For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/Vista Tip #0007
There is a file format for storing and sending files that many individuals and businesses use. It is called a PDF file. What on earth does it do? Short for Portable Document Format, a file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient's monitor or printer as they were intended. To view a file in PDF format, you need Adobe Reader, a free application distributed by Adobe Systems. Nowadays we find we need to ‘read’ PDF files when we buy a new computer, electronic device printer etc. In many cases, it has supplanted the User Guide that used to accompany our new purchases. If you have by some miracle avoided encountering a PDF file to date, I guarantee you will eventually.
Notice that wonderful word ‘free’ Adobe Reader. In this case, for me free is not enough. Adobe created this format and for a long time, it was the only game in town. Like so many other software programmes, each new version had more and more features and settings and as in so many other cases a good and simple programme became bloated and slower and more complicated. This is especially true with Adobe Reader. Now on its 8th version, the Adobe reader has become over time, slower and slower to open PDF files. This has baffled me for some time now. If a piece of software is created to do one thing and one thing only – I believe it should do it well. Certainly over time it should be faster.
This is not the case with Adobe Reader 8.0 or for that mater 7.0 or even 6.0. So, I have long been on the lookout for a programme that would be compatible with Adobe Reader but be able to do the task faster.
Well good news Bulldog Readers. I have found a programme that is both fast and free. It has no bells, no whistles. It is designed to do one thing and one thing only. Open PDF files quickly. It is called Sumatra PDF. It is a simple interface, and easy to download, install and use. It is now my default PDF reader. It is also free.
So, if you would like to speed up your ability to read PDF files I recommend you download this product.
Here is the address for downloading the programme:
http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download.html.
As with other programmes, I recommend you create a download file for all your downloads. Think of it as good digital house-keeping and I promise you over time you will be glad you made this small effort a part of your good computing habits.
So, now you have downloaded the programme to your special file (perhaps PDF or Sumatra), the choice is of course up to you.
When the download is complete, you can install the programme in the usual manner. On the Sumatra download page click on the top offering. It will say “Installer”. (SumatraPDF-0.7-install.exe). I do not recommend you download the second choice, a zip file. Utilising the installer version will speed your download process and lessen the chance of an error in installing the programme on your machine.
So, after you have clicked on the installer, a pop up will appear. It will give you the usual “Run” – “Save” – “Cancel” options. Chose “Save”. The programme will then ask you which folder you wish to save to. This is where your special download file will come into play. Chose the file you have set up for downloads, create a new file say PDF and then hit the ‘save’ button. Your programme will now download, and depending on your connection, dial-up, DSL or Cable you will soon have another pop up which will ask you either to ‘run’ or ‘install’. Click on the button and your Sumatra PDF will install itself.
After it is installed you will be given the choice to let Sumatra PDF be the ‘default’ programme for all PDF files. I recommend you allow it to become your default. If you are unhappy with a faster way to view your PDF files you can always change it back at a later time.
Now, if you do have a PDF file already on your machine, give Sumatra PDF a trial run. Click on any file that has the suffix .pdf (ex: abcd.pdf) on your machine. It will open almost immediately. No more waiting while Adobe slowly loads the file and hogs all your computers resources.
I think you will like the speed and simplicity of this great free utility. It is fast functional and does the job I need a PDF reader for. To open PDF files quickly.
I hope you have the same positive experience with this simple well coded programme that I have had to date. And the risk is minimal since the cost is zero, if you are not pleased you can always return to the Adobe Reader. Somehow I don’t think you will.
As always Bulldog readers let me know how you fare and what you think of this programme or if you have any further questions.
My eMail Address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
Monday, August 20, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
System Security – Spybot Search & Destroy
For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/Vista Tip #0006
We all have those moments when our systems slow down. I mean really slow down. There are a variety of reasons for this but the usual culprit is spyware. Many people have asked me “what is spyware”?
Well, for the purpose of our discussion let’s take a simple definition from Wikipedia:
Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.
So in short, it is software you did not want, did not know you had and would like to get rid of. It can pass information about you, your machine and in some cases even redirect and over-rule your commands to your machine.
So, dear Bulldog readers, here is one solution to identify and get rid of spyware from your machine.
