Three Tips
By Cate Eales
Appeared January 29, 2009 on castanet.net
This week's column answers three questions that will make your computing a
little more fun.
How do I burn a DVD in Windows XP?
Windows XP is still pretty good at a lot of things. One of those things is
burning CD's. Even if you don't have a special program like Roxio or Nero,
you can still burn CD's in Windows XP, just by following the procedure
here. All you need is a CD drive that can read AND write to CD's.
This is not true for DVD's. If you want to burn a DVD in Windows XP, you
need a program that will do that. (You also need a drive capable of
burning DVD's.) Expensive, bloated burning programs abound. But if you are
looking for a free program that will allow you to burn all kinds of discs
and even let you create a simple cover, try CDBurnerXP, available
here.
If you are using Vista, it will let you burn CD's and
DVD's, again provided that your computer includes a CD and DVD burner.
Follow the procedures
here. If you want more than just the basics, CDBurnerXP will work in
Vista, too.
Is there an easy way to make a card or flyer
without Word?
Do you need to crank out a flyer for a garage sale or a poster for a
school event? What about a special Valentine for someone special? A
booklet? A banner? PagePlus SE is a very easy to use desktop publishing
program. You can use the built-in templates or create your own designs.
PagePlus SE is now free. You can grab it
here. If you like it and want more, you can upgrade to PagePlus 9 for
US$9.99.
Also, it turns out that Avery, the label people, have a good selection of
templates and software to help you with labels --- all kinds of labels.
Check it out
here
Can I see today's date instead of the time in the
system tray?
If you hover the mouse cursor over the time in the lower right-hand corner
of your screen, you will see today's date. But if you want the date there
all the time, try a free utility called DateInTray. It does exactly what
it says, and doesn't suck the life out of your system. You can download it
here.
Once installed, it will pop up a small calendar when you ask it to. If
that popup ability is all you want, a nice alternative is Xcalday,
here.
Do you need help with your computer? With your printer/camera/music
player? Do you have a virus or a spyware problem? Do you have
a new computer and now you're wondering how to get the files from the old
one over to the new one? I'm here to help you and your computer get along!
To ask a question, make a comment or suggestion, or schedule a visit,
email
cate@rlis.com. You can read previous columns
here. If you'd like to
subscribe to this column by email,
please visit this link. It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the
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Links
CD Burning Becomes Routine in Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/bridgman_august13.mspx
CDBurnerXP
http://cdburnerxp.se/
Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Vista
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/b47eb51a-ea6d-4d97-97b0-2d07a59316981033.mspx
PagePlus SE
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PagePlus/default.asp
Avery Software and Templates
http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Templates-%26-Software
DateInTray
http://www.crispybytes.com/dateintray/
Xcalday
http://xcalday.sylfid.com/
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
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---
Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible
and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric,
and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions,
helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware
eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image
management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management.
Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your
comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit
the Real Life Internet Solutions website at
www.rlis.com.
©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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