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Only a minor cog in an insanely brilliant scientist's
plan for world domination, here's -
Noises
From The Basement!
Contents
- Windows Tips - "Diskcopy"
- File Find! - "OpenExpert"
- Sites-Seeing - "Star Charts\The Storm"
- Email Funny - "Frazzle"
- MOUS Tips - "Select This"
- They Said It - quotes to give one pause
- Hodgepodge – that what fits no where else
A big smile and a hearty handshake for all readers this week as changes are in the works - the conversion to the new Noises Self-Serve Email Server, and preparations to roll out the first HTML edition. Don't mind the dust, come on in!
As happens whenever you have construction and move to a new home, there's bound to be some unfinished corners and some boxes that get crunched. If you find an error in your subscription, duplicate mailings, wrong edition, etc. please let me know - use the Email Dave link to your left. Also, as this is your first HTML edition, please let me know of any reception problems you might have.
~and~
AOL users - see the newsletter end for your links!
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1) Windows
Tips - "Diskcopy"
I routinely distribute diskettes containing classroom exercises and student resources, which means I might need to make 30 copies of the same disk. I use a Shortcut to create all those duplicate copies and you might find it handy, too:
I) Right-click on your desktop, select New | Shortcut
II) In the Create Shortcut dialog box, key "DISKCOPY A: A:" (without the quotes) then click the Next button.
III) Key a name for your shortcut, Next; and then select an icon and Finish.
To make your copies, double-click your new shortcut. A DOS window will open and you'll be prompted to insert your source disk. After the source is read, you'll be prompted to remove the original disk and put in a blank. The contents of the source disk will be copied to the blank, and then you'll be asked if you want to make another copy of the same disk. Answer "Y" and continue to feed diskettes until you've made all the copies you need..
2) File Find! -
"OpenExpert"
Back in March, NFTB told you how to re-associate a file, when the application Windows uses isn't the one you want to use to open it.
What if you have several potential applications that you might routinely use to open a given file type? For example, you might use several different graphic editing programs, multiple HTML editors, or different MP3 players. Is there a way to point to a file and *choose* which application Windows will use to run it?
There is, if you download this week's File Find! Instead of being restricted to a fixed association to only one application, you'll get an "Open with" choice when you right-click an icon. Once you've added an application, it will be "on the menu" for that file type in the future. [632 KB/EXE]
CLICK HERE to download
OpenExpert
3)
Sites-Seeing - "Star Charts\The Storm"
Last week it was StarWarz, this week it's Star Charts! Commune with the Universe - head outdoors and spend the next clear night reminding yourself that the Milky Way is something more than a candy bar. First, pay a visit to MyStarsLive and pick up a few star charts customized just for you.
After you enter your location, desired viewing time, and viewing direction, you'll quickly be provided with a map of the heavens to print and take stargazing.
(Hint - take a flashlight with a red cloth tied over its face to use with your map - red light will interfere less with your night vision!)
CLICK HERE for
MyStarsLive
Those clear stargazing nights seem few and far between where I live, which is probably why I appreciate them when I have the opportunity. Stormy weather is the norm in these parts at this time of year - much like the climate you'll find at our next site.
If you've a hankerin' to be the world's next Thor, you can now control your own virtual tempest at The Storm. You'll find a farmland scene (created by a java applet) that's experiencing some nasty weather - and it's yours to manipulate:
CLICK HERE for The Storm
4) Email
Funny - "Frazzle"
Frazzle is a deceptively alluring puzzle game. The concept is simple enough - match the pattern of colored tiles on the right side, by clicking on tiles on the left. Clicking on a colored cell causes the color to change in a certain sequence (shown between the boards) - cells may even disappear.
Puzzles that increase in difficulty through ten levels and lots of pattern changes on each level will keep you challenged for a long time! [437 KB\EXE]
CLICK HERE to download
Frazzle
* * * There's Still
Time * * * * * * * * * * *
For current subscribers to switch to Noises'
HTML Edition and join in the fun!
To Receive the HTML version, click below:
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5) MOUS Tips - "Select
This"
The first step in performing any formatting task in Word is always "Select..." Many problems arise when improper selection techniques are used, such as clicking-and-dragging the mouse. Word (and most programs with a text-editing capability) uses a series of mouse commands that are preferred when selecting blocks of text:
* Double-click a word to select the word.
* Ctrl-click a sentence to select the sentence.
* Triple-click anywhere in a paragraph to select the paragraph.
Now, move your cursor over to the blank area on the left side of the screen - this area is known as the "selection bar". Your cursor should change from an "I-beam" to a diagonal, right-pointing white arrow.
* Single-click to select the line opposite your cursor.
* Double-click to select the paragraph opposite your cursor.
* Triple-click OR Ctrl-click to select the entire document.
To select multiple consecutive paragraphs, position your cursor in the selection bar, opposite the first line of the first paragraph. Click-and-drag straight down the selection bar to the bottom line of desired paragraphs and release.
Practice these selection techniques and you'll find yourself working more efficiently with less formatting errors - guaranteed!
6) They Said
It
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not
the same river and he's not the same man." - Heraclitus
7)
Hodgepodge
Confidential to Cincinnati Teachers: Want a sneak peak? The fall schedule for evening classes is now online: FALL CLASSES
A certain purple dinosaur gets doubly lampooned this week, featured in both the Photo Funny and Bozo/Bizarro - pay a visit to the Basement and get happy:
G'nite, and thanks for
reading!
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