An Easy Performance Enhancement
If you’re using the NTFS filing protocol on your
system, instead of FAT 32, you can get a bit more speed by disabling Windows® Indexing.
The downside to this is that searching your drive for a specific file might take
a moment or two longer, but everything else should run faster.
To disable this feature open My Computer and then right click on the drive you wish
to reset – usually C-drive. Now click on Properties and then uncheck “Allow Indexing
Service.” It will take Windows® a few moments to accomplish this task, based on your
processor speed. If you have other hard drives, perform the same process for them.
After this is done, it’s a good idea to empty the Recycle Bin and then Defragment
your hard drive(s).
FREE Software
If you have a system and it does not have an office
suite, such as Microsoft Office, and you don’t want to pay several hundred dollars
to have one, try Open Office. This is a great alternative to other suites, and it’s
free! Simply direct your browser to www.openoffice.org and follow the instructions
for downloading and installation. Make no mistake, this free office suite is an extremely
powerful set of software tools – easily a match for any competitor.
Internet Explorer
(Microsoft’s Internet browser) is unarguably the standard in computers. This is why
hackers develop so many malware applications to invade it. If you use a different
browser, you have much less chance of an invasion by malicious software. There is
a great alternative available, and it’s free. You can download a copy of Firefox
at www.mozilla.org You can even move your Internet Explorer settings into Firefox
automatically – so you don’t lose your Favorites, etc.
Laptop Printer Fix
If you’re
using a laptop that is running Windows® ME, and you’re having trouble printing through
the USB, try this simple fix. Go to the website for the company that manufactures
your printer. If you use a Hewlett-Packard, for example, go to www.HP.com and download
the appropriate drivers and install them. ME has drivers that recognize the USB printer
is present and attached, but not the drivers needed to make it print. Which drivers
you download and install will be dependant on your printer. After installing new
drivers, update the printer as necessary in the Control Panel.
Save $$$ When Shopping
On-line
If you’re making a purchase on-line, and you know the item you want to buy,
you can easily compare pricing all across the Internet. This can amount to a very
substantial savings.
At this writing, I went to www.mysimon.com and typed in that
I wanted to buy a printer: a Canon PIXMA iP4000. The service instantly checked the
Internet and returned prices ranging from $62.00 up to $286.00. This kind of price
spread is not at all unusual, especially for computers and electronics.
The My Simon
website service only checks pricing, it does not provide a platform for purchasing
anything, though it does link to such places. It also gives a rating for the sellers
and other users’ input regarding their experiences with the company. You can order
the results of the search for your product by price, so that you can quickly find
the lowest price from the highest rated dealer.
Windows® XP Professional Only
A feature
of Windows® XP Professional, that is not available in the Home Edition, is the ability
to encrypt files. This encryption prevents others from opening the files in the folder
you encrypt. To encrypt one or more a folders, follow these easy steps.
Click Start,
then My Documents. Now locate the folder you wish to encrypt and right click on it
and choose Properties.
On the General tab, click on Advanced. Put a tick mark in
the box for Encrypt Contents to Secure Data. Click okay two times and the confirmation
dialog box will appear allowing you to select the folder, the folder and all files,
and/or the subfolders within it.
Now you'll be able to place files in this folder
(or folders) and since they're encrypted, others will not be able to access them.
Internet Safety
You should never reveal your username or password to anyone who e-mails
you and asks for it. This information is frequently asked for by an Internet scheme
called “phishing.”
In a common phishing scam, you receive an e-mail that looks quite
official. It usually appears to come from a bank or credit card company. A common
title for these e-mails is “We need to verify your account information.” Another
is “Please logon to your account and verify your settings.” If you do click where
instructed, you’ll end up on a site that appears to be the real one. If you fill
in the username and password for of your on-line banking account, you can expect
serious problems within twenty-four hours.
If you believe that a company or business
that you do on-line business with really does require your information, then simply
contact them. This way, you will know where you are sending your information, and
what it will be used for.
CD Burning Error Fix
Burning music, video, and data CDs
has become quite popular over the past few years, and the evolution of the supporting
technology has yielded hardware and software that is better than ever – and very
reasonably priced. CDs offer a great place to store substantial amounts of data in
a small, easily retained format. They also give us new control over aspects of our
entertainment.
A relatively common error received during CD burning informs you that
the CD cannot be burned, or that there was an error during burning. Of course, you
could actually have a defective CD drive, but this is usually not the case.
If you
receive a message indicating that your CD cannot be burned, go to the website of
your CD drive manufacturer. Look for the list of CD types (manufacturers/numbers)
that are compatible with your device. Most often, you’ll find that your CDs are not
listed. The two types that seem to have the least difficulty being burned are manufactured
by Sony and TDK. These cost a bit more, but they burn very reliably.
Along the same
lines – H-P has introduced a new CD burner. This new burner requires the use of special
CD blanks, but after you burn your data into the CD, you can flip it over and close
the drive again. Then you can use the laser to burn a title for the CD directly onto
the CD itself. It’s new technology, but perhaps it will catch on and we’ll see newer,
better such devices in the near future.
Easy Steps to Improve Your Brain Health Now
We get this question all the time. Do you sometimes forget where you put your car
keys? Do you worry too much? Is it true that crossword puzzles can help prevent Alzheimer's?
In
summary, the scientific literature recommends the following 4 pillars for Brain Health:
work out, eat well, stimulate your brain, and reduce chronic stress.
Any good brain
health program must provide you a variety of new challenges over time. Recreational
activities like bridge, classes, and crossword puzzles can work your brain and be
fun, but a comprehensive scientifically-based program will easily provide you the
tools you need to take care of your brain for the rest of your life. A computer-based
program can work all of your mental muscles systematically and regularly. It provides
novelty, challenge, and stretching practice for your mind.
