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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, June 7, 2009
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Malware
Tips & Tricks: Twenty Five Most Important Rules of Email Etiquette: 22. Where to Put Your Signature
This Week's Topic: Speed Up a Slow Computer Optimize Display Settings
Question: Creating a New Folder
Question: Disable User Account Control in Windows Vista
Websites of Interest: Garden; Virtual Tours of Historic Britain; Bikely; UCompareHealthcare; Fifteen Ways to Save Money Online: 9. Shop Locally
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Special Feature: Malware
by Peter May of How Stuff Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com
In addition to spyware, there are other kinds of invasive programs that can make your computing life miserable, so it is worth it to take a moment to define a few terms:
Malware: Short for malicious software, malware is a catch-all phrase used to define any program that runs on a computer without the user's knowledge and performs predetermined functions that cause harm. In that sense, spyware can also be malware.
Adware: Similar to spyware and malware, in that it resides on a computer without the user's knowledge, adware specifically refers to programs that display pop-up advertisements. The subject matter of the ads is often based on surfing habits, but may also be tied to a specific advertiser.
Virus: As the name implies, a virus is a program that is designed to spread itself among files on a single computer or computers on a network -- usually the Internet. Often, crackers (hackers with malicious intent) create these programs just to see how far they will spread. Unfortunately, even a supposedly harmless virus can have a serious effect on processing and network operations.
Worm: Similar to a virus, a worm spreads itself around a network. Worms, however, do so by making copies of themselves as they spread. They also may be capable of changing their profile to avoid detection.
Trojan: Like the infamous horse of Greek mythology, the computer version takes on the appearance of something benign, such as an update or add-on to an actual program. Once on your computer, it may perform harmful functions such as erasing your hard disk or deleting all your image files. Like spyware, a Trojan may also gather information and send it to the developer.
Cookie: While cookies aren't really malware, they can be used in similar ways. Cookies are small data files used by Web sites to store information on your computer. For example, a shopping site may want to identify items you've looked at, but not purchased, or store data on current purchases until you head for the checkout. A less scrupulous site, however, may decide to look through your cookies for personal information, such as recent sites you have visited.
In our next newsletter:
The Effects of Spyware
Please visit our newsletter archives for previous articles in this series.
How to Avoid Spyware
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/053109.html
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Tips & Tricks: Twenty Five Most Important Rules of Email Etiquette: 22. Where to Put Your Signature
Twenty Five Most Important Rules of Email Etiquette: 22. Where to Put Your Signature
This article is part of our ongoing series on Email Etiquette. With the help of Heinz Tschabitscher from about.com, we are taking an in depth look at email etiquette. To read previous editions of this series, please visit our newsletter archives:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/etiquette.html
The rules of email etiquette are not rules as much as they are guidelines that help avoid mistakes (like offending someone when you don't mean to) and misunderstandings (like being offended when you're not meant to).
These core rules of email etiquette help us communicate better via email.
Where to Put Your Signature
Your email signature is no longer than 4 to 5 lines of text; it contains the standard signature delimiter; it is no wider than 75 characters; it has all the wit in it that is also in you (and that's a lot). Now where do you put it?
Fortunately, placing your signature is probably the easiest part of having it in your emails, and that's not only not even chiefly because there are no clear-cut rules. I think the most appropriate place for your signature is right where you'd also sign a written letter.
Put your signature:
* right below the end of your text in replies as well as in new messages.
* If you include original messages using indentation and selective quoting, your signature will usually be right at the bottom of the message.
* If you quote lazily by putting your message on top of the (un-fragmented) original message, your signature will usually be between your message and the original message you quote, just above the "--Original Message--" line.
PS:
Naturally, positioning your signature in the suggested places, gives you the option to include post-scripts (PS:) right below it.
Learn how to create an email signature:
Hotmail
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/062208.html
America Online
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/061508.html
Gmail
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/060808.html
Yahoo
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/060108.html
Outlook Express
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/051808.html
To read previous editions of this series, please visit our newsletter archives:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/etiquette.html
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Today's Topic: Speed Up a Slow Computer Optimize Display Settings
As your Windows computer ages, its speed can decrease. You will notice an increase in response time when you give commands to open programs, files or folders, use the Internet and other tasks. There are several things you can do to speed up your computer.
In our ongoing series, Speed Up a Slow Computer, we will present articles discussing some of the steps you can take to speed up your slow computer.
Important: Before making any changes to your system, always create a Restore Point. If anything goes wrong with the changes you make, this will allow you to revert back to a point when the computer was operating correctly. Please visit our Newsletter Archives to read our article, All About Restore Points:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/040509.html
Optimize Display Settings
Windows uses many resources to show visual items. You can disable some of these effects. Your display may not look as good, but you should to get more speed out of your computer.
Windows XP:
Click the Start button and open Control Panel
Open System and click the Advanced tab at the top.
Click the Performance tab at the top and then click Settings.
If it is not already selected, click the circle to the left of Custom. This will allow you to enable or disable any of the settings listed below. To disable, click the checkbox to the left of the setting. If a box does not have a checkmark in it, it is already disabled.
All items except the following, can be disabled:
- Show shadows under menus
- Show shadows under mouse pointer
- Show translucent selection rectangle
- Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
- Use visual styles on windows and buttons
Click the OK button and close any open windows.
It is recommended that you disable one or two of these features and then use your computer for a while. With only one or two disabled, you may not see an increase in speed, but you will be able to tell whether you like the look of the display or not.
