Resize an Image with Paint

If you’re looking to reduce the size of a photo for the purposes of email, the Paint application included with Windows XP and Windows Vista is perfect. Paint can be found in the Accessories menu (click Start, All Programs, Accessories, and Paint).  

To Resize:

1. Right-Click the photo you want to reduce
2. Bring your pointer to Open With and left-click on Paint
   Your photo should now be open in the program Paint
3. Click Image
4. Click Stretch/Skew
5. Reduce the percentages; make sure to reduce the same proportion in the Horizontal and Vertical field.  Click OK

Check the image’s physical and file size. If the size isn’t what you want, click the Edit menu, select Undo, and repeat the resize steps as needed. Rather than saving over the original image, click the File menu, select Save As, and append the original file name with an “em” to indicate that it’s an email-sized photo.

 To Check File Size:

Point to the image, (no clicking) the size should their in kilobytes

1.    Another way is to Right-Click the image

2.    Left-Click on Properties and

3.    Click on the General tab
 

A good size to send is about 50 KB, try to keep below 80 KB 

This is only one of many ways to resize an image, and is not one that I use to often.

Jbourque\ Resize an Image with Paint

Internet Explorer Text Size

While browsing the Web, you’ll undoubtedly come across pages with overly large or far-too-small fonts. Internet Explorer includes a quick solution for font changes.

1.    Click the drop-down arrow on the Page menu

2.     Move your mouse cursor over Text Size.

3.     Select a font size option from the following choices: Smallest, Smaller, Medium, Larger, and Largest.

This is only for Internet Explorer

Want to give your Vista PC a complete physical?
1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click System And Maintenance
4. Click Performance Information And Tools.
5. Then click Advanced Tools under Tasks (on the left side)
6. Click Generate A System Health Report.

Vista will spend about a minute or so gathering hardware and software information about your system before presenting you with an extensive System Diagnostic Report.

If any errors or potential problems are found, they’ll be listed in the Diagnostic Results portion of the report under the Warnings heading. Each warning will report the steps you can take to correct the error, as well as links to related information from Microsoft’s Web site.

For more detailed information about your system than you’re ever likely to need, you can also click and expand any of the other category headings such as CPU, Network, Disk, or Memory.

Jim\ Get A Health Checkup For Vista

How to Remove Your Password

As long as you're the only user on your PC, deleting your Windows Vista account password will allow you to completely bypass the logon process.

While it isn't a very security-minded thing to do, removing your Windows Vista password might be something to consider if you have problems remembering your password.

Follow the easy steps below to remove the password to your Windows Vista logon account:  

1.  Click on Start

2.  Control Panel.

3.  Click on the User Accounts and Family Safety link.

Note: If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the User Accounts icon

4.  Click on the User Accounts link.

5.   In the Make changes to your user account area of the User Accounts window, click the Remove your password link.

6   In the text box on the next screen, enter your current password.

7.  Click the Remove Password button to confirm that you'd like to remove your account password.

8.  You can now close the User Accounts window.

Now that your Windows Vista account password has been deleted, you will no longer need to log on to Windows Vista when your computer starts. Windows will now load all the way to your desktop automatically.  

How to add a Password 

1.  Click on Start

2.  Control Panel.

3.  Click on the User Accounts and Family Safety link.

Note: If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the User Accounts icon

4.  In the Make changes to your user account area of the User Accounts window, click the Create a password for your account link.

5.  In the first two text boxes, enter the password you would like to start using.

Entering the password twice helps to make sure that you typed your password correctly.

6.  Click the Create password button to confirm your new password.

7. You can now close the User Accounts window.

Now that your Windows Vista account has a password setup, you must use this password to log on to Windows Vista from this point forward.

Jbourque\How to Remove Your Password

Make sure your anti-virus program is up to date

We have a virus going around that has hit two of our members, that I know of.

The virus is called, Trojan Horse PSW Generic 6 AQPD,

Their both had anti-virus program AVG so far has taken care of the virus

Jim

AVG What to Do? 

AVG 7.5 Updates will not be available after May 31, 2008 

Free AVG 7.5 has been replace by AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1.
Here is how to replace Free AVG 7.5 with AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1.
I have read some reports on this anti-virus program and all reports says
 that it works great and no problems in the installation. 

