July
2006
Tidbits
Emailing images follow-up
In last month's issue of Tidbits, I discussed how to email images using Windows' built in resize & email feature. This method was first presented in the October 2003 issue, and I mentioned it again because it's a quick and easy way to send images that won't clog your colleagues/friends inboxes. The steps described in that issue only show how to email a single image, and a very curious librarian asked me if this feature could be used to email multiple images at the same time.
The answer is... yes! But it will work best if all of the images you want to send are stored in the same folder.
Here's how (changes from the October issue are highlighted):
- Click on the START button on your taskbar.
- Choose MY PICTURES.
- Open the folder in which the photos you want to email reside and select
the photos you want to send.
To select multiple photos, simply hold down the CONTROL key while you select the images. This will allow you to select multiple images without losing the ones you have already selected. - In the column to the left of your list of photos, under the FILE AND FOLDER TASKS heading, select E-MAIL THE SELECTED ITEMS.
- You will now see this window.
If the pictures will only be viewed on the recipient's computer screen, you can select "Make all my pictures smaller." This won't affect your original photos, but will speed up the sending of your email. If your photos need to be viewed in the original resolution, then select "Keep the original sizes." There are more options available under the "Show more options..." link. - Click OK.
- Your photos are attached to an email message in your default email application. Just address the email and include whatever text you would like in the body of the message and SEND!
Voila! Please be considerate and use this method whenever you are sending photos via email.
Easy volume control
Every once in a while we need to listen to something on our computer, whether it's an online tutorial with audio, our favorite hits in iTunes or a DVD to entertain us over lunch. But the volume controls for headphones and built-in speakers on a computer can be hard to find. If you want faster and easier access to your volume control settings in Windows XP, you can add a volume icon to your system tray (the area on your taskbar to the far right).
A few simple steps can make this dream come true:
- Click on the START button.
- Select CONTROL PANEL.
- Select the SOUNDS, SPEECH AND AUDIO DEVICES link.
- Select SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES.
- In the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window, click in the box next to PLACE VOLUME ICON IN THE TASKBAR.
- Click the OK button.
You will now have a little speaker icon in your system tray. You can double-click on it to bring up your sound settings window quickly and easily.
How to clean an LCD monitor
LCD monitors can save space, that's for sure, but I've always been a little nervous about cleaning one. The screen seems so delicate, almost mysterious, that I try not to ever touch it for fear of messing it up somehow. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but if, like me, you've been afraid of cleaning yours, here's the simple lowdown on how to do it:
- Turn off the display.
- Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen!
- Gently wipe the screen.
Thanks to Apple for answering this question for me!
Adieu
Farewell until next time from the library system where all the computers are fast, all the books are worth reading, and all the librarians are above average!
This issue of Tidbits was written by Beth Carpenter, Web Services Manager for the Outagamie Waupaca Library System. Please send any comments or questions about this issue to Beth.
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties