Stock.Xchng

Looking for that perfect image to use in your graphic design work? You can go to Stock.Xchng to browse their collection of over 200 thousand photos, submitted by over 15 thousand photographers! They have 1 Million registered users. The best part is, many of the pictures provided here are provided free of charge. Free as long as proper credit is provided where credit is due. Enjoy! :)

Stock.Xchng

Is Your Computer Vista Ready?

Want to know if your current computer can run Windows Vista? Go here to find out. :)

McGruff Tips on Internet Safety

So many children today have Internet access. More children have Internet access now than ever before. However, most kids do not realize the dangers targeted at them on the Internet. Parents go here for some tips on how to keep your kids safe online. One of the best rules I can give is to KNOW what your kids are doing online. The old rule, dont talk to strangers still applies online. Go online with your kids and know what they are doing, where they go and who is chatting with them. Stay safe.

Wi-Fi Security

Do you have a Wi-Fi network at your house? What if a passerbyer or your neighbor wants to access it? Here are some ways to safeguard your network from illegal Wi-Fi access.

Carve This Pumpkin

A PC from a hollowed out pumpkin. Hey, in this day and age anything is possible. And yes, the PC works!! and it looks really kewl too. So go here to see what I am talking about. :) Just in time for Halloween! ~Mel

Pumpkin PC Steps

Is it Spyware??

Scenario: You just found this really kewl looking software you would like to download and install. However, is it safe for your computer? Is it spyware?? Go here to find out! :) -Mel

Counter Spy

spywareterminator.com

Here is free protection for PCs. Spyware Terminator scans and monitors for spyware, and other malicious programs on your computer. It also offers the option to install a free antivirus.

Spyware Terminator

An Edit

I edited the open an IE Window ful size post. After you open the new window you have to resize the window first on the bottom right of the new window and after you resize it then you hit the ctrl key and close the new window. Now IE knows to open a link in a new window full size. This trick also works in the new IE 7 beta. Sorry for the misprint.

Here is the link to that post I edited.

To Posting

Hello Program

I used to use a program called Hello to capture websites and post them on here as a link to it. However, ever since I upgraded to Blogger Beta, my Hello stopped working for Mel's Corner. So please do without the pics for now. Thanks! :) -Mel.

Inbox.com

Inbox.com offers free email with, get this, 5 GB of email space. You also have access to free storage space like Yahoo Briefcase, notes, photo storage, a calendar of events, and contacts. Here is the link to it,

Happy emailing! :)


Inbox.com

Yahoo Security Center

Yahoo has an online Security Center worth checking out for those concerned about online security. :) -Mel.

Yahoo Security Center

Dell Recalls 4.1 Million Laptop Batteries

Dell recalled 4.1 milion laptop batteries due to a potential fire hazard. Customers complained of their laptops suddenly bursting into flames. The source of the problem was found to be faulty Sony batteries.

 

To read more about this story go here:

 

http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/002581.htm

 

-Mell

Open A New Window Full Size

If you use Internet Explorer 6 or 7 beta, and you right click a hyperlink to open it in a new window, you can teach IE a trick to open that window full size. IE will not open a window full size unless you teach it this trick. Close all IE windows you have open except for one. Right click any link and open it in a new window. Then, close the original window you have open. Go back to the new window and go down to the bottom right of the window and resize the window to how big you want it. Then press and hold the Ctrl key and click the orange/red X on the top right of the window to close it. That is all. Now IE knows to open a new window full size. I tried it and it works. Have fun! :) -Mel

AOL Users, Beware!!!

Aol Users, Beware!!! Ok, I am not a big fan of AOL. When I hear people have an AoL account, I cringe. How hard is it to cancel and AOL account? Go here and listen to this poor guy.

Plus, AOl adverstises as no credit card required for the free trial. Trust me, you must have a credit card in order to use the free trial software. I tried it once. I tried to cancel once, and was given a hard time as well. Happy surfing.  

Windows XP Tips Site

A nice site for Windows XP tips and tricks. :). -Mel. 

Change Font Size

If you use Internet Explorer and the web page your viewing font is too small, here is is a trick. If you have a mouse with a scroll button on it, hit the Ctrl key with one hand and scroll the mouse button towards you to make the font bigger, and away from you to make the font smaller. Happy scrolling! :) -Mel.

