Write CDs with XP

Q.
I was told I don't need to buy software to write CDs with XP, Is this true ?
I want to back-up the pictures I have for safe keeping.


A.
CD-R and CD-RW drives have become common components of desktop computers. Windows XP allows users to write information to CD without having to install additional software. Data can be copied to a CD using the following procedure:

1. Insert a writable CD into the CD burner/recorder.
2. Within My Computer, select the data you want to write to CD.
3. Under the list of tasks, select Copy This File, Copy This Folder, or Copy the Selected items.
4. From the dialog box that appears, click the CD recording drive and click Copy.
5. Double click the CD recording drive within My Computer.
6. Under the list of tasks, select Write These files to the CD.


If you are using a CD-RW, you can also erase files on a CD. You must erase all files. Users do not have the option of erasing individual files. CD-R disks are not erasable.

Fall Photo by Faith Ann Wood

Look'in out my back door (not CCR)

Setting here with a cup of coffee and a beautiful view from the window. I see the yellow and red leaves of the maple tree in the side yard. Thinking I should take a few photos of it today when / if the sun pops out. I had a Web page for one full year called "DailyFoto dot com", the brainstorm behind it was for people to send in photos to be posted each day. Like most all my ideas it was a total flop. People just would not send in their pictures, and it became a nightmare for myself to find or take 365 photos and upload them to the page. I think most people just didn't know how to send a photo via email. This was a few years ago, but now it is much easier to do. There is a free program that Google distributes called "Picasa", this program makes it very easy to, find, sort, re-touch, and send photos via email. So go get it, and send me a photo of the fall colors that you see out your windows. I'll post a few here in the Blog for all to enjoy. http://picasa.google.com/index.html

Clearing Cache Again "you got to do it"

Pages on the net that change often look the same. I spent an hour or so adding a new page to the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home page, when done and uploaded I tested it. Low and behold the new buttons and page I had changed did not appear. It looked the same as before I started. I knew I had uploaded the changed page, so I new the cache was the blame. I use the FireFox browser and it seems as bad as the default Windows browser IE. Please read how to clear the cache below, then do it ever so often, especially if you look at pages that change daily.


Clearing Cache on Internet Explorer

Instructions on how to clear the History/Cache in Internet Explorer 4.0 and above on a PC.
1. Select "Internet Options" under the "View" or "Tools" option (depending on the version you are running) on the toolbar.
2. Under the "General" folder under "Internet Options", there is a section called "History". Change the "Days to keep pages in History:" to 0 and click the "Clear History" button.
3. Click "Apply" at the bottom of the "Internet Options" box, then click "OK"
4. To double check that everything is cleared, click the "History" button on the web browser toolbar - it should be empty. Also, click the arrow on the right of the URL Address box - it should be empty as well.


Clearing Cache on Firefox

1. Click Tools and select Options on the Firefox menu bar.
2. Click the Privacy Icon on the Option menu bar to open the Privacy Properties.
3. Click Clear across from the Cache option.
4. Click Ok to return to the browser main page.
5. Exit and relaunch the browser.

Snipe - What is it ?

If you are a buyer on eBay you need to take a look at: https://at.auctionstealer.com/home.cfm
This is a "Snipe" Web page, Whats that, No its not a small bird or a joke kids play at scout camp. Snipping is where you place an auction bid just a few seconds before the end, like 10 to 20 seconds. It is free as long as you don't make more than three bids per week using it. You can use it more for a small price. I have used it a few times with never a miss yet.

Another eBay tool is auctiontamer, this is a shell program that keeps track of everything you do with eBay. Its not free but you can test drive it for 14 days to see if it's for you. You can read and download it here: http://www.auctiontamer.com/atindex.htm?hop=whiplashre
I have used the program for years and love it. Turn your firewall off to get it running, then tell your firewall its OK to send out and receive. Read the help files to get the most from the program.

Scratchy Phone Line

Q.
Our phone has been scratchy for the past 2 days, the caller ID is not working right the computer hooks up anywhere from 10 to 42 kbps. Is this hard on the computer? This all came about since the rain. We had thunder and lightening but not that bad I don't think. Just concerned, not really sure where the problem could be. I've unhooked every phone one at a time.

A.
It will not harm your computer, It just won't view or download as fast. Take a non-cordless phone out to the box outside, open it and plug the phone in there. Listen or make a call and see if you hear the noise. If you do, call the phone company. If you do not hear the noise it is in the wiring inside your house. Don't let the phone man fix any wiring inside or you will be paying $90 for 15 min. unless you have the maintains service plan with them...... good luck in the contest !