computer terms

"How To Create Accelerator Keys"

When you open the Start menu, you'll notice that the items there have a built-in accelerator key. You don't see anything,but if you press the 'P' keyboard key, your cursor will highlightthe Programs item.
If there is more than one item that begins with the letter "P" pressing "P" again will take you to the next item on the menu.
Pressing 'F' will highlight the Find menu, and so on.
Want to get to the Programs flyout menu fast? Just press the Logo key, then the P. Bam! You're there. Nobody can do it thatfast with the mouse.
Want to get to the Accessories flyout window fast? Logo key, P, Enter. The Accessories item is at the top of the Programslist, and is highlighted automatically for you. Hitting theEnter key opens the Accessories item. Anything that's highlightedwill be activated by hitting the Enter key.
Okay, let's assign some Accelerators.
Rename an item on the Start menu by right clicking the item, then choosing "Rename" from the list. Type a number next to the item you want to use. For example, lets say the Registry Editorwas number one on your list. Rename it to: 1. Registr Editor.
Now, to activate the Registry Editor, press the Logo key, and then number 1. Just like that, you're there. If you want tohang onto the mouse, fine. Just click the Start button, thenpress the number 1.
Go down the list, numbering the items in some logical sequence. "Logical" is a word that applies to you. If it makes sense toyou, it's logical for you. It may not be for Einstein, but hey,he couldn't even make change.
Once your programs are numbered, you can make a list, tape it to your monitor, then just tap a few keystrokes and you'rethere.

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 138 May 23, 2003

Active Window

Your computer was created by super geeks who didn't really give a lot of thought to your not being impressed by their techno-savvy. They were out to impress their colleagues, and have done a great job of it. But where does that leave you?
Most non-geek people aren't impressed with Windows' ability to multi-task. That is, its ability to do more than one thing at a time. In fact, doing one thing at a time is enough. At least for me anyway!
That said, I think you should know about one feature of Windows that might make life easier for you. And that just happens to be what's known as "multi-tasking." And of course, this includes the concept of the "active window."
When you open a program, such as AOL or a word processor, that program is "active." Anything you do with your mouse or keyboard will be aimed at that program. Now, let's say you open another program WITHOUT closing the previous one. You now have TWO programs running. TWO windows to deal with.
So how do you know which one is active?
The window that looks bright, colorful, non-gray or non-dull is the one that's active. And it's usually the one that's on top, too. (The active window always wants to be on top.)
The inactive window may be on the taskbar, too. If you minimize a window, it heads straight for the task bar, and turns itself into a button.The taskbar is the place to look for windows that have been minimized. And that leaves only the active window on your screen. So, next time you think you're lost, just look at the taskbar.
Are there any buttons showing? If so, click one. (They open with a single click.) And if you haven't minimized a window (do this by clicking on the "minus" button in the upper right hand corner of any open window) it'll be right there.
One at a time, two at a time, three at a time or more. You can have open as many windows as your computer has memory for. They just keep opening. So no matter how many windows are open, you'll know which one is the one that you're really working with.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 88 August 1, 2002

"Address Book - "How To Use Outlook Express "

Do you use the Address Book feature in Outlook Express?
It's a neat tool and can save you a lot of digging around.
Open Outlook Express or Outlook if you use it.
Click 'Tools' then 'New Contact'. (Or 'File/Address Book')
Click 'New/'New Contact'
Open 'Name' tab and fill in the details.
Proceed through other Tabs and enter the information necessary.
Click 'OK'
That's it!
You'll see that the Address Book is very comprehensive, so use the facilities you need and leave the rest. Next time you want to send an email to someone in your Address Book ...
Compose your message.
Click 'Send' and the list of email addresses in your Address Book pops up automatically.
Double click on the address you wish to insert and it automatically inserts into the 'To' field.
To send cc or bcc's, highlight the address and click the button in the appropriate field.
If you make a mistake and want to delete an address, highlight the address in the right hand window, RIGHT click, and click The Address Book is a wonderful tool you can use for a wide variety of things, so play around and see what you come up with.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 117 February 20, 2003

