Monthly Archives: May 2011

Q. A DVD came with my new Mac, do I need to install it?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by quill

No, you don’t need to do anything with the discs – OSX and the standard applications are already installed on any new machine. When you start it up, it will play a short intro video and then lead you through … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. How do I install a font into a program?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by quill

Fonts are installed into the operating system, and once installed should be available to all programs. How to install fonts Windows http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314960 http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/fixfonts/ht/install_fonts_w.htm Mac The simplest way is to drag fonts into the Library: Fonts: folder http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2435 Fonts often come … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. My Mac just has a question mark on the screen

Posted on May 22, 2011 by quill

The ? means that the machine cannot find a drive with a valid operating system. This means either that your hard drive has failed, or the operating system on it is damaged. What to do: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1411?viewlocale=en_US Safe Mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564 (Starting … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Best Of: Video Cards

Posted on May 18, 2011 by quill

Here is an ongoing collection of highly rated and best value video cards and reviews, last update May 2011 Video card performance is not critical for office-based software or web browsing, the built in graphics in any machine made in … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Performance, Product Reviews, The Best Of, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Favorite: Windows utilities from Piriform

Posted on May 18, 2011 by quill

Some utilities you use once in a blue moon. Some utilities you end up using every day until they become indispensable.  One company that makes shareware that is part of my everyday toolkit is Piriform. CCleaner cleans out cache files, … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Favorites, Free stuff, Software, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Add a SSD to a 2012 or older MacBook Pro or Unibody MacBook

Posted on May 18, 2011 by quill

One way to increase the performance of a MacBook Pro is to change the hard drive out for a fast Solid State Drive (SSD).  The problem is that large SSDs are still more expensive than hard drives, so getting faster … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, How-To, Mac questions, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Q. What is running on my PC?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

How do I tell what programs are running on my machine that aren’t listed on the Task Bar? Hit Control – Alt – Delete — this brings up the Task Manager. Windows XP http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/taskman.htm Windows 7 http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/reap-the-benefits-of-windows-7s-task-manager/2576 You can now … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Performance, Security, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Q. Can I use faster RAM with the slower RAM I have?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

For example, your machine has PC2-4200 (533 MHz) DDR2 memory in it, and you have another module of PC2-5300 (667 MHz). Can you use it? Your motherboard’s memory speed will always be set to the speed of the slowest module … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, Mac questions, Memory, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. Is PayPal safe?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

PayPal the company is trustworthy However you are dealing with third parties who are sellers or buyers — and those third parties can be good or they can be a problem. There are many terms and conditions that can affect … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Internet and Networking, Security | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. How do I use Photoshop?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

Here is a collection of learning resources for Adobe Photoshop, the premier image editing program. I like the Missing Manual series of books the “Missing Manual” series http://missingmanuals.com/ Peachpit Press has good instuctional books, and video podcasts here http://www.peachpit.com/podcasts/index.aspx Adobe … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, How-To, Software, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. I have Illustrator – how do I use it?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

Adobe Illustrator is an immensely powerful vector graphics drawing program. It can be intimidating for first time users. I recommend any book in the “Missing Manual” series http://missingmanuals.com/, and the Peachpit Press “Non-Designer’s Book of” series by Robin Williams   … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, How-To, Mac questions, Software, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. What is a Dell Service Tag and where do I find it?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

The Service Tag is Dell’s name for a serial number, and allows Dell to identify your individual machine. It should be on a sticker glued to the bottom, back or side of your computer case. Using Internet Explorer 5.5 or … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. Doesn’t a new computer come with Office?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by quill

Microsoft Office software is included on a computer’s drive only if it was purchased in a bundle with the machine.  Far more often, what is pre-installed on a hard drive is the Microsoft Office Test Drive version, a trial version … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Mac questions, Software, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Favorite sites: Douglas Magazine and Y.A.M.

Posted on May 16, 2011 by quill

Victoria BC is home to an excellent magazine publisher, Page One Publishing, and their magazines Douglas (business) and Y.A.M. (lifestyle) are a treat. Douglas is a quality business magazine that connects local businesses and people through its in-depth articles and … Continue reading →

Posted in Favorites, Media and Commentary | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. My HP computer didn’t come with disks

Posted on May 14, 2011 by quill

Hewlett-Packard, like many manufacturers, is saving money by not including Windows recovery or install DVDs with new machines.  The customer is expected to spend a couple of hours when they first unpack the machine, and burn their own disks.  Guess … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Software, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment