Buster Bluster gets lesson on security (09/10/07)

For almost seven years whenever I discussed ways to protect computers from the bad guys, I knew I'd receive an email from my favorite Good Boot curmudgeon, whom I shall refer to as Buster Bluster.

Buster has always believed because he never installed an anti-virus or anti-spyware program and never experienced a virus or spyware, my articles were "Chicken Little articles written to intimidate Good Booters into purchasing worthless software.''

Over the years I've rather looked forward to Buster's tirades. But recently after receiving a particularly vitriolic email accusing me of being "in cahoots with software vendors,'' I became a bit testy and decided to have a personal chat with Buster.

If you're a novice, you might be interested in how it went.

Buster sincerely believed because he didn't have that much personal data or that many installed programs which could be exploited, the chance a bad guy would or could specifically target his personal data or programs for corruption was slim to none. And because the odds were in his favor there was no compelling need for anti-virus or spyware software.

My response was to explain that the bad guys aren't particularly interested in corrupting personal data or installed programs. They're interested in corrupting Windows System files and Registry data.

To impress him with how significant a target his computer presented to the bad guys, I asked him to right click on his Windows folder, left click Properties and tell me how many Windows files he had. He had over 10,000.

Next I wanted him to do a Registry walk about, but he didn't have "Run'' on his Start menu.

So I had him right click on his Start button, left click Properties and in his Start menu dialog box click Customize, Advanced and click on the empty "Run'' check box. The same steps are appropriate for Vista users.

When he returned to his Desktop I had him click Start, "Run,'' type in "Regedit'' and click OK.

When his Registry opened I suggested he click on the little "+=s'' to the left of each category and note but not touch the extraordinary number of entries.

Although this exercise was obviously an over simplification of the virus\spyware issue, Buster was impressed as perhaps you may be of the number of Windows files and registry entries that are potential targets for the bad guys to corrupt with viruses and spyware.

Here's wishing you a Good boot.

XP, Vista have many similar features (09/17/07)

Believe it or not, an ever growing number of former Good Boot XP users are sending me e-mails extolling the virtues of Vista. And although I agree with them that Vista is something special, I'm a bit amused at some of features they've found so impressive.

Amused because had they made a concerted effort to discover XP's features, they would have known the feature they found so useful in Vista where also available in XP.

A Vista feature that seems to fascinate many is how easy it is to use the navigation pane toolbar to customize the view of their folders and files. There is no question Vista's navigation pane (formally known as Windows Explorer) and its navigation toolbar are convenient features, but XPers should be aware they can customize the view of their folders and files, albeit a little less conveniently.

On any folder in My Documents other than an XP system folder (My Pictures, My Music and My Video) to change the default View (Template) of a folder, click start, My Documents and on the Menu bar click Folders.

Right click on any folder, click Properties and Customize. Click the down triangle next to "What kind of folder do you want?'' and select the template that best describes the files contained in the folder.

Whether or not you customize a Folder's View (Template) you can customize the appearance of its individual files. Highlight a Folder and click View on the Menu bar. Try selecting each option; Filmstrip, Thumbnails (best for photos), Tiles, Icons, Lists and Details.

Any view can be changed anytime. For example, if you normally like to view your photo files in full color thumbnails but periodically require information about a photo, temporarily change the view from Thumbnails to Details. Details provides the best source of information on all files.

In Details view you can add additional column headings by right clicking on the column headings bar and selecting from the list. To rearrange the order of how the information tabs appears on the columns headings bar, click "more'' on the list.

A humorous Vista vignette. I've received several complaints that Vista's version of Solitaire will not automatically end a game when there are "no more possible moves.'' As diplomatic as I can be I respond with.... Vista ends a game "only when there are no more possible moves.'' It may take a moment, but you'll discover the humor.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Always obey the 'First Law of Windows" (09/24/07)

Most seasoned Good Booters know I can be an insufferable nag about the consequences of breaking David Keller's (aka Compu-Doctor) "First Law of Windows.''

That if you're a novice you should never delete, rename or move any file you personally did not create yourself using a program's "Save'' or "Save As...'' command, download from a digital camera or receive as an e-mail.

And I will continue to nag negligent novices, because if they break this law Windows will punish them. Punishment for a felony can be the Blue Screen of Death; for a misdemeanor, confusion and frustration.

If you're one of the many who have e-mailed me lamenting the loss of their cute little My Pictures, My Music and My Video folder icons (Pictures, Music and Video icons in Vista), know it's because you disobeyed David's First Law of Windows and are being punished.

You or whomever you blame when things go awry on your computer either deleted or moved the "Desktop.ini'' system file in those folders. And because they're system folders you cannot easily restore their default icons or for that matter, substitute an alternate icon.

Note: When you right click on a System Folder and select "Properties,'' unlike your other folders there's no option to "Customize the Folder.''

Although deleting a "Desktop.ini'' file is considered a misdemeanor, the fact you've overtly exposed your System Files and Folders, may in the future result in a felony.

By default Windows hides System Files and Folders from novices to insure they'll not be deleted, moved or renamed.

If they're not hidden, it means someone has purposely clicked "Show Hidden Files and Folders'' and cleared the "Hide Protected Operating System Files'' check box in their Control Panel's, folder options.

Windows will also slap the wrist of those who because they mistakenly believe the little "Thumbs.db'' system files in their photo folders have no value, delete them.

Windows' punishment for this misdemeanor is confusion and frustration.

Windows created this little data base file to facilitate an expeditious by default presentation of photos in "Thumbnail View'' in My Pictures (Pictures in Vista) and folders you've set to be viewed in "Thumbnail View.''

And because Windows takes umbrage with arrogant or uninformed efforts to thwart its good intentions, it'll recreate the file as often as you delete it.

If you're a novice and have access to your System Files and Folders, best you obey the First Law of Windows.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

It's not difficult to change folder icons (10/01)

My column on Folders last week generated many questions. But there was one I want to address today.

If you'd like to change a nonsystem Windows Explorer folder icon or a desktop folder or file shortcut, you can do so either by substituting icons (.ico) you've downloaded from the Internet or from an assortment of utilitarian icons available by accessing XP's and Vista's respective Shell32.dll files.

Many of the icons available in XP's and Vista's Shell32.dll will be familiar. They're icons Windows uses for its desktop shortcuts, start menu and toolbar. But you may find some of them appropriate for your needs.

Finding Vista's Shell32.dll is a simple process. When you right click on a nonsystem folder or desktop shortcut icon and click properties, customize and change icon, the "Change Icon for Windows Vista Folder'' dialog box will open. If you have a folder of downloaded icons, you can browse to that folder and select a particular icon. If you do not have downloaded icons you can select from the default presentation of icons Vista provides. Just click on one that appeals to you, click OK and apply.

XP users, however, must know where to go to find XP's Shell32.dll.

Right click on a nonsystem folder or desktop shortcut icon, click properties, customize and change icon. As with Vista, if you have downloaded icons you can browse to the folder containing those icons and make a selection. If you have not downloaded icons and there are no alternative default icons presented for that particular folder or desktop shortcut that appeal to you, click Browse and scroll down to your Windows Folder. Using the slide bar, slide to the System32 Folder and click Open. Using the slide bar again, slide to the Shell32.dll file. Highlight it and click Open. When you find an icon that appeals to you click on the icon. Then click OK and apply.

For those like me who love their Outlook, I recommend Michael Scrivo's excellent "free'' Outlook add-on. Go to: www.michaelscrivo.com/projects/outlookdesktop/.

Outlook Desktop's features include:

• Placing a fully functional Microsoft Outlook calendar on your desktop.

• The calendar's position, size and degree of capacity, which are all adjustable.

• Right click on the tray icon to configure the size and location of the application on your desktop.

• The ability to switch between calendar, inbox, contacts, tasks and notes views.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Earthlink e-mail becoming Embarqmail (10/08/07)

If you're a procrastinator and currently have a DSL Earthlink address, you'll soon no longer have to be concerned about spam. In fact, you'll no longer have to be concerned about any e-mail as your Earthlink mail box will no longer exist.

On Nov. 1, Embarq's free Earthlink high-speed Internet service will become Embarqmail. It too will be free, but you must transfer your account.

It's a simple process.

1. Type myembarq.com in your Web browser.

2. Click "Create EMBARQ Account'' (upper right hand corner).

3. Click "Transfer Now'' to begin the transfer from your Earthlink account to an Embarq account.

The transfer process should take less than 5 minutes. Within about 48 hours all your Earthlink e-mails, contacts and folders will be moved to your new Embarqmail e-mail account. And if you wish, all your contacts notified of your new Embarqmail address.

However if your contacts are located in Outlook Express or Outlook, this perk is not available as your address book resides on your computer. Best you personally e-mail your contacts the date your new Embarqmail address will become active.

You can contact Embarq for information, but I've a better suggestion. During a recent visit to the Fort Myers Embarq store I met a very accommodating business sales consultant who assured me he would personally assist Good Booters with their questions and concerns. Contact Matt Bradshaw at (239) 590-0440.

In response to your e-mails:

• Some say if Vista is run in full Aero mode with none of the Vista-provided power management settings turned on, it's likely to significantly drain a laptop's battery charge. Some say it will not. I say if at any time your laptop battery charge becomes a concern, it can't hurt to turn Aero off? Then turn it back on when your laptop is AC connected.

To turn Aero off:

1. Right-click on the your desktop, select personalize and window color and appearance.

2. Click "Open classic appearance properties for more color options''.

3. In the color scheme drop-down box, select Windows Vista Basic or Windows Vista Standard.

4. Click OK. Aero will be turned off.

• A heads- up for Second Copy users who have asked me about a Vista version. Version 7.01 for Vista is available. It's a free download for all registered user at: www.secondcopy.com.

And I suggest if you're not a Second Copy user, you should investigate its possibilities.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Novices need places to learn computers (10/15/07)

Until recently user groups were considered the most significant source of computer assistance for the beleaguered novices of SWF. The Southwest Florida PC User Group, Cape Coral Computer Club, SWACKS Mac User Group, Southwest Florida Linux/GNU Group and many small community computer clubs all provided their members with computer assistance and the technical expertise of their consulting technicians.

But because the Internet provides expeditious and convenient access to computer and computing information, many believe there's no longer an urgent need for the assistance offered by user groups. Or, I should also mention, for reasonably priced hands-on professional training offered by community and nonprofit organizations.

