How to email a group of contacts in Gmail

Another interesting and useful Gmail option is possibility to email a group of contacts . And that you can do on this way. Go to "Contacts". Than click on Group you would like to e-mail. On "Select" click "All". Or select just contacts you want to email. When contacts are selected, on right side just click "Email". Gmail will automatically redirect you to new message with field "To" filled. That's if you would like to everyone who receive this message see who else you mailed message. If you don't want that, copy addresses from "To" field to "Bcc" field and after that, leave just one address in "To". Than you can write Subject and message body and send it.

Enable Fax Service in Windows XP

Enable Fax Service in Windows XP

Why?
Windows XP has a great feature that allows users to send, receive, and monitor their faxes. Having said that, if you are running Windows XP, you can send and receive faxes right on your computer, without a need of a fax machine. All you need is a modem. You might need a scanner though, if you only a hard copy of your document, to scan your document.
This instruction will show you how to enable the faxing feature in Windows XP and configure your fax. This instruction does not provide details how to send a fax. Please go here for information how to send a fax.
I assume that a modem has been installed on your computer. You might need the Windows XP CD to proceed.

Here's how to Enable Fax Service
Your computer might not have the Fax Service enabled. Follow these steps to enable the service.

1. Click "Start" (>> "Settings") >> "Control Panel", and then double-click on "Add or Remove Programs".
2. Click "Add/Remove Windows Components" on the left panel to start the "Windows Components Wizard".
3. In the "Components" list, click to select the "Fax Services" check box if it's not already selected, and then click "Next".
   
4. Setup installs the Fax services. If you are prompted, insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD, and then click OK.
5. Click Finish, and then click Close.
   
6. Click "Start" (>> "Settings") >> "Printers and Faxes".
7. Click "Install a local fax printer"
   
8. A new printer is added with the name "Fax"

Here's how to Configure the Fax Service
Configure the fax service to save your personal information such as your name, telephone number, etc.. Also configure the modem and other options of the fax service.

1. 1. Click "Start" >> " All Programs" >> "Accessories" >> "Communications" >> "Fax" then click "Fax Console" to start the Fax Configuration Wizard.
2. Click "Next", type the information that you want to appear on your fax cover page, and then click "Next".
3. Click the modem that you want to use in the "Please select the fax device list".
   
4. Click to select the Enable Receive check box if you want the computer to receive faxes. Note When this check box is selected, you can click Manual answer if you do not want the computer to automatically receive faxes. By default, automatic answering is enabled.
5. Click "Next".
6. Type the "Transmitting Subscriber Identification (TSID)" that you want to use in the "TSID" box. Note The TSID is mandatory in some areas. This identification information typically appears in the header area of a fax that you receive. This information helps you identify the fax machine where the fax originates from. This information typically includes the sender's fax number and business name. then click "Next".
   
7. Type the "Called Subscriber Identification (CSID)" that you want in the "CSID" box. Note The CSID that you type is displayed on the fax machine where the fax originates from. This number helps you confirm that you are sending the fax to the correct recipient. then click "Next".
   
8. Click to select the "Print it" on check box if you want each of the faxes that you receive to be automatically printed. When you select this check box, you can select a specific printer where you can print the fax you receive. then click "Next".
   
9. On the "Completing the Fax Configuration Wizard" page, click "Finish".
   
10. If a "Windows Security Alert" prompted, click "Unblock". The computer is now configured to send or receive faxes.
    

Send Fax with Windows XP

Send Fax with Windows XP

Why?
Windows XP has a great feature that allows users to send, receive, and monitor their faxes. Having said that, if you are running Windows XP, you can send and receive faxes right on your computer, without a need of a fax machine. All you need is a modem. You might need a scanner though, if you only a hard copy of your document, to scan your document.
This instruction will show you how to send a fax in Windows XP using the Fax Service. This instruction does not provide details how to enable or configure the fax service. Please go here for information how to enable and configure the fax service in Windows XP.
I assume that the fax service has been enabled and configured on your computer. This also means that a modem has been installed and setup to use with the fax service.

Here's how

1. Open the document, Web page, or e-mail message you want to fax. If you want to fax image(s), you can create a Word document and insert your images there.
2. On the "File menu", click "Print". i.e. the following sample image using Microsoft Word.
   
3. Select "Fax" from the "Printer" list. Then, click "OK".
   
4. On the "Welcome to the Send Fax Wizard" page, click "Next".
   
5. On the "Recipient Information" page, type the recipient name in the "To" box.
   Type the recipient fax number in the "Fax number" box. click "Next".
   
