Microsoft PowerToys - May 2006

Windows XP comes out-of-the-box with quite a few nice features that enhanced and simplified the way we use our computers. However, there is always some areas where you might say, "I wish Windows would _____." Fortunately, Microsoft offers a free set of tools for those who want to tweak and personalize Windows a little further. One of our favorites is the Picture Resizer tool. One of our user group members here in Colorado turned us onto this one and it works amazingly well.

All the tools can be found here: Microsoft PowerToys. The tools are offered free of charge, but Microsoft offers no official support for them. You install and use them at your own risk.

Here's a quick review on downloading and installing files from the Internet:

1. Click the file you want to download.
2. Your browser will ask you if you want to "Open or Run" the file or "Save to Disk". Choose Save to Disk (doesn't mean a floppy or removable disk).
3. Use the "Look In" box to choose where you want to download the file (I recommend the Desktop).
4. Rename the file if you would like to give it a more friendly name.
5. Click Save. 
6. When the download finishes, close your open windows and find the files you downloaded on the desktop. 
7. Double-click the file you want to install and follow the on-screen instructions.

*Remember that you can download multiple files at the same time. 

In today's sessions, we learned about these tools:

• Tweak UI - Provides many tweaks and customizing options for Explorer Windows, the desktop, taskbar and more.
• Some of the first places you want to play with in this tool is the Mouse section. In the mouse section, adjust the "Drag" function upwards to reduce the senisitivity of the mouse
• Internet Explorer also offers some nice adjustments including the ability to change the 'busy' icon.
• Power Calculator - An advanced calculator including some graphing capabilities
• CD Slideshow Generator - Make slideshows of your digital photos on CD
• Alt-Tab replacement - makes the Windows task switcher display thumbnails of the open windows (a feature that Microsoft cheerleaders are lauding in the upcoming Windows Vista update)

While I haven't tried them, digital photo enthusiasts might enjoy the Control Panel Color Applet and the RAW Image viewer.

Congratulations to this month's RAFFLE winners!!
 
 

Also thanks to "Farmer Bob" and his company Alida's Fruits
who also provide monthly raffle items.

3402 C 1/2 ROAD
PALISADE CO 81526
970-434-8769  
Toll-Free 1.877.434.8769

And to Garry White of 
Best Paper and Ink who also provides a monthly raffle
970.256.1882

A Fare to Remember
Gourmet Foods You Won't Forget

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