happy seniors pc users: Cleaning your Computer and Free Hearing Test

if you have a mouse that has a scroll wheel, try giving the wheel a click. Yep, just press your finger directly down on the wheel and see what happens. Once you do that, you should see a big double arrow appear on your computer screen. You can then just move your mouse up and down and it will do an "automatic scroll" for you. That's right, once you click the wheel, you no longer have to actually scroll. Just move your mouse around and it will all be taken care of.

Now, this feature doesn't work everywhere, but it covers most of the common areas. For example, it works on any Web page in any Web browser, it works in different e-mail programs, in MS Word documents and so on. I use it most when I'm browsing the Web. It's so convenient and easy to use. Then once you're done scrolling, just give the wheel another click and your mouse will go back to normal.

Have you ever been working away on your computer when all of the sudden, your mouse pointer disappears? You try moving your mouse around as fast as you can to try and find it, but it just seems like it went away forever. Well, if this has ever happened to you, I have something you might be very interested in!

You can add a trail to your mouse pointer so that it's easier to locate. To do this, go to Start and open up your Control Panel. Once you're in there, click on the Printers and Other Hardware link and then choose the Mouse option. This will open up the Mouse Properties box and you're going to want to choose the Pointer Options tab.

Next, go down to the Visibility section and checkmark the line that says "Display pointer trails." You can then decide how long you want the trail to last. It can either be short, long or somewhere in the middle. When you're done, click OK.

Now, you will have a trail following your pointer every time you move your mouse. Keep in mind that it might take you a little while to get used to the trail, but you will. And just think how fast you'll be able to find your mouse pointer if it ever happens to "disappear" on you again!

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Zipping Around the Word Screen

So, I'm sure we all know about the Page Up and Page Down buttons in MS Word, right? They're a quick and easy way to jump through a document, moving one screen space at a time and scrolling through the document as it goes.

But, what about a few other uses for the Page Up and Page Down buttons? Interested in seeing what else they can do?

Well, if you combine the Control key with the Page Down key, you will be moved to the top of the next page in your document.

Control + Page Up will move you to the top of the previous page in your document.

Also, if you're looking in the current screen, without scrolling the document, Alt + Control + Page Up (or Down) is just the ticket.

Those key combinations will move the cursor from the top of the portion of your document currently on the screen down to the bottom. Plus, the document is never scrolled during this move.

You're strictly working within the part of the document currently displayed. It's just a quick way to move around the screen without moving too far through the document.

Cleaning Your Computer: 12 Simple Tips

A stitch in time saves nine! Believe it or not, but this adage works brilliantly for your computer too. Not only will keeping your computer clean help you save on maintenance cost, but it will also keep you stress free so that you can focus on your work and nothing else! So, why is cleaning your computer so important? Well, basically because dust and debris collect in your system, causing your computer to heat up, which can eventually lead to hardware failure.

Here are a few simple tips that will keep you in the clear. Read on!

1.) To clean your computer case, first unplug your system power from the electrical outlet. Remove all the cables and connectors from the back side of your computer. The computer will require the fans to be blown out as well. Some PCs have multiple fans: one on the processor and one or two on the power supply. Make sure you clean them all. The best thing to use is probably compressed air. Just blow that air all around the hardware components, while keeping the nozzle at least four to five inches away from the main board components.

2.) Another good alternative to compressed air is to use a portable battery powered vacuum that can effectively remove the dust, dirt and hair from the motherboard and prevent it from getting trapped within the case. However, do not use a standard electricity powered vacuum, as it can cause a lot of static electricity that can damage your computer. When using the vacuum, it is vital that you stay a couple inches away from the motherboard and all the other components to help prevent contact, as well as, to help prevent anything from being sucked into the vacuum. Ensure that you do not remove any small components with the vacuum, such as jumpers.

