Hi Folks,

Q:
I also just upgraded to Windows Vista and although I really like the 3D desktop, there are some features I'd just like to turn off. How can I do that? Please help!

A:
Here's WorldStart to the rescue again! I've heard so many varying views about the new operating system of Windows Vista that it's not even funny anymore. Some people hate it, some people love it and others just ride along in the middle. Yes, Vista comes with a lot of brand new features and although it would be in Microsoft's best interest if everyone fell head over heels in love with them, but that's just not very realistic.

So, if you want to change your Vista computer around a little, have at it! Now, as the person who asked today's question stated, one of the new features in Vista is the 3D desktop. And while it's cool to look at sometimes, it can also be a little overwhelming. The 3D desktop has to do with Vista's appearance and performance and all the other Windows versions allowed you to make some changes within those realms, so why would Vista be any different? Come along with me as we make your Vista desktop all that you want it to be!

First, right click on the Computer icon on your desktop and choose Properties. From there, click on the Advanced System Settings link that is located off to the left side of the dialogue box. Once you click that, you will be asked if you're sure you want to continue on (since they're advanced settings and all). Just click Continue and go on. Next, choose the Advanced tab and then hit the Settings button. From there, you want to be under the Visual Effects tab.

Once you're there, you will see three options at the top of the window. They are: "Let Windows choose," "Adjust for best appearance," "Adjust for best performance" and "Custom." Below those options, you will see a list of settings. The list is pretty long, so it may take you awhile to scroll through them all. As you look through them, you may want to start picking and choosing the ones you want to keep on your computer. Think about each one and picture in your mind what it would do to your PC. Here are some of the settings you have to choose from:

• Animate controls and elements inside windows
• Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
• Enable desktop composition
• Fade or slide menus into view
• Fade out menu items after clicking
• Show shadows under menus
• Show shadows under mouse pointer
• Slide taskbar buttons
• Smooth scroll list boxes

Okay, I think you get the picture. There's so much to choose from. Alright, now, let's go over a couple of the options I mentioned above again. If you click on the first one (Let Windows choose), the Windows operating system will choose what it thinks are the best choices for your computer. Now, this may be a good choice, but it still may leave you wanting more (or less) from your desktop experience.

On the other hand, if you click on the Custom choice, you can make your own decisions. You can just check or uncheck certain settings and everything will come out just the way you want it. I think this is the best option for anyone who likes to do things on their own. That's why I told you to really pay attention to the options in the list as you're reading through them. If you picture in your mind what a certain setting will do to your computer, you'll have a better reason for choosing what you choose.

When you're all done customizing your 3D desktop, just click the OK button and they will all be saved. You can then go and test your new settings out. See how everything changed? Do you like it? Not so sure? Either way, you now know how easy it is to change these settings and you can go back time and time again until you have everything set perfectly for your Vista experience. Have fun!

~ Erin

BioniXWallpaper v5.5.0 beta

by Mitch Keeler on May 22, 2007 at 12:48 pm · Comments
Categorized by Download, Freeware / Related Information

A good wallpaper changer is hard to find. I have looked at many, but for the first time I think I have found one that is functional and unique in the way it is set up. BioniXWallpaper gives you a familiar "Winamp" like interface and a small file size. Always a good mix in my opinion.

Here are some details about the freeware download from the developers:

BioniX Wallpaper supports JPG, GIF, BMP, ICO, and EMF image files. Soon it will support more image types. You can set the cycling time between 1 second and 59 hours. Like Winamp, Bionix Wallpaper gives you the possibility to gather images from all over the hard disk in one playlist, without changing their physical location. The images can be stored in different directories or on different hard disks / drives.

BioniX Wallpaper has, in addition to the well-known tile, stretch, center functions, two new smart functions: smart stretch (if some of your pictures are bigger or a little smaller than your desktop size, BioniX will make them fit) and smart tile (if some of your pictures are tiny, BioniX will tile them). This program has an incredibly fast algorithm for displaying images and refreshing the desktop.

