Hints, Tips & General Information:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4735697.stm

This new desktop service replaces the previous BBC News Ticker which was not specifically for Windows XP. It now offers a wide range of configurable options including the ability to select your local COUNTY for News headlines!!  Brilliant!!

• http://newsalerts.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/services/desktop_alerts/exe/installbbcnewsalertsuk2.exe

This service competes with the Sky equivalent, popping up on the screen when a headline is ready to be announced. Although configurable I still prefer the 'ticker-tape' type announcement that runs across the top of your screen.

· Operating system: Windows 2000, Windows XP
· System memory (RAM): 256MB
· 4MB of hard disc space
· Internet access

• www.google.co.uk
For those on dialup internet connections it is advantageous to have, as your home page, a page with few graphics on it. Google is one such page and (1) is quick to load (2) one of the best Search Engines (3) the home of some innovative add-ons.

To change your Home Page if using Windows; open a browser (Internet Explorer); click on Tools, then select Internet Options. In the box that appears you will see the option to type new information for your Home Page - type in www.google.co.uk and select OK.

Click on Preferences and scroll down the page, underneath the language options and change the number of displayed items from 10 to 100 (this will result in having to click 'next page' so often. You may also wish to tick the following option which forces each hyperlink to open a fresh page. There is nothing worse than to close a web page and find you have lost your previous page!

• www.picasa.com

A FREE software download from Google. (3.93Mb Download, so if you are not on broadband, then ask a friend! You also need to be running Microsoft® Windows 2000, or Microsoft® Windows XP for this version to work). Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organised by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organised. Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips. And Picasa makes it a snap to share your pictures – you can email, print photos home, make gift CDs, instantly share via Hello™, and even post pictures on your own blog.

• www.adobe.com

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free package from Adobe that allows you to view pdf files (portable document files). These files are often manuals or lther documents supplied by businesses, containing appropriate information. The latest version (8) will only work on Microsoft® Windows 2000, or Microsoft® Windows XP and is some 24Mb in size. Other older versions can still be found on their website.

Virus & Trojan Protection & General Information: YOU MUST HAVE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE INSTALLED IF YOU CONNECT TO THE INTERNET AT ALL!

There are several anti-virus software packages available from a number of suppliers: Some of the major names in this field are McAfee, Norton, Panda, AVG, etc. Most of the packages now offer a number of forms of protection for you to consider, like additional firewall options, anti-spam and anti-hacker options to name but a few.
	If you do have up-to-date software then renew it when the year is up! Make sure it still updates automatically too! It frequently happens that a virus/trojan is able to 'go in through the back door' and 'turn off' your anti-virus software - then it can move around unhindered!  So, keep an eye on things; don't assume all is well because it said it would be on the box!! Speaking from experience, the expense of buying appropriate software is something that can be easily recovered should you end with an infected PC and have to pay someone to put things right. There are some cheap packages and even a FREE one but generally, go with one of the better well-known brands, they are more resilient.
	You may find that as more people connect to the internet via broadband that more and more providers are offering, or supplying, modem routers. A router offers more general protection by way of a hardware firewall; they offer the facility of networking a number of computers by way of an internal 'private' network which is not directly connected to the internet.

If you believe that you have a virus but no up-to-date anti-virus software then you may find that you are unable to install any further software. Any infections (virus or trojan, etc) have the ability to prevent any updates to your system.... they are also able to stop you from running several programs in case you are trying to prevent them from running.

Buying software and trying to install it on an infected computer will usually fail. If this is the case please seek professional help.