| The Front Door | | Our Family Room | | The Dinner Table | | Photo Album |
| My Prayer Closet | | Our Music Room | | Our Awards Page | | Favorite Links |
| I. AOL Computer
Tips
ADS
at Log On - Minimize this nuisance by turning
them off. |
| II. Other Computer
Tips - Windows95
Desktop/Shortcuts
- Put the tools that you need on your Desktop. |
AOL Telephone Support
Whenever you have a general service question, a technical question about using AOL, or a question about your account, first try Member Services at Keyword: HELP. Chances are good, that the answer is waiting for you in Member Services.
If you can't get online, please call AOL for assistance. The AOL representatives are available from 6:00 A.M. to 4:00 A.M. EST, (7) days a week. Below, are direct-department telephone numbers, for your convenience:
1-888-265-8001 Product Information
1-888-265-8002 Orders
1-888-265-8003 Billing
1-888-265-8004 Screen Name/ Password
1-888-265-8005 Access Numbers
1-888-265-8006 Windows Tech
1-888-265-8007 Macintosh Tech
1-888-265-8008 Cancellation
1-888-265-8009 Credit Requests
1-888-265-8310 DOS Tech
ADS - Yes, you CAN turn off those annoying ads.
1. Go to the Members menu at the top of the screen and select "My AOL"
2. Click on the "PREFERENCES" button, then select "Marketing Preferences"
3. Click on the "SET UP NOW" button
4. Double-click on "Tell Us What Your Popup Preferences are"
5. Click on the box at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen
6. Click on the "Send" button
NOTE: You can also set your mail preferences from this area.
Browsers - Using other browsers with AOL
AOL version 3.0 lets you run any Internet program over your AOL connection That means you can use any web browser (a program that displays web pages). The are many different locations on the web where you can download them. Once you've installed your new software, follow the directions below to use it:
1. Sign on to AOL. Seeing the welcome screen or hearing the welcome sound, will confirm that you're signed on.
2. Minimize your AOL screen.
3. Find and Open the browser of your choice. You can begin to surf, immediately.
If your Internet connection is lost, you won't be able to use other Internet application, until you've signed on again.
HELPFUL TIP: Always be sure to open the AOL software before the web browser software. You may have problems, using the browser, if you open your browser software before the AOL software.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are using Windows95, and wish to use Windows95 (32-bit) Internet software, you must use the Windows95 version of AOL. Click on the AOL 'Help Menu' and choose 'About America Online.' If it doesn't say, "for Windows95," then you have the regular Windows (Win3.x) version. You need to download and install the Windows95 version, which you can get at Keyword: UPGRADE. Read and print the valuable instructions for this procedure!
Locate Family & Friends Online
Buddy List - How do I set up my Buddy List?
AOL has a neat feature you can use called the "Buddy List". Click on "keyword" on the toolbar, type "buddy" and click "go". You can add screen names of family and friends so when you are online, you can see when your "buddies" are signing on, and off AOL.
NOTE: You can add sound events to you Buddy List, too. In the event that your Buddy List is not visible, these sounds events will alert you to the fact that friends and family are logging on, or off. Download this file - Buddy Sounds. Once you locate the file in your download folder; it's called BUDDOOR.EXE, just double-click to install it. You can then customize the sounds to your liking.
Downloading Files - Sure you can do it!
Downloading is the process of transferring a file stored on a AOL's computer to your computer. AOL has a smorgasbord of files available for downloading, including pictures, sounds, text documents, videos, and entire computer programs. (You'll also use downloading to open file attachments to your e-mail messages.) As you explore AOL, you may often see an icon or button that looks like one or more computer disks. These icons will be labeled with the word "library," "archive" or "downloads." To see the list of files being offered for download, click the icon or double-click if the link is in an AOL listbox. Double-click the name of any file to see a detailed description of what it is, what it does, and what system requirements you'll need to use it.
HOW to download files:
1. Click the Download Now button. A dialog box appears, showing the location where the file will be saved, and the name of the file. You should make a note of this information so that you can find the file you download later on.
2. Click the Save button to begin downloading the file. A File Transfer Indicator shows the progress of the download.
3. Click the OK button when the transfer is complete.
AOL will automatically decompress the most common compression formats when you sign off. This way, most files you download will be ready for you to use. Some compression formats may require special software to decompress. File compression is a whole subject in itself.
