Regional Library Computer Center

New Features of Internet Explorer

1. Tabbed Browsing
2. RSS Feed
3. Streamlined Interface
4. Quick Tabs
5. Page Zoom
6. Favorites Center
7. Instant Search Box
8. Advanced Printing Options
9. Tab Groups

I will highlight the top two. For more information on Internet Explorer 7 and how to download the latest version to your desktop, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

Tabbed browsing is not a new concept in web browsers. Before Internet Explorer 7, there have been other browsers that had tabbed browsing. Tabbed browsing allows you to view multiple sites within one browser window. This makes it easy for the user to switch back and forth between tabs.

RSS feeds is another new feature of Internet Explorer 7. Internet Explorer 7 automatically detects RSS feeds on sites and makes it easier for the user to subscribe to that particular RSS feed by making an icon visible. A single click on the icon allows you to preview and subscribe to the RSS feed and it will alert you whenever new feed is available for viewing. You may read the feeds directly from the browser or you may want to just scan for important stories.

Have you ever wondered whether there was a storage system that you could use regardless of where you were? I am not speaking of the USB Flash Drives or floppy disks but of something that has the ability to transfer and store huge amounts of files without having to have an additional device. The downside to this is that you must be connected to the Internet. I have been using an online file management program for quite awhile now and I find it quite useful in keeping up with important files. This is not to say that I don’t have a backup on my USB, because I do. The online storage program simply makes it easier to access important files wherever you are. Not only can you access and store important files but you can also transfer files to another individual.

I have been using http://www.box.net as my online storage program. It is very useful as I mentioned above as you can access, store or transfer any file that you desire. They have three different user levels. They are:

• Individual 
• Business
• Enterprise

There are also several different plans. You can get a free 1 gigabyte of storage or you may opt to pay a monthly fee for more storage depending on your needs.

Adding Screenshots to documents and presentations is really easy. Just follow these simple steps to add a screenshot image similar to this one:

• To capture the screen image, simply press the Print Screen button on your keyboard. It is usually located in the upper right corner and sometimes labeled “Prt Scrn.”
• Open the document or presentation you want to place the image into.
• Click “paste” on the standard toolbar.
• Treat the screen shot just like any other image.
• You can also paste the image in Microsoft Paint or another image editing software and make changes to it.

The Birmingham Public Library and the Regional Library Computer Center will be open this weekend. We will, however, be closed on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe and fun-filled weekend!

In the upcoming week the RLCC does have three classes which are scheduled, despite the holiday. So, if you are in town, we invite you to come and attend one of these sessions. We do require pre-registration but will not turn anyone away if they are not registered. Here are the classes being offered this week:

• Saturday, May 26th–Basic PC–9:30-12:30
• Tuesday, May 29th–PowerPoint–9:30-11
• Tuesday, May 29th–Publisher–11:30-1

Let me see…d-i-c-t..i?…

Well, if you are like me, you can always use a good dictionary around. For most people nowdays, it is almost foreign to see someone with an actual dictionary on one’s desk. Nowadays, as I like to refer to it, we have dictionaries “online”. Yes, that is right! You can check your spelling without having to get up and grab a dictionary. And yes, even your old favorite Merriam-Webster is online as well. Here are a few good sites to visit to check your spelling.

Dictionary.com    http://www.dictionary.com

Merriam-Webster  http://www.m-w.com

YourDictionary.com   http://www.yourdictionary.com

 Don’t worry! The online version of your favorite dictionary is just as trusty as your hardback or paperback copy.

The RLCC has scanning capabilities available to the general public. If you need assistance with scanning a document or image you may ask any staff member in the RLCC. You will need to have a floppy disk to save your information once you have completed your task. If you don’t have a floppy disk, the RLCC does sell floppy disks for $1 each. Also, we charge a $1 per scan. The scanning capabilities include the ability to scan a document directly onto a software program file such as Microsoft Word. Also, when you scan you can choose to have the image or document scanned directly onto the location in which you want it saved. So if you are wanting it to be saved to your floppy disk, you would simply choose the floppy disk from the drop down menu of items. You also need to select what format you want the item to be saved as. If it is a text file you can save it as a simple text file, html file or even a PDF file. For images, you may save it as a JPEG, GIF, or BMP.  If you have multiple pages to scan and you want them in the same document, then we can assist you with that as well.

