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Sometimes it's a Windows setting that needs tweaking. Sometimes it's a piece of third-party freeware (those are all linked from the book's companion web site). Occasionally, it's a tiny registry hack that'll only take you a minute or two (and won't munge your computer -- promise). Regardless, Steve Bass explains the solution simply -- and wittily.
Want a semi-sneaky way to get off any email joke list? How about a way to send file attachments that are larger than your ISP will permit? Want your Windows XP menus to snap to attention instead of moseying sluggishly into view? Oh, and how about getting all that junk out of your system tray? (Who, exactly, asked for those RealOne Message Center ads?)
How about a quick, no-cost way to clear all the dead links out of your Internet Explorer Favorites menu? Or maybe you'd like to get rid of the ads in AOL Instant Messenger? Can't stand the red squiggles Microsoft Word puts under your (allegedly) misspelled words? Speaking of Office, maybe you'd like it to automatically store your files somewhere other than My Documents?
How about an easy way to back up all the personal information you've stored in Outlook? A way to save streaming media files that don't want to be saved? You say you'd like to hear your MP3s on your car stereo, without the hassle of cassette adapters? It's all doable, if you know how.
Bass knows how. He's been frustrated with PCs for more than 20 years now. He founded the Pasadena IBM Users Group way back in '82 and still leads it -- that is, when he's not writing PC World's Home Office column, or talking computers on NPR. Few folks have been asked so many PC questions or come up with so many useful answers. This book is packed with them. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.
252 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003