Saturday, August 28, 2010

What’s the difference between folders and files?

Folders - are very similar to manila folders in a file cabinet. Inside each of the Folders we will store our “files”. You can create sub-folders, or sub-sub folders to keep your “files” even more organized on different projects that you may be involved with. Such as initially you might have a folder for “Insurance”, but once it begins to get full – you may want to have sub-folders for different types of insurance: health, life, car, home, boat etc..

Files - each individual item we save on the computer – whether it is a photo, document, spreadsheet, song or video is known as a File. Files are the items that you are able to view and to work on if desired. An example would be the images you download from your digital camera; or the Word document that you've created. If you download a CD of music to your computer – although it is only 1 CD, each individual song or track of music is then an individual file.

TIPS:

  • When naming files or folders we cannot use computer language symbols such as back or forwarded slashes ( / or \)
  • When naming a file with dates you can use: 8.24.10 or 8-24-10 but cannot use 8/24/10.
  • Use spaces when you name files or folders to make your filing easier.
  • The filing system on the computer always puts numbers before letters 0-9 will always go before a-z, so if you want a file or folder to stay at the top, name it 0.0 to do - the zeros will keep it at the top, vs. naming it to do which would it put it towards the bottom of your list

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Microsoft Operating System History

The initial Microsoft Operating System was introduced 25 years ago (Windows 1.0 followed by 3.0 5 years later in 1990).

But did you know that fifteen (15) years ago today, “August 25, 1995” Microsoft launched Windows 95 Operating System, which became the most widely used operating system in the world at that time.

And since then, well history speaks for itself. As we all know, there have been numerous upgrades including the following - which is your favorite?

  • 1998 – Windows 98
  • 1999 – Windows ME (millennium)
  • 2000 – Windows 98 2nd Edition
  • 2001 – Windows XP
  • 2007 – Windows Vista was introduced March 1st
  • 2009 – Windows 7 was introduced last October

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

What is Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer gives you a fast, easy way to view, copy, delete, move, etc., the folders and files found on all of your disk drives (like a big filing cabinet) It’s important to remember, Windows Explorer is very different from Internet Explorer..

Windows Explorer lets you play with – find & organize the files and folders on your computer, just as though it were a metal file cabinet and work easily moving and/or copying files and folders to and from different drives, such as when you are copying files/folders from your computer to your portable hard drive or flash drive.

Internet Explorer is “Browser” software that allows you to connect to other computers via the World Wide Web & search for information

The easiest way to access Windows Explorer is to hold the windows flag key down & tap the letter “E”. You can quickly and easily access the Windows Explorer this way without having to minimize any other applications or screens that you have open and are working with

Saturday, August 21, 2010

What are Drivers?

DRIVERS ARE THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS THAT CONTROL HARDWARE DEVICES.

All devices (printer, disk drive, keyboard, mouse) must have a driver software program.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with the operating system; for other devices, you may need to “load” a new driver when you connect the device to your computer.

  • In DOS systems, drivers are files with a.SYS extension
    In Windows environments, drivers often have a.DRV extension

Each device has its own set of special commands that only its driver knows. In contrast, most programs access devices by using generic commands. Almost all drivers can be “downloaded” directly from the manufacturer’s website, to ensure that you have the most current DRIVER installed on your system.

If a device isn't working correctly - such as your printer, scanner, webcam etc. - go to the manufacturer's website and "download" the driver again - it will see that you have software on your computer already for the hardware and will simply modify the instructions/software already on your computer.

Personally I do this twice a year (such as when the clocks change) to make sure my driver software is always the most up-t-date. it's quick and easy and it's free..

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What are computer Drives

Drives are the “hardware/equipment” that read and write the information the various disks.

Disc drives rotate the disk very fast and have one or more heads that can read and/or write data to them..

When “drives” are put into the computer, the computer assigns them a “letter” making it easier to identify them to then be able t see what is stored/filed on the specific drive, such as:
  • "C" is typically the Hard Drive on almost all computers is
  • "D" is often times the CD or DVD Drive
  • "E" or "F"- when you put your flash drive in the USB Port in one computer it might be the “E” Drive – in another computer it might be the “F” drive..
The "letter" the computer assigns, allows you to know where things are..

There are different types of disc drives, but the common ones that we work with are:
  • CD-Rom can read audio and data CD discs
  • CR-RW drives can read and record (burn) audio and data CD discs
  • DVD-ROM drives can read CD and DVD discs
  • DVD+RW+R Drives, can read and write (burn) CD and DVD discs
  • COMBINATION DRIVES, combine the functions of 2 rives into one-either a DVD+RW/+R drive and a CD-RW drive or a DVD-RIM drive and a CR-RW drive
  • Flash/jump drive and read and write to a flash/jump drive
  • Hard disk drive (HDD) reads and writes hard disks (can be internal or external or totally portable)
  • “6 in 1” - “50 In 1” Memory Card Readers – allows you to read from the memory cards of digital cameras and other media devices
Disk drives can be either internal (housed within the computer) or external (housed in a separate box that connects to the computer)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Software Programs & Drivers - What runs on 32-bit or 64-bit computers?

Still confused about what the terms 32-bit and 64-bit are all about. Simply these numbers refer to the way our computer's processor or brain (what you hear referred to as the CPU), handles information.

