1. Clear your Cache before you access the revised site.
2. If a picture appears to be missing, right click on the missing icon symbol and select Show Picture.
3. Close and reopen your browser. Sign off your ISP and/or close your ISP software.
4. If problems still occur, re-boot then re-access your web-site.
5. If still having problems, then re-upload the missing files.
6. Finally, complain to the web-site provider; they may be having FTP problems.

147. SHOW YOUR FILE: If you have a full-blown HTML-Mail program such as Netscape Communicator's Messenger or Outlook Express and your recipient can handle HTML mail, then send an HTML file on your system as a page instead of an attachment.

1. In Netscape's mail program, open the HTML file in Composer, copy it and then paste it into a new message. [The Send function from Navigator will only place a link to your internal file in the mail message; copying the file from Navigator will paste as text into your message without any graphics.]
2. In Outlook Express, open the HTML file with Internet Explorer, copy it and then select Mail from the GO Menu. Paste it into a new message. [The Send function on the File Menu will only place an attachment of the html file with no graphics in your message.]
3. If a picture is missing from the outgoing message, backspace over the missing picture icon, then insert the picture manually.

148. AOL "ART" FILES: If you use AOL3.0/4.0 for Windows95, then copying files from the Cache may produce "art" files in place of the expected "gif" or "jpg" files. When you try to read a copied-from-cache htm[l] file, some graphics may be missing. The graphic files with the "art" extension can be read in your browser individually, but it is necessary to rename them with a "gif" or "jpg" extension in order for them to appear in the htm[l] file.
However, even though renamed, the graphic files cannot be opened with a graphic program. To make these graphic files work in your graphic program[s], there are two methods:

1. When you open "art" files individually in your browser, right click on the picture. Save it is a "bmp" file. Then you may convert the "bmp" file to the graphic format of your choice.
2. If you have already re-named an "art" file to a "gif" or "jpg" extension in order to make it appear on a copied-from-cache htm[l] file, then right click on the graphic when you open the htm[l] file. Save it as a "bmp" file.

To avoid "art" file problems completely, don't browse the web with your AOL software. After signing on, open your browser as a "stand-alone". Then your copied-from-cache graphic files will maintain their native extensions.

149. ARTWORK OF YOUR OWN: You don't have to be a graphic artist to construct unique pictures. Many of us just stick a few pictures from our clip-art collections on a document rather than try to create our own "art". As discussed in Tip #131, graphic files can be manipulated, resized, flipped, shrunk, etc. in order for the graphic to fit on one page for printing. The same approach can be useful when creating a "compound" graphic - a new graphic that is a conglomeration of one or more clip-art files. If an existing graphic has a border that is unsuitable in the new compound graphic, shrink the width and height in both the normal view and upside-down view to shave the border off; usually just a one or two pixel reduction will work. Dissimilar background colors among pictures created with different colour palettes can be eliminated by a copy/paste operation into new files that use the same colour palettes; then backgrounds can be painted the same colour. With a little practice, you can make your own art-work that is customized to the content of your document and does not have that obvious "clip-art" look.

To complete the storage of your e-mail, create a new "zip" file on your floppy disk with the name "Dec97-email.zip". Periodically, drag your saved e-mail files into the zip file and delete the uncompressed files. Also file attachments which came with the e-mail can be stored on the same floppy in zip format.

72. CLIPBOARD TIMES MORE: Window's clipboard is a handy utility but limited - have you ever overwritten its contents with something you copied subsequently and then had to go back to re-copy the original contents?
Sometimes there are several different items you might want to save when creating a document or browsing the web and must work back and forth because the clipboard only holds one item at a time. Now there are several freeware/shareware multi-clipboard programs which can hold many items at the same time.