There are a number of different programmes available for download to accomplish our mission. As you know my favourite programmes are the ones that are free. From my own experience the best free anti-spyware programme is called Spybot - search and destroy. Notice there is no equivocation here. No sort of look for and maybe find something. No perhaps we will find something, perhaps not. Straightforward. We are going to search for spyware on your machine and then you can destroy it. This is a feature I particularly approve of. You chose what you want to get rid of. This is important. For some so-called spyware are cookies which you might actually want. If you have ‘allowed’ a direct sign into Yahoo or MSN – say if you have a hot-mail account or some other regular site you must sign-in to you will want to ‘allow’ this programme. There is a setting that will make it easy to ‘allow’ what you want and get rid of what you do not. There is also a feature called Immunize. It is an icon you will see after you have run Spybot the first time. It will keep out all known spyware from even loading onto your system in the future. It is easy to use and operates in the background so you do not have to worry about repeat programmes trying to ‘infect’ your system. More on this later Bulldog readers. For now let’s go to the download site:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
This will bring you to the main download page for Spybot – S&D. At the top of the page, you will see a request to ‘make a donation’. Skip down to the Download area. On the right side of the download titled: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4, you will see a 3-D box with an arrow on it. Left click. This will bring you to a ‘mirror site’. A mirror site is just a way for small developers to allow a large number of people to download from other sites. I usually chose the top offering and then click where it says
‘download here’. You will be directed to the mirror site. Chose ‘download now’ and your download should begin. If it does not begin downloading within say 20 seconds, you can click on the area where it says “If your download does not begin shortly or soon, click here”.
OK, perhaps you may remember a previous suggestion about creating a special folder called MyDownloads. If you do not already have a special folder for your downloads; I suggest you create one – label it however you like (DadsDownload – MyDownloadedStuff) or whatever. This can be very useful when you are looking for files you have downloaded. You can also create sub-folders such as MyDownloads > Anti-spyware or whatever name suits YOU. Remember, it is YOUR computer, label folders and files so YOU can remember where they are.
Now, run the programme and let it install on your machine. Once installed, and you decide to run the programme, Spybot will load. It will inform you it is loading.
Once installed, the first thing I suggest dear Bulldog reader is you immediately go to “Search for up-dates”. This will ensure you have the latest spyware information up-to-date and installed on your machine.
Then, click on the icon that says “Check for problems”. The programme will check your entire drive and look for spyware, including hidden spyware. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes to accomplish the task. You can continue to use other programmes while this is going on. I do recommend that people using dial up (especially if using Windows 98) not to load too many other programmes or surf the net during the initial search.
Soon enough you will receive a report of installed spyware. You can uncheck items you know you may wish to keep [something labelled Yahoo or MSN]. A good rule of thumb is if you do not recognise a programme, and do not remember installing it, get rig of it. This is especially true for my readers who are parents with younger kids.
Note: if you do not see a special repeat link for your favourite programme; that is good.
Now click on and run the icon that says: “Fix Selected Problems”. Now your machine should be spyware clean. At this point run the immunise button and your machine will be further protected- and this protection will run in the background without further input from you.
I recommend that you run this programme about once a month. Get the updates and you should be for the most part running a safe spy-ware free system. In addition to being spyware free, you will also most likely notice your machine is running faster.
As always Bulldog readers let me know how you fare and what you think of this programme or if you have any further questions. My eMail Address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
We all have those moments when our systems slow down. I mean really slow down. There are a variety of reasons for this but the usual culprit is spyware. Many people have asked me “what is spyware”?
Well, for the purpose of our discussion let’s take a simple definition from Wikipedia:
Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.
So in short, it is software you did not want, did not know you had and would like to get rid of. It can pass information about you, your machine and in some cases even redirect and over-rule your commands to your machine.
So, dear Bulldog readers, here is one solution to identify and get rid of spyware from your machine.
