Chapter 4 Personal Info Management & Communication

Nothing but a big fat *sigh* for this chapter. Apparently the version of Windows Live Essentials I'm currently using is more up to date than the text book. My screen in the Windows Live Mail app doesn't match the text book. Here's what mine looks like:

Notice anything different? I have big icons like Office 2010 on a big fat ribbon under the toolbar. You can hide this ribbon if only Microsoft allowed for the options to be included in the toolbar, so you dare not hide it. I made adjustments by performing the steps using what's available now in the newer version of Window Live Mail (WLM version 15.4.3555.0308). The text book walks you through composing a new e-mail message using stationery. What stationery? That isn't an option in version 15. It's not that I use e-mail stationery, but I wanted to complete the exercises in the text book, and could not do so. One technique that I had forgotten about is the triple clicking to select a phrase in order to format the phrase. I was able to perform this exercise as described in the text making the minor changes due to the different version. One example is the font size button. In the text it shows a list of font sizes with an example word to give an idea of how big it will appear. The new version of WLM does not have this feature. It's just a list of font sizes with no example. Setting up, working with, composing e-mail from the contacts folder is pretty straight forward.  The Calendar included in WLM is a nice feature. I have been using this to remind me of upcoming birthdays for family and friends. I learned to add an event and how to update the reminder feature.

Moving on...

The biggest frustration of all for me was trying to use the Newsgroup folder. I used to subscribe to newsgroup articles back in the day, say when I was still using Outlook Express....which by the way worked perfectly for me. Never had any issues, why on earth did Microsoft think they had to do away with something that worked to be replaced by WLM which (in my humble opinion) isn't an improvement?  The text book says to click the newsgroup button to display the newsgroup pane. Next it says to view newsgroup button to download a list of available newsgroups on the Microsoft news server and display the list in the Newsgroup Subscriptions dialog box. Then it says to scroll to display the microsoft.public.windows.live.mail desktop entry in the newsgroup list. Let me stop right here. I can click on the newsgroup folder found in the left pane at the bottom of the WLM screen. There is no subscribe button. So I tried clicking on the Accounts menu and tried adding a newsgroup account. But what newsgroup server do I use? Comcast (my ISP) apparently no longer supplies a server for newsgroups (see here for more info). When I put in Microsoft's NNTP news server, it looked like I would finally get somewhere. However, the Microsoft NNTP would not connect to the internet to download any of their groups. So I googled the issue and found this click here -- note the key phrase: "Beginning in June 2010, Microsoft will begin closing newsgroups and migrating users to Microsoft forums that include Microsoft Answers, TechNet and MSDN." So at this point I gave up. If there IS a way to do this using WLM version 15, please let me know.

RSS feeds is something I was already using, and this feature works. Following the text book instructions didn't go too badly. The RSS feed button was not on the PCMag home page as described in the text. I googled PCMag RSS feeds and found it that way to add to my RSS feeds list. Nothing like jumping through a bunch of hoops to get results. I'm not a big fan of Internet Explorer, just too buggy, but I did use IE to add the PCMag feed so I at least learned something new there. I also learned how to modify the feed's properties, something I did not know about before, so that was cool.

Web Slices did not work period.  I followed the text going to www.msn.com and there wasn't a green icon to click on in order to subscribe to a web slice. Or is it there and I just can't see the forest for the trees?
 

Next....

The text covers other communication methods such as blogs, wiki's social media websites, groups, chat rooms, mailing lists, and instant messaging. I learned quite a bit about blogs, wiki's and other web 2.0 apps through my CIS145 class last semester. Instant messaging wasn't a topic covered in the CIS145 class, but I'm very familiar with this option as a way to communicate. In the past I've always chatted using either AOL Instant Messaging program (AIM) or the Yahoo messenger app. Except for rare occasions, I no longer use any IM app. I don't have the time to chat, nor the desire to be bluntly honest. The text covers how to use Windows Live Messenger. This application is not something I wanted to play around with, so I opted to just read through the section.

Luckily, the activities to be completed for this chapter isn't going to trip me up. Activity 1 is focused on RSS feeds...yay. Something I can handle, and I know works. Activity 2 is adding fake contacts to your contacts folder...something else I know works. Meanwhile, I'm really looking forward to chapter 5....I'm sure things will go much more smoothly!

