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January 2011

New Friends - or the Same old Scam

I have a new friend, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Mr David Cameron. I know he is my friend because he sent me an e-mail telling me that he had set up a Visa card in my name allowing me to draw up to £3,000,000 without any cost to me whatsoever. All I had to do was give my Personal and Bank details to the person in the Foreign Office who sent me the e-mail. I think that is wonderful.

And I had a good laugh at the thought that my 'new' friend would be so generous. As these type of frauds go, it is one of the more ridiculous that I have come across. Most of them are far more believable and elaborate, but are none the less trying to extract from the unwary either money directly, or the Personal and Bank details which allow these foreign fraudsters to raid your Bank account. If they can’t get your money from the Bank, the provision of such Personal details allows them to commit other frauds in your name.

The old adage 'If it looks too good to be true, it is too good to be true' holds in virtually every case. It is only in incredibly unlikely circumstances that anyone is going to give you a lot of money for nothing, so put on your sceptic's hat and just bin the e-mail. Gullible people get hurt, don't be one of those; be sceptical and be safe.

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January 2011

What protection should you have on your computer?

To be safe computers need to have protection against malicious software installed from the very beginning. Sometimes it is missing on brand new computers. But what sorts of protection do you need?

Start with the aptly named 'firewall'. A normal firewall is a wall built to prevent or slow down a fire from getting into a building. Similarly, a computer firewall is there to prevent or reduce the chances of malicious software getting onto your computer. Any computer from Windows XP onwards has a built in firewall. If your computer is before that you needed to get one from another supplier. But it is important that you have one, whoever provides it.

Next, antivirus software. You need to have one antivirus program on your computer. There are many out there, some you pay for, some you don’t. The ones you pay for tend to be more sophisticated, but for home use the free ones are adequate.

From antivirus, move to anti-malware programs,  programs designed to prevent, quarantine or remove malicious software from your computer. Again there are many available and for home use the free ones are adequate.

Remember, even though you can arrange for most of each family of protective software to scan the computer to a schedule, they tend to do a 'restricted' scan of the most likely places malicious software is installed. It is always worth running a full scan every so often for a deep clean of the computer to ensure that the whole system is protected and prevent nasty surprises.

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 December 2010

Video calls over the internet

Do you remember watching science fiction films where characters phoned each other up, and had a little television screen on the phone so they could see to whom they were talking. Well, that has actually been around for some years now, except that you use computers not telephones. The technical name is Voice Over Internet Protocol, but for the rest of us, it’s a video telephone call, and it’s great where you have friends or relatives who live miles away, even on the other side of the world. Even better it does not cost you anything, in the main, provided the call is computer to computer.

There are necessary conditions. First, both you and your recipient need to be on broadband. Then you both need a reasonably powerful computer. For video you both obviously need a camera, and finally both have the same software.

Fortunately there are several software packages that are free. So if you both have the rest of the kit you can download the software and set up the connection. It is relatively easy both to set up, and to use so it can be done by anyone with a reasonable level of knowledge. What I usually do is telephone the person I want to speak to on a conventional phone and alert them that I am getting ready. Then set up the connection, sit back and have a conversation where I can see the person to whom I am talking. It is very good and intensely personal.

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November 2010

Malware - too deep to understand?

Sometimes if you have a computer problem people say you have a virus, but more confusingly, they may say you have been attacked by 'Malware'. So what is malware?

When the people out there wanted to create problems for others, they started writing 'viruses', for virus read - problem. Then the way they wrote them changed, and they were writing 'Trojans' (basically something you believe to be innocent but which has a problem inside). And then they started writing other nasty things with various names that you don’t need to know. In basic terms 'Malware' is usually applied to pretty well all of these grouped together with viruses as a separate item.

Thus we speak of 'anti-virus' software, and 'anti-malware' software.  Each of which helps protect against attack by the relevant malicious software.  There are naturally many anti-malware programs out there for which you pay, but some of the standard ones are free. Microsoft who write the Windows software, have one called 'Windows Defender'. This is a good all round 'anti-malware' program perfectly adequate for most people's internet usage.

But it is worth remembering, that different anti-malware programs work in different ways. So if you have more than one, one program may say your computer is clear; but another that it found something suspicious. The main thing to remember is that you can only have one anti-virus, but you can have several 'anti-malware'; but don’t get too carried away, sometimes too many is as bad as too few.

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October 2010

Deleting and Retrieving Accidentally Deleted Items

The most important thing you need to know is that when you are working in a program creating something,  and you try to close the program without saving it, the program will ask you if you want to save the item before you leave. If you say 'NO', then the item is gone, finished, irretrievable.

However, if you save it once, then the following process should work even if you accidentally delete a file from the program.

Most computers are set up so the deletion process takes two deliberate steps to fully delete the item. If this is the case on your computer then the first deletion takes it from the program and into the recycle bin. There is normally an icon on your desktop for the recycle bin, often a waste bin. Usually the file will then just sit in the bin until you deliberately delete it again, or empty the recycle bin.

In any event, if you accidentally delete a file from the program and it sits in the recycle bin, you can restore it to the program.

Right clicking the icon will give the option of 'opening' the bin. Do this, then right click on the file you wish to regain, then left click on the option to 'restore' the file. The file concerned should then leave the bin, and return to the program from whence it came.

It is possible to set your computer to directly delete files by bypassing the recycle bin, however, this is not recommended.

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September 2010  

What is the difference between Save and Save as?

On the menu for most programs are two possibilities for saving the file you are working on. They are - 'Save' and 'Save as'.

The difference between them is in how the computer interprets what you want it to do. When you first save a file it does not matter which save option you select, it treats the first save as the creation of the Original file.

