Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
June 28, 2004

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!

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Here's A Windows XP Tip

Making All Folders Behave the Same Way

It can take days — even weeks — to adjust folders so that they open up showing just the view you like: all large icons arranged by name, for example, or a more detailed view spilling over with information about the file.

From the View menu, choose Folder Options. The Folder Options window appears, ready for you to change the looks of your folders.

Click on the View tab, and then click on the Like Current Folder button. It's a big and clunky button; you can't miss it.

If things don't work out — you don't like that current folder after all — return to the Folder Options window and choose the Reset All Folders button.

Web Terms

Secure Server:

When a browser connects to a secure server, it uses HTTPS: in the URL, not HTTP:. The additional "S" lets you know it's a secure site. During the connection process, the browser and the server agree to encrypt all the data.
So credit card information is turned into gobbledygook. Any info traveling between browser and server will be seen as
a lot of undecipherable nonsense by any snoop.

Additionally, the browser's padlock symbol in the lower section of the screen will be in the locked position.

BITS

BYTES

Clicking on Dave will take you to the

"Bits & Bytes"

site where you can listen to the most recent broadcast

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving all year round? I'm referring to a subscription to either Smart Computing, PC Today, CE Tips 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.

10 Great Reasons To Subscribe

1. 5 Magazines For The Price Of 1!
	When you subscribe to any magazine from Sandhills Publishing, you are getting much more than a magazine. Every article they produce, for any of our five publications, is archived on their Web sites and available to you as a paid subscriber. You subscribe to one publication but have online access to all five. The annual retail cost of these issues on newsstand is $371, but complete access is yours for only $29!

2. Interactive Q&A Board
	Subscribers tell them daily how the Q&A Board saved them from costly tech-support bills. Use the search function to find out if other subscribers have already answered your question. Or post specific questions and receive very timely answers to even the most difficult PC problems.

3. Plain-English Editorial
	They produce the cleanest, easiest-to-understand editorial in the computing category so you can make the most of your computing free time.

4. Save 70% Off The Newsstand Price
	Signing up today for a 3-year subscription will save you 70% off the newsstand price.

5. Live, Local Customer Service
	When you call them with a question or concern, a live Sandhills employee answers every call. No automated phone directory, no transfer to an international call center; they are here to serve you.

6. Live Web Monitors
	Their Web site is the ultimate computing resource, but if you can’t find an answer to your technical questions, contact them. They are staffed to help you find a solution to your problem.

7. Guaranteed Lowest Price
	Every subscriber receives the absolute lowest price: $29. They don’t charge loyal subscribers more on their renewal, and you will never find a lower price than is available on their Web site.

8. Minimal Advertising
	Each publication is limited to 19 pages of advertising per issue. Compare that to hundreds of pages in most computing magazines.

9. Privacy
	They do not sell, trade, or otherwise distribute any personal data on their subscribers.

10. Risk-Free
	All subscriptions are risk-free; you can cancel at any time and receive a refund for all unmailed issues.

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

While Wandering The Web

Now this site has the info for your day!
All you need to do is fill in your birth date and hit go. You will get a cultural readout of what was going on the day you were born, including the top news, popular songs, prices of bread, houses, hot movies for that day, and more. You will be able to see how things have changed since you were born.
I was surprised to see how things have progressed since I was born, you might be too!
Check out the history of your birthday!

http://www.dmarie.com/timecap/

Countdown to the next SPCUG General Meeting

Here's A Windows Tip

Make that Laptop Battery Last?

Laptops drain batteries faster than children drain grape juice at Chuck E. Cheese. Plugging in the AC adapter recharges the batteries, but what do you do to maximize the time spent between AC outlets? To keep your batteries breathing as long as possible, try some of these tricks.

New batteries come uncharged and need to be broken in. Charge and immediately discharge your batteries a few times before relying on them.(Discharge portables by leaving them unplugged from the wall and turned on for a few hours — or even overnight.) In fact, keep up the habit of fully draining and recharging your batteries once a week.

Clean the contacts on your rechargeable batteries and charger. A cotton swab and rubbing alcohol can do the trick.

Head for the Control Panel, open the Power Management area, and make sure that Windows knows it's running on a laptop and needs to save as much power as possible. That way, it can shut off the hard drives when they aren't being used, for example, or turn off the screen.

When not using something with your laptop, turn off its power. Remove PC cards, for example. You can leave your modem PC card inside, though, if you make sure that your modem program isn't configured to receive calls. Otherwise, the PC card stays on, draining power as it awaits a phone call that never arrives.

Leaving a disc in your laptop's CD-ROM drive is actually beneficial; your computer peeks inside the drive at random intervals, and it takes less energy to find a disc than to search for one.

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 1500 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.

Click Here To Submit Your Ad

From Kim Komando

Going from tape to DVD

Q. Have you seen any hardware devices where you can just drop in your 8mm tape and it will burn a DVD?

A. We haven't reached that level of automation, to my knowledge. But there are systems available that help ease this process.