You may be surprised to
hear this...but stress reduction is another major concern. Maintaining your exercise
routine and social networks will help a lot in this regard. Make social appointments
to go for a walk with a friend or family member. Get a dog. Write letters to friends
you haven't talked to in ages. Volunteer in your community. Take ballroom dancing
lessons. All these activities will help keep you mentally engaged, physically fit,
and socially active.
Let's now review each of the four essential pillars to maintaining
a healthy brain that functions better now and lasts longer. Those pillars are Physical
Exercise, Mental Exercise, Good Nutrition and Stress Management.
Physical Exercise:
Start by talking to your doctor, especially if you are not currently physically active,
have special health concerns, or are making significant changes to your current program.
Set a goal that you can achieve. Do something you enjoy for even just 15 minutes
a day. You can always add more time and activities later. Schedule exercise into
your daily routine. It will be become a habit faster if you do.
If you can only do
one thing, do something cardiovascular, meaning something that gets your heart beating
faster. This includes walking, running, skiing, swimming, biking, hiking, tennis,
basketball, playing tag, ultimate frisbee, and other similar sports/activities.
Mental
Exercise: Be curious! Get to know your local library and community college, look
for local organizations or churches that offer classes or workshops. Do a variety
of things, including things you aren't good at (if you like to sing, try painting
too). Work puzzles like crosswords and sudoko or play games like chess and bridge.
Try a computerized brain fitness program for a customized workout.
If you can only
do one thing, learn something new every day.
Good Nutrition: Eat a variety of foods
of different colours without a lot of added ingredients or processes. Add some cold-water
fish to diet (tuna, salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, and herring) which contain
omega-3 fatty acids. Learn what a portion-size is, so you don't overeat. Try to eat
more foods low on the Glycemic Index.
If you can only do one thing, eat more vegetables,
particularly leafy green ones.
Stress Management: Get regular cardiovascular exercise.
Try to get enough sleep each night. Keep connected with your friends and family.
Practice meditation, yoga, or some other calming activity as way to take a relaxing
time-out (maybe a bath). Try training with a heart rate variability sensor, like
the one in em Wave (formerly known as Freeze-Framer).
If you can only do one thing,
set aside 5-10 minutes to just breathe deeply and recharge.
Have a great long brain
life!
Collector's Guide: Autograph collecting tips
Collecting autographs is a fun hobby, tips on the best
way to get your baseball or book signed?
You look down at the scrawl in your notebook, reliving the experience over and over again of standing in line for hours; waving your pad and paper in the air at the slightest sign that your idol would come out to you and the other fans. Suddenly it happened; the pen taken from you and the notebook, the quick signature shoved back into your hand as another wave of fans pushed by you towards the barrier as you retreated, lost in a wave of happiness as you add the autograph to your mental highs. But getting an autograph can be both easier and harder, depending on how you want to proceed.
One way of getting an autograph is to attend the function and stand in line, hoping that the star you're attracted to will spend the time to sign autographs. The only problem with this is that there's a big chance that he/she won't stop and sign - many stars these days are concerned with personal safety and security and rarely hesitate for a session - or their own personal bodyguards disapprove and move them along as quickly as they can. But this is one of the best ways to assure yourself that the signature is authentic and certainly the most thrilling.
Another less stressful way is to send your book backstage with one of the stagehands or security guards; attaching a small note and perhaps a few flowers for your idol, asking politely for a signature. Most stagehands or guards will perform this small errand for free or for a few dollars, delivering the package backstage in plenty of time for the person to sign at their leisure. Returning after the performance to the stagedoor or where you met the delivery person and retrieving it is another way of obtaining the autograph and not putting any stress on anyone. Many stars appreciate this method because it is at their own discretion and on their own schedule, not a mixed mob of screaming fans waving books in their faces. Your odds are much higher with a nicely-worded note of thanks as well as a good attitude all around.
This also works for sports fans; sending the intended baseball or poster into the clubhouse via a security guard or usher. Most players greatly appreciate not being disturbed during the preliminary warm-ups of the game and will willingly sign at their own speed while waiting for their turn to play or a break in the action.
The last and perhaps the riskiest in a way is to purchase an autograph from a dealer. This is a great alternative if you want a foreign star's autograph or someone who doesn't live in your part of the country and therefore is unlikely to be available for a local performance. Many on-line auction sites and local conventions will have dealers who carry a plethora of autographed pictures for sale of almost anyone who's ever been on screen or television - and others can be found with a few clicks of the mouse.
The only caveat is that you don't know where or when the autograph was given - nor if it is authentic. Unfortunately there is a chance that you might get a forgery, although this is small indeed. Many dealers include a certificate of authenticity with their product guaranteeing that this indeed is a real signature and valid and the average collector would be best to keep said certificate and pursue any legal action should your purchase prove to be false.
Many people think that if their specific autograph is different from another displayed in a magazine or auction house that it must be false. This, unfortunately, is not true. As our own signature changes over time, celebrities have their own changes as well. Signing dozens of autographs a day can result in a scrawl that has no resemblance to the neat signature shown in another catalogue and the buyer should remember that before accusing any dealer of forgery. Again, you can only be truly certain of authenticity by obtaining it yourself which is why the autograph market is so fluid - it truly is a case of supply and demand.
If you want to get it yourself, always be prepared with the right items - a working pen and a clean sheet of paper at the least. Many stars don't have the time or inclination to stand around as you fumble for a new pen or scribble their names below the parking ticket stub. Be aware that these people are on the clock constantly and your autograph will depend on how fast you are prepared and willing to go with the flow of traffic.
Autograph collecting can be fun and profitable for anyone who wants a little bit of stardom for their home or office. And with a few quick tips, you can score every time with the right stuff!
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