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Worldstart Computer Tips 8-20-2010

Google Talk Bold and Italics

Do you use Google Talk? It's an integral part of how we communicate here at Worldstart, but I've often lamented that the features it contains are a little...

..sparse.

For example, what if I want to bold or italicize text? How do I get my point across?

Quite a curious case, but thankfully one of my esteemed co-workers knew how and was nice enough to show me.

If you want to bold text in Google Talk, just put a couple asterisks on either side of what you want to embolden. So, if I wanted to say “You need to get over here NOW”, I would type:

You need to get over here *NOW*

Italics are just about the same, only you use underscores, instead. So to type “Sure, I'll make it to the office party!” I'd type:

_Sure_, I'll make it to the office party!

Similarly, if you use the Google Mail Chat client, you can use hyphens on either side of a word to cross it out.

Just a few chat formatting facts that are good to know!

~Andrew

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Prices So Low - You May Just Pass Out When You See 'Em!

Save Up To 66% Off Our Already LOW Prices!

No Coupons, No Messing Around - Just Shop Till You Drop!

Hurry - This Mega-Clearance Event Ends Tonight At 11:59PM (08-20-10)!

OK, here's the deal. We've had some pretty good sales in the past, but this is LITERALLY THE BIGGEST SALE WE'VE EVER DONE!!

Not only are we talkin' about savings of up to 66% off our already low prices, but we've got over 55 ITEMS ON SALE!!! Is that incredible or what??

Why the HUGE BLOWOUT SALE you ask? We're clearin' out the warehouse and makin' room for new and exciting stuff! That means that quantities are limited on most of the items, so you'll want to load up on what you can ASAP!!

This is literally the BIGGEST clearance sale WorldStart's EVER HAD!!

That means we couldn't even come close showing you all of the deals in the newsletter today - THAT'S WHY YA GOTTA CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE ALL THE DEALS!!

PLUS - no coupons, no codes, no messing around! Pick from what you see in the newsletter and save up to 66% off until 11:59pm, CST tonight (08/20/2010)!!

Our Everyday Low Price: ~~$18.97...~~

Today's Blowout Price: $12.97 (You save 32%)

LOWEST PRICE EVER!!

You're Not Gonna Believe This One!

Our BEST Flash Drive Deal Ever!

WOW - 4 GIG Flash Drives - Just $12.97!!!
(No Refurbs - No Rebates - No Kidding!!)

Don't Pay $40-$50 Somewhere Else!

HURRY! Price Guaranteed For Just 24 Hours!!

It isn't everyday that you come across this kind of deal! When we saw this deal, we couldn't wait to share it with you!!

Nope- that's not a typo- we're talking 4 whoppin' high-speed USB 2.0 gigs of storage for just $12.97!

This holds the same space as 6 CD Roms - in the palm of your hand!

If you were to walk into your local retail store and browse down the flash drive aisle, you'd be shocked at the prices compared to what we do! I saw some 4 Gig drives for $40 at my local big chain store the other day! $40!!! That's crazy!

For $12.97, you can't go wrong!!!

Store an immense amount of information in a device that's smaller than your index finger! Take your information with you where ever you decide to go - all you need is a computer with a USB port, and you will have access to you data!

If you were to walk into your local retail store and browse down the flash drive aisle, you'd be shocked at the prices! I saw some 4 Gig drives for $40 at my local big chain store the other day! $40!!! That's crazy!

This 4GB flash drive, you'll be able to store information by the truckload!

Do you know how MASSIVE 4GB is? Think 6 CD Roms HUGE!!! My first 5 computers didn't have 4 Gig worth of hard drive space! Oh, and to give you an example, I decided to back up my media on this too - heck, we're talking:

Enough storage for 600 12MP Pictures
1000 MP3's (that's over 4 days worth!)
80,000 typical office documents
12 Hours Of MPEG4 Movies!

So, you are probably thinking, "Why do I need a flash drive that stores that much stuff?" Well, this 4GB flash drive is perfect for backing up your important pictures, music, videos, documents, and so much more!