Before you download the program, you must remove the anti-virus program you have on your computer. The rule is only one anti-virus program on any computer or conflict will set in. 

Received an E-Mail from June Wentworth, When downloading Free AVG 8 it should automatically remove AVG 7.5
so you don't to uninstall it.

To download Free AVG 8

1. Open Internet Explore and type in www.download.com  then click Enter.

      (There are other sit

es where you may download this program.)     

2. In the Download.com page, Click the Download tab

3. Top of the page “Search” type in Free AVG 8

4. Select Software and click GO

5. Next window, Click Download Now to right of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1.

6. A small window should appear at the top of your desktop. In a few minutes a dialog box will appear (Run   Save   Cancel) box, Click Run

7. You are now looking at a 20 minutes download, when the download is done another window will appear and ask you “Do you want to run this software”,   Click, Run

8. Next window, Click Next

9. Next windows, Click Accept

10.  Next windows, Click Accept

11.  Next window “Select Installation type”,  X Standard, Click, Next

12.  So you can see the other windows,  Click the Red X in Internet Explorer.

13.  Next window “Activate your AVG Free License”, Click Next

14. Next window, Click Next

15. Next window, “Set up Summary” Click Finish

16. Next window, “Installing AVG Free”

17. Next window, “Installation complete” Click OK

18. Next window, “Configuring your AVG protector” Click Next

19. Next window, “Update” no choices, by default it will update every day when you first              turn it on.

20. Same window, Scan chooses a time of day when you will not be using the computer and the computer will be turn on. My computer takes one hour to scan. You can uncheck this feature; you will be given a warning not to, if you do scan your computer once a month.

Click Next

21. Next window, Click Next

22. Next window, “About Yahoo Search” I left it blank, Click Next

23. We are now at Step 5 of 7 “Updates”, Click Next

24. “Now checking for updates” Patience another 2 minutes.

25. Next window, Click Next

26. Next window, “Registration”, Click Next

27. Next window, Click Finish

An AVG Free 8.0 icon should appear on your computer desktop and another icon right side of you Taskbar, your done.

I have done nothing else to the program, by default it checks for new upgrade when I turn it on in the morning. Another thing I do not see it run like AVG 7.5 did. Besides checking for Viruses it also checks for Spyware which 7.5 did not. It is much improves over AVG 7.5.

Good Luck Jim Bourque

How to resize images : The VSO free image resize software organizes your photos by changing their resolution or moving them within your hard drive. VSO Image resizer is the perfect tool for those who store their digital pictures and images on their PC and who want to resize, compress, convert, create copies, create thumbnails, import or organize photos.
With this free resize image software, you can create e-mail friendly versions of your images, load them faster, move them easily from folder to folder, change their format, edit large numbers of image files/batch image resize and thus save space on your hard drive. Using high resolution 1600x1200 for creating wallpaper or file-sharing you can save your memory. VSO Image Resizer can also change file names using a template and you can add your own watermark with transparency support.
VSO Image resizer is integrated into the Windows explorer shell, right click on your pictures and start working on your pictures!

Preventive Maintenance During Electrical Storms

The steps below can help prevent damage to your computer during an electrical storm:

Olympic Torch Invitation Virus Hoax

If you receive a dire-sounding alert warning that a new computer virus circulating under the header "Invitation" will, quote, "open an Olympic torch which burns the whole hard disc of your computer.
 Please ignore it. No such virus exists.
 Formerly known as "A Virtual Card for You," the alert is a rewritten hoax first sighted in 2000
 

Message claims that an email with an attached file called "Invitation" contains a virus that will open an Olympic Torch that destroys the computer's hard drive.
See message below

WARNING

You should be alert during the next days: Do not open any message with an attached filed called "Invitation" regardless of who sent it. It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which "burns" the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list, that is why you should send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive a mail called "invitation", though sent by a friend, do not open it and shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept. SEND THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW, COPY THIS E-MAIL AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US

Just ignore it. No such virus exists

Jim

This was sent to me my Jim Kollodge

Q.  I wanted to know the difference between a print server, router and a hub. Which would be the best choice when setting up a network?

A.   All three of these things can be used in a network. Since we're on the subject, I'll throw in switches, too.

Let's look at hubs, switches and routers first. There is overlap among those three. Then I'll explain print servers.