There are a number of different programmes available for download to accomplish our mission. As you know my favourite programmes are the ones that are free. From my own experience the best free anti-spyware programme is called Spybot - search and destroy. Notice there is no equivocation here. No sort of look for and maybe find something. No perhaps we will find something, perhaps not. Straightforward. We are going to search for spyware on your machine and then you can destroy it. This is a feature I particularly approve of. You chose what you want to get rid of. This is important. For some so-called spyware are cookies which you might actually want. If you have ‘allowed’ a direct sign into Yahoo or MSN – say if you have a hot-mail account or some other regular site you must sign-in to you will want to ‘allow’ this programme. There is a setting that will make it easy to ‘allow’ what you want and get rid of what you do not. There is also a feature called Immunize. It is an icon you will see after you have run Spybot the first time. It will keep out all known spyware from even loading onto your system in the future. It is easy to use and operates in the background so you do not have to worry about repeat programmes trying to ‘infect’ your system. More on this later Bulldog readers. For now let’s go to the download site:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
This will bring you to the main download page for Spybot – S&D. At the top of the page, you will see a request to ‘make a donation’. Skip down to the Download area. On the right side of the download titled: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4, you will see a 3-D box with an arrow on it. Left click. This will bring you to a ‘mirror site’. A mirror site is just a way for small developers to allow a large number of people to download from other sites. I usually chose the top offering and then click where it says
‘download here’. You will be directed to the mirror site. Chose ‘download now’ and your download should begin. If it does not begin downloading within say 20 seconds, you can click on the area where it says “If your download does not begin shortly or soon, click here”.
OK, perhaps you may remember a previous suggestion about creating a special folder called MyDownloads. If you do not already have a special folder for your downloads; I suggest you create one – label it however you like (DadsDownload – MyDownloadedStuff) or whatever. This can be very useful when you are looking for files you have downloaded. You can also create sub-folders such as MyDownloads > Anti-spyware or whatever name suits YOU. Remember, it is YOUR computer, label folders and files so YOU can remember where they are.
Now, run the programme and let it install on your machine. Once installed, and you decide to run the programme, Spybot will load. It will inform you it is loading.
Once installed, the first thing I suggest dear Bulldog reader is you immediately go to “Search for up-dates”. This will ensure you have the latest spyware information up-to-date and installed on your machine.
Then, click on the icon that says “Check for problems”. The programme will check your entire drive and look for spyware, including hidden spyware. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes to accomplish the task. You can continue to use other programmes while this is going on. I do recommend that people using dial up (especially if using Windows 98) not to load too many other programmes or surf the net during the initial search.
Soon enough you will receive a report of installed spyware. You can uncheck items you know you may wish to keep [something labelled Yahoo or MSN]. A good rule of thumb is if you do not recognise a programme, and do not remember installing it, get rig of it. This is especially true for my readers who are parents with younger kids.
Note: if you do not see a special repeat link for your favourite programme; that is good.
Now click on and run the icon that says: “Fix Selected Problems”. Now your machine should be spyware clean. At this point run the immunise button and your machine will be further protected- and this protection will run in the background without further input from you.
I recommend that you run this programme about once a month. Get the updates and you should be for the most part running a safe spy-ware free system. In addition to being spyware free, you will also most likely notice your machine is running faster.
As always Bulldog readers let me know how you fare and what you think of this programme or if you have any further questions. My eMail Address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
Sunday, June 17, 2007
THE BEST FREE EMAIL
For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/Vista & MAC Tip #0005
Free eMail is a good idea. Free eMail with almost unlimited storage is even better. Free eMail that can be accessed from Microsoft Office Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird and most POP3 eMail clients, well that is well neigh terrific.
Google’s eMail programme offers all these features and more. Fully customizable and with the ability to forward copies of your eMail to any source, G-Mail is one of the few ‘free’ programmes that truly lives up to it’s promises and actually delivers more functionality than most paid eMail or ISP provided eMail accounts.
Even in the world of ever growing services and programmes G-Mail not only delivers but does so in an efficient consistent fashion. The storage rate per account is 2 gigabits and growing. So, it is possible to maintain copies of all the mails you send and receive in one place with little worry you will exceed your allowed limit of 2 gigabits. In fact dear Bulldog readers, if you exceed your G-Mail account storage limit, please contact me immediately. We need to get you some serious help. You obviously need treatment for your internet addiction.