However, I believe, in fact, I know because of the Good Boot e-mail I receive there continues to be a need for hands-on training and the "show and tell'', one-on-one assistance user groups can provide novices and novices wanting to become a bit beyond novice who haven't mastered the art of Googling for information.

My personal goal for quite some time has been to provide an online cybercenter for novices seeking convenient and safe locations for:

• Show and tell presentations and assistance from user groups fortunate enough to have unpretentious, compassionate and knowledgeable users and qualified technicians without personal agendas.

• Reasonably priced professional hands-on computer training.

But until recently there have been significant road blocks: The cost of maintaining a Web site and, for lack of a better description, turf wars. Be it between the two most significant PC user groups (The Southwest Florida PC User Group and across the pond the Cape Coral Computer Club or SWACKS Mac User Group and Linux user group whose members have disdain for anyone associated with Bill Gates.

In my opinion, however, the time has come for all user groups — be they the big guys on the block or community computer clubs — to cast aside their petty jealousies and consider offering beleaguered novices an opportunity to decide which is the most convenient user group or club offering the assistance they need.

If you're the mover and shaker or just a member of a user group or computer club, please take a moment and go to www.goodboot.net. I've taken advantage of Google's free blogging services to begin construction of a site that with your participation I hope can become a one-stop source of quality and unbiased help for the beleaguered novices of SWF.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Outlook, Outlook Express good for e-mail (10/22/07)

In a recent article I mentioned an excellent free add-on to Outlook.

This article is in response to the e-mail I received from Good Booters who downloaded the software, but were disillusioned because it didn't perform as I described. The reason I discovered was they confused Outlook with Outlook Express, aka Windows Mail.

Before I discuss their differences I want to mention why I believe Good Booters should consider using one or the other to handle their e-mail.

Most e-mail providers offer access to Web-based e-mail. It's a convenient way to access e-mail from any location that has an Internet connection. But it does have limitations. A user cannot access their old messages or work on new ones when they're not connected to the Internet.

I suggest you experience the best of both possible e-mail cyberworlds by using Outlook Express or Outlook as your everyday at home e-mail handler and when away from home access your e-mail via the Web.

The difference between Outlook Express and Outlook other than one's free is Outlook Express organizes your e-mail and Outlook organizes your life.

Both can be configured to import your e-mail from any provider(s) and have excellent security, anti junk mail and protection against phishing message enhancements.

But Outlook has an additional enhancement: The most extraordinary Personal Information Manager(PIM) on the market.

I could dedicate several Good Boots to just listing Outlook's features. But I'll let you go to Microsoft's Web site to discover just how amazing Outlook is.

At one time you had to purchase Microsoft Office Suite if you wanted Outlook. Today you can purchase it as a stand alone. The 2007 version is about $100, but you can purchase the 2003 version on the Web for about $50. It has almost all of 2007's features.

But if you do not need a PIM, know that Outlook Express — which is free and part of your XP/Vista operating system — is an outstanding program for handling your e-mail.

And because I believe one or the other of these e-mail handlers should be considered by Good Booters to be their e-mail handler and because so many seem confused on how to configure them, I've asked our consulting technicians to dedicate our first User Group meeting to a free, no obligation seminar on how to configure and program Outlook Express and Outlook.

For information on the seminar go to my News-Press blog or e-mail me.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Seek qualified technician to set up computer (10/29/07)

Beginning about the time Vista was released, I began receiving an unusual number of complaints from Good Booters who opted to have their new computer set up by the retailer who sold them their computer. So many, when appropriate I personally responded to their e-mail.

Appropriate in this case is the Good Booter's e-mail seemed to express a legitimate concern rather than an unenlightened diatribe on the cost to have a technician set up their computer.

Although I was personally shocked at how much some paid for so little time spent setting up their computer, I knew because I'm was not technically qualified to pass judgement on the quality of the service nor the cost of the service they received, best I seek advice.

I asked our User Group consulting technicians Brian Barnes and David Keller to provide a list of the steps they take to configure a new computer to insure it will provide optimal performance and be configured for maximum security.

Although both provided the information I requested, neither were willing to quote a caste in bronze estimate of the time it would take to completely configure a new computer as there are too many variables (e.g., do they have to Google for updated peripheral drivers and software updates and does their client want their files transferred.)

But they did provide a list of over 40 steps in nine categories they include when they set up a new computer. Obviously they were not about to disclose their trade secrets by describing each step , but the number of steps was enlightening.

Here are the categories and the number of steps:

1. Initial hardware set up: 3

2. Initial Windows set up: 5

3. Windows security and integrity and anti-virus protection: 5

4. User interface and features: 8

5. System performance maximization: 4

6. Initialization and configuration of software application programs: 4

7. Internet access (including e-mail set up): 6

8. Installation of peripherals (e.g. printers and scanners): 4

9. Check and test of all hardware components: 3

I'm now of the opinion too many assume all retail outlets who offer to set up their computers provide qualified technicians who will insure a professional thorough set up and configuration of their computers, monitors and peripherals.

Out of the box computers are not configured for maximum performance. If you want to experience a productive and secure computing adventure be sure whomever sets up your computer is a reputable, qualified technician.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot!

Access Google calendar anywhere (11/05)

I've experienced only one Google disappointment. That I didn't purchase Google stock when it went on the market. But with that said, I'll switch from a Google lost opportunity to a Google found opportunity — Google's "free'' Internet calendar.

My first experience with a Google calendar was creating a community calendar for my www.goodboot.net blog. But when I discovered how extraordinary it was, I created a personal calendar.

The advantage of course is I can now access my Google calendar online anytime from anywhere.

But before I discuss its features let me reassure you Google secures your calendar(s) by providing choices of how much calendar information you want to share with others. If, in fact, you want to share any at all.

You can make all or part of your calendar(s) :

• Private and inaccessible to others.

• Accessible only to those of your choice.

• Accessible to the general public and included in Google search results.

If you have a Google account e.g., Gmail, you're already signed up. Just visit the Google calendar homepage, enter your Google account e-mail (can be any ISP) and password and click on "Sign in.'' If you don't have an account go to (www.Google.com/calendar) and click "create a new Google account.''

A feature I appreciate is being able to view multiple calenders individually or in combination just by checking and unchecking check boxes. However, the most convenient feature was the user friendly way I was able to migrate hundreds of my Outlook calendar entries (individual and reoccurring) into Google's calendar.

To migrate my Outlook calendar all that was required was for me to click Outlook's file > import and export. The Wizard took me through the following steps: Export to a file > comma separated values (Windows) > select folder to export (my Calendar folder) > save to (My Documents or Vista Documents) > in the export to file dialog box you do not need to "map custom fields'' > click finish > set your date range (I selected the entire year to-date) and click OK.

After opening a blank Google calendar all I had to do was click: add > import calendar > highlight my Outlook CSV file, select the Google calendar I wanted to import the data and click import.

I could have started a calendar(s) from scratch, but being able to migrate my Outlook calendar was an extraordinary Google calendar feature.

For an example of a Google calendar go to my community calendar at www.goodboot.net.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

The advantages of Outlook Express (11/12/07)

I guess I should not have been surprised with the confusion so many seemed to have at our User Group meeting concerning the relationship between Outlook Express (Windows Mail in Vista) and Web Mail. But because there was, there are probably Good Booters among you who are just as confused.

Web Mail is a generic name for all e-mail accessed by logging onto the Internet, going to the Web site of an ISP (Internet Service Providers include Comcast, Embarqmail, Earthlink and Gmail). In other words, you must go online to your ISP to read and process your e-mail.

Outlook Express is an e-mail carrier.

When configured with your ISP's user information (your name and e-mail address), logon information (your user name and password) and server information (POP3 Incoming mail server and SMPT Outgoing mail server), it will go out, get your mail and return it to your computer as well as send your e-mail from your computer to your ISP for distribution.

The obvious difference is by going out to your ISP and returning your e-mail to your computer, it's available to read and process without having to be logged on to the Internet. You can compose new e-mail, compose replies to e-mail at your leisure and when ready to send them, simply click Outlook Express' "send and receive'' and they're off to your ISP.

Keep in mind configuring Outlook Express to handle your e-mail in no way prevents you from logging on to the Internet from wherever you may be and accessing your e-mail.

There are many other advantages to using Outlook Express.:

• For openers, Outlook Express and Vista's Windows Mail are free.

• Your address book is on your computer and can be easily backed up to your My Documents or Documents, which in turn will be backed up when you perform your periodic off computer backups.

• Your address book file can be imported into any Outlook Express on any computer anywhere.

• You can easily save important e-mails into your My Documents and Documents.

• Outlook Express can significantly reduce spam.

Next week, I'll discuss some of Outlook Express' other features and how to access and configure them.

And I'll mention an excellent free Outlook Express spam blocker.

But in the meantime I've asked our swfpcug.org Web Master to post Brian Barnes' presentation on how to configure Outlook Express to access your ISP and your e-mail.

It's in PDF format and can be downloaded.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Take address book with you on flash drive (11/19/07)

Last week I mentioned the possibilities provided by Outlook Express and Vista's Windows Mail should you decide to make them your e-mail carrier.

Not the least of which was the opportunity to take complete control and sole possession of your e-mail by bringing it aboard your home computer(s). And do so without jeopardizing the convenience of your Web mail.

But of all their virtues there's one in my opinion that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Being able to control the destiny of your address book. No longer will it be on loan from a fickle and faceless ISP provider.

And by being able to export it to your My Documents or Documents and including it in your off computer backup, not only will you have peace of mind, you'll know if you're a temporary resident of paradise with here and there computers, you can take your address book with you via a flash drive.

There are many OE backup programs available, but I suggest you may not need a sophisticated program as Windows provides excellent wizards to backup OE.

For example to backing up OE's address book:

• Click "Addresses'' on the OE Address Bar.

• Click Export > Address Book (WAB).

• When the My Documents or Documents dialog box opens click on the sub folder you made to store your address book and give the file a name.

• Click Save.

If you're inclined and even if your address book is not currently in OE, you can follow my directions and see how easy it is to back up OE.

To restore OE's address book:

• Click "Addresses'' on the OE Address Bar.

• Click Import > Address Book (WAB)

• Go to the WAB file in your My Documents or Documents, highlight it and click Open.

OE does have a "Block Sender'' feature. But as promised I've a recommendation for a "free'' spam blocker. One that provides a folder of spam it has blocked as well as an opportunity for you to individually block any e-mail you receive from any source.

