From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Computer Korner
Your Weekly Computer Tips by WorldStart
By WorldStart.com
May 27, 2009 - 6:45:46 AM

 

 

 

 

Quick Tips

I Want to go Home!

Some websites are cavernous trenches that seem to scroll on for miles. If you've ever been party to a site like this, do you find it a royal pain in the you-know-what scrolling all the way back up to the top again? Your mouse wheel can only take so much punishment! So, instead of wasting your time digging yourself out of a site, why not just use a quick keystroke and be done with it?

That's right. Just hit the Home key. It's located above the arrow keys on your keyboard in-between Insert and Page Up. Just hit Home and shazam! You're at the top of the webpage!

This tip works just about everywhere, so Firefox and Internet Explorer users are covered! What's better is that is works for stuff like MS Word too! Write as much as you want, browse as much as you want, because you really can go Home again!

~Andrew

Did you like this one? Did you not? Let us know what you think by rating or adding to this tip here:
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Announcements


Now You Can Take Your Favorite Photos

ADD MUSIC!

AND ANIMATION!!

AND SPECIAL EFFECTS!!!

ScreenSaver Maker

And Have A Professional Looking Screen Show

Right On Your Computer Desktop

And The Best Part Is - You're Not Going To Believe How EASY It Is!!

This is SO AMAZING because now there's finally a simple way you can take all those photos you've got laying around "somewhere" on your hard drive and REALLY BRING THEM TO LIFE!!! I'm talking about a program we just got in called, ScreenSaver Maker and it's really gonna make things exciting for photos! And I don't mean just taking a picture and making it better, either! That's like comparing a single picture to a movie! Yeah, this is something you're gonna want to show off to all of your family and friends!!!

And what's really great about this is that you can start out with some general photos you really like OR you can take photos of a special occasion like a birthday, wedding or anniversary and turn it into a way to commemorate the event forever! This is the BEST way to preserve memories you want to keep or share with your friends! And take a look at how really simple this is!

Step 1: First, start out with the template you want. There's so many, they cover just about any event you can think of! Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Graduation, Halloween, the birth of a new baby, "Happy New Year!"... even Valentine's Day! Getting back to our example, let's look use the one for a Wedding.

Now if you're an "old hat" in working with digital photos, you can create your own projects from scratch and just skip using the templates altogether! (Me...I'm gonna stick with the template on this one!)

Also, you can add your own touch even more by adding personalized captions to your project!

ScreenSaver

Step 2: The next thing is to just insert the photos and other images you want to use right into the template! (If you can "drag and drop" you can do this!!!)

Now let's spice things up even further! And each template is automatically set with its own "animated features" or you can use your own! And if you want to take it a step further, you can create professional "transition effects", like wipes, fades, patterns and more! Again, the template "wizard" walks you through every step of the way! So even if you don't think you're very good at digital photography, relax, this is a piece of cake!

Next, why don't we add some music? After all, that helps create the mood, right? So we'll just go ahead and select the music we want to include. And if you don't have any music, that's not a problem either because each template has music already included! (See...I told you this was easy!) 

Step 3: When you've got everything the way you like it, hit, "Preview" and then save! That's all there is to it! VOILA!! You've got a FANTASTIC show, highlighting your FAVORITE Photos...complete with music and special effects! And it's all RIGHT ON YOUR DESKTOP! How's that for "SIMPLE"?? And, remember since we're making a "Sreen Saver", this will protect your computer monitor too!

Now, once you finish a project, if you're as excited as I was 9which I'm sure you will!), you're going to want to send this to a lot of people you know...AND YOU CAN ! "Save" your project and email it, post it on a website or even "burn" it to disc! And, "yes", it's easy even for the "non-technical" person!

Imagine, wouldn't this kind of presentation make a FANTASTIC GIFT for a wedding? You have to admit, it would would very unique and special! And something the bride and groom would really appreciate! And of course you can use for any occasion!

Another thing, kids love how the music and animation are mixed in with the photos ! What a great way to remember grandpa or grandma, heh!!!

Just think of how many times each year you'll be able to use this! And not just for yourselfand your own photos, but on ALL OF THOSE OCCASIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!!! And I think it's safe to say, you'll have a lot of fun all along the way creating these amazing ScreenSaver projects! But you better grab one of these quick 'cause last time we had a program similar to this, we sold out in one day!!! ! Yikes!! Don't be left out...grab yours today for just $12.97 and US shipping is FREE!!!

http://store.worldstart.com/ product.php?productid=1292

PS. - I know this is something that you'll love, your family will love and oh yeah, your computer monitor too! Start turning your photos into vivid memories starting today!

Computers 101

Q:
What is spyware? How do I know if I have some on my computer? How do I get rid of it?

A:
Spyware is basically a type of program that gathers information about you without your knowledge. This information may be distributed to many sources or just a single source.

Note that if a program alerts you that your personal information may be shared it is not "technically" spyware, but it can be considered "Adware".

Spyware programs can be extremely annoying and can wreak havoc on your system. They can cause slow downs, lockups, and all sorts of other problems.

