... Recommend this series to a friend.

Many of the following tips were posted in Dummies and others I discovered fooling around. G-d bless dummies for they shall inherit the earth ... I think it's the meek, but I don't believe that either. I even find ideas on my own website and then send myself email complaining about the errors I make. But then I don't pay attention to anything I write and it's immediately deleted. What you write will get my attention.

One more matter of note that comes to my attention. This section was written in the Windows 98 days. Much if this is outdated; something ever present in our fast moving computer technology. How do I know this? Because I now have Windows XP and many of these tips no longer work. Sorry folks; that's the way life is. Any questions, read Alvin Toffler's book, "Future Shock". In the computer world it's constant learning. I quote:

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." --- Alvin Toffler

When choosing a dedicated computer workstation, whether as part of a desk or a standalone unit, measure all your components -- monitor, CPU tower, speakers, printer, scanner -- then look for:

• Enough surface area to hold what you need on the desktop.

• A pullout drawer to get the keyboard off the desktop.

• A drawer for pens and pencils.

• Shelves for reference books and/or desk trays.

• Another shelf for your printer or speakers. You can also use a pullout drawer in a cabinet below to hold the printer.

• A built-in disk holder if you need a lot of disks on hand.

• Floor space or a shelf for the CPU. Skip the closed cabinet, which is one more door to open every time you want to swap disks or reboot.

SUGGESTION: Here's a trick you can use on all webpages. If you are looking for a particular word on any page, go to Edit and "Find in Page" (keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + F), and type in that word, and click Find Next. Continue clicking it until you find that word exactly where you want to find it.

Let's try it here with the word "idiot" sans quotes. See? It works (click Find Again and who knows?). And it does make surfing a bit easier ... oh go on, don't be afraid, nothing'll happen, it's your computer, you're the boss, try it; we learn that way.

BackUp Questions ... the how's, why's, when's and where's of backing up files.
Basic Computer Components ... the four essentials of every computer system.
Boosting Computer Speed ... how to clean the registry (often the culprit).
Boot Disk ... a do-it-yourself disk customizable for your particular computer.
Browser ... here we have some help for Netscape and/or Internet Explorer users.
Bytes, Megabytes and Dog Bites ... an explanation of "bytes" in simple terms.
Chain Letters ... a good place to start: chain letters are almost always hoaxes.
Copying - Pasting ... how to copy text from any document or email (or copy part of the text from same), and then paste that text into another email message or text document.
Device Manager ... use this to examine and change software-configurable devices.
Disks and Storage ... computers must store data somewhere. Where is that somewhere?
DOS Lives ... some pretty exciting things you can do from the DOS command line.
Downloading ... a tutorial with an ICQ ad remover for practice; and it really works.
Email Basics ... greetings, salutation, reply, reply to all, copy, and blind copy.
Error Messages – Why? ... what are these often-cryptic error message referring to?
Explorer ... this is not IE, and I think it's the most important window in Windows.
Extensions ... their meanings and how to work the "open with" dialog box.
Faults ... here are some common Windows errors (and what to do).
Filtering the Internet ... keeping children safer and employees out of mischief.
Glossary ... enough computerese to make you the hit of your next cocktail party.
How Your Computer Works ... what's going on under the hood (if you want to know).
ICQ ... uh oh, finally you can fix it by yourself; no need to send any SOS messages.
Internet Basics ... a very elementary introduction for those new to the intenet.
Keyboard Shortcuts ... lots of magic in Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win, Tab, Esc, and Del keys.
Memory ... before I forget, everything you want to know about; oh yeah, memory.
Modem - Setting Up ... setting up a dial-up modem and a few additional thoughts.
MSWord ... magic with your processor, your shortcut keys, and your numeric pad.
MySpace ... what is it, how does it work, and how to keep proper privacy?
Protecting Your Identity ... twelve tips that can help you protect your virtual identity.
Registry Primer ... the heart of the computer and tools to keep it beating properly.
Spam ... how to handle that electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings.
System Resources ... how to save and recover system resources (don't use them?).
Task Manager in Win 98 - accessing startups, ncreasing resources, and reducing freezes.
Task Manager in Vista ... here's an update on the Task Manager in Windows 98.
Ten Ways to Make Win98 Work Better ... an excellent potpourri of tweaking.
Tips for Beginners ... if you are just starting, here are some important tidbits.
Troubleshooting In Win 98 ... "five steps" and "ten ways" with this, should do it.
TweakUi ... makes configuring your computer 100 percent easier.
URL's ... or as Joe Robson of Newbie Club fame says, "Meet Uncle Earl"
Virtual Memory ... why does Windows constantly report "Virtual Memory Low?
What About Viruses ... so what do you do about all the viruses, hackers, and crackers?
Website Security ... controlling a website, understanding cookies and encryption, and keeping children and employees off those naughty naughty sites.
What About Your Desktop? ... it's the actual interface between you and your computer.
What's On Your Computer? ... sometimes you want to know; here's the way.
Windows ... now you'll be called upon to do windows for all your neighbors.
Windows Interface ... some basic features that come between you and the computer.
Windows Tutorial for Beginners ... for the real beginner who knows nuttin'.
Etch-a-Sketching ... when all else fails, upgrading your computer to an Etch-a-Sketch.