It also provides an "I forgive you'' option. By keeping a list of its blocked spam and your blocked e-mail, you can white list any blocked item.

Go to www.spamfighter.com. Download the "Pro'' version. Try it free for 30 days. If you do not want to buy it, after the 30 days it will automatically be downgraded to the free SPAMfighter Standard.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Come to a class on digital cameras (11/26/07)

The digital camera era brought forth a new generation of "point and shooters.'' Those who because they're no longer concerned about the cost of film and photo developing believe if they keep their camera's shutter button depressed long enough they'll become an accomplished photographed, perhaps even the next Ansel Adams. Or at the very least be able to harvest a quality photo or two from their memory chip.

I call them "super snappers.''

There are also many who because they subscribe to the first law of shopping in America (if it costs more and has more of, it has to be better) believe the quality of a digital camera is determined by the number of its mega pixels.

Unfortunately, "accomplished and point and shoot photographer'' and "mega pixels and camera quality'' are an oxymoron.

So it was in the spirit of the holiday season and in keeping with my quest to assist the beleaguers novices of SWF that I decided to dedicate our Dec. 6 User Group meeting to the misguided Super Snappers of SWF preparing for their holiday shutter button frenzy and those who are considering purchasing a digital camera that could end up worthy only of pixel bragging rights.

And who better to host our presentation than Dwayne Alton.

Most know Dwayne Alton for his unbiased advice (he's not in the business) on what digital camera one should consider purchasing. But many may not know Dwayne is without a peer when it comes to his digital photography and digital photo editing expertise.

With these impeccable credentials, Dwayne was my obvious choice to present a pre holiday "Evening of Digital Photography.''

Do not miss this presentation if you need advice on:

• What digital camera will best suit your needs.

• How to take quality digital photos even if you're only a "point and shooter.''

• The photo editing software and peripherals (scanners, printers, memory cards) that are both user and pocketbook friendly.

The meeting will be in the Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers, at the north end of the hospital behind the Emergency Room. It's free and open to the public.

You're invited to bring your digital camera if you need Dwayne's personal advice and assistance.

With the availability of large dual projection screens and a wireless Internet connection, Dwayne's presentation, appropriate for both XP and Vista users, will be an extraordinary "Digital Photography Show and Tell.''

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Take time with Vista file transfers (12/03)

If you're one of those who hums "My Way'' whenever you're involved in a significant computer configuration task, don't bother reading any further.

But for those who are planning on purchasing a Vista computer and are willing to listen to reason, please heed my advice. Set aside enough time to slowly and methodically install your programs and transfer your data.

Do not be seduced into taking shortcuts.

Too many Good Booters have found to their dismay that because they participated in a hurry-up, no preparation installation of their programs, when something went wrong they had no idea of what program or programs were causing the problem. And even if they did have an inkling of what program may be causing the problem, they had no idea how to fix it.

Not as serious but just as disconcerting for many Good Booters has been the mess they created when they migrated their My Documents data to Vista. Because they had not taken time to discover how Vista presents its Folders, they discovered they were in for a monumental relocation of their migrated data.

If you go to my blog on news-press.com you'll find my recommendations for the pre-installation steps you should take before installing your programs on Vista as well as the steps you should take before transferring your data to Vista.

I've also included an extraordinary Web site that lists hundreds of programs by category: Works, Has problems but they can be solved and Heavy Problems and is Currently Incompatible. It's a Web site that provides hyperlinks that will take you directly to the patch or update page of a program's Web site. It eliminates having to search a software's Web site to find patches and updates.

The Web site also lists hundreds of hardware products categorized as: Supported Hardware, Has problems but can be solved and Heavy problems currently incompatible.

Please believe me, haste makes waste has been the experience of all too many Good Booters.

Now you know I have to nag you about using a qualified technician. So I will.

Vista is a whole new ball game even for many experienced users. There are many settings and configurations unique to Vista that need to be made to insure you experience all your computer can be. Settings and configurations that are not made by computer manufactures. It's worth a few dollars more to have a technician do it his way — the right way.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

P.S. The discussion on digital photography will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.

Seminars easy for novices to digest (12/10)

It may seem a bit too early to think about New Year's resolutions. But for those who may be considering making 2008 the year they resolve to graduate from novice to a bit beyond novice, I do want to make you aware of my 2008 Vista and Photoshop Elements seminar.

Over the years I've developed what I believe is the most productive way to host a seminar for novices with a sincere desire to become "a bit beyond novice.''

Whether it be a Windows system or a program seminar, rather than overwhelming attendees by insisting they must master all that's presented in each seminar to be able to comprehend what will be presented in a subsequent seminar, I provide seminar tutorials, lesson files and workbooks in PDF format illustrated with color screen shots.

By providing attendees with all that's required to learn at their own pace, they're free to sit back, relax, ask questions and although it's not necessary, bring their laptops to the seminar to follow along. No need to scribble notes in the dark or attempt to remember all that's presented.

And to help attendees remember what can be done and find how to do it, I provide a detailed workbook index. All that's necessary is to peruse the index, find a particular subject or tutorial and then go to my workbook and print just the pertinent pages.

My Vista seminar is appropriate for even the most beleaguered of novices. Whether you're an ex-XPer or new to computing, if you can use a mouse and are willing to do a little homework using my exercise files, you'll be on your way to becoming a bit beyond novice Vista user.

My Photoshop Elements seminar requires at least a basic knowledge of Windows features or at the very least, a sincere commitment to using my practice files between seminar sessions.

But I can guarantee that the seminar demonstrations, my exercise files and workbook will with a bit of practice, insure you'll discover a whole new world of digital photo organization, editing and restoration.

And I truly believe you'll appreciate the fact that by becoming a student of Photoshop Elements you'll probably never need another photo editing or photo organizing program. Photoshop Elements is as appropriate for novices as it is for advanced users.

For additional information on my seminars go to my Good Boot blog at www.news-press.com or e-mail me.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Free software that serves a purpose (12/17)

As my contribution to making the holiday season a merry one for frugal Good Booters, this Good Boot and my next two will be dedicated to free software I've found to be useful and productive.

Note: Keep in mind to always create a System Restore Point before installing my recommended programs or, for that matter, any program.

I've always been an enthusiastic advocate of Belarc (www.belarc.com/free_download.html). Belarc inventories your computer and presents a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes and anti-virus status.

You can and I suggest you do, perform a Belarc after you install a program or add hardware, print the profile and file it away. Should your hard drive go North (a southerner's description of hardware that's failed), a technician has just about all they "need to know'' information about your computer.

However, I also recommend WinAudit (snapfiles.com/ get/winaudit.html). WinAudit performs a detailed audit of your computer's hardware and software configurations. The resulting report contains information (even more information than Belarc) on installed software, license information, peripherals, memory usage, processor model, network settings, startup programs and more.

Like Belarc you should perform a WinAudit after installing a program or adding hardware. However, because of the extraordinary amount of information contained in WinAudit's report, I suggest rather than printing it, you back up WinAudit's inventory file to an off-computer device to be available for your technician should you have to restore your system and your software.

I might also add that WinAudit's report makes interesting reading for those curious about all the "stuff'' on, around and in their computer. It's amazing!

ERUNT (snapfiles.com/get/ erunt.html) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files.

In addition to backing up my Registry to ERUNT's default location, before I install a program or make a significant change to my Windows system, I also backup ERUNT to an off computer device.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Free anti-virus program AVG works (12/24)

Part 2 of my contribution to making the holiday season a merry one for frugal Good Booters. Free software I've found to be both useful and productive.

If you're becoming as disenchanted with those expensive, system resource hogging anti-virus programs, why not free yourself from bondage. I did and I've no regrets.

Consider AVG for anti-virus, Windows Defender for anti-spyware and SPAMfighter for anti spam.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition (Google "free AVG''). AVG is free of charge to home users for the life of the product. I've installed it on both my computer and our User Group laptop running both XP and Vista.

But please know as satisfied as I am with AVG, I'll never become so confident in AVG I'll stop obeying David Keller's "Keller's (Compu-Doctor) Rules of Safe Computing.''

Until I became a Vista user, I paid little attention to Windows Defender. Defender is a free Microsoft program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. But when I discovered it was running in the Vista's background, I investigated Defender and decided to download and install it on my XP computer.

The reason many Vista users are unaware of Defender is by default its icon does not appear in the Vista Notification Area. If you want it to and you should, open Defenders dialog box and click on Always - Choose when Windows Defender appears in the Notification Area.

While you have the Defender panel open and just for information purposes, click "Software Explore.'' You can view how Defender addresses your Start Up and Currently Running programs.

I also have added SPAMfighter (www.spamfighter.com). It's a free tool for Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Mail that automatically and efficiently filters spam and phishing fraud. When a new e-mail arrives, it's automatically tested by SPAMfighter. If it's spam, it'll be moved to your SPAMfighter folder. You can blacklist and white list a spam just by clicking on it. I found it more intuitive that Outlook's "Junk Mail'' filter.

I suggest you download SPAMfighter Pro free for 30 days. After the free 30 day trial of SPAMfighter PRO, you'll have the option to continue using SPAMfighter PRO for $29 or be automatically downgraded to the free SPAMfighter Standard.

I was so impressed I upgraded, but the free version is well worth investigating.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

State-of-the-art photo editing software available for free (12/31/07)

Part 3 of my contribution to making the holiday season a merry one for frugal Good Booters. Free software I've found to be both useful and productive.

If you've not decided if you're interested enough in beginning a digital photograph photo editing, organization and special effect adventure to invest in commercial photo editing programs just to find out if you are, I suggest you download the following free programs. You might be surprised to discover they're all you'll ever need.

They're all state-of-the-art programs, but always create a System Restore Point before installing.

• Gimp (gimp.org): An extraordinary photo enhancement and digital retouching program for XP and Vista.

• Paint.net (getpaint.net): Considered by many to rival the likes of Corel Paint, Paint.net is a state-of-the-art feature filled image-editing software program.

• Photo Story 3 (microsoft.com): Photo Story creates sideshows using your digital photos. With a single click you can touch up, crop or rotate pictures. You can add stunning special effects, soundtracks and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Its small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories via e-mail, watch them on your TV, your computer or a Windows Mobile-based portable device.

• IrfanView 4 (www.irfanview.com): IrfanView is a fast, compact image viewer/converter. It's simple for beginners and powerful for professionals. Its features include: thumbnail option, sideshow, batch conversion and editing, file search, color depth changing, scanning, cut and crop, capturing and effects (sharpen and blur). Note: Make sure you also download Irfanview's many extraordinary add-ons.