I have been using Gmail for well over three years now. I store and archive every singe eMail I have sent or received during that time. On average, I receive at least 100 mails daily, more often 120-13o. That is cumulatively a heck of a lot of eMail. More I suspect than the average user. I am only using 11% of my allotted storage.
The interface is straight forward and intuitive. It is easy to attach documents, photographs, even entire files to your eMails. Perhaps my favourite feature is ‘mail search’. You can search your entire collection of eMails by eMail address. (What was that mail from Aunt Millie earlier in the year? She had some information about a family gathering this summer? Put in Aunt Mille or auntmillie@webaddress.com or key words – family/gathering/summer. Within seconds all mails that meet your search criterion will be displayed. Finding old or near forgotten eMails comes in handy at time. Finding them is such a quick and easy way, well it truly is invaluable.
Even if you are only a casual eMailer, I recommend this program. No matter if you have a ISP supplied address. In the Daily Bulldog area, this means Verizon, TDS, Time Warner, Hughes.net Add a Gmail address. You will be glad you did.
Creating a sensible useful and professional eMail address has become increasingly useful and important in the growing world of digital mail. GiglyGrl@ or IdealMan@ may have seemed funny or cute or comfortably anonymous some years ago. Sending a prospective employer your Resume with a weird or quirky return address will most likely not impress. I recommend you have at least 3 eMail addresses. One, the main and professional one, i.e., your.name@gmail.com or yourname@gmail.com. A growing trend with eMail especially in the business world is to have your eMail address be your name@. So take advantage of a good way to communicate and easy way to keep track of your communications and track down the elusive mail you sent last year that now suddenly is important to you.
Secondary eMail addresses are also increasingly important. Many web sites require you to register or at least provide your eMail address before you can use their ‘free’ services. This is often fine, but there are unscrupulous people out there on the web. So a bogus or pseudo name Gmail address can solve two problems at the same time. You are not giving out your primary address and perhaps your actual name. If spam results from a sign up to a new site, it is easy to block and permanently stop it. Your worse case is simply to close out the account.
Tertiary address can be used for on-line forums where you want to guard your identity but still be able to input. They can also be useful for blogs and on-line photo programmes where you don’t wish to have prying eyes.
Some other advantages of Gmail:
you can access your Gmail account from any computer connected to the internet.
You can access using a PC or a Mac or Unix or Linux.
It is platform neutral and globally accessible.
So, I heartily recommend Gmail for all our Bulldog readers. All these features and more, all for my favourite price. Free.
Let me know your experiences both good and bad and if you have a complaint definitely let me know.
Free eMail is a good idea. Free eMail with almost unlimited storage is even better. Free eMail that can be accessed from Microsoft Office Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird and most POP3 eMail clients, well that is well neigh terrific.
Google’s eMail programme offers all these features and more. Fully customizable and with the ability to forward copies of your eMail to any source, G-Mail is one of the few ‘free’ programmes that truly lives up to it’s promises and actually delivers more functionality than most paid eMail or ISP provided eMail accounts.
Even in the world of ever growing services and programmes G-Mail not only delivers but does so in an efficient consistent fashion. The storage rate per account is 2 gigabits and growing. So, it is possible to maintain copies of all the mails you send and receive in one place with little worry you will exceed your allowed limit of 2 gigabits. In fact dear Bulldog readers, if you exceed your G-Mail account storage limit, please contact me immediately. We need to get you some serious help. You obviously need treatment for your internet addiction.
I have been using Gmail for well over three years now. I store and archive every singe eMail I have sent or received during that time. On average, I receive at least 100 mails daily, more often 120-13o. That is cumulatively a heck of a lot of eMail. More I suspect than the average user. I am only using 11% of my allotted storage.
The interface is straight forward and intuitive. It is easy to attach documents, photographs, even entire files to your eMails. Perhaps my favourite feature is ‘mail search’. You can search your entire collection of eMails by eMail address. (What was that mail from Aunt Millie earlier in the year? She had some information about a family gathering this summer? Put in Aunt Mille or auntmillie@webaddress.com or key words – family/gathering/summer. Within seconds all mails that meet your search criterion will be displayed. Finding old or near forgotten eMails comes in handy at time. Finding them is such a quick and easy way, well it truly is invaluable.