6. On the "Preparing the Cover Page" page, select the "Select a cover page template with the following information" check box.
   Select the template you want to use under "Cover page template" list.
   Enter the subject in the "Subject" line
   Optionally, enter notes in the "Note" box.
   Then, click "Next".
   
7. On the "Schedule" page, click "Next".
   
8. On the "Completing the Send Fax Wizard" page, click "Finish".
   
9. Your computer will display the "Fax Monitor" dialog and start sending fax
   

Output Dos Command to File

This is a small trick that many Dos users might already know. The trick just shows you how to run a Dos command and instead of displaying the outputs on the screen, it saves the outputs into a file.

This trick is very helpful when you want to save the result of a dos command to a file to email it or read/print it later. For example, you can print out your network configuration data and email it to a technical support.

Here's how
simply put a ">" and the destination file at the end of the dos command. Examples:
This command outputs the IP configurations to the file "ipdata.txt" in "C" drive:

ipconfig /all > C:\ipdata.txt

This command outputs the "Path" configurations to the file "pathdata.txt" in the floppy drive "A":

path > A:\pathdata.txt

This command outputs help text of the command "copy" to the file "copyhelp.txt" in "C" drive:

copy /? > C:\copyhelp.txt

Hide all drives from My Computer

Hide all drives from My Computer

This trick is a user contributed. The information might have been copied and pasted exactly as what user posted.
Proceed at your own risks.


How to Hide the drives(c:,d:,e:,...etc) in Ur Computer

This is a great trick you can play on your friends. To disable the display of local or networked drives when you click My Computer.

1. Go to Start -> Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Now go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
4. Now in the right pane, create a new DWORD item and name it NoDrives (it is case sensitive).
5. Now modify it's value and set it to 3FFFFFF (Hexadecimal) .
6. Now restart your computer.
7. So, now when you click on My Computer, no drives will be shown(all gone...).

To enable display of drives in My Computer, simply delete this DWORD item that you created. Again restart your computer. You can now see all the drives again. Magic.......

Create Ghost Bootup with Network

This trick shows you how create Symantec Ghost bootup floppy disks with Network option. With the network option, you can access the network resources and use the GhostCast feature to perform backup/restore via the network. The instructions based on Ghost 8, but similar procedures can be done on different versions of Ghost.
If you're looking for the instructions how to create a standard Symantec Ghost Bootup (i.e. without Network), clickHere instead.
Or if you're looking for the instructions how to create a Ghost Bootup CD from the two floppy disks, click Hereinstead.
Use this trick at your own risk.

Here's how

1. Open the "Symantec Ghost Boot Wizard".
   
   
2. Select "Network Boot Disk" and click "Next".
   
   
3. At the screen "Symantec Ghost Boot Wizard - Network Interface Card", select an appropriate driver for your network card. If you need more details on a driver, click on it and select "Modify".
   If you don't see your network card listed, follow the next step to add a new one; otherwise, select your network card and click "Next" (and skip to step 9).
   
   
4. To add a new driver, search and download your driver from the internet. Make sure you download a "DOS" driver. A "Packet Driver" usually comes with a ".COM" file or ".EXE" file. A "NDIS2 driver" usually comes with a ".DOS" file.
   
5. Click "Add" on the screen "Symantec Ghost Boot Wizard - Network Interface Card" to bring up the "Template Type" dialog.
   
   Select "NDIS2 driver" or "Packet Driver" depending on what you have. (You probably have more luck searching a "NDIS2 driver" - file with ".DOS") then click "OK".
   
   
6. At the screen "Template Properties", click on the "Browse..." button and browse to your driver. Then enter a name for "Driver Name". A driver name should be very simple and must end with a "$". For example, you can take the first few letter of your driver file and add the "$":
   
   
7. Click "OK" to go back to the screen "Symantec Ghost Boot Wizard - Network Interface Card"
   
8. The "Name" field of the new driver should be editable. Go ahead to change this name the way you want. This name is just to help you recognize it from the list. Then click "Next".
   
   
9. Click "Next" on the next screen to "Use PC-DOS".
   
10. On the next screen, you'll need to specify where the file "ghost.exe" is located. This file is normally installed to a path as example below, but you should double check. Then click "Next".
    
