Flash drive, also known as thumb drives, are portable, small sized hard drives used for storing of files or backing up information. They are named for the small size they often come in. Convenient enough to be attached to a keyring, the little portable drives are perfect for backing up data on your computer.

Sizes vary from small 256 MB, 512 MB, to larger capacities of 1 gigabyte or as much as 8 gigabytes. Any data can be stored on the Flash Drive, easily and without fuss. Most computer systems will automatically recognize the flash drive plugged into a USB port, connecting and opening the folder where you can then click and drag the files you wish to back up.

I use my 1 gigabyte flash drive to back up my My Documents folder. Other people will store presentation, programs, or video to keep on the portable drives you can take anywhere with you.

They are also very affordable. 1 gig flash drives are around $15 at the writing of this entry. Eight gigs run around $100, depending on brand.

http://www.zoho.com offers free services including an online word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, chat, wiki, and other services. All are compatible with MS Office as well as Openoffice. You can often save to HTML (web pages) or PDF documents (download forms or ebooks). This entry concerns the Zoho Writer service.

But why use online word processing (or other services)? The main reason is collaboration. Zoho collaborating goes a step further by their web conferences services that allows desktop sharing and chat. Another reason would be a method of backing up documents. Saving to the web can save you endless of heartache should your computer system get a virus or unexpected crash.

You can share your creations easily with email links, whether you wish to have people view or even edit your work. (If editing, the receiver must also be a Zoho member). Recipients get the link in email, click, and now can view a document online. Near the bottom of the document offers a handy comments section.

The Zoho Writer is simple to use and includes the basics of any word processing such as formatting, inserting graphics, printing, and saving your work. Saving and import includes such formats as .doc (MS Word), odt (OpenOffice) HTML (web pages), and basic rtf (rich test format).

Zoho writer also integrates MS Word with a tiny download from the Zoho site. This way you can open and save in the MS Word program.

You can also publish directly to a blog using Zoho.com. This includes premade links for LiveJournal, Blogger, Typepad, and Wordpress, but they also include a link that says "add blog" which allows you to select other online journals.

Hotkeys/Keyboard shortcuts use key combinations that allow you to use the keyboard instead of the mouse. This is particularly helpful when you don't want to keep switching between typing on the keyboard and reaching for the mouse to click every five seconds.

Some basic and most useful shortcuts are;

Ctrl + Esc = Will open the Start Menu on the taskbar. You can then use the directional keys to navigate through your start menu.

Alt + Tab = Switch between open windows on the computer. This works only if you have more than one window/program open at a time.

Ctrl + D = Saves a web site in your bookmarks/favorites in your browser program.

Ctrl + N = Creates a new window or file in the program you are working with. If you use this hotkey surfing the web, you will open another browser window.

Ctrl + A = Select All

Ctrl + C = Copies while Ctrl + X cuts the highlighted text

Ctrl + V = pastes what you cut/copied to the clipboard.

Ctrl + F = Opens the 'find' feature so you can find words within a document, even within web pages.

Ctrl + F4 = Closes an open window or program

Click here for more.

The personal computer offers tons of output in the way of printing projects. All you need is the right printer, and the proper paper (or mediums), and you're set to go. Some fun ideas are:

• Create your own magnets. This is done with the use of magnet sheets. NEVER put magnets near the computer, however, being the hard drive can be damaged by magnets. But keeping the sheets safe away, you can print out a number of stickable magnets for your refridgerator or any other metal surface. I like making magnet frames to keep pictures up, or I print photos directly on the magnet sheet to post my son's homework on the fridge.
• Create stickers. These are great for labels or even rewards for kids. You'll need sticker sheets that you can find at any OfficeMax or Staples, or anywhere they sell office supplies. Use any graphic program to insert pictures and print out sheets of pictures. Simply cut and stick.
• T-shirts. You'll need t-shirt transfer paper, a clean t-shirt, and an iron. Design your t-shirt within an 8x10 sheet. Be sure to reverse the design if you add text. Once pressed onto the shirt, the image is 'backwards'. I also found you'll need a towel or pillow case to place inside the t-shirt to prevent the material from sticking after using the iron. You can then explore adding transfers to aprons, tote bags, or anything else that has a flat, cloth surface.
• Coloring pages. There's a number of web sites you can find to print out coloring pages for kids. See list.
• Candy bar wrappers. These are fun to hand out as gifts, promtional material, or just as a surprise.
• Calendars. There's plenty of websites that offer free calendars you can use to keep track of holidays, birthdays, and reminders. Look for the 'print' feature. (Google, Yahoo, MSN, and AOL all have calendar services for their members) You can also use templates for calendar in a number of programs such as MS Works, MS Word, MS Publisher, and others. Or go to Myfreecalendarmaker.com .
• Music DVD or CD labels. Most disk 'jewel' cases have inserts to the music or movie within. Making your own allows you to be more creative and personalize your collection. You can even print out covers for movie DVD's as well.

