WindowsTalk.org » James

Microsoft’s Arc Touch Mouse

James — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:11:14 +0000

Microsoft’s newest mouse flattens to be the ultimate portable device.

From a Microsoft Presspass:

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 1, 2010 — Some say the mouse’s days are numbered, but today Microsoft Corp. proves the gadget is alive and well by unveiling the Arc Touch Mouse, the first mouse designed to flatten for portability and pop up for comfort. The new mouse features Microsoft’s first touch scroll strip for easy navigation — just move a finger slowly for controlled scrolling or flick for hyperfast scrolling. Windows-based PC users will love packing up their laptop bags without the added bump of a mouse, as the Arc Touch Mouse flattens with just the touch of a finger.

As the computing landscape evolves to offer new ways of interacting, such as touch screens and touch pads, the mouse is also evolving but holds true to its core purpose: providing comfort and precision to users when navigating the PC.

“This is not the first time that the mouse has been threatened — look at 10 years ago when people started buying laptops that had integrated pointers and touch pads. Still, the mouse category continued to grow and grow,” said Brett Ostrum, general manager for the Hardware Group at Microsoft. “The reasons people need external mice will not change: comfort and precision. The Arc Touch Mouse just demonstrates again how committed Microsoft is to continuing to bring great new mice to consumers.”

Read the rest of the press release here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/sep10/09-1ArcTouchPR.mspx

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Flash Drive Troubleshooting

James — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:37:27 +0000

Run a Free scan to check your PC for outdated drivers

By Evan X Smith
Almost all flash drive problems: “Flash drive not recognized”, “Jump memory stick access denied”, or your memory stick simply not showing up can be traced back to 2 simple reasons.

Your computer, or your drive simply screwed up. Technology seems to “screw up” more often than not these days so it is understandable. Thankfully this is an easy fix. Take out your flash drive, restart your computer and try again. This takes a minute or two on average and is so easy a caveman could do it.
Your USB memory stick is dead. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Jump drives have a limited lifespan. Computers usually last around five years, TV’s can go for ten or more. The lifespan of a flash drive is a completely different topic but on average you should be able to get 2-5 good years out of your drive depending on how often you use it.

Another reason why jump drives die is because of viruses. The best way to avoid viruses is to make sure what you download to your drive is completely safe. You also need to make sure you stick your drive into computers that are completely clean.

The last [popular] reason why jump drives die is because their files become corrupted. Do you know the annoying “click here to safely remove USB memory stick button”? That button is a very important one that should not be overlooked. Removing your drive without clicking the button can cause your downloads to stop before they are done, which means they could corrupt your entire drive.

Flash drive recognition

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Evan_X_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Flash-Drive-Troubleshooting&id=4960093

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5 Tips to Reduce Printing Costs

James — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:51:52 +0000

By Nicholas Knowles (Contributed)

Print in “Draft Mode”

Depending on what you will use your document for, you may consider doing all your prints in “Draft Mode”. “Draft mode” uses less ink resulting in print that is slightly grey in colour or a shade lighter than the standard dense black ink used by most printers. While this may be suitable for prints you do for yourself, use the regular printing mode for more formal documents. A good way to ensure that you won’t be printing in the regular print mode at all times is to set the default to “Draft Mode”.

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Print smaller text sizes

If you are one of those people who prefers to print in larger fonts this may actually be working against you. Use smaller fonts and remove any “Bold” formatting from the document. By choosing more condensed fonts and smaller font sizes, for example no larger than font size 12, you will decrease the amount of ink required to print each document. Additionally you will waste less paper printing.

Save paper by forgoing double spacing and printing on both sides

For larger documents especially those that may require ten pages or more, forgo double spacing and use single spaced formatting to reduce the number of pages that will be required. While double spacing will make reading easier it will waste unnecessary paper, albeit no more ink will be used in either single or double spaced formatting. You should also set your printer to print on both pages of your paper. Some printers have an automatic setting to do this while with others you will need to turn over manually.

Always use “Print Preview” and “Shrink to Fit”

Use print preview to check how many pages and the formatting before printing. You run the risk of printing a document that is not easily read or that goes beyond the formatting lines, meaning that many of your words will be cut short making the print unusable. After using print preview make the formatting changes necessary to ensure a proper print. When printing from a web browser use shrink to fit to guarantee that the document will fit on one the necessary amount of pages.

Buy Compatible Printer Cartridges or have your Cartridges refilled

You may save money by purchasing generic or compatible ink cartridges or toner cartridges. Not all brands will have generic versions available; however you can check several online stores for the brands that does. Another way to save on the price of replacing the ink is to use refilled cartridges. By having your old printer cartridges refilled you may be able to save a substantial amount of money. The quality of refilled cartridges will not be suitable for photographic printing. However you will still be able to do regular prints without any noticeable difference in quality.

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Nick is a self-confessed computer geek and printing enthusiast, he writes for Ink Factory, a British company that has been in the printer supplies business for over ten years; as well as selling ink cartridges, the Company also operates Inkfactory.org, a site that promotes ink cartridge recycling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Knowles

http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Tips-to-Reduce-Printing-Costs&id=4144238

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How to Fix Slow Printing of PDF Files

James — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:41:18 +0000

By Glenn Lamb (Contributed)
I experienced a major problem with my HP Officejet Pro 8500 printer. When printing PDF files there was a long delay before the file would print. This is not acceptable for a top of the line inkjet printer.

I called HP tech support three times and was given several things to try with no improvement. A search of the internet showed that this is a common problem.

Some posts suggested that this could be a problem related to firewall or virus protection software. However disabling the firewall and antivirus software was no help. Other posts suggested reinstalling the printer or uninstalling other network printers. That didn’t help either. Upgrading to the newest version of “Adobe Reader” gave no improvement.

We have had several HP L7590′s at our auto insurance agency. The l7590 is the prior version of the HP Officejet Pro 8500, and none had this problem. So why would the new “improved” model be so much worse?

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I was about ready to give this printer away to someone that I don’t like, and buy a replacement printer of another brand. Finally I discovered the remedy! I downloaded a free version of “Foxit Reader” and selected that for my default PDF reader. Problem solved! As a bonus this free program also allows saving filled forms where the free version of Adobe does not.

So if you experience a delay in printing PDF files try the “Foxit Reader”. It is free and only takes two minutes to download. You get more features and much faster printing. I am going to make this my PDF reader on all my computers.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Fix-Slow-Printing-of-PDF-Files&id=4940497

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Windows 7 Family Pack Returns

James — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:59:29 +0000

Starting October 3 in the U.S., Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase at participating retailers and online at the Microsoft Store. Purchasing the Windows 7 Family Pack gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for the low price of $149.99. To take advantage of Family Pack, you’ll need a PC running a genuine copy of either Windows Vista or Windows XP that is capable of running Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer(s).

For those of you who don’t live in the U.S., Family Pack may be coming your way too. It goes on sale in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia and many other markets on or after Oct. 22 (Windows 7’s 1 year anniversary!)

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