Flash Drive Recall

Fireflly and Secure II flash drive models are being recalled by Lexar. The flash drives could overheat and burn users or cause property damage. 

Scroll Programs

When you go to the Start menu to open programs, does it take up like 90 some percent of your desktop? Well, it can get pretty large. One thing you can do about that is, to right click the start menu click, properties ->start menu tab->customize->Advanced then scroll on down to square boxes underneath the Networking Connections radio buttons. Click scroll programs. Click ok. Now check out your start menu. If you don't like it, you can go through all these steps and uncheck Scroll Programs and click ok. Enjoy your new and improved Start Menu. :) -Mel.

Print Without Opening A File

You can print a file without opening a file or application. For example, if you have a Microsoft Word document, you dont have to pen up Word or the file itself. Just navigate to the file in its folder, right-click the file and click print. -Mel.

Where oh Where is That File?

If you have a folder, (like the My Documents folder) that has tons of files and folders in it, and you want to find one file/folder, if you know the name of the item just start typing in the first few letters of the file/folder (or the whole name) and you will go to items that start with those letters. Try it. -Mel

Alt -Tab

If you don't always want to use the  mouse, and you have several open applications on the bottom of the desktop, hit the Alt key on the keyboard, and the Tab key at the same time. Keep  pushing the Alt key, while hitting Tab until you get what you want. -Mel.

Open A Link in a New Window

I use this trick an awful lot. If I have a link (in Internet Explorer) I want to open in a webpage, but I dont want to lose the page I am on, just right click the link and click open in new window. You can do this in Mozilla Firefox too, right click a link and you can either open the link in a new window or a new tab. Happy clicking! :) -Mel.

25 Worst Tech Products of All Time

Ok, so, PCWorld also came out with 100 best products of 2006, but hey, the worst tech products of all time is more fun. (Well, not if you have AOL.) :) 

Gmail: Email Done Right.

Google does email right.I think they have the best email service out there right now. With over 2 GB of email storage space, (and growing every day), you can keep alot of messages! You can search your email (Gmail is run by Google), and contacts. You can give your email labels for advanced organization, and star the important messages.

You can set up alerts for your email as well. You can tell Google to search for topics of your choice and email you the results. This can come in handy.

Gmail also started a new thing called Gmail Chat. You can chat with people in your contact list who also have Gmail. You chat right on the inbox view page. You dont need to download additonal software.

There is a Gmail community where you can go to ask questions or exchange tips and ideas for using your Gmail. This can be helpful. :)

I also really like the interface. I dislike the new beta versions of Hotmail and Yahoo. I really dislike the new interface of the two. I think it is very akward. I think Gmail has it right! It is very easy to use and less akward.

Gmail keeps email messages organized as well. Messages that are sent back and forth by responding are kept in a thread. Like a message board. This is called conversation view. This helps conserve inbox space. And is very handy.

If you don't want a message cluttering up your inbox but you still want to keep it, you can label it and then archive the message for later viewing. This helps clean up your inbox view.

Gmail is also free. There is no cost to join Gmail. However, you have to have an invitation from a current Gmail user in order to sign up. Although, if you have an internet-enabled phone you can sign up using your mobile phone.

Gmail just recently added virus scanning to its email. It will search for viruses in attachments for you. That is always good. Happy Emailing! :)

 

Windows Vista Beta 2

If you are comfortable installing operating systems on a PC, downloading drivers and PC troubleshooting, and you want to try out Windows Vista Beta 2, go here. Make sure you check the system requirements on the website as well. Keep in mind that this operating system is in Beta, and is still developing. -Mel. 

Did You Get My Email?

Hey, I emailed you. Did you get it? I am still waiting on a response from you!

While I am waiting, I will tell you that if you use Outlook Express, you can

request a read receipt. This will prompt the reader of your message to verify

that he or she read your message.

In Outlook 2003, in the new message window, go to the options button. In the

middle of the dialog box, there is a voting and tracking options area. Click

request a read receipt for this message. Then click ok. This will encourage the

reader of your message to give you a little peace of mind. Happy Emailing!

-Mel.

Outlook Express Shortcut

Your best pal is always there for you, right? Well, now you can have your best pal there for you on your PC desktop! Do you have a person you email often with Outlook Express? Well, here is a shortcut.