"Address Book - Printing From Outlook Express Address Book"

If you want to keep a manual copy of the contacts in your Address Book - just print it out like this ...
Open Address Book.
Click 'File'
Click 'Print'
A printing window will open.
Let's say you just want to print telephone numbers ...
Click 'Selection'
Click 'Phone list'
Select number of copies
Click 'OK'
If you want to print everything in your address book, Click 'All' instead.
This is just a tiny selection of the uses for this terrific tool.
Browse around and experiment.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 117 February 20, 2003

"Applet"

Someone just asked for an explanation of this term. What it means is "little program". Not a big program, like Microsoft Word, Works, or Windows. But a little program like Notepad. Or the sound recorder. Or any of the programs in your System Tools folder. (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools.)
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 85 July 9, 2002

"Application"

Sometimes written as 'app'.
This is just another word for a program or software, A term for a program that performs specific tasks, such as wordprocessing, e-mail sending or retrieval, or Web browsing.Unlike *system* software, which runs the computer system(such as the operating system), an app is an end-userprogram.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 131 March 28, 2003

"How To Send Attachments"

It's funny how it goes sometimes, but we received 3 requests this week for a tutorial on how to send attachments by email.
First of all ...
I NEVER open attachments anymore. This is the number one method of sending viruses and other nasty stuff by email. So any email with an attachment is automatically zapped and never seen by me.
So if you're going to send someone an attachment, send them an email first asking for permission. Otherwise it may be nuked.
In Outlook Express write your email message.
Go to 'Insert' and click on 'File'. Or simply click on the paper clip icon in your tool bar.
A window opens up.
Navigate your way to the file, picture or whatever it is you wish to attach.
Double Click on it and close the window.
You'll see that an icon has appeared in the bottom left of your email. You can open this with a double click if you wish, to check that you've attached the correct file.
Send your email in the usual way.
All your recipient has to do to open the attachment is to double click on the file icon.
Want to send 2, or 3 attachments?
Just keep inserting them one at a time as described.
NOTE:
If you wish to forward an image you've already received as an attachment, you MUST save it first in the normal way onto your hard drive. Then send it as I've explained above.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 186 June 20, 2004

"Cache"

A cache (pronounce it as CASH) is a place to store something temporarily. The files you automatically request by looking at a Web page are stored on your hard disk in a cache. When you return to a Web page you've recently looked at, the browser gets it from the cache rather than the original server, saving you time.
So whenever you return to a Webpage you've visited before, you should always click your 'Refresh' button in your top tools bar. This ensures you are looking at the most recent Web pages, and not something which was stored in your cache a while ago.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 91 August 22, 2002

"Cache...How To Look Back In Time"

Your computer has a cache containing lots of stuff it has collected and stored without you realizing it. Some of it unused.
Let's look at the files collecting there. You may be in for a surprise!
Every time you view a web page, the images on that page are downloaded to your computer. This happens automatically. The images are stored in a special group of folders. You can go in there and look at all the pictures!
If you have kids, or want to check up on what someone has been,viewing on the Net, this is the place to do it. Be warned... if, others have access to your computer, there's no telling what you'll find!
To view the images stored on your computer from Web pages, do this:
1. Using My Computer icon, double click to open.
2. Open the Windows folder.
3. Open the Temporary Internet Files folder.
Inside, you'll find a lot of stuff. Images will be there, and should have the icon of whatever image editor you have installed on your computer. If you don't have an image editor, the icon may look like a blue "e" or Netscape's ship's wheel icon.
Double click the image file, and it will open in your image editor, or in your browser, depending on the software installed on your computer.
Also, check the History folder in the Windows folder. It will also reveal a lot of information.
This is just a glimpse into the insides of your computer. A lot of stuff is stored there. If you want to delete the stuff you find in the Temporary Internet Files folder, just highlight the item, and hit the Delete key. Or highlight one item, and press Ctrl and A keys at the same time. (Ctrl+A). This will select all of the files... then hit the Delete key.
There are many ways to achieve the same result. This is only one. If you know of a faster way to delete files, use it.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 91 August 22, 2002