    
11. Click "Next" on the next screen to use default options for external storage devices.
    
12. On the next screen, you'll need to specify the Tcp/ip options. The Tcp/ip can be either "Automatic IP" (or "DHCP"), or "Static IP".
    If you plan to run Ghost on multiples computer on a same network at a same time (using GhostCast), you should specify a static IP for each CD to avoid conflicting. Otherwise, you can always select "DHCP will assign the IP settings". Then click "Next".
    
    
13. Click "Next" on the next screen:
    
    
14. Click "Next" on the Review screen:
    
    
15. A message will display telling you that you will need two floppy disks. Click "OK".
    
16. The Boot Disk Wizard will start to erase your floppy and create the boot data. Once it's done with the first disk, it will prompt for a second one.

Create Ghost Bootup CD from 2 Floppies

This trick shows you how create a Ghost bootup CD from two floppy disks. 

The instructions based on Ghost 8, but similar procedures can be done 

on different versions of Ghost.

Why?

Symantec Ghost is an utility to backup/restore hard drives and partitions.

 The backup feature requires a "fresh" bootup that is done by using bootup 

disk(s). This way, no Windows programs are executed providing the 

backup process a full access to all files and folders, including system files.

Because of this, Symantec Ghost normally comes with a bootup wizard

 which allows users to create the bootup disks; however, the wizard 

only allow you to create bootup floppy disks, and in many situations

, you would have a tough time using the floppies. The reasons can

 be the speed, bad performance, or the lifetime concern of the floppy disks...

 Would it be cool if you can create a CD out of those floppies and worry free?

This page does not provide instructions how to create Ghost boot disk

, it only helps you how to create a bootup CD out of the two floppies.

 For instructions how to create Symantec Ghost Boot Disk, click Here.

Use this trick at your own risk.

Here's how

1. Create the two Ghost bootup floppy disks. (Click Here for details).
2. Let's call the first bootup floppy is "Disk #1" and the second disk is "Disk #2".
3. With "Disk #1", Create (if not already exists) a file called "mouse.ini".
4. With "Disk #1", open the file "mouse.ini" with Notepad, and add the following lines:
   [mouse]
   MouseType = PS2
5. To enable the CD-ROM driver (so that the CD-ROM can be accessible),
    search for the files "OAKCDROM.SYS" and "MSCDEX.EXE" from your computer 
   and copy them to "Disk #1".
   If you cannot find these files, you can download them here, then extract them to "Disk #1".
6. With "Disk #1", open the file "CONFIG.SYS", then edit this file so
    that it looks like follows
   . (Note! If you created the the bootup floopy disks WITHOUT a network driver, 
   use only the first and the last line from below, remove all the lines which start with
    "DEVICE=\net\")
   DEVICE=OAKCDROM.SYS /D:mscd001
   DEVICE=\net\protman.dos /I:\net
   DEVICE=\net\dis_pkt.dos
   DEVICE=\net\EL90x.dos
   LASTDRIVE=Z:
7. Still with the same file, edit the line "DEVICE=\NET\EL90x.dos" 
   above to the appropriate driver file.
   (Note! "EL90x.dos" is a driver file for 3COM 90x NIC. Look under
    the "net" folder of your first floppy to find out the right name of this 
   driver file. This file only exists in the first disk if the floppy set has been 
   created with Network option).
8. With "Disk #1", open the file "AUTOEXEC.BAT" with notepad
   . Edit the file to have it loads the CD-ROM driver, mouse driver, 
   and launch GHOST.EXE as example below.
   (Note! If the bootup is not Network enable, remove the line "\net\netbind.com").
   
   
   Sample AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
   
   
   @echo off
   SET TZ=GHO+08:00
   mscdex /L:D /d:mscd001
   MOUSE.COM
   \net\netbind.com
   echo Loading Ghost...
   D:
   cd \ghost
   GHOST.EXE -nousb
9. Create the CD with bootable option. This can be done with any recording software (i.e. Nero).
   Use "Disk #1" as boot image.
10. Create a new folder on the CD contents, called "ghost", 
11. then add the executable file "Ghost.exe" into the folder from 
12. "Disk #2" ("Ghost.exe" must be in the "ghost" folder since we have created the "AUTOEXEC.BAT" script to look for this file there.)
13. Congratulation! the CD you have created is a Symantec Ghost bootable CD. As long as you have CD-ROM bootup enable, you can use this CD to bootup your computer and use the Ghost tools.
    