If you visit the RLCC and don’t have a library card, the staff of the RLCC can issue a “PC Use Only” card to be used solely for that purpose. This card is identical to a library card but has the limitation of being a PC Use card only. The card is free to obtain and it is good at any library that you visit in Jefferson County. In order to receive a PC Use Only card as well as a library card you must have some form of ID on you. The ID must have your current address on it. If it doesn’t you will need to provide some other form of ID that has your correct address on it. Here are some examples of what can be used for ID:

• Driver’s License (any state or country)
• Non-Drivers ID
• School ID
• Military ID
• Employee ID
• Union Card
• Current Utility Bill
• Current mail that has come through the U.S. Postal Service
• Bank Statement
• Check-Checkbook-Deposit Slip
• Credit Card Statement
• Government Check
• Pay Stub
• Rental or Lease Agreement
• Tax Bill or Receipt
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• Passport
• Hunting or Fishing License
• Gun Permit
• Pilot’s License
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Naturalization Document or Immigration Registration
• Temporary Work Permit or Travel Visa
• A certified copy of court records showing adoption or name change.
• Medicaid Card, Medicare Card, or an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (formerly referred to as a “food stamp card”)
• Health Insurance Card

With any form of ID mentioned above the RLCC will be able to issue you a PC Limited Use Card. If you need to check books or other material out, you will need see someone at the circulation desk.

How do you turn a scantly filled two-page resume into a abundant one-page resume?

Trick question!? No, it is just a question that requires some thoughtful consideration and some handy computer skills that you will be able to use for a lifetime.

Well, today I am going to use a real life example that I encountered today. This person had a resume that she was trying to submit online to a job bank. The person who she was working with before she came here told her that she needed to redo her resume because there was a huge gap between sections on her resume. Needless to say this lady didn’t want to do this and I don’t blame her. First of all, there is no need to redo a resume because there is a gap within the resume. You simply make changes to the document so that there isn’t a gap anymore. So here are some tips and tricks you can use to make a two page resume into a one page resume.

1. Check the size of your font. The standard size font for most business papers is a size 12. If it is larger than a size 12 then shrink it to a size 12. You will find that this will help in the majority of cases. Sometimes, though, the changing of the font size does not make any difference. On to tip 2 then…
2. Change your font style. Sometimes even though your font size is on size 12, different fonts will appear smaller even though they are the same size. Take in mind, though, that you don’t want something totally outlandish for a resume. Keep in tame but look for a font that could possibly make the entire body of the resume smaller.
3. You could also try condensing your resume body by eliminating anything that could possibly be left unsaid. Today, I was not successful in doing that but for some people you might find something that could be eliminated.
4. Change your margins, if they can be changed.
5. With this last tip make sure that your formatting symbols are showing. For formatting symbol, resize each one until you get all your information on that one page.

By using a combination of all the above mentioned methods we were successful in making a  two page resume into one page. Now I would not try this with a resume that clearly had enough information to fill two pages. This particular persons resume was just a “tiny, tiny” bit over the one page. In this particular case we were able to help her and send her away very happy.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips.

…to register for computer classes. Although pre-registration is required we will not turn anyone away at the door if you haven’t pre-registered. If the class is already full when you call to pre-register we will tell you to come on the day of the class as a “walk-in”. This simply means that if other class participants don’t show up that morning you, as a walk-in, can simply take their place. We have never had to turn anyone away because of lack of space!

The next classes will be offered on Saturday, May 19th.  We have two classes that day. The first one is Microsoft Excel.  As it stands at the moment, that class is full but you are welcome to come as a walk-in.  The second class is Creating Your Resume/Job Hunting on the Web. This class is not full so feel free to call 205-226-3798 or 205-226-3799 to register. We look forward to seeing you in the near future.