Computers 101

Q:
I hate it when I visit a web site and it has dark text on a dark background. Is there an easy way to make these readable?

A:
It's happened to us all. Sometimes a background doesn't load right, or maybe it's just bad design, plain and simple. Either way, some pages are just hard to read.

Well, next time that happens to you, hit CTRL-A.

All the text on the website will be selected (highlighted). The selection color is normally blue with white text. Much easier to read than, say, a dark red on a black background. This works with email in OE too!

Before:

After:

Try reading the text below, then hit CTRL-A to see the difference:

Cool huh?

~ Steve

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Tip of the Day

Organize Your Documents

Do you dump every file you create into your My Documents folder? Is it the digital equivalent to a messy 5-year-old's room? Well, never fear, the computer cleaner is here! (And I can't believe I just said that, much less going to publish it.)

Anyhow, the best way to keep things organized is not to create any documents in the first place. Think about it - no docs, no mess. After all, you only got a computer to read this newsletter right? Right??

OK since that probably won't work for ya, let's go with the second best way. Try setting up sub-folders inside the My Documents folder. Make one for each "category" of document that you have.

For example, you could have a folder for letters, one for invoices, another for sales letters, and so on. It makes keeping track of stuff much easier. Here's how to set it up:

1. Click the Start button, Documents, My Documents (XP users, hit the Start button, My Documents). This should open your "My Documents" folder.

2. Create a new folder with an appropriate name (right-click any blank area and select New, Folder from the resulting menu).

3. Finally, drag any documents that belong in that folder to it. That's it. You can create as many of these little sub-folders under the "My Documents" folder as you need.

Oh, one final suggestion - you may want to make yearly folders too. For example, at the end of this year, make a folder called "2002 Docs". Then move everything you've made (folders and all) into that folder. Gives you a fresh start for the new year. (OK, so it's the Windows equivalent of shoving toys under the bed, but who cares? It works!)

Now, if only I could apply this technique to my daughter's room...

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Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Muffin Films

Who loves muffins? I do, I do. And I especially loved this site. The Muffin films came about as a thesis project by Amy Winfrey at UCLA Animation Workshop. There are 12 in all—each one is very witty and cute. You need Macromedia Flash to view these films if you don’t have it, get it here...
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/

With sounds and music, not mention dialogue, these films are the perfect way to treat yourself to a muffin in the morning. I really enjoyed films 1, 6, and 11. Number 11 is in French with subtitles and is very cute. I am sure you’ll want to share some muffins with your friends.

So, whether you are being eaten by muffins, invaded by muffins, feeding a woman muffins, or dancing with muffins, you are sure to have a muffintastic time.

http://www.muffinfilms.com/

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