Computer Info – October 27, 1999

Silly Question Day Continued

        We will be trying to answer some of the questions that were ask last week that John Watkins did not have time to answer. I have tried to include in this handout some of those questions and other questions that we have been ask recently.

My Desktop Icon on the Quick Launch Toolbar Doesn’t Work. Why?

        On the Windows 98 Quick Launch Toolbar there is an icon for the Desktop. This icon allows you to toggle between the Desktop and your open application. If Internet Explorer is removed (deleted) from your system, this icon will remain - but nothing will happen when you click on it.

How Do I Set the Default Font in Outlook Express & Internet Explorer?

        From the top menu in Outlook Express or Internet Explorer, choose VIEW. From the VIEW menu, choose TEXT SIZE and click on the size of the text you would like. The choices are from Largest to Smallest.

How Do I Set My Printer Default Settings?

        You can set your printer to always default to use your Black ink cartridge and use economy print quality. This would save you ink – you would be able to print many more pages before having to change your ink cartridge.
        To set the default settings for your printer, press the START button – choose SETTINGS – then PRINTERS. Right click on your printer and choose PROPERTIES from the menu. Make any adjustments that you would like to be the default settings and when you are through, press the OK button. These settings should now be the default for that printer – and you would still be able to make adjustments to the printer settings from within a program whenever you wish.

How Do I Remove the Screen That Makes Me Log Onto Windows?

        If you do not want to always have to enter a user name and password to get into Windows, then you will have to delete the password file. To do this, press the START button and choose FIND. In the FIND WHAT – type *.PWL --- be sure that it is looking at the C:\ and not just a special directory - (this will then look for any file on your C: drive that ends with PWL. When it finds this file (sometimes more than one) – then click on the file with the right mouse button and choose DELETE from the menu.
        After you have deleted the password file, then you must reboot your computer. The Logon to Windows screen will appear – but READ IT CAREFULLY. You will find that it will say that if you do not wish to see this screen again, then DON’T put in any password. A user name of some type is required. Then press the OK button.
        This ability to log onto Windows is not a protection against any one using your computer – it is only to save your personalized desktop settings if more than one person in the household is using the computer.

Why Why Can’t I Save my Scanned Picture As a JPG?

        A couple of possible reasons. If you are not doing your scanning through a photo editing program – but using your scanner interface program by itself – you are limited to what that program allows.
        If you are scanning through a photo editing program, then it depends on if the picture is a 256 color picture, a true color picture, a grayscale picture or a black and white picture. If you do not see the choice of saving it as a JPG listed, then CONVERT the picture to a grayscale picture or a true color picture. Normally black and white pictures can not be saved as JPG.
        There is a difference between black and white pictures – and grayscale pictures. Black and white pictures only use black and white. Grayscale pictures use 256 shades of gray from black to white.

When We Install New Software, Do We Have to Close All Programs?

        Why are we instructed to "Close All programs running in the background" and what programs are they talking about?
        It is just good practice to close any program that you were using before starting to install another program because there could be a conflict in what the installation program looks for and what an open program is looking for. If you look at your Taskbar, you should be able to determine if you have any programs open – or another way to check for open programs, is to press and hold the ALT key and then press the TAB key. You will see an icon for each open program (or folder) – to see the name of each of these icons, while continuing to hold down the ALT key press the TAB key again.
        Your anti-virus program should also be turned off. This is usually done by locating the icon for it on the right side of the taskbar near the clock. If you right click on it, you should have a menu choice to either DISABLE it or EXIT it.

How Do I Use Mail Filters in Netscape?

        To stop having to view junk email, filter it. From the EDIT menu, choose MESSAGE FILTERS. Click on NEW – and then give the filter a name. Fill out the rest of the information (for example --- the sender of the message contains @mauimail.com then delete) and then click OK. Whenever the email address of the sender contains the specified text, the email will be deleted.

What are Gedcom files?

        A Gedcom file is a universal transfer file for genealogy records. It allows you to send your information (or data) from your genealogy program and know that the information can then be used by the person you are sending it to. It allows you to use Family Origins for your genealogy information and then send the information to someone who is using FamilyTree Maker.
        To create a Gedcom file from your genealogy program – look under FILE in the top menu and then look for something that allows you to EXPORT a Gedcom file. You will be ask to give the file a name – where to store it to – and possibly whether you wish all your records included in the file or just selected records.
        If you receive a Gedcom file and want to look at the data in it, open your genealogy program and create a new empty database. Do not bring this information into your family information file unless you are sure that these are the records that you want and doesn’t contain too many duplicates. To bring this information into your new empty database, look under FILE in the top menu and then look for something that allows you to IMPORT a Gedcom file.
        Gedcom files have an extension of .GED

Web Addresses

Here’s a site where you can send your family and friends musical awards or greeting cards.
                       http://www.marlo.com

Here’s a site for Java applets if you would like to experiment with them.
                       http://www.spigots.com/spigots.htm