General FAQ

Misc. computer and Internet questions

Question List

• How do I compress a file to save space?
• What is a zip file?
• How do I change the Home Page my browser first loads?
• How can I select multiple files, e-mails, etc?
• How do I protect my computer?
• What is an Ethernet jack?
• How do I keep my System up to date?
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Answers

• How do I compress a file to save space?
• You would need to use a compression tool, a program that packs files into less space.
  
  We have some links to compression tools in our Downloads section.
  
  Wikipedia has more about Data compression & related topics
  
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• What is a zip file?
• A zip file is a compressed file.
  
  The information in the file has been packed in a way that takes up less space.
  
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• How do I change the Home Page my browser first loads?
• Different browsers have slightly different steps.
  These steps are for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
  1. First, pick a different page that you want to set as your Home Page
  2. Visit the page you have selected
  3. Click Tools in the menu bar at the top of your browser window
  4. Select Internet Options... from the Tools menu
  5. Click the Use Current button in Internet Options
  6. Finally, click on the OK button to save your changes & close Internet Options
  
  
  Other web browsers, such as Firefox & Opera, have similar but slightly different Options
  
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• How can I select multiple files, e-mails, etc?
• There are several ways to select multiple items:
  • Shift-click to select several items in sequence
  • Ctrl-click to toggle selection on out of sequence items
  • Drag-select to make a box around a group of items
  
  Shift Clicking:
  1. Start by selecting the first item normally, with a single left click
  2. Make sure that the last item you wish to select is in view
  3. Hold down either Shift key on your keyboard
  4. Select the last item with a single left click while holding Shift
  5. Release the shift key
  All items between the first & second clicks should now be highlighted
  
  Control Clicking:
  1. Hold down either Ctrl key on your keyboard
  2. Select an item with a single left click while holding Ctrl
  3. Release the Ctrl key
  4. Repeat from step 1 for each additional item you wish to add
  Each item clicked should now be highlighted, even if they aren't next to each other
  
  Drag Selection:
  1. Point your mouse cursor at empty space, there should be no icons or buttons beneath it
  2. Click and hold the left mouse button
  3. Begin dragging your mouse cursor toward the items to be selected
  4. Your computer should be drawing a box on screen between where you starte & the current position of your mouse cursor
  5. Use this box to select the items you want
  6. Release the mouse button to complete your selection
  All items inside the box when you let go of the mouse should now be selected
  
  
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• How do I protect my computer?
• There are many types of malicious software, or malware.
  These include Viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms, Spyware and Rootkits.
  As new threats are created, the tools available to fight them are improved
  
  Anti-virus software helps prevent problems from Viruses, Trojans, Worms & some Spyware
  
  Anti-spyware focuses on Spyware, but may help against other malware
  
  Firewalls act as traffic cops, policing the communications between your computer and the internet. They attempt to make sure that only good traffic is allowed.
  
  Our Downloads section has some links to examples of these tools:
  • Anti-virus
  • Anti-spyware
  • Firewall
  
  
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• What is an Ethernet jack?
• An Ethernet jack is a network connection, a way for your computer to comunicate with other computers.
  
  DSL Modems use an Ethernet cable to connect to your computer, so this jack is required in order to use DSL.
  
  Ethernet cables physically resemble telephone cables. The differences are that the cable is thicker and the ends (plugs) are significantly larger. It is easy to distinguish the two by looking at one of each side by side. Ethernet jacks & ends both have 8 contacts. Phone jacks & ends have 2, 4 or 6 contacts.
  
  Some images:
  
  
  More info (new window) from Wikipedia:
  • Ethernet
  • Computer Network
  • Network Cards
  
  
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• How do I keep my System up to date?
• Updates are released regularly by the company that produces your Operating System.
  
  Windows users can use the Windows Update webpage to keep their computer up to date with the latest releases.
  
  MacOS users have a similar website, Apple Downloads, that handles MacOS updates and Apple software updates simultaneously.
  
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