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Columns : Computer Korner Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Your Weekly Computer Tips by WorldStart
Jul 21, 2009 - 11:02:44 PM

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Quick Tips

Definition - Cookies



When you hear the term "cookies" applied to the internet, it's generally not in reference to the gooey chocolate chip variety. A cookie used on the internet is basically a small text file that is placed on your hard drive by a web server. They are used to keep track of various aspects of your travels through the site in question.

They can be used to keep track of passwords, shopping patterns, what type of pages you like, your preferences for that particular site, and more.

For example, if you've ever "joined" any kind of site that requires a login and password, you've probably noticed a "click here to remember your login information" checkbox (not all sites have it, but most do). The site remembers this info by using cookies.

Another example would be a site that you can customize to your liking. If you have a site that "remembers" what type of news, sports ,weather or other preferences you like, they are probably using cookies to do this.

The disadvantage of course is that these sites get a little bit of information about you, especially how you are moving through the site. Remember: A cookie by itself can't read (or damage) your hard drive. They only way a site gets personal information about you is if YOU provide it.

OK, I may take a little heat for this, but my personal recommendation is not to worry too much about cookies. In general they are more helpful than harmful. If you're worried about your privacy, don't give out any personal information. It's that simple!

Computers 101

Q:
Every time I have a problem with this one program, a little window pops up and asks me to report the error to Microsoft. How do I stop this?

A:
To get rid of that pesky request Windows XP likes to pop up, right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop and choose "Properties".

image

In the System Properties window that appears, go to the Advanced tab and click " Error Reporting".

image

You have a few options. You could Disable error reporting. This will make any crashing program's window simply close itself. Poof! No explanation of what happened.

You could also click But Notify Me When Critical Errors Occur, but it might be even safer (and less confusing down the road) if you select Enable Error Reporting and Choose Programs to exclude only your commonly crashing program.

Tip of the Day

YouTube Features

Now that you’re an official YouTube user, let’s explore the different features and possibilities that are available to you! Once you are signed in, click on Account on the top right-hand corner so that you arrive on your Account page.

On the left-hand side, there should be a column that says “ Overview” as the heading. Below this heading, you can set up and customize your account. Let’s start with Profile Setup. When you click on this option, it brings you to a new page, “ About Me.” You can upload a picture to go along with your username, and you can also enter in details to describe yourself and a website URL if you have one. You can then enter in Personal Details, Hometown, Job, Education, and Interests as you see fit.



The second tab is “ Customize Homepage.” Here, you can choose the modules that you want to appear on your homepage when you enter YouTube. You can click to select any display preferences you want to see. The third tab is “ Playback Setup.” This allows you to select the playback quality of the videos you view on YouTube, whether it be based on a slow or fast connection.



The fourth tab is “ Email Options.” You should already have an email address stored onto YouTube from when you created your account. You can change it to a different email address, and you can also set your language preference and choose how often YouTube can send you emails. Options for subscription and updates from YouTube are also applicable.



The fifth tab is “ Sharing and Privacy,” which is especially important on the Internet, which millions of people access hourly. Under Search and Contact Restrictions, you can allow only your friends to send you messages and share videos or allow others to find your specific channel only if they have your email address. If you enable Active Sharing, other users will be able to view the most recent videos you have watched. Recent Activity is similar in enabling others to see your recent actions on your channel.



The sixth tab is “ Blog Setup.” If you want to publish a Blog on YouTube, you simply click on Add a Blog. By entering your username and password, you’re all set. The seventh tab, Mobile Setup, enables you to upload videos straight from your cell phone. If you send the video via text to the email YouTube gives you, you’re on your way to uploading mobile videos!



Finally, the eighth tab, “ Manage Account,” gives you access to change your password, delete your account, or make any other necessary changes.

Amanda's Coolsite

Bad Bugs Slideshow: Identifying Bugs and Their Bites

Bugs are my least favorite part of summer, especially bugs that bite! Now you can browse through 29 slides put together by Web MD that show you not only the bug but also what its bite looks like.