"My CD Player Won't Work"

If your CD doesn't start playing when you insert it, check to see that the Auto insert notification checkbox is indeed checked. Visit your friendly CD-ROM Properties dialog box for all the info you'll need.
You can do it right now by simultaneously pressing the Windows Logo key and the Pause key.
When the System Properties dialog box appears, click the plus sign next the CD class (class is a techie word for "item") to reveal your actual CD player.
system screen

Highlight your CD's name, and click the Properties button. All of the properties surrounding your particular player will be displayed.
The stuff that really matters is listed on the Settings tab of the CD Properties dialog box, as shown below. This is where you adjust the, um, settings. You can see that the Auto insert notification check box is indeed checked, so the CD player takes off as soon as it detects a disk insert.
cd screen

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 132 April 4, 2003

"Changing Your Folder's Appearance"

By default, and by no fault of its own, Windows uses large icons to display the folders and files on your computer. These are large compared to the Detail view icons!
To change your icon view, do the following:
In any window that displays icons, such as My Computer or Windows Explorer, you will see just under the Title Bar what is called the Menu Line. Stuff like File, Edit, View, Options, and Help.
These are common Menu items.
Click on View. When it opens, you'll see listed among other items, Large Icons, Small Icons, List, and Details. Try clicking each one. See how the icons change size? I suggest you select the Details view if you want to see more info listed about eachfolder and file.
You will need to scroll up and down the list if you're looking atyour root directory. Huh? What does "root directory" mean?
If you look only at your (C) drive, and don't open any folders, you are in the "root" directory. Or "root" folder. Just like a tree and its branches and leaves come from the root, yourcomputer's files and folders all find their root in the (C)directory or folder. (Folder and Directory can be used to meanthe same thing.)

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 130 March 21, 2003

"How To Clean Up Your Clutter"

What can you do with the various icons spread out like dew drops across you computer screen? Do you really need all 67 of them? Probably not. So let's clean up a bit, shall we?
Icons are of course representations of the actual program. Not all icons however represent the actual physical location of the program they refer to. This particular breed is known as the shortcut icon.
You can safely DELETE shortcut icons. You know it's a shortcut when you see a small arrow in the lower left corner of the icon. Also, you can double check yourself by RIGHT clicking any icon, looking at its PROPERTIES and you'll see if it's a shortcut or not.
Every item that makes up the stuff you see on your computer screen (called "objects" in techie-speak) has associated properties. Just as there are properties of a pencil (it's cylindrical in shape, made of wood, has an eraser, etc.) there are properties of computer files. (Their size, the date they were created, where they live on your hard drive - called the "path" - etc.)
So which icons can you safely remove?
Well, here's a list of what you CAN'T remove.
1. My Computer
2. Network Neighborhood
3. My Documents
4. Recycle Bin
(Actually, you can even remove the above, but that's even more advanced, and you have to use a special program to do it.)
Now, if you delete an icon, you'll receive a warning message if you're about to delete a program. So if you know nothing more than "I want to save anything Windows tells me is a program" and you just started highlighting icons and pressing the Delete key, you could safely remove anything that WASN'T a program. (You "highlight" an icon by clicking on it.)
You can really clean up your desktop this way, and if you have stuff you REALLY want on the desktop, you can always create a shortcut - a NEW shortcut, fresh and useable - at any time.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 120 March 14, 2003

Command Line

You're bound to come across this word one day during your computer travels. The command line is a throwback to the days of DOS. DOS stands for Disk Operating System, is the programming that controls the operation of your hard drive, and how it works with your computer's brain. The Command Line was a blinking cursor that you simply typed a command at, the pressed the Enter key. Something happened when you did that. Nowadays, you click on an icon instead of typing a command. All the same, Windows has a command line built in, at it's called the 'Run' dialog box. You get to it from the Start Menu. If you click Start, Run, and type 'notepad' (without the quotes) you'll be issuing the command to run Notepad.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 71 March 29, 2002

"About Context Menus - Huh?"

