"ASK COMPUTERMAN" ARTICLES

"Ask Computerman" is a weekly column appearing in the Sunday "Life" section of the Culpeper Star Exponent newspaper.  Readers are invited to email their questions to Terry Moberley and have them answered in the column.  The article is intended to provide helpful, free and fun advice for the home computer user.

Click on the links below to download desired articles in Adobe (pdf) format.  If you need to download Adobe Reader click here:

• Article 1 - Practicing Safe Surf - Part 1

  Discusses the first two requirements for practicing safe surf - antivirus and antispyware.

• Article 2 - Practicing Safe Surf - Part 2

  Discusses the second two requirements for practicing safe surf - firewalls and secure browser settings.

• Article 3 - Whoa! Back Up a Bit

  Discusses the importance of backups and some easy to implement methods for home users.

• Article 4 - A Burning Desire

  Discusses the problems with burning CD's and some solutions and some fun with CD burning.

• Article 5 - Finding Buried Treasure

  Shares how to find buried treasure on your computer using your cyber metal detector - the right mouse button.

• Article 6 - I'm Just Browsing

  Shares some suggestions for customizing your Internet Explorer browser for a more pleasant browsing experience.

• Article 7 - A Positive Outlook

  Discusses safe email handling to avoid spyware and viruses and a couple tips for Outlook/Outlook Express.

• Article 8 - You've Got the Power

  Shows how to customize power saving features, such as shuts down devices (like your monitor) after a period of inactivity.

• Article 9 - I Feel a Sudden Surge of Power

  Discusses effective surge protection and battery backup power.

• Article 10 - And the Password Is... Ez2hAck

  Discusses good and bad passwords and how to create easy to remember yet impossible to crack passwords.

• Article 11 - Free Internet Provider - Your Neighbor!

  Explains how to set up effective security on your wireless home network, so your neighbors and others cannot piggyback on your signal.

• Article 12 - Do You Feel the Need for Speed?

  Part 1 of 2.  Shares some easy to implement tips on making your computer and your Windows operating system faster such as removing spyware, adding memory and removing unwanted programs.

• Article 13 - Do You Feel the Need for Speed Again?

  Part 2 of 2.  Shares some easy to implement tips on making your computer and your Windows operating system faster such as using msconfig to remove unwanted programs and some Windows setting's tweaks.