Computer Tips.
Browser Add-OnsFaster BrowsingI.E. Tips
EmailUsing Windows UpdateViruses
FirewallSaving Web PagesFree Money
On-Line PurchasingHelpful Links

Browser Add-Ons

(1) FLASH from Macromedia

Lets us view specially designed text and graphic annimations.   Many Web sites are using Flash to design "Splash" entrance pages (Home Pages) to their Web sites, others are using Flash to design entire Web sites, and some people use Flash throughout their Web sites.  (Many commercial sites now use Flash).

To view the Flash content of a Web site you need to download the Macromedia Flash plug-in.  The "Flash Player" as it is called, runs automatically when you encounter a Web site using Flash animmation.

To Find out more about Flash, goto:   FLASH WEB SITE

To Download the Flash Player plug-in, goto:  Download Flash Now!

The Flash Player requires only 219k of memory space on your hard drive.

This is a MUST HAVE for surfing the Net.


(2) Windows Media Player

If you don't have this one, get it now.   This plug-in can play virtually any kind of media file (with the exception of Apple Quick Time movies.

For complete information, goto:   Windows Media WEB SITE

To Download Windows Media Player, goto:  Download Windows Media Player Now!

Windows Media Player requires about 9.5 MB of memory on your hard drive.


(3) Quick Time

Quick Time is a popular video format, especially used for down loading movie trailers.

The latest version 5 has all sorts of cool effects; like a 360 degree Virtual Reality.

For more information, goto:   Quick Time Web Site

To Download the Quick Time plug-in, goto:  Download Quick Time Now!

Quick Time requires only 505K of memory.

Once you've downloaded it, and you want to have some fun, there is an impressive gallery of media clips at:   Check Out These Media Clips


(4) Shockwave from Macromedia

If you are a gamer(like to play games on the Internet), you might want to consider this plug-in as well. It also contains the Flash Player plug-in.

Shockwave is mainly used for multimedia games, a variety of which can be found at:   Shockwave.Com

For more information, goto:   Shockwave WEB SITE

To Download the Shockwave plug-in, goto:  Download Shockwave plug-in Now!

Shockwave requires about 3.4 MB of memory.


(5) RealPlayer 8

This is a popular streaming audio and video player.  It allows you to watch video broadcasts over the Net.  The basic version is FREE, and there is a PLUS version available for $29.95 US.

For more information, goto:   RealPlayer 8 WEB SITE

To Download RealPlayer 8 plug-in, goto:  Download RealPlayer 8 Now!
..... and just keep following the RealPlayer Basic links for the Free viewer.

The three different plug-in files require the following storage space:
RealPlayer 8 Basic Minimum 4.7 MB
RealPLayer 8 Basic Standard 9.8 MB
RealPlayer 8 Basic Complete 13 MB


(6) Adobe Acrobat Reader

This computer program is used to display text-based program manulas so they look the same on any computer; no matter which operating system is being used.  This is a Portable Document Format (PDF) and you need its "reader" plug-in to view such documents.

For complete information, goto:   Acrobat Reader WEB SITE

To Download the Reader plug-in onto yopur computer, goto:  Download Acrobat Reader Now!

Acrobat Reader requires about 8.6 MB of memory.


(7) Stuffit Expander

Stuffit Expander is a decompression program.  Many files you download from the Internet, or receive in email, are compressed to reduce download time.

To open compressed files you need a program, like Stuffit Expander, to open up these files for use.

This is a FREE Program and can be obtained from:   Stuffit Expander
Here you will find out all the information you need on this decompression program.

The file requires about 4.1 MB of storage space.