73. INSTALL TARGET: If your system is configured to run both Internet Explorer 3.x and 4.x [as outlined in items #39 and #40], when you install new software to the hard-drive, selecting the proper location can save disk space and preclude a dual-install. Since the IE3.x and IE4.x maintain separate "Program Files" and "Windows" folders, do not install the new software to these locations unless they are specifically for a certain version of Internet Explorer. Some software will install or update some files [usually "dll" files or "ini"] in your Windows folder. If you want to have the newly installed software work in both the IE3.x and IE4.x modes, you may have to install the program twice or at least copy the "ini" file from one Windows folder to the other. To update the dll files in the Windows/System folder, delete the installed files [but not the folder] for the new software. Then re-install the software in the same folder. Some program authors will indicate if the Windows/System folder is modified when the program is installed; you can also monitor the installation to see whether any files are landing in the Windows/System folder.

74. DOWNLOAD SPEED: So you have a fast modem and your system is tweaked for speed. Then when you download software off the net, the bytes seem to be dribbling in. Take a look at the File Download box and check the Transfer Rate of the incoming bytes; if the speed is down to a few hundred bytes per second, cancel the download. Look for another download site or get into the FTP location as outlined in Item #37. You can probably get a dramatic increase in speed.

With the REPLACE function [usually from EDIT on the MENU BAR] change the front end of the URL by replacing the term:

and select REPLACE ALL. Now to change the back end of the URL, replace the term:

and select REPLACE ALL. Often URL's don't end with the standard .htm or .html extension; there are various configurations. To fix these non-standard endings, find the first link in the file and enter:

at the end of the URL. Now, COPY what you just entered and PASTE it at the end of each non-standard URL. Save your work and open the file in your browser. The links are now alive.

68. FIX YOUR PRINT: Does your printing sometimes go awry? Maybe you tried to print some numbers on a spreadsheet and ended up with a series of ###### where the numbers were supposed to be even though the spreadsheet itself showed no sign of character overflow as denoted by ######. To fix this problem you can reduce font size, increase column width, and change the number format to eliminate dollar signs, commas and number of decimals. Now open the "Print Preview" selection and zoom-in to see if the ###### symbols have been eliminated.

1. A. More Print Space: When you print documents especially multi-column spreadsheets, you may need as much width as you can get. Decrease the print margins to the minimum using "Page Set-up". Keep your column width and font to the smallest useable sizes. Set the print style to Landscape rather than Portrait. Eliminate printing the grid-lines and disable Print as Draft, if applicable.

2. B. Bigger Paper: Buy a supply of legal size paper if your Printer supports it. Most Copier stores will sell you a small supply if you don't need an entire ream. With all these adjustments, a 14 columm spreadsheet with a Description column and 13 columns for monthly and yearly totals is feasible - ideal for an Income Statement.

69. FORCE A FONT: If you like to use a special font such as a "float" or other non-standard font on your web-site or other graphic-enabled document that you transmit to others, your recipients may not see that font. For instance, if they have specified user defined fonts or have turned off dynamic fonts when viewing web-sites, your special font may be translated to a less unique configuration. Suppose you want to start your page with a large-sized heading in your special font. To accomplish this open your favourite graphics program, even "MSPAINT" will do. Select the Font tool and your target font with the desired attributes. Create your heading and save the file; if necessary convert the file type to a "gif" from a "bmp". If you want to enhance your header for a more striking presentation, make several colour variations of your file. Then string them together in an "animated gif".

70. SIGN IT: When you compose and print a letter, before mailing do you always remember to sign it? If you have a scanner, sign your name on a blank sheet of paper or on a piece of paper where you have typed your name and address. Now scan the sheet of paper and save the output as a "bmp" file.
You can alternatively add your address after scanning with a "paint" program.

61. GOLDEN OLDIES: If you suddenly are not able to get on the web even after re-installing your internet/browser software, drag out an older version of your software and give it a try. For instance if you are a Win95 user with a 32Bit browser and you cannot connect to the internet, drag out the 16bit software and try again. The good news: it is likely you can connect with the oldie. The bad news: a re-install of Win95 may be necessary to return to 32bit browsing.

62. GET AN ARM: Unless you have a really skinny laptop, you can add a swinging arm to hold printed materials. Get a two-part, adjustable arm where you can remove the arm and leave the bracket attached to the side of your laptop case.

