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.

~ Steve

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http://www.worldstart.com/submitquestion.htm

Tip of the Day

Stop Homepage Hijacking

We get e-mail from people all the time telling us that their homepage has been changed without their permission (Internet Explorer). Most of the time, a quick trip to the Tools menu, Internet Options will let you reset the page.

However, sometimes it's an even bigger problem. Some folks find that each time they re-boot their computer, their homepage switches back to the unwanted one and no amount of screaming seems to help. What's going on? How did their web browser get hijacked?

There are several ways this can happen, both for a simple homepage change and the nastier, seemingly permanent change.

First, some web pages will ask you if you want to make them your homepage. If you hit Yes, then it's a done deal. After all, you can't be too surprised that your homepage was changed after you told your browser it was OK.

However...

Some will modify this question to something like "Do you like freebies?". When you hit Yes, it secretly changes your homepage on you.

Most of the time, the same dialog box that's asking you if you like freebies (or whatever) will also say something to the effect that it's going to reset your homepage. They try to distract you from that message and just get you to click "Yes". So, be careful.

Fortunately, when your homepage is switched in the ways outlined above, going to the Tools Menu, Internet Options will let you set your page back to whatever you want (of course, you'll need to know the address of your homepage). Normally, that takes care of the problem and you're back to normal again.

Another way your homepage can get switched is through a security hole in IE5 (yeah, I know, imagine that). As long as you keep your browser up to date, this shouldn't be a problem though. If it does get switched through this security hole, it's my understanding that generally a script is placed in the Startup menu (Start button, Programs, Startup) that will reset the homepage each time Windows loads. Deleting it should let you switch back your homepage permanently. Oh, and make sure you update IE if you aren't in the habit of doing it. That's one nasty little security hole!

Finally, software can even be a problem. Some programs will load automatically when you start windows and the first thing they do is to reset your homepage. You may be able to disable this though their options area (don't hold your breath though). Best bet is to disable or get rid of any program you catch doing this.

OK, but if it is a program that's switching your homepage, how do you figure out which one it is? Well, if your browser's homepage was reset to the homepage of a particular software company (who's software you just installed), you probably aren't going to expend too much mental energy figuring out who done it.

If you have no clue where the homepage in question came from, then look back on recently installed programs. Did your homepage change right after you installed a particular program? If so, you may have a place to start looking.

Seems that most of the time, these type of programs run from the Startup folder (mentioned above). So, if you see something in there that shouldn't be (or you're not sure), you may want to remove the item, reset your homepage back to one you actually want (like www.worldstart.com :-), then see if it stays.

Oh, one last thing—watch out for install programs too. Some of them have an option for resetting your homepage that's checked or selected by default (you know, for your "convenience").

Whew, that's enough of that. Be careful out there—everyone wants you to use their homepage for your homepage and they'll go to just about any length to make it happen.

~Steve

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http://www.worldstart.com/writers-guidelines/index.htm

Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

The Atrium

"The Atrium: This Day in Ancient History" is a site that tells you what interesting things happened in ancient Greece or Rome on or near the current date. Like today is September 12, 2003, and it has September 16 highlighted, I chose about and found out about the neat mini feature.

I suggest you read the About function so you can figure out the Roman calendar, and the Athenian calendar. The archived section will let you check out past entries. To read the mini-feature click on the little notepad icon, clicking the text won’t do you any good. This mini-feature was about the Ludi Romani, or the Roman Games also known as the Great Games. It then goes into great details about the event.

This site is fabulous for students and lovers of history alike. Enjoy!

http://web.idirect.com/~atrium/thisday.html

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