    

Convert Any Document or Web Page to PDF

Somebody just told you that you need to have Adobe Acrobat (Writer) to create a PDF file? Guess what, you can get away from that pricey piece of software if you just need to convert some documents to pdf, without a need of fancy editing the pdf document.

Here's how. Thanks to the BullZip, who provides a Free Pdf printer. With this free tool, you can simply "print out" your document or webpage to a pdf file, just about the same way as you print it out to a printer.
You can visit BullZip.com for more information about the software.
Here the direct link to BullZip downloads page: Downloads

1. To get started, first follow the link above and download Free Pdf Printer from BullZip, then install it to your computer.
2. Once you're done, you might need to close the program (or the web browser) which you're currently viewing the document. This helps refreshing the list of available printers on your computer.
3. Once you get back to the document you want to convert, perform the same steps are you print out the document, i.e. File > Print ...
4. When you see the Print window pop-up, select "Bullzip PDF Printer" under "Printers", then click "OK".
5. BullZip PDF Printer will then start to analyze your document and display a new pop-up window, where you can direct it to the location you want to save the pdf file.
6. Follow the pop-up windows and.. hola! The PDF document is created!

Any Folder as a Photo Folder

This tricks shows you how to setup any folder to display its contents as a photo folder

. In many cases, you save your images/photos in a folder different than "My Pictures"

 (under "My Documents"). Since this folder you choose is just like any other normal folders,

 its contents displayed as a listing of files. You can temporary change it by just right-click

 and select "View" >> "Thumbnails". But if you want to change the folder so

 that everytime you come back, the folder itself, as well as all its subfolders, 

display the contents as photo thumbnails.

Here's How

Right-click on the folder you choose and select "Properties"

Select "Customize" Tab. Then under "Use this folder type as a template",

 select "Pictures (best for many files)"

Check on "Also apply this template to all subfolders" to 

apply the setting to subfoders as well

Click OK to exit

How to Get Virtual Desktops on Windows XP

A lot of people prefer multitasking. The best tool for that purpose is virtual desktops. Virtual desktops provide the opportunity to run many desktops at the same time from a desktop computer or laptop. It is very easy to switch among the desktops by just using a button. Every virtual desktop can possess its unique applications as well as a different background.  The feature of virtual desktops is not included in Windows XP by default. However, you can easily get virtual desktops on Windows XP. The means to get virtual desktops on Windows XP is very safe for the computer. All you have to do to get virtual desktops on Windows XP is to use software. This software provides four desktops to use.  

In order to get virtual desktops on Windows XP, you have to use the Microsoft PowerToys download page. Follow these simple steps to get the virtual desktops:

 Go to the “Microsoft PowerToys download page”.

 Choose DeskMan.exe from the list on the right hand side of the window.  

It will allow you to download the file named DeskmanPowertoySetup.exe. Double-click on the file.    

 Choose the option “Complete” for installing.

It will be installed in a very little time. Right click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.

Point to Toolbars. You will now see the new option called Desktop Manager.

Click on Desktop Manager.

The desktop manager toolbar will appear:

Every blue button represents a unique desktop. The green button can be used to preview the four virtual desktops.

Right-click on one of the buttons to see the options for configuration.

Success! This is the preview of the virtual desktops:

You just have to click on any of the desktops in the preview screen in order to get that desktop in the front. Virtual desktops can prove to be very useful if you want to divide your recreational applications and your work applications.

 source by : computerfreetips

How to take a Screen Shot in XP and Windows 7

The feature which allows you to take a screen shot in Windows XP is very useful. You can capture the image on your screen as you take a screen shot in Windows XP and save it for later. It can be saved for many reasons. Sometimes you need to save the image of the screen e.g. if you get an error message on your system, you can take a screen shot in Windows XP operating system and send it to your support person. You can show the webpage you are looking at to someone. That way you won’t have to send a link of the web site. Screen shots are very helpful when you want to show how to perform different computer tasks or solve problems while using Windows. Screen shots can demonstrate all these things as you send them via Microsoft Word, instant messaging and e-mails.

This is how you take a screen shot and then save it:

Choose the window you want to take the screen shot of by clicking it. Press ALT+PRINT SCREEN. ThePRINT SCREEN key is close to the upper right of the keyboard. If you want to take the screen shot of the entire desktop instead of a single window, you just have to press the PRINT SCREEN key. You won’t need to press the ALT key along with it.

Click on the Start button, from Programs go to Accessories, and click on Paint.

