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Computers 101

Q:
My computer has a CD burner, but how do I use it?

A:
It's usually pretty easy. Most CD writers come with some kind of CD writing software. Since this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, this is going to be a VERY basic lesson. It should help get you started though.

Not sure where your CD burning program is? It should be lurking somewhere under the Start menu, Programs (it's not necessarily on your desktop or quick launch toolbar).

If for some reason, you don't have a CD writing program on your computer, we do sell them at:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/cdburning.htm

OK, assuming that you've discovered the location of your CD burning program, here's how it typically works:

1. First, if you get an option for either writing manually or via a wizard, pick the wizard (you can get fancier later on).

2. OK, now you are probably going to be asked what kind of CD you want to write, either audio or data. If you're saving files, choose data. If you're pirating music, oops, I mean making a music CD for your own use from your own CDs, choose music.

Note that for music CDs and for stuff you want to archive, a CD-R is your best choice. If you have a CD-RW, use that for data that you may or may not want to save (they don't always work so hot for music, at least from the standpoint that many CD players refuse to play CD-RWs).

3. OK, the next step is probably choosing files. Most of the time you'll get a "Windows Explorer" type interface that lets you either choose files manually or just drag & drop.

4. That should be about it. At this point, you should have an option for writing the CD.

Note that most programs will let you "test" before you write the CD. The first couple times you use the CD burner, this may not be a bad idea. If you find you have no problems, this is probably a step you can safely skip from then on.

During the actual CD writing process, it's best not to mess with your computer. Just stand 4-6 feet away and let it write the CD.

Why?

Most CD recorders record "on the fly". If the computer is busy and can't get the info to the CD burner fast enough, you'll get a buffer underrun error, and your CD will be useless (well, you could make a modernistic coaster out of it I suppose).

BONUS TIP for Windows XP users:

Open your CD drive. Drag and drop the files you want burned into the window. You will see a message "Files ready to be written to the CD".

When you are ready to burn, click "Write these files to the CD" in the menu to the left. It's that easy!

You can also send files to CD purgatory by choosing a file in any window then selecting "Copy this file" from the menu to the left.

When you open the CD player, all of your files will be ready to burn.

Have a question for the newsletter? Submit it at the link below:
http://www.worldstart.com/submitquestion.htm

Tip of the Day

Have you ever been looking for a specific e-mail message but had HUNDREDS of messages to sort through? It's enough to drive you crazy. Instead of hunting through each message one by one, you can do a search (assuming you're using Outlook Express, Netscape Messenger, or some other program that lets you do searches).

The trick is to look for specific keywords. Let's say you were looking for a message regarding a specific computer tip. We'll say you're looking for something on processors. Here's how to find that message:

In Outlook Express:

1. Click the Edit Menu, Find, Message. (If you're already in the folder where you want to look, you can choose the Find Message In This Folder option.)

2. If you know which folder the message is in, click the Browse button and select that folder.

If you're not sure where the message is at, click the Browse button, but select "Local Folders" from the top of the list.

3. Since we're looking for "processors" we'll type that in the "Message" field. This will return any message that has that keyword in the body of it.

4. Click the "Find Now" button. Outlook Express will sift through your mail messages and try to locate anything that matches your search criteria. If it finds messages with your keyword, those will be displayed in the box below. Just double-click a message to open it up and read it.

Netscape 6:

1. Click the Search menu , Search Messages...

2. You'll be presented with a screen that lets you specify search criteria from drop down boxes. If you know which folder a message is in, select it from the "Search for items in" drop down box. If you're not sure which folder it's in, select "Local Folders" from that box.

3. Since we're searching for the keyword "processors" we'll select "body" from the first criteria drop down box. The next should be "Contains." Then type your keyword in the third box. Hit the "Search" button and you're off.

4. If Netscape finds any messages, they will be displayed for you. Just double-click the message you want to read.

--Steve

Have a tip for the newsletter? Submit it below:
http://www.worldstart.com/writers-guidelines/index.htm

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

I Should Be Working

I Should Be Working is a site dedicated to “slackers, goof-offs, procrastinators, loafers, long lunchers, and web addicted employees” states their front page. They also state, “we strive to be the best online starting point for web surfing slackishness.”

Curious? Well their statement of intent got my attention.

So I checked it out and it is a fun place to hang out. Their feature sections include: Office Survival, Loafing Tools, Mail Room, Cartoons, Panic Button, and the ever popular Football Pool.

I spent a lot of time loafing around in my pj’s surfing their cartoon section and office survival section.

So get slacking, check out this site!

http://www.ishouldbeworking.com

Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
Send it to Amanda at amanda@worldstart.com