Pictures sent in email should be compressed to minimize file size.  GIF and JPG are the extensions for the commonly used graphic compression formats.

In general a picture should be sized so that it's displayed without cutting off any part of the picture.  (This example) is 216 x 285 pixels.  The original was scanned at 72 dpi.

A: A few of our members have set up personal web sites and web sites for clubs, (links here).  Today most ISPs give subscribers web space for publishing simple web pages.

For a site set up with a learn-by-doing focus, (click here); included are links to the programs used, all free.

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A: While Windows has internal facilities for correcting the situation, the steps are many and somewhat confusing.  A simpler way is to use a File Association Editor.  (Click here) for a good one (Freeware).

POST MEETING: The preceding file "is not currently available for download." - Note on web page.  :-(

2. Opening Two Word Docs, Side by Side:
Q: How do you open up two Word docs, side by side, for ease of comparing and editing?

A: Open one document, open the next one.  Go to Window on the top toolbar, click on arrange all.  All documents will line up vertically only.  To get them next to each other, you need to adjust them yourself and move them around.  By clicking on the minimized icon at the bottom or on the blue bar on the top of the document, you can highlight the one you need to work on.  You can then move text from one to the other. 

Thanks to Paula, LACS.

3. Copying text:
Q: How do you copy text from the display screen of an application to use in an e-mail?

A: Use the Copy & Paste features of the Windows' Clipboard.  If you're copying from a text box (MS Word), select only the text within the text box.

Since the Window' Clipboard is limited, it is recommended that you use a Clipboard Extender discussed in the (Nov 11, 2003 Forum).

4. Ad-aware & SpyBot - Both of these programs were mentioned briefly.  For additional information check out the (Nov 11, 2003 Forum).

5. Links Bar on Internet Explorer:
Q: How do you add a Links bar to Internet Explorer?

A: One way is to right click on any Menu bar at the top of the screen and check the Links entry.

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A: At (Multimedia, Snap Files) there are several Freeware audio editing tools and other audio programs.  In addition a LACS member who has done a lot of copying of LPs to CDs has written a detailed procedure, (click here).

2. Backing Up:
Q: What's a good way to back up your system?

A: There are a great many possible ways to back up your system.   As with a lot of things there are several factors to consider, e.g. cost, speed, ease.

With the low price of hard drives today one popular back up approach is to use an external hard drive.  Along this line, Costco sells at least two sizes of the (Maxtor One Touch) units.   Some users (Powerquest's (Symantec) Drive Image & Drive Copy).  Another is (Acronis' True Image).

3. Email Viruses:
Q: The original question was from an Earthlink user regarding the safety of reading messages from AOL.

A: Earthlink offers subscribers an option to have their incoming messages checked for viruses, (click here).  Other ISPs may offer a similar option.  If you wish to do your own virus checking (rechecking?) make sure that your AV (Anti Virus) program is actually checking incoming email since that feature may be disabled.  To verify that your AV program is actually working, check the (Sep 9, 2003 Forum). 

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There's a provision to control how shortcuts are arranged.  To get to the associated menu, right click on a blank spot on the desktop and left click on "Arrange Icons By..."

5. Critical Updates - Critical updates are normally released once a month (2nd Tuesday).
To check, open Internet Explorer, left click on Tools | Windows Updates. 

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A: A simple way is to use Webmail which permits you send and receive email via a web browser.  Log-in uses your email name and password.   Most, if not all, ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offer subscribers this service.  Usually there's a link to access Webmail on the ISP's Home Page.

2. Storing Web Pages - To store web pages for off-line viewing, Internet Explorer 6.0 (and perhaps earlier versions) offers a convenient way to do this.  Left click on Favorites, select the particular URL, right click on "Make available offline."  You'll be presented with a wizard to assist you.

3. DLL Problems - Someone encountered a problem with MFC42.DLL.  There appears to be many reasons for problems with this particular file.  One common problem is that the file is missing from your PC, (click here) for details. 

Unfortunately there are more complex problems.  As a result the term DLL Hell evolved.  To help in 'fixing ' things, David Jung wrote (DLL Checker); David was a speaker at a LACS General Meeting several months ago.  While DLL Checker is Shareware, there's a lite Freeware version.  An overview discusion of DLL Hell is included in the Help section of each version.

4. MSCONFIG - Win98 and above include MSCONFIG to control some applications which get loaded when booting up.  One difficulty encountered in using this program is determining what appplications are actually being loaded.  At (click here) there are links to several sites which offer help identifying most appplications you may encounter, a link to instructions on using MSCONFIG,  and a link to Freeware alternates which you might find "better." 

