Here is some very handy information compiled for you by our staff. If you would like to contribute by submitting a tip, adding a term to the glossary or having a question answered, please email us.

• Tips & Tricks
• Glossary of frequently used terms
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few tips & tricks to help you work more efficiently.

Calculator
A handy little calculator included in Windows. Go to the Start menu, then go to Programs, then to Accessories. Try using the Num Lock button on your keyboard and the keypad to the right side for a 10-key effect.

Mouse Right Click
This is a general tip to help you get around Windows and any Windows program better. Try using the outer most right mouse button to click on virtually anything. You will be amazed at the options and things you will learn.

Display Changes
Pick an empty spot on your desktop. Right click it. Then left click on Properties. There you will see all of the display settings for your system including Background (this is where you can change your desktop wallpaper), Screen Saver and Settings (Color and Screen Area a.k.a. resolution).

Print Screen
If you ever want to save exactly what is on your screen, try this handy little tip. When your computer screen displays the desired image, just press the Print Screen button on your keyboard. (upper right typically) That will temporarily copy your screen to the clipboard. Then open a program such as Microsoft Paint, and press CTRL and V at the same time. This will paste the saved screen into the paint program. Now just save the image to the desired location. (great for learning and remembering also)

Placing a Shortcut on Your Desktop
Go to the Start button, then to Programs and find the program you wish to place on the desktop. Then right click, as described above, on that program to bring up a list of options. Select Send To, and then Desktop as Shortcut. You now have a shortcut on the desktop to that program.

Copying a File to a Floppy Disk in Windows
Find the file you wish to place on the floppy disk. Then right click with your mouse, as described above, and click on Send To and then 3 ½ floppy (A).

Glossary of frequently used terms

Desktop: The area of your computer screen gainst which icons and windows appear. The icons represent links or "shortcuts" to the programs and files you access with your computer.

DSL: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines.

Network: A system of computers interconnected in order to share information.

Resolution: Resolution is the number of pixels (individual points of color) contained on a display monitor, expressed in terms of the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis. Some common resolution settings are 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. Our tips section explains how to find your monitor's resolution.

Screen Saver: A program which displays either a completely black image or a constantly changing image on a computer monitor to prevent a stationary image from "burning" into the phosphor of the screen. Screen savers usually start automatically after the computer has had no user input for a preset time. Some screen savers come with many different modules, each giving a different effect.

Wallpaper: A picture or design covering the background of a computer's display screen.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I save any document as a template in Word and how do I do that?

A: Yes. To save a document as a template in Word, just open or create the document, then go to Save As. At the bottom of that dialog box you will see Save As Type. Click on the down arrow to the right of Word Document and select Document Template from the list. Give the template a name and save it.

Q: What is a driver anyway? And how do I get them?

A: Computer hardware components such as modems, video cards, sound cards, etc. use a piece of software called a driver. This piece of software tells the individual and corresponding hardware components how to talk to each other and the computer. Every piece of hardware needs a driver that works with the operating system you are using. (ie. Windows98)

Q: If I have Windows 98 working properly on my current computer, should I upgrade to Windows XP?

A: It all depends. The biggest concern with upgrading is hardware and software compatibility. Before upgrading go to the following web site: http://www.pcpitstop.com. If your system is XP ready then upgrading would be beneficial due to the latest technology advancements of XP.

Q: In Word, how do I change the text and borders that appear at the bottom of every page?

A: Click Headers and Footers on the View menu. Use the Header and Footer toolbar to navigate among headers and footers, insert date or time, or format the page numbers. To change the text in the footer, select it and type your new text. To change the border, click Borders and Shading on the Format menu.

Q: If my computer program performs an illegal operation or similar error what should I do?

A: Try going to start – shut down – and restart your computer. If your computer is not responding then try pushing the power button. If after you push the power button it still will not turn off then hold the power button down (usually a slow 10 count) until it shuts down.