• Picasa 2.5 (picasa. google.com): With Picasa you can find, organize, edit, print and share images. It'll automatically organize all your pictures into albums by date. The program works with JPEG, GIF, BMP, PSD and movie files. It's compatible with most digital cameras and will detect your USB driver and import pictures into albums. Editing tools include: cropping, red-eye removal and enhancing — even switching from color to black and white. You can create slide shows set to your MP3s. You can also use Picasa's free Hello instant picture-sharing software to share your photos chat in real time. Picasa also makes instant backups to CD (or to other hard drives) of your photo collections and will organize your photos using labels and stars (like with Gmail) to write captions for pictures and to organize videos and pictures.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Freeware suggestions prove popular (1/7/08)

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to discover there were so many frugal Good Booters. But I was surprised and pleased at how many sent a thank-you for my freeware suggestions along with their season's greetings.

In fact, there was so much interest in quality, productive freeware, while I was waiting for Santa I put together a CD of 125 of my favorite state-of-the-art freeware with an illustrated catalog describing each freeware program. I'll have it available at my seminars.

I do want to reiterate the importance of establishing a System Restore Point before installing a freeware program or, for that matter, any software program. I also suggest once a program has been installed you open it and do a bit of a walk-about to insure it's performing as expected.

And by the way, for those former Xpers struggling with Vista's new look, should you decide to uninstall a program, any program, do this:

1. Click Start > Control Panel.

2. Click Programs > Uninstall a Program.

3. Click on the program to uninstall and follow directions.

For those who have become Vista users, one more suggestion. Before you install any program, new or one you had installed on a computer with a previous version of Windows, visit the software's Web site. A few minutes at a software program's Web site to determine if the program is Vista ready or requires a Vista update just might save you hours of grief.

For example many Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 users found although the program installed without incident and seemed at first to be functioning as expected, it eventually caused problems. In some cases, very serious problems. Had they visited Adobe's Web site before installing Elements 5 they'd have discovered there's a Vista update download — version 5.0.2.

And apropos of Good Booters enthusiasm. The response to Dwayne Alton's free seminar on digital photography at our December meeting was extraordinary. So enthusiastic was the response, I've persuaded Dwayne to host a series of digital photography seminars. His next seminar (6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium) will be devoted to video cameras and video photography. As I did for our first seminar, I invite you to bring your video camera if you have a specific question or concern.

Please know because Dwayne's seminars are free and open to the public, seating is on a first-come basis.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Use caution with registry cleaners (1/14/08)

I'm sure like I am, you're frustrated with spammers promising if you purchase their registry cleaning utility, your Windows system will be protected from disaster and be rejuvenated to the youthful state it was when you purchased it.

Their sales pitch usually includes a modicum of truth mixed with a dash of scare tactics.

The following is an actual quote by a vendor of a registry repair utility: "If you don't fix registry problems when they arise or try and prevent them from even happening at all, then you may soon find yourself faced with sudden crashes, system stalls, or a severe degradation in operating speed. Working to fix registry issues and prevent system crashes should be a top priority whether you use your computer for business or pleasure, and you'll find a greatly enhanced computing experience by doing so.''

I nor any qualified technician will contest the statement that registry problems can potentially cause sudden crashes, system stalls and severe system degradation. However, it's the suggestion by vendors of registry cleaning and repairing software that if you visit their Web site and participate in a free registry scan you'll receive a "meaningful'' analyses of your registry that I and I'm sure most qualified technicians will contest.

I can almost guarantee if you've had your computer for any length of time their analyses will discover literally hundred of registry entries they suggest should be repaired or purged. And it goes without saying, repaired and purged using their software.

Suggestions like these are usually Dll (dynamic link) files not associated with a program or an entry that doesn't point to an active program.

Common sense should however suggest if a Dll file isn't associated with anything and an entry doesn't point to an active program, probably nothing bad will happen if you ignore them.

Please know I'm not suggesting all registry repair programs are incapable of detecting potential problems.

Nor suggesting a state-of-the-art registry repair program in the hands of a qualified technician has no value. What I am suggesting is if you're a novice or even a bit beyond novice allowing a software program to arbitrarily resolve registry problems is courting disaster.

If you've ever observed a technician tracing a registry problem, you know it requires significant expertise, the personality of Sherlock Homes and extraordinary patience.

Personality traits that will insure the baby isn't thrown out with the bath water.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot!

Novices should stick with Windows XP (1/21/08)

I believe if I asked Good Booters what they consider to be the harbinger of spring in Southwest Florida, most would say it's the arrival of pitchers and catchers at Hammond Stadium and City of Palms Park. I on the other hand would say it's lovable Sam Cook's first diatribe about snowbirds professing how much better things are and done "up north.''

Unfortunately for Sam he's never met the enlightened snowbirds who attend our User Group meetings and seminars. Not only are they appreciative of all we provide for them during their stay in paradise, they admit they've been struggling "up north'' as so many have "down south'' with whether or not to forsake their XP for the new guy on the block - Vista.

My advice, for what it's worth, is:

• If you're a novice with little need to be state of the art and your XP computer is doing all you need it to do, stay with XP. Although Vista will undoubtedly be in your future, beyond a bit more security and oodles of eye candy, it's not going to add significantly to your computing adventure. Wait until you need a new computer for whatever reason to become a Vista user.

• If you do need a new computer but are concerned about having to replace your legacy hardware and non Vista ready software, consider installing a dual boot. If you have your XP installation CD a dual boot will cost you nothing. You'll have the best of both worlds with the option in the future should you decide to do so, of uninstalling XP.

Our User Group computer is a dual boot computer. And I can assure you I've had no problems running legacy hardware and non Vista ready software simply by booting to XP rather than Vista. In fact because the computer was built to support Vista's Home Premium (state of the art video card and 2 gigabytes of RAM memory), XP has benefitted from the additional resources.

There's a third alternative. Purchase a computer with an XP operating system. There's nothing wrong with this decision if the computer's resources are Vista ready. For not doing and because Vista will undoubtedly be in your future, it would be a shame for you to have to purchase another new computer because you purchased one that doesn't have the resources to support Vista or for that matter software programs that require Vista's resources.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Help older adults get Internet access (01/28/08)

I hope you'll forgive my using Good Boot as a bully pulpit for a personal concern: that too often we assume everyone who can benefit from the Internet has the know-how to do so.

While waiting for Lida to complete her check-up at Florida Cancer Specialists, I observed a demonstration by Caring4Cancer.com of a service sponsored by Florida Cancer Care that allows patients to access their personal health records via the Internet.

In addition to providing secure Internet access to their pathology and radiology reports, prescriptions and medical appointment, Florida Cancer Specialists patients can share their health records with their family on a personal Web page.

After one of the demonstrations I asked the couple sitting next to me what they thought of the idea of being able to access and share their personal health records on the Internet. Both were in their mid-80s and, as I later learned, both were being treated for cancer.

They were most enthusiastic about the idea of their children in Massachusetts being able to access their reports and treatment and if necessary assist them if a significant medical decision had to be made because, as they explained, we are often overwhelmed by the amount of medical information we receive and the choices we are asked to consider.

Then the shocker!

Although they had a computer, they didn't have Internet access as they were not able to find someone with whom they were comfortable enough to invite into their home to configure their computer to access the Internet and teach them how to safely e-mail and surf the Internet.

I solved their problem. But perhaps I can use this vignette to sound a clarion call for Good Booters to actively seek out older adults in their community without Internet access and, if they have a computer, offer their assistance in getting them online and safely using e-mail and the Internet.

And should they not have a computer, perhaps provide advice on purchasing an appropriate computer and a recommendation for a qualified technician to set it up.

I for one would be more than happy to offer a free seminar to any older adult group on how to become safe and productive surfers. All I need is a projection screen or even just a white wall on which to project. I have the projector and the ability to access the Internet from any location.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Remote repairs are a wondrous thing (2/04/08)

Once upon a time we older adults were not paranoid about the possibility of a Windows Blue Screen of Death as our bocce and shuffleboard schedules were posted on community bulletin boards and photos of our grandchildren arrived in the mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

But once upon a time was before we became addicted to e-mail.

Today we might even forgo a senior citizen afternoon nap if we're expecting an e-mail with an attached photo of a grandchild.

However, our addiction to e-mail can be a curse. For if during snowbird season we cannot access our e-mail, we may discover our technician is so busy he or she will not be able to provide us with one of his or her off-season expeditious house calls. Leaving us to sit, pout and experience e-mail withdrawal.

But for some there can be an alternative to a house call. I call it Virtual Repair.

XP and Vista's Remote Desktop feature can be configured to connect computers across the Internet. By accessing this feature your technician, using a high-speed Internet connection, can take control of your computer and repair and service it just about as effectively as he or she could sitting in front of your computer.

It takes only minutes for a qualified technician to guide you through the steps necessary to configure your Remote Desktop. And because only you can authorize a Remote Desktop connection, it's secure.

I discussed with David Keller (aka Compu-Doctor) his Virtual Repair program and discovered there can be a significant technician-client quid pro quo.

Because virtual repair eliminates travel expenses, David can offer a significant discount. He can guarantee service within 24 hours. Often the day the client calls. Appointments can be conveniently scheduled day or evening. Even on weekends. If the Remote Desktop set up requires a long distance phone call, you simply e-mail him and he'll initiate the call.

Not having to invest in a long distance phone call may seem to be an insignificant perk if you currently reside in Southwest Florida.

But think about this.

You're a snowbird who has discovered a technician in Southwest Florida offering Virtual Repair who is more qualified than any technician where you reside during off season. Should you experience a computer problem requiring a service call you can e-mail your technician "down here'' and have him call you "up there'' to schedule and configure a Virtual Repair appointment at your convenience.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Make sure to backup computer files (02/11/08)

Brian Barnes, one of our User Group consulting technicians, mentioned to me that some of his Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise clients were puzzled as to why their version of Vista offered two backup options: one to backup only their files and folders and another to create an image-based backup of their entire computer environment.

The simple answer would probably be because the Vista versions mentioned are business oriented versions and Microsoft considers image-based backups more suited for a business environment.

However, with that said, be aware image-based backup is not a new backup option and not necessarily only for business environments. It may be one you should consider investigating. Acronis True Image (www.acronis.com) is a good place to start.