Even if you are only a casual eMailer, I recommend this program. No matter if you have a ISP supplied address. In the Daily Bulldog area, this means Verizon, TDS, Time Warner, Hughes.net Add a Gmail address. You will be glad you did.
Creating a sensible useful and professional eMail address has become increasingly useful and important in the growing world of digital mail. GiglyGrl@ or IdealMan@ may have seemed funny or cute or comfortably anonymous some years ago. Sending a prospective employer your Resume with a weird or quirky return address will most likely not impress. I recommend you have at least 3 eMail addresses. One, the main and professional one, i.e., your.name@gmail.com or yourname@gmail.com. A growing trend with eMail especially in the business world is to have your eMail address be your name@. So take advantage of a good way to communicate and easy way to keep track of your communications and track down the elusive mail you sent last year that now suddenly is important to you.
Secondary eMail addresses are also increasingly important. Many web sites require you to register or at least provide your eMail address before you can use their ‘free’ services. This is often fine, but there are unscrupulous people out there on the web. So a bogus or pseudo name Gmail address can solve two problems at the same time. You are not giving out your primary address and perhaps your actual name. If spam results from a sign up to a new site, it is easy to block and permanently stop it. Your worse case is simply to close out the account.
Tertiary address can be used for on-line forums where you want to guard your identity but still be able to input. They can also be useful for blogs and on-line photo programmes where you don’t wish to have prying eyes.
Some other advantages of Gmail:
you can access your Gmail account from any computer connected to the internet.
You can access using a PC or a Mac or Unix or Linux.
It is platform neutral and globally accessible.
So, I heartily recommend Gmail for all our Bulldog readers. All these features and more, all for my favourite price. Free.
Let me know your experiences both good and bad and if you have a complaint definitely let me know.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
F11 – The Way To Expand Your Browser
For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/VistaTip #0004
This is a simple quick way to expand your browsers display with a one key trick. Open up your browser. This trick is an all purpose solution. So whether you use Internet Explorer 7.0 (if you have not already moved up from IE 6.0 it is time. Out of beta it works well and has some neat features.) Firefox, Sea Monkey, Opera.. Well you get the idea open your browser. Right, now your designated home page should be open. Is the Daily Bulldog your home page? Well, for the sake of this tip, try opening the Daily Bulldog home page (http://dailybulldog.com/). Once open, find the key labelled F11. You will find it on the very top row of your keyboard, towards the left. F keys are labelled F1 through F12. F11 is your current target. Hit the key. Whoosh! The Daily Bulldog just grew. Now hit F11 again. Back to the original size. This can be really helpful for any number of reasons. It is easy gives immediate results. You can grow and shrink your browser window at will now.
Let me know if this was useful and what were some sites it really made a difference with.
This is a simple quick way to expand your browsers display with a one key trick. Open up your browser. This trick is an all purpose solution. So whether you use Internet Explorer 7.0 (if you have not already moved up from IE 6.0 it is time. Out of beta it works well and has some neat features.) Firefox, Sea Monkey, Opera.. Well you get the idea open your browser. Right, now your designated home page should be open. Is the Daily Bulldog your home page? Well, for the sake of this tip, try opening the Daily Bulldog home page (http://dailybulldog.com/). Once open, find the key labelled F11. You will find it on the very top row of your keyboard, towards the left. F keys are labelled F1 through F12. F11 is your current target. Hit the key. Whoosh! The Daily Bulldog just grew. Now hit F11 again. Back to the original size. This can be really helpful for any number of reasons. It is easy gives immediate results. You can grow and shrink your browser window at will now.
Let me know if this was useful and what were some sites it really made a difference with.
Access Your Programs From Your Taskbar
For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/VistaTip #0003
When I am working on my computer, I often have multiple programs open. So, when I wish to open a new program, I like to be able to do so without closing open programs. I would rather do this without opening programs using the Start menu or minimizing all running programs so I can view my desktop.
So here is a useful way to easily access all your most used programs. It is utilizing the Quick Launch function from your taskbar (located at the bottom of your screen). You can launch any program directly from the taskbar. Sounds like a good idea right? It is. And it is easy once you get the hang of it.
