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Click here to print this page Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, February 24, 2008
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Watch Out for Free Offers
Tips & Tricks: Google Calculator
Featured Computer Term: Start Orb
This Week's Topic: Attaching a File to an Email – Hotmail
Websites of Interest: Guide to Happiness; Kids Health; Go Fish!; Best Portal into History
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Special Feature: Watch Out for Free Offers
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is warning consumers to be wary of free gifts and free trial offers. Instead of getting something for free, Miller says these gifts always come with plenty of expensive strings attached.
In many cases, Miller says consumers get charged for products and services without even knowing it.
The charge – for things like buying cub memberships and credit card protection plans - appears automatically when the free trial period ends.
"Consumers often are surprised when – and if – they discover the unexpected bill," Miller said. "The problem seems to stem from two things: First, consumers may not realize a seller already has the key information to bill their credit card or checking account. Second, some sellers may use questionable tactics to try to shift the burden onto the consumer to cancel."
If consumers don't cancel within the "free trial offer period" - usually 30 days but sometimes less – they are charged the monthly or annual membership fee, possibly as much as $100 or more. Consumers may be charged repeatedly every month or every year if they don't cancel.
Miller says these bogus "free trial offers" can come in several ways:
• On the phone. You may order a product or a ticket, or make a hotel or car reservation – and then the telemarketer may ask you to consider a "free trial offer" membership.
• In mailings. For example, a bank or credit card statement may include a check made payable to you for a small amount (say, $10 or $15) with fine print on the back of the check that signs you up for some kind of buyers club or program -- and a monthly or annual charge if you cash the check!
• Over the Internet. You may order something over the Internet and receive a "pop-up" ad on your computer screen with the "free trial offer."
"Remember, sellers may already have access to charge your credit card or checking account -- and they will bill you after the free trial period without further approval from you," Miller said.
"They count on you forgetting, not noticing the billings, or not noticing if they send you a mail notice that you discard as "junk mail." And some unscrupulous sellers may start billing you even if you decline the free trial offer!"
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Tips & Tricks: Google Calculator
Need to do some math and can’t find your adding machine? Give the Google Calculator a try.
To use this feature, open your Internet browser (Internet Explorer) and maneuver to the Google website. In the Search box, type in the mathematical formula you would like to calculate. Click the Search button.
The Google Calculator is very sophisticated. You can use it for formulas ranging from basic math all the way to the most complicated geometric or trigonometrically expressions.
Watch for next week’s newsletter for more Google Tips and Tricks!
Visit our archives for the Google Tips and Tricks we featured in previous editions of our newsletter:
Google Dictionary
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/021008.html
Google Stock Watch
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/021708.html
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Featured Computer Term: Start Orb
Question: You’ve mentioned the Start Orb in prior editions of this newsletter. What is the Start Orb?
Answer:
In Windows Vista, the newest version of the Windows operating system, the Start Orb replaces the old Start Button. It is in the same location as the Start Button was; the lower left corner of the Windows desktop, on the left side of the Taskbar. It is a round button containing the Windows logo.
Click on the Start Orb to open the Start Menu.
Is there a computer term or phrase that you'd like to see an explanation of? Email it to info@computerkindergarten.com and we'll put the term and its definition in an upcoming newsletter.
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Today's Topic: Attaching a File to an Email – Hotmail
Open Internet Explorer and sign on to your Hotmail account as usual. Once you are in your Inbox, click the New button. This will open a New Mail window.
Click the Attach Files button, which will then display the Attach Files page. Click the Browse button next to File.
You will now see the list of folders and files on your computer. Look for and open the folder that contains the file you want to attach to your email. When you find the file, click it to select it and then click the Open button.
You’ll see the filename to the right of File. If you would like to attach more files to this email, click the Add More Files button. When you’re done attaching files, click the Attach button.
The email window will now be on the screen. Create your email as usual. When you are done, click the Send button as usual. The email, along with your attached files, will be sent to the recipient.
Visit our newsletter archives to learn how to attach a file to an email in Yahoo Mail.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/021708.html
Please watch upcoming editions of this newsletter to learn how to attach files to other email programs.
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Websites of Interest:
Guide to Happiness
Visit this website for simple tips to living a happier life.
http://tinyurl.com/2tnhck
Kids Health
This is a site filled with helpful health information that you and your children can go to for answers.
http://kidshealth.org/
Go Fish!
It might be a little cold for fishing right now, but, if it’s a sport you enjoy, you’ll want to check out and bookmark this website. It’s packed with information and tips on everything having to do fishing.
http://www.mygreatfishing.com/
Best Portal into History
If you are interested in history, pay a visit to this website. You’ll find detailed information on a wide range of topics from Pre-History to Modern History.
http://www.besthistorysites.net
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