The advantage of an image-based backup is that in the event of a serious system issue or data loss, it can restore your entire operating system, installed programs, user settings and data files.

However, because its purpose is to be ready to restore a complete computer environment if and when there's a system issue or mishap, it must be religiously updated to ensure at any given time the backed up image matches the current computer environment. A potential disadvantage for the average novice user.

Personally until something convinces me otherwise, I'll continue to recommend the most practical backup for novices is a periodic backup to an off computer device or Internet storage (Carbonite) of only their "Irreplaceable Stuff'' using Second Copy (www.centered.com), in my opinion the most novice-friendly backup software available.

Second Copy is designed for all versions of Windows. It offers extraordinarily convenient ways to backup your important files and folders and arranges your backups in sets of "profiles.'' Each profile a set of file and folder specifications configured to what you want Second Copy to copy, where to copy it and when to copy it.

Second Copy includes a user-friendly profile wizard that guides you through the setup process. The setup process is separated into Express and Custom modes. The Express mode is so user friendly all you have to do is answer three simple questions (what, where and when) about the files to be backed up. Custom mode has a multitude of special backup configurations the "bit beyond novices'' will appreciate.

But please, however, you choose to back up your "Irreplaceable Stuff,'' please get in the habit of doing it often.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Once a month, all you have to do is ask (02/18/08)

Last Monday while putting finishing touches on the topic I planned on discussing this week, I took a break to read the e-mails I received concerning last week's article on backing up.

Although I expected the usual number of questions from novices concerning backup issues, I didn't expect the extraordinary number of e-mails I received from self-proclaimed experienced users who had no idea how to or what to backup. E-mails that included questions like, and I quote, "Would backing up expose their computer to identity theft?'' and "I would love to be able to back up my files but I am always afraid I'll do something that will wipe out all I have stored over the last four years.''

In fact, because of the confusion so many experienced Good Booters seem to have about backing up, next week I'll begin a series of articles on backing up. This week however, I'll substitute my planned article for a Good Boot nag.

I'm a bit disappointed that after all my years of suggesting a way novices and a bit beyond novices can receive quality information (particularly on subjects as important as backing up) from qualified technicians, so many have not taken advantage of my suggestion.

Every month the Southwest Florida PC Users Group offers novices and experienced users an opportunity to attend a meeting hosted by our consulting technicians that includes a question and answer opportunity.

And regardless of whether a user attends all the meetings or just a meeting to obtain assistance on an individual problem or concern, these meetings are free with no obligation to join the user group.

Let me use backing up as an example of the value of having it answered and demonstrated at a meeting. It would be impractical for me to attempt via an e-mail to explain to the Good Booter concerned about backing up four years of data on how he should back up his data. But at a user group meeting it would not be a problem as the process can be demonstrated.

This month (6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium) Dwayne Alton will continue his digital photo presentation seminars. But before and after the presentation our consulting technicians will be available to answer and demonstrate any question on any subject.

If you have a problem, why not attend a meeting. With the exception of our February meeting they're always the second Thursday of the month.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Here's how to move forward with backup (02/25/08)

Over the years I've addressed the importance of backing up in over 30 articles. But because it's a computing discipline all too often adopted only after a Good Booter experiences the loss of their "irreplaceable stuff,'' I'm sure for many those articles were considered nothing more than a "ho hum, Winchell nag."

Well, I'm going to nag you again but this time instead of a one shot article on a specific backing up issue, I'm going to drop a super nag on you. A Good Boot series dedicated exclusively to what I believe a novice should know about backing up and how a novice can expeditiously back up their "irreplaceable stuff.'' And because I know it may take more than one article to convince some it's in their best interest to initiate a back up regimen, I'm going to post each article for review on my news-press.com blog.

Often novices procrastinate backing up because they believe:

• They do not have enough "irreplaceable stuff'' to be concerned about backing up.

• It's necessary to back up their entire system to include all their programs and Windows.

• They must invest in expensive software and off computer storage devices.

If you have digital photos downloaded from your camera or from e-mail attachments, correspondence, financial data, address book(s), Internet Explorer Favorites, important e-mail, software programs downloaded from the Internet or just about anything you cannot replace if your hard drive fails, you have "irreplaceable stuff'' that should be backed up to off computer storage.

If you're a novice, I suggest rather than a full system or image backup (everything on your hard drive to include your programs and Windows) you back up only irreplaceable stuff. As to restore a full system or image backup requires a certain degree of expertise and a rigid backup regimen to insure the backup is as current as just before the hard drive failed or just before Widows became corrupted.

Backing up does not require expensive software or an off computer storage device. In fact, with nothing more than a 20 cent CD-R and a willingness to participate a bit in the backup a Good Booter can begin an appropriate backup regimen. And for just a very few dollars more, obtain a state-of-the-art, no-brainer backup program and off computer storage device.

I hope I've tweaked your curiosity enough to encourage to return to next week for more of the story.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Don't let Windows steal your words (03/03/08)

In this week’s Good Boot I’ll help those novices I may have convinced last week to consider a backup regimen on how to identify their “irreplaceable stuff’’ and how and where to store it to facilitate an expeditious backup.

Obviously, photos downloaded from your camera or a downloaded e-mail photo attachment should be considered irreplaceable. But what about all your other stuff?

Consider this. Until you “save as’’ and give a document or database a name, it belongs to Windows and Windows will in most cases discard it when you shut down the program.

And even when you do take possession of a document or database by giving it a name or accept the default name a program may assign it and although Windows will recognize it, open it in the program that created it and suggest you place it in My Documents or Documents, Windows will not make any additional effort to keep it safe.

Example: I open Word and begin typing a Good Boot article. Windows knows it’s a .doc file and I’ve requested specific fonts, style and formatting. But until I “save as’’ the Good Boot article and name it, perhaps 03-03-08 Good Boot, my article belongs to Windows and Windows will discard it when I exit Word.

When I do name my article Windows, by default, will suggest I file it in My Documents or Documents, but will also allow me to place it in a specific subfolder I’ve created in My Documents or Documents.

By doing so Windows provides an easy to identify depository of all my stuff. One that when I back it up contains all my “irreplaceable stuff.’’

Well, almost all my “irreplaceable stuff.’’

There are a few programs such as Quicken, Outlook, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer that must be teased into saving their data files in My Documents or Documents. I’ll cover how to save these rascals next week.

What I’d like you to do if you haven’t done so already is open your My Documents or Documents Folder and begin creating subfolders to organize your stuff.

Perhaps you have all your Word (*.doc) located but unorganized in My Documents or Documents. Try creating a subfolder — perhaps Word Documents. Then create subfolders of your Word Documents subfolder for each category of correspondence.

Keep in mind you can create as many subfolders and subfolders of subfolders as you need to organize your stuff.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

Backing up keeps you moving forward (03/10/08)

A note for those who have e-mailed me requesting a presentation on Wi-Fi. Because many were from snowbirds going home before our April meeting, we're going to postpone our digital photo seminars for a month and have Brian Barnes host a presentation of "everything you need to know to begin a safe and productive Wi-Fi adventure or improve your current Wi-Fi activities.''

There's no charge to attend the presentation held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium in Fort Myers.

OK, let's continue our backing up adventure.

Although it's rare a software program will not by default "Save As'' its data to My Documents or Documents, you may have one of these rogue programs. If you find yourself in this predicament check to determine if there's a way to relocate the data to the subfolder you created in My Documents or Documents in the window that opens when you click "Save As.''

If not, locate the default folder and physically copy and paste the data files into the subfolder you created. Keep in mind you'll have to manually update the backup every time you add data to the file(s) or create a new "Saved As'' file.

For those who collect IE Favorites: Create a subfolder "Favorites'' in My Documents or Documents. Open IE and click File ]] Import and Export. When the Wizard opens, click Next ]] Export Favorites and Next. To insure all your Favorites subfolders are selected, make sure Favorites is highlighted and click Next. Click Export to a File or Address and click on the Browse button to redirect the Favorites data file to the Favorites subfolder you created in My Documents or Documents. Remember to manually back up your Favorites regularly.

To back up your Outlook Express Address Book: Create a subfolder "Address Book'' in My Documents or Documents. Open Outlook Express and click Address Book. Click File ]] Export Address Book (WAB). Find and open the subfolder you created in My Documents or Documents, give the file a name and click Save. Remember to manually back up your Address Book each time you add an address.

Next week I'll cover backing up Outlook and important e-mail.

To find my column on the redesigned News-Press Web site, click on "Voices and Views'' then "Opinions.'' For my blog and part 1 and 2 of my backing up columns, type news-press.com/goodboot into your browser.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Microsoft offers Outlook backup utiity (03/17/08)

A couple of things before I continue our Backing Up adventure.

Often I receive requests from Good Booters for a recommendation of someone willing to come to their home and teach Word and other Microsoft Office programs for a reasonable price. I have someone. If you're in need e-mail me for information.

And for those struggling to create folders and subfolders in XP and Vista, you can e-mail me for my Computing Journal covering the subject in detail. However, if a "Reply'' to your e-mail requires my e-mail address to be added to your "friendly' e-mail list, best you do it in advance.

OK, on with our backing up adventure.

To backup your Outlook program, create a My Document or Document subfolder - Outlook. Now go to www.microsoft.com and search for "Outlook Backup.'' Microsoft offers an excellent free Outlook backup utility. When it's installed it'll relocate a backup copy of your Outlook files to your Outlook sub directory.

If you're willing to spend $39, www.ajsystems.com provides two utilities: Express Assistant to completely backup and restore Outlook Express and Windows Mail and Outback Plus 6 to backup and restore Outlook. They're excellent, user friendly programs. You can download trial version of each.

There are many ways to save individual, important e-mail, but here's a real simple way to get started. Create an "Important E-mail'' My Documents or Documents sub folder.

Note: As you accumulate important e-mail you can organize e-mail by subject in sub folders of your "Important e-mail'' sub folder.

Now with Outlook and Windows Mail: Open an e-mail and click File ]] Save As. And save the e-mail as a .txt (text file) in the appropriate My Documents or Documents sub folder.

With Outlook Express: Open an e-mail, highlight the text and copy and paste it into Word Pad or your word processing program. Save it to the appropriate sub folder. Alternately you can open an e-Mail, click File ]] Save As and save it as an .eml or .htm file, but .eml can only be opened and read by Outlook Express and .htm may not display all the content. Saving an e-mail as a text file is your best option.

And with Web Mail e.g., Gmail: Open the e-mail, highlight the text and copy and paste the text into a word processing program. Save it to the appropriate sub folder.

For Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series go to: www. news-press.com/goodboot.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot!

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Several devices exist for backing up data (03/23/08)

I hope I've convinced the Doubting Thomases who have read my four previous Good Boot Backing Up columns (available at www.news-press.com/goodboot) that if they have irreplaceable "stuff'' they should consider organizing and backing up. And just as important how easy it is to begin a backup regimen.

But backing up your irreplaceable "stuff'' to My Documents and its My Pictures, My Music and My Videos sub folders or to Vista's Documents, Music, Video and Pictures folders is only the first step in securing your data. The next step is to relocate your irreplaceable "stuff'' to an off computer storage device e.g, CD-R, DVD-R, jump drive and/or an external hard drive.

So for those novices who have taken my backing up nagging to heart and have decided to begin a backup adventure but are unsure what off computer storage device they should consider, here are my suggestions:

• For permanent, periodic archiving of important data I suggest a CD-R or a DVD-R. Other than online backing up, I believe it's the safest, permanent storage. You simply burn a copy of your data to the CD or DVD and store it in a safe place. When it's time for your next periodic backup use a new CD-R or DVD-R and store it along with your previous periodic CD or DVD backups.

• For ongoing "Exact Copy'' backups consider a jump (flash) drive. They come in assorted volumes of up to 16 gigabytes. The 32 gigabyte flash drive is currently prohibitively expensive.

• For ongoing "Copy Only'' backups or a combination of "Copy Only'' and "Exact Copy'' backups I suggest an external hard drive. They're inexpensive when you consider the volume of data they can back up. You can even be the first in your neighborhood to have a 3 Terabyte external hard drive. Although for anything other than bragging rights, I cannot imagine why anyone would need one.

• For portability I suggest a jump (flash) drive. They're small, easy to carry, require no power adapter and because they've no moving parts, extraordinarily durable. However if portability is an issue but you require more volume than jump (flash) drives offer, check out SmartDisk Firelite and Western Digital. I have a 40-gigabyte magnesium alloy housing Firelight that fits conveniently in my shirt pocket and requires no power adapter.

Note: Next week I'll discuss the difference between a "Copy Only'' and an "Exact Copy'' backup. And why I've not mentioned CD/DVD-RW's.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Consider both Simple Copy, Exact Copy backup (03/31/08)

In this, Part 6 of our Backing Up adventure, I'll discuss Simple Copy and Exact Copy backups.

Regardless of which method you choose, you must decide whether to just back up your files and folders to an external backup device (an external hard drive or Flash drive) or back them up to a specific My Documents or Documents folder you create on your external backup device.

I suggest creating a specific external hard drive My Documents or Documents folder and then do the following:

• Return to and highlight your My Documents or Documents folder on your hard drive.

• Click File ]] Edit ]] Select All.

• Click File ]] Copy to Folder and copy the files and folders to your external backup device's My Documents or Documents folder.

By following these directions you'll create an Exact Copy backup of your My Documents or Documents on your external backup device.

However once you begin deleting files from your hard drive's My Documents or Documents, future Simple Copy and Paste backups will change from your original Exact Backup to Simple Backups.

This is because although a Simple Copy and Paste backup will add all your new files and overwrite the content of the files you've edited but kept the same file name, it'll not delete from your external backup device the files you deleted from your hard drive's My Documents or Documents.

This feature of a Simple Copy and Paste backup isn't all that bad as it does archive all your deleted files should you discover you've deleted one in error. But if you delete a lot of files (perhaps all your unwanted digital photos), your external backup device can accumulate a significant volume of deleted files.

However this would only become a problem if your backup device was a Flash Drive as unlike an external hard drive it may not have the storage capacity to accommodate all your files and folders and deleted files.

Unfortunately for the novice, attempting to manually maintain an Exact Copy backup requires either completely deleting the previous backup and Copying and Pasting a new one or an inconvenient culling of files from your external backup device.

An Exact Copy is best left to third party software.

If you're as paranoid about disappearing data as I am, I suggest you consider both a Simple Copy and an Exact Copy backup.

Next week I'll discuss how to do both with an inexpensive, novice friendly third party software program.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Second Copy quality backup software (04/07/08)

In this, part 7 of our Backing Up adventure, I'll discuss an excellent third-party backup software program.

But first let me explain why I suggest you consider a third-party program to back up your irreplaceable "stuff'' rather than doing it manually.

As I mentioned last week, an Exact copy backup can be a hassle for a novice. And doing both a Simple and an Exact copy backup (my personal recommendation) can be a hassle and extraordinarily time consuming.

But there's a third reason.

If XPers have maintained a rigid regime of accumulating all their irreplaceable "stuff'' in their My Documents and its subfolders My Pictures, My Videos and My Music, they have the luxury of having to back up only My Documents to secure all their data.

Vista Users, on the other hand, must be sure to back up their Documents folder as well as their Pictures, Videos, Music and Downloads folders, as they're not subfolders of Documents.

This is why I recommend Second Copy. It's user friendly, inexpensive ($29.95) and most important, just about as flexible as a backup program could possibly be.

Let's say you decide to back up your XP My Documents and all its subdirectories and Vista's individual folders Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music and Downloads folders as both a Simple Copy (which provides an ongoing archive of all your data) and an Exact Copy of all your data.

First you simply create an XP My Documents Exact folder and an XP My Documents Archive folder or a Vista Documents Exact folder and an Vista Archive folder on your external hard drive.

When you open Second Copy all you have to do is click on New Profile, Custom Setup and using the Wizard select what you want to copy from where, where you want to copy it and how to copy it (Exact or Simple).

Obviously I cannot provide all the alternative ways to copy your data, but if you go to: www.secondcopy.com and take its tour, I know you'll be impressed at how easy it is to set up an XP or Vista backup regimen.

In fact if you have a couple of hours on Saturday, I'm going to dedicate my seminar to backing up both Vista and XP using Second Copy. If you are interested, e-mail me for information.

This Good Boot concludes my Backing Up series. If you missed one, go to: www.news-press.com/goodboot.

Here's wishing you a good boot!

Windows must recognize extensions (04/14/2008)

My Backing Up columns generated numerous inquires from XPers who, when they were ready to begin organizing their irreplaceable "stuff'' in preparation for their first backing up adventure, were having a problem identifying many of their My Documents files.

I'm sure all but the most novice Good Booters are aware that all files have a file extension that indicates the type of file they are and, in most cases, allows Windows to identify the program that created them.

As an example: A .doc file is a Word file extension added to the name you give a Word document when you click "Save As.'' Because Windows knows a .doc file is a Word file, when you click on it Windows opens it in Word.

With some exceptions most image files (e.g., .jpg's can be opened by any graphic program installed on your computer and most music files e.g., .MP3 files can be opened by just about any media player installed on your computer. But without exception they must have a file extension that Windows recognizes.

The point is, Windows opens a file by identifying its file extension.

Try this. Open My Pictures and view your photos as Thumbnails. Right click a .jpg file, click rename and delete just the .jpg. Click "yes'' when you receive the warning. Note that the thumbnail is gone and if you click on the file you'll be asked to associate it with a program to open it. By deleting the .jpg file extension Windows no longer knows what kind of a file it is and thus how to open it.

To restore the thumbnail of your photo, right click on the file and add the file extension .jpg.

This little exercise demonstrates why Windows doesn't by default display file exertions on many new computers. It's to protect the novice from accidentally deleting file extensions. By hiding a file's exertion and only presenting a file's name, when a novice changes a file's name they'll not accidentally delete or change the file's extension.

If you're a bit beyond novice and understand the importance of file extensions, you can change the way your files are presented.

Open your Control Panel and click on Folder Options. Click "View'' and scroll down and uncheck "Hide extension for known file types.'' Click Apply and OK. Your file extensions will now be visible.

Next week I'll discuss Vista's file extensions and other Vista and XP file viewing options,

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

good boot

Novices, beware, if file isn’t recognized (04/21/08)

Last week I mentioned that if Windows does not recognize a file you can click on it and select a program with which to associate it. But I did not add as I should have, that if Windows does not recognize a file it's best if you're a novice you do not attempt to associate it with a program. More often than not your "by guess or by gosh'' will be wrong. And if you are, there's a good chance you'll get yourself in real trouble.

I suggest that if Windows cannot associate a file, it's a corrupt or unrecognizable file or you do not have the program to open it.

If you're curious about a file you cannot open (perhaps an e-mail attachment), go to www.filext.com and query its file extension. If you're having a problem viewing an image go to www.xnview.com. It's a free software program to view and convert graphic files. The program supports more than 400 graphic formats.

Vista users are not immune from files Windows cannot associate with a program to open them, but they do have an advantage when it comes to discovering if a file is supported by an installed program. By clicking once on any file all its attributes will be shown in the Details Pane. If the Details pane does not disclose what program with which the file is associated or at least what kind of a file it is (perhaps a text, JPEG image or tiff image file), you can double-click on the file to access the file association Open panel.

But once again a warning. Can does not mean you should attempt a "by guess or by gosh'' file association.

If you're not yet familiar with Vista's Details pane, know it's one of Vista's three viewing panes - Navigation, Details and Preview. When you click on and open Documents, Pictures, Video and Music you're presented with a Content Pane. But if you click on the Menu's "Organize'' and then "Layout'' and click on the Navigation, Details and Preview icons in any order, you'll access Vista's extraordinary presentation of Files and Folders.

• Navigation pane efficiently expedites opening and displaying your Explorer Tree.

• Details pane exposes everything Windows knows about a document, image, video or music file.

• Preview pane previews Images and Videos.

And while you're at it, if you've not already done so, be sure you click on Organization, Layout and the Menu Bar icon.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

You asked for them – summer seminars (04/28/08)

During this past snowbird season I received many e-mails from Good Booters chastising Dwayne Alton and me for only offering our seminars during season when they were too preoccupied catering to the snowbirds to attend or because during season the seminars were so well attended, there was no assurance there would be adequate seating.

Because of the number of e-mails, Dwayne and I have decided to determine if there really is enough interest to have summer seminars. For a better name I thought I'd call the seminars - Sam Cook's Ode to the vanishing snowbird.

Dwayne's free, no registration required digital photography seminar series will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium. He'll cover everything you need to know about:

• Digital cameras.

• Computer peripherals that support digital photo scanning and printing.

• Digital photography (how even a novice point-and-shoot photographer can take quality pictures).

