Computer Tips

This page is devoted to providing computer tips that our members might find helpful. It can include links to websites that show these tips. Email your questions to the email address below for the webmaster.

Q: How can you change the text size on a website?

A: To make text larger on a windows machine, hold down the CTRL key (Command on a Mac) and the plus (+) key together. Continue this until the text appears more readable to you. To make text smaller, hold down the CTRL key (Command on a Mac) and the minus (-) key together. Again, continue this until it is the size text you want. It doesn't matter which +/- key you use on your keyboard as it works with both. Very handy when using the LCD monitor to do presentations.

Q: Are there tools that can help with website searches for my website?

A: The website www.dmoz.org can be used to list your domain for a variety of web search engines such as Google, AOL Search, Netscape Search, Lycos, HotBot and hundreds of others. Generally you can find a free way to enter your website in the process. I use this site all the time to get my websites listed on search engines. I also use Yahoo.com to submit your sites there. I use the "submit your site for free" option. Google also has an option called Webmaster Tools. They have a page describing Webmaster Guidelines that provides more information. I haven't tried this out yet but plan to at some time.

Q: Where can I find more information about using HTML (hyper-text markup language) on my website?

A: A good website that I found for HTML 4.0 (5.0 will be out soon) is The Bare Bones Guide to HTML.

Q: Is there any software that can be used to create PDF files other than purchasing Adobe Acrobat Professional?

A: Yes and I highly recommend it. The program is called CutePDF and it runs on Windows. There is a freeware (free) version as well as a professional version. The free version works great. It installs as a printer driver and makes it so that anything you can print can be made into a PDF document by simply picking it as the printer. Give it a try. This program works great to save tutorials you find on the web, html guides like that shown above, or any other information you need to send to others. Just click on the "Free Download" option on the left side of the webpage.