Now, if you select 'Save as' the first time you save the file, it apparently gives you different options to the 'Save' menu. However, in the main, it is just choosing two different routes (and menus) to get to the same point. Usually the 'Save as' option is the more complicated route so it is worth using the 'Save' option the first time you save anything.

So you now have the Original file saved. If you want to change the Original file, but keep a copy of that Original file, you can open it and make your changes, and this is where the 'Save as' option comes in. If you just 'Save' the file, you will overwrite the Original file and lose that Original file. But if you use the 'Save as' option, it will give you the chance to save the changed file as a separate file, with a different name, leaving the Original file untouched. In this way you keep the Original file and the changed file as separate files.

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August 2010  

Windows XP, Vista, and now 7 - What is going on?

In the table of modern Operating Systems we had Windows XP, then Vista, and now Windows 7. How do you decide which you want?

Windows 7 is the latest and most shops are pushing  it. But you can still get the other two systems, some retailers agreeing to upgrade them to Windows 7. So is the upgrade a good idea, or is it better to buy a computer with Windows 7 installed already? An original Operating System, as opposed to an upgrade, is generally thought to be better, but don’t be put off a bargain just because it is an upgrade.

Most people liked Windows XP. It was the latest in development in the original line of Operating Systems. Vista, was a totally new Operating System, developed from Scratch. But proficient users didn't seem to like it . It was thought by some to be memory intensive and made the computer run slower. But, if you had never used a computer and didn't know differently, it worked fine; so where was the problem?

Windows 7 is the latest and some would say the best. Microsoft learnt a lot from the feedback from Vista users and has created a leaner, faster Operating System. Having got all three, Windows 7 looks like it is going to do well, but which one you buy is entirely up to you. All of them work for the beginner, satisfying the experienced user is more difficult.

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July 2010

Treat e-mails as you would strangers, carefully!

Have you received an e-mail from someone who has a vast amount of money they need to get out of some foreign country, and only you can help, for a large reward? Have you received a very touching terrible story about someone dying who needs treatment, or who desperately needs to remove money from a corrupt regime; or even won a lottery you didn’t take part in?

Welcome to the world of 'scammers'. For every emotion you can feel there is some foreign criminal ready to milk it so you feel duty bound to send them your money. And when you have, that is the end of it, all the promises are void, and all your fantastic returns are forgotten. How do they do it? Simple, spin you a line about any of the above, and then convince you to send money to them. That really should be the red flag warning - they want money! Yours. As soon as someone wants money, think 'scam', and don't send any.

If it sounds really important, such as an orphanage failing through lack of funds, there are other ways to check in England without sending the money. Check here, make telephone calls here. If it matters that much to you it is worth the effort. Check first, and then send any money via official channels, not in a reply to an e-mail, under their conditions.

Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it is too good to be true!

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June 2010

Creating a copy of an entire hard drive

A reader’s question - can you create a copy of the entire hard drive? The answer is yes, but you do need to think of what you are copying. If you only want to copy files and folders that you have created then you can copy the entire set onto multiple CDs or DVDs without problems. But, if you want to create an image of the hard drive that you can use to recreate the entire contents including all settings, programs, etc,  of that hard drive; either to save it, or reproduce it on another hard drive then you will need specific software to do so. Re-installing from an image of the hard drive is quicker than rebuilding the programs from scratch, but it will also reinstall any faults which already exist when the drive is copied. So it is best to create the image, just after you get the computer into its best condition, and before problems occur.

There is free software out there with which to do this. What it does is copy every single thing on your hard drive to the medium on which you want to save it. CDs are usually just not big enough. For drives of less than 10 Gigabytes it will take about 2 DVDs. For anything larger you really need to be thinking of a separate external hard drive.  It can be done, but you will need to plan how you mean to do it, before you start.

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May 2010

Google Street View - Good or bad, and how you can remove yourself from it.

Google Streetview is a system devised by Google which allows you to view a location from street level for many places in the world.  It has been achieved by having camera cars touring the streets taking 360 degree photographs. You can see the houses, shops, cars and people at the time the photographs were taken. Many regard this as a step forwards and a great service, whereas others think it an invasion of privacy or security. There have been many complaints.

If you are a person who does not wish your face, car, or house on Streetview, you can get the offending picture removed. You have to follow a procedure detailed below and they will remove it.

For this procedure you need to first allow pop-ups on the Google Map website or it will stop you half way so you can allow pop-ups, and then you must start again.

The procedure is as follows. Go into Google maps. Select the area concerned on the map, for example by postcode. On the left of the map is a yellow figure. Put the cursor on the figure, click the left mouse button and hold it down whilst you drag the figure so the green circle beneath it, sits on the map at the relevant location. (It does take a little practice)

Streetview should then start. You can use the arrows within the circular item on the left of the picture to rotate the view so the area to be deleted can be seen. Click on 'Report a problem' at the bottom left of the picture. If pop-ups have not been allowed a pale yellow bar will appear immediately under the toolbars. Left click on this and temporarily allow pop-ups. Then you start again finding the area concerned.

When the pop-ups have been allowed another window will open called 'Report inappropriate street view'.  Click on the relevant category. It will ask you for a category reason, your description of the problem and an e-mail address; all of which need to be completed.  You then need to move the area of the picture you wish to be deleted into the red outline box by putting the cursor on the picture, clicking the left mouse button and holding it, and dragging the picture around till the area is inside the box. When you are satisfied the picture is in the box, type the validation characters into the form and submit.

You will get an e-mail saying they have received your complaint and they will contact you. A couple of days later you will receive another e-mail saying they have dealt with the problem. A check on Google maps should show the area removed.

There was a period where Google were very bad about actually removing pictures in Streetview, but now they do seem to have sorted out the problems. Which means you can preserve your privacy and security.