• Digital photo editing.

• How to organize and share photos and create slide shows using free software programs.

And most important - plenty of time dedicated to Q&A and problem solving.

And if there is enough interest, I'll conduct summer Vista seminars for beleaguered novices, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium. I will, however, require registration to determine if there's enough interest. E-mail me for additional information.

Consider Carbonite

The following is a snippet, I suggest you add to my Good Boot Backing Up series (www.news-press.com/goodboot).

I want to mention again why I believe you should investigate the possibilities offered by Carbonite's (www.carbonite.com) online backup.

There are many reasons for my enthusiasm for Carbonite not the least of which is I can personally attest to the fact that when I was ready to download my XP data from Carbonite to my new Vista hard drive, it performs flawlessly. I simply moved the Carbonite utility to my new Vista hard drive, selected the data I wanted to download (had I wanted to, I could have downloaded all 85 gigabytes of data) from Carbonite's Backup Drive presentation on my computer's list of drives, right-clicked on the data and selected "Restore To.'' That's all there was to it.

But there are other good reasons to consider Carbonite as an online backup. It costs only $49.95 per year no matter how much data you back up, and it encrypts uploaded files and works entirely in the background.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Tool designed to help secure computer (05/05/08)

I'm sure most of you have scheduled automatic updates for Windows, your anti virus and anti spyware software and if installed, Microsoft Office.

But what about updates for all the other programs you have installed on your computer?

Recently I became aware of a free security tool you might want to investigate. I found its review intriguing. However before I deemed it worthy of recommending, I let it do its thing for a couple of months. And because it did its thing so well, I can now assure you it's well worth installing.

Secunia PSI is a security tool designed to help you secure your computer from software vulnerabilities. A software vulnerability is basically a programming error or flaw in a software application which the bad guys can use to compromise your system's security.

This could be anything from accessing sensitive information stored on your computer, e.g., credit card numbers and bank account information, to installation viruses and Trojans.

I'm in no way challenging the importance of anti virus and anti spyware programs or the necessity of a personal firewall. What I am suggesting is they often lack the ability to protect you from software vulnerabilities.

To protect yourself from software vulnerabilities, you must be sure all your software has the latest vendor security updates and patches.

Unfortunately few companies automatically notify customers of patches and updates. And because there are so many, it would be an exercise in frustration to personally attempt to establish an ongoing regimen to seek out and determine if there's an appropriate update or patch for each installed program.

But Secunia is prepared to do it for you.

Secunia (and I quote) - "collects, evaluates, verifies, and analyses security information from public mailing lists, security and vendor websites, coordinated vulnerability reports and internal research.''

When Secunia completes its initial scan of your computer (future scans are ongoing) you'll receive a System Security Score followed by "State of Programs'' to include:

• Insecure programs: Secunia not only alerts you to an insecure program, it explains why it's insecure and provides the necessary update or patch.

• End-Of-Life Programs: Notification of programs that may become security risks because they're no longer supported by the vendor and will therefore no longer receive security updates and patches.

• Patched Programs: Secunia provides the most current patch and update version numbers for every program on your computer.

For an in-depth overview of Secunia PSI, go to https://psi.secunia.com.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Surge protector good for computer health (05/12/08)

Although one should always be aware of the havoc power surges can have on their computer or for that matter all of our expensive high tech toys, May is the month Southwest Floridians become concerned about surge protection.

Many consider lightning as the most clear and present danger, when in fact it's actually one of the least common "direct'' causes of toasted computers. And even if it was, there's no in house surge protector adequate to protect your computer from a lightning strike. I suggest your best protection is to unplug your computer.

A more common cause of deadly power surges is electrical devices such as refrigerators and air conditioners without start up delays as they require extraordinary energy when they're switched on. Particularly if multiple electric devices are turned on in unison after a general power failure.

Though nowhere near the intensity of a lightning surge, their sudden power surges can be severe enough to damage any electrical component.

By the way, one of the most significant causes of fatal surges are surges that arrive via a telephone or cable line. So for those still on dial up make sure your surge protector has phone line surge protection. And if you no longer need your phone line (you've upgraded to DSL or cable) and it's unprotected, best you disconnect it from your computer.

When purchasing a surge protector check for the following ratings:

• Energy absorption/dissipation: This rating is given in joules. The higher the number the greater the protection. Look for a protector that's at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. Better yet look for a rating of 600 joules or more.

• Clamping voltage: The lower the clamping voltage the better the protection. A UL rating of more than 400 V is too high.

• Response time: Surge protectors don't respond immediately. There's a very slight delay. The longer the response time the longer your computer will be exposed to a surge. Purchase a surge protector that responds in less than one nanosecond.

Also keep in mind because a surge protector can be "surged out'' by one obvious catastrophic surge or by multiple not so obvious, less than catastrophic surges, it's best to purchase a surge protector with an indicator light indicating whether or not it's functioning properly.

And if you're as paranoid as I, consider replacing your surge protectors (even those with indicator lights) every two years.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Windows tweaks solve file frustration (05/19/08)

My favorite geek is the How to Geek (www.howtogeek.com). Every day he sends me e-mails containing extraordinary XP and Vista How To tweaks and often useful little benign utilities to accomplish those tweaks.

Although not all are appropriate for novices, many are novice friendly "why didn't someone tell me sooner that could be done" tweaks and configurations.

For example:

I'll wager many of you, particularly those who try to expeditiously sort, organize and relocate their digital photo into appropriate sub folders, have experienced the frustration of selecting a bunch of photos in Windows Explorer by holding down your Ctrl key only to discover Windows arbitrarily creates copies of the selected photos. Annoying to say the least as you must now find, select and delete the copies. And even more annoying if you use the Ctrl key to select the copies to delete only to discover Windows has created a second batch of copies.

This usually happens and it can happen selecting any group of files using the Ctrl key because if you moved your mouse pointer more than 4 pixels while 'clicking down' on a file, Windows assumes you've dragged the files and want to copy them.

If you happen to be an Xper who all too often experiences this annoyance go to Microsoft's Web site and download Microsoft's free Tweak UI utility.

One of Tweak UI's features allows you to configure XP's drag setting. Just click on it's "Mouse" feature and change the value under "Drag" to something more than 4 pixels.

Don't set the value too high as it'll make it difficult to drag files the normal way. Somewhere between 10-20 pixels should stop accidental copying. You can test the effect of your changes by dragging around the "test icon."

Unfortunately, there's no Vista Tweak UI a novice can use to prevent accidental copying, but Windows Vista does have a super "why doesn't XP have it?" Windows Explorer feature that's extraordinarily useful - check boxes.

Instead of holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on individual files and folders to select them, you can conveniently select them by clicking on their individual check boxes or the "Name" check box to select them all.

To enable this feature click Start ]] Documents ]] Organize ]] "Folder and Search Options." Click the View tab and scroll down to and click on the "Use check boxes to select items" checkbox.

I personally recommend you consider a How to Geek e-mail subscription.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Carefully buy Vista – if you need it (05/26/08)

Many moons ago the venerable David Keller, aka. Compu-Doctor, when queried by a client as to whether it was wise to upgrade from a 286 to a 386 computer, uttered this sage advise: if your computer is doing all you want it to do, don't upgrade.

Although I do not often receive this question from Good Booters contemplating upgrading their 286, I do from those contemplating upgrading from XP to Vista. And because I receive so many inquiries, periodically I dedicate a Good Boot to the question.

I recommend you should not upgrade to a Vista computer if your XP computer is doing all you want it to do. And unless you really know what you are doing, do not waste money upgrading your XP hardware to make it Vista friendly.

By the way all the brouhaha about Microsoft not allowing XP to be installed on new computers in no way affects current XP users. Support for XP will most certainly continue until the new version of Vista is released and most likely for many years to come.

However, if you must or just want to purchase a new computer, I recommend it be a Vista computer with at least Vista Home Premium.

With all the doom and gloom you may have heard about Vista, I suggest if you do due diligence before you purchase a Vista computer and then make a concerted effort to become up close and personal with Vista's features, you'll come to appreciate it as much as I have.

The due diligence I refer to is:

• Check the Web sites of your legacy hardware peripherals for Vista drivers. Although most legacy peripherals (printers and scanners) now have Vista drivers, there are some that do not.

• Ensure your current software is either Vista ready or has Vista updates. And by the way, don't be fooled by software vendors trying to entice you to purchase a Vista version when your current version my be Vista ready or can be made Vista ready with a free update.

• Chat with your technician. He can save you a heap of heartache.

Most important, become "an old dog willing to learn new tricks.'' Vista's presentations are different than XP's, but not so different you cannot expeditiously master them.

If you're a bit concerned about your ability to expeditiously master Vista, why not attend my summer Vista seminars or those of any qualified instructor.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

How to mentor a novice: Lesson 1 (06/02/08)

If you're an experienced Good Booter I'll wager you've witnessed the elation of a novice when Windows displays for the first time the Grandeur of a new computer’s desktop.

And perhaps when the novelty of successfully booting to a desktop filled with eye candy wore off, you were deputized by the novice to be the resident mentor. And as such was expected to help them begin their computing adventure.

For those who may in the future find themselves so deputized, I thought a Good Boot series on how to introduce a novice to a safe, inexpensive and productive computing adventure would be appropriate.

Obviously your first responsibility would be to instruct your novice on how to secure their computer from lurking bad guys. So keeping in mind one of your goals is to offer inexpensive alternatives I suggest if you're coaching an XPer, you have them download and install Microsoft's free Windows Defender for Spyware.

Vista users need not download Defender as it's already installed and running in the background. However, I suggest to insure your novice is aware of the importance of continuous anti-spyware monitoring, you place Defender's icon in the Notification Area. Click Start ]] All Programs ]] Windows Defender ]] Tools ]] Options and scroll down and click "Always'' under "Choose when the Windows Defender icon appears in the notification area.''

Next is to have your novice select, install and update an anti-virus program. Again with the goal of installing inexpensive but quality software, I recommend AVG "Free'' anti virus software for XP and Vista. The quickest way to find the AVG "Free'' download is to Google "AVG 8.0 AFree.''

Note:

• The free version of AVG 7.5 expired May 31.

• Although I've been told the free version of AVG 8 will uninstall 7.5 before it installs itself, I suggest uninstalling 7.5 and then installing 8.0.

