Dave Bytes

Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!

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

December 20, 2003

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Here's A Windows XP Tip

One of the features of Windows XP which is very handy, but also uses a lot of hard drive space is the system restore feature.
Every now and then, you should clean out the old system restore points.
First, you want to be sure that your computer is running smoothly.

Click on "Start", then point to "All Programs", "Accessories", "System Tools" and click on "Disk Cleanup".

Disk Cleanup will spend a few minutes calculating how much space you can save and when it is done, will show you a window with two tabs at the top, "Disk Cleanup" and "More Options".

Click on the "More Options" tab and locate the section near the bottom labeled "System Restore". This section tells you that you can free up more disk space by removing all but the most recent restore point.
Click the "Clean Up.." button in this section and click "Yes" when Windows asks you "Are you Sure?".

Click "OK" when you are done.

Windows 98 Screensaver Easter Egg - Volcano

In Control Panel, choose Display, then Click on Screen Savers tab. Select "3D Text". Next Click on settings and in the graphics text box type "volcano".

George's
BITS

Dave's
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 !!!

From the "Bytes" Mailbag

Dear Dave,
Thanks so much for all the info. you give on computing. It has helped me a lot since I am very computer illiterate!
The question I have is: I just downloaded Adobe Reader 6.0 and I still have Acrobat Reader 5.0 in my programs and desktop. Do I need both, or can I delete the acrobat reader 5.0 now?
Thanks again for your help.
Anne

Dear Anne,
You really don't need both versions of Acrobat Reader since version 6.0 will open all older PDF documents as well.
I have found that if I un-install the older version, this often causes the newer version to stop functioning as well. The best thing to do, is un-install the older version before installing the newer one.
Since you both have already installed, I would suggest you go to the Control Panel and using the "Add/Remove Programs" applet, remove both versions of Acrobat Reader.
Once you have re-booted your computer, you can re-install Version 6.

Dave,
I am working on Windows 98. Here my scenario: by mistake, I managed to save a document that shows up now as my template every time I open Word.
How do I correct this problem? Is you need further clarity on my question, please let me know.
Thank you,
Don

Dear Don,
Somehow in the process of saving your file, you saved it as a template named normal.dot. This is the file that Word uses to load a new blank document. In some versions of Word, this is easy to do, while in others it is harder, but not impossible to do.
To fix this, all you have to do, is delete the file, normal.dot. When you open Word up, it will look for the file, and if it does not find it, will create a new, blank one.

The hardest part is finding the file.

Make sure you do not have Word open and then, click on "Start", then on "Find" (or Search) and "Files or Folders"
Click on the "Name& Location" tab and in the box labeled "Named" type the name of the file you are looking for, "normal.dot"
In the "Look in" section, make sure it says (C:) and make sure there is a check mark in front of "Include subfolders", then click "Find Now".
When the file, normal.dot shows up in the results box, just right click on it, and click Delete.

Now, open Word and it will make a new blank template.

Got a question?

Why not "Byte" me?

While Wandering the Web

Windows XP Game Advisor

The next time you’re looking for a new game to run on your WinXP system, check Microsoft’s Game Advisor (www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/games/gameadvisor/default.asp). This tool helps you choose a game based on an age range and one of 10 different game categories, including Family Entertainment, Kids, and Sports/Racing.

After you select an age range and game type, the Game Advisor generates a list of games that match your requirements. Each of the listed games has a corresponding link to verify that your system can run the game. If your system can’t run the game, the WinXP Game Advisor provides links to hardware vendors that can help you upgrade. There’s also a link to each game’s Web site for additional information.

Images from the SPCUG Volunteer Luncheon

Michael's On East

December 6, 2003

Click the scroll arrows for more pictures

Click thumbnail to view

[photogallery/photo00014147/real.htm]

Chuck Mason - Photographer

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 send your ad

Microsoft Offers Apologies For Swastika Symbols In Office 2003 Font

Last week, Microsoft Senior Vice President Steven Sinofsky published an Open Letter in which the company apologized for the fact that "due to an unintentional oversight" Microsoft failed to identify the presence of two swastikas in the Bookshelf Symbol 7 font.

Microsoft has released a utility for download that removes the font. You can download the English [131 KB] version directly, or go to the Microsoft Download site to select your language.

For more information, read Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 833404.

Winner of the Membership Drive Contest

Ann Dodderidge

For her efforts Ann received a $100 Office Depot Gift Card

Here's A Windows XP Tip

Did you ever notice that when you install a new program in XP there is a message that pops up and tells you that a new program has been installed?

While I think it is nice of Microsoft to think of adding that little feature, I don't like the fact that it blocks the item that I am actually trying to click on.

Well, there is a way to turn it off completely.

1. Click "Start", and right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and click "Properties".

2. In the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window, click on the "Start Menu" tab, and click "Customize".

3. Click the "Advanced" tab, and then click to remove the check mark from "Highlight newly installed programs".

4. Click OK, twice and now that message will no longer be popping up and getting in your way.

Pause For Thought

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done
without hope and confidence.

Helen Keller

Please Sign the "Bytes" Guest Book

Here's An Internet Explorer Tip

When entering a URL into Internet Explorer - just write the name of the site and then press CTRL and Enter together to add the www. and .com at the end.

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 Outlook Express Tip

Creating and Sending vCards (an electronic business card).

Outlook Express now lets the user send vCards, or electronic business cards. To make one:

Open the Tools menu.
Click Stationary.
From the Mail tab, click Signature.
Under the Personal Business Card (vCard) section, click New.
Now, simply enter in all of the information you want included in it.
Click OK to save your information.
Select the card from the list and put a check in the "Attach card to all outgoing messages" checkbox.
Click OK to save your settings.

NOTE: Only mail readers that are capable of viewing vCards will be able to use them, such as Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger. If one is sent to a non-compatible reader, it will be displayed as an unreadable attachment.

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

Correct address is www.davebytes.com

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