GREATER BOSTON SENIOR COMPUTER GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 53, January 14, 2004
CHAIRPERSON:: Arline Ekman, AVE@alumni.unh.edu
EDITOR: Harriet Mandell, harrietd@rcn.com
WEB PAGE: Garry Ziffer, http://users.rcn.com/gbscg
LIAISON: Eve Welts, ewelts@rcn.com
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CHANGING the default file locations in your Microsoft word 2000 applications will allow you to go directly to the folder you use most frequently when you want to open a file. When Office is installed the default folder is My Documents. Changing the default folder is a quick, time-saving technique for customizing how MS Office works for you in Word. Click on tools, then On the File Locations tab, click Modify. In the Modify Location dialog box, locate the folder you want to use as your default and double-click it. At the same time you may also adjust all the methods available to customize your use of the Microsoft Word program.
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FREE file: Under CoverXP (works with all versions of Windows) Print your own CD, DVD and videogame covers. This program will automatically scale your digital images so you can print CD covers (front and back) etc. Very easy to use. Find it at http://jump.to/undercoverxp
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FASTER web addressing can be had when you want http:// www. as your prefix and .com as the suffix in an address and you are using Internet Explorer’s address bar…type the keyword, press Ctrl and Enter. IE will add the prefix and suffix and take you to the site.
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SHARE or create a back up list of your bookmarks from Internet Explorer favorites by creating an HTML file of your favorite sites and their URLs as follows: Open Internet Explorer, Choose Import and Export in your File menu and when the Import and export Wizard opens, click Next, highlight Export Favorites and click Next again. Choose the favorites folder; Click Export to a File or Address, save your bookmark.html file onto your C drive or disk and clik Next, Click Finish and OK. When you double-click your new file, it will open as a webpage and you will be able to click links to go to sites. Now, want to print from the file menu. Check the “Print Table of Links” box at the bottom of your print menu. From Netscape bookmarks open Netscape. Press CTRL+B to open your bookmarks menu. Choose Save As in the file menu and save the file to your hard frive or disk. Save the file as an HTML file if you only want to print a list of your bookmarks or click easy link in the file. If you want to print a list of the names of your bookmarks as well as their URLs, save it as a text file (.txt). Again, the HTML file will work as a webpage.
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PHISHING is the act of luring someone to a spoofed website. One common method used is sending an e-mail that looks like it came from a legitimate source, but it may contain a link to a bogus site to trick you into revealing personal information or downloading a virus. What to do? Be cautious about clicking links in e-mail messages or in online ads from retailers you don’t recognize or trust in the event it is a spoofed site. In fact, rather than clicking a link type the website address into the address bar of your Web browser and go directly to the site. Before submitting any personal information, always verify the security certificate issued to a site Keep on the alert and stay in charge.
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REFRESH your laptop battery to get the maximum performance from it. This process involves allowing your computer battery to drain completely (to do this you will need to disable all power management utilities). Once drained recharge the battery to 100% this will refresh all cells within the battery. Doing this every few months will help extend the life of your portable computer battery.
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MESSENGER Service is in a default installation of Windows (98, ME, XP, 2000, NT) but unless a user is in a work environment and company administrators want this service, it is recommended users disable it as another security device. The service can be enabled again if needed. The procedure for disabling the Messenger Service is as follows. In Windows 2000 and XP Click on Start Click Run Type: services.msc Double-click on Messenger Find Service status and select stop Click the scroll down box in Startup type, choose Disabled Click OK. For Windows 95, 98, and ME Click on Start Select Settings Click on Control Panel Double-click Add/Remove Programs Select Windows Setup Select System Tools Click Details Uncheck WinPopUp Click OK Reboot
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Windows includes many screen savers. And Windows XP and Windows ME have an option that lets you create one that contains pictures of your family and friends. It's easy to set up. MOVING pictures as a screen saver Right-click an empty area of the desktop. Select Properties and then, the Screen Saver tab. Under Screen Saver, click the down arrow and select My Pictures Slideshow (XP) or My Pictures Screen Saver (ME). Click Settings and Browse to find the folder that contains your photos. The screen saver will automatically pick up all the pictures in the folder. You can also set how fast the pictures should change and the size of the pictures. You can do the same with Mac's OS X. Put your pictures in a folder on the desktop. Then, in the Dock, click System Preferences, Screen Effects and Pictures Folder. Click Configure. Drag the folder on the desktop to the Slide Folder well. Set your options, and click OK.
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WEB Tutorials course by TRK Hosting helps with the process of creating a website. You will build your own attractive, functional website for publication on the World-Wide-Web. Each lesson will focus on one or more subjects and explains all the relevant tech issues and terminology. If you have a PC with an internet connection and the desire to learn, go to http://trkwebhosting.com/ .
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WANTED: URL's of web sites; Helpful hints for Mac users, Win 95/98/ME/XP. Software reviews, desired topics for future meetings. Send these items via email to the editor. Please sign your email with your name. We will publish your email address, but not your name, phone number or address without your permission.