Back up your ‘stuff,’ then back up the backup (4/19/04)
Storage space for important files is inexpensive
Backing up is often neglected by novices. But because how to identify ones irreplaceable “stuff,” how to accumulate it in My Documents and then how to back up My Documents to a CD is so important, I recommend it be one of the first computing disciplines a novice should master.
Good Booters know a good night’s sleep comes only with the knowledge all their irreplaceable “stuff” is safely stored on a CD-RW. And, if they subscribe to Winchell’s philosophy of “backing up ones backup with a backup,” they will first put their VIP “stuff” onto a CD-R.
Until recently backing up to CDs was, in fact, the most appropriate and inexpensive backup method for the average user. More often than not, a single CD was sufficient to accommodate their entire My Documents. And as most users have a CD burner, all they’re required to do is learn how to relocate their My Documents to a CD-RW or ‘burn’ it to a CD-R.
But as more and more novices become involved in downloading digital photographs to their computers, to sort, restore and maybe even create slide shows, they’re experiencing the “my backup CD runneth over” syndrome — too much “stuff” for one CD.
They’re challenged to find a user-friendly third-party software program that’ll back up over multiple CDs or purchase a hardware device e.g., a DVD writer or external hard drive that’ll accommodate their growing inventory of “stuff.”
A third party backup program that will backup over multiple CD-Rs is, perhaps, the most economical, but often its learning curve is challenging. And in my opinion a DVD writer is not the best alterative for a couple of reasons:
• They’re expensive, and although some have the ability to write using most of the DVD writing formats — because there’s no current industry standard format, it’s possible the DVD writer you purchase today could become obsolete tomorrow.
• Why limit yourself to only the four gigabytes a DVD writer provides, especially if you subscribe to my hypothesis that one can never have too much storage or dedicated off computer backup space.
My suggestion is you consider an external hard drive. For if the thought of four gigabytes of backup and storage space excites you, can you imagine your excitement over 40, maybe even 240, gigabytes.
Seriously, they are reasonably priced, portable and, if connected to your computer via USB 2 or Firewire, almost as fast as your internal hard drive. And because you write to them as you would to an internal hard drive, transferring files is uncomplicated.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.
Seminar will discuss computer protection (4/26/04)
Learn how to guard against mishaps, viruses
Because of the dismay, despair and confusion concerning the physical and mental well-being of their computers and operating systems, I'm declaring May to be Good Boot Computer Health Awareness Month.
To inaugurate this happening, I'm rescheduling, combining and refocusing my May Windows and Windows XP seminars. In their place at 9:30 am. on Saturday, May 22, at Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium (Cleveland Avenue), I'll be hosting a special seminar for all Good Boot Windows users who are confused on how to:
• Protect their computer from potential physical mishaps e.g. surges and brownouts
• Evade e-mail and Internet transmitted viruses
• Control spam (only e-mail abstinence will prevent spam)
• Prevent pop-ups
• Elude spyware
This seminar will be unlike those techie, scare-tactic seminars you may have heard about or, perhaps, attended. I'll not try to impress you with cyberspace horror stories. Nor will I suggest ex-pensive and often inappropriate methods of protection.
What I will do is discuss what you need to know and only what you need to know about e-mail and Internet viruses, spam, pop-ups, spyware and surge protection. Then I'll provide a multimedia demonstration of how to protect your computer and Windows system from them.
And I'll accomplish this in no more than a couple of hours—a bit longer for those who'd like to stay after the seminar to ask me or our consulting technicians a personal computer question.
Honest folks, it can be done in a couple of hours—even if you're the most novice of novices. In fact, if by chance you happen to attend my seminar the day after you purchase your first computer, I'll wager you'll leave wondering why so many seem to get so up-tight about viruses, pop-ups, spam and Spyware.
Attendees will receive a CD of my software prescriptions for a healthy computer and Dwayne Alton's e-mail and Internet safety tutorial. It's all for only a $10 do-nation to Lee Memorial Health System's SHARE Club.
There's no need to register. But because I'd like to know how many free seminar CDs to burn, if you plan on attending, I'd appreciate a simple "I'll be there" e-mail. If attending must be a last-minute decision—no problem, I'll bring some extras.