Chapter 3 File and Folder Management

Chapter 3 covers how to work with the *Computer* folder window, along with the Pictures & Music libraries. Tasks performed included searching for files & folders, managing open windows, opening and using the Pictures & Music libraries, using Windows Photo Viewer, Windows Media Player, backing up and restoring a folder.

Every object in Windows 7 has properties that describes the object. In the past I have always right clicked on the object/file/folder, selected properties to view the certain details (usually the file size). Windows 7 has made this more of a breeze. For example, open the Computer folder, click on the local disk (C:) to see the property details found in the *Details* pane at the bottom of the window. The most popular general details are there to view at a glance: the size of the hard disk, the capacity filled and capacity available, how the disk is formatted. There are other more in depth details available by right clicking to get a properties dialog box to pop up. The information available in the dialog box for the C: drive includes tabs for general, security, hardware, tools, sharing, quota and previous versions.

When working with a folder, I can see the details in the pane at the bottom the same way I did with the C: drive. If I point to a folder icon, a screen tip will display with a preview of the properties. Like the C: drive I can display all of the properties available for a folder by right clicking, select properties from the shortcut menu to get a dialog box to pop up. If I need to find a file or folder but I am not sure where it is located, I can use the search box located in the upper right corner of the window. There are filters available to narrow down searches such as *date modified* and *size*. 

Managing multiple open windows can be handled in various ways. Options include cascade, stacked, side by side and aero shake. Aero shake is an interesting feature. I wasn't understanding the text book in how to use this feature, so I googled *aero shake* and was able to quickly figure it out. I cannot see myself using this method of managing windows. For me, the most useful method is side by side.

The method for copy and pasting files and folders covered in this chapter is to right-click select copy, right-click select paste. For example, if I wanted to copy certain files in one location to a different location, I would select the file or files, right-click select copy. To paste them where I wanted them I would go to the location, right-click in an open area and select paste. If I want to move those files copied to a new folder, I would once again right-click in an open area and select new, then folder, and then rename the folder. To move the files to the new folder, I would select them all, drag and drop them onto the new folder. To refresh the image on the new folder, right-click and select refresh.

To view a picture individually in the Pictures library, click on the picture and select the preview button on the toolbar to open the Windows Photo Viewer. You could also double-click on the picture to do the same thing. In the same tool bar there is a slide show option if you wish to view the pictures as a slide show. This option allows you to select the speed and the order of the pictures to be displayed. Property information is viewed in the details pane. The details pane gives you an option to *tag* your pictures which makes finding pictures quicker using a search using the tag assigned. I could also rate the picture from 1 to 5 stars....not sure what good this does. Could be useful in search but I don't see why I would use this feature. Maybe someone who is more organized than I am would use it,

The details pane of a file in the Music library includes the album's icon (if one is available), file format, the name, genre, length, year and of course the rating feature. I can use the details pane to change the properties such as the genre to personalize how I organize my music files. To play a music file in Windows Media Player, select the file, click *Play* on the toolbar....this is the easiest way to perform this task.

The chapter covers how to backup and restore files and folders to both a USB flash drive and to a CD/DVD disc. To back up files to a USB flash drive, right-click the files you want to copy and paste them in an open area on the connected USB flash drive. The procedure is the same if you want to copy an entire folder and not individual files. To perform this procedure to CD/DVD disc, insert a blank disc into the optical disc burner. You have the option to format the disc like a USB flash drive  (called the live file system)...this means I can add files to the same disc at any time.  After the disc is formatted, select the files/folders you want to copy to the disc, then click the Burn button on the toolbar. To restore files from a backup source to the hard drive is just a matter of copying the data and pasting to the original location. For example, some files were accidentally permanently deleted from the hard drive. If I have these files on a jump drive or CD/DVD disc, I can copy and paste from a backup source to the appropriate location.

Chapter 2 Working with the Win7 Desktop

Chapter 2 covers the following: how to create WordPad documents, moving/renaming a file, creating/moving a folder, using a USB flash drive to store a document, delete/restore shortcuts/files/folders using the Recycle bin. Also covered is how to customize and rearrange desktop gadgets.

