Dreamland
Computer Club
Newsletter
Reporter’s
Comments:
Our
Club will not be active this summer because it is just too hot, and many members
have gone to cooler climes. I have been in and out of town so I have had to
combine our May & June issues of the Newsletter. As you see below, Mr. Modem
is still pumping out his Pearls of Wisdom on time, every month.
As
a reminder, I am copying the tip offered in our March Newsletter.
“The
March 17th Newsweek magazine has a very good article
entitled “Get ready for Digital”. I thought you might be interested in a
brief outline of the article. Those of us who use “Free” TV, have until
February 17th 2009 to convert to the High Definition Digital Signal.
You may receive a maximum of two $40.00 coupons from our government by visiting
…… http://dtv2009.gov.
For a list of the approved boxes, which range in price from $
40.00 to
$ 70.00, visit http://ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm
. These boxes are available from retailers like Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and Best
Buy.
The article concludes that the majority of the salespeople are
woefully unprepared to give good, accurate information, and they suggest that
consumers do research ahead of time by visiting the following sites http://dvt.gov.dtvanswers.com
and http://dtvtransition.org.”
I
have sent for my coupons. It takes about three weeks to receive them.
I understand I have 90 days from the mailing date to use them.
Mr.
Modem:
Ask
Mr. Modem! – May 2008
www.MrModem.com
The Mouse in Your House: Laser or Optical?
Q. When I attempt to enter some sites, I have to type some weird numbers
or words that appear in a box. The letters and numbers are so difficult to
read, it usually takes me about three attempts before I get it right. I know
it’s for security, but how does typing in those numbers actually help
anything?
A. Those
characters appear as an image, rather than plain text, in order to prevent what
are called spambots (robotic programs), using a computer script, from copying
and pasting those characters into the fill-in form. The numbers are distorted to
prevent optical-character recognition software from reading them. Only the human
eye can decipher the characters, thus ensuring that the site or service is only
accessed by human beans (homosapiens legumous), not robotic programs.
Some sites offer an audio link that “speaks” the characters, which can then
be typed into the form. The theory is the same, though, that only humans will be
able to listen to the audio and type in the numbers correctly.
Q.
I was mouse shopping the other day and looked at both a laser mouse and an
optical mouse. I bought the laser mouse, but now I’m not sure if I bought the
right thing, so I’m turning to you, Mr. M: What’s the difference
between an optical mouse and a laser mouse, and is one better than the other?
A.
The difference between an optical mouse and a laser mouse is the light used to
track movement. An optical mouse uses an LED (light-emitting diode), while a
laser mouse uses a -- care to venture a guess? That’s right, a laser.
The more dots per inch (dpi) a mouse can track, the more sensitive and accurate
it is. A typical optical mouse tracks between 400 and 800 dpi, while laser mice
track more than 2,000 dpi.
Neither is really better; it all depends on your needs and preferences. Unless
you're a gamer or a graphic artist with a need for super-precise movement,
you'll probably find a 2,000 dpi laser mouse overly sensitive, but that’s the
primary difference. An optical mouse would have served your purposes very
well, but you didn't purchase the "wrong" mouse unless you find its
sensitivity to be excessive. Many gaming mice (lasers) allow sensitivity
adjustments so you can have precision when you need it, but can revert to 400
dpi or 800 dpi for regular mousing activities. Check the documentation or Help
files in conjunction with your laser mouse to determine if you have that
capability.
Besides tracking speeds, laser mice work on nearly every surface, where optical
mice may occasionally experience difficulty tracking on black or shiny surfaces.
I use an optical mouse, but have never had a problem using it on any surface.
Mr.
Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month
Eli Stein
Cartoons
For more than 50 years, Eli Stein cartoons have graced the pages of many
prestigious publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The National Law
Journal, Barron’s, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, The Saturday
Evening Post, King Features Syndicate, Modern Maturity, National Enquirer,
Woman’s World, and National Review, just to name-drop a few. Cartoons are
categorized by decade (beginning in the 1950’s), publication or topic. And if
the brilliance of his cartoons isn’t enough, Mr. Stein’s insightful,
humorous comments and recollections accompany many of his works.
www.elisteincartoons.com
OR Live
This site was launched approximately eight years ago as a way for physicians and
surgeons to bone up on new techniques by logging on to watch their peers perform
various surgeries. Recently, the site has been attracting many patients who,
understandably, are also curious about procedures. Categories of surgeries
include Cardiovascular, OB-GYN, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and other specialties.