What you need to do is move your mouse over the taskbar to an area with nothing on it. On the bottom right, you can see a section with your running programs. Anywhere to the left of this area is fine. Just make sure there is nothing visible on the taskbar where you are about to right click.
Right click, and up will come a pop up. There are a number of options: cascade, task manger, properties. For this trick what you want to do is locate the Lock the taskbar. If it is checked, your taskbar is in a locked position. Fine most of the time, but for the moment. Left click if the taskbar is already checked. If it is not checked that is fine. Now, go to the very top and choose Toolbars. Roll your mouse over and another menu will pop up. What you are looking for is the Quick Launch. If you click on the Quick Launch – there will be an immediate result. On the taskbar some basic program options will now be available. So now many of us have desktops with just about every program we have is listed. For the purpose of this trick try
When I am working on my computer, I often have multiple programs open. So, when I wish to open a new program, I like to be able to do so without closing open programs. I would rather do this without opening programs using the Start menu or minimizing all running programs so I can view my desktop.
So here is a useful way to easily access all your most used programs. It is utilizing the Quick Launch function from your taskbar (located at the bottom of your screen). You can launch any program directly from the taskbar. Sounds like a good idea right? It is. And it is easy once you get the hang of it.
What you need to do is move your mouse over the taskbar to an area with nothing on it. On the bottom right, you can see a section with your running programs. Anywhere to the left of this area is fine. Just make sure there is nothing visible on the taskbar where you are about to right click.
Right click, and up will come a pop up. There are a number of options: cascade, task manger, properties. For this trick what you want to do is locate the Lock the taskbar. If it is checked, your taskbar is in a locked position. Fine most of the time, but for the moment. Left click if the taskbar is already checked. If it is not checked that is fine. Now, go to the very top and choose Toolbars. Roll your mouse over and another menu will pop up. What you are looking for is the Quick Launch. If you click on the Quick Launch – there will be an immediate result. On the taskbar some basic program options will now be available. So now many of us have desktops with just about every program we have is listed. For the purpose of this trick try
Monday, March 12, 2007
A Good Free Photo Program
For Windows 9.xx to Windows Vista
tip #0002
I like computer software that lets me do fun, useful or helpful things. I Love good software that is Free!
I have been using INFANVIEW for a number of years now. It is a great way to look at a number of photographs. Some of its features are a slide show creator, an image resizer, a batch converter, photo information and a few other useful tools. It can do basic sharpen and red-eye removal. This is not a threat to Adobe’s Photoshop for professional photo retouching, but it does a good job with basic functions. The cheapest version of Photoshop can cost $500 bucks or more. Infanview costs $00.00. So, unless you are a professional who get paid big bucks, this will do a very adequate job as a basic photo viewer. It is easy to install, the instructions are common-sense. (for example; to create a slide show, click slide show in the file menu).
If you have a few or even a bunch of photos and you want to view them in an easy format or rename them to send as eMail attachments, then this is a good program to use. You can re-size JPEG (the web standard) photographs so they can be easily adjusted and sent as eMail attachments without the recipient with a dial-up connection cursing you. I have professional and serious hobby photographers as clients who own Adobe PS and other expensive photo editors and they still keep a copy of Infanview on their machines.
I like and I recommend it, without reservation.
To download follow this link: http://www.irfanview.com/
Go to one of their many download sites. TUCOWS or CNET are reliable sites to download from. They are usually in the top four choices listed.
I recommend you create a “My Download” folder. You can do this by opening your computer to the C: prompt. In the top left, of the window, open the file section. Scroll down until you see “new” click and you will see “file” click again and a new file will be created name it MyDownloads (or whatever suits your fancy, it is your computer so name your files with names that are useful for you).
Your download will go to the new folder you just created. Here I suggest you create another new file. Same instructions as above. Name it Infanview. The file will be downloaded there. This labeling of downloads can be very helpful for a variety of reasons. (Primarily keeping files separate and labeled will make your digital housecleaning a cinch.)
