PC Wisdom Computing for the Older and Wiser

What is the difference between dial-up and broadband?

A dial-up connection simply needs a wired connection from the computer to a telephone socket while the broadband connection has to pass through a small filter box. Dial-up was the original method of connecting to the Internet - and in rural parts of the country it is still the only option - but it is slow and prevents you receiving or making any telephone calls on the same line while the computer remains connected.

Broadband can be 1000 times faster and almost imperative if you are going to be downloading large images or program files. You pay by the minute with dial-up but broadband requires a contract which will cost between £14 and £20 a month for unlimited use.

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Which is better - desktop or laptop?

Modern laptops have come a very long way since their inception and now can emulate almost everything that the larger desktop can do. Laptops are more expensive but take up less space than their desktop bigger brothers.

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What is “social networking”?

This recent Internet phenomenon is largely directed at the younger generation. Social networking sites are where you can post messages, photos and even videos to your friends across the globe. My Space, Face Book, Orkut and Friendster are all examples of social networking, or community, sites. You can join groups with mutual interests and make friends across the globe. The best social site for the older generation is probably Sagazone. You will have to register to join a site giving some details of yourself but registration is free..

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What is a “blog”?

A blog is simply an Internet diary that you ‘post’ on the Web. You can use them to upload your musings and thoughts for other people to see. As an example you could check out my own blog at www.adrianarnold.blogspot.com . You will also see them on such sites as the BBC News and The Daily Telegraph.

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Which ISP (Internet Service provider) should I use?

This is rather like asking “what car should I drive?” There is no perfect answer. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are companies that provide you with access to the Internet and email facilities. I would suggest that you used one of the larger companies although small local companies will provide you with a more personal help facility should you get into trouble. The leading ISPs include BTInternet, Demon, O2, Orange, Tesco, Tiscali, UKOnline and Virgin.

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Should I buy new or second-hand?

Again, rather like buying a car, it depends on your budget. Computers devalue the minute you buy one so you may be able to pick up a real bargain from places such as eBay or you may have a friend who is updating his computer and needs to find a home for his old machine. Buying new will get you variable support when things start to wrong and you are more likely to get an “all singing, all dancing” machine. There are some very good basic machines on the market. You could try your local branches of PCWorld, Currys or Staples or get someone to look at the Dell website on your behalf. The one thing I would stress is to take advice from a computing friend.

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What does Google do?

Google is the world leader in Internet search technology – but it is also very much more than that. Searching for information on the ancient Hittite civilisation is easy but you can also find pictures of their jewellery, maps of the Hittite empire and even groups of people who are equally interested in the Anatolian people. Google will provide you with a driving route from Steeple Bumpstead to Auchtermory or from Madison, Wisconsin to Sacramento in California. It will calculate the number of teaspoons in an Imperial gallon or the current exchange rate between the British pound and the Malaysian ringgit. You can get a free email address from Google that you can access from anywhere in the world – in fact one of the few things that Google can’t do is take your dog for a walk – yet!

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Can I use a mouse with a laptop?

Yes. In fact many people find a mouse easier to use than the inbuilt trackpad. Simply plug the mouse cable into the appropriate socket on the computer and the job is done. Using a mouse will take up a little more desk room than the basic laptop.

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Can I use a mobile phone with my laptop computer?

Yes, but we are getting a little technical now and I would not advise this setup for a beginner. First of all you have to be certain of getting a mobile phone signal in your garden shed or wherever you want to use your laptop. Then you need to have a mobile that is capable of receiving Internet wavebands and finally, your connection will cost you a lot more than a land line.

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Why does my keyboard print out the $ sign when I want to use the @ symbol?

Your keyboard has been set up as an American keyboard. It can easily be restored to British use by going to the Control panel and re-setting the keyboard to the British configuration. I would suggest you get help from your guardian angel in doing this.

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Should I use upper and lower case when typing out a web address?

Interesting one, this. In most cases it doesn’t matter. By typing “ www.fred.co.uk “ you will arrive at the same website as typing “ www.FRED.co.uk “. However if you have to type a longer web address, such as “ www.fred.co.uk/Letters/football/ “, that capital “L” in “Letters” is essential if you are to get the correct sub-folder on the site.

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How do I remove an icon from my desktop

After a while you may find your desktop becoming cluttered with redundant icons. There is a very simple method of restoring some sort of order to your icon collection. Simply right click on the icon then left click on Delete. This will remove the icon but not the program. To remove the program completely you must go to the Control Panel and use the Remove Programs facility.

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The Quick Launch bar does not show on my desktop

The Quick Launch bar is normally found just to the right of the Start button and contains shortcuts to frequently used program. Its great advantage is that it is always visible so that you can initiate and new program without having to clear down the open windows to see the desktop. If the bar is not visible right click on the Task Bar at the bottom of the desktop and Unlock the Task Bar if necessary then repeat the process and choose Properties. Then click on the Quick Launch radio button to activate it. Shortcuts can be added to the Quick Launch bar by dragging the icon from the desktop to the bar. Remember to Lock the Task Bar when you have finished.

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What is a browser tab?

A browser tab is a separate browser window. You can have as many of these tabs open as you like but it might be an idea to limit the number to half a dozen to avoid confusion. The Tab bar in Internet Explorer lies on the lowest toolbar of the window between the Favorites icons and the Tools collection. To open a web page in a new tab click on the spare tab at the right end of the bar, click on a link using your mouse wheel or Ctrl+click on a link. The use of tabs reduces the need to navigate continually back and forth between your previous web pages. When you close down Internet Explorer you will automatically be asked whether you want to close down all the tabs.

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