The computer guy searches the web for tips on Vista, MS Office, Excel and great FREE programs.

Q:
I just got a second hard drive. How do I move programs over to it?

A:
First off, the better way to go is to leave your programs on the C drive and move documents, pictures, and music files over to the new drive. These files can take up a lot of space, especially WAV, MP3, and JPGs. This also protects your data files in case something happened to the operating system or your C drive.

If you really want your programs on the new drive, you'll need to uninstall from the C drive and re-install on the new one. That can get tedious and you run the risk of errors since some files (like DLLs) get written to the C drive even if the program is on the other drive.

As for HOW to move music files and such, just drag and drop from one drive to the other.

New Update: Firefox 3.0.0.12

It seems like it's been forever since I've written about a new update for the Firefox Web browser, so when I heard about the new version being released, I jumped at the chance to include it in today's newsletter! I know many of you are avid Firefox users, so you may already be enjoying the new release, but just in case you're a step behind, I'm here to give you the full scoop. So, without further ado, I give you Firefox 3.0.0.12, which was released on February 7, 2008. Let's check it out!

According to the release notes for v3.0.0.12, several security and stability issues were discovered in the previous version (2.0.0.11), so Mozilla went straight to work on getting them all patched up. I was able to find a list of ten different bugs that were fixed and they dealt with everything from Web forgery to stylesheets to Web browsing history to stored password corruptions to multiple file inputs and even some browser crash problems. They were all a little confusing to me, but if you'd like to take a look at the complete list, you can do so here. I'm just glad the Mozilla company knows what they're doing!

Now, if you haven't downloaded the new version yet, you should do so very soon. Like I said before, all of the found issues have to do with security and stability vulnerabilities, so you really need this update to keep yourself protected while you're surfing the Web. To download Firefox 2.0.0.12, just go to this Web site and click on the big green Download Firefox - Free button. Or, you can get the update by opening your Firefox browser, going to Help, Check for Updates. Once you're done, you'll be all set and safe to use your Firefox any way you wish. Enjoy!

The "Reply to All" question.I know most of you probably run into this on a daily basis while you're going through your e-mail, so it's important that you fully understand it. Let's go!

First of all, just so we're clear, the Reply All (also known as Reply to All) feature is an e-mail function and it basically means sending an e-mail to more than one person. For instance, let's say you received an e-mail from one of your friends and although your address was the only one listed on the To: line, your friend copied (Cc) a few other people on it and you want the reply to go to all of them as well. In that case, you would hit the Reply All button and all of their addresses (and your friend's) will be added to the To: line. That way, everyone can see your reply and you don't have to worry about sending out individual e-mails. It's such a timesaver!

Now, all e-mail programs have the Reply All feature, but it may show up differently, depending on the service you use. Here are a couple examples. In Outlook Express, the button says Reply All and it's located right next to the Reply button. In Yahoo!, there's a down arrow on the Reply button you can click to choose Reply to Everyone. In Gmail, there's a down arrow on the Reply button you can click to choose Reply to All and in Hotmail, there's a Reply All button located in between the Reply and Forward buttons. No matter which way you use it, this is one e-mail feature definitely worth checking out. I know I use it all the time. Try it today!

Have you ever downloaded something off the Internet and while you were doing it, you just didn't feel 100 percent sure that it was coming from a reputable source? Let's say you wanted to get one of the downloads that Chad writes about it our newsletter. You may trust Chad's judgment, but what if the site seems a little shaky?

Well, after you download the application, get it installed and all that good stuff, just right click on the file it creates and choose Scan. It should say "Scan with..." for whichever antivirus software you have on your computer. For example, we have Norton Antivirus here at the office, so it says "Scan with Norton Antivirus." Your virus protection will do a quick scan of the particular file you choose and in a manner of seconds, you will know if any of the contents within that file are infected.

I just now checked my work files here at the office and in less than five minutes, more than 7,000 contents were scanned. It's pretty easy to do and it's important to do when you install something new on your PC, as well as, checking your older files every once in awhile just to stay safe.

