For those of you who have Windows 7 or are thinking about getting it I will be submitting a group of
tutorials that may help. These are not my work but rather are written by a very knowledgeable
computer guru.
I thought it appropriate to start my Windows 7 tutorials with the Start Menu, the one feature of Windows
7 that has changed the least.
- By default the left-hand column of the Windows 7 Start menu displays a dynamic list of
applications which changes based on your activity. The more frequently you use a program
the higher on the list that program will appear.
- Although by default Windows 7 doesn’t pin applications to the top of this list as did XP and
Vista, should you prefer to pin your favorite programs to the Start Menu, simply right-click on
any application icon or shortcut from the Start menu, Desktop or All Programs menu and click
‘Pin To Start Menu’.
Note: Pinned applications will remain at the top of the left column regardless of how frequently
you access them. They can be sorted by holding down your left mouse button and dragging
them up or down.
- You can change the number of Recent Programs Icons that appear in the Start menu by right-
clicking on a blank spot on the Taskbar, clicking Properties, the Start Menu tab, Customize,
and adjusting the ‘Number of recent programs to display’.
- However if you do not need to have your start menu list the most recent programs you have
accessed and would prefer to pin only the programs you would like listed, adjust the ‘Number
of recent programs to display’ to ‘0’. Then go about pinning the programs you would prefer
pinned to the Start Menu.
- Windows 7 has a completely new alternative to XP’s and Vista’s ‘Recent Items’ list called
‘Jump Lists’. The contents of Jump Lists can differ depending on the application, but they
typically include a list of recent items, frequently opened items and Web sites. If an icon in the
left column of the Start menu has a right pointing arrow ▸, the application supports a Jump List.
Example: if you click the Jump List arrow on Microsoft Word’s Start menu icon, it'll display the
most recent Microsoft Word documents you have worked on.
- You can adjust the number of items in the Jump List by right clicking on the Start Menu, left
clicking on Customize and increasing or decreasing the ‘Number of recent items to display in
Jump lists’.
- By clicking on a Jump List item it will launch the corresponding application. You can even pin
commonly accessed items to a Jump List by highlighting them and clicking the pushpin on the
far right of the Jump List item.
Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.
Computer Club
Rainberry Bay Delray Beach's best kept secret
|
Copyright (C) 2008 Rainberry Bay. All rights reserved.
|
Windows Key Shortcuts Format Painter Print Screen Splitting Screen File Management Cut or Copy & Paste Hot Keys
|
For lowering the Security from High to Medium in the Zone Alarm Firewall or by uninstalling the Microsoft update that caused it there is a new fix by Zone Alarm that will let you keep both the update and the High Security level. Go to http://tinyurl.com/6ceewk and as shown in the screenshot below, download the version that applies to you which most likely is the free one. Then change your Firewall and/or update to the way you like. (FOR MORE TIPS & TRICKS)
|
COMPUTER VIRUSES
A computer virus is a program that invades your computer system, hides there and makes copies of
itself. Viruses spread when you launch an infected application or start your computer from a dis that
has infected system files.
Viruses behave in different ways. Some viruses stay active in memory units until you turn off your
computer. Others stay active only as long as the infected applications are running. Turning off your
computer or exiting the application removes the virus from memory, but does not remove the virus
from the infected file or disk.
All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again
is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all
available memory and bring the system to a halt.
Trojan horses are not viruses; however, they are often thought of as viruses. A trojan horse is a
program that appears to serve some useful purpose or provide entertainment, which encourages you
to run it. But, like the Trojan horse of old, it also serves a covert purpose which may be to damage files
or perhaps plant a virus in your computer.
Many computer viruses turn out to be hoaxes or myths. Hoaxes are false alerts about viruses that
don't exist. Check out Snopes Urban Legends for more information on hoaxes. For another list of
hoaxes, try F-Secure. Another good site to visit is Vmyths.com.
Having Virus Protection installed in your computer before you install anything is a MUST. There are a
few good ones on the market, such as Norton and McAfee. There are also a number of free ones. The
one I use is Avast which is free for home use.
When you address an email message Click on the To and the Select Recipients dialog box opens. Select the names of your recipients and Click the BCC button (Blind Carbon Copy) and then Okay.
Put nothing in the To area unless your email program requires at least one name there. Outlook Express does not.
If you must put something in the To field put Unknown Recipient with your own email address for this name. You and everyone else will get the email as an Unknown Recipient. No email addresses or names will be shown and you are not exposing all the names to a hacker or spammer who may gain access to them.
WORD TIP: For a great video tutorial on inserting a picture and wrapping text in Word, go to
Scroll way down to the screenshots.
|
As you open various sites or programs the computer is not working at peak efficiency.
You should close out anything you are no longer using instead of letting it hover in
the background since it is using up ram unnecessarily making your unit run more
slowly.
You can restore your system to a higher operating efficiency by merely closing
everything that is open and restarting your computer but remember, as you open files
and programs, the resources diminish; it's the nature of the beast. At least, now you
know how to clean up and start fresh if you are having real problems as you work.