If you're one of those who hasn't taken advantage of the extraordinary opportunities offered by e-mail and the Internet because of your fear of viruses and identity theft, please plan on attending. I guarantee I can make your e-mail and Internet adventure safe and rewarding.
Here's wishing you a Good Boot.
Becoming a ‘switch clicker’ easy way to get information (5/3/04)
At just about every Windows seminar I host, when I demonstrate a Windows feature to accomplish a particular task someone will mention an alternative way to accomplish the same task. However, as I never want to dampen the enthusiasm of any attendee, I always recognize their perspicacity but then go on to explain why I’ve chosen the technique I believe to be the most productive.
One such technique is the “Right Click” method of accessing information and options.
One doesn’t have to be a coordinated athlete to successfully become a mouse “switch clicker.”
Keep in mind when you left click, you’re asking Windows to execute something, such as accessing a program or opening an e-mail. When you right click you’re asking for a menu of options — one of the most significant being a quick source of information.
Try this. Right click (you’re asking for a menu of options) on any unoccupied area of your desktop. A menu will appear with five or six selections, one of them will be “Properties.” Know that Properties is Microsoft’s word for “Information.” Left click on Properties (your executing an option). Your “Display Properties” panel will open, presenting just about every option you’ll ever want or need to know about your desktop display options.
Another example is a quick way to delete unwanted desktop shortcuts and e-mail. Right click (you’re asking for options) on either of them and left click (to execute) on Delete.
A third and extraordinary demonstration of the variety of information a right click can produce is to right click on the body of a word processing document. You might be surprised to discover a menu of your most often used word processing features.
“Right click, left click” not only provides a useful selection of options and a source of information, it provides access to them quickly.
Wishing you a Good Boot.
Most Good Booters are aware when Microsoft created the 'My Documents' Systems Folder. The 'My' was added to remind them what was in that Folder was their personal irreplaceable 'Stuff".
But because there's no 'My' associated with Desktop, many are unaware Microsoft created a Desktop that can be customize to reflect their personal preferences, needs and artistic enthusiasm.
Let's say you wear bifocals or are taller than average. Rather than coping with bifocal vertical bobble head syndrome or having to sit on the floor to conveniently view your taskbar, why not just place your pointer on a blank area of your Taskbar, hold-down your right mouse button and move it to the top of your screen.
Perhaps you're artistically offended by all the shortcuts scattered around your desktop but want to have them available at your beckon call. You need only right click on your Taskbar, left click on Toolbars and then Quick Launch to place the Quick Launch Toolbar on your Taskbar. Now go to your artistically offending Desktop Shortcuts. Place your pointer on each in turn and holding down your left mouse button move and drop them onto your Quick Launch Toolbar.
Then delete the offending Shortcuts from your Desktop. If at first the relocated Shortcuts seem too small to easily recognize - just pass your pointer over them and Windows will identify them.
And notice the little Shortcut called 'Show Desktop' on the Quick Launch Toolbar you just added to your Taskbar. If you squint a bit it'll appear as a paper and pencil on a desk pad It's a gem.
Try this. Open a program. Now click on the 'Show Desktop' Shortcut. Voila!
Your open program will disappear and you're back at your Desktop for whatever reason you'd like to be there. Click on the Shortcut again and your open program will reappear just as you left it. Show Desktop is just as effective when you're multi tasking.
Now that you've relocated your unwanted Desktop Shortcuts, why not hide your Taskbar when its not needed. Perhaps when you're working in a program and need all the work space your monitor can provide. To do so simply right click on your Taskbar, left click on Properties and click on the 'Auto Hide the Taskbar' check box.
When you return to your Desktop you'll discover the only time your Taskbar , with it's Quick Launch Toolbar, Notification Area and Start Menu will be visible is when you need it and only when you move your Pointer to where the Taskbar is normally located.
Here's wishing you a Good Boot.
Good tech support calls for recognition
(5/24/04)Others are advised to adjust their attitude
I pay more attention to Stephen Brown’s gardening tips in The News-Press than I
do to my personal computer technician. Undoubtedly why I seldom have gardening
problems but always seem to be dialing 911 — my technician.