 

Go to your desktop, right click your desktop, go to new->shortcut.  In the Type the Location field, type, mailto: friendsemail@whatever.com .  Replace the friendsemail@whatever.com with your contacts email address. Click ok.  Now when you double click your shortcut, a new mail message appears in Outlook Express with your contacts email address already in the To field. Pretty snazzy. :) -Mel.

Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are very annoying. One thing I do, is if you have sp2 installed, you can open up Internet Explorer if you use that, and go to Tools-> Internet Options. Click on the privacy tab and towards the bottom there will be a pop-up blocker area, click on block pop-ups. Then click ok.

 

Another thing I do, I downloaded the Yahoo toolbar. It has a built in pop-up blocker. It also has an anti-spy tool. There are probably several different toolbars that one can download to block pop-ups. I just like the Yahoo one. Have fun! -Mel.

IP Address Lookup

If your firewall blocks an access attempt, most of the time, it will give an IP Address. To see a little more descriptive information, go to Start->Run and type in command. At the command prompt, type nslookup (Space) and the IP Address. Like, nslookup 00.000.000.00 . This may give a more descriptive info for your IP Address by using TCP/IP Netowrking Protocol. You have to be connected to the Internet in order for this to work. Enjoy! -Mel

Free PC Tune-UP For Windows

Get a free tune-up for your PC. This program is in beta. :). -Mel 

ScanUsa

Stay safe. Here is a public warning system that allows local law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management services organizations, schools, and public saftety agencies to broadcast emergency information to your computer, mobile phone, pager, PDAs. Recieve immediate alerts about neighborhood crime, sexual predators, terrorism, cyber crime and more at this site. Stay safe.  

Cyber Tip Line .com

Help stop online predators from reaching children. If you have information for law enforcement about an online child predator, go here. -M  

Printing in IE

Hello, one thing that seems to confuse alot of people is how to print just a small part of a web page and not the whole thing. If you are using Internet Explorer, highlight the text that you want to print, and go to file->Print. Then in the Page Range area on the bottom left of the print dialog box, click on selection. Then hit ok. That will print out just the part you have highlighted and not the whole web page.

Financial Knowledge

Lacking financial knowledge? Go here and register for free to access this library of financial learning resources.  

PcHelpForum.Com

Getting support for your PC can cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, places like PcHelpforum offer PC help for free. :) Just register and post your question. Have fun! :) 

My CPP Cafe Site

CPP Cafe is a new site I developed. It mostly contains C++ code I have written. My site is just getting started. Check it out. :) -M 

Windows Vista FAQ Answered

Get your Windows Vista questions answered here in a FAQ page. :) -M

Cookies

Cookies can be a pain and an invasion of privacy. Here, I will explain one trick to use to banish third party cookies from installing on your PC. If you use Internet Explorer, open it up. Go to tools ->Internet Options. Then click on the Privacy Tab. Then click on the Advanced Tab. This will bring you to the picture above. On the right, click on Block under Third -Party Cookies. You can click on block from the other side too if you want. Clicking on block third party cookies will significantly reduce cookies being installed on your machine. :) -M.

Microsoft's Origami Sneek Peek

Get a sneak peek of Microsoft's Origami here. :) -M

PC Mechanic

This site tells about the inner-workings of a computer. It says how to install parts and how to build PC computers, and much more. :) -M

PC Myths

Learn the truth behind some computer misconceptions. So you and your computer can live in harmony once more. :) -M

Guestbook

Hello. Feel free to sign the guestbook here:

View Guestbook
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End of Support from Microsoft

End of support for Win 98 and Win Me fast approaching. Time to upgrade! -Mel. 

Yahoo Answers

Ask a question, get an answer from real people and answer other people's questions to share your knowledge. Read other people's question and answers and discover something new for yourself. This is a new site from Yahoo. This is all for free. :) Melissa.  

Office Macros 101

Nice article on how to create Macros in Office XP. It is an intro to creating Macros. Enjoy. -M. :) 

Microsoft Office Live Beta

For more information about the new Microsoft Office Live beta versions go here. :) 

Free Beta of Microsoft Office Live

Microsoft came out with a free beta version of the new Microsoft Office Live. Go here to register to try the free beta version. There are three versions available.
Microsoft Office Live Basics, Microsoft Office Live Collaboration, and Microsoft Office Live Essentials.
This is only to register. Microsoft will choose who will get to try the new beta version. Enjoy! Melissa :)
 

Computer Security

Worried about computer security? Go here.