Computer and Web Articles

Question: For several reasons I’ve decided that it’s time for me to learn at least the basics of Microsoft Word. I don’t want to have to buy any CDs and when I try to search for help there are so many results I feel overwhelmed. If you could suggest something for me that would be appreciated.

Answer: I’d be happy to suggest a site; it’s actually one that a reader sent to me a while back and commented on how helpful it was for her. I hadn’t gotten around to writing about it though, so your question provides me with a perfect opportunity to share this site with others.

Microsoft Word in Pictures is the name of the site, and you can visit it at http://inpics.net/word.html. Follow the step-by-step explanations and you’ll feel comfortable with Word in no time.

For those of you who aren’t neophytes with Word, the site also offers visual walk-throughs of various tasks such as using tables, inserting page breaks, printing envelopes and labels, and employing templates.

OK. So you’ve downloaded a bunch of free fonts from sites like www.simplythebest.net/fonts and www.urbanfonts.com, but now they’re all just sitting on your desktop. And they’re not doing anything. How can you tell your computer to recognize these fonts so you can start using them in programs like Word and Publisher?

On a PC, the first thing you need to do is open your Fonts folder by going to Start Menu > Control Panel > Fonts. Now (keeping in mind that font files usually have extensions like .ttf, .pfa, .pfb and .otf), simply drag your font files into this folder and … that’s it. They’re installed.

Close your fonts folder and open up any program where you’re allowed to choose what fonts you wish to use. The fonts you use will now show up in that program’s fonts drop-down list.

• www.updatestar.com — Stay up to date on all your software upgrades; this free program alerts you when updates are available for any of your freeware, shareware and commercial software programs.
• http://tinyurl.com/2mu78o — A great Mac OSX tip that will help you avoid misdirected Mail messages.
• http://tinyurl.com/2zzedc — A how-to video that details a great method for taking holiday lights photos.
• www.suitcasesforkids.org — Through public donations, this organization provides children in foster care with suitcases for their personal belongings.
• www.rebateshare.com — Sign up with RebateShare and whenever you shop at one of the company’s partner stores (there are hundreds), you’ll receive cash back. Simple and convenient, especially if you’re a regular online shopper.

Question: Hi Erin, I’m hoping you can help me out with an annoyance I experience regularly with my PC. Basically, I clean out the Recycle Bin on my desktop a lot, and when I do it I want to do it. I hate it that every time I go to empty the Recycle Bin my computer asks me “Are you sure?” Can I turn that confirmation message off somehow???? If so, where do I do it??”

Answer: Yes indeed you can shut that confirmation pop-up off.

All you need to do is right-click the Recycle Bin and choose Properties from the menu that opens up. Look for the “Display delete confirmation dialog” check box, and make sure there’s no check mark in the box before you hit the OK button below.

That’s all there is to it. And of course, if you ever decide you want that confirmation dialog box to start showing up again when you empty your Recycle Bin, just check that box and hit OK.

WinZip is not free.

If you know what I’m talking about, you’re either one of the folks who has purchased a license for WinZip or you’re one of the folks who has continued to use the trial version of the program, ignoring the “You have been using this program for x days now” message that shows up each time you use it.

If you happen to fall into the latter group, listen up, because there’s a free alternative. It’s called FreeZip and you can download it from www.PCWorld.com at: http://tinyurl.com/2pue6g. It uses no windows and no icons or pictures to usher you through the zipping and unzipping process; it simply gets right down to business by adding commands like “Zip” and “Unzip Here” to the menus you see when you right-click files and folders.

FreeZip is basic, free, simple and effective. So stop waiting for WinZip to load if you’re never going to buy a license, and go download FreeZip now.

• http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/ - A sweet little site that lets you create and share your very own photobook using Flickr images.
• http://tinyurl.com/ysrpya - Attention all Mac users! Here’s an interactive calculator that shows you how much money you can save each year by using you machine’s Energy Saver feature.

  http://tinyurl.com/2fdtf3 - Wire/cord management for your computer. Simplified. (Or so they say.)

• http://www.spongecell.com - Your powerful, personalized and private or public online calendar. Great for event management, too, as you can involve your guests and share your events via e-mail, blogs, cell phones, etc.
• http://www.confusingwords.com - An obligatory bookmark for anyone with even the slightest interest in semantics.

Our online resource of the week is actually a website for an offline resource that few Summit County, CO residents are aware of: the Provider’s Resource Clearinghouse (PRC).

The PRC’s mission is to “meet community needs with donated goods”; through “social recycling,” the organization has diverted over 75 tons of materials away from landfills and helped thousands of low-income households, families in need, and nonprofit agencies.

If you have new or used office or household furnishings or supplies that you no longer want or that you were planning to toss, please consider the PRC as a worthy option. They may not be super close to us (they’re in Aurora), but it would be wonderful to include them on your list of stops during your next trip down to Denver.

Learn more at the PRC website: http://www.prccolorado.org. It would be so wonderful if we could all do our best to maintain the spirit of giving throughout the year, instead of having it fade away once the holidays season ends.

Question: Is there a way to put my most-used web address on my desktop, instead of opening my browser and then typing in the address?  - Sarah L., Keystone

Answer: Oh absolutely, you most definitely can! It’s not hard to do, either; just keep in mind that the steps are different depending on what browser you use.

For Internet Explorer: When you’re on a webpage you wish to save to your desktop, go to the top of your screen and click File, then Send, then Shortcut to Desktop. Done!

For Firefox: There are two ways to do this in Firefox, but surprisingly, neither are obvious. The first option requires you to hit the “Restore Down” button (it’s that middle button at the top right of your screen - the one with the two boxes in it, to the left of the “x” button). If you don’t see the Restore Down button and the middle button shows only one square, you’re OK - you don’t need to do anything at all. Next, left-click the icon in the address bar - that’s the little graphic sitting to the left of the address of the site you’re currently on. Don’t let go of that left mouse button just yet; instead, drag that icon to your desktop and then let go.

If you don’t care for that method, try this out instead: http://tinyurl.com/22nzr5.

• http://tinyurl.com/2qm4hq - Mind-blowing shadow art.
• http://tinyurl.com/2×4jfd - Mandatory viewing if you’re a mom. Hilarious.
• http://www.fins-up.com/servlet/StoreFront - Take a look if you’re searching for a portable computer handle/stand (designed to work with Apple notebooks).
• http://www.verify-email.org - Clean your e-mail lists of bad and undeliverable e-mails; use this tool to verify if mailboxes actually exist or not.
• http://tinyurl.com/2advd7 - The best, most creative test answers ever given by students, and they get progressively funnier as you scroll down the page. The elephant response is one of my personal favorites.