The reason for this confession is I’m so upbeat this morning after enjoying a gorgeous Southwest Florida sunrise over my extraordinarily successful (thanks to Stephen) garden. I’m compelled to be just as upbeat in this week’s Good Boot.
Of late, the second most significant complaint I receive from Good Booters is the lack of courteous and appropriate technical support they receive. But what if I told you I recently enjoyed several extraordinarily successful tech support experiences with Comcast, my high-speed cable Internet provider. And furthermore I’ve heard nothing but superlatives about the tech support provided by Roadrunner. I’ll bet you’d be impressed!
I’m not implying everyone should reach for the phone and subscribe to cable high-speed Internet access. In fact, because of the cost, I personally consider it a luxury unless you require the benefits associated with a blazing Internet and e-mail connection. What I am implying is if you’re considering cable Internet access, you’ll receive nothing but enthusiastic and appropriate “local” tech support.
Maybe we can all hope (after all, it’s said hope does spring eternal) some of the other tech support providers will take note of our loyalty to those who provide quality tech support and adjust their attitude accordingly.
My second upbeat offering is made to those who would like to dedicate some time this summer to becoming a bit more computer literate.
Beginning this June, the Southwest Florida Personal Computer User’s Group is offering two extraordinary seminar series. One I’ll be hosting and one will be hosted by Dwayne Alton, our resident digital photography expert.
My goal is to provide all those who were unable to attend my seminars during season with an opportunity to attend my most popular Beleaguered Novice seminars. Dwayne’s is to provide a complete step-by-step digital photo seminar series beginning with how to purchase an appropriate digital camera and then all the skills needed to produce quality digital photos, edit and share them and even creative things to do with them, such as create albums and scrapbooks.
You can e-mail me for details. Or because I want to conclude this Good Boot as upbeat as possible, know there will be a detailed description of these seminars in my June Computing Journal. If you e-mail me your home address by May 29, I’ll send you a complimentary copy.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.
Spyware exploits loophole in software agreement
(5/31/04)Although I was aware of the growing number of Spyware infections experienced by Good Booters, I had no idea how significantly Spyware had graduated from rather innocuous little programs tracking ones surfing activities to sophisticated programs capable of successfully mounting a full fledged felonious assault on ones Windows system.
Spyware infects your Windows system in many ways, often using several methods in the hopes if you discover one you'll overlook the others. Unfortunately, its modus operandi discourages antivirus programmers from attempting to flag Spyware.
The reason is Spyware by definition isn't a virus. The accepted definition of a virus is "a program or piece of code loaded onto a computer 'without' a user's 'permission' or 'knowledge' and runs 'against' a user's wishes."
Spyware, on the other hand, relies on a user clicking 'I Agree' without reading the license or disclosure agreement authorizing the installation of the Spyware program. Thus technically the Spyware included with the downloaded program is installed with the user's knowledge and permission.
This rather ambiguous use of software agreements puts the antivirus companies in a difficult position. If, in fact, you really didn't object to having Spyware on your system and an antivirus program flags a Spyware program as a virus and removes it, the antivirus companies might find themselves in a legal battle with Spyware authors who could claim they were given permission to install the Spyware program. Ah, the intricacies of our legal system.
Some of the most obvious Spyware symptoms:
n You discover your home page has been changed or that new sites have been added to your Favorites.
n You suspect or discover the Web sites you're visiting are being tracked and the information is being sent to a Spyware vendor.
n You've installed a popup stopper but continue to suffer popups. It could be the ads you're receiving are from Spyware, not the Web site you're visiting.
n Instead of showing the ads that should appear on a Web site you discover Spyware is substituting its own ads.
n You suspect or discover Spyware has changed the content of your favorite Web pages.
n You experience a sudden onslaught of system crashes, hangs and other strange behavior or an unusual loss of computer performance.
If you think you've been infected contact your technician or e-mail me. I'll forward your concern to one of our consulting technicians. There's no charge to chat.
Here's wishing you a Good Boot.
