FrontPage Templates
On Friday, we talked about the beginnings of starting your own Web site by using Microsoft’s FrontPage Web design program. As promised, we’re going to move on to another topic today: creating a template.
Choosing a template for your Web site is very important, because it helps set the guidelines for what your site is going to look like in the end. A template comes with… Continue reading
Games
Did you know that your computer automatically comes with a few games that you can play when you have some spare time? There’s not many, but you do get the essentials. So, if you can’t buy any other computer games, you always have these few options to choose from!
Most computers come with FreeCell, Hearts, Minesweeper, Spider Solitaire and my favorite (and probably yours too), regular Solitaire. You can… Continue reading
Computer Donation
If you have ever thought of donating an old computer that you don’t need anymore, there are just a few things you should keep in mind before you hand it over.
Make sure you have backed up all your files on the old computer so you’re able to replace it on your new PC. If you have personal files on the computer, make for certain that those are… Continue reading
Cleaning Your Laptop
Have you made the switch from a desktop PC to a laptop? Several people have and although they may be easier to carry around and travel with, they still need to be cleaned, don’t they?
Laptops aren’t as easy to open up and clean as desktops are, but it still can be done. To get started, just make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged. You… Continue reading
Q:
How can I determine what type of modem my computer has?
A:
That is a very good question and it’s probably a smart idea to check and see what kind of modem you do have installed on your computer, if you don’t already know. It’s good to know in case something ever goes wrong with it. If you have to call tech support, you’ll be able… Continue reading
Your PC Buying Guide – Continued
As promised from yesterday’s tip of the day, your personal PC buying guide is continued! Today we will answer some questions about different types of software, operating systems, where you may want to buy your new computer from, different spending rates and some desktop vs. laptop inquiries. Here we go!
Software:
Most computers will come with some sort of office suite, whether it’s Microsoft’s… Continue reading
Your PC Buying Guide
Okay, so you’re interested in buying a new computer. You’ve been thinking about it for awhile and you are pretty close to being 100 percent sure you’re ready to take the plunge. So, what do you need to look for? What’s going to work best for your needs? What about prices? What about offline and online applications?
All of those questions are definitely some that you… Continue reading
Q:
Can you give me some information on where I should take my computer if it needs to be repaired?
A:
That’s a very good question, because you never know when your computer is going to have problems and you won’t have much time to waste looking for a place to go to get it fixed. You’re obviously going to want to look for a place that will… Continue reading
Sometimes the pleasure of owning a computer is overshadowed by the need to ask for assistance with a computer issue. Calling for technical support does not have to be an unpleasant experience. Preparing yourself before you make that call, and knowing what to expect while talking to support representatives, can help ease the way.
1. Before you pick up the phone, have as much information at hand
Q:
My keyboard needs to be cleaned badly! Can you give me a guide on how to get the job done?
A:
Just follow these four steps for basic keyboard cleaning.
First of all, you’ll want to turn off your computer and unplug your keyboard.
1.) Turn your keyboard over and try to shake out any loose particles. This part can be pretty gross, especially if… Continue reading
Here’s a tip in itself. If you ever get stuck on a computer problem and would like some immediate help, post your question on WorldStart’s message board. Click on the link to register to use the message board and to read the rules and regulations.
There are always people signed on to the message board and chances are, your problem has happened to someone else on there before… Continue reading
Sometimes when you’re using your computer, you just get stuck and need some help, don’t you? I know it happens to me all the time. Well, if this occurs when there is no one else around to answer your questions, try the Help and Support Center found under your Start menu (Go to Start and then click on Help and Support).
This center provides a place for you to ask… Continue reading
System Compatibility
No, this has nothing to do with computer dating. Before buying or downloading, you should make sure your PC meets the program’s Minimum System Requirements. Sometimes just called Requirements, they’re written at the bottom of every software listing in our online software store. You can also find them on the back or bottom panels of most boxes or disk cases, usually in really tiny letters. They tell… Continue reading
Q:
My kid is getting out of control on the internet. He’s erasing the history, and he knows all the passwords on our PC. What can I do?