NOTE: Whenever you download files, you should make a note of the directory you're downloading the file to as well as the file name. Writing down that information will keep you from opening every folder on your computer to find the file. It's also a good idea to download all files to the same directory.
HOW to find a file that you have downloaded:
1. From the My Files menu, click Download Manager. You may do this online or offline.
2. Click Show Files Downloaded.
3. Select the file you're having trouble finding.
4. Click Show Status to see where the file was placed.
HOW to set your Download Preferences:
1. Click the My AOL icon on the toolbar, and click Preferences on the drop-down menu.
2. Click the Download button.
3. Click in the check box next to the preferences you want.
4. Click OK to save your new preferences.
Your options are:
Check Display Images on download . AOL will open and display graphics files as you download them.
Check Automatically decompress files at sign-off . AOL will expand any zip files you downloaded as you sign off.
Check Delete ZIP files after decompression. AOL will delete the compressed file, leaving expanded contents in your download directory.
Check Confirm additions to my download list. AOL will ask you to click OK each time you add a file to your Download Manager.
Set Retain information about my last ___ downloads. Allows you to specify how many previously downloaded files AOL keeps track of at the Show Status button on the Download Manager.
Check Use this directory as default for downloads. Allows you to specify where AOL puts files you download.
Click the Browse button to navigate to a different directory. Double-click on the directory of your choice, and click Save to register that directory as the default.
NOTE: The new directory name will appear in the text box on the Download Preference screen.
After you have logged in, click on the "Members" menu option at top and select "Send an Instant Message". At the "To" box type: $im_off You will also need to tab down or click in the bigger message box just below the "To" box and type in any character. When you click the "Send" button, a message will come back to you saying "You are now ignoring Instant Messages.".
If you decide later during the same session that you want others to instant message (IM) you, then follow the same procedure just described above except type in $im_on in the "To" box. When you click the "Send" button, a message will come back to you saying "You are no longer ignoring Instant Messages". Otherwise, when you log off the IM's will be reset for your next session. [Note: If you are a keyboard person like me, you find that taking your fingers off the keyboard to click to the MOUSE in order to send your IM responses cumbersome. Hold down your CTRL key, hit Enter and your MOUSE can continue to nap on the corner of the desk!Junk Mail - It's called Spam - cute, huh?
You may FORWARD this type of mail to TOSspam, per AOL's request. Additionally, you may find keywords MAIL CONTROLS and PREFERRED MAIL useful. These areas offer options for restricting the mail received by each of your screen names. You may also try to e-mail them back with a message asking them to take your e-mail address off their address list.
Hotmail.com - Obscenity and Abuse
This type of mail is offensive, and illegal! You should FORWARD mail of this sort to TOSEmail1, per AOL's request. I have, on occasion, sent a CC to Steve Case, President of AOL. I would NOT recommend submitting e-mail to the sender. Usually they are forged addresses, and they won't get it anyway. And ,you certainly don't want to confirm that you even read the stuff!
NOTE: AOL is in litigation concerning these matters. Maybe if all of us forward this porno mail to AOL, they will have the information that they need to resolve the situation.
Adding Links - Create links in your e-mail& Instant Messages
When you have typed a word in your e-mail or IM that you want to act as a link to some web site, then
1. Highlight that word, or words
2. Click on the right mouse button over that word ,or words, and select "Create Hyperlink..."
3. In the box, type in the address you would like to link to and click on the "OK" button
NOTE: Once you create this link, you will not be able to click on it and link to the address you specified. Only once you send your e-mail to someone, will the hyperlink work. If you are unsure if your link will work then send your e-mail first to yourself to see if it works. If it does work, then you can send the e-mail to your intended recipient.
Member Profile - Customize categories for your profile
You can go to this web site to see how to add, or modify, the categories in your profile. Modify Your Profile
Text/Bold, Italics, Underline - Add emphasis to e-mail
1. When you are creating your e-mail, highlight a word(s) you would like to bold, italicize, or underline
2. Click on the right mouse button over that word, or words, and select "Text"
3. You now see four options - "normal", "bold", "Italic", and "underline". Select which one you would like.
Text/Color & Backgrounds - How to send e-mail with different color text and backgrounds
To change the text color of your e-mail
1. When you are creating your e-mail, highlight a word(s) you would like to have the color changed for
2. Click on the right mouse button over that word , or words, and select "Color"
3. Click on the color you would like the text color to be; press the "OK" button.
To change the background color of your e-mail
1. Click on the right mouse button somewhere in your e-mail and select "Background Color"
2. Click on the color you would like the background to be; press the "OK" button.
Text/Delaying Letters - Delay the "letters" in Instant Messages
1. Go to the "Members" menu at the top of the screen and select "Send an Instant Message"
2. In the message box type (/html)with < > around it instead of ( ). Then type in the letter or words. You can place these between letters to make the letters appear slower in the message box. You can also place more than one between each letter or word.
