Computers 101

Q:
Why do I have to scroll from left to right on many of the web sites I visit? Even with my browser maximized on my 17" monitor, I'm still scrolling! Any Ideas?

A:
This could be the result of a couple problems. The most likely problem is that your screen resolution is set too low. It's probably at 640x480 and most sites are designed with the assumption you're using a resolution of 800x600 (the most common).

To check / change your monitor resolution, right-click your desktop and select Properties. Next, click the Settings tab. You'll see a little slider gizmo that goes left to right. Make sure it's set to 800x600 or higher (the higher you go, the smaller an item will appear on your screen, so don't go too far).

Here's a sample shot (note that my resolution is set really high—this is because the LCD screen on my laptop looks best at that particular resolution. Most regular monitors wouldn't look that hot at 1400 x1050, so don't feel that you have to set yours to match mine).

Click OK. You may need to re-start.

The other possibility is that the site you're looking at is poorly designed. My site is designed for an 800x600 resolution, but I have it set at 750 pixels wide to allow for the sides of the browser window. If it was set to 800, you would still have to scroll a little unless your monitor was set higher than 800x600.

~ Steve

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Tip of the Day

Change Your IE Link Color

I really hate the default color of Internet Explorer links. The blue is OK for a new link, but that purple color it turns to after you've visited the link is just plain ugly.

So, how do you change it?

Easy...

1. Open Explorer, hit the Tools menu, Internet Options. You should be on the "General" tab.

2. Next, click the little "Colors" button. A settings screen will open up.

3. From this screen, click the little color boxes to reset the default colors. I left the blue link color alone, but changed the visited link color to a dark green.

Hit OK and you're all set.

To test your new settings, head to a site like Yahoo! since they use your computer's default color scheme for their links.

Note that if you are on a site like mine, WorldStart.com, that your new settings won't make any difference since we specify what colors the links and such should be in the web code.

Bonus Tip

When you were on the color settings screen described above, you may have noticed a checkbox labeled "Use hover color". If you check that box, you can set the color a link is when your mouse hovers over it. I like the default color - red - so that's where I left it. Black looks sharp too.

~Steve

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Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Picture History

"Find the pictures you need in this easy to use digital library of high quality images and footage illustrating more than 200 years of American history," Let me tell you, there really are tons of great quality pictures at this site. So whether you learn visually and would like to view photos to help you remember your history for an exam, or you need to find some photos for a report, thesis, or collage, this is the place to start your search.

Speaking of searching, this site has an excellent search engine. You can do a keyword search or an advanced search. Either way, you’ll find what you are looking for.

This site’s slogan claims to be "The Primary Source for History Online" check it out and decide from your own experience.

http://www.picturehistory.com/

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