Better yet, you won't have to worry about carrying around multiple flash drives, plugging each of them in to see what is saved on it, only to have to go searching for a different one.

No cap to lose either!! Just swivel the cap closed and it's ready to be stored in your pocked, purse, backpack, laptop bag or anywhere!

But do you want to know what is also perfect? The Price!!! Today only, get this amazing 4GB flash drive for just $12.97 and US Shipping is Free! Order now while our supplies last or the price increases- which ever comes first!!!

http://store.worldstart.com/product/6092

PS - The price is headed up to $18.97 tonight at 11:59pm, CST (08-20-2010)!

**Don't forget to check out ALL OF THE CLEARANCE ITEMS, before they expire at 11:59pm, CST tonight (08-20-2010) - OR BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!!**

http://www.worldstart.com/todays_deals/

Our Everyday Low Price: ~~$12.97...~~

Today's Blowout Price: $6.97 (You save 46%)

"This Emergency Flashlight Is Pure Genius!"

Yikes!

The Power Went Out!!!

Mini Emergency Flashlight Is Here To Save The Day!!!

You've Never Seen A Flashlight Quite Like This Before!!

Automatically Turns On When Taken Out Of It's Mount (see vid)!!

This Takes Safety To The Next Level - For Dirt Cheap!! Just $6.97!!

Great For Everyday Use Too!!

Think about all the times you've used or needed a flashlight ...chances are you needed it in a moment's notice. Your power went out and you're rummaging through all of your junk drawers just trying to find where you put that darn flashlight at! Heck, maybe you just need to find the flashlight to look under your kitchen sink or go walk the dog. It's always the same problem - you NEED your flashlight, but you can't find it!

This little emergency flashlight is gonna always be ready for you at moments notice - unlike your junk drawer flashlight! It comes with a super-secure wall mount to place your emergency flashlight in!! Just simply screw the wall mount in with the 2 included screws anywhere you want to keep this emergency flashlight handy! The awesome thing about this light is it automatically turns on as soon as you remove it from the wall mount!! Now, talk about handy!! Check out the video at the product page below:

I've got one in the garage, one in the utility room, one in kitchen. It even has a glow-in-the dark decal on it - so you'll be able to find your flashlight in the dark! Don't worry - it's compact size and sleek design will match any decor too :-)!

This emergency light is super bright too!! I was absolutely astonished with how much brightness this flashlight was throwin' out!! I could see all the way across my 2 1/2 garage with this baby!! Now that's some seriously bright light!

You're price? Just a $6.97 and US shipping is FREE!! Today these are buy one, get one free - so you get 2 for just $6.97!!!

http://store.worldstart.com/product/5619

PS - For just $6.97 you're gonna always have 2 lights ready at a moments notice!

PSS - Grab yours today, before they price heads back to $12.97 tonight at 11:59pm, CST!!

**Don't forget to check out ALL OF THE CLEARANCE ITEMS, before they expire at 11:59pm, CST tonight (08-20-2010) - OR BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!!**

http://www.worldstart.com/todays_deals

John from MA asks:
How long do flash drives last? Are they OK for backups?

A:
Good question, John. Let's start by distinguishing flash drives (also known as thumb drives or USB memory drives) from portable hard drives, which are both excellent for backing up your data.

A flash drive contains non-volatile memory (memory that doesn't go away when disconnected from electricity) in varying capacities, from a miserly 256 megs up to 80 gigs or more. The advantages of a flash drive over a portable hard drive are that it is lighter and very, very durable. Frequently, when a flash drive “fails”, the data can still be retrieved from the device, although no new information can be written. Typical life expectancy for a flash drive can be up to ten years.

Portable hard drives, also non-volatile memory, on the other hand, have recently become available in capacities of up to one and a half terabytes (1 tb = 1000 gigs), which is their primary advantage. Although they are more durable than internal hard drives, they are still more subject to aging and shocks than flash drives.