3.) To clean your keyboard, pick up a can of compressed air at your local office supply store. In case you're not sure, compressed air is a handy invention that forces air from a can out through a long thin straw. You can use it to clean out dust and debris on your keyboard, without having to take the whole thing apart. Be careful not to blow dust into your hard drive though, as that may cause damage to your machine. It's a good idea to turn the keyboard upside down and give it a few good shakes before you use it again. If you're brave, you can pop off the keys and soak them in a solution of ammonia and water, but be careful, because not all the keys come off easily. If you feel resistance, stop!

4.) If you feel the need to test fate, you can pull out the memory and other cards from your computer and gently rub a pencil eraser on the contacts before putting them back in. However, don't pull any cards out unless you're having problems reaching certain areas.

5.) Remember, never open a CRT monitor. Even when it's unplugged, they retain enough current to seriously harm you.

6.) When cleaning the inside of your computer (motherboard, etc.), make sure your computer is off. Also, never place your computer on the ground. You should always use a computer table or shelf while you're cleaning.

7.) Only use an air duster/canned air to remove dust from your computer's components. It's best to do it outside as well so that it doesn’t end up all over your house!

8.) When cleaning your monitor, make sure you do so with a clean rag and only use cleaning agents designed for electronics.

9.) When you're finished with the inside, use a lightly dampened cloth or paper towel to wipe off the outside of your computer case. Gently wipe down the casing using Q-Tips to clean small places like vent holes and disk drive openings.

10.) Never clean the inside computer components or other circuit boards with a damp or wet cloth.

11.) Wipe down the outside of your mouse with a slightly damp cloth. Next, unscrew the ring from the bottom of your mouse and remove the ball. Dust off the ball with a soft cloth and look inside the cavity of your mouse. There will probably be some dust clinging to the rollers that move the ball and you can just scrape that out with a Q-Tip. When you're finished, replace the ball and ring. Optical mice will require little maintenance, but ball mice can be disassembled. Clean the ball itself, as well as, the X and Y axis rollers.

12.) To keep your computer looking clean longer, purchase an inexpensive plastic covering for your equipment!

If you follow all of these guidelines, your computer and all of its equipment will shine like new!

GIMP

Have you seen the price of the newest version of Photoshop? Yikes! It's a good thing there is a program out there that is completely free that has all the same functions as Photoshop. Interested? Then let's check it out!

This program is called GIMP (it stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program). If you like to do special things with your digital photos and you don't feel like coughing up hundreds of dollars for Photoshop, you'll definitely want to check GIMP out.

With GIMP, you can touch up your photos, compress your images, alter your images and graphics and much, much more. Give it a try today!

You can download GIMP for free right here. Enjoy!

Free Hearing Test

I can still remember going to get my hearing tested as a kid. I actually had it tested a lot, as I had many ear infections and tubes in my ears. So, have you ever wondered why you stopped getting it tested? I know I have! Hearing is a very important part of our lives, but we tend to take it for granted.

Well, now there is a hearing test you can take at home, right from the convenience of your computer chair. Just click the Free Online Hearing Test button on this Web site to get started. This takes you to a page that explains the test a little more. Next, click the Get It Done button at the bottom of the page.

Now, you’re on the test page. Follow the directions and get yourself set up. Start by playing the test tone and then slowly turn down your volume settings until you can just barely hear the test tone.

When you’ve got that set, click the Continue button. Next, adjust your speakers to half the volume and click Continue again. The test tones will then play. Click the Yes button if you can hear the tone being played. Click No if you can’t hear it. Just go through the test selecting Yes for the tones you can hear and No for the ones you can’t.

The test is a series of six tones. When you finish answering all six, you will be given your results. If you see a red X for any of your results, you may want to consider seeing a hearing specialist and having your hearing tested.

Another interesting section on this site is How We Hear, which is where you can learn all about how your ears work. You’ll need QuickTime to view the video, so if you don't have it, you can go here to download it for free.

So, what are you waiting for? Go test your hearing today!

http://www1.freehearingtest.ca/Defa...TargetPage=HOME