Everyone should put this site into their "Favorites"...even if you are a computer
anyone looking to them for guidance. It's quite well done.
Click here to see what it is all about.
Twelve years into his South Florida retirement, former dentist Bruce Foote has happily traded tongue
depressors and dental drills for smart phones and mobile applications.
The 70-year-old even sprang for an extra Apple iPad so his wife could share his passion for
technology. Bridging the technology gap is increasingly a matter of practicality these days.
The senior tech market has never has more to offer, from websites and mobile apps, to gadgets and e-
services. Those who take advantage of the tech options can use them to find everything from turn-by-
turn directions to help with taking medications.
"I bought the first iPhone when it came out and every new one since, and I plan to buy the new iPhone
too," said Foote, a retired dentist from Michigan now living in Gulfstream. "I do my banking on my
iPhone, read newspapers, check e-mail, and use Google maps to find where I am going on vacation. I
even used an app to navigate the subways safely the last time we were in New York City."
Among the report's findings: Internet access and use by seniors enables them to maintain
relationships with family and friends at a time in their lives when travel and mobility is more difficult.
That's food for thought, considering approximately 17 percent of Florida's population is 65 and older---
the highest concentration in the nation.
"I have lots of friends who don't use technology,” Foote said."And some have a smart phone but don't
bother to learn how to use it because they're afraid or timid."
Seniors or their loved ones looking for an introduction to technology should consider the following:
Smart phones
- Few makers advertise smart phones for seniors, but it's worth checking in with your carrier as
many models are in the works. This month, AT&T announced the release of the Pantech Ease,
which operates in both "advanced” and “easy” modes, the latter recommended for seniors and
younger users for its streamlined features, including limited scrolling and larger font sizes for
text messages. And for anyone who hates to fumble with cell phone buttons, the Pantech Ease
has a “say a command” feature that makes calls, sends texts or operates an application with
voice prompts. Cost is $69.99 after $50 mail-in rebate with two-year service contract.
Wireless.att.com
- Also check out the Motorola H17txt with Motospeak, which reads text messages aloud, and the
MOTONAV TN700, which has a spoken command feature, as well as a large 5.1 inch screen
that make it easier to read maps and Web search functions. Motorola.com
- Doro Mobile also offers a variety of cell phones for seniors that look a lot like calculators and
are simple to use, featuring big keys, four memory numbers, an LCD screen, a neck strap and
soft touch numbers. Easytousemobiles.com
Data Plans
Many carriers offer discounted calling and data plans for seniors. For instance, Verizon offers the “65
Plus” plan, which comes with 200 minutes of talk time per month plus 500 night and weekend
minutes for $29.99 per month. Seniors who want to take advantage of the Web may pay an additional
$1.99 per megabyte of data sent or received (ringtones, applications, games, etc.).
A megabyte is enough for about 50 mobile Web page views and two game or ringtone downloads.
AARP members may qualify for discounts with carriers like T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular.
AARP.org. Check with your carrier for more possibilities.
APPS
Whether you use an iPhone, Android or Blackberry cell phone, the app market is exploding with new,
useful apps aimed at seniors. Emerging Healthcare Solutions, for example, announced it will release
in August the Auto-Med app for the iPhone, which for $10 a month will automatically call users every
day to remind the at the precise time of day what medication and dosage they are supposed to take
via doctor recommendation. iPad users can also consider the free WebMD app to check symptoms,
access drug and treatment information and use a tool to identify medicines by pill shape, color and
imprint. iTunes.apple.com
For users of particular LG, Samsung and Motorola cell phones, Verizon offers the Pill Phone app for
$3.99 per month, which also provides information about medications, dosages, side effects and more.
The skynetMD Diet Fitness Diary app provides a calorie, fat and protein counter and a burn meter
containing more than 40 recommended exercises for $2.49 a month. Verizonwireless.com
Blackberry users might consider the Calorie Tracker app for $2.99, which creates a digital diary and
tracks calorie, fat, cholesterol and sodium intake for each meal of the day and how many calories you
burn per walk or jog. Blackberry.com
PRESIDENT
|
Stu Fingerman
|
TREASURER
|
Elaine Bonn
|
HOSPITALITY
|
Esther Fingerman
|
PUBLICITY
|
Ruth Razzetti
|
DUES
|
$5.00 OCT-JUNE
|
MEETINGS
|
4th Friday, 1:30 pm AUD
|
|
For the October 28 meeting, the following agenda will be discussed.
- Status of the Computer Clubs continuance at Rainberry Bay.
- Direction of the Computer Clubs future viability servicing our
residents.
- New officers for 20 II -2012.
As you can tell by the tone of this agenda, the Computer club is now at a
crossroad on how best to continue to be of value to the community.
If you have thoughts on how to contribute to the future direction of the CC,
we would appreciate your attending this important meeting.
Prior to this date, if you have questions, ideas, etc., you wish to express
please send them to me. In this way, I can review them, categorize and
address them for the coming meeting.
Many thanks for your interest in this important decision concerning the
future of the Computer Club at Rainberry Bay. Stu Fingerman, President
email stuesther@aol.com • cell: 561 573 5286