
Basic Computing Tips for Windows 3.1 - Page 13



1.   GO CON-FIGURE          
          
April 2nd, 1999          
          
The next time you need to check out one of your system files--you know,
 those nerdy files like autoexec.bat or system.ini--don't waste time
 searching it out in File Manager and then opening it in a text editor
 like Notepad. The System Configuration Editor will track down and open
 the most common system files in one easy step. Just do the following: 

1. Switch to Program Manager. 
2. Choose File + Run. 
3. In the Command Line text box, type 

sysedit 

4. Click OK. 

Presto! There's the System Configuration Editor, displaying autoexec.bat,
 config.sys, win.ini, system.ini, and protocol.ini--all in separate windows.
 Just use the Window menu (or title bars) to select the file you're after.

2.   SKINNY-MINNIE APPS          
          
April 5th, 1999          
          
Want to open an application in its smallest form, minimized at the bottom
 of the screen so that it doesn't interfere with what you're doing? If so,
 follow these steps: 

1. Switch to Program Manager. 
2. Select the icon of the program you want to open minimized and press
 Shift + Enter. (Alternatively, hold down the Shift key as you
 double-click the icon.) 

Magically, the application window doesn't appear on-screen. But look at
 the row of icons across the bottom of your desktop, and there it is,
 minimized. When you're ready to use the program, just double-click its
 icon (or use Alt + Tab) to restore it to full form.

3.   A DESKTOP OF STICKY NOTES          
          
April 6th, 1999          
          
Need a good way to keep oft-used information close at hand? Something a
 bit more stable than those little yellow stickies that inevitably fall
 off the edge of your computer screen and get lost? Why not put important
 information on your desktop, as text-filled wallpaper? That way, it's
 right there in front of you, whenever you turn on your system. 

1. Open Paintbrush. (It's in Program Manager's Accessories group.) 
2. Select the color you want to use for your wallpaper background
 and then choose File + New. 
3. Click the Text tool, click where you want your text, and start typing.
 (Alternatively, paste the text in from another location,
 such as a document file.) 
4. Choose File + Save; then name and save the *.bmp file in the
 C:\Windows directory. 
5. If you're done with Paintbrush, you can close it at this point. 
6. Open the Control Panel (inside Program Manager's Main group). 
7. Double-click Desktop. 
8. Under Wallpaper, select the *.bmp file you just created. 
9. Click OK. 
10. Close the Control Panel window and minimize any open windows to see
 the information you typed. 

Go ahead, shake your desktop as hard as you want--it won't fall off!

4.   EARLY SPRING CLEANING          
          
April 7th, 1999          
          
In the clean-out mood? Granted, it's only March, but you can never start
 your spring cleaning too early. Rid your hard disk of some of the more
 common space hoggers, such as *.zip and *.bmp files. Doing so gives
 you more room for something else (like a really fun game to keep you
 from getting your work done!). 

1. Open File Manager. (It's inside Program Manager's Main group.) 
2. Choose File + Search. 
3. In the Search For box, type 

*.zip 

(or *.bmp or whatever file type you're looking for). 

4. In the Start From text box, type the root of your hard drive,
 probably c:\. 
5. Select Search All Subdirectories, if it isn't already selected. 
6. Click OK. You see a list of all *.zip files (or whatever type of files
 you specified) on your system. 
7. Hold down Ctrl as you select each file you want to ditch. 
8. Choose File + Delete. 
9. Click OK and then click Yes to All to confirm that you really do want
 to delete all those files. 

Most of the time, *.zip files are just leftovers from Internet downloads,
 and many of your *.bmp files are forgotten attempts at artwork.
 Wastes o' space, nothing more.

5.   THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SELECT A DOCUMENT          
          
April 8th, 1999          
          
Need to select an entire document? Three keyboard shortcuts get the job
 done. (Note: All three shortcuts work in most Windows applications--try
 them in yours and see.)

- Hold down Ctrl as you click in the left margin. 
- Triple-click in the left margin. 
- Press Ctrl + A. 

 
Say goodbye to clicking at the top of the document and then dragging down
 until you get to the end!

6.   Yes, you can print a list of the files and folders contained in any
 Windows folder, but you should seek outside help-free help, of course.
 When we tried several directory-printing freeware and shareware programs,
 a clear winner emerged: PrintFolder 1.1, from No Nonsense software
 (http://no-nonsense-software/freeware). The small-sized PrintFolder
 doesn't try to do too many things and works from a Context menu item.
 The 525KB PrintFolder download includes a README file, Windows setup
 and uninstall. PrintFolder can print files, subfolders or both, and it
 includes several other adjustable options. This utility isn't fancy,
 but it does the job both locally and on networks.
