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A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group        

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   (if you haven't already)
 

Here's A Windows XP Tip

Clicking on the WLSS Logo will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast and our Commercial too !!!

Expect More Spam on April 1st
 

Makers of network security software are warning that there may be an increase in spam leading up to April Fool's Day. "Spammers are expected to use subject lines such as "great joke," "free jokes," "prank," or "April fools" to entice users into opening attachments that carry viruses or objectionable content, potentially putting company networks at risk."  

Dave's Cool Download

Outlook Express Spell Checker

Works in Windows 9X, ME, 2000 & XP

Outlook Express spell checker is a free program, made to allow people to use Spell Checking in Outlook Express. This is a stand alone application, that incorporates in Outlook Express.

The reason you would need this program, is that Microsoft does not include spell check in Outlook express unless your computer has a program like Word or Works or Microsoft Office also installed.

Since many of us can't afford to buy software that costs hundreds of dollars just to have spell check in our e-mail, the author created this small but valuable program.
 

Click Here To Download

560 kb

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a subscription to either Smart Computing or CPU Magazines. If you are a current subscriber and order a gift subscription, the folks at Smart Computing will add 2 additional issues to your current subscription at no charge. And remember that even gift subscriptions will be credited to the SPCUG account so that we can accumulate free subscriptions to give away to our membership.

To order call 1-800-733-3809 and be sure to give the following Code Numbers so that SPCUG gets proper credit.
Smart Computing (11607) CPU Magazine (272) PC Today (146) CE Tips (219)

Click the banner above to print an order form.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print

If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer you can get it by clicking this button

Think You're Pretty Smart Eh?

 

In the start menu on the top left which shows the most recently used programs I have 2 that have crept in that I use very infrequently.  How do I get them out and place a more often used program in its place? 

To remove an icon from the recently used programs list, right click on the icon and click on "Remove from this list".

If I have a program that I want to have quick access to, I simply find the program in the start menu, right click on it and then click on "Pin To Start Menu" this will put the icon permanently just above the recently used programs list. To remove it at a later date, just right click and select "Remove From This List".

 

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Dave,

I enjoy your E mail very much and often print out copies of your answers.

My question is: I insert a picture in my Word Program.  I then want to type up the name, address, city & state, besides the graphic, without the graphic moving. 

How do I block the graphic so I can type beside it? I want to do this on envelopes that I mail to people to wish them a Happy Birthday or other graphics.
Thanks for your help. Joan


Dear Joan,

The secret to placing an image in Word is to first create a text box and then put the image in the text box.

1. In Word, click on "Insert" and "Text Box" in the menu bar.

2. A small box will appear in your document. You can move the box around by pointing to the edge and dragging the box. You can also adjust the size of the box by dragging one of the small points in the corners and edges.

3. Now, click inside the text box and insert your picture.

If you want, you can insert another text box for your address.

Got a question?  Why not "Byte" me?

The "Bytes" Beg, Bargain & Barter Basement

Got something "computer related" to sell? Looking for that rare peripheral? If it's computer related you can submit a short classified ad for exposure in Dave "Bytes". Be sure to include your name and e-mail address in the ad. You can also include a picture of the item. Now some would suggest that there be a charge for this feature but alas, since my bookkeeping skills leave much to be desired I've determined that this will be a free service to all SPCUG members in good standing.  "Bytes" is currently sent to almost 1000 homes in the area. Ad requests will be included as soon as possible. I assume absolutely no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of supplied info. All transactions are between consulting adults which leaves me entirely off the hook. Please let me know by clicking HERE when your merchandise is sold so that I can remove it from the listing. I will try to run each ad for a month.

	Kodak Digital Science DC260 Zoom Digital Camera Used and in good condition. Features: · 3 different-size still frame captures: Low(768x512), Medium(1152x768), High(1536-1024) · 3 different quality settings: low, medium, high. (more or less jpeg compression) · 3X optical zoom and 2X digital zoom (for 6X overall) · 2" TFT color LCD screen (for preview/review) · A great menu system (colorful and easy to navigate through) · Optional Sounds (shutter sound and button ticks) · "Time Lapse" and "Burst Capture" settings · Automatic orientation (when you use the camera sideways it rotates the picture) · Video out (for use if you want to show the family on the TV) · Self timer (for setting the camera up and jumping in front of it to take a picture of yourself) Compact Flash Cards ( 8 & 40 Mb), Sandisk USB Card Reader, rechargeable batteries and Kodak Travel Bag included $125.00 FOR ALL

 

