Quick Tips

[dragon]

Tired of typing in www, etc. for web addresses? With Internet Explorer
just type the main domain name for any dot-com and hold down Ctrl while
you hit Enter.

Firefox let's you do the Ctrl+Enter thing too and then some. For a dot-net
sites hit Shift+Enter. For dot-org use Shift+Ctrl+Enter. Alt+Enter adds
"http://www" and dot-com PLUS it opens up in a new tab

[dragon]

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 way.

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

[dragon]

Need to re-start Windows (again)? Rather than re-starting the whole
computer, you can do a "warm boot", which is usually faster.

To do a warm boot in Win 9x/ME, hold down the SHIFT key while you click
the OK button on your shut down screen (or select the "restart" radio
button). With XP just click the "Restart" button. Windows will restart
without re-starting the whole computer.

[dragon]

Wouldn't it be cool to have a desktop shortcut for web pages you visit
often? Well, you can.

With Internet Explorer you'll see a small icon with a blue "e" next to
the site address. Make your browser window smaller so you can see some
desktop, then drag the blue "e" to your desktop. Instant shortcut!

With Netscape look next to the URL (address) box, you'll see the word "location."
Next to "location" there's a small icon. If you drag it onto your
desktop, you'll make an instant shortcut to the page.

When you click on the shortcut(s), it will open your default browser and
take you to the web site.

[dragon]

Are you having trouble when you try to highlight text? Put your cursor
at the point where you want to start highlighting (selecting) the text.

Then hold down your SHIFT key and use your up / down arrows. You'll find
when you hold down an arrow that the text scrolls (and highlights) by
at a much more manageable rate.

Oh, if the section is really big, tap your Page Up and Page Down keys
till you get close to where you need to stop.

[dominicus]

When you go out to Microsoft to get downloads you will be faced with the
Windows Genuine Advantage validation check. This mandatory ActiveX
update makes sure that your copy of Windows XP/2000 is genuine before
you can access any downloads.

Even a genuine copy of Windows can not register properly. If this
happens you'll need manually enter your registration number. It will be
on the manual that came with your XP/2000 disk, or check the side or
back of your computer for a sticker.

[dominicus]

When you go to your Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and scroll down
toward the bottom you will see a bunch of Windows XP Hotfixes . Do Not Remove These. They are patches
for Windows bugs.

:smyl:

[dominicus]

Here's a quick way to bring up Disk Cleanup. Just go to Start/Run and
type in "cleanmgr" then click OK.

[dominicus]

Take CD's out of your drive when not using them. When you run Explorer
or select File/Open, it will take longer.  :smyl:

[dominicus]

An icon is a small graphic that represents something. The little
pictures on your desktop are icons that represent programs, files,
folders, etc.

When you click these icons, something happens. If it's an icon for a
program, the program opens. If it's an icon for a file, a program fires
up and loads that file for you.

Icons are not just limited to the desktop though. Take a look at the
little toolbar icons on most applications. The only difference between
these and the ones on your desktop is that these perform functions
rather than opening stuff.