idowindows's Podcast
The podcast that deals with the Windows operating system.

Categories

Music
Technology
podcasts

Archives

2006
February
March
April
June
July
September
October

November 2009
S M T W T F S
     
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930

Syndication

I Do Windows for Week Ending October 14, 2006

Each show we help listeners improve their computer knowledge and participate more fully in the digital age. We introduce ways that computer can help listeners at work and at home.

Show Notes:

* Tech News

* Outlook Tips

1. Access Outlook From Within Internet Explorer--I have discovered that it is not necessary to have Outlook open. All you need to have open is Internet Explorer. If you want to access Outlook files from your browser, type the following in the IE Address box. Get ready to be amazed!

To open your inbox: Outlook:inbox
To open your Contact List: Outlook:contacts
To open your Calendar: Outlook:calendar
To open a specific message: Outlook:inbox/~subjectofmessage
(This is useful because it can be bookmarked!)

2. Get a Map  Need to find your way to one of your contacts. Outlook and Expedia.com make it easy. (I think most people rarely use this!)

1) You will need to be connected to the Internet.
2) Click Contacts on the Outlook Shortcuts bar.
3) Double-click the contact you need a street map for.
4) Select whether you want the home or business address of your contact by clicking the arrow underneath the Address button.
5) Select Actions, Display Map of Address.

3. Spy on Your Email Recipients  Want to check if your email message is being deleted without being read first. Using one of my Outlook tricks you can find out when your email has been read, if at all.

1) After you have composed your message (but before you have clicked the Send button), choose View, Options.
2) Select the Request a read receipt for this message check box and click Close.

You will be notified when your message has been read. If you want read receipts for all your sent messages, perform the following:

1) Choose Tools, Options.
2) On the Preferences tab, choose Email Options and then Tracking Options.

4. How to Tell If You are Being Spied On  It is clever if you are checking up on your recipients by requesting read receipts, but what if people are pulling the same trick on you? Here is what I do to find out if someone has asked for a read receipt on me.

1) In the Outlook Inbox, choose View, Toolbars, and Advanced.
2) On the Advanced toolbar click on the Field Chooser icon.
3) Click on the Field Chooser drop-down arrow and select All Mail Fields.
4) Scroll down a little and select Receipt Requested.
5) Drag Receipt Requested to your inbox column heading wherever you would like the new column to be.
6) Close the Field Chooser box.

From now on, every time you receive an email, you will know whether or not the sender has placed a Receipt Request on it.

5. How to Retrieve an Email You Should not Have Sent  Can you retrieve that email? You can, if you use this Outlook trick. This will work only if your email server is Microsoft Exchange (corporate environment.) This will not work for Internet-based Email!

1) Open up your Sent Items folder.
2) Double-click the message you would like to retrieve.
3) Choose Actions, Recall This Message.
If you want to destroy the message, click on delete unread copies of this message.
If you want to change/edit the message, choose delete unread copies and replace with a new message.
4) Click OK.
5) Of course, you need to know if you successfully pulled your email, so be sure to click in the tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.
6) Click OK.

6.  Easy Email Attachments  There is an easy way to send email attachments. If you already know where a file is located, why spend time browsing to find and attach it? Instead, follow my steps.

1) Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and find the file you want to attach.
2) Right-click the file, click Send To, and choose Mail Recipient.
 
*  Add a pin to the IDW Listener Frappr map
 
Direct download: IDW-109-2006-10-14.mp3
Category: Technology -- posted at: 12:10 AM
Comments[0]

I Do Windows for Week Ending September 16, 2006

* Tech News

PDF utility I mentioned on this episode is CutePDF

* Answers to emails

Matt wanted to know the limit for things that the Windows XP System Tray can contain and can that be raised?

You need to disable Universal Plug 'n' Play
  1. Right-click on My Computer and select Manage
  2. Expand 'Services and Applications'
  3. Highlight 'Services'
  4. Look through list of services on the right
  5. Find Universal Plug and Play Device Host
  6. Right-click on it and select Properties
  7. Change startup type to 'Disabled'
  8. Repeat with the 'SSDP discovery service'

Rob wrote that the Quick Launch items won't stay where he puts them. After a re-boot the icons return to where they were before the re-boot.

Run Regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. In the right pane under Userinit, Change the key to read: C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe.

Nick wrote "Hi Brad, I was wondering if there is any way (cheap or free) to convert a PowerPoint presentation into a screensaver?

If you don't mind losing the transitions, animations, and sound in your presentation you can:
  • Open your PowerPoint presentation
  • Choose file, Save As
  • In the "Save as type:" dropdown box, choose GIF, JPG or PNG
  • Browse to your My Pictures folder
  • Type in the filename and click Save
  • When PowerPoint asks if you want to export every slide in the presentation, click Yes. When the export completes, you'll have one large image file for each slide in your presentation in your My Pictures folder
  • Minimize or quit PowerPoint
  • Right-click the Windows dekstop and choose Properties
  • Click on Screen Saver tab
  • In the dropdown listbox under "Screen Saver" choose "My Pictures Slideshow"
  • Click settings if you want to fine-tune the results.

* Vote for IDW at Podcast Alley!

* KWWL Promo

Direct download: IDW-108-2006-09-16.mp3
Category: Technology -- posted at: 7:00 PM
Comments[0]

I know a I Do Windows podcast is long overdue, and I have been preparing the next episode. I hope to have it available soon. I was able to squeeze in a music podcast for now.

* Laura Clapp - Hey Hey Sister
* Karen Valentine - Retouch Me
* Brother Love - There She Goes
* Brother Love - Push

** KidsWifeWorkLife Promo

* Bill - Sound Scientist
* RockDownBaby - Soul Connection
* Gekko 3 - Jazz Breakfast
Direct download: Podsafe-Music-2006-09-09.mp3
Category: Music -- posted at: 10:32 PM
Comments[0]