A newcomer to the field, the internal flash (or solid-state) drive combines the best of both worlds. Although faster, more durable and better on your notebook's battery life than standard hard drives, solid-state drives are not as yet portable, and cost about eight times as much as a standard hard drive.

So then the questions become “how much data do you have to back up” and “how much do you want to spend”?

Although thumb drives are now available up to 256 gigs, the price jump from 16 gigs to 32 gigs is substantial. A good 16 gig thumb drive will cost thirty or forty dollars, a 32 gig unit will set you back about four times that amount. A good 1 tb portable hard drive, on the other hand, can be had for around a hundred dollars. So, if you want to back up your entire hard drive, you may want to consider a portable hard drive instead of a thumb drive.

Caring for your flash drive
Most flash drives come with a cover or cap, and it's always a good idea to keep the cover on when the flash drive isn't in use. Some have a switch to retract the drive's head into the unit, and although this is handy (and doesn't include a cap to lose) it doesn't do a lot to keep dust and other contaminants from fouling your flash drive's contacts. If these contacts become damaged or fouled they can cause your flash drive to fail, either partially or catastrophically.

If you are strictly using your flash drive as a backup, it's a good idea to simply leave your drive in a safe, dry, temperature-controlled environment.

Also, if you're using your flash drive to back up irreplaceable information (such as family photos), you may want to consider redundancy. If you have photos and videos of your kids on two separate drives, it is almost impossible for both of them to fail at the same time.

Hope this answers your question.

~Randal Schaffer

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MS Office 2010: Where Did The PDF Go?

Previously we’ve taken a look at how Office 2007 offers you the option of saving a file in PDF form. (Click here to view that article)

In that version of Office it was put right out there in front of your nose in the Save As choices for the Office Button.

But, if you’ve taken a look in Office 2010 and expected to find the same type of thing for the Save As you were sadly disappointed.

It's not all bad news, though! Click here!

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Note: Video may contain additional information not found in the written text.

Color Calibration in Windows 7

Are you a graphic artist or do you work with print media or another color-sensitive documents? You want to make sure you have the exact color you need on the screen, and since every monitor is a little different it's always a good idea to calibrate!

Learn how over at Worldstart today!

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Friday Funnies

For stories, jokes, quotes and cartoons every day, sign up for our Just for Grins newsletter.

Trip Wow

Have you been on an amazing trip lately? Are you going somewhere and know you’re going to take photos that you’d like to share with your friends and family?

Well then you’ve come to the right site. Trip Wow makes it easy to put together a slide slow to share with friends and family.

I recommend you watch the video on how to make the slideshows. It takes all of thirty seconds. After that you just upload your photos, select a theme and some music, and you’re all set.

You can even add captions to your photos, as well as, drag and drop them into the order you want to present them in.

I made a slideshow of my recent trip to Stratford, Ontario. You can view it here. You’ll notice as you’re watching it that you can click on the images in the slideshow to expand them and see them fully.

It was free and easy to make, and looks like it was put together by a professional. This is an awesome way to remember the trips you’ve taken and share them with friends and family.

Check it out today!

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/

~Amanda

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

Our Everyday Low Price: ~~$29.97...~~

Today's Blowout Price: $24.97 (You save 46%)

**WOW!! LOWEST PRICE EVER!!! JUST $24.97!!**

"This Is A Must-Have For Everyone Who Still Has VHS Tapes!!"

"I FINALLY Found A Way To Preserve My Family's Video Memories!"

Got Old VHS, DVDs, Or Home Movies?

Stop Right There!!! Don't Trash 'Em - Transfer 'Em!!

Copy Old VHS Tapes (or DVDs) Right To Your Computer!!

It REALLY Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This (See Video)!

Airlink 101 USB 2.0 Video Capture Box w/Audio

Save And Watch Them On Your PC Or Share With Friends Online!

Hey! Or Even Better -

Transfer Old VHS Tapes To DVD/ CD And Enjoy 'Em On Your TV!