They cover: ticks, spiders, lice, fleas, bees, wasps, fire ants, chiggers, scabies, bed bugs, caterpillars, scorpions, deer flies, mosquitoes, house flies, and roaches.

Each bug is shown in a slide, then they show you what the bite will look like, and then if there is an associated disease they show that as well. For example with the ticks, they show the bite, and then what Lyme disease looks like. Use the Next button to navigate forward through the slides.

In the text next to the slides they explain how these bugs bite or sting, what reactions may occur, and what sort of medical treatment you should get.

This is a great guide to have, especially during the summer months, but for places where it is warm all year – it’s an all year guide!
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/slideshow-bad-bugs

~Amanda

Quick Tips

Yes, Very Sneaky Indeed!

The holidays are still a long way away off, but I have a tip today that's going to give you the advantage over snoopy family members. We like to do a lot of our shopping on the Internet, but did you ever suspect someone going into your browsing history to sneak a peek at the sites you've gone to? What a way to ruin a surprise, right?

Here's what you can do to thwart these sneaky spies of holiday gift giving.

In Internet Explorer 8:



It's called “InPrivate Browsing” and what it does is keep all of your history in one private session that is deleted directly after you're done. Just press Ctrl+Shift+P and then shop, browse and scheme all you want! When you're done, your tracks are covered!

In Firefox 3.5:


The same key combination ( Ctrl+Shift+P) works exactly the same in Firefox 3.5, too! The added cool part about Firefox's private method is that when you're done all the tabs you had open when you went private are restored!

There you go! Two similar methods for Internet anonymity for two different browsers! Cloak and Dagger lives on via the Internet!

~Andrew

Think Optical Mice Are Good?

Then You're Gonna FLIP Over Laser Mice!

Labtec 5-Button Wireless Laser Scroll Mouse

Even Better Tracking! Even Better Performance!

Normally They're Expensive Too - But Not Today!

Wait Till You See The Deal On This New Wireless Mouse! WOW!

Most Wired Optical Mice Cost More Then The Deal You're About To Snag!


OK, most everyone knows that optical mice are the way to go - hopefully no one is still surfin' along with a ball mouse!  Well, what if I told you there was something even BETTER than an optical mouse?  Something that tracks even smoother and more accurately - that's kind of cool, wouldn't ya think? Well, your dreams are about to come true!

We just got a shipment of these absolutely fantastic LabTec Wireless LASER Mice and let me tell ya - I couldn't rip one out of the box fast enough! I hooked it up to my computer and WOW!  This mouse is SWWWEEEETTT!!! I can't wait for you to try it - you'll be amazed at how GREAT this little guy is! Best mouse ever!

It's a wireless little handful of joy, let me tell ya. It tracks better than any mouse I've ever used - no "jumpiness", no skipping - this thing just plain 'ol WORKS! You wouldn't think there'd be much of a difference, but let me tell ya - a laser mouse really is better! Once you go laser, you won't be going back, that's all I can tell ya!

Plus, since it's wireless there's no annoying "tail" to get tangled in everything. I don't know about you, but I can't stand a wired mouse - I'm forever tugging on it and rearranging the stupid cord! Same at your place?  Well, that ALONE should be enough to grab this!

Labtec 5-Button Wireless Laser Scroll Mouse

Of course, tracking like a bloodhound and being wireless are great, but what about the "feel" of the mouse?  Oh, you're gonna LOVE this! It's designed to fit in every size hand and let me tell ya - big and small hands alike here at the office LOVED it! Really comfortable! Plus, the scroll wheel has a really great fell to it and the button click was about perfect! Can't go wrong!

OK, so you want one now too? Join the club - we all love this baby! Your cost is just $14.97 and US Shipping is FREE! Y ou can't get a good wired optical mouse for that kind of money (think 2X as much) - and you're getting a state of the art Wireless Laser Mouse! How great is that? Check it out - but don't wait too long - who knows how long this deal is gonna last! WOW!

http://store.worldstart.com/ product.php?productid=5215

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Your Weekly Computer Tips by WorldStart