1. Hubs—These guys are very basic. A hub receives data from network computers, usually via cables. It then distributes the data to all the network's other computers. The fact that the data is addressed to a specific computer on the network is immaterial. It is shared with all of them.
   
   Sending all data to every computer stretches the network's resources. So, if your network runs at 100 megabits, and the hub has 10 ports, each port runs at 10 megabits. If only one computer is sending data, there should be no problem. But if the network is busy, things can slow down. That's why switches are better than hubs.
   
    
2. Switches—These are more sophisticated than hubs. They do essentially the same job, but are much more discriminating. When computer A sends data to computer B, only B gets it. The data is not also sent to computers C, D and E.
   
   Furthermore, lots of traffic does not diminish network resources. On your 100 megabit network, each of the switch's ports runs at 100 megabits. Every bit of data gets the network's full speed. So a switch is much faster and more efficient than a hub.
   
    
3. Routers—At their most basic, routers connect networks to networks. So, say you want Internet access with your home network. The Internet is a giant network—really, a network of networks. You need a router to connect your network to the Internet. The router does that through the modem.
   
   Theoretically, you need a switch or hub, in addition to a router. You might want to send information from one computer to another. But in the real world, routers include switches. Routers are multi-talented. They can direct data between the network's computers. And they can send data over the Internet.
   
    
4. Print servers—These machines are fundamentally different. They are middlemen on the network. On one side, a print server connects to a printer. On the other, it connects to a router/switch. It makes communication between the computers and printer possible.
   
   A print server is handy, but not essential. A printer can also be connected to a computer. Through that computer, other network computers can access the printer. However, if that computer is turned off, the printer is inaccessible. Sometimes printers are connected directly to the router. In that case, too, a print server is not necessary.

So, let's address your last question. What is best for your network? Well, if you want Internet access, you need a router. Assuming you have multiple computers, you also need a hub or switch. Your best bet is a router that includes a switch.

How about a print server? That would simplify matters, certainly. But it isn't crucial. You might connect the printer to the router. That's assuming they're located near one another. And they need compatible connections. Routers take Ethernet and USB connections. Most printers have USB, and some Ethernet. If you're buying new equipment, double-check.

If you cannot connect to the router, you can use a network computer. That means you have to establish printer sharing in the computer. I have explanations for Windows XP and Vista on my site.  

My first choice would be a connection to the router. If that were out, I'd go for a print server. The network computer would be my last choice. That arrangement works well, but the computer has to be on.

From Jim Kollodge

Q  I have recently been hearing about flash drives. I know they are portable devices,
but I was wondering how they work.
And how do they differ from thumb drives and hard drives?

A  I'll bet you're not the only one confused by this. We have thumb and hard drives.
We won't even talk about floppy and optical drives. The makers should publish scorecards.

Flash drives are also known as thumb, jump and USB drives, among others.
 They are all the same thing. These drives use a type of memory known as flash.

Flash has no moving parts. Instead, it is made of rows and columns.
Each juncture of row and column has two transistors. One of these is known as the floating gate.
The amount of charge passing through it determines whether it is a 1 or 0.

Flash has a number of advantages. For one, it's tiny.
So flash is easy to slip into small places.

Flash drives can hold as much as 8 gigabytes of data. But you can easily put them in your pocket.
They make transferring data between widely separated computers easy.

Flash also runs cool. So you can comfortably hold a flash drive in your hand.

Although the largest flash drives are expensive, smaller ones are not.
These drives are following the same trajectory as hard drives.
Capacity is growing rapidly as prices plummet.

Flash memory is much newer technology than hard drives.
 Most hard drives have platters that spin at 5,400 or 7,200 RPM.
More expensive ones spin at up to 15,000 RPM.

Hard drives are descended from drives developed by IBM in the 1950s.
So they've been around a long time. They have gotten new life in devices such as the iPod.
 However, flash memory could supplant them in some applications, such as laptops.

Hard drives have read-write heads that move very quickly above the platters.
They occasionally hit the platters, an event known as a head crash.
That destroys the drive. Even a speck of dust can cause a head crash.
So all this movement has its downside.

However, hard drives can hold vastly more data than flash drives.
Currently, the largest consumer hard drive holds 750GB. Compare that to flash drives, which top out at 8GB.
The hard drive is not that much more expensive, either.