http://www.dltk-cards.com/

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/activityCenterHome?lc=en&cc=us

http://www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts/free.printables.candy.wrappers.html

http://www.avery.com/us/software/index.jsp

http://www.momsbreak.com/

A bookmark/favorite is a shortcut your Browser can save in a list so you can easily find and return again. Generally a bookmark/favorite is a link to a web site, but can also include links to files online, files on your computer, or a specific bookmark set within a web page.

Depending on which browser you use will depend on whether its a bookmark or favorite, and how its saved. Some browser programs save to your hard drive, thereby becoming one of the many crucial items that will need to be backed up should you ever face a computer crash. Other browsers, like AOL, saves the favorites to their server.

Nescape

Internet Explorer

AOL

You can also organize your bookmarks/favorites in any order. For instance, I keep a folder on all my writing links which is broken down further into 'tips', 'marketing', and 'genres'.

I highly recommend getting acquainted with your bookmarks and how to organize them. Imagine if something should happen to your PC and you'd have to look up the sites again. Its tedious to say the least.

A web browser is a program used to view HTML pages, otherwise known as web sites. Web pages are more interactive than text files, including media, links, and smaller program embedded in the main form. Most Browsers include buttons to your email program as well, oftentimes doing this by default. (Default means it favors one program over another). You can also view HTML documents offline or online.

AOL Browser is the AOL program itself which includes email, calendar, and messenger all-in-one. The Browser part is when you need to go to a web page that starts with http:// or www.

Internet Explorer comes with the Windows operating system- all of them. In fact you can't even get rid of the program. It includes Outlook Express for email, although you can select any email program to use.

Netscape Communicator is another big name browser that comes in a large suite of programs, including an HTML Editor (in older versions), email, and a messenger program.

Firefox, and Opera are also other browser the PC user would use.

Why so many? How to choose? Many people refuse to use Internet Explorer due to Microsoft owning it, and the security holes its known to have. The program is also bloated, often being the main browser hacked and attacked with computer viruses. You can use any or all of these browsers. I have Internet Explorer and Firefox. If one browser doesn't view a site as I want, then I will use the other.

I get a number of clients who have no idea the processor speed, how much RAM they have (memory) or even how big their hard drive. So here is how you find out;

1. Move your mouse cursor over the MY COMPUTER icon on the desktop.

2. RIGHT click on the MOUSE, using the 'right' mouse button instead of the left.

3. You will see a popup menu. Select PROPERTIES.

4. You will see the basic information about your computer. The version of the Windows operating system, Service packs installed, Brand, make and model of the PC, The type and speed of the processor, and the amount of RAM you have.

To find the size of the hard drive:

1. Double Click the MY COMPUTER icon

2. RIGHT CLICK on the C Drive icon, select PROPERTIES

3. You will see a graph of the hard drive, how much is already filled and what space is free.

 Communicating online can be somewhat confusing to the new PC user, or someone unknown to what the Internet has to offer. This entry is about messenging via the Web. Next week will be more centered on chat rooms.

Messenging online consists of being able to send real-time messages back and forth between you and a friend. This can be done through a number of different messenger program; many of which come with the PC or your Internet Services Provider. Here are some of the more well known ones but there are tons more out there on the Net;

AOL Instant Message is integrated into the AOL program allowing AOL member to chat in realtime with other AOL members. America Online also offers AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) which is a stand alone program that anyone, even non-AOL members, can use. They also now provide an online version (no download necessary) called AIM Express for anyone wishing to connect with AOL users. All you need is a browser.

