computers and web for beginners

pc & web for beginners

Here is a page devoted to the internet and computers. I myself am new to the internet and computing. The information I'll put here would be helpful to someone like myself just learning the internet and using a pc.

Consumer Reports is a good place to start when looking for a computer. You can see ratings and comparisons of computers. Consumer Reports makes you pay $4/month but this is worth while if your about to pay $1000 - 3000 for a computer.

TIP (3/9/02)

Windows XP

Don't buy Windows XP if you already have software made for Windows 98.
Chances are your printer, scanner, etc... from a previous PC will not be compatible with Windows XP. If they are you may lose some features.
You will probably be disappointed with Windows XP if you are used to using Windows 98
Personally I was extremely disappointed with Windows XP. Not much is compatible with it (software or hardware). I would wait till next year before upgrading to XP.

After buying your new computer of course read any instructions that came with it. Next, make sure to visit your computer manufacturer's web site. Your computer's web site will have information that you won't find in your manual especially if your computer is doing something strange. You should find the following information at your manufacturer's web site:

Don't forget the free technical help that came with your computer's warrantee (later you'll have to pay for it and it's not cheap). At your manufacturer's web site you can get free updates for your computer. You will also see a FAQ's page that lists the most common complaints other users are having with that model and what to do about it. You will also get tips on keeping you computer running like defragmenting you hard drive. Lastly, make use of their bulletin board. The bulletin board may be your only alternative to getting free help. The bulleting board is where users go to get help with their computer and sometimes complain. Technicians usually read these complaints and usually answer your questions in a reasonable time (Your Computer company wants your business and they want you to be happy with your computer.). For almost a year when my computer crashed sometimes it would not turn itself off, I had to unplug it. Later while reading the bulletin board, I found out that I had to hold the power button in for five seconds before it would shut down.

If your computer manufacturer tells you not to install Windows 2000 on your computer don't do it. Installing Windows 2000 is permanent and you will have to reinstall your original hardware and software if something goes wrong (What good is having a $300 CD rewriter if the software doesn't work anymore?). Installing programs may change the settings in your computer and if you are a novice like me, you'll need help if something goes wrong.

Tip!

Installing programs

If you are prompted to close all other programs when you are installing software press "ctrl" + "alt" + "delete" at the same time until the Close Program box opens, then "End Task" everything except "Systray" and "Explorer".

A new cable channel called techtv, has two shows that are up-to-date and informative on pc's and software. One program is called, Call for Help and the other is called, The Screen Savers. The hosts demonstrate how to install software and hardware (I miss Kate). They answer live calls and e-mail asking how to fix computers or software. It's a big help to actually watch someone solving a problem on a computer. Some video clips of the programs are found on their web site. Be forewarned, techtv used to be unbiased in their product review but this is no longer the case.

If you plan on using the internet for purchasing items or banking on line make sure your web browser's locked padlock icon is displayed. Better yet download 128-bit encryption for Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. All new versions of IE and Netscape come as 128-bit encrypted. Using 128-bit encryption is the safest way to do your shopping on line.

Don't give out your e-mail address to web sites. Giving out your e-mail address is where all that junk e-mail comes from. Use a free e-mail like Yahoo if you must fill out forms at websites that way your primary e-mail (i.e. you@aol.com) won't get filled with junk. It's ridiculous how much junk mail is sent to my Yahoo account, but it's safer than junk mail being sent to my real e-mail account.

It would be unwise to download files from the internet, open e-mail attachments, or share someone else's files without have some kind of antivirus software on your computer. Without virus protection, a multitude of mishaps can happen to you from having your files destroyed to having your personal information (i.e. credit card numbers) stolen from you. The two most popular antivirus software programs are McAfee VirusScan and Symantec Norton AntiVirus. The key to using these programs is downloading updates for new viruses on a regular basis. The only disadvantage to using these programs is that they run constantly on your computer sapping its resources. I used VirusScan and it ran four programs on my computer constantly. If you think you downloaded a virus or would like to see what they look like try this web site.

Download the EICAR test file from F-secure.com. This file is not a virus but a diagnostic test for your anti-virus program. I use it to check if I have properly set up my anti-virus program to scan my e-mail for viruses.

A word of caution. Just because you've installed an anti-virus program it does not make you invincible. I myself fell victim to a virus thinking exactly this. I suspected the file I had just downloaded was a virus but I thought my Norton AnitiVirus would protect me. Well it didn't. Unless you enjoy reformatting your computer and reinstalling all your software be careful what you download.

Just about anything you could think of could be found on the internet. Using a search engine will help you find what you want. For example, below is a search engine which I find helpful. Type anything in the box after the Google logo then click the "search" bar. Google also lets you search your results on four other search engines.

If you're like me, and don't know how to write HTML, you can still make your own web page. There is software that will make web pages for you. I've made this web site with Microsoft's FrontPage. FrontPage builds websites and is as easy to use as Word. FrontPage uses special software that web companies used to charge you extra for. This software adds features to your web site like a guest book visitors can sign and a hit counter to see how many people have visited your site. Now several companies are offering free web space just for people who use FrontPage. Here are links to several companies offering FrontPage users free web space:

I've recently added a page for tips on making a pet home page. Really these tips are good for any web page with graphics and pictures. Learn how to make your web pages load fast! Includes a download time calculator.