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Tip: When printing out a documents envelope or label, you can set the colour so that the ink does not run, when it is delivered, if it happens to be raining. Just spray the address with hairspray.
M Newby
Tip: Rename your files and folders, the easy way, right click on the file or folder icon, and choose rename.
Name the file or folder something that suits once it is highlighted blue.
Tip: When you want a full page of text, try typing =rand(9) at the head of the page, then press enter; you should then get 9 paragraphs of lazy fox text. If you are using Vista the text may be different.
Tip: Install an anti-virus, anti-spy, firewall, ad ware and malware program, all are available in free versions, to ensure you are covered for all eventualities, you can also buy software with one or more in the same package. You will need to run scans for each of them.
Software Guide for beginners: Part 3
Anti-Virus:
That you may be aware of includes Anti-virus software, there are some people who develop viruses for computers which generally disrupt the normal workings of a PC. It is important to ensure you have an Anti-virus installed and continually get it updated.
Updating, is usually carried out automatically if you are constantly connected to the internet, the program will send a link to its home (the owner) and download new software to add to the database, for the new viruses developed each day.
In addition too an Anti-Virus software package, you may need a Firewall most Anti-Virus software includes a Firewall but some do not. A Firewall prevents hackers from spying on your computer and gaining sensitive information from you that you do not want to share; it also prevents hackers from interfering with your PC, making your computer not work correctly. Other types of prevention you need if you go online or receive email messages is a Malware and Spyware software program, these will prevent sites from ‘spying’ on you, once you have visited their website, they do this to find out your online habits and so try and sell you something, or direct you back to their web pages. Most spying done online is harmless; Google keeps track of all its users’ online habits for instance.
Malware is when you have a malicious software program attached to your browser; the best way to rid yourself of these if you are infected is to close any pages that act strangely to you, for instance, pop-ups of many ads is a common form of malware. For the programs that remain you will need to run an anti-malware scan, again most anti-virus software has this installed, but do check on that.
Email:
Is a software program for email messages, you can have your own email program or an online email program, they will enable you to send and receive messages to other people with an email 
address. Whenever you display your email address, online it is open to abuse, so if you do this, you will get Spam, which generally is unwanted messages, such as sales, porn, or medical pill pushing. Generally, if you have an all in Anti-Virus software package, most will have an anti- Spam prevention installed, for your emails but again you will need to check it is turned on and updated.
Browsers:
One of the most common browsers is Internet Explorer which comes free with Windows, Safari comes free with Apple Computers and there are many other browsers too, the most popular being FireFox, which is not affiliated to any but free to use and download. Browsers are software programs that browse the internet. There are settings within the browser you can adjust to make your browsing life easier, such as a ban for pop-ups, you can set your browser to display with larger text should you be visually impaired, there are many other things you can do with your browser, many, use them as they come but exploring and changing settings will lead you to a better browsing experience.
As you gain experience of using your computer you will want to add your own software that best suits your user experience. The software available today is literally too many to mention and for all kinds of user experiences. But I hope this article has gained and improved your understanding a little.
Tip: If you need to cancel a print job, click on the printer icon on the task bar, you will then get an option to cancel the print.
When you need to cancel many print jobs, double click on printers in the control panel, then right click on the document you want to cancel and choose cancel.
Tip: Resize the pictures in emails. To save time when sending. One option is to zip them up, but not everyone knows how to undo these pictures.
Go to the my pictures folder and select the photo you want to email, right click on the selected photo, choose send to then click on Mail Recipient. A window pops up asking you if you want to make the pictures smaller, tick this option.
David Robertson
Tip:
Like a clear screen on your desktop? If so, right click on an empty area, and choose arrange icons, uncheck show desktop icons. You will then have a clear desktop, your programs can be accessed through the start button.
Tip:
Remove the clock from your taskbar. Right click on an empty part of the taskbar, select properties, click on the option 'show the clock' and remove the tick, You will then have more room on your taskbar with the clock removed.
Cedric Ashworth