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April 2010

March 2010

New Year - New Scam

Those ruthless people who operate worldwide are trying to take your money again, with a new variety of trick. Let's start by saying that each computer has its own maintenance going on all the time (which is why just turning it off and then on again solves some problems). Thus if you know where to look in the computer you will often find that it shows there have been faults. This is what the new scammers are using to fool people who don't really know their computers.

They will actually 'cold call' you and tell you that they are from Microsoft, or some other such company, and that your computer has problems. The first question to ask is 'How would they know'? your computer is not subject to some huge surveillance program that enables them to see what you do, or if it is working right.

Anyway, they then talk you through a 'diagnostic' process, and lo and behold, your computer shows problems;  which they then 'solve' for you.

They then ask you for money suggesting that the best way to pay is for you to give them your Bank details. I'm told they can be quite forceful in their request.

Not Microsoft nor any reputable Company would ever trade this way. It is just a ruse to get your Bank details. So if you receive such a call just put the phone down, and if you are still worried ask someone you know and trust for advice.

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February 2010

Memories are forever - aren’t they?

Christmas is over and lots of photographs will have been taken to preserve those precious memories of all that went right, and all that went wrong!

These days almost everything seems to end up on the computer. Whether you then print the photographs or put them on an electronic frame, they are still safely on the computer, aren't they? Unfortunately, possibly not.

Computers are now so much of our lives, and they seem to just go on forever, so we assume they always will. Which can be a big mistake! Hard drives are very reliable, very stable and usually don’t go physically wrong, but it is a big mistake to think they can't. If they do, and you do not have a backup then you might lose ALL your files, let alone your precious memories. Some can be recovered but it can work out very expensive.

And what about software corruption? If that is bad enough you might have to totally wipe your hard drive and start again, leading to loss of most files.

So what can you do? Copy everything important to another separate medium, be it CD, DVD, Memory stick, another hard drive; and do it regularly. For really precious files it is recommended that you take two copies on separate media. After all even CD's or DVD's can become unusable. Memory sticks are better.

Backing up files seems like a chore, right up to the point where the original goes wrong, then you realised how wonderful it really is.

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December 2009

Keyboard ahoy! - That wet feeling.

We've all done it, dropped a liquid into the keyboard of a computer. For some people it's tea or coffee; for some a fizzy drink; but the question is what should you do about it?

Let's start with the idea that it hasn’t actually fizzed, flashed, and your keyboard is smoking. If it is, you have a real problem which probably starts with a new keyboard being required.

Most of the time that event doesn't occur; the liquid just sort of disappears under and over the keys. But you do need to deal with it, and you should really do so when the computer is off, or the keyboard is no longer connected to the computer.

Some of the liquid you can remove by simply upending the keyboard and shaking it being careful where. You can then mop up any excess. However, this will not remove the residual liquid trapped under the keys. This is especially a problem for the fizzy drinks which become very sticky as they dry.

Now, your average keyboard consists of keys which effectively plug into a socket with a spring. Each key can be individually removed (Carefully), it and the piece underneath dried, and then replaced. Is it a job that can be done by someone at home? Yes, provided the person is careful, gentle and methodical; or it can be taken to someone a bit more skilled. It is your choice, but if you do attempt it yourself don't take out more than one key at a time.

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November 2009

Accessibility, no problem!

Sometimes people are put off computing because their fingers are not as nimble as they once were, or they need big type to be able to read it. They feel that what they have seen of computers means they can’t operate them.

The people who make computers have thought of this, and even a standard computer has aids built in to assist the operator. Need bigger type, make it bigger! Need to slow the mouse down, no problem! A little hard of hearing, turn up the volume on the speakers. Keys on a laptop too small?  You can buy a standard keyboard that you can plug into the laptop. And if a standard keyboard is too small, you can buy one with keys about twice the average size.

So if you want to use a computer, you can, but you might have to adapt it a little. We all do it with all sorts of things. In the normal way we don't even think of it when we buy a fatter pen because holding one of those silly thin things is too fiddly or uncomfortable. So when you think of computing, think of it in the same way, customising your environment.

Whether you already need advice on how to make yourself more comfortable, or are thinking towards the future, most people who deal with computers should have the information readily available. All it needs is for you to ask them how to help you.

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October 2009 

How do you clean a computer?

That may sound silly but it isn’t. People who are used to cleaning habitually use spray polishes and such products. You might think it is quite reasonable to do so, after all, what harm can you do?

The answer is - quite a lot! Spray polishes get everywhere even when just cleaning the desk the computer stands on, and you do not want that spray getting into the edges of the screen, or keyboard, and especially not into the vents of the computer. It can smear; stick and possibly short circuit the internal workings of the equipment. So don’t use it.

But computers do need cleaning. It is often suggested that if a person eats at a computer, the keyboard swiftly gains more bacteria than a kitchen worktop, not very nice at all. There are two things you can do to cure this, don't eat at the computer, or clean the keyboard.

There are lots of cleaners and wipes specifically produced for cleaning computers, including aerosols of compressed air to blow offending crumbs out of the keyboard! If you are going to clean a computer use these products, and do it when the computer is turned off. Beware of the new screens which are soft to the touch, you can actually puncture those. And don’t wait till your computer looks really badly in need of a clean, get used to cleaning it regularly, like so many things you should do for and to your computer.

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September 2009

First steps in using a computer.

Funnily enough the first step to getting started with computers is to actually buy a computer. But which computer?

There appears to be a never ending choice of makes, and models, so which one should you chose? To a large degree that depends on who you are and what you want to do with it.

If you are just starting and want to surf the Internet, send e-mails and perform basic office tasks such as letters, etc; you don’t really need a powerful expensive computer, a laptop may fit the bill. On the other hand, if you want to play some of the new games you will need a more powerful machine.