Context menus help you do more in less time. Anything that works like that for me is readily put to work.
When a right click yields a context menu, you're presented with options. These options will always be in the context of the object you clicked, and will relate to it. So, when you right click the Recycle Bin icon, you see a list of things that pertain to the bin. Nearly all of the objects in Windows have their own context menus, accessible with a right click.
This is powerful information, since there are oftentimes many options available from a context menu that you won't find elsewhere in Windows. This applies to the programs you use as well. Try it. Start right clicking on everything!
Display context menus with the keyboard combo Shift-F10. Regardless of where you are, if there's a context menu that's applicable, you'll see it. Try it now!
You may wonder if context menus can be customized. Well, yes they can. You'll have to get under the hood by going in through the Registry, so maybe we'll save that for another time. There are lots of resources available on the Registry.
The most frequently accessed item on any context menu is the Properties option.
Once an object is the focus of your next move, you can press Alt-Enter to jump immediately to the Properties Dialog for that object. Try it. Click once on the My Computer icon so it's highlighted. Then hold down the Alt key while pressing Enter (Alt-Enter). You'll see the System Properties dialog box spring to life, with info about your computer.
It's great, isn't it?
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 156 October 18. 2003

"Did I Copy It - or Move It?"

Here's a tip which solved a long term irritation for me until I learned about it. Like many things to do with computers, it's easy once you know how.
I move files and folders about by dragging them across in 'Explorer' (right click 'Start', click 'Explorer)
But Windows treats your dragged files differently if you're moving them around the same disk, or if you're moving them between disks.
Drag a file from one folder to another, and the file is moved. But drag the same file to another disk that's separate from your hard disk, like a floppy or a Zip disk, and it's copied. NOT moved.
Dumbness prevails - hey wake up at the back!
If you want to get control of the situation, and always be presented with a verification of your intent, use the RIGHT drag method. Really. Just right click instead of left clicking when you drag an icon. When you release the rightmbutton, you'll see a context menu appear with these options:
Move Here, Copy Here, Create Shortcut(s) Here, and Cancel.
It sure beats not knowing what Windows will do next.
If you don't like pressing the right mouse button for some reason, hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys at the same time while dragging with the left mouse button. You can press them before or after you click the mouse--it doesn't care. The end result is the same. You be presented with a context menu seeking your intent.
Windows does try and aid you to some degree, changing the mouse cursor depending on the action taken. For example, a small plus sign (+) appears when you copy, and a small curved arrow appears when you're creating a shortcut.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 177 April 11, 2004

Copying Pictures from a Web Site

"Hey that's a nice picture - I think I'll have that".
Downloading - or copying - a picture from a Web page, is easy. Yeah right. Everything's easy once you know how!
So, when you spot a picture or graphic you fancy ...
Right-click on it.
From the menu box that pops up ...
Left click on 'Save Image As' or 'Save Picture As'
A window pops up ...
In the 'Save In' box, drop down the menu and locate the folder on your hard drive where you want to save it to ...
Give it a name in the 'File Name' box - or leave the name already in there.
Click 'Save'.
Done!
I told you it was easy. All you have to do now is find it afterwards:-) Hmmmm.
Of course, I should have advised that you make a note of
where you saved it to. Some people have a folder called 'My Pictures'. But you can save it wherever you wish.
CAUTION!
You can't just copy anyone's picture and think you own it. Most graphics and pictures are copyright. But there are many sites you can go to that offer Copyright Free images.
Just try your favorite search engine and type in 'Free Images'.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 88 August 1, 2002

"Copying Text and Inserting it Somewhere Else"

