Uninstalling Programs 

Step 1 to Keeping Your Computer Running Well

Remove programs you don't need anymore is an article on Microsoft.com, which is an excellent resource for Windows, Office, and other Microsoft programs.

Computer Security

Obsessive concern about computer security is the "bogeyman" of the 21st Century. I guess it goes with the "thing" that lurked under our bed as children or the blue van that abducted people off the streets when we were in college. Off course, selling those fixes to protect our computer and consequently us, our identity and finances is a very big, very profitable business.

How secure do we as little people need to be? For this week, let's look at a Microsoft webpage: Security at Home.

File Extensions

When I was downloading a file I was asked if I wanted to save it as a .pdf file?  Or was it a .zip, a .gif, a .jpg, a .ram, or maybe I will just read a book.

Do I want it? How do I get my computer to read it?

When you download files from the Internet, you will run into different types of file formats.  To identify the file type, you look at its extension. The extension is usually the 2 to 4 letters that follow the "dot".  You need to know the file type to know whether it will work on your computer, and whether you will need a particular type program to open, run, play, etc. your file.

Enough verbiage!  There are document files (.doc ) like Word files, Adobe Reader (.pdf), …STOP THE MADNESS!!!!   To find the type of file by its extension, visit FILExt - The File Extension Source.

Copy and Paste Text in Word

To cut or copy text or graphics you must first highlight it. To highlight with a mouse, you use the left mouse button.  Select text and graphics is a Microsoft tutorial that explains in detail how to highlight text.

Once text is highlighted you are ready to Move or copy text and graphics.

Cleaning with Compressed Air

 Basically, read the directions on the back of the can.  However, observe the following guidelines.

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug your computer.
3. Always hold the can upright.
4. Do not hold the spray nozzle down long enough to make the air frosty and wet.

Compressed air can be a liability, but it is sort of like discovering the possible horrific dangers of taking any medicine if you read the inserts carefully enough.  If you practice save cleaning practices, your computer will run longer and quieter.

Searching for Files

I have learned my lesson about not being organized and how I MUST keep organized folders and files carefully structured so that I know where I have every document, picture, and download. I have learned that lesson again, and again, and again. So I say:

STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!

If you commit the Deadly Computer Sin-Sloth of Organizing, then you must know how to "Search" your computer for that waylaid item. Believe me when I say, searching your computer for a single doccument, file, etc. can be penance for a multitude of sins. I gave it considerable thought (mmmm!) and decided the best starting place might be this article: How To Search for Files and Folders in Windows XP.

Read this article and try to find some item on your computer.  After you try searching by yourself, we can talk about refining "Searches" at Wednesday class.

System Restore

One of the best tests to determine if you are in a pathological state of denial is to believe that you have never had a program (probably one someone paid for) loaded into your computer and then your computer just stopped working like you expected. So just what do you do? Years of Therapy? No! The answer is to create a “restore point” before you make changes such as adding or removing programs, downloading files, music etc.

Creating a Restore Point is easy and fun (well, it can be easy). You can create a Restore Point with just a few steps. A Restore Point in XP gives you a place to go back to in case some change or addition to your system causes problems.

To create a restore point read this short article: Use System Restore to Undo Changes if Problems Occur.  If you are looking for a more in depth article, Windows XP System Restore Is Easy to Use is a good read.

As long as I am not held in any way responsible, liable, etc., I would encourage you to try it. I have had to use Restore Points so often that my computers just start up at "Restore my computer to an earlier time".