 What is my BIOS? - Use a New Browser Window - Cool Site of the Day
- Browser Tricks
Q:
What is my BIOS?
A:
BIOS(basic input / output system) is basically the "software" the computer uses for
it's most basic operations (accessing memory, disks, processors, etc.). This
"software" is built into the computer's motherboard, so don't worry about losing
it if your hard drive crashes.
Note that
these are NOT Windows settings, these are the "core" settings for your computer.
You normally can get at them by pressing the DEL key a few seconds after
you turn your computer on (this can vary from machine to machine though).
Most BIOS
setups allow you to configure hard drive parameters, set the time, type of
floppy disk drives, memory timing, and so on. It's probably an area that's best
left alone unless you are an experienced computer user. I've seen more than one
computer that was rendered useless from tampering with these
settings.
Tip of
the Day - Using a new Browser Window
Use A New Browser Window
Know what I hate?
Anchovies on my pizza and recycled browser windows. You don't know what a
recycled browser window is you say? Let's illustrate this idea with an
example.
You have a web page open
that you're checking out. An e-mail comes in and you decide to switch to your
e-mail program. As you check out the new e-mail, you see a friend has sent you a
link to a cool web page. So, you click the link and it loads in place of the
page you were originally looking at. You catch yourself yelling, "Hey, stop! I
was lookin' at that!"
Sure, you can always hit
your Back button to go back to your original page, but wouldn't it be nicer if
the e-mail link would just open up in a new window?
Good news- it can with just
a couple of clicks of your mouse!
1. Open up Explorer
and select the Tools menu, Internet Options.
2. Under the Advanced
tab, look for the Browsing section. Now, look for a check box labeled
"Reuse windows for launching shortcuts". Uncheck that puppy and
you're all set.
Oh, here's a note - If
you're using a pre 5.0 version of Explorer, you're looking to check (not
uncheck) a checkbox labeled "Browse in a new process". I know, it's cryptic, but
that's what it's called.
Also, your Internet
Options on older versions of Explorer may be under the view
menu.
Cool Site of the
Day - City Creator - Sim City Fan?
City
Creator
Are you a fan
of Sim
city? Well if so here's a site for you. City Creator allows you to build
cities online. You have a choice between Blankton and Snoland. One is a regular
city, the other is, you guessed it - full of snowy items.
Build great
cities, or tiny communities, it's your choice. I've spent hours here just
building the roads and landscapes. Definitely worth a look, and a great place to
spend time.
http://www.citycreator.com/
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