Grab the mouse in the palm of your hand and hold down the LEFT button so that the cursor lands at the beginning of the text you wish to copy.
Keeping the button depressed, scroll the cursor to the end of the text.
It's now highlighted, so release the button.
Now, hover the cursor over ANY section of the highlighted text and depress the RIGHT button.
A small box pops up on your screen with various options on it.
Click on 'COPY', and release the button. This saves the highlighted section onto the clipboard (don't worry about it- just concentrate)
Go to the place you wish to copy TO. This could be another document, an email you're sending, or another part of the same page.
Hover the cursor over the starting point of where you want to place the copied text, and LEFT click.
Now RIGHT click.
Another box appears.
Click on PASTE.
Magic. There it is in all its glory, sitting just where you wanted it!
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 79 May 23, 2002

"Cracker"

A cracker is a computer expert who creates devious programs or breaks into systems with malicious intent. A cracker is the evil twin to the hacker, who is more inclined to break into computers without doing anything destructive, carrying out complex computer pursuits for their own merit.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 78 May 16, 2002

"Cut, Copy and Paste: Differences"

Is there a difference between Cut and Paste on the one hand, and Copy and Paste on the other?
Copy and paste differs from cut and paste in that the copy action leaves the original behind. If you cut the object, you remove it from its home.
If you desire to move a file out of one location to a new home, use the Cut and Paste method. For example, moving an image from the My Documents folder to the My Pictures folder.
If you want to copy a file to a new home, use Copy and Paste.
When you copy or cut an object (an object is a document, image, sound file, video file, etc. with a filename ending with a three or four letter file extension) the object goes to the clipboard. You never see the clipboard.
The clipboard is a virtual board that's really just a location in memory. A temporary home for files that are moving.
When you paste, the system removes the file from the Clipboard which is ready for the next item you want to manipulate. One more point: the Clipboard can hold one file at a time. If you copy something like the text from this newsletter to the Clipboard, then copy some different file, the different file will replace the text from this newsletter on the Clipboard.
I hope this gives you a better picture of the cut, copy and paste basic operation. To "practice" this technique, you can use http://newbieclub.com/copyandpaste.htm and do some hands-on work.

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 117 February 20, 2003

"Default Email Client"

Okay, you know what the word 'default' means, right? It's the one you get if you don't specifically request something else! So what's a 'client' then?
It's your email 'program' or 'software'. Outlook Express, Eudora Pro, etc. Not to be confused with web based email! The 'client' runs ON your computer's hard drive, NOT through your web browser. MSN, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, etc... are all examples of web based email.
The 'default email client' is the program that's going to spring to life when you click a "hot" email link. Try this test: click here; mailto: support@newbieclub.com ... if ANYTHING happens, (it won't if you're reading this on Hotmail or some other web based email doo-dah) then what you see next is your default email client. And nothing will happen if you're using AOL! AOL doesn't support "hot" links.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 97 October 7, 2002

"How To Retrieve A Deleted File"

HELP - I've deleted a file by mistake but I still need it!
Have you ever done that? Sure you have. If haven't you eventually will. But all is not lost and neither is your file ...
Try this...
Open WINDOWS Explorer.
Open Recycle Bin,
OR Double click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Locate the file you want to retrieve and click on it.
Go to 'File' at top toolbar
Click 'Restore'
The file is restored to it's previous place on your hard drive.
So whenever you delete something and send it to the recycle bin,
wait a while - a day, a week, a month until you're sure you
definitely don't need it. If you do, then you can retrieve still
retrieve it.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 132 April 14, 2003

"About That Desktop"

