Announcements

Buildin' Your Own Computer

The response to the "How to build your own PC 2003" CD ROM was incredible yesterday. In fact, it's already one of our biggest sellers of the summer.

Personally, I love putting a computer together. In fact, I've lost count of the number of PCs I've assembled for myself and friends. It's a lot of fun and the machine turns out to be exactly what you want.

Again, this program takes you step by step through the process using video and multimedia to make is easy to understand. Just click and watch, it couldn't be easier. This is also an excellent way to see how to do hardware upgrades - and that's something we all need to do at one time or another.

Sections include installing the motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card, sound card, modem, hard drive, CD / DVD drive, floppy drive, and more. Of course, it shows you how to put all of it together (you know, making sure the right wires are in the right place). It even shows you how to format your hard drive and install an operating system (like Windows).

In addition, it has a checklist of parts you'll need. There's a lot that goes into a computer, and with this you'll know exactly what you need - and what you don't.

If you're ready to take this next step in computing, this will be a tremendous help. Besides, think of how cool it will be to show your friends and family the "custom job" you put together!

Here's the link for more info:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/build-your-own-pc.htm

PS - This is a great way to learn to build your own computer. Give it a try, you'll love it (I know I do).

Thanks!

Computers 101

Q:
My JPEGs open up in my web browser, but I want them to open in the photo program I just installed. How can I make sure that files open where I want them to?

A:
You seem to be suffering from file association anxiety. This is common for people who have files open in the wrong program or a file type that isn't associated with any program. Well, there is a solution!

1. Open Explorer (right-click the Start button and select Explore) and head to a file you would like to either associate with another program or get associated with a program for the first time.

2. Once you get to the file, hold down your SHIFT key and right-click it. You will be presented with a menu that gives you an option to Open With.... Select that.

Oh, if you're using XP, you may not even need to hold down the shift key to get this to work. XP usually give you an Open with item on the right-click menu with a sub-menu full of options. If you want to change the association, you'll need to select the Choose Program option.

XP Open With picture:

Note - in the sample pictures, we'll re-associate a JPEG with Photoshop - it was original associated with Internet Explorer. So, in the photo below I hold the SHIFT key down and right-click a JPG file.

3. This will open up a screen where you can tell Windows what program to open that particular file with. Choose the program and make sure the little "Always use this program to open this type of file" checkbox is checked. Hit OK.

That should do it. Windows will now use the new file association when opening the file you just worked with.

~ Steve

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

Tip of the Day

This is one of those topics that always seems to make digital sparks fly.

I guess I'll give you the thoughts from both camps and let you decide.

Those are the main reasons both ways. My opinion? I let it run during the day when I'm using it and shut it off at night.

I don't think it's good for the computer to have someone poking at the power switch constantly. If you're going to use it in the morning and then again in the afternoon, leave it run till you're finished for the day.

I used to leave mine run 24/7, but a few things have changed my mind.

For one, any chip faster than 133Mhz needs a cooling fan to keep it from burning itself into a silicon cinder. These fans are not totally reliable.

If I'm using the computer and am getting signs that I have a CPU that's overheating (your computer will act *really* strange, some will play a little tune through the internal speaker), I can shut things down and get it fixed. If it happens in the middle of the night, I'll have a roasted CPU in the morning.

Another reason is that I've seen power supplies go bad and try to catch themselves (and anything nearby) on fire. Again, not something I want to have happen at 2:00 AM when I'm asleep dreaming about program code.

Finally, anyone who uses Windows knows that it should be re-booted on a daily basis. So, by shutting it off at night and turning it back on it the morning, I automatically get my re-boot (that's not to say I don't have to do the occasional re-boot during the day though with win 9.x type machines).

So, my advice is to run it when you need it, and when you're done for the day, shut it down.

~ Steve

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

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

The Lemonade Game

How much lemonade can you sell in a day? Well this is a game that is highly addictive and once you figure out your secret recipe for success, a productive one.

Ready to re-visit childhood and have a lemonade stand? Then visit this site. Read the intro, click okay and set up your preferences, buy supplies, and then get ready to sell. You can choose to fast forward the day so it goes faster too.

http://www.lemonadegame.com

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