The bad news is there are hundreds of these types of programs out there. Some common spyware programs include: Hotbar, Comet Cursor, Xupiter, Gator, Offer Companion and BonziBuddy.

Before downloading any "free" program from the internet, be sure to read the licensing agreement. did you know that Increadimail is technically adware? How about RealOne Player—it puts"data mining" software on your system to "track preferences" and report back to the mothership. Even free CD games from a cereal box or fast food kid's meal can put "adware" (often called "foistware") on your system.

If you want to make sure that a program is safe before you download or install, head over to Spychecker and type in the name. You will find a link to the company's privacy statement so you can read exactly what information will be collected and how it will be used before you download. I was surprised to find some familiar names.
http://www.spychecker.com/

Now, what to do about it. There are two great programs out there: Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware . Spybot is very thorough, but it often lists files that aren't spyware making it more likely that you accidentally delete something. Ad-Aware is the easiest to use and my personal favorite.

Download and install Ad-Aware from this location:

http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

Once you’ve installed it, open the program up and click "Scan Now". You can use default scanning options, select just the drives and folders you want to scan, or perform a quick system check. On your left pane the program gives you a list of different places to scan. Then click the “Next†button.

image

The program will scan your entire system. Just sit back and relax and let it do its job.

Once the program has finished, click the " Next" button and it will present you with a list of programs that it has discovered. You can double click to find out what the file is and the risk level. Check the boxes you want to remove, then click "Next" for Ad-Aware to remove those components.

To download and install Spybot S & D go to this location:

http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10122137.html

Once installed, open the program and hit the "Search and Destroy" button, then "Check for Problems". Sit back and do your carpal-tunnel exercises while waiting for the scan to complete.

As I mentioned earlier, Spybot likes to include things on the list that aren't spyware like updaters for programs and even Microsoft's Media Player! The best thing to do before checking something off is to double click for a description of the program.

Check off only the malicious ones you want deleted, then click "Fix selected problems" to remove the spyware.

The first time you run a scan with either program, don't be surprised if you find a few hundred spyware/adware varmints hiding in your system. If so, once deleted your computer should start running alot faster. Run a scan along with your usual monthly maintenance routine.

Happy hunting.

~ David

There are spies everywhere! At least now you know how to thwart them! Let us know how we did by rating or adding to this tip here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/781

MS Office

Default Save to Other File Formats

If, for whatever reason, you're using the MS Office 2007 programs and always need to save files in a format different from the default then I'd bet that you're tired of forgetting to make that change.

I don't know about you, but I just enter a file name and hit the enter key… changing the file type is the last thing I think of.

In fact, since I personally don't do this type of save very often I usually think of it as I see the Save As window closing. (You can just insert your own text to imagine what I'm thinking as I restart the process.)

But, if it's something you do pretty much every time then you might be interested in knowing that you can change the default format for saving new files.

To make this change you need to go to the program's options via the Office Button then the Options button in the lower right corner.

Next you need the Save category of the Options dialog window.

The first thing you'll find is "Save files in this format" with a drop-down list.

You'll see that it's quite a long list to choose from - the same as you'd find in the usual saving process. This particular list is for Excel but each program comes with its own possibilities.

Choose the format you need and click OK.

And that's it… from now on when you save a new file it will by default be in the format you chose.

Oh, and don't worry, the Save As dialog window still works the same - you can choose a different file format for any individual file you need.

~ April

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Today at WorldStart.com

Clear Your Icons Up

You have beautiful Worldstart wallpaper up on your desktop, but your icons have some conflicting color that just muddy up the whole composition! What's an art-conscious computer user to do!? Check out the Worldstart site today and learn how you can "clear" things up! Your 11th grade art teacher would be proud!

Most Livable

Looking to move to paradise? Well, you don't need to charter a boat and some smelly old sea-captain to do it! Go to Worldstart.com and take a look at our featured Cool Site! Odds are you'll like what you see in some community!

Here's the link you need: http://www.worldstart.com/ Enjoy!

Tip of the Day

Stick a paper clip where?!

Did you ever get a disk stuck in your drive? Nothing seems to work—you've pressed the button a million times, tried to open by right-clicking the drive and choosing "eject", maybe even contemplated using a screw driver to pry the thing open.

Before you take out the drive and try to surgically remove the disk, or worse, buy a new drive, try this simple little trick to manually open your disk drive tray.

1. Unwind a paperclip.

2. Stick it in the little hole on the drive tray, usually near the eject button.

You heard me right. There's a little hole you probably never even noticed. It's the manual release for the drive tray.

I know it saved me many times with those pesky disks.

~ David

Did you like this tip? Did you not? Let us know by rating or adding to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/465

Today's Feature

Conficker Again?

So, it looks like the Conficker worm is still not quite ready to go away. Ever since April 1st when the Conficker worm failed to do its task, as some claimed it would, people assumed that the worm was not a threat. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Some recent research has found that Conficker is alive and well; infecting up to 50,000 computers daily!

At this point, the worm has still not come through with a large scale attack. We here at Worldstart have written quite a few different articles about this bug, but with this new research I figured now would be a good time for a refresher on all things Conficker.