Special Note: If you like the way your system is working, leave it alone. Don't make needless changes to your system, especially as some of the changes suggested are hard to undo. Likewise, you should weigh each suggestion against the likely benefit you'll gain: Don't tear apart a working system or subsystem unless you believe the results will truly be worth it. Finally, before doing any significant work on any PC running *any* operating system, always make a full backup.

By the way ... STRAIGHTEN YOUR DESK. Nothing is more chaotic than a messy desk. And fast decisions are de rigeur when straightening: Pick the item up, file it, or throw it away. Put anything else that belongs on your desk in neat little piles on top or in the appropriate drawers. (Invest in pencil holders and other desktop organizers if you're overloaded with stuff.) This may be as close as you get to feeling like a CEO (Chief Executive Officer, in case you've never aspired to that height).

Do you know *exactly* what hardware and software you have installed on your computer and it's specification?

What's hardware? ... Printers, CD Drives, Speakers, Processor, and such.

Software? ... Stuff like MS Word, Graphics programs, Browser etc.

You really should know what's in your computer. That means, finding out exactly what's hiding in there by opening the case, and checking it all out. Not very practical advice? OK, then dig around inside using software. This bunch of tips tell you how.

To see what processor is installed ... and how much Random Access Memory (RAM) you've got, RIGHT click 'My Computer' (on your Desktop) and select Properties (or use the Windows Logo key+Pause, or hold down the Alt key while double clicking.

To see what size your hard drive is ... go for My Computer once again. Double click the My Computer icon to open, then right click the drive letter you're interested in (usually 'C') and click Properties.

To see what type of video card (also called a video display adapter, or graphics card) you have installed ... RIGHT click the Desktop, and choose Properties from the context menu. When you see the Display Properties dialog box, choose the Settings tab. You'll see the brand and model of the monitor installed (or it may just list "Plug and Play Monitor") along with the video card that makes it work.

To see what kind of hardware is installed in your computer (that wasn't already covered above) ... open the Control Panel ( Start. Settings. Control Panel) and double click the System icon. Click the Device Manager tab for a complete list. Click down the list of installed hardware. You can click the Properties button after highlighting a particular item, and you'll see more details on drivers, settings, and other info that may just bore you to tears.

Interesting stuff this. Just don't go messing around, ticking and unticking, unless you know exactly what you're doing.

Disclaimer: When not careful, modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. At ALL times, where working on the Registry (a hallowed place in computerdom), I'd suggest backing it up before making any changes. If you want to see what it looks like, go to Start, Run, and type in "regedit" sans quotes. It looks like an Explorer window except that the content is very different. The registry is one area that is both mystery and intriguing, and constantly amazes me.

One additional remark, and I'm not trying to scare you, but you use all information provided here at your own risk. I say this lightly because I find that everything can be fixed, and in the fixing is where we learn the skills. Just show me a person who makes no mistakes and I'll show you an idiot.

Special note, special request: PLEASE, if you see a link that doesn't work, or a tip that is in error, drop me a line and let me know. It'll be easy to correct ... thanks.