WordPad is a scaled down version of Microsoft's powerful Word application.  WordPad can format and print text, but lacks spell checker and a thesaurus. If you just need to type simple letters or memos, then WordPad fits your needs. To open the WordPad application, you press the start button, type in WordPad in the search box and press the enter key to launch the app. From this point you're ready to begin creating a document. The activity for this chapter was to create a simple document following the steps on pages 70 through 75 of the text book (see below).

Chapter 2 activity

One thing new I learned was a method of how to create a blank document directly in the Documents Library without opening an application. This method is called the document-centric approach. Right click an open area (white space) in the Documents Library. In the resulting shortcut menu, point to *New*, click the *Text Document* option, give the document a name, press enter. Right click on the file, point to *Open With* and select *WordPad*.

To copy documents (or any data for that matter) on a USB flash drive, you simply insert a USB drive into an open USB port on your computer (or via a Hub). Select *Open Folder to view files* from the auto-play popup dialog box. This action displays contents on the flash drive. You're ready to move files to the drive. Right click on any file, point to *send to* command and select the name & drive letter representing your flash drive. USB flash drives are very handy for backing up important files and useful for moving between physical computers.

There are several options as to how you can view the folders and files within your Documents Library. Options include small, medium, large or extra large icons, list view, tiles view, and the default details view. I prefer the list view. I like the organized and streamlined appearance this view gives. My method of arrangement is by folder, but there are several other options for arranging the order of your folders and file. Those options include: author, date modified, tag, type, name.

Creating a folder in the Documents Library is easy: click the *new folder* button on the tool bar and up pops a new folder ready to be re-named with the name of your choice. If you have a file that you want to move into this new folder, right-click and drag the file (don't let go of the mouse button) to the folder and click the *move here* command on the shortcut menu. I have always left clicked on files to drag and drop into folders so the right-click drag thing is new to me. Likewise, the *new folder* button is new to me as well. I have always right clicked in an empty space where I want a new folder and pointed to *new* and created a folder this way. There always seems to be more than one way, or several ways to perform the same function. There really is no *right* or *wrong* way, it's whatever method is easiest for the user to remember how to do something.

Desktop gadgets are like mini programs and can be useful tools. They can be also be customized. Click the Start button, select All Programs, followed by Desktop Gadget Gallery. See below for an idea of gadgets available in the gallery. The weather gadget is missing because the gadget is on my desktop. If you're not happy with the choices available, you can always click the *Get more gadgets online* link in the bottom right corner of the gallery. Otherwise right click on the gadget of your choice, click *add*. To customize the gadget on your desktop, right click on the gadget, select *options*. For the clock gadget, there are 8 views. Click the arrow left or right to select a different view. In the *Clock name* box, type in what you want to call the clock. For example, your first name. The name will appear on the clock. You can also set the time zone and select the option to show the *second* hand. To remove the gadget, click the close button or right click and select close gadget.

Windows 7 Gadget Gallery

In addition to reading chapter 2, part of this week's assignment included reading Appendix B. Appendix B is entitled Windows 7 Security. Two activities was assigned to complete as well. Researching Antivirus Software was activity 1, and Viewing Windows Update was activity 2. In the text book under Appendix B it says, "according to Microsoft, Windows 7 has been engineered to be the most secure version of Windows ever."

Windows 7 includes security features to protect your computer from malware, spyware, viruses, worms and other potentially unwanted software.Windows 7 comes with a program called Windows Defender which is designed to protect your computer against malware. There is also a built in firewall which protects against unauthorized users between your computer and the internet (or a network). Windows does not include an anti-virus program. I do not use Windows Defender or Windows Firewall. I am using Norton's Security Suite provided free from my internet provider Comcast. I also have a paid application installed called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I have found both products to be more than adequate. If you don't have an anti-virus program installed on your computer, get one ASAP. Avast has a free version that blocks viruses & spyware.

Windows Update helps to protect your computer from viruses and other security issues. Windows Update periodically checks with Microsoft for updates for your computer. The updates will download automatically if you have configured the application to do so (highly recommend). I have my computer configured to download the updates but I do not want them installed automatically as I prefer to handle this manually. I've had one instance where an update was applied automatically and it caused a glitch with the firewall I was using at the time (Zone Alarm). The glitch made is impossible for me to connect to the internet. I disabled the firewall so I could research the issue and discovered it was a Windows Update that was the problem. I uninstalled the update and reactivated my firewall and was back in business. For this reason, I do not allow windows to apply updates automatically. If something goes wrong after a manual install, I will know immediately what the problem is.

Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Using Win7

The various versions of Windows I have used dates back to before Windows 95 with Windows 3.0. Even earlier than that I was using MS DOS to run Word Perfect to work from home as a cottage typesetter in the late 1980's. That was my first home computer. It was a huge heavy thing and basically a very expensive word processor without a graphics card.

I fell in love with Microsoft Windows when the company I was working for upgraded from 3.0 to 95. In 1997, I took a home correspondence course to learn all I could about this OS. The course also taught how to open up the computer and install extra memory boards. With this course I was off and running learning everything that I could on my own and also on the job.

Fast forward to Dec. 2010. This is when I migrated from Windows XP to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit edition with the purchase of a new desktop computer. I absolutely loved XP, but love Windows 7 even more. One of my favorite features of Windows 7 is the Event Viewer. A couple months ago, I developed issues with my hard drive. Event Viewer gave me some very important clues as to what was going on (read errors GALORE). Long story short, I backed up my data and replaced the drive before it was too late.

Now onto Chapter 1 review! The chapter covers the basics of using Windows 7. How to start the OS, log on, display the start menu, expand and close a list, work with gadgets, launch & switch between programs, open/minimize/restore/move/size/scroll/close a window, use the help system, log off and turn off the computer. At this time the only gadget I use that is included with Windows is the weather gadget. I have found the gadget to be accurate but there are times when it will display a sunny day and it's midnight! The gadget usually updates itself to display the correct weather within an hour or so. The other gadget came with Nortons security suite provided free through Comcast, my internet provider. This gadget lets me know that my computer is *secure*.

There are 6 editions of Windows 7, starter, home basic, home premium, professional, enterprise, and ultimate. As I've already stated above, I am running home premium (on 8 gigabytes of RAM).

I also have downloaded Windows Live Essentials and use the Windows Live Mail as my email application. Mostly I love the new app, but it's missing the *select all* command. You can select all by manually shift selecting messages but I prefer the *select all* command, it was easier and faster for me to move a group of messages to a specific folder if I did not have a *rule* set up for doing this automatically. You have to wonder why such a basic command is missing. What was Microsoft thinking?

Windows 7 comes with an improved media player (in my opinion) called Windows Media Player. I use it to view my DVD movies. However, for music videos and music, I use iTunes. It's just easier for me to use iTunes because I purchase most of my music and music videos from the iTunes store.

I also love the improved start menu and the organization is better than previous versions of Windows. You can pin frequently used or favorite applications to the task bar. My pins include Firefox, a favorite game, iTunes, and Windows Live Mail. Below is a screen shot of my Windows 7 desktop.

Desktop

One feature that is really cool in Windows 7 is the Aero Flip 3D to view open programs on the computer. By pressing CTRL+WINDOWS+TAB you will get this result (see screen show below). Pressing the tab key scrolls through the various screens. Point and click on the screen you would like to view and the 3D visual goes away bringing the screen you clicked on to the forefront.

Aero Flip 3D

  

Using Windows Help and Support is easy and makes short work of getting the answers you need to a question you have. The chapter used an example what you need to set up a home network for using the Help and Support application as practice. The chapter describes three methods for using Help and Support: browse for help topics in the Windows Basics section, search for help topics using the Table of Contents, Search Help and Support by using the Search Help text box window. If all else fails you can click the 'more support options' link to see additional methods for receiving help.

I just finished the Chapter 1 activities. This is the first time I've use the snipping tool. I like this tool because it saves time taking screen shots and saving them as .PNG or .JPG files. Usually I take screen shots by pressing ALT and PRTSCN. Then I open up another application to paste the screen shot and save the file. It's a pain to do things this way but at least there is a way to do it. With the snipping tool, you have more options. You can use the rectangle snip to select the exact portion that you want, or use a free form snip to draw around something willy nilly, or the full screen snip to capture everything opened on the desktop. The item you snipped opens in it's own window that allows you to save the file in four different formats.

The final reading for this week is found at the end of the text book on pages APP 1 and APP 2 -- Appendix A. Appendix A is a chart comparing the features of the 6 Windows 7 editions. Pretty handy at a glance to see what features are included in each edition. There IS one feature that I wish I had in my edition and that is the ability to be in Windows XP Mode. I don't know that I would actually use it, but I would like the option to be there.