Announcements

Ever Need To Fix Your PC?

Yup, we've all been there. You run into a PC problem and wish you had someone to help you fix it. Well, we can't give you your own personal PC tech, but we do have some software that's almost as good!

We have a program called Fix PC Problems and it makes taking care of PC snags easier than ever!

This program has 101 different problems - and their solutions. Just run the CD, double-click the technique or tip you need, and you'll get a multi-media answer! That's right, this program includes audio / video presentations to show you have to do each technique. It's like having a teacher right there next to you.

What will it help you fix and maintain? Tons of stuff (click here for a larger list) - Hard drive installation, keyboard problems, fixing a floppy drive, stopping junk mail, clearing your IE history, using scan disk, using defrag, error messages, uninstalling, creating a start up disk, making boot up faster, saving electricity, shutting down fast, open programs automatically, setting IRQ's, installing drivers, zipping / unzipping, adjusting taskbar, and tons more!

OK, I know what you're thinking. If this program is on CD, then what good does it do you if you need to have your computer powered off in order to do a repair or upgrade? Ahh, they cover that by giving you a book with a printed step by step procedure for each and every topic on the CD! So, you can watch it first, and should you need to power down your computer, just cross reference the tip in the book. Cool huh?

Overall, this program makes taking care of PC problems much easier. Having step by step examples explained to you is just awesome. Everything is completely explained and the procedures are very easy to follow.

The retail price on this is $39.95, but you get it for only $16.97 and US shipping is FREE! Note that the examples in this program cover win 95, 98, and ME - however, most of it still applies to XP. Here's the link for more info:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/fix-pc-problems.htm

Think about it, if it saves you just one trip to the repair shop, it's more than paid for itself. Besides, this is a fantastic way to learn the ins and outs of your PC. Don't hate yourself for missing out, get to the link above now!

Bonus Offer - PC Tool Kits

We also have a couple of really cool, really discounted computer tool kits available. They come with a nice variety of tools to make computer repairs easier. Check 'em out:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/curtis-tool-kits.htm

MS Office 101

F12 Finesse

Here's a quick tip for my readers who love to use the function keys. It turns out that the F12 key is very versatile in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Interested in its abilities?

Was that a "yes" I heard?

Good, so let's take a look at its uses.

• F12 (alone) is the Save As command.
• Shift + F12 is the Save command.
• Ctrl + F12 is the Open command.
• Ctrl + Shift + F12 is the Print command.

Now I realize there are other key combinations that will accomplish these same items, but for those of you who learn better when it all revolves around a single key, this one is for you!

Office Tip of the Day

Quick Slide Margins In MS Word

Just picture it—you just finished working on a document that you really need as a one-page memo. Unfortunately, it ran over to page two.

What do you do?

One solution is to adjust margins.

So... some of you go to the File menu, Page Setup choice, Margins tab, make your adjustments, then click OK.

Sounds good—but when you return to your document you find that the adjustment wasn't enough, or was too much and just doesn't look right.

What do you do?

Go back to the File menu, Page Setup choice, Margins tab, make your adjustments, then click OK.

Hey—didn't we already do that?

Yes, we did, and sadly we may have to repeat this again and again until we finally get it right.

Frustrated with this method yet?

Yep, I hear you—me too.

Another solution that some people have discovered is to display the rulers in the Page Layout View of the document. (View menu, Page Layout choice. Then View menu, Rulers choice.)

This one is a bit better because it allows you to "grab" the margin in the ruler and drag it around.

But... what if you can't see the whole page at once? (I never have my zoom set so that I can see all margins at once—everything's too small to edit.)

Now you're forced to adjust top margin, scroll to check on the bottom and / or adjust the margin. Then, if necessary, scroll back to the top and start that process over again.

Maybe a quicker method would be helpful?

Guess what?

Yep—that's right—there is a way to adjust margins all at once, without all the repetitious stuff to complete the "fine tuning".

What we want to look at is the Print Preview option in MS Word.

You can get there with the File menu, Print Preview choice, or the Print Preview button located on the Standard Toolbar or with Ctrl + F2.

When you arrive in the Print Preview window you're looking for the Ruler feature to be turned on. If it's not, then you need to click the ruler button on the toolbar. (View menu, Ruler choice will also accomplish this task.)

Once the ruler is visible you're ready to use it to move around margins.

Simply move your mouse pointer over the ruler at the point where the shading changes between light and dark. You're looking for the double-sided arrow to appear.

Now, left-click and drag that divider in the direction needed, then release the mouse button when you're at the point where the margin should begin.

Instantly you should see the document making the change you requested. If it's not quite right you can do another little click / drag & drop to make another adjustment.

Once you have the margins in the perfect position simply click the Close button to return to edit.

You can make repeated adjustments in this manner without extra scrolling, repeated menus or Page Setup windows.

It can really be a hassle-free way to adjust margins—and who among us doesn't want to reduce life's little hassles?

~ April