Have you considered getting it refinished in mahogany, or oak?,Big job right? Of course the one on your PC can be modified at will. But it's not just another pretty name for a fancy place to work. It's the basic part of Windows, and you might as well discover what you can do with it.
What is the Desktop? The obvious visual interpretation is the screen than comes up after your PC has finished booting up. In the top left hand corner you'll see the 'My Computer' and 'Recycle Bin' shortcut icons. And a lot of other stuff that the PC manufacturer built in.
The desktop is more than just a backdrop for your work. It's a folder on your hard drive, an analogy, and it's the basis for the graphical user interface (GUI) that makes up what you see and interact with whenever you use your computer.
All of the resources in your computer will fit in this container, and let you work with them. You can drag anything and everything to the desktop, and either a shortcut will be created, or the object itself will take up residence.
The desktop is always underneath any open windows. You can get to it immediately by using the shortcut key combination, Windows Logo key + D. Or, right click on the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Minimize All Windows.
Two types of icons make their home on the desktop. (This is important, so pay attention.) These are File Icons and Namespace Icons. They serve two different functions, which I'll explain immediately.
File Icons. These are representations of files or folders that are actually found in your \Windows\Desktop directory (also known as a folder) on your hard drive. Drag and drop these at will.
Namespace Icons. These aren't file representations. Instead, they are actually specific resources built into Windows. My Computer, Network Neighborhood, and the Recycle Bin are examples of Namespace Icons.
Use the desktop like you would a real desktop. Work on it. It's a good place to put new downloads from the Internet, email attachments, stuff from removable disks, and anything else you want immediate access to or that you're currently working on.
I always recommend new computer users download e-books to the desktop. Where else would you want to read your book, if not on the desk? It just makes things so much easier than plunking the book into a folder somewhere else, then having to create a shortcut to it, or dragging it out whenever you want to read it.
The desktop is an object, and has a property sheet attached to it. You can change colors, backgrounds, wallpaper and more by right clicking a blank portion, and selecting Properties. You can also double click the Display icon in the Control Panel.
You can find the desktop folder on your computer using My Computer or Windows Explorer. Here's the path, assuming you have Windows loaded on the C: drive of your computer:
C:\Windows\Desktop
My Computer is an icon on your desktop. Remember, it's different, since it doesn't represent on file or even a group of files, but rather a resource. You'll find everything related to your computer in this spot.
You can't drag anything into the My Computer area, but you can drag stuff out to create shortcuts. Use the right click and drag method. To access the System Properties dialog box, right click the My Computer icon and select Properties.
Network Neighborhood exists to let you look at other computers that may be on your network. If you're not connected on network, then this icon probably won't be used. If the only networking you do is to dial up your ISP and surf the Net, then you won't use this icon.

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 156 October 18. 2003

"Desktop - Alphabet Soup?"

How many times have you stared and stared at your desktop, and still couldn't find the file or folder you were looking for?
Yeah right - it's frustrating isn't it?
Why not rearrange them in alphabetical order? It's a whole lot easier to find that elusive folder - believe me...
RIGHT click on an empty area of your desktop.
Left click on 'Arrange Icons'.
Left click on 'By Name'.
Suddenly your Icons are arranged in a way that enables you to actually find what you're looking for in less than 2 hours - in alphabetical order ...
Just like the 'old fashioned' filing cabinets!

*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 132 April 14, 2003

"Develop Double Vision"

If you don't want to leave the Web page you're on, but wish to visit another page which is linked on it, just RIGHT click the link you're interested in, and click 'Open in New Window'.
Another browser opens and the new page displays. Magic!
OR; Hold down the shift key while clicking on a link. A new browser window opens with the page displayed.
When you're finished reading, just close the browser, and you're back on the original page.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 90 August 16, 2002

"Disks - All About Disks"

