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Resizing photo images for Email.
In the May 06 newsletter there is a section on two programs that can be used to resize photo images so that they open to be smaller than the monitor they are viewed on. The programs are PIXresizer and PowerToys.
Dick Harris has contacted me to advise of an even easier way to resize photo images for Emailing with Windows XP. Open Windows Explorer ( Start>All Programs >Accessories > Windows Explorer) and seek the folder that your image(s) are stored in, select the image(s) and right click while the selection is active. Choose SEND TO from the drop down menu and choose MAIL RECIPIENT. This starts the process of transferring your selected images to your Email program, but an interruption occurs to give you the chance to alter the image size. Select "show more options" and you can make you choice from an standard range of sizes. Note that most monitors are set to 800 x 600 so that "small" will fill about 80% of the screen. The other benefit of making the image smaller is that the file size and hence the time taken to send the image is reduced (My test showed a 1.3 MB image file reduced by 97%). Nb. reduced images will not print with the same quality so if the recipient wants to print a quality copy you do need the full sized file.
Another advantage Dick noted was that you don't need to save a copy of the reduced image.
Finally:
I have tested this with Outlook Express and Outlook 98 on Windows XP machines. You can use it with Outlook 2003 but sizing options are actually built into Outlook 2003.
I have tested this with Windows 98 but the Windows Explorer doesn't activate the resize options when you choose SEND TO > Mail Recipient. If you have Windows ME or other Email programs please let me know if you have success with the method. [Webmaster]
A hint for printing directly from a website.
In Internet Explorer, for example you may be browsing www.seniornetpakuranga.org.nz and want to print out the committee list or the
course timetables. Our web site, and many others, have multiple frame layouts on a single screen so that if you print without making
additional selections you will get the SeniorNet Pakuranga title frame at the top and Website Link frame on the left hand side of you printed
page. To print just the “useful” contents frame that has the lists you want, do the following:
- Click anywhere in the contents frame (other than a link button)
- Choose Print Preview from the File Menu
- In Print Preview look for a drop down selection box which offers:
<As laid out on the screen>
<Only the selected frame>
<All frames individually>
Choose <Only the selected frame> and while still in Print Preview select the Print menu item, to start the Printer Control panel.
Another print hint is similar to the above but in the case where you only want to print out a small selection of a frame – a recipe for example without all the advertising.
- In the normal browser screen view place you cursor at the right hand side of the last line you want. Click (left button), hold the click down and drag the cursor upwards to the beginning of the item you want. The selected parts that will be printed are highlighted in blue (usually)
- Now choose File Menu – Print
- The Print control panel opens and you can make a choice of the Page Range
- Choose <Selection>
- Then Print, and the highlighted portion only will be printed.
Backup - a copy of Jim Hine's presentation
Use PowerPoint option if you have PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer. It
opens in a new window (this may take 2 or 3 minutes) and you use the right-hand scroll bar to move
through the pages. Hint- to get a full screen view use the menu item
Browse- Full Screen once the file has downloaded and you can
just use left and right arrows to change the slide page. To return to the web site just close the new
window. If you want to print a copy the Word version is recommended as
it has no background colour and will use a lot less of your colour ink.
Use the Word document if you do not have PowerPoint or the Viewer and
also want to print a copy. It
opens in a new window (this may take 2 or 3 minutes) and you use the right-hand scroll bar to move
through the pages. To return to the web site just close the new
window.
Security - Many ISP's offer on-line advice in dealing with Adware, Spyware, Viruses, Windows Updates PC Optimisation and Passwords. The subject is presented in user friendly language and each section provides access to useful download resources. Here are three examples that you may care to explore. You do not have to be a customer of the ISP to browse the information but additional help from the ISP's staff will be limited to current customers.
http://orcon.net.nz/help/tutorials/security/
http://www.ihug.co.nz/help/dialup/security/index.html
http://xtra.co.nz/help/0,,4128,00.html
False Anti-Spyware programs: Jim Hine has researched this topic following a member inquiry about an anti-spyware program which has been found to return a large number of indications which were false and then requests money to remove these indications. Jim has found the following site that gives a lot of advice about suspect anti-spyware programs http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm. (apologies - I am having difficulty making the back navigation arrow return you to our site from these particular links so you may have to restart your browser)
The spywarewarrior site recommends downloading and running free eradication programs from one or both of the following:
(a) http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download and chose the download on the right of the screen (about one third down) from with download.com or PC World.
(b) http://spybot.safer-networking.de/en/mirrors/index.html offers version 1.4 of a free search and destroy program that you can download from one the download sites displayed on screen.
Microsoft also have a Beta release of their anti-spyware program for Windows 2000 and Windows XP on the following link
http://www.microsoft.com/nz/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx
When looking at warranties, be sure to check the small print. Many manufacturers offer great sounding three year warranties and sometimes these only cover the replacement parts - then after the first year you may have to pay labour costs which, as we know, can be high. Remember to ask how quickly the firm will respond to your call for help and how long it will take. Do they pick up and return?
If you continue to have problems with the computer how can you lodge a complaint regarding this matter? From bitter experience I can say that not all warranties are as good as they seem.
If anyone has something which they believe will be of interest to our members just send an email by clicking on this link
I will publish it on our website for our members to read.