After the download you will be prompted to either “run” or “open” the file and receive a warning from Microsoft telling you that downloading files you are unfamiliar may be dangerous or words to that effect. Ignore the warning and proceed with confidence. You are downloading a good program from a safe source.
You will be asked if you wish to run/open the program after the installation is completed. I suggest you do open it up and take your new free software for a test drive.
Depending on your internet connection speed (Dial-up, DSL, Cable) it should not take more than 15 minutes from start to finish. I think you will enjoy this program.
Please let me know.
If you have any other computer questions, problems or just general comments please feel free to send me a note. My eMail Address: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
tip #0002
I like computer software that lets me do fun, useful or helpful things. I Love good software that is Free!
I have been using INFANVIEW for a number of years now. It is a great way to look at a number of photographs. Some of its features are a slide show creator, an image resizer, a batch converter, photo information and a few other useful tools. It can do basic sharpen and red-eye removal. This is not a threat to Adobe’s Photoshop for professional photo retouching, but it does a good job with basic functions. The cheapest version of Photoshop can cost $500 bucks or more. Infanview costs $00.00. So, unless you are a professional who get paid big bucks, this will do a very adequate job as a basic photo viewer. It is easy to install, the instructions are common-sense. (for example; to create a slide show, click slide show in the file menu).
If you have a few or even a bunch of photos and you want to view them in an easy format or rename them to send as eMail attachments, then this is a good program to use. You can re-size JPEG (the web standard) photographs so they can be easily adjusted and sent as eMail attachments without the recipient with a dial-up connection cursing you. I have professional and serious hobby photographers as clients who own Adobe PS and other expensive photo editors and they still keep a copy of Infanview on their machines.
I like and I recommend it, without reservation.
To download follow this link: http://www.irfanview.com/
Go to one of their many download sites. TUCOWS or CNET are reliable sites to download from. They are usually in the top four choices listed.
I recommend you create a “My Download” folder. You can do this by opening your computer to the C: prompt. In the top left, of the window, open the file section. Scroll down until you see “new” click and you will see “file” click again and a new file will be created name it MyDownloads (or whatever suits your fancy, it is your computer so name your files with names that are useful for you).
Your download will go to the new folder you just created. Here I suggest you create another new file. Same instructions as above. Name it Infanview. The file will be downloaded there. This labeling of downloads can be very helpful for a variety of reasons. (Primarily keeping files separate and labeled will make your digital housecleaning a cinch.)
After the download you will be prompted to either “run” or “open” the file and receive a warning from Microsoft telling you that downloading files you are unfamiliar may be dangerous or words to that effect. Ignore the warning and proceed with confidence. You are downloading a good program from a safe source.
You will be asked if you wish to run/open the program after the installation is completed. I suggest you do open it up and take your new free software for a test drive.
Depending on your internet connection speed (Dial-up, DSL, Cable) it should not take more than 15 minutes from start to finish. I think you will enjoy this program.
Please let me know.
If you have any other computer questions, problems or just general comments please feel free to send me a note. My eMail Address: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
Easy Navigating Between Open Programs
For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP
Tip #0001
I often find that I have opened a number of programs on my desktop. Maybe I have Internet Explorer (IE) opened, and my Microsoft Word program opened, and my Outlook eMail program opened. I am surfing the net, and find a site on travel that reminds me of a friend in New York. I would like to send them an eMail. But how can I quickly get from my web browser to my eMail program?
The answer is simple. Use your “alt” and “tab” keys.
First hold down your “alt” key. Use your thumb. Once the “alt” key is depressed, then tap the “tab” key with another finger. Do not remove your thumb from the “alt” key. A pop-up will appear in the middle of your screen. It will show all your open programs. The will be a blue highlight around a program icon. A description of the highlighted program will be just below. You can scroll through each and every open program you have opened. As long as you keep the “alt” key depressed you can continue to scroll through this list. When you have decided you wish to switch from the open window in front of you to one of your other open programs, just lift your thumb off the “alt” key. Instantly your window will switch you from the program you are on to the one you chose.
Repeat as often as you like.
Now, let’s try this together. Hopefully, you have your Internet Browser opened to the Daily Bulldog. Now let’s open some other programs. Open your Word program. Then open up your eMail program. For the heck of it maybe open up your notepad as well.