Although AVG "Free'' is considered to be an excellent alternative to Norton and McAfee, to be absolutely sure you will not expose yourself to e-mailed viruses, you must adhere to "Keller's Rules of Safe Computing'' - compu-doctor.com/indexh.htm

Next week I'll continue this series on how to mentor your adopted novice. But just in case your adoptee tries to install a program in your absence, be sure you show them how to create a System Restore Point.

• XP: Start ]] All Programs ]] Accessories ]] System Tools ]] System Restore ]] Create a Restore Point.

• Vista: Start ]] All Programs ]] Accessories ]] System Tools ]] System Restore ]] To Create a Restore Point.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

E-mail lesson No.2 for computer novice (06/09/08)

Part 2 of my series "A suggested sequence of tutorials for those adopted by a novice to be their tutor'' is advice on how to establishing a user-friendly e-mail program.

If during your first tutorial session you didn't configure your adopted novice's e-mail account, I'll wager in their haste to send and receive e-mail they attempted to configure it themselves.

Let's assume they were successful or you've cleaned up the mess they made.

I suggest you begin your second tutorial session assisting them in configuring Outlook Express (XP) or Windows Mail (Vista) as their "free'' e-mail carrier.

In my opinion providing an opportunity for a novice or anyone for that matter to use either "I'll go get it myself'' Web mail or a "go get my e-mail and bring it back on board my computer'' e-mail carrier will provide the only two choices they'll need to begin a successful e-mail adventure.

Most novices on their own will establish their e-mail as Web-based e-mail. And there's certainly nothing wrong with Web mail. It can be conveniently accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and most Web mail Internet Service Providers provide many of the e-mail organizing features offered by Outlook Express and Windows Mail.

However, without preventing users from accessing their e-mail via the Web should they be traveling without their computer, Outlook Express and Windows Mail offers:

• A convenient way to backup to My Documents (XP) or Contacts (Vista) address books and important e-mail.

• An opportunity to organize and prepare e-mail offline.

• A convenient way to configure all paid and free ISP e-mail into one in box.

Next and in keeping with my goal of offering "free'' or at least inexpensive ways to accomplish tasks, here's a way for you to teach your novice how to save important e-mail without the necessity of third party software.

Demonstrate how:

• To create an "Important E-Mail'' folder in My Documents or Documents.

• In Outlook Express to click File ]] Save As. Then after either keeping or changing the e-mail file name, how to click the little down triangle and select .txt file and save the file to their My Documents "Important E-Mail'' folder.

• In Windows Mail to click on File ]] Save As. Then after either keeping or changing the e-mail file name, how to click the little down triangle and select .txt file. Then by clicking Browse Folders, find the "Important E-Mail'' folder and save the file.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Novices must learn word processing fast (06/16/08)

Day one and two of tutoring your adopted novice included helping them secure their system and configure their e-mail account(s).

On your third day of tutoring I'll wager your adopted novice will ask you to provide an orientation on how to begin a digital photo editing and organizing adventure. However, I suggest the third day be dedicated to word processing.

Understanding how to access the basic features of a word processing program and using a word processor in support of other computing activities will be an important part of many of your adopted novices immediate computing activities.

Needs may include: writing letters; writing drafts of documents to be copied and pasted into an e-mail; outlining their autobiography and copying and pasting segments from an e-mail into a word processing document for transfer to a new e-mail or for permanent archiving. All accomplished with a word processor.

Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect must always be included in any discussion of word processors, but as one of your goals is to provide advice on user-friendly, inexpensive programs, I recommend you provide an in-depth tour of WordPad.

WordPad (Start ]] All Programs ]] Accessories ]] WordPad) is an XP and Vista application which with the exception of a spell checker provides all the features a novice needs to begin a productive word processing adventure. And should they need a spell checker, www.spellcheck.net and Google offer excellent free spell checkers.

If your adopted novice decides to keep WordPad as his or her only word processor, www.Spellcheckanywhere.com offers for $29.95 a generic universal spell checker that'll integrate into 99.5 percent of all Windows applications to include WordPad. Considering Word and WordPerfect cost many hundreds of dollars, $29.95 is certainly a reasonable price to pay for a spell checker that'll make WordPad an extraordinarily useful word processor.

By the way, should your adopted novice at any time decide to upgrade to Word or WordPerfect, he or she can be confident both will read their WordPad files.

Perhaps you may question why I've not mentioned the premier free word processing program www.OpenOffice.org. The only reason is like Word and WordPerfect, Open Offices' learning curve is significant and your goal is to get your adopted novice up to speed on word processing and then on to other adventures as quickly as possible.

A buyer beware. Unless you really know what you're doing - keep away from Web sites advertising Word for a ridiculously low price.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Organizing digital photos is a snap (06/23/08)

Now that you've assisted your adopted novices with configuring their e-mail, securing their system and provided a quick word processing tutorial, and because most novices are preoccupied with digital photography, you'll probably have to dedicate a few days helping them organize their Windows Explorer to prepare them for a productive digital photo adventure.

So best you start day 4 explaining a bit about Windows Explorer and how to begin organizing their photos.

The way Vista's Windows Explorer presents its folders is a reflection of the changes in the storage requirements of today's users. When XP was released, digital photography was just beginning its phenomenal rise in popularity as was digital video and digital music. And because most users did not have a significant number of photos, videos, music and downloaded program files, to make their folders easy to find and to facilitate backing up, their folders were all sub folders of My Documents.

But with the extraordinary increase in the number of photo, video, music and downloaded files most users now store on their computer, Microsoft decided it was appropriate to give each its own Windows Explorer folder. Now Vista offers individual Documents, Pictures, Video, Music and Download folders.

Among the benefits this presentation provides is the means to efficiently and expeditious back up only what you need to back up. If you've backed up your significant collection of photos, music and videos and you've not made any additions, deletions or changes to the files, you only have to backup Documents, the folder that'll most likely contain the majority of their new and edited files.

Whether your adopted novice is a Vista or XP user, however, your task in day 4 is to demonstrate how to create sub folders. I cannot stress the importance of encouraging them to start and maintain an ongoing photo, video and music sorting into separate folders regime. If they do not they'll end up with the equivalent of the shoe box photo storage and boxes of unsorted record and CD collections they probably now have in their "Fibber McGee & Molly Closet'' (Do you remember?).

And apropos of sorting photos, I suggest you teach them how to sort them into individual folders they create.

Do not get them started with cataloguing programs such as Picasa and Photo Shop Elements.

I'll discuss catalog programs in the future, but for now cataloguing should not be a consideration.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Picture program lesson draws comments (06/30/08)

This Good Boot was to be Day 5 of helping your adopted novice become computer literate.

However, because I received so many e-mails last week questioning why I suggested when teaching a novice how to organize their My Pictures or Picture folder you shouldn't begin their photo organization adventure with cataloging software such as Picasa and Photoshop Elements, I decided to substitute an explanation of why I made this suggestion.

Let's say your favorite catalog is Brookstone. When you receive their catalog the products are displayed in an organized 'by type' presentation. A presentation determined by Brookstone's marketing department. But if you were to visit the warehouse, the products would not be organized and displayed as they are in the catalog. In fact, they might be stored throughout a single big box warehouse.

If your adopted novice installs a photo cataloging software program before he or she physically sorts his or her photos into relevant sub folders of Picture and My Pictures, the program will simply present all the photos in one mass presentation (like Brookstone's warehouse). Although they'll be able to organize and catalog the mass presentation into relevant albums and folders, there's a catch.

Like Brookstone's catalog, the catalogs they create are unique to and can be viewed only by the cataloging program that created them. Their photos will remain as they were, unorganized in their My Pictures or Pictures folder.

Should they change cataloging software or have to reinstall their software, they'll have to recreate their catalogs from scratch.

I'm in no way insinuating they shouldn't use Picasa or Photoshop Elements to create photo catalogs. But encourage them to do so only after they organize their photos in Pictures or My Pictures.

A heads up. A while back I suggested all XP and Vista Good Booters should consider installing Secunia PSI. A program that "automatically'' patches your software with the latest security releases by the software vendor. It's an amazing program and it's free.

Today I'm pleading with you to install it. Go to: (https: //psi. secunia. com/) and check it out.

In the past 13 weeks it has provided my system with 273 patches and notified me of three insecure programs I must update and one program that's reached end of life (no longer supported).

Note: On each boot, Vista users must authorize Windows to execute the program by clicking on "Run Blocked Program.'' But this in no way means the program is a threat.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

Picasa good photo cataloging program (07/07/08)

After last week's "cataloging'' hiatus we're back to day five - or because your adopted novice took so long to organize his or her photos - week five of helping your adopted novice become computer literate.

Once they have completed organizing their photos in My Pictures or Pictures, I suggest it's time for you to provide a demonstration of what I consider to be the best "free'' photo cataloging and editing program.

And of course that would be Google's Picasa.

Normally I only provide a program's Web site and suggest a visit to it for a complete list of features. But because I believe anyone interested in beginning a "free'' photo cataloging, editing and production adventure should first try Picasa, by listing a few of its significant features I'm going to attempt to entice you to suggest to your adopted novices they download it.

Picasa:

• Instantly locates and organizes (catalogs) all pictures on your computer by date.

You can:

• Move and re-name pictures.

• Make an album.

• Keep one picture in multiple albums.

• Use Picasa's basic editing features to enhance your photos.

• Write captions that stay with the picture.

• Zoom, Pan and Tilt photos.

• Fine-tune photos with Picasa's EXIF display.

• Share your photos via e-mail.

• Automatically resize and attach pictures to e-mail messages.

• Place pictures on your own Web site.

• Make slide shows and collages.

• Print custom sized photos at home or order prints and books from online companies.

• Export pictures to popular photo processing Web sites.

• Back up your photos to CDs and DVDs.

• Turn your photos into a movie.

• Make a personalized desktop picture or screen saver.

• Create a poster up to 1,000 percent larger than the original.

I hope this list of features will encourage your adopted novice to at least visit Picasa's Web site.

And if they're interested in a free user-friendly, minimum learning curve slide show program, I recommend Microsoft's Photo Story 3.

I guarantee after one or two tries even the most novice Good Booter can create a quality slide show.

And if they want to burn their slide show to a DVD, for only $29.95 (and I believe it's currently on sale for $19.95) they can purchase and download "Sonic DVD for Photo Story 3 for Windows'' at: http://estore.sonic.com/enu/photostory/default.asp. It installs directly into Photo Story.

The combination of Picasa and Photo Story 3 will provide a user-friendly way for your adopted novice to begin a digital photo adventure.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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