One of the commonest things that PC beginners get mixed up on is the lowly disk or diskette. This section should reveal a few things you need to know about these vital parts.
There are only two classes of disk-- the magnetic type, and the optical type. What follows will help clarify this point.
CD-ROM disks are perfect examples of optical disks. The data that is "read" from them is obtained by a laser beam. If you ever look closely at the inside of a CD player, you'll notice a little label that warns about the laser. CD-ROMs hold at least 650 megabyte's worth of data. That's about 650 million characters, roughly speaking. Of course DVDs are becoming popular now - but that's another story. Magnetic Disks are the standard-issue 3-1/2 inch units you can buy in packs of, well, almost any number. They have a little metal shutter that protects the inside disk, which really is floppy. Now, no floppy disk in the world will hold the contents of your next backup. They hold just over 1 megabyte of data--that's 1.44 megs, to be exact. And part of that space is taken up with a little directory information, so you'll really only have about 1.38 megs available for actual file storage.
Floppies are good for storing articles, reports, and other items that are relatively small in size. Remember the one megabyte limit. Some small games will fit on a floppy, or multiple floppies, and they're also very portable.
You can back up your entire 10 gigabyte hard drive on floppies, but you'll have to obtain a very large number of diskettes to accomplish this. How many? Think of it this way. There are 1,000 megabytes in a gigabyte. So, 1,000 times 10 is the number of floppy disks you'd need if you were to attempt such a silly feat. Of course I haven't figured in the ".44" megabytes of additional space on each disk, but you still get the picture. After all, this is *supposed* to be easy to understand.... Yeah right!
There was a time when diskettes were the primary method of distributing software. Then came the CD-ROM, and the diskette became nearly obsolete. Diskettes have grown less useful because programmers have gotten lazier. It takes a lot more work to program in machine language, instead of visual languages, which results in programs that are simply huge.
But, as computers have gotten faster, and storage space cheaper and bigger, the prevailing attitude is one of "why minimize when the consumer has so much storage space available?"
Optical disks store a tremendous amount of data. But they require special hardware called a CD Writer. It's a lot like a CD player, except you can actually create your own CDs--both data and music. There is a difference!
A data CD won't do anything in your stereo CD player. But your music CD will work just fine in your computer's CD player. And of course, these can be internal or external devices.
CD writers can also play your CDs. They're a dual purpose machine, and they usually work extremely well.
If you want flexibility, consider installing a second CD writer along with your CD player. That way, you can copy direct from one CD to another.
For you old timers who grew up with DOS and haven't comfortably made the transition to Windows, the old 5.25 inch floppy disk is probably still in your memory. The old disks will still work with a new computer, if you can find a 5.25 inch drive. You can run whatever's on them in DOS mode, or from the DOS Prompt, accessible from the Start Menu.
The old 5.25 inch floppy disks (hey, they were truly floppy!) were also susceptible to corruption, since there is no protective shield over their delicate magnetic surface. Just a window that exposed the insides to the world. I always cracked up when I read the dire warning, "Don't touch." That is, don't touch the magnetic surface. It made sense. How many floppies died untimely deaths? More than you can count.
Since floppies don't hold much, along came a company named Iomega and developed what is now the most popular format on the market--the Zip drive and its associated Zip disk. These little guys hold 100 megabytes, and now there's a 250 megabyte version. Other companies have similar products, but they aren't as popular. I have to hand it to Iomega for a fine marketing effort and market saturation.
Iomega makes larger capacity removable disks, known as the Jaz and Ditto, as well as many other slick drives.
When is disk not a disk? When it's a tape. Tape drives use (of all things) tape to store data. Magnetic tape, to be sure. A lot like the familiar cassette tapes that are becoming less popular every day, these units can store massive quantities of data, and are measured in gigabytes of storage.
Don't confuse storage capacity with memory. Memory is dynamic--it only works when the power switch is on. Storage is static--it depends on a magnetic field that is set by the part of the hardware that does the work--the part known as the data head, or read/write head. It's a mechanical arm that you can think of like the arm on an old record player. Did I say this was easy?
Just imagine the record player's stylus writing lines of data onto the surface of the vinyl disk, and you've got a pretty good mental image of the way things work.
CDs don't require anything approaching magnetics, but they too use an arm device that moves back and forth, writing or reading data via a laser beam. So the record player analogy holds here, too.
Ever seen a big jukebox that plays CDs? The kind where you can watch the CD actually being pulled into close association with the play head, and then watch it spin? There's your CD player's insides magnified for your viewing pleasure.
New storage devices are in the works. As learning increases, technology leaps forward. Things get smaller, faster, and cheaper. But remember, if you wait long enough to buy some new techie item, awaiting a price drop, you won't have to buy it all. It will probably become obsolete!
Isn't technology just absolutely wunnerful?
Hmmmm ...
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 95 September 19, 2002

"A .dll File Was Not Found - Excuse Me?"

