1. For people with 17" monitors , here is what's recommend.  Ramp up your monitor's resolution to 1024x768 and make sure either 24 or 32 bit true color is selected.  This will improve your Internet experience tenfold.  Not only will you get more information on the page, but the graphics/pictures will be sharper.

To check settings: Right Click anywhere on the desktop and click on "Properties" then "Settings". On the left side of the window you will see the number of colors your system is set for.  If it says True Color (24 bit) or (32 bit) you are set, otherwise click the down arrow and make the change to (24 bit).  On the right side of window is the setting for  your monitors resolution.  If it's at 800x600, change it to 1024x768 by sliding the toggle towards "more" until 1024 x 768 is listed then click OK.  It might take some getting used to, but in no time you will love it.

2. There is a great site that will test your computer's security and components, and guess what?  it's Free. www.pcpitstop.com

3. To keep  your Hard Drive in peak condition make sure to run the defrag utility on a  weekly basis.  Important note: In order for it to work properly, you have to close all running programs and also do the following:  Hit the CTRL, ALT, DEL keys on your keyboard, all at the same time, then a  "Close Box" window  will appear.  Close all open applications that appear except for "Explorer" & " Systray" by highlighting the application name and clicking "End Task". Click OK to confirm end task. Doing this extra step will insure the defrag/maintenance  program will run without interruption.  Make sure your screen saver selection is set to "None" via your "Display Properties" window.  Refer to "To Check settings" above on how to get to display properties. "Screen Saver" will be an option once you have accessed the window.

To find the maintenance/ defrag utility click on the "Start" button then "Programs" then "Accessories" then "System Tools" then "Maintenance Wizard" then check "Perform Maintenance Now"  and then sit back and relax.  This utility will run both scan disk and the defrag program and will also delete any unnecessary temporary Internet  files.  

4. Google is one of the top search engines on the Internet.  Yahoo uses Google  to locate search results that aren't listed in the Yahoo database.  Google has a great utility called the "Google Tool Bar" which when installed will display a search box  on Internet Explorer right below the URL entry bar.  Very Nice for searching!

Get Your Tool Bar Here.....  http://toolbar.google.com/

5. Digital Photography is the hottest thing since sliced toast.  If you haven't got a camera yet, you can research them at www.pcphotoreview.com  and once you get one you can sign up for free storage at such sites as  www.clubphoto.com.  To edit your images, check out either Adobe Photoshop Elements or Jasc Paint Shop Pro.

6. To get faxes sent directly  to your computer's email inbox  via your own personal fax  number go to http://www.efax.com.  

 7.  For all of you AOL users important notice!  AOL is compressing  your graphics and you probably don't know it.  To view pictures and graphics as they  were meant to be perform the following.  Hopefully the below instructions will still work.  I got them from AOL a while ago.

COMPRESSED GRAPHICS
AOL uses compressed graphics to speed the loading of Web pages. Compressed graphics can cause difficulties loading certain images (such as those embedded in a Java applet.) Please set the browser preferences to uncompressed graphics.

TO SET THE BROWSER PREFERENCES TO UNCOMPRESSED GRAPHICS, PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW:

1. Click on MY AOL on the AOL Toolbar.
2. Select PREFERENCES.
3. Click on the WWW icon.
4. Click on the WEB GRAPHICS tab.
5. Clear the check box for USE COMPRESSED GRAPHICS.
6. Click on OK to close the AOL Internet Properties window.
7. Close the Preferences window by clicking on the X in the
    upper right corner.

8. If you have a broadband connection  via DSL or cable then upload a free firewall at www.zonealarm.com and thank me by using my services or by referring someone.

Free Spam Filter for Microsoft Outlook.

http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html

http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html

Web Sites
9. Another problem with AOL's service is you can't use their email program to receive email for a unique domain you may own.  Lets say that you wanted to build a web site and call it www.greatgifts.com.  You wouldn't have a problem building the web site but you would have a problem trying to set up an email account  like info@greatgifts.com through the AOL email program.  If you are a business or planning on developing your own unique domain name, try Earthlink or one of the other services that offer SMTP and POP3 mail support and use Microsoft's email program Outlook Express.

10.  Probably the most important tip is if you are looking to develop a web site is to avoid  the neighborhood kid,  relative or  best friend and call a professional.  Creating a site that  looks good, presents well written content in a logical order, and a site that can be found in the search engines requires a great deal of knowledge and experience .

11. The most important place to get your site listed is in the Yahoo directory at http://docs.yahoo.com/info/suggest/ . The next best place is to submit your site to Inktomi.  The submission is only $39.00 a year  and they will keep re-indexing the site during the period. But before you do, make sure page titles, site description and keywords are done and done correctly.  For further info see
www.inktomi.com/products/search/pagesubmission.html

12. If your business is new or you just want an inexpensive method to start selling products online, check out the Pay Pal Shopping Cart . It may not have the features of an amazon.com,  but you can save hundreds of dollars on set up fees and monthly charges.  

13. Get a free listing for your business at www.superpages.com.  Just go to the bottom of the page and click "add/change listing". 

14.  If your business is in  Orange County, then get your site listed in www.orangecountybusiness.com .

For honest, reliable and affordable service contact SRK Web Design!