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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, January 7, 2007
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Microsoft Word Startup Task Pane
This Week's Topic: Computer Ergonomics
Question: Removing Previously Typed Entries from Drop-Down Lists
Websites of Interest: New Years Resolutions; Elvis Presley; Nutrition Data
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Special Feature: Microsoft Word Startup Task Pane
Question: Every time I open Microsoft Word, there is a list that shows up on the right side. It lists things like Microsoft Office Line and Open Documents. It cuts out a lot of space I could have on the screen. Can I get rid of this?
Answer:
Yes, you can. Here are the steps:
Open Word.
Click Tools on the menu and then click Options. You will now see the Options window.
Click the View tab at the top. In the Show area in the window, click to remove the checkmark from the checkbox next to Startup Task Pane.
Click the OK button.
The Startup Task Pane is designed to make it easy to access commonly used tasks such as opening new or existing documents and getting help. Should you want access to the Startup Task Pane in the future, you can display it by clicking on the View menu and then clicking Task Pane.
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Today's Topic: Computer Ergonomics
Question: When I use my computer for too long, my back hurts, my eyes feel strained, and I have other aches and pains. Any suggestions?
Answer:
The first thing to adjust is your body position. Take a look at your seating. Make sure your chair is adjusted correctly. According to computer ergonomics experts, your knees should bend at 90 degrees and your thighs should be parallel to the floor. Adjust the back of the chair so that your hips bend at a 90 degree angle. Your chair should provide good lower back support. Try to keep good posture throughout the time you are sitting at the computer.
Place your mouse and keyboard where your hands can be at your lower than elbow height. The keyboard should be placed just above the level of your lap. Make sure your shoulders can relax and your elbows can be close to your sides. Your mouse should be close to your keyboard so that you do not have to reach far for it. Make sure the mouse is the right size for your hand. A too-large or too-small mouse will cause discomfort.
The monitor should be placed on your desk in a position that lines up to or is slightly below your eye level. You should not have to tip your head up to see the screen. If you use bifocals, the monitor should be even lower. Make sure you look straight ahead at the screen and are at least a foot and a half away from it.
Lighting is very important. Avoid bright light or any light that would cause glare on the screen. The computer should not be positioned with a window behind the screen as that could cause eye strain.
Do not use a lot of force when typing. Most keyboards do not need to be pressed hard. Use a light touch and save yourself a lot of pain in your hands.
Take plenty of breaks throughout the day. Experts say that you should not sit at the computer for more than 30 minutes at a time. Get up and stretch or take a short walk.
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Question: Removing Previously Typed Entries from Drop-Down Lists
As soon as I begin to type something online like a Web site address in Internet Explorer, there is a little box that drops down listing all the items that I typed previously. This gets in my way, can I clear this list?
Answer:
Yes, you can. That is called an AutoComplete list, and can come in handy if you want to go to a previously visited website. Just click on the entry, press the Enter key and it takes you there without having to type the whole thing over again.
But if it gets in your way, you can clear it and stop it from listing your previous entries. Here is how:
Open Internet Explorer. Click Tools on the menu and then click Internet Options. This will display the Internet Options window on your screen.
Click the content tab at the top. In the Personal Information area, click the AutoComplete button. You will now see the AutoComplete Settings window.
Click the checkboxes to remove the check marks from Web Addresses, Forms, User Names and Passwords on Forms, and Prompt Me to Save Passwords. This will stop Internet Explorer from compiling lists of your entries, and you will no longer see drop down lists containing previously typed entries, including passwords.
Click the Clear Forms button and the Clear Passwords button. Those two buttons delete previously stored AutoComplete entries.
Click the OK button. Click the OK button again to close the Internet Options window.
Note: if you want Internet Explorer to save your passwords, so you do not have to input them each time, do NOT remove the checkmarks from Passwords on Forms, and Prompt Me to Save Passwords. If you do not want Internet Explorer to stop listing your passwords to click on, do NOT click the Clear Passwords button.
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Websites of Interest:
New Years Resolutions
How are your resolutions going so far? Visit this website for tips and help on keeping your resolutions and making them work for you.
http://www.mygoals.com/about/NewYearsTips.html
Top 10 New Years Resolutions
http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm
How to Make a New Years Resolution
http://www.ehow.com/how_12077_make-new-years.html
Elvis Presley
January 8 is Elvis’ birthday. Visit the official site for information, music, news and more.
http://www.elvis.com/
Nutrition Data
Visit this website for nutritional information on the foods you eat. There is also a section providing data on entrees served at fast food restaurants.
http://www.nutritiondata.com/ |
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