The best way of finding something suitable is to ask your friends! See what they use, and if possible get them to let you have a go on it. Actually trying it is often the best way to get the feel of it and how suitable it might be for you.

Take your time, ask around. You wouldn’t buy a car without looking at it properly before the purchase, so do the same with a computer. When you have made the decision, make the purchase, and not before.

Finally, did you know a lot of Libraries now give you the chance to use their computers, and the staff will help you if you don’t know how to start? Now that really is a service. Don’t be shy, have a try.

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August 2009 

When does 'OUT' really mean out?

The scene is - you are printing from your computer and suddenly the warning comes up on screen – 'Your cartridge is nearly empty, you should buy another.', or some such words; but the intent is clear - you are shortly going to run out of ink and should replace the cartridge as soon as possible!

But is this necessarily true? The answer is, probably not. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of printers will stop working when one of the cartridges is totally empty. It is the question of what constitutes 'empty' which is important. The warning is given early, to give you a chance to obtain a replacement.

However, ink cartridges are expensive so you don’t want to waste any ink that remains, so when the warning appears you should certainly purchase a replacement. But don't put it into the printer. If you do, then you could be wasting quite a lot of ink.

Then just continue printing as normal. And usually it will go on printing as normal for some time. You may get another or even several more warnings before it finally runs out completely. At which point you will have the cartridge ready to replace the empty one.

However, if you have had your warnings and you have something important to print and only one chance to print it, don't take chances replace the cartridge, otherwise let the cartridge run out and then replace it. You will find that you save money virtually every time.

July 2009 

Can ANY average person learn to use a computer?

Contrary to some 'experts', the answer is a resounding 'Yes'.

However, I often hear people protest that they could not learn to use a computer as they are too old, not gifted enough, or just plain incapable. This is a myth given out by others who want to make computing seem the province of the really bright.

The reality is, practically everyone could learn to use a computer, if they wanted to do so.

Age is not a barrier, being gifted is a blessing only a few manage to achieve, and being incapable is a frame of mind. With the right teacher success is guaranteed. True, using a computer seems complicated, but so are other things people take for granted. If you don’t believe me, watch a baby trying to walk for the first time. It knows it can be done, wants to do it and keeps trying till it succeeds. And that is a complicated thing to learn!

Computers are superficially intimidating, but you don’t have to know how to do everything. You just need to learn the bits you want to be able to do. This drastically reduces the complexity of the learning. Much of 'computing' is habit the same as everything else, and recognising what appears in front of you on the screen becomes easier with practice. When you crack that, you’ve cracked computing!

We’ll carry this theme forwards in following articles, but for now, think positive, you can learn if that is what you want.

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June 2009

Broadband - the question you must ask before buying!

A problem has surfaced recently to do with new installations of Broadband which directly affects many people with older computers.

It is to do with the connection between the computer and the Router. Older modems used what is called a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection cable. It can be recognised by the plug at the end of the cable being a flat oblong in shape, and is often blue. The new Routers use what is called an Ethernet connection cable. It can be recognised by the plug at the end of the cable being much squarer than the USB plug, and is quite often yellow.

The significance is that many older computers simply do not have a socket into which an Ethernet cable can be connected, so an adaptor is necessary to enable the connection to be made. In some cases a USB extension cable is also needed. These are NOT supplied by the Broadband providers.

It is complicated, in that some Routers have a USB socket on the back, but in most cases this socket cannot be used to make the computer/router connection.

Also, and this is very important, although the help pages of the Broadband Provider say this socket cannot be used to connect to the computer, some of their 'experts' and 'salesmen' are fully convinced that it can be used to make just such a connection.

Finally, if you are having the Broadband installed, make sure the person installing it has the necessary extras before they attend. It will save both time and money.

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May 2009

  Downadup Conficker - the new threat!

I can almost hear you asking - what is 'Downadup Conficker'. Unfortunately Downadup Conficker is a nasty virus. There was one version, and now it looks like another is coming our way, which is potentially nastier than the first.

You may even have seen it in the National papers as news because it infected networks in schools and offices causing all sorts of problems. It could be coming your way.

I have written before about the importance of having reliable antivirus software on your computer. Just recently it seems that there are more and more threats coming online, as if there were not enough already. I cannot stress enough the importance of antivirus software and yet I still find some people do not have it, believing that because they only use the Internet a little they will not be caught out.

But that is a fallacy, some experts believe that you are under attack from the minute you connect to the Internet, but anyway that is only half the story. Viruses can be transmitted on almost any removable storage media - pen drives, Cds, DVDs, even the old floppy disks. Putting any one of those into your computer, if you cannot vouch that it has been tested and is clean, can result in a virus infection. To stop most problems you need a good updating antivirus software package. Get one as soon as you can, because the problems that can be caused by a virus are incredible and often expensive.

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April 2009

Who needs champagne - drink ink!

It was once said that computer printing ink costs more than champagne. As far as I know that is still probably true.

But need it be so expensive? Let us consider the standard printer cartridge.

There are a couple of questions that come in here. The first is - 'Do you really need to buy ink cartridges made by the manufacturer of your printer?' They claim that if you don't then your printer will perish in a nasty mess.

Personally, I haven't used a cartridge in any of my printers that have been made by the manufacturer of the printer for years, and my printers seem to be fine. I use what are called 'remanufactured' or 'Type' cartridges, and they usually sell at about half to two thirds of the price of the originals.

The second question is - 'When you buy cartridges from Companies on the Internet, are they as good as those you buy in a shop?' The answer to that one is more complicated. If you go to a good Company on the Internet, then they are both as good as, and a lot cheaper than those you can buy in the shops. (If you don't buy on the Internet that will limit your choice) Since The Grapevine has a strict policy of no advertising within articles I cannot say more, but there are good Companies out there, you just need to find them.

