Computer Info – August 16, 2000

This Week’s Program

        John Watkins will be demonstrating Norton Utilities 2000 and miscellaneous topics. Also a few pictures from our trip.

Save Your Printer

        Always turn your printer on with the power button (the On-Off switch) on your printer. Using a power strip or wall-mounted switch, may cause premature printer failure.
        This notice was in the documentation of a new printer and someone brought it to our attention. It was something that we had never thought about – since we always turn our printer on and off with the power button on the printer – and we only turn it on when we are going to be printing – but the advice sounds good..

Netscape Personal Tool Bar

        To turn the Personal Toolbar on or off in Netscape – from the VIEW menu – choose SHOW – then PERSONAL TOOLBAR.

Multiple Mail Accounts in Outlook Express

        If you have more than one email account or if you have company visiting you who would like to retrieve their email – you can create additional mail accounts in Outlook Express.
        Open Outlook Express. From the TOOL menu – choose ACCOUNTS. Click on the MAIL tab. This will show the email accounts that are already set up. Click on the ADD button to add a new one – then MAIL. On the first screen, you type the name that you want associated with this account. On the next screen, click in "I already have an e-mail address that I would like to use" – then type in the e-mail address and click on NEXT. On the next page choose POP3. For your incoming and outgoing mail servers – this would be information that you would get from your provider – normally it is MAIL. (the word mail followed by a dot) added in front of your servers name (example: mail.iag.net). Then click on NEXT. On the next screen, you fill out your user name (your login name) and your password – then click on NEXT. Then on FINISH. Your new account has been set up.
        If you click on the SEND AND RECEIVE button, it will check for mail at all of your email accounts. If you click on the down arrow to the right of the SEND AND RECEIVE button, you will get a menu and you can choose which account to download the messages from.
        This method can be used to check your mail from your HOTMAIL account also. Since Hotmail is owned by Microsoft, they have built in the ability to do this.

Windows ME
(information from the Microsoft Web site)

        Microsoft has announced a limited-time promotional price of $59.95 for the Windows® Millennium Edition (Windows Me) operating system. The special price is available for Microsoft® Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition customers who wish to upgrade their system to the forthcoming Windows Me, the latest operating system designed specifically for the home user.
        The promotionally priced product, which will be available in retail stores from September 14 through January 15, 2001, will make it more affordable for Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition users to update their systems with the most recent consumer operating system enhancements.
 
 

Internet Explorer 5.5

        Internet Explorer 5.5 includes improved support for DHTML (Dynamic HTML) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheet). You’ll also be able to preview Web pages exactly as they’ll appear when printed (this is a useful feature that Netscape has had for many years).
        Microsoft offers Internet Explorer 5.5 on CD. You can place your order through their Web Order form (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/offers/default.asp) or by calling 1-800-485-2048. The offer includes the complete Internet Explorer 5.5 and Internet Tools package for $6.95. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for delivery.

What is Dynamic HTML?
        Dynamic HTML is the name given by both Netscape and Microsoft to the use of the Document Object Model, Cascading Style Sheets, and client-side scripting to make Web pages more interactive. By using these technologies, developers can make their Web pages change on-the-fly and interact with users without having to reload.

What is CSS?
        CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and is a simple styling language which allows attaching style to HTML elements. Every element type as well as every occurrence of a specific element within that type can be declared an unique style, e.g. margins, positioning, color or size.

        The use of DHTML and CSS is suppose to become the standard for designing interactive web pages – so that they are compatible with both Netscape and Internet Explorer and also other web browsers. (Internet Explorer has been using this technology for quite awhile).