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February 2009
New Computer – Time to be thinking ‘Safety’
Well, you now have your new computer, and soon you will be spending many happy hours using it, especially on the Internet. But do you know that they are still selling computers with no antivirus software installed, and that is like giving someone else the keys to your new car. You just don’t know what they are going to do with it, and can you trust them? Unfortunately the answer is often 'NO'.
There are people out there who love causing problems for others so you do need protection for your computer. These days you actually need quite a lot, but start with the antivirus software. Look for it on your new computer. It should say somewhere 'antivirus'. It may also say – 'Trial' or 'limited to 30 days'.
If you have one of these limited ones you need to think almost immediately of getting another antivirus sorted out. They have been installed originally to encourage you to buy that particular antivirus, but for home use there are perfectly good free ones. However, remember you should only have one antivirus on your computer, so you may have to take the first one off before you install the replacement.
You have a wonderful new way of interacting with the world. It is good fun and should last you for a long time without problems, but you do need to think about Security and keeping the bad guys from causing you expensive problems.
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January 2009
Printers - Which is the best?
I am often asked –'Which is the best printer'?
The question should be – 'Which is the best printer for me'?, because they are not the same thing. Any question concerning computers should be framed in that way, because you really want what is best for you, not necessarily best of all. The best of all is frequently much more expensive than what is best for you.
So which is the best printer for you? The answer is 'The one that does all that you want it to, and a bit more, at the price you want to pay'.
There are things to avoid. Beware, some printers today don’t have two cartridges, one black, one multi-colour. They can have up to eight. The theory is that if you use a lot of one colour, you only replace that cartridge, not the whole colour item in the other printer. But, the costs of the individual cartridges for the multiple cartridge printer far outweighs any savings on the other printer cartridges. The multiple cartridge printers are being sold as a way of saving money. They do not! (Except in certain specialised cases)
You can get a perfectly good photo-quality printer, which prints, copies and scans for about 50 pounds from one of the usual warehouses. So think carefully about what you really want.
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December 2008
Christmas is here, Bargains galore!
We all love a bargain, but at this time of year it is all too easy to get caught up in the gloss of bargains promising you everything. There are some bargains, but don't be seduced into spending your money just because someone else tells you it is just what you want.
If you are thinking about buying a computer, how do you know which computer?
Start with family, then friends, and other people you can trust to give you an unbiased opinion. That way you are not under pressure to buy it there and then. Only when you have a good idea of what you want should you go to the shops; and if you are still unsure, try to take a knowledgeable friend with you.
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November 2008
Backups - who needs them?
Backups are like filing, most people don't like doing them.
But, not making a Backup can be disastrous. If your system fails and you do not have a Backup then you may have lost everything; and in some cases the files cannot be recovered.
The best Backup is one that is not on the same computer because if you backup to the same computer and it breaks, you cannot access anything.
So how about CDs or DVDs? They are good, but remember, if you transfer the files to a disk, and remove them from your computer; you do NOT have a Backup you have an Original. So if you transfer a lifetime of family photographs to CDs or DVDs, you should make a second copy as a Backup. Failure to do that means that if the disk corrupts you have lost everything!
How about the Memory Sticks you can buy? These come in various sizes, and are more robust than CDs or DVDs, so as Backups they are good. But remember, if you work so the files are saved directly to the Memory stick, it is NOT a Backup, it is an Original.
The main thing is, get into the habit of creating Backups of all your important stuff. Stuff you would not want to lose under any circumstances. Backups are essential, think about it today, then start doing it
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June 2008
Keys and Settings
I have need to speak of Keys and Settings. By this I mean anything that generates a number or other information to make software work.
If you set up an Internet connection, you will have some Settings to make it work. If anything goes wrong, and the connection needs to be reset, it is critical to know what those Settings were.
If you install some software, it may ask you to input a Key which is on the packaging to make it work. If you later need to reinstall it, you will need the same Key.
My advice is to have a notebook. Write in it anything that looks like a Setting or a Key.
One of the real problems for people who try to fix computers is that the person who owns the computer doesn't know the relevant Keys or Settings. If you have them all, and in one place, it takes far less time to fix an ailing computer.
So start today with the new stuff, and if you can, write down as much of the old stuff as you can remember. It could save you a lot of money.
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May 2008
Computers that freeze you out.
Sometimes a computer freezes. You can press the keys as you like but, it does nothing! What can you do about that?
There are several things, some harsher than others. In order of gentleness.
Hold down – the 'Ctrl' key, and the 'Alt' key, and press the 'Delete key' (That is three keys involved).
What should happen is that a window called 'Windows Task manager' should appear. It has tabs across the top. If it is not already on 'Applications', click on the 'Application'’ tab. It should list all open applications (like Word, Excel, etc). Find the one you were working on - it probably says ‘'Not Responding'. Click on it, then click on the 'end task' button. It should close the problem application, but leave your computer still running.
Unfortunately, it will not always work. If it closes your application, but the computer is still frozen, click on 'shutdown' on the Task Manager window, then 'turn off'.
If that doesn’t work, some computers have a tiny button next to the on/off button. Press that. Otherwise the only thing is to turn off the power, but that is really harsh, so use that method sparingly.
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April 2008
e-mail - too much of the wrong sort?
e-mails are the quickest way of receiving information from across the world; and one of the biggest ways of wasting time trying to find that information when you have received it.
Your messages get buried underneath all the rubbish e-mails sent out by companies who want to sell you something. And some of the offers can be very embarrassing.
You should not be getting these e-mails most of the time. If you are then your e-mail system has not been set up correctly. Virtually all e-mail systems have 'filters' specifically to remove these offensive e-mails, you just have to go looking for them.
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March 2008
The Internet
There are two ways to access the Internet, dial up which is cheap, and broadband which is more expensive. Chose the one which suits you best. Dial up is slower, but okay for e-mails and limited surfing. Broadband is quicker and more versatile, but usually requires a contract. If you see cheap broadband it is often for only a short time, so check to see what you are signing before committing yourself. Remember computing need not be expensive but caution pays.
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December 2007
Christmas brings lots of surprises, lots of boxes, and lots of promises. For computers, the promise is that you just open the box, plug in the wires, and it will work, just like that!
If only that were always true! So when it doesn't work - DON'T PANIC! It will, but it needs to get used to you first.
This may seem silly, but it isn't, trust me. Check that you have plugged all the right cables into all the right sockets, even the ones that plug into the sockets on the wall for power, and that they are turned on. Don't laugh, it happens! The excitement of a new toy does strange things to peoples' concentration.
If that doesn't work try reading the manual, and try to follow it. (Sometimes, looking at the pictures on the boxes helps more) I know it is not easy, even though it's supposedly written in English. The right way of doing it is in there somewhere.
If there is still no joy, try the free helpline on www.barry-woods.co.uk . If the answer is not on that, send me an e-mail. I don't charge for giving simple answers.
Remember, I'm here to help.
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