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Faster Browsing (IE)
  1. When entering a URL in the address window, you don't have to type in the http://
  2. Just type any word in the address bar, press CTRL & Enter   and the http:// and the .com are added to the word and the web site is accessed.
  3. On slower computers, animmation and sound can be disabled to speed up load times.  In your IE browser select Tools - Internet Options,  click the Advanced tab . . . in the Advanced settings, scroll down to the Multimedia section and uncheck the Animmation and Sound boxes. For faster download times, turn-off other features like graphic so you can have text only pages.
  4. Get Automated.   select   tools - Internet Options - Content click on the Autocomplete button to get automated. This will pull up a list of past web sies visited as you start to type in the first letters, select from the list and go. It will also remember certain names and passwords for the various web sites so you don't have to type them in every time you visit.
  5. Stop Having To Maximize Browser Windows: When surfing the net and you click on a LINK that opens in a new window, you have to then maximize the new widow.  Now you can have all those windows open already maximized.
    • click  START - RUN
    • Type   regedit   in the box and click OK
    • Navigate down to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER -Software -Microsoft -InternetExplorer -Desktop -OldWorkAreas"
    • delete the key labelled   Old Work Area Reacts
    • once you have rebooted your computer, IE windows should always be maximized
  6. F11 is used to switch to full screen view - and back again.
  7. ALT + D highlights the current address in the address bar so you can type over it.
  8. Use the [space bar] on your keyboard to quickly scroll down a Web page.
  9. ALT + LEFT ARROW takes you back a Web Page.
  10. ALT + RIGHT ARROW takes you forward a Web Page.
  11. Click on the "little down arrows" next to the BACK or FORWARD buttons on your browser to see a list of previous viewed Web pages. Select one and go to here automatically.
  12. CTRL + E opens the search assistant.
  13. CTRL + I opens your FAVORITES bar.
  14. CTRL + H opens your HISTORY bar.
  15. To PRINT a section of a FRAMED PAGE, right-click on it and select Print, then click OK.
  16. Found a useful site . . . want to quickly find other related sites, goto TOOLS -> SHOW RELATED LINKS.
  17. To load a linked page into a new Explorer Window, right-click on the link and select OPEN IN NEW WINDOW. This is useful when you've found a lot of links and want to keep the list on the screen while you check out each of the links.
  18. Hold down the "shift" key when you click on a link, and it will open in a new window.
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I.E. Tips & Tricks

  1. If you don't want to open the search bar everytime, simply type your "keyword" or "phrase" into the address bar and hit ENTER.
  2. To choose the search engine that I.E. uses for this shortcut, click on the Search icon in the main tool bar to bring up the Search bar; then click the CUSTOMIZE button, then click the Auto Search Settings button; choose the search engine you would like to use from the list shown, and then click OK twice.

  3. The default setting in IE makes a funny little noise every time you open a new page.

    To stop this noise choose   Start - Settings - Control Panel   and double-click on the Sounds icon.

    Scroll down the list in the window and under the "Windows Explorer" heading click on "Start Navigation."   A drop down list will appear,   Click on "NONE"

    Note:   You can disable the sound effect that accompanies "Complete Navigation in the same way.

  4. If you search the Web using the Search bar (Which you can open by clicking on the Search icon in the tool bar).   To find Web sites, type in your keyword or phrase and click the Search button.

    When the results appear, instead of having to look at each site to see what it's about, just hold your mouse cursor over each link for a second or two, and the Web page's description will appear.  This may help you to decide if you want to visit the site or not.



  5. Internet Explorer is Microsoft's Web browser.  It's a FREE download and comes with the windows operating system.   The latest Version, 5.5, is soon to be superseded by IE6.0   Internet Explorer is the most powerful abd easy to use Web browser currently available (setting personal feelings aside).

    For a "public preview" of the NEW   IE6.0   goto:
    Download IE6.0 for FREE

    It's a 495K file so allow about 15 minutes for the download.

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Email

Unsoliticed Commercial Email (SPAM)

No matter how carefully you guard your email address, after a few years on-line more and more spam messages arrive in your email box every day.

Over the months and years, the amount of time you can waste on opening spam, realizing what it is, and dealing with it can result in a significant waste of time.

In your Outlook Express (and any good email client should offer the same filtering tools) you can filter out this spam. Here are a couple of different ways to go about it.

  1. using the spammer's email address, or their domain name (the part after the @ sign)

    click   tools - message rules - blocked senders list

    You'll see a list of the rules Outlook Express is currently using to block messages.

  2. click the ADD button


  3. enter the email address or the domain name of the spammer (the part after the @ sign)


  4. click OK

    The Rule is added to the list

  5. You can add more rules (email addresses) or clich OK to finish.

Now when emails come in from these spammers, they will go straight to your DELETE ITEMS folder.

However, because Spammers often use a variety of email accounts, and what's more, valid messages may be coming from that person or domain name, you don't always want them going straight to the DELETE ITEMS folder. So . . .

  1. create a new folder into which you can hold the email so you can give it a quick view before sending it to the DELETE ITEMS folder.


  2. from the main Outlook Express intro page, choose   READ MAIL


  3. Then right-cl;ick on   LOACAL FOLDERS   in the FOLDERS list (if FOLDERS list isn't being displayed, choose

    VIEW - LAYOUT and tck the FOLDER list and press OK to display it

  4. Give your new folder a suitable name. Call it, Possible Spammer

    The folder will then appear in the Folder List, under Local Folders headings - in alphebetical order.

