool screen capture utility:
Choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, Snipping Tool.
If you don't see it there, it may not be activated.
Go to Control Panel and open Program and Features (you may have to click Programs first).
In the task pane on the left, click Turn Windows features on or off. If necessary, click Continue when prompted by User Account Control.
Scroll through the list of features, check the box next to Tablet PC Optional Components, and click OK. Turning on these features gives you not only the Snipping Tool, but also the Tablet PC Input Panel, Windows Journal, and other stylus-related features.
Instant screen capture
Ever want to take a "picture" of what's on your computer screen and put it in a document?.It's easy.Just tap the PrtScn keyy on your keyboard.
Doing so places an image of whatever is currently on your screen into the Windows Clipboard.Switch to the program into which you would like to paste the picture,and choose Paste from the Edit menu. The image should appear almost immediately.
Doing so places an image of whatever is currently on your screen into the Windows Clipboard.Switch to the program into which you would like to paste the picture,and choose Paste from the Edit menu. The image should appear almost immediately.
For quick shutdown
Need to shut down Windows XP in a hurry? The standard way take time,but the free utility Quick Shutdown can get you going in a hurry.
Quick Shutdown makes actions such as shutdown,reboot,hibernate, and logoff a one-click affair. The tiny,memory resident tool also allows you to configure key combinations that shut down and restart your PC.
Quick Shutdown works with Windows 9x/Me/XP/2000/NT and is available for download at this site
www.winutility.com
Quick Shutdown makes actions such as shutdown,reboot,hibernate, and logoff a one-click affair. The tiny,memory resident tool also allows you to configure key combinations that shut down and restart your PC.
Quick Shutdown works with Windows 9x/Me/XP/2000/NT and is available for download at this site
www.winutility.com
Cleaning your monitor
Your computer's monitor will pick up a decent amount of dust and worst over time.(Let's just say that this problem can get alot worst during cold and flu season!)But just because it look like a big pane of glass doesn't mean you should break out whatever cleaner you use on a car's windshield.
Flatpanel LCD screens scratch easily - the coating you see on the front is not glass,but a soft film that can easily be damage by chemicals or even paper towels.
Instead many manufacturers advise taking gentler approach,which can be more delicate than the old-fashioned CRT monitors.
Dell for instance,recommends wiping the screen with a soft cloth dampened with 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol.
Apple suggests using just a soft colth and water or,for tougher cleaning jobs,a commercial product called Klear Screen.www.klearscreen.com
Flatpanel LCD screens scratch easily - the coating you see on the front is not glass,but a soft film that can easily be damage by chemicals or even paper towels.
Instead many manufacturers advise taking gentler approach,which can be more delicate than the old-fashioned CRT monitors.
Dell for instance,recommends wiping the screen with a soft cloth dampened with 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol.
Apple suggests using just a soft colth and water or,for tougher cleaning jobs,a commercial product called Klear Screen.www.klearscreen.com
Picking a name
What's the first thing you need when starting a website?An address to call home of course.
While you're racking your brain to figure out what to put behind "www". head on over to www.nameboy.com to find some domain names that are still available.
While you're racking your brain to figure out what to put behind "www". head on over to www.nameboy.com to find some domain names that are still available.
It's not too late
If you click a link in your web browser and decide that you don't want to go wherever it leads,you can back out.
Before you release the left mouse button,move the mouse pointer away from the link and click somewhere else on the webpage.
This effectively deactivates the link you just clicked,and you will remain on the current page.
Before you release the left mouse button,move the mouse pointer away from the link and click somewhere else on the webpage.
This effectively deactivates the link you just clicked,and you will remain on the current page.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Terminate unwanted apps
If you have a whole lot of applications installed on your computer that is taking up valuable system resources,try using Revo Uninstaller applications.
Revo Uninstaller is billed as a fast performing application that lets you quickly remove resource-hogging applications.
Even if you have a stubborn program that cannot be easily/totally removed via the normal Add/Remove Program option,Revo Uninstaller will scan for the application's data on your hard disk and Windows Registry items so you can delete them.
The app also has a unique feature called "Hunter Mode" which allows you to easily uninstall,stop,delete and disable applications from autostarting. www.revouninstaller.com
Revo Uninstaller is billed as a fast performing application that lets you quickly remove resource-hogging applications.
Even if you have a stubborn program that cannot be easily/totally removed via the normal Add/Remove Program option,Revo Uninstaller will scan for the application's data on your hard disk and Windows Registry items so you can delete them.
The app also has a unique feature called "Hunter Mode" which allows you to easily uninstall,stop,delete and disable applications from autostarting. www.revouninstaller.com
Thursday, April 2, 2009
When everything fail
If your computer reboots to a blank desktop after running Windows XP's System Restore,boot the PC into Safe Mode by holding down the F8 key as you start it up.
Then open System Restore-from the Start Menu,select All Programs,Accessories,System Tools and then System Restore- to reverse the change.Safe Mode which disables all but the essential parts of Windows,can sometimes help extract a PC from dead-end scenarios like this.
Then open System Restore-from the Start Menu,select All Programs,Accessories,System Tools and then System Restore- to reverse the change.Safe Mode which disables all but the essential parts of Windows,can sometimes help extract a PC from dead-end scenarios like this.
Changing font sizes
For mini PC owners who are having trouble reading the text on webpages?
If you'd like to temporarily increase the font size on a webpage,there's a shortcut for users of wheel mice.
With a webpage displayed,hold down the Ctrl key as you spin the mouse wheel.
Spin in the opposite direction to change the font size in the other direction.This trick also works in Microsoft Word and Excel.
If you'd like to temporarily increase the font size on a webpage,there's a shortcut for users of wheel mice.
With a webpage displayed,hold down the Ctrl key as you spin the mouse wheel.
Spin in the opposite direction to change the font size in the other direction.This trick also works in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Other uses of Windows key
Most users know that the Windows key will bring up the Start menu.But thats not the only thing it does-the key can also invoke a number of other useful shortcuts.
For example,Windows+E launches Windows Explorer,and Windows+F displays the Search for files box.
Windows+R display the Run dialog box,Windows+Break displays the Sytem Properties box,while WIndows+L locks your PC.
Don't bank on e-mail links
If you get an e-mail from your bank,make sure the e-mail is indeed from your bank and that you are being routed to the bank.Put your cursor over the link and look at the address,or right click on the properties and see where it will lead you.Always go to the bank site via its main site in a new window,not via a link in an e-mail.Also,if your computer pops up with a security certificate and the signature.Even then,certificate are easily faked.If you must continue using the internet,do not do anything sensitive.Best thing to do?Walk away.
Speed up Windows XP
Windows XP keeps a record of all files on the hard disk and will regularly index them to improve search speeds by default.
Unfortunately,this can sometimes lead to slower system performance.If you don't use the file search feature very much,or can live with slighly slower fies, you can disable XP's indexing feature.
Open My Computer,right-click on one or your hard disk icons,then select properties.Uncheck the box to "Allow indexing service to index this disk for faster searches",then click on Apply.
A new window will pop up asking if you want to apply changes to all folders and subfolders. Click OK.
If your hard disk contains many files,it can take a few minutes to turn off indexing.
Unfortunately,this can sometimes lead to slower system performance.If you don't use the file search feature very much,or can live with slighly slower fies, you can disable XP's indexing feature.
Open My Computer,right-click on one or your hard disk icons,then select properties.Uncheck the box to "Allow indexing service to index this disk for faster searches",then click on Apply.
A new window will pop up asking if you want to apply changes to all folders and subfolders. Click OK.
If your hard disk contains many files,it can take a few minutes to turn off indexing.
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