Q. I know if I place my cursor over the time display on the Windows Taskbar that the date will appear, but how can I show the date at the same time the time appears?
A. That capability doesn't exist within Windows itself, but with the installation of a handy-dandy, free software program named TclockEx (http://users.iafrica.com/d/da/dalen/tclockex.htm) you'll have the ability display the date and time together. TClockEx can also be customized to show the date and time in a variety of formats and fonts, plus display calendars, different cursors, highlight certain dates, change colors, and lots of other goodies.
Q. One of my friends said she was a subscriber to a listserv. I was too embarrassed to ask what it was, but what the heck is a listserv?
A. The technical definition of a listserv is "an automatic mailing list server that manages additions and deletions to electronic mailing lists." But Mr. Modem's eyes roll back in his head when he hears technical definitions, so let's just say that a listserv is a mailing list that provides a way to correspond with groups of people, about a particular topic, via email.
When you subscribe to a listserv, the automatic mailing list server (computer) places you on an electronic mailing list. Depending on the type of listserv, you may then receive email each time a listserv subscriber sends email to the listserv. To respond to somebody else's comments, send an email to the mailing list's moderator, who will then decide if your message will be forwarded to other subscribers to read.
There is no charge for subscribing to a listserv and instructions for removing yourself from a mailing list will be found at the end of each mailing your receive. The act of removing yourself from a mailing list is called "unsubscribing."
Q. I use a digital camera to take pictures that I put on my Web site. The pictures look good on the Web, but when I try to print them, they don't print out well. Should I be doing something different for printing pictures?
A. It's important to select the appropriate resolution for your photo display needs. For example, lower resolution - or "low rez" as those of us who try to sound cool and groovy say - ranging from 72 to 100 ppi or dpi (pixels-per-inch or dots-per-inch), is appropriate for email attachments and for pictures that will be displayed on the Web. For email, the overall file size should not exceed 50KB (kilobytes), with 35KB being ideal.
Use higher resolutions if you're planning to print photos. To print photo-quality digital images requires a resolution between 180 to 240 ppi, or whatever resolution results in the size image you want. The higher the resolution, the larger the file size of each photo, so the more camera memory the photos will consume. You'll need at least a 2-megapixel camera for decent looking 5 x 7 photos, and a 3-megapixel camera to print 8 x 10s.
For many more digital photography tips, visit the Mr. Modem Library at www.MrModem.com and read the cleverly named "Digital Photography Tips" article.
Geekspeak Translator:
Icon - A technologically motivating chant or mantra recommended by Mr. Modem. When you're confronted with computer or Internet difficulties, keep repeating, "Icon if I think icon." (It's not nice to groan at Mr. M.) An icon is a clickable image or picture that represents an object, program, file, or command. The little clickable pictures that appear on your Windows Desktop and used to launch or open programs are icons.
Mr. Modem's Sites of the Week:
Best Places to Retire
This report, from the editors of CNN and Money Magazine, measures housing costs and rates of appreciation, costs of living, including tax rates and energy costs, crime statistics, quality of life, climate, health care, recreation, environmental conditions, education, transportation and other factors. In the "Find the Place for You" section, enter the name of a city and see how it stacks up.
http://money.cnn.com/best/bpretire
Product Information
This site forwards your product information requests to online and offline vendors in categories such as Financial & Legal, Home & Garden, Travel, etc. Once you've located the category that best describes the product or service you're looking for, fill out the request form and click "Send Request." Retailers will contact you by email with the information requested. You're under no obligation to purchase anything.
Unforgettable Love Letters
Courtesy of the United States Postal Service, here you can get inspiration from Sir Walter Raleigh or Catherine of Aragon, then pick up a pen and pour out your feelings to your sweetheart. At this site you'll also find links to Unforgettable Presidential Letters and Letters to Santa.
www.usps.gov/letters/volume2/love-main.html
(For prompt, personal answers to your computer questions, subscribe to Mr. Modem's weekly newsletter at www.MrModem.com. Read Mr. Modem's column each month in "Smart Computing" magazine. For a free issue, visit www.MrModem.com and click the "Smart Computing/Mr. Modem" logo.)
