Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!
April 25, 2004

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

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Here's A Windows XP Tip

Here is a tip for Bytes. I don't remember seeing it before on your site. The tip is actually one that I read in Smart Computing - the tip really worked well. This is for Win XP.

I have a new computer with an LCD panel monitor and found that the text was hard to read. There is a default setting in Windows that can be changed to make reading screen fonts easier with this kind of monitor. (This also works with laptops.)

Go to a blank place on the desktop and right-click, select Properties. Select the Appearance tab, Select the Effects button from this screen. The second option on this screen is "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts". On this option there are two selections and the default is Standard. Change the default to ClearType and click OK. Click OK again.

Thanks to Nancy Dennis for submitting this tip !!!

BITS

BYTES

Clicking on Dave 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

It's getting a bit too warm for any "Cool" downloads this week

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.

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Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Configure XP to reopen folders that were open when you shut down the computer

You need to shut down or restart the computer, perhaps because you've installed software, but when you log back on you'd like XP to automatically reopen the folders that you had open at shutdown. It's easy to do this:

Open Windows Explorer (Right click the Start menu and select Explore).
Click Tools.
Select Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced Settings, scroll down and put a checkmark in the box that says Restore previous folders at logon.
Click OK.

Where Do You Go to Report Spam?

I've had several readers ask if there is someplace where they can report the spam they receive, either to a government agency, an anti-spam organization or maintainers of blacklists. In fact, there are several such services that take reports of spam, including the following:

SpamCop (http://www.spamcop.net): Adds spammer addresses to blacklist and sends email to spammers' ISPs on your behalf.
SpamAbuse (http://www.spamabuse.org): report spam messages and get tools for tracking spammers.

Countdown To June 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.

Click Here To Submit Your Ad

HERE'S AN INTERNET TIP

Do You Have The EULA Blues (or "I agreed to WHAT?")

What if someone with whom you wanted to do business asked you to pay for the product or service first, before you would be allowed to read the contract stating the terms of the business transaction? That's exactly what software vendors demand every time you buy a shrink-wrapped boxed operating system or application. The End User License Agreement (EULA) is inside that box, or sometimes only in digital form on the disk so that you can't know what you're agreeing to until after you've already plunked down your hard-earned money.

Even after you get it home and open up the box, how many of you actually read the EULA? Many folks, anxious to get on with the installation, just click "I agree" without even scanning through all that fine print. After all, you've already paid for it - what are you going to do if you don't like what the EULA says? Take it back? That's what the EULA says you should do if you don't agree with its terms, but many software retailers have policies against accepting returns for opened software. Of course, they have a good reason: otherwise unscrupulous folks could buy a program, take it home and make a copy of it and then return it for a full refund. Still, this policy discourages users from exercising their right to reject the EULA.

Which brings us to an interesting point: in many jurisdictions, a contract signed under duress is not considered binding. Is your agreement really voluntary under these circumstances?

In the past, courts have made some interesting rulings on EULAs. For example, in a landmark case back in November 2001, Softman v. Adobe, a district court ruled that consumers could resell software programs they hadn't installed (i.e., software that comes "bundled" with hardware) even if the EULA prohibits it. Because the EULA was presented during installation, the reseller had never accepted it and therefore was not bound by it.

However, under the laws of most jurisdictions, if you do click that "I agree" button, you're bound by the terms of the EULA. And some of those terms can be onerous indeed. Most vendors' EULAs disclaim any responsibility for any damage caused by their software, but others go much further: for instance, requiring that you agree to allow the software vendor to access information on your computer.

Many feel that the current methods of licensing software should be overhauled completely. Others caution that because of its digital nature, software cannot be treated like other intellectual property (books, music, art). What do you think? Is there a better way to sell software rights than via the EULA? Tell us what you think at dave_bytes@comcast.net

Here's A Windows XP Tip

How to Install and Configure XP's Built-in Fax Service

Do you want to send and receive faxes on your Windows XP computer? If you have a fax modem installed, you can - but the fax service is not installed by default. Here's how to install and configure it:

Click Start | Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs.
Click Add/Remove Windows Components.
When the Windows Components Wizard starts, click the Fax Services check box to check it and click Next.
Insert the XP installation CD if prompted to do so, and click OK.
Click Finish when the Wizard is done, and click Close to close the Add or Remove Programs dialog box.

Now you need to configure the service:

Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | Communications | Fax | Fax Console.
When the Fax Configuration Wizard starts, go through the steps to enter sender information, select the modem you want to use, and choose whether you want to be able to send or receive faxes, or both.
You can enter the TSID information that appears in the fax header and the CSID information that is displayed on the sending fax machine.
You can also select whether to automatically print faxes or store a copy in a folder.
Click Finish on the Summary page of the Wizard.

Now you can send and/or receive faxes!

Here's The Latest Virus Information

Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership?

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Spyware, Spyware ... Everywhere You Look?

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Pause For Thought

"Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gurgle."

While Wandering The Web

Sorry .. My Internet Travel Agent is on vacation !!!

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Remember.. "The more you put in....

the more you'll take out"

Here's An Internet Tip

Picking Your Password

Password protection is everywhere nowadays. To get the most out of your passwords, remember the following:

Never use the same password twice. If the security of one of your accounts is compromised, then all of your accounts that use that same password are endangered as well.

Always write your passwords down, even if you think you can remember them. Keeping a couple dozen passwords straight in your memory can be pretty hard, especially if some of them are for sites that you don't visit regularly.

Never leave your passwords lying around. No matter how careful you are in picking passwords, they aren't secure if you don't protect them.
You'd be amazed by the number of people who tape their passwords to their computer monitors!

Change your password from time to time. If you have a password for a Web site that is very important to you, change the password more often than usual.

Remember

Don't Let Your

Membership Lapse

contact: membership@spcug.org

Here's A Microsoft Word Tip

Dropping In a Drop Cap

A drop cap is a large capital letter that "drops" into a text. Drop caps appear at the start of chapters in antiquated books, but you can find other uses for them.

To create a drop cap, follow these steps:

Click anywhere in the paragraph whose first letter you want to "drop."

Choose Format, Drop Cap.

In the Drop Cap dialog box, choose which kind of drop cap you want by clicking a box.

Choose a font from the Font drop-down list.

In the Lines to Drop scroll box, choose how many text lines the letter should "drop on."

Keep the O setting in the Distance From the Text box unless you're dropping an I, 1, or other skinny letters or numbers.

Click OK.

If you're not in Page Layout View, a dialog box asks whether you want to go there. Click Yes and you'll see your drop cap in all its glory.

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.

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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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