  5. Now click   TOOLS - MESSAGE RULES - MAIL


  6. In the top box, tick "Where The Subject Line Contains Specific Words"


  7. In the second box, choose   Move To Specific Folder


  8. then click on the blue underlined Contains Specific Words, and then enter some words which might be in the subject line of a spammer's message


  9. click ADD


  10. then click OK


  11. click the blue underlined Specified


  12. highlight the folder you just created


  13. click OK


  14. under Name Of The Rule, type in a description name (example: Get Rick Schemes)


  15. click OK


  16. To create more RULES to identify Spam by, click the NEW button and go through the process again

A little time and effort over the next few weeks of setting up these rules will save you hundreds of hours in the long run.



Email A Web Page To A Friend

  1. with the Web page open in your browser window
  2. click on   TOOLS - MAIL AND NEWS on the menu
  3. select SEND PAGE
  4. This opens a new window with the Web page in it
  5. just type in your friend's email address, add a Subject title, and click SEND

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Using Windows Update

  1. click here to goto   Windows Update


  2. click-on "product updates" to see the latest updates for your computer.

    It may take a few minutes for the Web site to determine what updates are required by your computer, so be patient.  It will look at whatever version of Windows and Internet Explorer are currently installed on your computer.  When it is finished it will list all the updates which are currently available to install on your computer.

  3. It is recommended that you download any "updates" that it deems CRITICAL.


  4. Put a tick next to the ones you require and click-on the download button at the top.
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Viruses

Most viruses are sent as file attachments.  Using an up-to-date Virus Checker, DOUBLE CHECK any attachment you receive before opening it.

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Firewall

A Firewall is a software program or hardware component (or even both) which blocks amature - and most professional hackers from getting inside your computer when you are connected to the Internet.

One of the leading software packages is called "BLACKICE DEFENDER" ($40-$50).  It is very easy to install and set-up. It is one of the Best you can get. (Also it works on ADSL lines where many other firewalls do not)>

Check it out at    NETWORKICE

Most software retail stores carry BLACKICE DEFENDER or they can order it for you.   If you don't have it, we STRONGLY recommend you get it.

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Saving Web Pages

Since Web pages are constantly being changed and up-dated, what is there today - might not be there tomorrow. Therefore if you see something you'd really like to have as your very own permant record . . . save the pages to your hard drive.  (remember the links no longer work which refer to an on-line address, unless you're on-line when viewing them from your hard drive.) You can save Web pages with or without the graphics and pictures.

STEP 1   Make a folder on your Desktop to hold the saved pages and for quick access. Call the folder something like, "SAVED WEB PAGES".

Saving Without Graphics and Pictures

  1. open the Web page you are interested in, and click   FILE - SAVE AS   from the menu.
  2. type in a file name
  3. in the SAVE AS TYPE box, select Web Page, HTML Only
  4. click the SAVE button

Open the folder where you saved the file to, and you should find the page saved - minus the pictures and graphics.



Saving With Graphics and Pictures

  1. open the web page you want to save and click   FILE - SAVE AS   from the menu
  2. type in a file name
  3. in the   SAVE AS TYPE box, select   WEB ARCHIVE, SINGLE FILE
  4. click the SAVE button

    This creates a   .mht   file which can be opened in your browser window


Optional Way To Save A Web Page and Graphics

Useful to capture graphics from the Web when right-clicking has been disabled (there are other ways, but this is one way to get those images and graphics). DON'T FORGET about Copyright Infringement Laws: ask before you use is a good idea.

  1. with the Web page in your Browser window
  2. click on   FILE - SAVE AS
  3. type in a file name
  4. in the SAVE AS TYPOE box, select WEB PAGE, COMPLETE
  5. click the SAVE button and another window will appear indicating that IE is downloading and saving the graphics (Be patient it will take a couple of minutes)>
  6. Go to your SAVED WEB PAGES folder and you should see in there another folder full of graphics.

    Inside you will find all the graphics and pictures from the page. Even the banner and button images are saved.

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Free Money

Some Companies will pay you to serf the Internet.  It's not a "get-rich" scheme, but you can earn a little extra spending money.

If you pay by the hour to use the Internet, forget this money making idea.   If you have unlimited Internet access, here's a few sites to get you started.

NOTE:Make sure you read everything carefully and that you understand the terms and policies of each business.   Not all offers are the same.   Some of these money-for-surfing companies check to see if you are actually watching and will occasionally replace an advert with a question like "Are you watching?"  If you don't click to confirm, you lose everything earned.  So don't go into this thinking you are going to "scam" the system.

To find other sites, enter "Free Money" into your favorite Search Engine.

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On-Line Purchasing

Make a copy of your order confirmation and keep it as part of your purchase.  (Save it to your hard drive, or print it out)


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Helpful Links

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Macromedia Shockwave Player

32-BIT Plug-in Modules

Technology Glossary

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