Here's two examples of emails that hit the Newbie Club email box in recent weeks.
"Error starting program, a required .dll file was not found." I don't know how to get rid of it. Could you please help?
"When starting windows, a screen comes up stating a required DLL file MSVBVM60.DLL was not found. When I click ok it goes away but I would like to fix whatever the problem is. I've tried several things with no success. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance."
If you haven't seen that happen yet on *your* PC, you can bet your bottom dollar it's only a matter of time.
A file with the extension ".DLL" means it is a Dynamic Linked Library file. All this means is the file in question can be used by different programs. Sometimes a .dll file disappears or is damaged, or is removed
accidentally. And suddenly you find that one of your programs no longer works. The answer?
Download another one from the Internet and install it.
Go to http://google.com and type in dll in the search box. You'll be presented with a bundle of links to sites that let you download the .dll file you need from their .dll library.
If you don't find the one you want first time, try other sites until you do.
There are some sites that charge you, but you don't need to pay, because there are many more who offer free downloads.
You will need to write down the number of the .dll file you need, then type it into the search box of the download site. Also look for a site that explains how to install it. Print out and follow the instructions and everything should then return to normal.
DLL files are only tiny, but it's like a having a tiny fuse blowing in your auto engine compartment. When that tiny bit of wire blows, all that sophisticated technology grinds to a stop.
That's techies for you:-)
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 130 March 21, 2003

"Develop Double Vision"

If you don't want to leave the Web page you're on, but wish to visit another page which is linked on it, just RIGHT click the link you're interested in, and click 'Open in New Window'. Another browser opens and the new page displays. Magic!
OR; Hold down the shift key while clicking on a link. A new browser window opens with the page displayed.
When you're finished reading, just close the browser, and you're back on the original page.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue116 February 14, 2003

"How To Drag and Drop Anything to Anywhere"

Part of computing is knowing how to transfer files from onelocation to another. There are many ways to accomplish this task,each with its own level of complication. Dragging and dropping isby far the easiest way to accomplish the transfer of a file to anew folder.
Hover (hold) your mouse cursor over an object. An object is a file, folder, icon, or groups of files, folders and icons.
Once the cursor is located, press and hold the left mouse button.
Now, without letting go of the button, move the mouse. The object will be dragged along with the cursor.
Drag (move) the object to its new location and release the left mouse button to drop the object. The object will be moved from its old location to its new location.
You have just performed the "drag and drop" operation. Well done!
Apply the drag and drop principle to all your file maintenance chores.
As long as you have open windows, dragging and dropping files between them is a real no-brainer.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 66 Feb 15, 2002

"Driver"

A driver is a piece of software that makes your printer, your CD player, your monitor, or your scanner work. A software driver. An interpreter that sits between the brains of your computer (called the CPU) and the hardware device that needs powering. Driver for short.
"USB"
Stands for "Universal Serial Bus". In computers, this is a method used to transfer data between your computer's brains and the item in question... like a printer, scanner, or digital camera. Data is transferred to and fro, and electrons hurry hither and yon. All through the USB port. It's faster than a serial port, which is slow way to move data. And you can plug and unplug stuff into a USB port with the greatest of ease. Comes standard on all new computers.
*from THE NEWBIE CLUB INSIDER Issue 140, June 6, 2003

Teacher Resources

GACS Home Page Austinburg Elementary

Cork Elementary Geneva Platt R. Spencer Elementary

Geneva Middle School

Geneva High School