Programs
AutoSizer — This has two great uses. It'll pop open the browser (or any program) in full-screen mode every time it opens, and for small programs that tend to open wherever they want (like Calculator), it will make them open right in the center of the screen.
GIMP Graphics Studio — A great (free) graphics studio.
Scheduled Tasks — How to use Scheduled Tasks to pop open Notepad files to remind you of some upcoming event or task.
Snipping Tool — A very slick tool that allows you to use the mouse to snip out part of the screen and either save it as a pic or email it directly to someone.
System Tips
Alternate characters — How to insert 'alternate characters' (©, ®, ™, ±, ¼, ½, ¾, ¿, ¡, á, è, í, ñ, —, etc) into an editor using the keyboard or a program.
Capturing Screen Images — This is the traditional way to capture what's on the screen. Snipping Tool just captures it as an image to be saved or sent, whereas this method pops it into a graphics studio for further processing.
Cleaning an LCD Monitor — Don't use a liquid, don't use anything with ammonia in it.
Closing Stubborn Windows — Every now and then you'll run into a program that won't minimize while it's running. Here are two ways to take care of the rascal.
Customized 'New' Projects — This is how to set up 'templates' so a program will always open with certain settings already in place, like a certain font in a word processing program, or starting up your graphics studio with a blank picture, ready to have a screen capture pasted into it.
Security Software — A general rundown on computer security and some program recommendations.
Security Update — A few new tidbits, mainly a reminder.
The 'Send To' Feature — This is how to easily load files into programs they aren't normally associated with. Got a Notepad file you want to spell-check? 'Send' it to a word processing program, run the spell-checker and save.
Virtual Drives — If you have a program or game that requires a disc to be in the ROM drive, this is how to get around it.
Online
Another Online Tweak — A small adjustment for XP systems.
Double Your Browsing Speed? — Windows XP only. All XP users should install this thing. It won't do any harm if you're already getting your max rates, but it could make a big difference if you're not. It flat-out doubled my Verizon Wireless browsing rate.
Multiple Email Identities — One of the real tragedies with Windows Vista and Windows 7 is the way Microsoft shuffled the excellent Outlook Express off to the great pixel graveyard in the sky. It's best feature was the ability to use (true) multiple identities. This is the result of my search for a replacement.
Windows
For Windows XP tweaks, see Lesson #4, below.
Tweaking Vista — Perhaps the biggest fallacy in the computer world over the past few years is that Windows Vista is "bloated" and "slow". This is just silly. Yes, it has some programs running in the background, but turning them off is just a mouse click away. Do everything on this page and your Vista system will be quick, stable and solid.
Windows 7 Evaluation — I spent an entire day with this thing, installed a bunch of programs, ran a bunch of things, probed every corner, looked in every nook and cranny (I don't even know what a cranny is, but I looked there anyway) and this is my report. I can guarantee you there's not another one like it on the Web. If you're just a casual computer user, then Windows 7 is a terrific OS. But if you're a geek type who likes fiddling with things, I'm going to trash this thing like no one else has dared to do.
Hardware
Disc Carousels — For that ever-burgeoning disc collection
Disc Labeling — Some info on disc label printers
Enhancements — Things to make your computer life more enjoyable.
The Lessons
Introduction
1: Search Engine Tips
2: File Structure
3: System Backup
4: Windows XP Tweaks
5: Ergonomics
6: Building A Home Page
7: Cool Tools
8: Hardware
9: Keyboard Skills
10: Should You Upgrade?
11: Troubleshooting
12: Images
13: Audio
14: Video
15: Streaming Video
16: DOS
17: Facts & Fallacies