It does come down to personal choice, but with care you can save a lot of money

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February 2009 

Who is where? - When?

We all worry about our young people and how vulnerable we feel they are. (They don't agree, of course, but we do it anyway.) You may worry about where they go, or with whom, but what about their computing visits? It's very easy to cause upset as soon as you say anything about wanting to know what your children are doing on their computer. They may feel that you do not trust them.

But it's not about trust, rather about experience, and it does need to be recognised as a potential problem and discussed sensibly.  That is the basis of trust.

A lot of Parents know far less about computers than their children, but that's reasonable, the children grew up with them we didn't.  This makes it unrealistic to spend much time explaining computer 'Parental Controls', under the principle that anything you can do, they can undo quicker than you did it in the first place.

It's far better to discuss with them the sensible use of the computers and why you are concerned. (They will claim to know it all anyway, but do persist) Chat rooms are far safer than they used to be, but what about these sites where you gather 'friends'. Sounds innocent enough, but what information are the youngsters putting online?  Their Name, address, age, photos and much more? They may not realise the dangers, but we do, and must find some way of educating them, before they find out the hard way.

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January 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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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 and promises of bargains and advertisements promising you everything you have ever wanted.

There are some bargains out there, but don't be seduced into parting with your money just because someone else tells you it is just what you want.

If you are thinking about buying a computer, think about what you need before you even go to the shops.  A laptop is quite self-contained, but if you buy a desktop you might need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse: and both will need a printer. Does the offered package include these, and if not how much do you need to spend to get them?

And how do you know which computer, there are so many?

The answer to that is start with your family, then friends, and other people you can trust to give you an unbiased opinion. If they have got the computer they recommend, ask them to let you have a go and try it yourself. The main thing is that you are not under any pressure to buy it there and then. Think about your purchase, computers are getting cheaper, but they are not cheap.

Only when you have a pretty good idea of what you want should you go to the shops, etc; and if you are still unsure, try to take a knowledgeable friend with you.

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November 2008 

What is Microsoft Word?

As I said before I am looking at Microsoft products not because they are the only ones out there, but because most people have them supplied with their computers in one form or another.

So what is Word? Basically it is a Word processing program, think typing.

If you want to type letters, minutes or even a book, first look at Word. But that is not all. It may have started as a typing program but now it can do so many things it can make your head ache.

And changing things during and after the typing, it is so easy now. In the old days, with a typewriter to change the order of the words, you had to start again. Then came word processors where you could swap them around, and now you have Word where you can swap them around, change fonts, sizes of print, colours and all with a few clicks of the mouse.

So where do you start? The first thing to remember is that you will not damage your computer by what I call legitimate play, you can always shut the program down without saving anything. You usually have to select something for them to work, but try using the program by pressing the on-screen buttons and seeing what happens. To select the thing you want to change left click in the typed area, hold down the left button and move the cursor over the type. Release the button to select. Go on, have a go!

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October 2008 

Software/Programs - Too steep a hill to climb

Most pieces of Software (Programs) are tremendously complicated and can do so much that if taken as a whole, most people would find insurmountable. But don't be downhearted!

Because you don't normally have to know everything about the Software to be able to use it. I would immediately be suspicious if anyone said to me that they knew how to do everything with a specific piece of Software.  Don't get me wrong, there are people who do know, but they are very rare.

For the rest of us, we just get to know how to do what we want to do. Some of us have a good enough working knowledge of the Software that if we want to do something we don't know how to do, we can find out how to do it. But realistically, most of us only scratch the surface.

So when you get a new computer or new piece of Software, don't panic! We all feel the same way when confronted by something new and vastly different. There are steps you can take to make things easier.

A lot of new Software includes pieces of video to give you and idea of how it works. Or Samples of the work it can do. You can go the producer's website and look for tuition information, or you can get tuition from someone else. And whilst some charge for tuition, friends usually do not, so start there. But don't worry, most computing is largely habit, so just try it!

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September 2008

Hardware versus Software

One of the problems with computing is that like in many other areas of life there is a jargon associated with it. For those on the inside it is a shorthand, immediately understandable, that doesn't waste words. For those on the outside, it is a barrier to understanding, which excludes them from joining.

But in general you don't need to worry about having to know the right words.

Take hardware. Essentially, hardware is the equipment of computing, it includes the computer, screens, cables, modems, keyboards, etc. The physical means of computing.

Or Software. Definitions go from the basic to the complicated explanation. But how about in general, 'the electronic instructions that make the computer work'. Without Software the computer doesn't work!

We also speak of 'Programs', and 'Applications' both of which are Software. To a degree the terms are interchangeable, so don't get hung up on terribly complicated definitions. Just think 'Hardware' and 'Software'.

You don't need to know the finer points for ordinary usage. For most people if you talk about having a 'hardware problem' they know you are talking about an equipment problem. If you talk about most other problems you may not even mention 'Software' but everybody assumes that is the subject of your conversation. So don't worry about it. Anybody that needs to know specifics will also know enough to ask you the questions that will provide them with the correct information, even if you don't know the specific words. And anybody else shouldn't care.

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August 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 put simply 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 hard drive and it breaks, you cannot access anything on it be it Original or Backup.

So how about CDs or DVDs? They are good, but remember, if you transfer the files to a CD or DVD, 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 CD or DVD corrupts you have lost everything!

How about the Memory Sticks you can buy? Well these come in various sizes, and are actually more robust than CDs or DVDs, so as Backups they are quite good. But do 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.

July 2008 

Passwords - for better or worse

It is said you should have a different password for every Program.

But you have to remember every password. So whilst it is not a good idea to only have one password, keeping it to a few is not unreasonable.

