Scanning Resolution
So, you have a photo and want to scan it. Well, what resolution should you scan it at?
Depends.
If the photo is just for your computer, e-mail, or the web, then 72 DPI (Dots Per Inch) would be just fine. (72 DPI is kind of the “standard” resolution for computer images). If you scan it too high (say 600 DPI), you’ll end up having an image that’s… Continue reading
“Dad, what are these cardboard squares with the plastic circles inside?” my son asked while we cleaned out the basement.
“Those are called records. That’s how people listened to music before CDs.”
Puzzled, he inquired, “But how do you play them? They won’t fit into a CD player.”
“See that thing over there? That’s called a record player. It uses a needle to get the sounds off the records… Continue reading
Legal Online Music?
Online music currently sails in turbulent water, but the ship has not sunk. In fact, the very cause of the storm can also be a safe harbor.
Huh?
Sorry, it’s an old poetry slam injury that flares up now and then. If you go to record company websites you can usually find free music—either as “streams” (you can hear it but not save it), samples (under one… Continue reading
Q:
How do I download Wave and MP3 sound files from the internet?
A:
Here’s the problem. You go to download a sound file, so you click the link to it. Then Windows automatically plays it, but doesn’t display a download screen (OK, this varies a bit depending on what flavor of Windows / Explorer you’re using). What can you do? Easy! Right-click… Continue reading
For some reason, I get lots of e-mail from people telling me they’ve lost their little speaker icon (sound control) that usually lives in the system tray and now they want to get it back. Come to think of it, I also get lots of e-mail asking how to get it out of the system tray.
Well, the answer is the same
Q:
I could talk to my friends online using a headset microphone on my old computer but not on my new one. What can I do?
A:
First, make sure that your mic is plugged into the correct hole (it’s usually pink).
Next, make sure that your Microphone is not turned down or set to “Mute”.
To check this… Continue reading
Print a Photo Proof sheet
A proof sheet is a printout of picture thumbnails. Most photo organizing software allows you to print these out, but for XP users, it’s built into the Window’s Picture and Fax Viewer. Here’s how to do it…
Open the folder that your pictures are in and select “Thumbnail View”.
Hold down the Ctrl key and select the pictures you want on… Continue reading
Q:
I try to send pictures to friends but they are too big. How do I resize them?
A:
What’s the “right” size for a picture? Well, that depends on the photo. Most monitors display at 72 dpi (dots per inch). So, if you want the picture to be 5 inches wide (probably about the biggest you would want for an e-mail message), the picture would… Continue reading
Let XP Resize Pictures for Your Email
A few weeks ago we mentioned “Send to” (see 10/26/2004 newsletter). One of the Send To options listed is “Mail Recipient” which allows you to send a document or picture to someone via email (using Outlook Express).
If you choose this option for a picture you will be given the option to “Make all my pictures smaller”… Continue reading
