Wednesday, July 16, 2008

How to Switch From Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox




Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

* Computer with Internet access (preferably high speed and one that you own)
* Brief downloading knowledge
* Access to Mozilla Firefox's website

How to Switch to Firefox From Internet Explorer
Step1
Go to the website listed below in the Resources section (http://www.mozilla.com).

Step2
Once there, click the large button on the screen labeled "download Firefox--free." Then wait for the download to begin. A dialog box then appears that asks "would you like to save this file?" Click the "save file" button on the left.

Step3
Once the file is downloaded, click install and follow the on screen step by step prompts. Your browser will restart with Google.com as your home page. If you would like to change this, go to "tools" on the top menu and select the "main" tab.

Step4
Type in your new home page web address and click the OK button on the bottom of the screen to save this new address. The next time you open Mozilla, the page should automatically default to this.

Step5
You won't notice many differences in using Mozilla but you may not be able to access some websites that are not compatible with Mozilla; so keep Internet Explorer around. The buttons may be a bit different, but you can still have all the toolbars on the top of it, such as yahoo and Google.

Step6
Your "favorites" are now known as "Bookmarks" and can be located under the Bookmarks menu. To save a favorite page, click "bookmarks," and "bookmark this page. You can also organize by placing it into a folder, similar to the process in Internet Explorer.

Step7
HELP! Don't worry, menus are virtually alike in this web browser as to Internet Explorer, but if do you get stuck, click the help menu and explore the choices beneath it. You can also search by topic if you are looking for something specific.

Step8
Firefox also has a neat feature called "Foxmarks" where you can install an add-on (by accessing the tools menu), save a username and password and then access your favorites on any computer with Firefox by entering your username and password. This is an invaluable feature and built right in to the browser.

Step9
MOST OFTEN USED FEATURES:

If you would like to make the text size bigger, simply click the "view" menu on the top of your screen and then select "text size."

If you would like to go back to your starting (home) page, just click the house on the top of the page.

If you would like to refresh the page, hit the F5 key.

The back and forward button functions remain the same. History is also the same. You can set the number of days, etc. and customize it to your needs.

You can still save passwords inside the browser if that is something you prefer to do.

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Monday, July 14, 2008

How to Eliminate the Need to Install an Additional Phone Jack

Have you ever needed an additional phone jack in your home or apartment but didn't want to go through the expense or mess of installing one? Especially in home offices...between modems, telephones, fax machines and computers all needing a phone line. Well, here is a solution that couldn't be easier to use. It's called GE Insta Jack and here is how you install it.



Step1
The package comes with two units (base unit and extension unit) and a six-foot telephone cord.






Step2
Take the base unit and plug it in to a regular electrical wall outlet within 6 feet of one of your existing phone jacks.






















Step3
There are two phone connectors on this unit, one labeled line and one labeled phone. Plug the phone cord that came with the unit into the existing telephone wall jack and the other into LINE on the unit. Take your existing phone line and plug one end into your phone and the other into the unit where it says PHONE.


Step4
Take the extension unit of the Insta Jack and plug in to an electric outlet where ever you desire to have another connection - and that's it...your new jack is installed. Just plug the phone line (or modem or whatever) and you are ready to go. A lot of people would love to have the capability to fax out of their computer - now you can!!

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How to De-Frag Defrag a Computer with Windows XP ~ 3 Ways


The ways to initiate the computer defragmenting process in Windows XP


Things You’ll Need:

* Computer
* Windows XP

Step1
Method #1 ~

~Open the start menu (click start button on the lower left of your computer screen).
~Next, click "Run" from the start menu.
~When you are prompted to input the file to run, type "dfrg.msc" , but do not include the quotes.
~Hit Enter.


Step2
Method #2 ~

~ Open the start menu (click start button on the lower left of your computer screen).
~ Select "Accessories" from the Program menu.
~ Select "System Tools" from the list of accessories.
~ Select "Disk Defragmenter" from the menu.
~ Select the drive you wish to defragment from the drop down menu.
~ Left Click "Start"


Step3
Method #3 ~

~ Open the start menu (click start button on the lower left of your computer screen).
~ Double click the "My Computer" selection at the top of the start menu.
~ In the pop up window "My Computer", right click on the drive you wish to defrag (if unsure, select Drive C).
~ From the pop-up menu, left click "Properties" located at the bottom.
~ The Properties Menu will pop up. Left click on the "Tools" tab at the top.
~ Select the "Defragment Now" option.
~ The Disk Defragmenter program will initiate. Left click on "Defragment" to initiate.

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How to Create Interactive Buttons in Dreamweaver




You can create professional-looking flash buttons with a very easy plug-in for Dreamweaver. You can select a predefined style of flash button and change the text, color, link and other settings to customize it just for your website. With the "Get More Styles" option you can even select from hundreds of unique buttons created by other users.


Things You’ll Need:

* Dreamweaver

Step1
Open Dreamweaver. Start a new blank document by selecting "HTML" under the "New" section of the introduction splash screen.

Step2
Choose the "Insert" menu, then "Media" and then "Flash Button" to bring up the "Insert Flash Button" dialog box.

Step3
Select a predefined style from the "Style" selections for your button. The predefined style will be a style that is already made for you. At this point, you can customize with your own text and colors.

