Trouble reading this? Get the online versions here: http://www.datadoctors.com/help/quikreg.cfm
 |
Tip of the Week: Turn on the Quick Launch Toolbar
One of my all-time favorite features to the Windows operating system is one that I find many users are still not familiar with: The Quick Launch Toolbar. Instead of having to click on the Start menu, then on Programs to launch applications, you can use the ever present Quick Launch Toolbar for your most commonly used programs. Without having the minimize any programs to see your Desktop, you can quickly launch your e-mail, Microsoft Word, your favorite web browser or any program that you frequently use by simply dragging the icon to the Quick Launch Toolbar.
To activate it, simply right-click on any blank part of the Task Bar (the blue bar at the bottom of your screen), float your mouse over the "Toolbars" option, then click on Quick Launch. The default icons will suddenly appear just to the right of the Start button.
BONUS: Windows Vista users can launch anything on the Quick Launch Toolbar by holding down the Windows key and pressing 1 through 0 for the corresponding icon!
|
Headwhack of the Week: My default Search Engine changed again!
Your browser's default search engine can change as a result of many influences, especially if Microsoft has recently downloaded a major update. Your choice can easily be overwritten if you don't pay attention to various websites or program installation screens.
If you weren't aware that you had a choice or you want to see how many options there are for searching whenever you type something into your address bar or search bar, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/searchguide/en-en/default.mspx to see it all!
|
Geek Speak of the Week: Compunicate
Despite being in the same room with someone, (each on separate computers), you communicate via Instant Messenger instead of speaking to them out loud.
|
Security: Vista Service Pack 1 will break these programs
The first of the Service Packs for Windows Vista is rolling out and as usual there are "issues"... If you are a Vista user, make sure you review the known issues before you install SP1. Microsoft has published a list of programs that will not work or that will suffer from reduced functionality after the installation of Vista Service Pack 1.
|
News: Computers still confused by the apostrophe!
The ' in the computing world can cause you lot of grief. It can stop you from voting, destroy your dental appointments, make it difficult to rent a car or book a flight, even interfere with your college exams. More than 50 years into the Information Age, computers are still getting confused by the apostrophe.
|
News: Starbucks Ditches T-Mobile and Brings in AT&T
There's a new Wi-Fi provider coming to your local Starbucks, and this one is offering some of its services for free. Outmaneuvering its smaller rival T-Mobile, AT&T announced a new partnership with the coffee giant to start offering its own brand of Wi-Fi services this spring.
|
News: Tapping People Power to Spot Malware
Companies are turning to the wisdom of crowds to fight increasingly sophisticated phishing, spam, and nefarious sites. People-driven security, an approach that pools the judgments of individual participants to identify new threats, is gathering momentum, with uses popping up in everything from anti-malware and spam blocking to site filtering.
|
John Dvorak of PC Magazine is convinced that this whole HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war debacle was a Microsoft scheme to mess with Sony.
He is convinced that "There was probably never any real intent to make the HD DVD standard stick, ever."
|
Weekly Advice Column: Do business card scanners really work?
Jason writes: I keep seeing the ads for the business card scanners and they make it look convenient, but do they really work? Anyone in business deals with a mountain of business cards, but are these one-trick ponies the solution?
|
This Week's Show: The End of the DVD Format War
Toshiba announced this week that it was going to give up its attempt to make their HD-DVD format the industry standard.
This means that Sony's Blu-Ray format will emerge as the standard for high resolution DVDs (how fitting, since their Beta format lost out to VHS in a previous attempt at setting a video standard).
But what does this really mean? Will it cause the price of Blu-Ray DVD players to go up, since there is no longer a low cost competitor?
What should folks that purchased an HD-DVD player and movies do?
Join us (on most) Saturdays from 12:00PM–2:00PM (Mountain) on News 92.3 KTAR or listen LIVE via the Internet at KTAR.com as we discuss your computer questions at: 602.277.5827 or ask your questions during (or before) the broadcast using the ask a question page.
|
Previous Show |
Check out all the links from "Organizing Tips for your Computer"
|
Questions or Comments? |
Submit them online at datadoctors.com.
|
Changing email addresses? |