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Dave "Bytes"
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Dave "Bytes"
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A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!
Click here to subscribe to Dave "Bytes"
(Please provide your full name
and email address)
Here's An Internet Explorer Tip
In general, if you want IE to run
faster, you need to get a faster Internet connection.
But if you're stuck with a slow connection, and you're a bit
desperate, there's one trick that will speed up IE -- but at a price.
You can turn off graphics.
When you tell IE to load a page
without the graphics, the browser displays an empty box where the
image would be. That's a bit like going to the Louvre and seeing only
empty picture frames, but if you want to get through quickly, it may
help.
Here's how:
Choose Tools, Internet Options. The Internet Options dialog box opens.
Click the Advanced tab.
Scroll down to the Multimedia section and deselect the Show Pictures
check box.
Click OK to close the dialog box.
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Using The Windows Control Panel
Many of us know how to perform simple maintenance on our cars - changing oil, tires, or windshield washing fluid. But looking under the hood of Windows leaves the majority of people perplexed. In this feature we'll take a look at the engine room of Windows: the Control Panel.
You will learn how to tweak Windows to make it look and feel the way you want it to, diagnose faults, tell technical support engineers exactly what's wrong with the PC and even fix simple problems yourself. (YES!! I MEAN YOU !!)
The more you learn about the role of the Control Panel in Windows, the better you will understand how your computer works. Although we'll be working with the most recent version, Windows XP, you will find that much of the advice can be applied to the Control Panels in earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 98 and Windows Me.
XP users may also find that some of the buttons are not quite the same in their particular version, or perhaps are not there at all depending on whether you've downloaded Windows Service Pack 2. Not to worry, though, all the important stuff here is relevant to everyone.
End of Series
Here's Another Silly USB Device
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Here's A Microsoft Word Tip
You can
"draw" complex tables into your document by using the handy Table and
Borders button on the Standard toolbar. Basically, you draw the table
first and then fill in the rows and columns later.
To put a table in the middle of your document, follow these steps:
Click the Tables and Borders button (it looks like a square, divided
into fourths, with a yellow pencil).
If you weren't previously in Print Layout view, Microsoft Word
switches you there automatically. (You can't place tables while in
Normal view.) Ensure that the Draw Table button is "on" in the Tables
and Borders palette.
The Draw Table button should be active (looking like it's selected).
If the Draw Table button isn't on, click it. The mouse pointer changes
to a pencil, referred to as the pencil pointer. Drag the mouse to
"draw" the table's outline in your document.
Start in the upper-left corner of where you envision your table and
drag to the lower- right corner, which tells Word where to put your
table. You see an outline of the table as you drag down and to the
right. Don't worry about making the table the right size; you can
resize it later. Use the pencil pointer to draw rows and columns.
To draw a row, drag the pencil pointer from the left side to the right
side of the table.
To draw a column, drag the pencil pointer from the top to the bottom
of the table. As you drag the pencil pointer, a dashed line appears,
showing you where the new row or column will be split. Also notice
that you can split columns or rows into more cells simply by dragging
the pencil pointer inside a cell and not across the entire table.
Click the Draw Table button when you're done creating the table's rows
and columns.
This step turns off table-creating mode and switches you back to
normal editing mode. Now you can fill the text into your table or
modify the table or whatever.
SPCUG February Volunteer of the Month
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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
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HP deskjet printer #812c $30.00 |
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How To Select That New Monitor
Everyone seems to have an opinion
on the best type of monitor but, given a few basic technical requirements,
in reality it comes down to what you like to look at.
There's no substitute for seeing a monitor in operation before you buy it.
You're unlikely to choose a TV without seeing it working in a shop, and
the same applies to monitors. There are large quality variations inherent
in the manufacturing process so, if you see a good example, grab it.
In this guide we'll talk you through some of the commonly encountered
buzzwords and specifications. After just a few minutes you'll be much
better prepared to start the buying process.
TFT versus CRT
Cathode-ray tube monitors seem to have gone out of fashion recently,
mainly due to the rapidly dropping prices of sexy-looking TFT (thin-film
transistor) flat-panel models. But remember that CRT technology is well
over 100 years old and still has a lot of strengths.
CRTs are bulky, heavy and consume a lot more power than TFTs, but a canny
buyer would do well not to dismiss CRTs out of hand given their excellent
value for money.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of graphics elements displayed on a
screen. These elements are known as pixels and are generated by your
graphics card.
In any monitor, TFT or LCD, each pixel is composed of three sub-pixels
colored red, green and blue. In a CRT monitor these pixels (each composed
of three phosphor dots) are spread in a grid across the screen separated
by a distance called the dot pitch. The smaller the dot pitch, the sharper
the screen will look at a given resolution.
With TFT panels, each pixel is composed of three rectangular thin-film
transistors. The number of pixels equals the 'native' resolution: a 1,024
x 768 TFT will have exactly that number of pixels horizontally and
vertically.
