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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, March 13, 2005
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Quick Home Page Setup
Tips & Tricks: Quick File Delete
This Week's Topic: Create a My Documents Toolbar
Question: Available Disk Space
Question: Counting Files and Folders
Question: Print Web Pages Without Backgrounds
Websites of Interest: Women’s History Month; American Red Cross Museum; Flight Information; Allergies; St. Patricks Day
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Using Links
A Link is a reference to a website. In this newsletter you will see links to
many worthwhile, informative and fun websites. Here are the instructions on
how to use links:
A link will be used one of two ways, depending on your email program.
If you see the link in blue, underlined text, all you have to do is click on
it and a window with the Website in it will automatically appear on your
screen.
If you see the link in plain text, you can copy and paste it into the address
bar on your browser. Highlight the link with your mouse, click Edit up on
the menu bar, and then click Copy from the menu that you just opened up. Open
your browser (click the Start Button, point to Programs, click on Internet
Explorer); click on the address bar. Click Edit up on the menu bar, and then
click Paste from the menu that you just opened up. Press the Enter key on the
keyboard and this will take you to the Website.
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Special Feature: Quick Home Page Setup
Your Homepage is the website that displays when you open Internet Explorer. You can set your homepage to any website that you frequently visit.
Here is a quick way to set your homepage:
Go to the website that you want to use for your homepage. In the address bar, there will be an icon next to the website address; usually the blue E icon.
Point to the icon and drag it over to the Homepage button; that’s the one that is a picture of a small house. Release the mouse button. You will see a window asking you to confirm that you want to set this site as your homepage. Click the Yes button to set the site.
Visit our newsletter archives for an alternative method for setting your homepage:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/120102.html
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Tips & Tricks: Quick File Delete
If you are 100% sure that you want to delete a file, you can skip sending it to the Recycle Bin. To do so, hold down the Shift key while you delete the file. The file will be deleted instead of sent to the Recycle Bin.
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Today's Topic: Create a My Documents Toolbar
You can crate a toolbar for your My Documents folder on one of the sides of your screen. Use this toolbar to quickly access files and folders that are in your My Documents folder.
To create this toolbar, drag the My Documents icon off the edge of either side or the top of the screen and then release the mouse button. You will now see the My Documents toolbar.
Once you have the toolbar, right-click a blank area to customize it.
You can choose Large or Small icons. Small icons will save room on the toolbar. If everything does not fit, you will see a small arrow at the bottom to click on to display everything.
If you click to remove the checkmark next to Show Text, each button’s text description will disappear. This will allow more buttons on the toolbar and you can point your mouse at each to see the name.
The Show Title option is used to display or hide the My Documents title.
If you like this toolbar, but do not want it displayed when you are not using it, click Auto Hide. When you need the toolbar, point your mouse to the edge of your screen, and the toolbar will display.
If you decide you don't want this toolbar, just click Close Toolbar. Click the OK button to confirm the command.
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Question: Available Disk Space
How can I find out how much room I have left on my computer? I have a lot of files saved and want to see if there is enough space left.
Answer:
You can check available disk space this way:
Double click on the My Computer icon on the desktop. Right click on the C: drive. From the resulting menu, left click on Properties.
You will see the amount of used space and free space, along with a pie chart that shows you the percentage of space that is used and available.
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Question: Counting Files and Folders
How can I see how many files and folders are in my My Documents folder without actually counting them? I don’t know if this is possible but it seems like it should be. Thanks for your great newsletter, I learn so much with each edition.
Answer:
You can display this information. To do so, right click the My Documents icon on the desktop. From the resulting menu, left click on Properties. Click the General tab. You will see the number of files and folders in that folder.
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Question: Print Web Pages Without Backgrounds
When I print web pages it also prints out the background, which uses a lot of ink. Can I get the printer to eliminate the background?
Answer:
Yes, you can.
Internet Explorer
Click Tools on the menu, and then click Internet Options. This will display the Internet Options dialog box; select the Advanced tab.
In the Settings box, scroll down to the Printing area. Click to remove the arrow in the small box to the left of Print background colors and images.
Click the OK button.
America Online
Click the Start button and open Control Panel. If you are using Windows XP, click Network and Internet Connections and then Internet Options. If you are using another version of Windows, double click Internet Options.
Click Tools on the menu, and then click Internet Options. This will display the Internet Options dialog box; select the Advanced tab.
In the Settings box, scroll down to the Printing area. Click to remove the arrow in the small box to the left of Print background colors and images.
Click the OK button.
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Websites of Interest:
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. Visit this very interesting website for timelines, quotations and facts, information on female CEOs, politicians and other influential women, and much more.
http://www.factmonster.com/spot/womenshistory1.html
American Red Cross Museum
Learn how and why the Red Cross was created and a lot about the history of this organization.
http://www.redcross.org/museum/
Flight Information
This website gives arrival, departure, delay and cancellation information for all airline flights operating in, out and with the US. Very useful if you’re picking someone up from the airport.
http://www.flightarrivals.com
Allergies
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, visit this site for a tremendous amount of information and advice.
http://www.aaaai.org/
St. Patricks Day
Dublin is the place to be to properly celebrate St. Patricks Day. You may not be able to be there but you can read all about it on the web at:
http://www.stpatricksday.ie
Although not much of it is actually substantiated, much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patricks Day. Learn about traditions, customs and history at this website:
http://wilstar.com/holidays/patrick.htm
Lucky Leprechauns, kissing the Blarney Stone, shamrocks, Erin Go Bragh . . . what does it all mean? Find out here:
http://www.marvelcreations.com/stpatrick.html
Want to learn how to make a great Irish stew or potato soup or, better yet! Irish coffee? Visit this website:
http://www.christmascarnivals.com/stpatrick/recipes/
Send your Irish (and non-Irish) friends an e-card.
http://www.freewebcards.com/cards/stpatricks/ |
