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Technology February 2013

Ask Mr. Modem

Unsquish Internet Explorer Tabs

    Very few anti-virus programs work well with other anti-virus programs so it's best to let one protection rule the roost. Anti-spyware programs are better at socializing, so you can have multiple anti-spyware programs installed on the same system without any problem.

    Q. I'm using IE 9, though I don't really care for it that much. One thing that annoys me is when I open tabs for various Web sites, all the open tabs are squished together next to the Address bar. Is there some way I can make room for the tabs to expand?

    A. Right-click in the area where your tabs normally open and place a check next to “Show tabs on a separate row.” Once you do this, all your tabs will open in the expansive space available under the Address bar.

    If IE 9 is wearing a bit thin on you, take a look at either Firefox (www.mozilla.com/firefox) or Google Chrome (www.google.com/chrome). Both are excellent browsers and worthy of consideration.

     

    Q. I would like to download Microsoft Security Essentials to my system, but I already use Norton, provided free by Comcast. Will this be a problem?

    A. Not for me and not for Comcast, but it could be a problem for your computer. I would not use both. If you're happy with Norton, stick with it. If at some point it no longer brings joy to your life, that would be a good time to make the change.

    If you try to use both, there is a good chance each program will detect the various bits of embedded virus code in the other, so each program will think the other program is a virus. That can lead to false positive and false negative reports, which is not good. Very few anti-virus programs work well with other anti-virus programs so it's best to let one protection rule the roost.

    Anti-spyware programs are better at socializing, so you can have multiple anti-spyware programs installed on the same system without any problem.

     

    Q. Is there some way I can show more items on my Start menu than currently appear? It seems like the icons for each program are taking up most of the room. Can I make the icons smaller?

    A. Yes, you can shrink Start menu icons in Vista and Windows 7. Right-click a blank area of your Taskbar and select Properties. Select the Start Menu tab from the window that appears and click the Customize button. Scroll down to the bottom and remove the check mark beside “Use Large Icons,” then click OK > OK.

     

    Q. I have been on Facebook for three years now and I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question, but how do I invite someone to become my friend?

    A. Log into your Facebook account, then choose "Invite Friends" from the Friends menu at the top of the page. You will have to provide some information at that point, but just follow what appears on screen and you shouldn't have any problem.

     

    Q. Using Windows Live Mail, how do I permanently make my font larger?

    A. Click Tools > Options. (You may have to hold down the ALT key to display the Menu bar.) Go to the Compose tab and under Compose Font, click the Font Settings button next to Mail.

    Choose the desired font size, style and color. Click OK when you're done to save your selections.

    If you change your default to a larger font, but you can still barely see what you are typing, your reading font settings may be the culprit. Check the main Windows Live Mail screen under View > Text Size and adjust them accordingly.

     

    Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month

    Ask Philosophers

    This site bridges the gap between intellectuals and knuckle-dragging, monosyllabic, mouth-breathers like myself. Profound, headache-inducing topics are discussed among visitors and a panel of esteemed philosophers. You are invited to submit your own philosophical query or browse the list of categories that includes everything from Art to Consciousness, to Truth, Justice and The American Way. The site’s “Question of the Day” as I write this is, “What is nominalism?” I would have enjoyed participating in the discussion, but I was afraid my head was going to explode. Perhaps another time.

    www.askphilosophers.org

    Cameratown.com

    If you like to take pictures, Cameratown will teach you everything you want and need to know about digital photography, plus provide news, forums, tutorials, articles, access to camera manuals and even software updates.

    www.cameratown.com

    Edible Arrangements

    Specializes in creating delicious fruit designs filled with fresh strawberries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, cantaloupe and honeydew. All ingredients are natural, with no added preservatives or sweeteners. I first learned of Edible Arrangements when I received one as a gift. I have since given several and because the ingredients are all healthy, it really does make an excellent alternative to the more traditional candy or cookies -- though I personally never met a chocolate-chipper that I didn’t like.

    www.ediblearrangements.com

     

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