Transfer Your Camcorder Videos & VHS Movies To DVD Before They Warp!

OK, let me guess - you have a bunch of old VHS tapes sitting around and wish there was some way to put 'em on DVD. Maybe you have a bunch of home movies you shot with a camcorder and wish you could get 'em on DVD, but just don't know how. Well, we just discovered an amazing little device that's going to make all those wishes come true! Wait till you see this!

EasyCap Video Capture Box takes your videos and transfers 'em to your computer (then onto DVD or Video CD)!

How's it work? Pretty simple really. You just plug your VCR / DVD Player / Video Camera into the standard Audio / Video inputs on this device (or, for even better quality - plug into the "S" Video plug). Pretty easy so far huh? Now, just plug the EasyCap into your USB port and run the software!

To transfer, just hit PLAY on your VCR (or DVD player, or camcorder, or whatever) and RECORD on the included software! That's really it! This can record ANYTHING that you can plug into it! Old VHS movies, your favorite home videos, even copy DVDs to your computer so you can watch them on an iPod or portable video player! Pretty sweet huh?

Really, just plug in a couple cords, follow the software prompts, and you're good to go! Just check out the video at our site - Gary will show you how incredibly easy this actually is!!

If you have a closet full of old VHS tapes, why let them deteriorate to the point of no longer being playable? Hey, VHS doesn't have that long of a shelf life - 15 years is probably optimistic.

If you have a stack of VHS tapes that you want to keep, you absolutely HAVE to get them transferred to something more reliable - and this makes it easy!

Besides, when was the last time you saw a new VHS player at a store? Doesn't happen very often now - they are an endangered species, and they aren't far from permanent extinction! The day is coming where even if you WANT to buy a VHS player to look at those old tapes it simply isn't going to be an option! Better transfer 'em while you can!

Oh, and do you have a camcorder that uses an odd-sized tape - you know, so you have to hook the camcorder up to the TV to see your videos? Well, why not hook that little camcorder up to this and finally get all those tapes transferred over to digital? From there, you can enjoy them on your computer or create your own DVD / Video CD to watch in a standard DVD player!

That's right - you don't even need a DVD burner on your computer - you can make a Video CD that will play in any standard DVD player!

Plus, everything is really easy to work with - so you'll be able to get things transferred over in no time!

Airlink 101 USB 2.0 Video Capture Box w/Audio

Why let your tapes fade into an analog ether? This can save 'em before it's too late!

Your cost? Get this - Just $24.97 and US Shipping is FREE! For that kind of money, it's crazy not to grab this and start transferring all those old VHS tapes and camcorder movies to your computer or DVD! Heck, this can even record from a DVD player if you need an extra copy of something! Check it out, but hurry - this is something we've had a LOT of requests for and now that it's finally here, it's bound to fly!

http://store.worldstart.com/product/5249

PS - Don't miss out - this little gadget makes transferring your old VHS / Camcorder tapes to DVD incredibly easy - get yours today before the price heads up to $29.97 at 11:59pm, CST (or before we sell out)!

**Don't forget to check out ALL OF THE CLEARANCE ITEMS, before they expire at 11:59pm, CST tonight (08-20-2010) - OR BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!!**

http://www.worldstart.com/todays_deals/

August Wallpaper

Here's this month's free calendar wallpaper! As always, it's 100% free, so head on over and grab one!

	One Last Glimpse
	Elk Bugle
	Sol Duc Falls

It's all free, so enjoy!

All can be found here:

http://www.worldstart.com/wallpaper/index.php

Enjoy!

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Copyright, Disclaimer, and Removal

ISSN: 1529-336X
Copyright 2009, WorldStart. All unauthorized reproduction strictly prohibited.

You are welcome to reproduce this newsletter (i.e. print it, store it) for your own personal use. You are also welcome to forward it, in its entirety, to friends and family.

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Finally, you agree to try any advice contained or suggested in this newsletter at your own risk.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (duh!)

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