They usually say, dont write them down anywhere, but again this is not so simple. The answer in the real world is that you probably need to write them down somewhere. But not on a sticky note posted right next to the computer.

If you write them down put them somewhere not so convenient that it is obvious what they are.

How about these programs that remember your passwords for you, are they safe? They are, but remember, they are protected by a password, and if they contain all your other passwords, you want to make that password a good one.

Which raises the question 'what is a good password?' In truth most of us don't use what the experts would say is a 'good' password, because that would mean adding in characters like '$', or '%' or '~'; which would mean that we definitely would have to write it down. So a reasonable password could be something like a name, but if you do that, try to include some figures, like a birthday; with half at the front and the rest at the end.

Remember, even a poor password is better than no password, but choose something that makes sense to you.

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June 2008 

Keys and Settings

I have broken away from my planned editorials 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. Sometimes they are recoverable by someone who knows a fair bit about computers, but sometimes they are not. It they are not then you really have a problem.

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. It won't matter if it is not important and you write it down, but it will matter if it is important and you don't. 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 

Non-Microsoft Applications - They are out there.

Before we go more deeply into Microsoft Applications I need to make it very clear that the only reason for talking mainly about them is that most computers, even Apple Macintosh computers tend to use Microsoft Applications.

But, there are other Manufacturers Applications available, some of them similar to Microsoft Office, but free. They have been written by Individuals or Groups of people who want to give away software instead of charging for it. Some of the Applications are very good, and are compatible with Microsoft or Apple Operating systems. So you can make the choice to use this other software.

Some computers have Microsoft Works, instead of Microsoft Office, pre loaded. 'Works' is a cut down version of Microsoft Office with less functionality, and is correspondingly cheaper to install. However, there is a free Office Suite of programs which can be downloaded from the Internet. (Broadband only is practicable, and even that will take some time, but it can be done) This free program will give more functionality, but at the price of being different to Microsoft Office in the way it works. (The output documents of the free program are compatible with Office if you want to send them to other people who don't have the free Applications)

But, a very large proportion of the Applications are provided by Microsoft and in the main we will be dealing with them. Once again, the choice is yours. Next month we'll have a look at Microsoft Word.

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April 2008 

Microsoft Office.

This is one of the 'bundled' set of Applications we spoke about. It is a set of related Applications which are sold as a package. This means two things - you can't ordinarily buy each Application separately, and when you buy the package it is relatively expensive.

The usual Applications in Microsoft office are Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, though Access is often thrown in. So what are they? Word is a word processor Application generally used for letters, etc. Excel is a spreadsheet Application generally used for figures, graphs, calculations, etc. PowerPoint is a slide Application, generally used for producing slides for the PowerPoint presentations so loved in Business circles. Access is a database Application used for the creation of databases.

Now you'll notice that I said in most cases, 'generally' used for a particular purpose. That is because most Applications can be used for other things if you know how they work.

For instance, if you want to make greetings card, it would seem reasonable to have to buy desktop publishing software. However, if you want to produce good quality cards including pictures and fancy words, then you can do it using PowerPoint.

Word can be used for calculations, but it's messy, but Excel is beautiful. If you have any forms or tables it beats the rest. So don't be limited by what is usual for an Application, it is only limited by what you can actually do with it, not some anonymous referee telling you what is acceptable.

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March 2008

e-mail - the Best of Worlds and the Worst of Worlds

Welcome to the world of e-mails. The quickest way of receiving information from someone who is across the world; and one of the biggest ways of wasting time trying to find that information when you have received it.

Your messages sometimes 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, not the sort of thing you want appearing on your computer.

 But 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, in many cases before you even see them.

Unfortunately how you set these filters is often Application specific. So the way you do it for 'Outlook Express' is not necessarily the same way you would do it for 'Outlook', or any of the e-mail systems provided by the Internet Service Providers. We may cover some of the common ones later, but for now, if you are getting lots of offensive e-mails you need to be looking on your system for 'filters' or 'blocking senders'.

You can try the 'Help' option on the Application, but these often seen to want you to know the answer before you ask the question. So if you have a problem you need to ask someone else how to deal with it, someone who has the same Application, which is set correctly.

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February 2008

Operating Systems versus Applications

In December we spoke about Windows Vista compared to Windows XP, and others; these are Operating Systems; and not the only ones either. They are the heavyweight software that makes the computer itself work.

Most of the other software available is known as Applications This is the software that performs specific jobs. The range of Application software is vast and could not possibly be covered in these short pieces, even trying just to list the types. Some of it is very specialised, and some very common. In the coming months we'll look at some of the more common Applications and packages.

As it is virtually impossible to speak about these Applications without using their names, contrary to my usual practice I will have to name them. This is not to say they are the only ones, or even the best ones, because most people have their own favourites, but they tend to be the most common ones.

So, what are probably the most common Applications, the ones pre-loaded onto the computers you buy? How about Internet Explorer - common access to the Internet; Outlook, or Outlook Express - common access to e-mail; both using the Internet to communicate with computers possibly a world away.

A lot of Software creators bundle several Applications together to sell as a package. They are usually related to each other, and are called 'Office' or 'Office Suites'.

In due course we will look at some of these Applications and what they can do.

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 January 2008

New Year, New Computer - Don't Panic!

Advice for the New Computer User for the New Year - 'Don't Panic!!' At this time of the year you should write it in big letters on a piece of card, and put it above the computer screen.

We often forget what it feels like to switch a computer on for the first time. You may think everyone has a computer, but you would be wrong. There are still people buying their first one, and not always the youngsters either.

You follow the instructions and when you first turn it on, and it is all strange. So for the first time users remember this. Computers are actually quite difficult to break (short of throwing them out of the window in frustration). In pretty well all cases, whatever you do, can be undone; so if you do it wrongly; it just needs someone else to set it right, so don’t worry!

