Plain Text or HTML

Rvers Computer Help Newsletter 12-29-06

(Please read the WARNING at the bottom of the Newsletter)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year. I am sure a lot of you got new computers and stuff for Christmas. If you did, tell us about them. newsletter@rverscomputerhelp.com

Plain Text or HTML
This is pretty basic, but we still get the question what is the difference. Plain text is just what it sounds like, only text nothing fancy about it. HTML stands for Hyper text markup language and is used in writing web pages and fancy email's. We also use it to write the newsletter. So if your email program gives you a choice, you have decide to how you would like to view the email. Most of them allow you to choose, I prefer the HTML, but the choice is up to you.

ARP++
This is a free download and a very useful program for removing programs from your computer that you no longer want. The following was taken from their web site.
ARP++ is an advanced version of the Add/Remove Programs that is a part of Windows. It will allow you to uninstall programs which cannot be removed from (or may not even appear in) the Windows ARP. Not all programs installed on your computer may be uninstalled using the Windows ARP. And still more programs may not even appear. ARP++ displays all known programs on your system that can be uninstalled through conventional means.
Use ARP++ is very simple to use. Just select the program and click "remove." Note that you may not get prompted to confirm your selection (it depends on the program you are removing), so be absolutely sure before clicking remove. Download here

Make your own icons
Most every Windows operating system comes with a program called Microsoft Paintbrush, you may have run across it under Accessories on your program menu. There are lots of things you can do with it, one of which is make custom icons that you can use for shortcuts on your desktop. Just follow these instructions,

Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, Paint.
Click on Image at the top of the page and select the Attributes command.
In the Attributes dialog box, type 32 in both the Width and Height boxes and click OK.
To make the image easier to work with, click the Magnifying Glass from the tools menu along the side and select the level 8 magnification setting.
Press [Ctrl]G to add gridlines.
Use the tools and colors to create your icon.
Press [Ctrl]S and save the file with an ICO extension.
If you have any problems, just let us know and we will help.

We are available
After our recent relocation, we are no longer tied to a job and are available to give computer classes at RV Parks, Mobile Home Parks, etc, in the Southern California area. To contact us, please use the email address at the bottom of this newsletter.

Help with a question
We recently received this question from Malcolm, hopefully someone out there can help with an answer. (We travel all of North America about 5 months out of the year. I have every route-planning software package known to man and have found MS Streets and Trips to be superior in most respects for our needs. (I had to develop my own software to print the route in the form I prefer.) I recently was given a Garmin StreetPilot i3 which does a good job in many respects, but I'm wondering if there is any way to convert my S&T routes so that I can load them directly into the Garmin. I have seen some discussion and procedures for doing this with other Garmin models. (You can respond using our email address below. Larry)

Another Question
Here is another interesting question sent in by Dave. (I have been interested in the Delorme and CoPilot programs, but one question has been bothering me! Is it detrimental to the laptop to have the hard drive spinning while the RV is in motion? Seems like an environment the laptop designers didn't design for. Has anyone using these programs experienced any laptop problems as a result of the above? Dave

Funny Cartoon Pictures and Jokes
More chuckles If you have any funny cartoons you would like to send to us for the newsletter, please send them. Take a look, www.rverscomputerhelp.com/funnystuff12.html

(AD) Cool electronic devices for your home or RV
Send audio or video from one TV to another TV wirelessly. Send your Tivo to another room or even DirecTV, all wirelessly. Our son bought this and loves the way it works.
Or maybe you would like to automate all the appliances in your house or RV with this device. Turn on lights, dim lights, prearrange when a appliance comes on. Take a look at both of these electronic devices here, www.rverscomputerhelp.com/audiovideo.html

GPS Reviews
We have put some new posts on the GPS review page. We had gotten a little behind on posting these. Thanks to those that sent them in, sorry for the late posts. www.rverscomputerhelp.com/gps.html

Reminder to new subscribers
Important help pages that are updated periodically. If any of you have anything that you think belongs on these pages, please let us know.
www.rverscomputerhelp.com/articles.html
www.rverscomputerhelp.com/archives.html
www.rverscomputerhelp.com/computerstuff.html
www.rverscomputerhelp.com/tips.html
Also on our other RV web site, www.rvinginfo.com/tips.html

4 Inkjets, Discount Ink Cartridges
Check out the December Specials www.rverscomputerhelp.com/inkjets.html
If you have any questions you can E-Mail us by clicking here newsletter@rverscomputerhelp.com If you are no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, just send us a blank email with REMOVE written on the SUBJECT line. To change your email address, Click Here, be sure and include the old and new address.

WARNING, the tips, tutorials and suggestions given in this newsletter are offered in good faith to assist with computer problems and help you enjoy the use of your computer. If the directions are not followed correctly, some of the tips or tutorials could cause problems with your computer.
Use them at your own risk.