CRTs usually have a higher resolution than a TFT of the same size, and
work perfectly at any standard resolution up to the quoted maximum.
Running a TFT below its native resolution (the number of pixels in the TFT)
can result in either a very poor 'blocky' picture, or one that doesn't
fill the whole screen.
THE STALWARTS: CRTs
Let's start with what to look for in a CRT monitor. The majority of CRTs
these days are flat-screen models, which are much more pleasant to use
than the old curved-screen models.
Size
Most users will be happy with a 17in or 19in CRT. Larger sizes tend to be
very heavy but they are popular for graphics-intensive work such as
desktop publishing or photo editing.
Menu controls
Good CRTs have a wide range of menu-driven adjustments that let you
compensate for inevitable distortions in the display. Make sure there are
at least menu controls to adjust for brightness, contrast, horizontal and
vertical position and size, pincushion, trapezoid, parallelogram,
convergence and color balance.
Ergonomics and standards
Ensure there's a smoothly operating tilt-and-swivel base fitted. A CRT
should support at least an 85Hz refresh rate for any resolution you use to
avoid flicker in the image. Cheap models might not achieve this at their
maximum resolution. Check the data sheets closely.
One of the most important standards for CRTs is the TCO label. This
guarantees compliance with stringent electromagnetic emissions,
ergonomics, energy saving and environmental requirements. For more
information and a searchable database of compliant models have a look
here.
The latest standard is TCO-03, but you may also see older standards such
as TCO-92, 95 or 99. Avoid monitors with no TCO labelling.
THIN IS IN: TFTs
Everyone seems to want a TFT monitor, because they're stylish, compact,
easy to move around and very affordable. But there's a lot of
misinformation around and you need to check the specifications a little
more closely than you do with a CRT.
Resolution
First, check that the native resolution is sufficient for your needs - for
example, gamers wanting to run 1,600 x 1,200 will probably need an
expensive 20in model - 19in panels are currently limited to 1,280 x 1,024,
and budget 14/15in models might only support 800 x 600.
Viewing angles
Modern TFTs can be viewed from a wide range of angles vertically and
horizontally, but anything over +/- 45 degrees doesn't really make any
difference in normal use. Don't write off a monitor for the sake of a few
degrees difference in quoted viewing angle.
Response time
Another buzzword to take with a pinch of salt: response time is the time
taken for a pixel to reach maximum brightness, but there's no agreed
standard for measuring it.
In the old days, TFTs had response times of 125ms or more and were poor at
displaying moving graphics such as a cursor. Nowadays 12-25ms is standard
and you won't notice any substantial difference within that range.
Contrast and brightness
TFTs have high quoted contrast ratios, but this is often a maximum figure
so don't take it as gospel. If you regularly work in a very bright room,
see if you can get a home trial before committing to a purchase, or look
for vendors with a money-back refund policy.
Evenness of lighting is more important than the overall brightness
specification, but you can only tell this from looking at the monitor.
Adjustments
Early TFTs were very difficult to set up, but most new TFTs have an
auto-calibration function. Some are better than others, so make sure there
are manual adjustments available as well.
A poorly adjusted TFT will have a 'squirming' or misaligned display. If
your graphics card has a digital (DVI) output, choose a monitor with a DVI
input as you then won't need to make any manual adjustments.
ISO and TCO standards
The ISO 13406-2 standard specifies minimum requirements for display
contrast, viewing angle, brightness, reflections, flicker, contrast and
defective pixels. You may see the standard incorporated in a TUV label
with the words 'Ergonomics Approved' or 'ISO 13406-certified'.
The TCO-95 and TCO-03 standards cover electromagnetic emissions, noise
(yes, bad TFTs can be noisy) and ergonomics. You should ensure that your
monitor has at least one of these certifications. Check at
www.tcodevelopment.com.
ISO 13406-2 has stringent standards for defective pixels, related to the
resolution of the screen and the type of defect. Only Class I TFTs are
guaranteed no defective pixels. Most consumer models are Class II.
Look before you buy
We can't stress enough that there's no substitute for looking at a monitor
before you buy it. After all, if you make a mistake, you're going to be
looking at it every day for a very long time.
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Looking For A Laser Printer?
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Beginning Sunday, March 20 for 2 weeks only at Staples ! |
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Introducing the "NEW" Lexmark E232 Laser Printer
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Instant messaging security threats are growing by 50 per cent each month and could potentially spread across the globe in seconds.
According to research from anti-virus firm F-Secure, virus writers are targeting instant messaging application due to their ability to spread malicious code faster than email worms.
Where as the Sasser email worm took 14 minutes to compromise 95 per cent of all vulnerable PCs around the world, instant messaging worms could infect all IM using computers in just 14 seconds.
The anti-virus firm claims to have detected 200 instant messaging worms, plus more than 700 trojans, backdoors and password stealers that target the application.