Nagging reminder to get Critical Updates
(6/7/04)Veteran Good Booters know every so often I do a “don’t ask questions, just do as I say because I’m telling you to do it” column. A phrase my parents used when instructing me on appropriate behavior or inspiring me to take immediate action. Veteran Good Booters also know when a “just do it” column is the theme of a “nag, nag, nag” column — best they pay attention!
Can you explain to me why so many Good Booters who so eagerly anticipate and scrutinize the volumes of Sunday News-Press advertising supplements for sales, deals and promotions or would think it un-American not to take advantage of a senior citizen discount, fail to take advantage of Microsoft’s free Windows Critical Me and XP updates? An extraordinary offering providing the fixes necessary to ensure the well-being of computer systems and computer user peace of mind.
I’ve nagged you many times before, but I’m going to nag you again! If you’re not one of those who faithfully takes advantage of the Windows Critical Updates and you use Internet Explorer to browse the Web, know with every browse you place your system in harm’s way.
So unless you’re a “need help novice,” take this Good Boot to your computer right now and:
• If you have a quality dial-up ISP (with a reliable high band connection), cable or DSL, right click on your desktop My Computer icon. Then click on Properties and Automatic Updates. Make sure the “Keep My Computer up to date” box is checked and then select which “Setting” you want. Or alternatively, click on Start > Control Panel > Systems > Automatic Updates.
• If you don’t have a quality dial-up ISP, cable or DSL, I suggest you periodically go to Microsoft’s Critical Updates Web site. Microsoft will “sniff” your Windows system and recommend the Critical Updates you need. Click on Start > Programs > Windows Updates or go to www.microsoft.com and click on Windows Update. You can then download them one at a time. Time consuming, yes. But download all of them!
• If you’re an Internet Explorer user: Open IE and click on Tool > Internet Options > Advanced. Under “Browsing” ensure the IE Updates box is checked.
Keep in mind all you need are Critical Updates.
A reminder that my first Summer Solstice Seminar “Bundle, Backup and Burn Your Irreplaceable Stuff” is this Saturday, June 12, 9:30 a.m., Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium. No need to register — just arrive. I guarantee an informative and entertaining seminar. And for all who proudly proclaim they’re a Good Booter, I’ll have a very special complimentary CD.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.
Spyware topic of next user group meeting (6/14/04)
Experts will also talk about halting computer viruses and spam
• My recent Good Boot on spyware initiated so many heart rendering e-mail tales of woe, I decided to approach our consulting technicians about creating a presentation at our next user group meeting. The meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium would:
• Discuss in layman terms all one must know to identify spyware.
• Discuss how to protect against spyware.
I also requested they all be in attendance following the spyware presentation to provide a Q&A session open to any questions Good Booters may have concerning not only spyware but also spam and e-mail and Internet viruses.
They’ve all agreed. Which means you’ll have an extraordinary opportunity to discover how to separate myths and hoaxes from what you really need to know to protect your computer from the bad guys.
This is an opportunity you don’t want to pass up! For in addition to making this meeting available without cost or obligation to Good Booters who’ve never attended one of our meetings, I’ve convinced our resident spyware terminator to offer to the first 200 attendees identifying themselves as Good Booters a complimentary CD of his Internet security tutorial.
Not only will you be provided a seminar on spyware, you’ll be able to ask any questions you may have on spyware, spam and viruses and then leave the seminar confident all that’s been discussed is available as a tutorial presentation on the complimentary CD.
I also want to mention Dwayne Alton, our resident authority on digital photography, will be offering his first of six Summer Solstice Digital Photography seminars at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19, in the Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium.
Dwayne will be discussing what you should know “before” you purchase a digital camera and what are the most appropriate digital cameras for novice and experienced digital photographers. He will also discuss what you should consider “before” purchasing a scanner or printer, particularly if they’re to be used for scanning and printing digital images — be they photos or slides.
The three most significant reasons why you should attend this seminar:
• Because Dwayne doesn’t sell digital cameras, scanners and printers, his recommendations are based only on what’s best for you.
• If you’re considering beginning a digital photography adventure, you’ll discover how surprisingly inexpensive it can be.
• The Q&A session following his presentation will not end until the last question by the last remaining attendee is answered.
Go to www.goodboot.com > Seminars for additional information and to register for Dwayne’s seminars.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.