When the Paint window opens, click on Edit, and then choose and click on Paste.

When you see the image in the Paint window, click on File, and then scroll down and click on Save As.

When the Save As dialog box appears, type a name for the screen shot in the File name box. 

Click on Save in the end.

Now this picture is like any other picture save on your computer as you can print or e-mail it.

You can take a screen shot in Windows XP whenever you want. But you can’t take a screen shot prior to you logging onto your computer and also while a video is being played in Microsoft Windows Media Player.

Source by : Computer tips 

How to take a Screen Shot in XP and Windows 7

The feature which allows you to take a screen shot in Windows XP is very useful. You can capture the image on your screen as you take a screen shot in Windows XP and save it for later. It can be saved for many reasons. Sometimes you need to save the image of the screen e.g. if you get an error message on your system, you can take a screen shot in Windows XP operating system and send it to your support person. You can show the webpage you are looking at to someone. That way you won’t have to send a link of the web site. Screen shots are very helpful when you want to show how to perform different computer tasks or solve problems while using Windows. Screen shots can demonstrate all these things as you send them via Microsoft Word, instant messaging and e-mails.

This is how you take a screen shot and then save it:

Choose the window you want to take the screen shot of by clicking it. Press ALT+PRINT SCREEN. ThePRINT SCREEN key is close to the upper right of the keyboard. If you want to take the screen shot of the entire desktop instead of a single window, you just have to press the PRINT SCREEN key. You won’t need to press the ALT key along with it.

Click on the Start button, from Programs go to Accessories, and click on Paint.

When the Paint window opens, click on Edit, and then choose and click on Paste.

When you see the image in the Paint window, click on File, and then scroll down and click on Save As.

When the Save As dialog box appears, type a name for the screen shot in the File name box. 

Click on Save in the end.

Now this picture is like any other picture save on your computer as you can print or e-mail it.

You can take a screen shot in Windows XP whenever you want. But you can’t take a screen shot prior to you logging onto your computer and also while a video is being played in Microsoft Windows Media Player.

Source by : Computer tips 

Create online web presentations using Google Docs presentations

Make sure to read other posts from the Online Office Suites series!

1. Review of Live Documents – Office 2007 online replacement
2. First look and review of Microsoft Office Live Workspace Beta
3. Adobe BuzzWord – New online web-based Word Processor
4. Zoho – Free online office applications – Word Processor, Spreadsheets, etc
5. IBM offers alternative to MS Office with Lotus Symphony
6. Create, edit, and share Microsoft Office format documents online without any software
7. Create online web presentations using Google Docs presentations

Google had announced back in April of this year that they would be adding the ability to create online presentations like PowerPoint into their Docs and Spreadsheets web application, which was cause for lots of excitement! Finally today Google has released the new Google Docs presentations feature, which will allow you to not only create online presentations, but allow you to easily share, organize, present, and collaborate on the presentations with others.

If you’ve been using Docs and Spreadsheets, you won’t have any problems with presentations, as they will be displayed in the same list as the other docs. You can use the same interface to edit, share, or publish them and have several collaborators working on a presentation at the same time. When you’re ready to present, click Start Presentation to begin taking the audience through the slideshow. Participants can chat with your or with each other during the presentation via Google Talk.

Google Presentations Features – Making online presentations

You can get to Google Presentations by logging into your Google account and clicking on Docs or by going to http://docs.google.com/ directly. Once you’re there, you’ll see a new option under the New menu option called Presentation.

Google Presentations is not as robust as Microsoft PowerPoint and that is obvious by the number of options across the top pane.

• New Slide
• Duplicate Slide
• Delete Slide
• Insert Image
• Insert text
• Change Theme

Personally, I find that in PowerPoint, I probably don’t even use 90% of the features, so in a way, Google Presentations is perfectly fine for most presentations! Of course if you like to have lots of audio, video and sliding effects between slides in a presentation, you’ll have to stick to PowerPoint. But if you want something practical that doesn’t MS PowerPoint to be installed on the presenter’s computer, that allows you to make changes with others in real time, and that is completely free, then it’s definitely worth trying out.

But one thing that it does have that I like is the ability to change the theme. Currently, there are only 15 themes available to choose from, but I’m sure more will be added later.

The presentation software is also available in over 25 languages, so this is definitely an International tool. It’s also available for Google Apps customers.

[tags]google presentations, google docs, create online presentations, web presentation software[/tags]

source by : online-tech-tips