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SPCUG Home Page | Officers | Newsletter | SIGs | Regular Meetings | Sarasota | Join NOW! |
| Coming Attractions | Favorite Links | Calendar | Search | Site Map | Dave "Bytes"
| Dave "Bytes" Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker! |
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A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!
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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
 | HP deskjet printer #812c $30.00 | |
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 ! | ||
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 Please Sign The Dave "Bytes" Guestbook Click Image to Sign While Wandering The Web To Listen to a Live Show: Want to Join SPCUG or Renew Your Membership? Click the SPCUG Logo for an online Click here for the Dave "Bytes" Archives P.S. Don't forget to say "Hi" at the meeting!! Sarasota Personal Computer User Group, Inc Sign the "Bytes" Book Mentioned In The LangaList Newsletter As Seen In Website: http://www.spcug.org Last Updated SPCUG Home Page | Officers | Newsletter | SIGs | Regular Meetings | Sarasota | Join NOW! |
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.
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