64-bit handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) much more quickly and effectively than a 32-bit system

Most programs designed for a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows will work on a computer running 64-bit versions of Windows, however major exceptions to this are:
  • many (if not most) antivirus programs and
  • some hardware drivers, including those for flash drives and printers

Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows don't work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows.
So if you aren’t sure or need help updating drivers or other troubleshooting issues with drivers for 64-bit versions of Windows, contact the manufacturer of the device or program

For more information before you upgrade to Windows 7, or about 32-bit vs 64-bit, check out microsoft's info site:


href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

What is Windows 7 Operating System?

Windows 7 Operating System, like earlier operating systems, comes with a preset list of Internet Favorites, which can be seen in the navigation pane on the left hand side. But know that you are in control more than ever.

Folders and Favorites can be added to this list or removed, you can set up new folders, or even restore the originals… So many possibilities…and it’s easier than ever… By default, the favorite locations are:

  • Recent Places
  • Downloads
  • Desktop

And your list may include

  • Recorded TV (if you set it up in the Media Centre)

So to make changes....

  • To remove any of these from the list, right-click on what you don’t want, and when the action menu appears, choose “Remove” and it will be deleted
  • To add your own folders to the Favorites list, when you have the website open, Right-click on Favorites in the navigation pane – when the action menu appears, choose “Add current location to Favorites” and it will be added
  • Changed your mind – maybe deleted the wrong folder – to restore your Favorites list to its previous state, just Right-click on Favorites; Click on “Restore favorite links” from the action menu that appears. This doesn’t remove any of the new locations that you’ve added, it just brings back the original ones

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Volume Controls for Sound

Certainly many of us can simply “dial the volumn” controls on our speakers, but just as many of us may have speakers set up out of “easy reach” or we may need to be able to do it quickly and easily from the computer as we work, especially when the phone rings and we need to quickly “mute” the sound.

You can use Volume Control to adjust the volume, balance, bass, and treble settings for sounds played on your computer or by multimedia applications. You can also use Volume Control to adjust the level of system sounds, microphones, CD audio, line-in, synthesizer, and wave output.

  • To open Volume Control, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Entertainment, and then click Volume Control OR
  • Far Right hand corner of task bar, in the area known as the "system tray" (to left of the time) you will see a speaker icon, LEFT CLICK on it to open full controls OR RIGHT CLICK on it for quick control for sound & mute only…
  • Sound Cards allow us to use Volume Control to control the volumn and speaker balance when we play audio files.
  • When you have your Volume Control Dialog Box open, you can also check out the Help menu for more details and options.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

What is "phishing" and how to avoid it

Phishing is an increasingly common type of spam that can lead to theft of your personal details such as credit card numbers or online banking passwords.

Phishing attacks work by the scam artist sending "spoofed" emails that appear to come from a legitimate website that you have online dealings with such as a bank, credit card company or ISP - any site which requires users to have a personal identity or account. The email may ask you to reply with your account details in order to "update security" or for some other reason.

The phishing email may also direct you to a spoofed website or pop-up window which looks exactly like the real site, but has been set up for the sole purpose of stealing personal information. Unsuspecting people are then often fooled into handing over credit card numbers, passwords or other details.

  • Never respond to emails that request personal financial informationBanks or e-commerce companies generally personalize emails, while phishers do not. Phishers often include false but sensational messages ("urgent - your account details may have been stolen") in order to get an immediate reaction. Reputable companies don't ask their customers for passwords or account details in an email. Even if you think the email may be legitimate, don't respond - contact the company by phone or by visiting their website.
  • Visit bank or other financial, retail or medical websites by typing the URL (web address) into the address bar yourself. Phishers often use links within emails to direct their victims to a spoofed site, usually to a similar address such as mybankonline.com instead of mybank.com. When clicked on, the URL shown in the address bar may look genuine, but there are several ways it can be faked, taking you to the spoofed site. If you suspect an email from your bank or online company is false, do not follow any links embedded within it.
  • Keep a regular check on your accounts - Regularly log into your accounts & and check your statements. If you see any suspicious transactions report them to your bank or credit card provider.

Be sure the website you are visiting is secure - Always, before you submit any personal or fiancial information, always check to ensure the site uses encryption to protect your personal data:

  1. Check the web address in the address bar. If the website you’re visiting is on a secure server it should start with "https://" ("s" for security) rather than the usual "http://"
  2. Look for a lock icon on the browser's status bar. Check the level of encryption, expressed in bits, by hovering over the icon with your cursor. Note that the fact that the website is using encryption doesn't necessarily mean that the website is legitimate; it only tells you data is being sent in encrypted form.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without our permission or knowledge. The term "virus" is commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware & spyware programs that don’t have reproductive abilities.

  • A true virus can only spread from one computer to another (in some form of executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB drive.
  • Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.

Viruses are very different (technically) from COMPUTER WORMS & TROJAN HORSES:

  • A WORM can use security vulnerabilities to spread itself to other computers without needing to be transferred as part of a host
  • A TROJAN HORSE is a program that appears harmless but has a hidden agenda. Worms and Trojans, like viruses, may cause harm to either a computer system's hosted data, functional performance, or networking throughput, when they are executed. Some viruses and other malware have symptoms noticeable to the computer user, but most are hidden. This makes it hard for most users to notice, find and disable and is why anti-virus programs are now commonplace