Number 273 - February 2006

UPDATE
Some Tips from Carl    C B Tenning    There is a really good "TIPS" site at: www.irvings-info-page.cityslide.com/index.html Beginner's Notes    Disabling some of the programs that run on Startup can speed up your computer considerably. But be careful - some of them may be needed for your computer or programs to run properly. Don't delete them, just disable them so that you can re-enable them if necessary.    Next Bob Elgines describes Microsoft's hidden Malware removal tool which runs with Windows XP.    In Mysterious Computer Crash Explained author Bob Click suggests that if you can't reboot your computer, and you have a Flash Drive installed try removing it. Bob Click did and seemingly by magic, his computer problem was solved--but only one size Flash Drive gave him problems, another smaller drive allowed the computer to work fine. Communications Notes    Brian K. Lewis discusses the advantages of using utility programs which are available free or for a modest fee after a free trial period. This is a concept that has been around for many decades and is familiar to old timers. However, some of our newer members may not be aware of the availability of such goodies. Read the article and learn.    The No Mouse Allowed article discusses web access for disabled users and web site design features that make them disabled-user friendly. The	author is an advocate of Adaptive/Assistive Technology. Read the article and become informed about this approach to web site design.    In Beware of Rogue AntiSpyware Carl Tenning describes his run-in with a questionable software vendor. Links to government agencies involved are given. Operating System    When you bought your computer, did your vendor give you an operating system disk or simply a "backup" disk? Is this sufficient to reload your operating system if you should have a problem--or do you need something more?    Clear Reading With Cleartype discusses Microsoft's approach to displaying text on Flat panel LCD screens in which some clarity may be lost. Read the article to determine what to do about it if your laptop screen display bothers you. General Interest    After your pictures have been tweaked to perfection and you are ready to print them, you need to consider the effects of the paper and ink used to print them and how your printer handles them. Print quality will vary depending on your choices.    A New Year's Resolution to learn a new language is eased using Rosetta Stone. Read all about it. Hardware    The author takes the plunge and tries his hand at replacing a broken laptop screen. Here he tells how he did it.
Number 273 - February 2006