As a last resort you can turn it off. BUT, be gentle. Start with trying the red crosses in the top right corner, and then the normal shutdown procedure. If that doesn't work, press and hold down the two keys - 'Ctrl' and 'Alt', then just press the 'Delete' key. This should take you to Windows Task Manager, allowing you to use the shutdown sequence of that. Only if this fails should you use the rather brutal way of shutting off the power. Remember, be gentle, your computer could be a friend for years if you treat it well. From there on in, the fun begins.

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December 2007

Windows Vista -The new Windows Platform

So what is 'Windows Vista'?

Windows Vista is the name of the new Windows platform. We have had 95, 98, 2000, Millennium and XP, if not several others. These names refer to Upgrades for the Windows System.

They are brought out every year or so, to be better than the last one. However, like most new things, not everyone wants the new one, they like the old one; and to be fair there is a lot to be said for the tried and tested.

Does anyone out there remember VHS and Betamax videos? (This will not apply to our younger readers.)

At the moment Windows Vista is new. As such, the rest of the Computer Software World has not necessarily caught up. This means that some of the older software, and Hardware, may not work straight away with the new system.

If you are buying everything new it does not cause a problem; but if you buy a new computer with the Vista system, and retain older programs or hardware, you may find they are not so simple to install. The computer Companies are working on this, in most cases, but some still have ground to make up.

So which is best? There isn't really an answer to that; it depends too much on what you want, or what you already like. You may not have a choice anyway; most new computers are shipping with Windows Vista already installed, though a few still have Windows XP.

The choice is yours, for now anyway.

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November 2007

Changing your computer - What's in a Name?

It's about this time of year that people start thinking about buying or changing their computer. They research the best deals and try to make sense of all the manufacturers now available. Not so long ago there were only three or four manufacturers, now there appears to be lots.

But how do you choose? How do you know that the manufacturer with the new name is any good? Is the computer going to be reliable, or is it a risk?

The first thing to be aware of is that the new name may be precisely that, just a change of name. Computer manufacturers are well aware that some people don't like the mega-companies, so they change the name or create a separate Division of the Company with a new name, just to cash in on people,s preferences.

This means that the computer you buy may be identical (except for a few numbers or names) to that already familiar to you with the old Company. You do need to check though. The usual way is to log onto the Internet and research the name, to find out what is the Company history.

Also look out for those websites which give a Customer Evaluation of the product. These are usually very interesting.

So, you have the deal, you have the manufacturer, and the product, what do you do if you have the choice of Windows XP, or Windows Vista? We'll come back to this later, but for now XP is the tried and tested, whilst Vista is the new boy on the block.

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October 2007

Gone 'Phishing' (said as 'fishing')

Welcome to the world of the 'Phisher', another Security scam for computers. (Honestly, I don't make these names up)

They are called 'Phishers' because they are 'fishing' for your Passwords and other Identity details. The expression is 'Identity Theft', where someone steals your personal details and takes your money.

In the 'Real World' you have the person who looks over your shoulder to see your PIN at the cash point, and then steals your card so they can spend your money.

In the 'Electronic World' we have 'Phishing'. Basically you receive an e-mail, supposedly from your Bank, or similar, telling you that there has been a Security breach and they need to confirm details of your account, usually providing a direct link to the Bank's website.

DON'T FALL FOR IT! NO BANK WILL EVER ASK FOR SUCH DETAILS IN THIS WAY.

It is a con. The e-mail is false, the link is bogus - it will take you to a forgery of the Bank's website - that collects your details so they can steal your money.

There are other examples, but they all ask for the same sort of thing. Don't fall for it. If you really think it might be genuine, don't use the link provided, but check with the Bank via the telephone. Never use the provided link.

For those who want to guard against it, there is free software out there to indicate known 'Phishing' sites.

Remember, your details are valuable, in whichever world, protect them well.

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September 2007

Printers - Which is the best?

I am often asked -'Which is the best printer?'

The question should really be -'Which is the best printer for me'?, because they are not necessarily the same thing. In reality the question should be framed in that form for all computer items, 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 basic answer is 'The one that does all that you want it to, and a bit more, at the price you want to pay'.

That doesn't put you much further ahead, does it. Things to avoid. Beware, there are printers today that 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 two cartridge printer. But, the costs of the individual cartridges for the multiple cartridge printer far outweigh any savings on the other printer cartridges. However, these multiple cartridge printers are being sold as a way of saving money. They are 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. Put that together with a manufacturer who sells printer compatible cartridges on the Internet, and your printing requirements need not cost you much at all.

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July - August 2007

Due to computer communication problems (Not mine I might add).  These two months were lost in the electronic limbo and were not submitted for publication. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

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June 2007

Spam - A matter of taste.

For those of a certain age 'spam' means something totally different to its current usage concerning computers - but even then, there is a disagreement as to whether it was good or not.

Anyway, computer spam. We are essentially talking about electronic 'junk mail'. At the very least, it is unwanted and clogs your e-mail inbox. When you open your inbox you find lots of messages that you do not want but often have to wade through, to find your proper messages. Not only is that irritating, but much 'spam' is fairly offensive in nature. There are people who spend their lives designing 'spam' to irritate the rest of us. (They are similar to those who like to create viruses, etc.)

That is the bad news. The good news is that most e-mail systems have 'spam' filters. These can be set up to filter the incoming e-mails so that most of the 'spam' goes into a rubbish file, and can be simply deleted. Unfortunately, the way these filters are set up differs between the different systems. It is not practicable to try to explain the setup for each system in an article such as this where the number of words is restricted.