This is from my blog and intended for the computer user(s) that "Get It". In other words if anything I note here is confusing, then you will need to learn more about computers.
Best advice about computers

Best advice about computers; don’t rely on “Anti-Virus” programs like Norton or NOD32. Instead modify your behavior.If you rely on software to protect you from viruses, you will get infected. NOD32 is great for finding root kits and viruses, Norton sucks but many readers use the program. Once you are infected, run backup on your important files/drivers, format and do a fresh install.Hope you important files/drivers are not infected, highly probable. Root kits get into system files and "root" files. You can not scan and clean with any known "Anti-Virus" programs to date.Zero day infections can only be removed with a fresh install.
ON the net;
1) use IE7 not IE6, for browsing. Firefox 2.0 was great but now is more insecure as compared to IE7.However Firefox 3.0Beta.3, currently in Beta is vastly more secure.
2)Don’t open emails from people you don’t recognize.
3)Don’t click on any attachments in your emails.
4)Don’t click on any links in emails, copy and paste the URL.
5)Backup your computer every week or at least monthly.Store BU's off computer.
6)Turn on Restore and monitor regularly.
7)Update all Microsoft patches, ASAP if you are using a Microsoft OS. Use Vista if you care to upgrade to a more secure Window OS.
8)If you have to use an internet cafe, copy and paste your login and passwords, don’t keyboard.Or use KeyTags to input your logins. Keyloggers are everywhere now days and hard to beat. Learn the common “Turn On” key combinations for keyloggers, ie; CTRL+AlT+Shft+ H, or CTL+ATL+F7.If you key in these combinations and a popup window opens, get away from that machine.

Q:
What is a template?

A:

A template is a document pattern or part of a document that you keep stored to make new documents. They can define the layout, fonts, margins, and other features of a document. Word processing, desktop publishing, and HTML editing programs sometimes call these "style sheets". You might also hear templates called "stationary", like in Outlook Express.

Whatever you call 'em, they sure can make life easier.

Quick Tip

Launching Multiple Programs

Have you ever needed to launch multiple programs? Normally, you hit the Start button, Programs, then select the program you want to run. Once that one starts, you go back through and repeat the process for the next program. Well, here's a better and quicker way.

Next time you need to launch more than one program from your Programs menu at the same time, hold down your Shift key while you click the program's icon. The application will launch. Plus, you won't lose the Programs menu and have to start all over.

So many tricks, so little time.

~ -Bobbie-

Is your computer password protected? Have you ever wanted to lockdown your desktop with a password that only you or your family members know, just in case? Well, here's a short guide to help you do so.

In Windows XP, go to Start, Control Panel and click on User Accounts. Next, you're going to click on Change an Account, because you're modifying the account you have already created. Choose the account you want to change and then click on Change my password. The next screen that comes up will have you choose a password and retype it as well. It has you retype it as a security protector so your PC knows, for sure, that's the password you want. The next line has you put in some sort of a reminder as to what your password is. Keep in mind that your password hint is visible to anyone who uses your computer.

That's all you have to do! So, if you ever feel like changing that password in the future, you can follow these directions again to do that. You might notice that while you're creating your password, you can also do stuff like change the name your PC is under, change your icon picture or even remove the password, if you ever decide to do that.

For all other users, go to Start, Control Panel and search for the password settings where you will be able to change your Windows password as well.

Comparing Control Panels

Are you using Windows Vista now? Are you having a little trouble getting a handle on the new Control Panel? It's hard to get used to new things sometimes, but I'm going to try to help you out with this one today. Let's do a little Control Panel comparing: Vista vs. XP. Sound good to you? I thought you might like that. Well, gear up, because here we go!

First, here are the different links you will find in each of the Control Panels. In XP, you will find: Appearance and Themes, Network and Internet Connections, Add or Remove Programs, Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices, Performance and Maintenance, Printers and Other Hardware, User Accounts, Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, Accessibility Options and Security Center. On the other hand, Vista shortens those options a little. There, you will find: System and Maintenance, Security, Network and Internet, Hardware and Sound, Programs, User Accounts and Family Safety, Appearance and Personalization, Clock, Language and Region, Ease of Access and Additional Options.

Now, most of them are pretty self-explanatory, but let's go over a few of the differences found in Vista. Under the Hardware and Sounds section, you can access all of your hardware, like your printer, keyboard, mouse, etc. Under Programs, you can take care of all the uninstalling issues and so on. Under the User Accounts and Family Safety area, you can add new accounts, but also set up parent controls and other safety settings. Now, for the new ones. Ease of Access gives you the option to have Windows suggest certain settings and it also has a section for speech recognition options. Under Additional Options, you will find things such as the type of antivirus program you have on your computer and other valuable information.

So, if you are still getting used to Vista, you can rest assured that the Control Panel is just about the same as XP's, just with a few additions. It shouldn't take you too long to get the hang of it. You'll be a Vista Control Panel pro in no time!