Remember, hold down the “alt” key and keep holding it down. Now, tap the “tab” key. You will now see all the programs you have open on your computer. Each time you tap on the “tab” key, you will see the next open program with a description below. Tap through all the open programs until you see the one you wish to switch to. In this example let’s tap tab until your eMail program is highlighted. Lift your thumb off the “alt” key and zoom; you will be instantly transported from the Daily Bulldog web page, to your eMail program.
Finished writing your eMail and want to switch back to the Daily Bulldog? Hit the “alt” key (remember keep it depressed) and then tap the “tab” key. Just tap the tab key until you get to the Internet Explorer (IE) icon and lift your finger off the “alt” key and zoom. You are now back on the Daily Bulldog web page.
Now try opening some other programs. Perhaps a photo editor. And another. Well, you get the picture. You can now instantly go from any open program to any other open program. No minimising or clicking around aimlessly. From where you are to where you want to be. Instantly. If only other things in life worked this easily.
Of course you do not need to be on the Internet to use this trick. But you know you want to see what else is on the Daily Bulldog, now that you have tried this out…
You use Mozilla as you web browser? No problem. This trick is not just for Microsoft products only. In fact the only program you must have is Windows operating system. Windows XP is the recommended OS for this tip.
This is an easier and efficient way to navigate through your programs. Saves time and also comes in handy when you have forgotten what programs you have running…
Let me know what your experience is with this tip.
If you have any computer related problems or questions please send me an eMail
My address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
Tip #0001
I often find that I have opened a number of programs on my desktop. Maybe I have Internet Explorer (IE) opened, and my Microsoft Word program opened, and my Outlook eMail program opened. I am surfing the net, and find a site on travel that reminds me of a friend in New York. I would like to send them an eMail. But how can I quickly get from my web browser to my eMail program?
The answer is simple. Use your “alt” and “tab” keys.
First hold down your “alt” key. Use your thumb. Once the “alt” key is depressed, then tap the “tab” key with another finger. Do not remove your thumb from the “alt” key. A pop-up will appear in the middle of your screen. It will show all your open programs. The will be a blue highlight around a program icon. A description of the highlighted program will be just below. You can scroll through each and every open program you have opened. As long as you keep the “alt” key depressed you can continue to scroll through this list. When you have decided you wish to switch from the open window in front of you to one of your other open programs, just lift your thumb off the “alt” key. Instantly your window will switch you from the program you are on to the one you chose.
Repeat as often as you like.
Now, let’s try this together. Hopefully, you have your Internet Browser opened to the Daily Bulldog. Now let’s open some other programs. Open your Word program. Then open up your eMail program. For the heck of it maybe open up your notepad as well.
Remember, hold down the “alt” key and keep holding it down. Now, tap the “tab” key. You will now see all the programs you have open on your computer. Each time you tap on the “tab” key, you will see the next open program with a description below. Tap through all the open programs until you see the one you wish to switch to. In this example let’s tap tab until your eMail program is highlighted. Lift your thumb off the “alt” key and zoom; you will be instantly transported from the Daily Bulldog web page, to your eMail program.
Finished writing your eMail and want to switch back to the Daily Bulldog? Hit the “alt” key (remember keep it depressed) and then tap the “tab” key. Just tap the tab key until you get to the Internet Explorer (IE) icon and lift your finger off the “alt” key and zoom. You are now back on the Daily Bulldog web page.
Now try opening some other programs. Perhaps a photo editor. And another. Well, you get the picture. You can now instantly go from any open program to any other open program. No minimising or clicking around aimlessly. From where you are to where you want to be. Instantly. If only other things in life worked this easily.
Of course you do not need to be on the Internet to use this trick. But you know you want to see what else is on the Daily Bulldog, now that you have tried this out…
You use Mozilla as you web browser? No problem. This trick is not just for Microsoft products only. In fact the only program you must have is Windows operating system. Windows XP is the recommended OS for this tip.
This is an easier and efficient way to navigate through your programs. Saves time and also comes in handy when you have forgotten what programs you have running…
Let me know what your experience is with this tip.
If you have any computer related problems or questions please send me an eMail
My address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