First, Conficker has many variants and many different effects it can cause on your computer. This can vary from absolutely nothing to loss of Internet connection and deletion of MS windows restore points. If you think you might have Conficker, you can check to see if you do. Click here to see how.

Second, Conficker can be removed. If you are having Conficker symptoms and you are unable to do MS updates or get your AV software to work, you can run a web based scan that is provided by Microsoft. This scan is free and you can get to it here.

The most important part of getting rid of a pesky bug is being vigilant. If everyone on the web can keep an eye out for signs of this worm, we can all fight to exterminate it.

Until next time, stay safe out there!

~Gary

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Amanda's Coolsite

Most Fun

I love playing games like Mahjongg, Diner Dash and Luxor, but I have no real desire to shell out $20 a game for something I can only play once. Right now, I’m currently addicted to games where you have to hunt for items in a picture and drop puzzle games. The great news is, now I can play them as much as I want for free!

How does it work? Well, I’d be happy to tell you! You simply download the Most Fun game player, install it and then start playing. Some of the games are completely free and have no ads, others are supported by short ads before and after the game and some of them periodically pause to show you an ad. I thought the advertisement thing would be really annoying, but instead, I found it is totally worth it to have hours worth of free fun!

Once you’ve installed the player, you can choose as many or as few games as you’d like. The player will download and install them for you and let you know when they are ready to play. You can also use the player to uninstall them if you don’t like a game or if you’ve finished it.

Some games I’ve really enjoyed are: Blood Ties, Dream Chronicles, Diner Dash, The Treasures of Montezuma, 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, Slingo Quest, Ricochet Lost Worlds, Plantasia, Buku Sudoku and Mahjongg Investigations.

There are still games I’ve yet to have a chance to play! They also always tell you when they’ve added something new on the opening page of the player, as well as, what’s popular.

I hope you enjoy playing these free games as much as I already have. I’m off to play Mahjongg Investigations, because I have more criminals to catch. Enjoy!

http://www.mostfun.com/

~ Amanda


Did you like this Cool Site? If so (or if not), let us know by rating or adding to this tip here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/4615

Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
Send it to Amanda at
amanda@worldstart.com

Monthly Wallpaper

Got A Cellphone? 

Then You're Gonna LOVE This!

Now THIS Is The Way

To Keep Your Cell Phone Out of Harms Way

image

But Still Keep It Close At Hand While You're Driving!!!

WOW!!! This Is A Must-Have For Teenage Drivers

Or Anyone Who Drives And Has A Cell Phone!

When you get in your car, do you usually just toss your cell phone on the passenger seat, or even worse, stash it in your pocket or purse and then when it rings, it's a mad dash to answer it! Not a good idea in the middle of traffic! Your eyes need to be on the road! We know that but then there's the "real world", right? Well, here's a solution that you're gonna love!

This "Cell Phone Caddy" is just the thing to keep your phone nearby without having to worry about "rooting" around to find it when you're in the middle of traffic! Th "caddy" has a frame that attaches to your air conditioning vents, and then the body of the "caddy" just fits in place to the frame!

Now you can keep your phone out of the way but still close at hand where you can see it! Great for "hands-free" cell phone use (something that's not only a good idea for safety reasons but has become the law in many places!) When you're phone rings, just glance at your phone that's craddled in your "Cell Phone Caddy" and see who's calling! It's so distracting when you get a call but you couldn't reach your phone in time and then you're wondering who it was that called!!! Now you'll be able to know and still keep safety "Number 1"!

Your cell phone is held in place with a a type of "cushioned" clamping mechanism that releases with the touch of a button on the side! Also your cell phone is supported at the bottom with a small "ledge" that it sits on while in the craddle.

image

If you'd rather have your phone positioned somewhere else, like on the top of your dashboard, YOU CAN DO THAT, TOO! Included in the package is double-sided adhesive material so you can firmly afix to your dashboard (or where ever!) and then secure the base of the "Cell Phone Caddy" to that!

And if you travel over a lot of "rough terrain" with bumps in the road, you can even screw it into your dashboard fram with the set of braket and screws that are also included! Now THAT'S about as secure as you can get!!! But the choice is yours and everything is included!

This is gonna put your mind at ease and still allow you to stay in control! And have we got a deal for you 'cause today you can grab this for only $6.97 and US shipping is FREE!!!

http://store.worldstart.com/ product.php?productid=5113

PS If this was double or even the price, it'd be worth it. But at this bargain price, what are you waiting for?? Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and grab one today! Price goes up tp $10.97 tomorrow! Yikes!

 


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Copyright, Disclaimer, and Removal

ISSN: 1529-336X
Copyright 2009, WorldStart. All unauthorized reproduction strictly prohibited.

You are welcome to reproduce this newsletter (i.e. print it, store it) for your own personal use. You are also welcome to forward it, in its entirety, to friends and family.

If you would like to reproduce this publication, or any part of it, in any other publication, be it web based or otherwise, you must contact us for permission. Any unauthorized re-distribution will be considered a copyright infringement and grounds for a lawsuit.

Finally, you agree to try any advice contained or suggested in this newsletter at your own risk.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (duh!)

(The Bahamas Weekly uses WorldStart with Permission)


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