So, to answer your question, flash drives and hard drives don't have much in common.
They both hold data. Neither is volatile, so they don't lose data when shut down.
 Both are relatively inexpensive. And both are small, considering their capacity.

Flash is solid state, which means it won't break. But hard drives hold a lot more information.
If you're editing video, for instance, that's really important.

This was sent to me by Jim Kollodge

Cable or wireless?

Q. Mom is 89 and moving to an apartment in senior housing. She can't live without her computer. The home encourages wireless Internet, although she can get cable Internet. Her banking and investments are done online. How safe is wireless in such close quarters? And is wireless as fast as cable, considering possibly 100 of her neighbors may be connected to the same system?

A. Your mom is 89 and she's doing her banking and investing online? That is wonderful!
You raise some interesting questions. They apply not only to senior housing, but also apartment complexes, dormitories, co-ops and any place where large numbers of people live in close proximity.

First of all, banks and brokerages use their own encryption. It works with the Internet browser your mother uses. So, assuming she keeps her software updated, no one is going to intercept and read those transmissions. Today's computers are not capable of breaking that encryption.

However, other things, such as e-mail and Web browsing, are not encrypted automatically. Your mom probably doesn't want people snooping into her personal business. So she has to depend on encryption in the wireless (Wi-Fi) system, if she uses that.

To explain this, I've got to hit you with some acronyms. There are three encryption standards for wireless—WEP, WPA and WPA2.

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It's worthless. WEP is easily intercepted and broken. Really, it is worse than worthless. People who use it may be misled into believing they are protected. They are not.

WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. This protocol was developed because the Wi-Fi Alliance realized that WEP offered no protection. WPA was an interim standard, used until the Wi-Fi Alliance formalized a protocol to replace WEP. There is some debate about whether it can be broken. I think it is adequate, but I prefer WPA2.

WPA2 is the second generation of WPA. It is currently unbreakable. It also is state-of-the-art in wireless encryption. This is my preference for encryption.

Without encryption, or if WEP is used, most of your mother's transmissions could be read. Who would do that? I'd say if you put 100 people on a system, and they have time of their hands, a few will start messing around.

The wireless signal also may stray outside the complex. Heaven knows who might intercept it. They also could read her transmissions.

WPA and WPA2 will protect your mother's transmissions both inside and outside. So, you need to ask the system administrator at the housing center about encryption. If it is WEP, or if there is no encryption, she should not use the Wi-Fi system. WPA is OK; WPA2 is better.

You should also ask the system administrator about speed. The wireless system is probably hooked up to the Internet through a cable or telephone company. Speed is going to depend on the capacity of the lines. I can't address that from here.

Even if your mother has her own cable connection, it could still be slow. Sharing bogs things down. If the wireless setup is using the same cable system, it may be much slower than what she has now.

All of these questions must be discussed with the system administrator. If the "system administrator" is a complex employee who runs the network on the side, beware. If you get a bad feeling about security, go with the individual cable hookup. You also could talk to the telephone company about an individual DSL connection.

When you get into wireless, you'll find there are several Wi-Fi standards. That's another bunch of numbers and letters. Rather than get into that here, you'll find an explanation on my site.

You can  check your keyboard you’ll see that there is no key for the cent symbol.
Instead of resorting to typing $0.50, type 50 then hold down the ALT key and type
0162 on the number keypad to get 50¢.

I know this works with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Spreadsheet and WordPad.
Just remember that holding down the ALT key and typing 0162 on the number pad
will get you the ¢ symbol.

Jbourque\centsymbol

______________________________________________

There are a number of precautions you can take to protect your computer from virus. Much time in class we have mentioned that you should have an antivirus program installed on your computer. Viruses are commonly spread via email attachments; you can configure your email program to block certain messages with attachments.

______________________________________

Microsoft has integrated Clear Type into Windows XP.  You can see the difference on a high-quality flat panel desktop display or on a notebook display.

To activate Clear Type
1.      Right-click a blank area on your Desktop
2.  Click Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box
3.  Choose the Appearance tab
4.  Click the Effect button
5.  Select the checkbox next to Use The Following Method To Smooth Edges of Screen Fonts
6.  Select ClearType from the drop-down menu
7.  Click OK to close the dialog boxes.
With ClearType activated, the text under the Icons will also appear sharper
 and more readable.