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POST MEETING: "Starting the month of May 2005, Access-4-Free will no longer offer dial-up Internet access.  We have now entered a transition period which will enable our customers to stay connected to the Internet. We have made a special arrangement with EarthLink that will keep you connected through EarthLink's award-winning service at special discounts available especially to our subscribers." - From an Access-4-Free note to subscribers.  :-(

2. Mozilla - Mozilla is the original code name for the product that came to be known as Netscape Navigator, and later, Netscape Communicator.  Later, it came to be the name of Netscape Communications Corporation's dinosaur-like mascot.  Now the name Mozilla is a generic term referring to internet client software developed through their open source project.  (Mozilla site).

Of particular interest are two recent releases, Firefox v0.9.2, a stand alone browser, and Thunderbird 0.7.2, a stand alone mail client.  While their design continues, both releases are considered to be quite mature and have received good reviews.  It has been reported that it's easy to migrate from Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.

3. Disappearing Fonts - On a Windows XP system someone reported that some fonts they installed disappeared upon shutting down and rebooting.  A suggestion was made to activate the Read-Only attribute.  To this end open the Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\Fonts, select the font and right click, left click on Attributes; there's a check box to activate the Read-Only attribute.

4. Throwaway Email Address - There are services which provide free forwarding addresses to shield your main email address from getting spammed. 

At the meeting a LACS member suggested the following, (http://dodgeit.com)

POST MEETING: Another LACS member suggested the following services which also offer free throwaway email addresses but using other methodolgies:

(http;//www.spammotel.com)

(http://www.spamgourmet.com)

(http://www.jetable.org/en/index)

(http://www.sneakemail.com)

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POST MEETING: PC Solutions no longer advertises on the preceding radio programs.

2. Disabling Windows Messenger Service in Windows XP 
- Right click on the My Computer icon.  If you don't have that icon on your desktop, click Start, then right click on My Computer.
- Select Manage from the drop down menu.
- Open (double left click) Services and Applications.
- Open (double left click) Services.
- Scroll down the list to Messenger and left click once to highlight it. Right click on the highlighted Messenger line and select Properties from the drop down menu.
- Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.
- Select "Disabled" in the Startup Type window
- Click the OK button to apply the change and exit properties.

In addition, Steve Gibson has a free program to do this (here).  At this site is a good overview on what Windows Messenger is and why you will probably want to disable it.

Courtesy of Gail T., LACS

3. Disabling Automatic Windows Updates in Windows XP
- Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop.  If you don't have that icon on your desktop, click Start, then right click on My Computer.
- Select Properties from the drop down menu.
- Click the Automatic Updates tab.

- For XP systems with SP2 installed, click the box labeled: "Turn off automatic updates"
Click OK to apply the change and exit.

- For XP systems without SP2 installed, uncheck the box labeled: "Keep my computer up to date..."  Click OK to apply the change and exit.

NOTE: Now that automatic updating is disabled, you should go to the Windows Update site yourself at least once a week.  Click Start, then Windows Update, which will take you to the Windows Update site.  Let it search for updates needed, and select any critical updates for installation. 

Courtesy of Gail T., LACS

4. DSL vs Cable - Which is better?  There's no easy answer.  For  many it's a trade off between speed and cost.  Since speed may be adversely affected by something out of our control (shades of the 405 Freeway), some (many?) choose the entry level DSL service offered by (SBC) and (Verizon) beause of its low cost.  Since DSL speed is affected by the distance to your telephone company's CO (Central Office), you can find out that distance (here).  (DSL Reports) is a site rich in content.

5. BIOS - Someone asked about what a BIOS does  BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input/Output System.  Among other things the BIOS is responsible for booting your system and performing the POST (Power On Self Test).  For a discussion of these and the other services, (click here).

6. Backup Using Drive Imaging - Today drive imaging is an increasing popular way to back up your system.  A member said that the June 2004 issue of Smart Computing had a comprehensive article on this subject.  The article is: Mirror, On The Wall - A Roundup Of Drive-Imaging Software.  One program reviewed is Acronis True Image, v7.0; the current release is v8.0.  In November 2004 Gene Barlow will be the speaker at the General Meeting.  One of the vendors he represents is Acronis.  Most likely Gene will have their software for sale at less than the usual street price.

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A:  When there are items to be printed, a printer icon appears in the tray, the tray where time is displayed.  Clicking the icon brings up a drop down menu where you can delete items to be printed.

4. Valid XP - To see if you have valid copy of XP on your PC (click here).

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Run an on-line virus check such as Trend's (House Call)

Check for and remove malware, (Nov 11, 2003 Forum)

Load only the programs you want at boot up, (Sep 9, 2003 Forum)

The latest Service Pack for Windows XP - Service Pack 2 (SP2) - is all about security, and it’s one of the most important service packs ever released. It provides better protection against viruses, hackers, and worms, and includes Windows Firewall, Pop-up Blocker for Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center. 

Before installing XP2 make sure your PC is ready (click here).  It is extremely important that your PC be malware and virus free:

• Malware was discussed at the (Nov 11, 2003 Forum).
• For a virus check independent of your anti-virus program (House Call). 

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