Step4
Type text for your button in the "Button text" textbook, set the font from the "Font" menu and change the size of the font in the "Size" textbook.

Step5
Set the link by keying in the URL or browsing to find a webpage in the "Link" section of the dialog box. Set how you want that link to open by setting the "Target."

Step6
Select a color for the background of the button using the "BG color" color picker.

Step7
Save the button using the "Save as" function, and select the "OK" button to create your flash button.

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How to Clean Out Your Start Up Program in Windows XP



Things You’ll Need:

* computer
* Windows XP operating system

Step1
Go to your start menu. Click start/run and type msconfig. (Do not use quotes)

Step2
A box entitled system configuration utility will pop up. Click on the startup tab.

Step3

Uncheck any program that does not need to start with windows.

Step4
Click Apply, ok, and then reboot.

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How to check your computer for errors and defragment your computer




Things You’ll Need:

* Your computer
* A little bit of time
* A bit of quiet, to think

Step1
If you want your computer to run as smooth and as fast as it can, you need to periodically check it for errors and you need to run a defragmentation diagnostics test on it.

Neither test is hard to do. But they are essential for you to get the most out of your computer and for it perform at its peak.

Step2
Under the tools tab you will now have two choices of what actions to perform, an error check or to defragment your drive.

You should start with the error check.

You may also have the option to repair automatically and to scan your computer in an attempt to recover bad sectors. If you have these choices, choose these as well.

The length of time it takes to check for errors will depend on how much data is on your computer.

Your computer may have to restart to perform this function. If it does, it will ask you if you wish to perform an error check the next time you restart your computer. Pick yes and then go ahead and shut down your computer, using the restart option.

When your computer starts again, it should begin searching and possibly repairing any errors.

Step3
After you have done an error check on your computer, you are ready to see if your computer needs to be defragmented. You will need to begin with step one again. This time while you are in the tools tab menu, choose the option defragment.

In the middle of this new screen, you will see a button that says analyze. Click it. Your computer will then analyze whether or not it needs to be defragmented.

It will also show you how much space you will be able to save if you defragment the drive.

Your computer will say if it needs to be defragment or not. If it says you should defragment this volume go ahead and click the defragment button.

Again, the defragmenting time will differ from computer to computer depending on how many files that needs to be compacted.

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How to Change the Help Icon in Microsoft Word




Things You’ll Need:

* Microsoft Word
* Computer

Step1
Make the help icon appear by pressing F1 on your keyboard or clicking the "help," "show the Office Assistant," menu on the top of your screen. Note: If the help or Office Assistant appears when you open up Microsoft Word, you do not need to do this.

Step2
Right click on the Office Assistant (help icon) and select "choose assistant." Many choices will be displayed, depending on the version of Microsoft Word you are running.

Step3
Office Assistant Gallery Screen example Click on the "Gallery" tab and click the "Next" arrow at the bottom of your screen to scroll through and view your options. They will all sound and look a little different. A photo example of this screen appears in this article.

Step4
Click on the "Options" tab to tweak any options and preferences as you see fit. Uncheck the boxes of the features you wish to make disappear.

Step5
Turn down the sound if you are at work or in a public place as many of these helpers have sound effects such as bark, meow, space or sounds related to the icon you choose.

Step6
Click the "Ok" button at the bottom of the Office Assistant Dialog box when you are finished. You can always go back and change the icon as necessary.

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How to Add or Change Desktop Icons Vista version Windows

Step1
Right Click anywhere on your desktop and select "Personalize" from the pop-up options.

Step2
Left Click on the "Change Desktop Icons" link located in the upper left hand corner of the Personalization pop-up window.

Step3
In the upper section of the new pop-up window, check the icons you want to show on your desktop. Your personal files, folders and documents can be displayed by checking the "User Files" option.

Step4
Save the Changes.

Step5
System icons will appear automatically. To display personal files, use the tradition windows method to transfer files to your desktop

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How to Speed up Downloads



Things You’ll Need:

* High speed internet



Make sure you close any internet programs that don't need to be open. Every program that is accessing this internet plays it's part in slowing down your download. Like internet streaming, online video games, and P2P networks.




















Make sure that your firewalls aren't blocking the designated ports or the program.






















Get a download manager. Most of the time these download managers have faster speeds that your average IE or Mozilla downloads.
















If at all possible upgrade your internet connection to make sure you have the fastest speeds available.

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How to Save Money on Internet Service




Things You’ll Need:

* Internet connection
* Phone

How to Save Money on Internet Service
Step1
Go to lowermybills.com

Step2
Click on the link for internet service and begin comparison shopping for different providers.

Step3
Select the best deal and put potentially hundreds of dollars back in your pocket. You can also use the site to get discounted cell phone service and credit cards among other things.

Step4
Many of the big companies will often do promotional offers and offer you low monthly rates if you sign up for a 1-year or 2-year contract. Don't commit to a long term contract if you think you might have to cancel before the term is up because it will most likely cost you some money to terminate the contract early.

Step5
If you choose a Internet service with lower speed you will save some money, but you'll have to spend more time waiting in front of the computer as the pages load, so get used to that hour glass icon.


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