'IM worms don't waste time scanning machines that are not infectable they only target other IM using machines,' said Patrick Runald, technical manager at F-Secure.
With analyst firm IDC predicting that 506 million people will use instant messaging by 2008, this could present new security concerns for IT departments.
'As IM grows and comes into corporations it could become more of a risk,' said Runald.
Mikko Hypponen, F-Secure's director of anti-virus research, told Computing that more than 50 per cent of last year's largest viruses were designed by criminals to make money and that mobile viruses could become a greater focus for organized crime outfits.
'PCs don't have in-built billings systems but mobile phones do,' said Hypponen. 'Mobile malware can be designed to infect phones and message premium rate toll numbers. You'll only find out about it when you get your next phone bill.'
Here's A Microsoft "Word" Tip
You can "draw"
complex tables into your document by using the handy Table and Borders
button on the Standard toolbar. Basically, you draw the table first and
then fill in the rows and columns later.
To put a table in the middle of your document, follow these steps:
Click the Tables and Borders button (it looks like a square, divided
into fourths, with a yellow pencil).
If you weren't previously in Print Layout view, Microsoft Word switches
you there automatically. (You can't place tables while in Normal view.)
Ensure that the Draw Table button is "on" in the Tables and Borders
palette.
The Draw Table button should be active (looking like it's selected). If
the Draw Table button isn't on, click it. The mouse pointer changes to a
pencil, referred to as the pencil pointer. Drag the mouse to "draw" the
table's outline in your document.
Start in the upper-left corner of where you envision your table and drag
to the lower-right corner, which tells Word where to put your table. You
see an outline of the table as you drag down and to the right. Don't
worry about making the table the right size; you can resize it later.
Use the pencil pointer to draw rows and columns.
To draw a row, drag the pencil pointer from the left side to the right
side of the table.
To draw a column, drag the pencil pointer from the top to the bottom of
the table. As you drag the pencil pointer, a dashed line appears,
showing you where the new row or column will be split. Also notice that
you can split columns or rows into more cells simply by dragging the
pencil pointer inside a cell and not across the entire table.
Click the Draw Table button when you're done creating the table's rows
and columns.
This step turns off table-creating mode and switches you back to normal
editing mode. Now you can fill the text into your table or modify the
table or whatever.
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. If you aren't a subscriber you should be. These publications are geared towards the very same thing that caused you to join a PC User Group which is easy to read and understand computer information for folks at any level. If you already subscribe, be sure to use the appropriate SPCUG code when you renew !!!
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)
Free Tech Support
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Many people view “free” as one of the nicest words in the English
language. “Tech Support,” however, may not be such a positive term to
computer users, especially if it evokes memories of the hours they’ve
spent on the phone trying to get help for various computer problems.
The thing is, there’s a lot of troubleshooting we can do ourselves without
relying on tech support reps, but we just need a
little nudge in the right
direction. Well, that’s what SmartComputing.com’s Tech Support Center
tries to do: help people fix their own problems.
On SmartComputing.com’s Search Options page, combining a phrase and a
category search can produce more targeted results.
For instance, if you keep seeing an error message appear on-screen that
doesn’t make sense, you can take advantage of the Tech Support Center’s
alphabetized, searchable list of error messages to get both a translation
of the error and a possible resolution.
The Security & Privacy area and the daily Weblog keep you current on the
latest malware (software created for malicious purposes) news. The
Preventative & Regular Maintenance section should be required reading for
all computer owners, and the Driver Education area helps you find device
drivers online. But don’t go anywhere yet; the Tech Support Center offers
much more. Need a list of file extensions? Trying to find info about
eliminating viruses? Want to know more about stopping spam? Tech Support
Center addresses all of these questions and more.
Plus, it’s not just a resource for solving problems; you can use it on an
ongoing basis to learn more about preventing computing problems.
Spend 10 minutes a day at the center for a few months, and you won’t have
to call your brother for help again; heck, he may even start calling you.
Ready for the best news? If you’ve exhausted all of the site’s
resources, including the Q&A Board (see the next section), you can call
the Web Services staff at (800) 368-8304, and someone will try to help
you with your problem. And it’s still—there’s that nice word again—free.
Want to learn Powerseller secrets?...or better yet, how to
Think like a Powerseller?
Hunting for hot deals?
Seeking to transform your business?
Looking to boost your cash
flow?
Ready for a good laugh?
Every week on our internet radio show, we will be giving you
straight answers to your
questions on how to make your online auction experience fun
and profitable.
In addition, we'll feature interviews with interesting, sharp,
well positioned players in
the world of online commerce and auctions. Whether buying
online or selling online,
we've got you covered.
We're internet talk radio's most informative and entertaining
show.
Listen to our Most Recent Shows.
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© 2005. All Rights Reserved
04/13/2007 06:46 AM
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