Windows Vista:
Click the Start Orb (the circle with the Windows logo, bottom left).
Open Control Panel.
Click Classic View on the left.
Open System.
Click Advanced system settings on the left.
The System Properties window will open. Click the Advanced tab at the top.
In the Performance area, click the Settings button.
If it is not already selected, click the circle to the left of Custom. This will allow you to enable or disable any of the settings listed below. To disable, click the checkbox to the left of the setting. If a box does not have a checkmark in it, it is already disabled.
All items except the following, can be disabled:
- Show shadows under menus
- Show shadows under mouse pointer
- Show translucent selection rectangle
- Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
- Use visual styles on windows and buttons
Click the OK button and close any open windows.
It is recommended that you disable one or two of these features and then use your computer for a while. With only one or two disabled, you may not see an increase in speed, but you will be able to tell whether you like the look of the display or not.
In our next edition, Detect and Repair Disk Errors
Please visit our Newsletter Archives for previous articles in our Speed Up a Slow Computer series:
Speed Up a Slow Computer - Clean the Desktop
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/040509.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer - Uninstall Unused Programs
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/041909.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer Turn Off Auto Start Programs
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/042609.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer Turn Off Auto Start Programs - MSCONFIG
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/050309.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer Disable Unnecessary Windows Services
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/051009.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer Defrag
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/051709.html
Speed Up a Slow Computer Disable Indexing Services
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/053109.html
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Question: Creating a New Folder
I would like to organize my files into folders. How can I get a folder?
Answer:
Folders are created to efficiently organize the many files that are stored on disks. Folders can contain files and more folders, usually referred to as subfolders, which can hold more files and folders. This multilevel structure forms a hierarchy; a system of related files and folders within folders.
Folders are always marked with a folder icon. Open My Documents (Windows XP) or Documents (Windows Vista). Each folder has a small picture of a folder to the left of the name.
To create a folder,
Windows XP:
Click File on the menu, point to New and then click Folder. New Folder will appear in the right pane. Type in the folder name and press the Enter key.
Windows Vista:
Click Organize and then click New Folder. Type in the folder name and press the Enter key.
This can be a tricky operation. If you click or press a key too soon after clicking New Folder, you can lock in the name New Folder. If this happens to you, right click on New Folder and then left click on Rename. You can then type in your folder name. Press the Enter key when you are done.
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Question: Disable User Account Control in Windows Vista
Whenever I try to do anything in Vista, a window opens asking me to give permission. I have to click on several things before it actually carries out my command. Why does it do this and can I get it to stop?
Answer:
That is User Account Control (UAC), a feature that is new in Windows Vista. It is present to improve the security of Windows. It gives a warning when a command is given that will modify system settings. This may seem like an inconvenience when you are the one giving the command, but UAC will also display this warning if your computer has been affected by malware. If spyware or a virus have infected your system and are giving commands, the UAC could let you know there is a problem.
If your computer is adequately protected with good antivirus and antispyware programs that you keep updated, you may elect to disable the User Account Control feature. Here are the steps to do so:
Click the Start Orb and open Control Panel.
Click Control Panel Home on the left.
Under User Account and Family settings click on Add or remove user account.
Click the Go to the main User Account page.
Click Turn User Account Control on or off.
You will see Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer. You will see a box with a checkmark to the left of that option. Click the box to remove the checkmark.
Click the OK button. You will be prompted to restart your computer. Do so when you are ready.
After you disable UAC, Windows will occasionally display a small notification telling you that your computer is not as secure as it could be. This message can be ignored. If you want to enable UAC, follow the above steps, clicking on Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer to replace the checkmark in the box.
IMPORTANT: It is worth repeating: Make sure your computer is protected by an updated antivirus and antispyware program before disabling this feature.
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Websites of Interest:
Garden
This gardening site has information on flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit and tips and advice on landscaping and design.
http://www.sunset.com/garden/
Virtual Tours of Historic Britain
Panoramas of historic sites in Britain. To view the panorama drag the image with your mouse.
http://britishtours.com/360/
Bikely
Do you like to ride a bicycle? This website clams to list close to 100,000 bicycle routes across America, Europe and other countries. Type in the name of a town and you can find information on trails in the area.
http://www.bikely.com
UCompareHealthcare
This site gives you access to free online reports where you can research and compare doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and more.
http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/
Fifteen Ways to Save Money Online: 9. Shop Locally
From Wendy Boswell of about.com
No matter what your financial situation may be, it is always a good idea to learn new ways to save money. Find out how you can utilize the power of the Web to save money, find good deals, and improve your financial status.
9. Shop Locally
Shop Local with Yokel. You can compare prices from local stores with Yokel, a shopping search engine that grabs prices of products from stores in your local neighborhood. Type in the item you are looking for and your zip code. Click Search, and a list of local stores will display on your screen.
http://www.yokel.com/
Tip: Some websites may require you to register to use their features. When you register at websites, you may be signing up for spam (junk mail) if the recipient sells email addresses to spammers. There is a way to avoid this and still be able to take advantage of the great things that site has to offer. Read our article, Minimizing Spam Registering Online, at our newsletter archives, to learn how use websites without getting junk mail.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/111608.html
Next Edition: Look for Free Printable Coupons
Please visit our newsletter archives for previous articles in our Fifteen Ways to Save Money Online series:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/savemoney.html
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