However, it is possible to set up these filters, and when they are set, your inbox becomes mostly yours again. I say 'mostly' because it is doubtful whether you can totally eliminate 'spam', because some of it is extremely close to legitimate e-mails, and shutting the door on those, would lose you some e-mails that you do want to receive.

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May 2007

Who is an Expert?

This month is still about computers, though it can apply to other matters. It hinges on the questions - 'Who is an Expert', and 'Can you trust them'?
I have recently met a series of people who have dealt with a couple of 'Computer Experts'. The people knew very little, the 'experts' knew lots more, so they trusted them. The 'experts' expertise appears to have been in selling them something that was good for him, but not so good for them.
So how can you decide when you are getting good advice ? A really good way is by personal recommendation by someone you know and trust, family or friends. But what if they can't help? Listen to the 'expert', but don't buy anything at the time. Make him explain it to you in your language, not his. If he can't do that he is obviously not such an 'expert'. Then go away, think about it, even consult another 'expert', and see that expert has to say. Make up your own mind, don't let them pressure you at the time. Your money is precious, don't spend it without being sure you're getting what you want.
There are those of us out here, who will give impartial advice free. We value our reputations too highly to try to put one over on people. Such advice is there, you just need to dig for it, and not accept anyone at face value. Remember, before you spend your money, think carefully.

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April 2007

A Firewall - That's a fireguard, isn't it?

We spoke last month of people who like to cause you problems with your computer, sending viruses and such. One of the other things they can do, is actually take over your computer and make it do things you may not even know about.

Lots of us are on Broadband now, and each month we pay a for a usually fixed amount of 'Broadband time'. Unless we actually exceed that allowance we are not told our usage. Dial-up can suffer too.

They get into your computer, and have it send out 'spam' e-mails all over the world. (We'll deal with 'spam', nuisance e-mails another month). The thing is, you don't usually know it's happening.

A Firewall is a bit of software that prevents them getting into your computer. If they can't get in, they can't cause problems.

At the very least you should have the standard Windows Firewall turned on. For Windows XP -  click through - Start > Control panel > Windows Firewall and select 'On' and OK.

If you have no firewall, you are vulnerable to attack, so you do need to sort it out. If you find it has not been on, turn it on. But then, run your Anti-Virus software to check out your system. Most Anti-Virus systems also check for other things so give it a go, for safeties sake. And lastly, never assume that because a computer is set up by an 'expert', they will have turned it on! Sometimes, they don't. Happy computing!

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March 2007

Anti-Virus - Anti what?

When you bought your computer the salesman told you it had full antivirus protection.

But what did he mean, and anyway, what is a virus? Think of the 'flu' virus, how does it make you feel?  Ill, slow, not wanting to work at anything - that's about what it makes your computer feel like.

There are people out there who love causing problems so you do need antivirus protection.

What you got at the time of purchase was 'antivirus in a box'. A one-off system that doesn't usually get any better than it was when you bought it. So it becomes out of date. These virus writers produce new viruses every day, so the position is constantly changing.

But don't worry, keeping up to date, need not mean paying through the nose for an online subscription system. There are some good FREE antivirus systems available. (Possibly not as good as one you subscribe to, but hey! It's free) Get a FREE system that updates every so often. They are there, you just need to look for them.

But, when you have them installed, don't forget they need setting up so they give you protection. If it just sits there doing nothing, you might as well not have it.

Also, setting these things up is not necessarily simple, so you will have to rely on others. Find the person who can explain it to you at your level. They'll usually install it properly. If they can't explain it, they probably can't install it.

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February 2007

A New Computer is endless fun!

Christmas brings lots of surprises, lots of boxes, and lots of promises. Specifically for computers, the promise is that you just open the box, plug in all the wires, and it will all suddenly work, just like that!

January 2007

Computers that freeze you out.

Sometimes I think my computer doesn't like me. Right in the middle of something important it freezes. You can press the keys as gentle as you like, or bang the keyboard like a madman, it does nothing!

This is known as a real nuisance! But what can you do about it?

There are actually several things, some harsher than others. In order of gentleness.  

If you hold down - the Ctrl key, and the Alt key, and press the Delete key (Yes, that is three keys involved).

What should happen is that a window called 'Windows Task manager' should appear. It has tabs across the top, like a filing system. If it is not already on 'applications', click on the 'applications' tab. It should list all open applications (things like Word, Excel, etc). Look for the one you were working on - it probably says 'Not Responding' (Yes, I know you know that!) Click on it, then click on the 'end task' button. It should close the problem application, but leave your computer still running.

Of course, you can bet your life that 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' or 'restart'. If that doesn't work, some computers have a tiny button next to the on/off button. Press that. If your computer really hates you, then the only thing is to turn off the power; but that really is a slap in the face for it, so use that method sparingly. Happy computing!

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December 2006 - No piece this month, the magazine was too full.

November 2006

Computers are wonderful - aren't they?

Computers are wonderful, at least that is what we are always being told. However, as someone who works with computers I can tell you, they are also the modern man's itch, that you can't reach to scratch.

When they work, they're wonderful, but you try talking sensibly to someone who has just spent two hours, or more, trying to do something simple that has worked every time but this one. If you can stand the language, can you talk sensibly? Probably not, and I have to say it is not only 'a man thing'. Women too get upset, though probably not as violently upset as most men, including me!

So what can you do when your computer is blowing raspberries when you want peaches and cream? That is where the Grapevine could come in. We are thinking about having a 'computer corner', where we can cover some of the usual problems; and the answers, of course. (It's silly otherwise). But that depends on you in Grapevine land, are you interested? Do you have any problems? (If you don't ever have any problems with your computer, please tell me how you do it, because I still do) So if you have a problem, or if you are interested in how to do something drop a line to the Grapevine in the usual way, and we'll see what we can do. Over to you my Grapevine computer users.

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