Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre
Updates and maintenance for your PC.
1. Keeping your Web Browser (Internet Explorer) up to date
Our web site statistics indicate that some computer users who visit the site are using out of date web browsers (Internet Explorer or IE) It is important that you keep your web browser updated as this will improve your security by adding lots of little 'tricks' to keep the bad guys out. Along with a good anti-virus program an up to date browser will help to minimize or eliminate viruses, worms and trojan horses. A free anti virus program is AVG that is avaialble to download and install at http://free.avg.com/
Our web site statistics indicate that some computer users who visit the site are using out of date web browsers (Internet Explorer or IE) It is important that you keep your web browser updated as this will improve your security by adding lots of little 'tricks' to keep the bad guys out. Along with a good anti-virus program an up to date browser will help to minimize or eliminate viruses, worms and trojan horses. A free anti virus program is AVG that is avaialble to download and install at http://free.avg.com/
One thing to remember is that when program developers try out programs they are called 'beta' versions. These should be avoided as they are really trial versions and still need some work to make them 'usable' so as not to impair or 'crash' your computer.
An easy way to check the version of Internet Explorer ( or any other browser) that you are using is when you are at a web site just click on 'help' at the very top of the screen you are viewing, scroll down to 'about', click it and your version number will appear . Make sure that your PC has its 'automatic updates' turned on, as that way new updates for your Internet Explorer will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can also get an update from the Microsoft web site.
There are several other 'browsers' , all available free to you to download. Such as: Firefox, Opera, Google and others. Some of these are faster that IE (will open your web site quicker) or may offer improved security features.
2. Is the print too small to read when you view a website?
Most newer versions of web browsers offer an easy way to enlarge the 'script' or print. In Windows Internet Explorer look at the lower bottom right corner and you will see a +100% sign, just click it a you will see a dialogue box with various size options. Just click the one you want and presto your script is the size you selected. (You may have to repeat this step the next time you are on the web)
3. Javascript is an application that you really cannot do without.
Without it you would not be able to see all those neat 'interactive' thingys on any web site that you are viewing. To enable it is simple. Go to 'internet options' in your control panel, open it and click on 'advanced' , scroll down until you find 'Sun Java' and if the box is empty, click it and at the bottom of the box click 'apply' . It is recommneded you restart your PC this one time to update this feature. Once you have enabled Java, updates will download when available and all you have then to do is click the icon usually on the bar at the bottom of your webpage to install the updated version, and you're done.
4. What are PDF (Portable Document Format) or Adobe acrobat files?
PDF by Adobe Systems is an application that enables document exchange from one program to another. For Adobe Acrobat Files you will need to have a Reader installed on your PC. The Adobe application is available free at the Adobe website and it is a fairly large download there. (If you do not want the Google Tollbar with it then un-check that item first)
Remember, to make sure that your internet security zone ( found again in Internet Options in your control panel. click on 'security' and there you can adjust your security settings) is not set too high as this will not allow you to view a PDF file in Internet Explorer.
Another Reader that is also free is Foxit reader from the Foxit web site. (Click the box for the Free Reader and watch that you follow the chain for the free one only). It works as well as Adobe and has all the same features and is much smaller and faster to use.
5. Another word program if you do not have the Microsoft Office is 'openoffice 3.0'
This is also free and can be downloaded at http://openoffice.org-2009.com/ It is an equal to the Microsoft version with all the features and is fully compatible with any other 'word' program on your computer.
A warning, many of the programs noted above are pretty big and unless you have an high speed internet connection (like cable) do not try and download them as it will be like watching paint dry!!.
There are many places on the internet to get help with almost any problem you may have. For most who want to use the internet instructions to 'repair' their computer it will need a little computer skill to be able to understand and follow the advice given which is oftentimes fairly complex. One way is to 'Google' the question you have. Just type into the google search the question, click the magnifying glass next to it or click 'go' and it will take you to more sites than you can shake the proverbial stick at and there in front of your eyes is the answer you have always needed.
If any of this is too complicated for you, you can have a friend that is more skilled drop over to your house to help you out OR you can register at the Seniors Center computer classes for assistance, we will be pleased to help. SEE THE COMPUTER ACTIVITY PAGE
An easy way to check the version of Internet Explorer ( or any other browser) that you are using is when you are at a web site just click on 'help' at the very top of the screen you are viewing, scroll down to 'about', click it and your version number will appear . Make sure that your PC has its 'automatic updates' turned on, as that way new updates for your Internet Explorer will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can also get an update from the Microsoft web site.
There are several other 'browsers' , all available free to you to download. Such as: Firefox, Opera, Google and others. Some of these are faster that IE (will open your web site quicker) or may offer improved security features.
2. Is the print too small to read when you view a website?
Most newer versions of web browsers offer an easy way to enlarge the 'script' or print. In Windows Internet Explorer look at the lower bottom right corner and you will see a +100% sign, just click it a you will see a dialogue box with various size options. Just click the one you want and presto your script is the size you selected. (You may have to repeat this step the next time you are on the web)
3. Javascript is an application that you really cannot do without.
Without it you would not be able to see all those neat 'interactive' thingys on any web site that you are viewing. To enable it is simple. Go to 'internet options' in your control panel, open it and click on 'advanced' , scroll down until you find 'Sun Java' and if the box is empty, click it and at the bottom of the box click 'apply' . It is recommneded you restart your PC this one time to update this feature. Once you have enabled Java, updates will download when available and all you have then to do is click the icon usually on the bar at the bottom of your webpage to install the updated version, and you're done.
4. What are PDF (Portable Document Format) or Adobe acrobat files?
PDF by Adobe Systems is an application that enables document exchange from one program to another. For Adobe Acrobat Files you will need to have a Reader installed on your PC. The Adobe application is available free at the Adobe website and it is a fairly large download there. (If you do not want the Google Tollbar with it then un-check that item first)
Remember, to make sure that your internet security zone ( found again in Internet Options in your control panel. click on 'security' and there you can adjust your security settings) is not set too high as this will not allow you to view a PDF file in Internet Explorer.
Another Reader that is also free is Foxit reader from the Foxit web site. (Click the box for the Free Reader and watch that you follow the chain for the free one only). It works as well as Adobe and has all the same features and is much smaller and faster to use.
5. Another word program if you do not have the Microsoft Office is 'openoffice 3.0'
This is also free and can be downloaded at http://openoffice.org-2009.com/ It is an equal to the Microsoft version with all the features and is fully compatible with any other 'word' program on your computer.
A warning, many of the programs noted above are pretty big and unless you have an high speed internet connection (like cable) do not try and download them as it will be like watching paint dry!!.
There are many places on the internet to get help with almost any problem you may have. For most who want to use the internet instructions to 'repair' their computer it will need a little computer skill to be able to understand and follow the advice given which is oftentimes fairly complex. One way is to 'Google' the question you have. Just type into the google search the question, click the magnifying glass next to it or click 'go' and it will take you to more sites than you can shake the proverbial stick at and there in front of your eyes is the answer you have always needed.
If any of this is too complicated for you, you can have a friend that is more skilled drop over to your house to help you out OR you can register at the Seniors Center computer classes for assistance, we will be pleased to help. SEE THE COMPUTER ACTIVITY PAGE