A:
The more computer savvy the kiddies get, the harder it’s getting to enforce the First Rule of Internet Parenting: Kids don’t cruise the web without at least occasional supervision by a human being. I’ve gotten more questions like this… Continue reading
Q:
Last week your newsletter stopped showing up in my Inbox. What happened?
A:
This problem is occurring more and more often with all email services. As the email filtering frenzy continues, email hosts end up blocking legitimate email (like this newsletter) while the “bad guys” sneak their unsolicited commercial e-junk (UCE) into your inbox. We’ve told you about MSN/Hotmail blocking pictures in HTML emails and all the… Continue reading
Scholars will argue about how the internet began. Was it in the 1960′s when the department of Defense created ARPANET to link scientific and academic researchers when the Soviets attacked? Could it be when the domain name system (DNS) was designed in 1983 to give us .com, .edu, .org and the like? Was it in 1985 when the National Science Foundation created NSFNET for research and educational communication? Could it… Continue reading
Did you know that you don’t actually “own” the software that you buy?
What you pay for is a license to use the software, usual on one computer at a time.
Read the licensing agreement during install to find out what you are “allowed” to do such as how many computers you can put it on.
Just because a program will install on more than one computer doesn’t mean you… Continue reading
Q:
How do I get my computer clock to display 24- hour time rather than 12-hour AM and PM?
A:
I know we have many readers in Europe and I’m sure there’s a few in the military or who just prefer going to bed at 22 o’clock every night. Well, this tip is for you.
First go to Start/Control Panel and look for “Date, Time, language & Regional… Continue reading
It’s a good idea to read through a tip BEFORE you try it.
That way you’ll know if the tip is beyond your ability, or may do something you don’t want done.
Reading through will also let you know if you have the right operating system and software. For instance, if a tip won’t work with AOL or other web-based email, we will usually let… Continue reading
Q:
When I bring up XP Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) all the tabs are missing. How can I get them back?
A:
Normally you see tabs for Applications, Processes, Performance, Networking, and Users.
So why do the tabs go away and how can you get them back?
Well, what happened is that you probably double clicked the border around the tabs—this puts TM into a compact mode.
To… Continue reading
When you go out to Microsoft to get downloads you will be faced with the Windows Genuine Advantage validation check.
This mandatory ActiveX update makes sure that your copy of Windows XP/2000 is genuine before you can access any downloads.
Even a genuine copy of Windows can not register properly. If this happens you’ll need manually enter your registration number. It will be on the manual that came with your… Continue reading
How do you react to computer problems? Do you sit back and think about the last thing you did? Do you panic, frantically pressing buttons? Do you just shut off your computer and call your “computer guru”? Do you shoot off an email to WorldStart?
Successful problem solving requires the right state of mind. It can make the difference between minutes and days. It can prevent a small problem from… Continue reading
Does your login screen come up every time you come out of your screen saver?
If you don’t want this to happen, then right-click your desktop and choose “Properties”, click the “Screen Saver” tab and uncheck “On resume, password protect”.
~ David
David Samuel Thomas… Continue reading
Broadband phone companies (VoIP) are popping up all over the place allowing consumers to save money on calls.
Many of these internet-based services are exempt from the 911 system. One of the most popular states in their terms of service that 911 dialing will be routed through the general telephone number for the local emergency service provider (which may not be answered outside business hours).
In addition, the caller’s phone… Continue reading
Q:
How do I use the Message Board?
A:
As many of you know, we have a WorldStart Message Board where you can ask questions and interact with other readers. It is yet another free resource we offer to you. The writers and editors of this newsletter often don’t have time to answer individual questions, but the Message Board is full of people eager to help.
Being on
Many times when you buy software it will also come with demo/trial versions of other programs.
These may automatically install with the program you paid for (this is called “foistware”) or you may see the other programs listed on the installation interface.
This often causes confusion if you run one of the demo programs and think “Hey, I paid for this software, what’s with the 15 day trial?”
If you… Continue reading
There are just a few things worse than when I write an article about how wonderful some program or service is, only to find a big nasty foot in my mouth a week or two later. Well back on March 10, 2005 I reviewed Trillian, an IM (Instant Messenger) manager, as a download of the week. You can use Trillian with pretty much every IM program such as AOL, Yahoo… Continue reading
