Sometimes, even on websites that are trustworthy - but use heavy advertising to subsidise their existence, they promote so-called free tools that you can use to remove “Windows errors”. This is one such advert, that I came across this morning.
Advert for Windows error cleaner - don
This particular one will not do any harm, however, it is an annoying lure. This, and ones similar to this, will ask you to download and install a tool, it will run and report that you have errors, BUT, it will not let you clean up the errors unless you’ve bought it.
The so called “errors” are not really a problem, they might have an affect of slowing down your computer - a small amount, but unless you are installing or removing software very regularly (daily or weekly) then the accumulative effect will be negligible and certainly not worth buying a tool, such as this, to resolve that small level of annoyance.
Warm regards to all
David
The holiday season prompts the need to send a number of standard mail cards and packages. For most people it is the only time of year where bulk mailing happens.
When you need to send bulk mail, it is valuable to be able to at least print the address labels.
–
Straight forward table method
At a recent Monday evening we covered a straight forward way of creating a address label page - by creating a grid of 2 x 7 and then to type the addresses into each grid section…
|
<First name> <Last name>
<Address one>
<Adress two>
<city>
<County>
<Post code>
|
<First name> <Last name>
<Address one>
<Adress two>
<city>
<County>
<Post code> |
| <First name> <Last name>
<Address one>
<Adress two>
<city>
<County>
<Post code> |
<First name> <Last name>
<Address one>
<Adress two>
<city>
<County>
<Post code> |
There are useful webpages to show you how to do this in word.
–
Mail Merge method
The alternate, more complicated but extensible way of achieving this address labeling is to use the MS Mail Merge approach. Microsoft have a very good set of pages to describe the mail merge process.
Digital photography must be one of the fastest growing area for use of computers of the time. Never before have we been able to take so many photographs - almost “willy-nilly” - and select the best of ones we have taken. Personally our family must take 100 per month of which 10 to 20% are what we either print or think are “good enough”.
When going through processing of digital photographs there are a few key stages …
- Uploading to the computer
- Viewing and manipulating the photographs
- Publishing or emailing to friends
- Printing
This log will cover just the uploading and manipulating aspect. Read more…
There are several ways to send and receive emails and during the Monday evening meetings we have discussed a number of approaches.
There are two main different ways
1. Through your internet browser
2. Through an emailing client [program] that runs on you local machine
The key differences between these two approaches are;
Read more…
Microsoft have a good stronghold on the market for productivity suites - I have seen a quote which suggests 85% of the small business and home market uses MS Office. Many people have it and use it.
There are alternatives though which are very good, have a high degree of compatibility with the MS suite.
One such alternative is Open Office (”the free and open productivity suite”) - which is free !.
Another alternative is Lotus Symphony - again is free !
What do they offer ? where can I get more help with them online ? …. read on
What do these suites offer ?
Please go and see the individual sites to see all the features that the suites offer and which suite may be best for you. In a nutshell …
Read more…
Computer security is a sensitive area for many people. There are multiple levels of security to consider from the physical locking it up, through virus and mal-ware protection and security also extends to the ‘con’ or phishing emails and scams.
The whole issue of computer security warrants a significant document on it’s own - much of which has already be publicised. This blog entry is not intending to document all aspects of the security issues.
Information on the net
There are many places to read and review information on the net. One such place is at Microsoft itself. This is particularly relevant as so many of us are Windows® users.
If you read and like the information that Microsoft offers, you can sign up for a newsletter to be sent to your email address monthly (other interesting newsletters are also available for email subscription).
A further basic security article also echos and elaborates on the points being made by this entry.
Read more…
It is important that we use computers correctly, so as not to cause injury to ourselves. The document attached has a few basic tips on using a computer safely.
Using your computer safely (PDF)
The Computer Support Group is now online!
David and Tom welcome you.
These support pages are intended to capture some training material for the Church Hall computers and a journal or blog capturing discussions held at the Monday evening support group meetings.
We hope you find this site of value. If there is anything you would like to see or discuss please let us know.
David