Q:
I've been using Outlook Express for quite awhile now, but lately, I've been thinking about switching to a Web based e-mail program. Is it really worth it? Is Webmail better? Please tell me all you know!

A:
Great question! I'm sure that over the years, there have been several of you who have wondered this very same thing. It's always a guessing game when you're thinking about switching to another service and it's definitely no different for e-mail clients. When comparing Web based e-mail and desktop e-mail, there's obviously a lot of pros and cons, but the ultimate decision is yours. So, I'll just go over some of those advantages and disadvantages and you can decide from there!

First off, I want to make sure everyone understands what I'm talking about when I say Web based e-mail (also known as Webmail) and desktop e-mail. Basically, a desktop e-mail program is one that you can use right from your computer. They usually come pre-installed on every single computer that is sold and you just have to activate your account to start using it. A couple examples of desktop e-mail clients are Outlook Express and Thunderbird.

On the other hand, Web based e-mail programs are the ones like Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail, etc. With them, you handle all of your e-mail right from your Web browser. You choose one that you'd like to use, you sign up for it and then when you want to check your e-mail, you just go to their Web site, sign in and all of your e-mail will come up.

Now, another question that comes along with Webmail is its security. Webmail is just as secure as desktop mail. They also include everything that you'd expect to get from a desktop e-mail client, like an address book, customized folders, spell check and spam filtering. Okay, now that all of that is out of the way, let's take a look at those pros and cons, shall we?!

Pros of Webmail

• There's no software included with Webmail. You don't have to install anything or keep up with it throughout your e-mail use. Like I said before, everything runs right through your Web browser, so you're also eliminating certain types of spyware and viruses.
• Webmail saves you some space on your hard drive. All your e-mail folders are stored online through your browser, so you don't have to worry about getting too many e-mails that will eat up all your extra space.
• You don't have to worry about backing up any of your e-mails. All of your e-mails are kept on a remote server, so they're always available when you need them.
• Webmail is completely independent from ISPs. Therefore, Webmail can free you from certain ISPs. If you've been wanting to change your ISP for awhile, but you don't want to lose your e-mail address and go through the hassle of changing it, you can start to use a Web based e-mail program. So, whenever you want to change your ISP, you can do so without having to change your e-mail address as well.
• You can access your Webmail account from any computer. As long as the computer has an Internet connection, you can check your e-mail anywhere in the world. You don't have to be on your home computer to see if you have any new messages. With a Webmail account, you can check it at the library, at a friend's house, at a coffee shop, at work and so on.

Cons of Webmail

• You do have to be online to use a Webmail program. This could cause some problems if you have a slower Internet connection, because you have to stay online until you're completely done viewing, replying to, etc. your e-mails. With desktop e-mail, you can download your e-mails and then look at them offline if you need to.
• With Webmail, you won't be able to find extra features, such as stationery, templates, a dictionary, thesaurus, etc. You can't do much text formatting either.
• Webmail is free, but you basically get what you pay for when it comes to e-mail storage space and availability. Also, if your Webmail client goes out of business, you're pretty much out of luck.

There's the quick rundown for you. Now, if you think the pros outweigh the cons and you still want to switch to a Web based e-mail client, you can easily do so at any time. Three of the most popular Webmail programs are Yahoo!, Hotmail and Gmail. Each of these have a decent amount of storage space and they're all 100 percent free. If you visit any of their Web sites, you'll see a place where you can sign up to start receiving your e-mail there. It's very easy to get started.

So, I'm not sure which way you're all leaning on this topic, but hopefully, you now have enough information that will help you make your final decision. Many people use Webmail each and every day and they love it. Maybe it's time you give it a try too!

~ Erin

Please feel free to forward this to anyone that you think might be interested in it.  If they wish to subscribe, they can click on the link below.

If this was forwarded to you and you wish to subscribe, please click here: Subscribe
If you wish to be deleted from the mailing list, please click here: Unsubscribe