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Q. I replaced my old printer with a new one. Now, when I try to print, my
computer still thinks the old printer is the one to use. My new printer was
installed properly and I can see it listed, but how do I make sure that is the
printer my computer uses?
A. You need to tell your computer which printer is your default, meaning the
printer it should use whenever it receives a print command. To do this, click
Start > Settings > Printers. You'll see your old and new printer icons
displayed. Right-click the printer that you want to establish as your default
printer, which in this case is your new printer.
On the menu that appears, click to place a check mark next to Set Printer as
Default, then close the Printers window. Your new printer will spring to life
the next time you have something to print.
Q. I bought a new keyboard that I’m not used to, so I keep hitting the CAPS
LOCK key accidentally. I know there is a way to make the computer beep when I do
that, but I can’t remember how that’s done. Can you help, Mr. M?
A. The ToggleKeys feature is what you’re looking for and you can find it by
going to Control Panel > Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, place a
check mark beside Use ToggleKeys. Windows will emit a high-pitched sound when
the CAPS LOCK is enabled, which is not unlike the sound I make when I discover
that I’ve BEEN TYPING IN ALL CAPS. It will emit a lower-pitched beep when it is
turned off. The same holds true for the NUM LOCK and SCROLL LOCK keys, though
nobody ever uses the SCROLL LOCK key.
If you’re using Windows Vista, go to your Control Panel, then click Ease of
Access > Make the Keyboard Easier to Use. Place a check mark beside Turn on
ToggleKeys.
Q. Sometimes when I'm trying to install software, I get a message that tells me
to disable my anti-virus protection first. Following your recommendation, I’m
using the free Moon Secure (Beta) (http://tinyurl.com/5n2fs7)
anti-virus, but I can’t figure out how to temporarily disable it. I love your
newsletter. I always learn something new.
A. You can temporarily disable any anti-virus program by right-clicking its
little icon in the System Tray, located in the lower right-hand corner of your
screen. From the menu that appears, click Exit or Quit. Other programs may use
the word Close or Stop or Disable, but the ‘Net effect is the same.
There may be an additional prompt that asks you to confirm your action. When the
anti-virus icon disappears from the System Tray, your anti-virus program is
disabled. You can start it again via Start > Programs and launch it manually, or
restart your computer to reactivate it.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month
Musicovery: Mood Radio
A novel, interactive site that plays music based on the mood of the user. Click
the site's graphical iPod-like console that features two mood scales that range
from “Energetic” to “Calm” vertically, and “Dark” to “Positive” horizontally. No
“Surly” or “Hostile,” so I was out of luck. Click to include or exclude specific
genres of music, plot a point along the timeline from the 1950s to the 2000s,
then sit back and listen. Hint: There is nothing like a snappy, toe-tapping
Gregorian chant to brighten up one’s day.
www.musicovery.com
Vaudeville!
Vaudeville represents the true beginning of popular American entertainment, long
before Britney came along and ruined everything. Don’t believe the vicious
rumors that vaudeville is dead; it can still entertain you on the virtual stage
today, thanks to this tribute site. Here you can read about the amazing acts,
savvy showmen, bold entrepreneurs, and the entire history of the vaudeville
movement. If you prefer, sit back, relax, and listen to recordings of sketches
and songs, or watch videos of vintage acts. Historical minutia: The word
“vaudeville” comes from the French Chanson du vau de Vire or “Song of the Vale
of Vire,” a valley near Calvados, France, noted for satirical folk songs. (I’ll
bet you didn’t know this was going to be so educational. I apologize. It won’t
happen again.)
http://tinyurl.com/3xd74y
Viral Video Chart
No need to search Google Video (http://video.google.com)
and YouTube (www.youtube.com)
for the best videos, when you can view the cream of the video crop from one
location. Think of this as a digital-age version of the "Top 20 Countdown," a
daily listing of the top 20 Internet videos.
www.viralvideochart.com
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tips, subscribe to Mr. Modem’s award-winning
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