Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
April 11, 2004

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

Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes
(if you haven't already)

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Organize your Programs in the Start Menu

If you have many programs installed, it can be difficult to find the one you want in the Start | All Programs menu. To make it easier, you can organize them into subfolders and "pin" your most used programs to the top section of the Start menu so they'll always appear there.

To pin a program to the top section, just click Start | All Programs and drag the program you want into the top section on the Start menu. This creates a shortcut there, and does not remove the shortcut from the All Programs menu.

To organize programs into subfolders, do the following:

Right click the Start button and select Explore. Windows Explorer will open with the Start menu folder highlighted in the left pane.
Click the Programs folder. In the right pane, you'll see folders that represent submenus and shortcuts to programs.
Make new submenus by right clicking in an empty space in the right pane and selecting New | Folder. Name the new folder whatever you want the new submenu to be named (for example, Graphics Programs).
You can drag the programs you want into the submenu (for example, you might drag Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw and PhotoPaint into the Graphics folder).

Now when you open the Programs menu, you'll have submenus with your similar programs organized in them, making it easier to find the programs you need and making your Programs menu shorter.

BITS

BYTES

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 !!!

Dave's Cool Download

Search using Google without opening your browser

Google Deskbar enables you to search with Google from any application without lifting your fingers from the keyboard. Installs easily in your Windows taskbar.

Key Features:

v Search using Google, even when your browser isn't running

v Preview search results in a small inset window that closes automatically

v Access Google from any application by typing Ctrl+Alt+G

v Use keyboard shortcuts for multiple Google searches, i.e., Google News (Ctrl+N),Google Images (Ctrl+I), or Froogle (Ctrl+F)

Click Here to Download

426 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

Here's A Hardware Tip

Buying the Right CD Recorder

Of all the gobbledygook associated with buying a CD recorder, nothing is as foreign to a normal human being — or affects the price of a drive as much — as the X factor. You encounter these X numbers in every description of every drive you see, so it's time to cover the X factor thing like a wet blanket (or a new coat of paint).

In plain English, the X factor is the speed at which a drive can read and record data. It's typically expressed as three numbers, like 12x/4x/32x.

The order is always important:

The first number indicates the CD-R recording speed.

The second number is the CD-RW recording speed.

The last number provides the read-only speed.

Therefore, whenever you apply these conventions to the example, you're looking at a drive that can record a CD-R at 12x and a CD-RW at 4x and can read a CD-ROM at 32x. Naturally, higher numbers are better, so follow this general rule:

The faster the X factor, the faster the drive performs at either recording or reading data.

Got a question? Why not "Byte" me?

Countdown To May General Meeting

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.

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

OK SPCUG Members...I Surrender !!

Members Helping Members, something I believe in and I know that I am not alone in this belief. This space has always asked for your contributions but alas, none have been received.
I'm sure that most of you have a "favorite" Freeware/Shareware Program to "share" with your fellow members. Why not get a bit of the satisfaction that so many of your dedicated volunteers get by sharing and exchanging information?

Remember...

Only "YOU" can prevent "Volunteer Burnout" !!

Got Something to Share? Click Smokey

Here's The Latest Virus Information

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Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

Click the SPCUG Logo for an online
Membership Application that you can
type into and print

Spyware, Spyware ... Everywhere You Look?

Click on name for additional info

Pause For Thought

"Want to make your computer go really fast? Throw it out a window"

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While Wandering The Web

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"

Here's An Internet Tip

All about Bots

A bot, short for robot, is a piece of software that digs for information. In other words, you give a bot instructions, and it goes out and finds the stuff you're seeking. Internet.com maintains the BotSpot, a Web site all about bots.

You can find:

Categories of different kinds of bots.

A comprehensive list and description of all the bots in each category, including shopping to help you in your shopping search.

A bot forum, newsletter, and the latest news.

The next time you can't seem to locate what you're looking for, run down the list of bots at the BotSpot and let a bot do the work for you.

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

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Website: http://www.spcug.org