MSN Messenger is another messenger that works similar to AOL where you chat with MSN members. There is a requirement to download the software that includes collaboration whiteboard, files, pictures, and even web browsing sharing. You can also share your web cam.

Yahoo Messenger also includes online chat rooms, radio, and voice chat with the PC to PC phone calling.

ICQ is yet another chat program you can use.

Many of the messaging programs include

• File transfers
• Graphical Smilies
• Logging of your conversations
• PC to PC phone calls and/or some form of voice chat
• Internet Cam support (not all)
• Chat support (Talk to more than one person)
• Friends lists that you can edit into groups
• Online alerts to tell you when a friend is online
• Game sharing (not all)
• Whiteboard you can share (not all)
• Web browsing sharing (not all)

Don't want to choose between them? Maybe Trillian is what you need. This free program allows you to connect to ALL the forementioned communities at the same time. You give up on some of the features the individual programs have such as IMVironments that Yahoo offers, or the Whiteboard MSN has. It does allow you to communicate with all members of those groups.

Do you love music? Your computer with the right speakers or head phones, can provide an excellant means to listen to your favorite CD! Simply pop it in the CD tray and the computer should automatically start to play. If not, use MS Media Player, or any number of music player programs to listen.

You might find the CD also contains video and interactive buttons to click much like a DVD. I've discovered a number of music CD's I bought had these features.

But that's not all!

You can 'rip' the music to your hard drive, then assemble your own playlist with music you want to hear. Media player has this function as do most music playing programs. Simply open the program and find the rip features in the command line of the program. This copies to the hard drive, and adding itself to the library the program will use to create and edit playlists.

With a high speed Internet connection, you can also watch music videos (see links), or listen to radio. There are millions of web sites that offer this for free at no cost. You can even listen to samples of music before purchase through www.amazon.com, often many CD's offer a free sample tune to download.

These links all include both music and radio. You will need to join in order to make playlists and create settings of preference. You'll be able to listen to radio stations specific to your tastes such as Blues or Country, or even World music or go further and find radio stations in other countries.

http://music.yahoo.com/

http://music.msn.com/

http://music.aol.com/

Your computer also has a 'recorder' program in the operating system. You will need a microphone in order to use this. Go to START>Programs>Accessories>Entertainment>Sound Recorder or go to START>All Programs>Accessories>Entertainment>Sound Recorder. Its fun to make the voice to slow or fast.

I often create playlists or listen to online radio while working on my PC. Enjoy!

Welcome to the blog about Virtual exploration online. Here; you will find a number of links and essays about web sites, programs, and technology of the Personal Computer. My intention is to share what I learn along the way.

Most people tell me they use the computer only for email or word processing. I generally tell them; "Its only because you don't know what the computer can do for you!"

Here are just a few things the typical computer can do:

• Play music CD's. Some of the newer models play and even record DVD movies
• Play online radio (too many radio stations to count)
• Edit pictures (Paint under accessories)
• Hear you speak and type the words for you (Windows XP)
• Chat with people all over the world, often letting you hear or see them through microphone/web cams. (Microphone, speakers, and web cam needed)

With a few programs you can...

• Create and edit movies
• Learn a language that will actually listen and run a conversation with you.
• Play any number of games, even with people all over the world. (http://games.yahoo.com/games/front, Everquest, Neverwinter..there's tons more out there too)

With the Internet you can also....

• Make phone calls through the phone line, or even through the Internet (headset needed)
• Watch TV, movies, shorts, all sorts of video and animations (high speed is preferable)
• Look up maps and get printed directions to and from, as well as learn what sites you can see along the way, what motels are close by that fit your needs, as well as gas stations, resturants and more. (http://maps.google.com)
• Have weather alerts sent to your email, as well as track the weather yourself by watching current radar maps.
• Look up tv listings, movie showtimes, and get up to date information on everything.
• Look up recipes to print out. Millions to choose from databases that are easily searchable! (www.allrecipes.com www.bhg.com, www.kraftkitchens.com)
• Use search engines to find just about anything about everything www.google.com, www.wikipedia.org, www.yahoo.com
• And sooooo much more.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg to what you can do with the computer, and this blog will share with you how to do it. So come along for the ride.

Be sure to visit www.learnthepc.net for computer education, training, and services.