I believe the closest thing to what you're seeking is the Hewlett- Packard DC4000 DVD Movie Writer. You have to cable your camcorder to the machine, rather than dropping in the tape. According to Hewlett-
Packard, you can burn DVDs while leaving the machine unattended.

The package also includes software to edit the movies, if you like. I have not tried the DC4000, but even allowing for advertising hype, it sounds relatively simple.

The DC4000 lists for $300. However, I found it for as little as $250 online.

The DC4000 connects to the computer via a USB cable. You do have to make some simple decisions about connection types, background and type of DVD you're using.

The Hewlett-Packard machine includes editing software if you decide to do more.

If you can do with less automation, there are other products available.

The Adaptec VideOH! DVD captures the signal from the camcorder and converts the data to digital. It includes editing software to make custom movies. You use the DVD or CD burner on your computer to make the disc.

The ADS Technologies DVD Xpress offers a similar system. I found it for $170 online. I found the Adaptec VideOH! DVD for $135.

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Who Says There's No Place For Humor In Computing?

Those who know me are very aware that I am not fond of receiving jokes via email. There are a few reasons but the most annoying ones are getting a joke .....

1. That has been around the world at least 100 times
2. That's not even a bit humorous
3. When it's pages and pages long and not worth the "punch line" putting unnecessary wear and tear on my scroll mouse
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY .....
4. Sent to all recipients along the way using TO: and not BCC:

So, occasionally I'll include the ones that I think are are worth the time without clogging your INBOX.
Dave

Guess What I Found For All My Readers?

How About A FREE 1 Year Subscription To PC Magazine?

PC Magazine is now available in an optional digital format that will enable you to receive an exact replica of the print version via the Internet. Enjoy faster delivery, enhanced features and archive your issues easily. For more information about the digital format, read on.

How is the "digital" version different than the regular printed edition?

The Digital Version is an exact digital replica of the print version, but it offers you many additional advantages, including:

* Automatic delivery of every issue directly to your computer via the Internet

* Timesaving tools that quickly take you right to the articles, features, and sections that are most important to you

* Quick links to content on the Web, advertiser's sites, and other articles in the issue

* Convenient features that allow you to do advanced searches, make highlights and annotations on articles, and zoom in on desired areas

* Efficient storage of your archived issues on your PC for access at anytime

The Digital Version can help you save more time and be more productive than ever before by providing you valuable information in a user-friendly format that takes full advantage of new technologies.

Plus, you'll receive your digital edition as soon as it's available -- typically 2-3 days before you'd receive your issue via snailmail.

Q. Does the digital version contain everything in the print edition: articles, photos, advertising?

A. Yes, it's exactly the same. You won't miss a single article, a photo or an ad. There are even nifty "virtual" versions of those subscription cards, except they won't fall in your lap!

Q. What is the digital format?

A. PC Magazine has partnered with a company called Zinio to create a convenient, new digital format that features the same great content and the same great design delivered straight to your desktop over the Internet.

Q. What application do I use to view in digital format?

A. The Digital Version requires free reader software that was developed by Zinio and is FREE for my readers. When your first digital issue is ready, you'll receive an email notification along with instructions on registering with Zinio and downloading the free Zinio Reader software.

Q. Will the free Zinio Reader work on my computer?

A. The reader works in Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. A Pentium II 233 or better is recommended.

Q. How much disk space does the reader use?

A. Roughly 10MB.

Q. How much disk space does a typical issue take up?

A. 10-20MB.

Q. Why do they need my email address?

A. When each new issue becomes available, they will notify you via email.

Q. How do I get my issues?

A. When you install the Zinio Reader, you will also create an account with Zinio. You will be notified via email as each new issue becomes available. The Zinio Delivery Manager will download your issues automatically or you can retrieve them whenever it's most convenient for you. (Note: The Zinio Reader contains NO SPYWARE)

Q. Do I need to be connected to the Internet to read my issues?

A. No, you only need to be connected when you download your issues.

Q. Can I print from the Zinio Reader?

A. Yes, two pages at a time.

To get your FREE subscription click on the PC Magazine Banner above

From The "Bytes" Mailbag

All of a sudden the "Using Selective Startup for troubleshooting your system" box has been popping up ever time I start up my computer. I click on OK and the box disappears. What does this mean? What did I do to cause this to appear? Should I be concerned about it? I sure would appreciate some information on this.
Thanks, Joan

That box means you (or someone else) is getting into the startup configuration controls of your computer and has made some changes. You can always click on the checkbox that says something like "Don't remind of this again" and you won't see the box the next time you start up your computer.

Here's The Latest Virus Information

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This calendar is updated on a daily basis making it the most accurate way to see what's happening in the world of SPCUG.

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

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Phone: 877-SPCUG-HI

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Last Updated
04/13/2007 06:42 AM