NOTE: In order to see a relatively big delay between letters and words, you need to add many of these statements.
DESKTOP/Shortcuts
Open up My Computer. Actually, you will use your computer but the icon is called "My Computer". If there is no toolbar, select View from the Menu and select Toolbar. Then, from the drop-down list box on the toolbar, select Desktop. Now, just minimize it and leave it alone, this will place it in the taskbar. The next time you want to access the desktop, just click on the desktop window on the task bar. This is handy if you have a lot of windows open. As long as you don't close this window, when you shut down, it will reopen when you start Windows again. Or you can do this....
Right click on the task bar and select Minimize All Windows. If you want to then restore all the windows to their original state, again right click on the task bar and select Undo Minimize All. All the windows will be put back to their original position.
FILES & FOLDERS/Delete
You can immediately delete files, or folders, by single clicking on the object and then holding down the SHIFT key and hitting the DEL key. You can also click on an object, and while holding down the SHIFT key, drag the file or folder to the RECYCLE BIN.
FILES & FOLDERS/Drag and Drop
When you drag and drop files or desktop items, use the right mouse button instead of the left. When you drop them, you will get a little pop-up menu giving you the following options: Move Here, Copy Here, or Create Shortcut Here. This is a tip! It allows you more options, than just moving an object.
START MENU/Clean Up
Want to clean some unwanted items, out of your Start Menu, without opening lots of windows? The Taskbar Properties dialog box has a Remove Button, just for this purpose. Right-mouse click, on a blank area of the Taskbar, and select Properties to open the Taskbar Properties dialog box. Select the Start Menu Programs tab. Under Customize Start Menu, click the Remove button, and navigate your way to the Start Menu item you want to remove. With the unwanted item selected, click the Remove Button, and the item is history. Repeat these steps to remove all unwanted items. Click on Close, and then click OK.
START MENU/Shortcuts
If you want to add Shortcuts, to the top section of the Start Menu, drag any icon from an open folder and/or Desk Top, and place it on top of the Start button. Now, when you click the Start button, you'll have a Shortcut to any file or program, displayed on the top half of the Start Menu.
STARTUP/Suppressing Shortcuts
As you are probably aware, you have certain items in your Start Menu, that start each time you start Windows. If you want to start Windows, and not have these programs start up, hold down the CTRL key, while your machine boots up. This will keep the start up items from launching at start up.
TASKBAR/Control Volume
Go to the Control Panel and select the Multimedia icon. You will now be on the Audio tab. Select the Show Volume Control on the Taskbar. This will place a speaker icon on the task bar. If you click it once, you will get a sliding volume control, that you can adjust for the main volume. If you double click it, you will launch the full volume control screen, where all the different volumes can be adjusted.
TASKBAR/Tips
To change the option of the task bar, right-click on an empty part of it and select Properties. This will produce a list of options including: Auto-Hide, Always On Top, and a few others.
To change the location of the taskbar, simply click on it, hold down the button, and drag it to where you want it to be. It can be on the top, bottom, or either side.
To change the size of the taskbar, click along the top-edge of it, when the pointer changes to a double arrow, then drag it to the specific size. This is useful if you have a lot of programs open and want to have the buttons bigger on the taskbar.
VIRUS/Or Hoax
The Internet is constantly being flooded with information about computer viruses and Trojans. However, interspersed among real virus notices are computer virus hoaxes. While these hoaxes do not infect systems, they can make us all uneasy. If you do get a virus it's a pain, but don't panic! Here is a great Web Site that provides all sorts of information regarding viruses and hoaxes - Answers
For information on Internet Chain Letters, check the New CIAC Web Site located at - Chain Letters
| The Front Door : | Our Family Room : | The Dinner Table : | Photo Album |
| My Prayer Closet : | Our Music Room : | Our Awards Page : | Favorite Links |