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YOU CAN NOW EASILY LOCATE THE DOWNLOADS MENTIONED IN DAVE "BYTES" BY CLICKING ON THE BUTTONS ON  WWW.DAVEBYTES.COM Check regularly since I'm always adding new content Click HERE to submit your favorite Freeware or Shareware program

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Here's The Latest Virus Information

 

 

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Google unveils searches with personal touch

Google unveiled a new tool Monday that allows people to make their Web searches more personal, the latest in a string of announcements from the major search companies in the last several weeks as competition in the industry heats up. Google Personalized Search, available for testing at the Google Labs page (http://labs.google.com/personalized/), allows people to create a profile of their interests, which is then used to filter their search results. People can identify up to 216 areas of interest, from art history to motorcycles. The amount of personalization can be adjusted with a slider bar at the top of each search results page. ``The basic concept is fairly simple,'' said Jen Fitzpatrick, director of engineering for Google. ``Users know best what topics are most important to them, and this is a way to personalize the results.'' The ability to tailor search results to the individual is considered the holy grail of search technology. But few companies have released real-world versions of the technology, an indication of the complexities involved in developing such a tool. Google bought two smaller companies in recent years that specialized in personalized searching, Kaltix and Outride. But until now, the Mountain View company had little to show publicly for those acquisitions. Search experts gave the new service a lukewarm response. Danny Sullivan, editor of the Web site Search Engine Watch, said the tool often returned results for him that were confusing, especially if he selected more than one area of interest. "I think it's really significant,'' Sullivan said. ``It's just not very good. It's too easy to break it. It's got a long way to go.'' Fitzpatrick stressed that the tool is still in its beta-testing stage and will probably change based on user feedback. It does not yet appear to work with Macintosh browsers, for example. Search engines can take two approaches to personalizing search results -- asking the user to supply personal information, or gleaning information about the user from their Web surfing patterns. Online bookseller Amazon, for example, does the latter, monitoring what people buy and then offering personalized recommendations the next time they shop. Eurekster, a new search site, monitors which search results a user clicks on and gives those results more importance in subsequent searches. Google, on the other hand, is relying exclusively on the profiles that people have created. That's good, said Outride co-founder Jim Pitkow, because the search engine doesn't have to try hard to infer anything from the user's behavior. But it can also be a disadvantage, because a person's interests will change over time, but they may not update their Google profile to reflect that. ``It's really unclear what it's learning about me,'' said Pitkow, CEO of Moreover

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Selby Library Needs Volunteers

 

 

As you may be aware, the Selby Library is doing a "tag-a-thon" in the Youth Department.  All books in the library will be tagged to get ready for self check-out.  What this entails is scanning and placing a computer chip (attached to a sticker) in every book.  As you can imagine, this is a very labor intensive process.  We started it last week and have clocked over 180 volunteer hours!!!  We will be continuing until this Friday.

 

As little as one hour would help us.  Volunteers are encouraged to bring friends, family, etc (sorry no pets).  Refreshments are provided and it is like Santa's workshop over there.  Even snowbirds can volunteer to help out and truly make a difference.

 

Volunteers interested can call Marilyn Nykiforuk (the youth librarian) directly at 861-1133. 

 

 

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Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

 

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Spyware, Spyware ... Everywhere You Look?

Click on name for additional info

 

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Pause For Thought

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes"

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car The sand is everything else-the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."

Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

 

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While Wandering The Web

Sarasota County Cone Zone

In the weekly Sarasota County Cone Zone, you will find updated road conditions in areas where county construction, repair and maintenance projects have an impact on local traffic. Included are all road or lane closures, both public and private, approved by the county engineer.

Click Here To Visit

 

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Don't Be an Invisible Member Get Involved To inquire about volunteer opportunities Click Here  Remember.. "The more you put in.... the more you'll take out"

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Remember  Don't Let Your Membership Lapse contact:  membership@spcug.org

Looking for a SIG or Forum?

The best place to go is the SPCUG Event Calendar. 
Once there you can view everything planned for SPCUG members.
Want to register for a SIG? There is no better place to do that then at http://www.calsplus.com/spcug
This calendar is updated on a daily basis making it the most accurate way to see what's happening in the world of SPCUG.

Click here for the Dave "Bytes" Archives

P.S. Don't forget to say "Hi" at the meeting!!

Sarasota Personal Computer User Group, Inc
 
Phone: 877-SPCUG-HI

  To Send A Message To Dave Click Below

 Sign the "Bytes" Book

Website: http://www.spcug.org

 
© 2004. All Rights Reserved.

 l Dave "Bytes" Home Page l  Bits & Bytes Radio Show|
SPCUG Home Page | Officers | Newsletter | SIGs | Regular Meetings | Sarasota | Join NOW! |
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