Most videos require RealPlayer, but you’ll be prompted if your system is
lacking the necessary program to view a given procedure.
www.or-live.com
Pets on the Go
Do you like to travel with your pet? If so, this site is the definitive guide
for information and links to more than 30,000 pet-friendly hotels, inns,
B&Bs, and private rentals. The “Tips for Trips” section provides some
great information if you’re planning to fly with Fido, cruise with Kitty, or
surf with Sushi. (Okay, okay, I couldn’t think of anything else.)
http://petsonthego.com
Mr.
Modem’s weekly newsletter delivers helpful computer tips, great Web sites and
his personal answers to your questions! Trial offer: Subscribe online using
Promo Code 1146 and receive one free month with your 6-month subscription (28
issues!) To view a sample issue or subscribe, visit www.MrModem.com.
Ask
Mr. Modem! – June 2008
www.MrModem.com
Save Data With Proper Windows Shut Down
Q. What is the reason for exiting out of programs before shutting down my
computer? What happens if I don’t?
A.
Unless you enjoy living on the digital edge, exiting out of programs permits
each program to shut down in a specifically designated manner, which includes
saving your data and tidying up before closing.
For example, many programs create temporary files while being used. These files
are deleted during the course of the program’s shut-down process. Some
programs that contain a “Deleted Items” or “Trash” folder will empty
these folders upon closing, as well.
If you fail to close programs before shutting down your PC, it may, under
certain circumstances, result in the loss of data, so it’s always best to
close programs first.
For the most part, Windows will automatically close open programs as part of the
overall shut-down process. If Windows isn’t shut down properly—for example,
if you press the power button on your computer or (gasp!) yank the plug out of
the wall—the next time you start your computer, it will run through a series
of additional tests to verify the integrity of your data, as well as take a look
around to be sure everything is functioning properly.
All things considered, it’s best to shut down your system as Mr. Gates
requests, via Start > Turn Off Computer. It only takes a couple of seconds,
so better safe than sorry.
Q. Is there any maximum length for an email address?
A. A username (the first part of an address, before the @ sign) can be up
to 64 characters, which is much less than the domain part, which can be 255
characters. That means the total maximum email address length can be a
staggering 320 characters. (Why characters would be staggering is
unknown.)
A 320-character email address would (320) be unbelievably annoying to anybody
who has to manually type the address. To understand just how lengthy that would
be, this question and answer, up to the parenthetical (320) in the previous
sentence, is 320 characters.
Realistically, any email address that long is going to continually run into
problems with mail servers and email programs. Even the Microsoft Access
database only permits a maximum of 50 characters for an email field.
When it comes to Internet protocols, there is always a gap between what is
permitted and what is supported. Shorter email addresses are desirable for
a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they’re easier to remember
and use on a daily basis.
Q. How do I show more than one window when viewing Web sites?
A. The specific steps for opening additional windows to view multiple Web
sites or pages depends on your browser, but generally, CTRL + N will open a new
browser Window. When the new window opens, type in or paste a Web site address
and press Enter to navigate to another Web page. You can continue to press CTRL
+ N to open as many windows as you wish.
If you’re using Internet Explorer 7, Opera or the Firefox browser, press CTRL
+ T to open new tabs, within which you can navigate to additional sites.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month
Analytical Problems and Puzzles
The first thing you’ll have to do upon entering this site is choose your
challenge: Lateral Thinking or Logic Problems. I was stumped right there.
Next, select a level of difficulty ranging from Very Easy to Very Difficult.
These are excellent exercises for the brain, though my few remaining neurons
didn't find the very easy ones to be particularly easy. Humbling? Yes; Easy? No.
Here’s an example of a “very easy” question: “How could a baby
fall out of a twenty-story building onto the ground and live?” Hint: You’ll
find the answer in the Lateral Thinking section.
www.folj.com
Hard-to-Find
800 Numbers
If you have ever tried to find an 800 number for a product, service or company,
you know the meaning of frustration. This site provides a comprehensive and
convenient reference for that purpose. Interestingly enough, the most frequently
sought 800 numbers, are for Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Yahoo, and Microsoft. (I
said it was interesting, not life-altering.)
www.hardtofind800numbers.com
Plot-O-Matic
Have you every watched a movie and thought to yourself, "I can write a
better movie than this piece of predictable fluff"? Well, you
probably can. And it's easier than you might think. Just select the characters
and plot elements you want to include in your movie, then click the “Lights!
Camera! Action!” button.
http://tinyurl.com/6n42xd
Mr.
Modem’s weekly newsletter delivers helpful computer tips, great Web sites and
his personal answers to your questions! Trial offer: Subscribe online using
Promo Code MODEM and receive one free month with your six-month subscription (28
issues!) To view a sample issue or subscribe, visit www.MrModem.com.
Replies:
Please send your comments, suggestions,
article contributions, and/or constructive criticism to your reporter at j0hnahrens27@cox.net.