63. TAPE IT UP: When you receive those free floppies in the mail, do you erase them for your own use after you disable the write protect function by moving the tab over the opening? Join the club. Well some companies that send out these floppies have tried to foil your efforts by removing the tab. An old VCR trick works on floppies too. Just put a small piece of vinyl tape over the opening and delete the contents. The floppy is now yours.

64. FIX A FORM: If you have a scanner, you can fill in forms such as registrations even without form-filling software. Bring your scanned form up in a graphics program [Windows Paint will do] and fill in the blanks. But there is a downside; it's difficult to stay well positioned between the fill-in lines on the form. Try this: before filling in the form, delete the fill-in lines with Paint's eraser "tool" and add "underline" to the font you are using. If it is a two-sided form, after filling both sides in Paint send them to a "paused" printer. Before printing, pause the second document in the que so you can print on both sides of the same piece of paper. If the fill-in form is of the "fold, seal and mail" type, just put your printed filled-in form inside the original, seal and mail.

1. FAST RETURN: When you receive a letter which requires minimal response, scan it and write your answer on the bottom of the page. If you have a colour printer, use a bright colour and a bold font.

2. THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL: When you buy merchandise that merits a rebate, scan the rebate form and the receipt. Depending on whether the vendor requires originals or accepts copies, mail your forms accordingly.
   Also if you use financial software such as Quicken, record your expected rebate as a Receivable [asset]; this serves as a method of following-up on an expected rebate check; even if you don't have a scanner, record expected rebates. And, if your financial software has that nagging "reminder" feature, set up a "bogus" future transaction that will remind you 6 to 8 weeks hence of the expected rebate.

65. SCAN FOR SAM: Uncle Sam [IRS Division] wants proof for all those figures on your 1040 plus his share of the take.

1. GAMBLING WINNINGS: Did you win a jackpot of $1,200 or more at a casino? When you are paid off the casino fills out a W-2G much like the regular W-2 your employer sends to the government to report your wages.
   The IRS taxes gambling winnings as regular income. Although you can't claim gambling losses as a deduction, you can offset your winnings up to the amount of your losses. So maybe you lost twice as much or more during the tax year in pursuit of that jackpot. The IRS wants you to submit proof of your bad luck; so save and scan those cash withdrawal slips especially the ones from the ATM machine in the casino. Print your scanned slips and attach them to your return.

2. WHAT DID IT COST? When you sell securities, your Capital Gains are taxable; your Capital Losses can be used as offsets and [with limits] are deductible. Scan the details of each purchase and sale you receive from your broker. You may need those details to prove the cost of a security you purchased several years ago. Somewhat similar rules apply to the sale of Real Property; scan the documents which back-up the original cost and additions to the property.

<BR>1998 ELECTRICITY<BR>JAN $<BR>FEB $<BR>MAR $<BR>APR$<BR>MAY $<BR>JUN $<BR>JUL $<BR>AUG $<BR>SEP $<BR>OCT $<BR>NOV $<BR>DEC $<BR>

A- After saving the text file, rename it with an HTM extension and open it in your browser. It will look like this:

B- When the Jan 98 electric bill is sent, open the htm file as a text file and fill in the "form" by entering the amount next to the dollar sign. When the file is re-opened in your browser it will look like this:

C- If you also scan in your electric bills, you can tie the image to you file with a link. From the example in item #54, add a link like this:

D- You can use this htm-template approach for many categories of text documents and add links to other text and scanned documents within your file structure.

58. SCANDISK FILES: Have you ever run Scandisk and ended up with some CHK files that Scandisk created when it found errors? First add the CHK extension to registered file types, then associate it with a word processing program.
Often when you open these CHK files, they may be nothing but blanks. However they may hold some lost files that you want; check over the file to find clues from where it came. Sometimes these files are from DOS programs that were run in a DOS window that did not shut down properly. If you can't determine exactly what the proper file name and extension should be, compare the file's size to a directory list as outlined in Item #35.

52. CAN YOU SCAN?: If you have scanning capabilities, there are many uses you can put it to such as receipts for large items especially computer hardware/software with the date of purchase and serial number. Often receipts fade in time, are partially unreadable or are missing salient information. After you scan, open the item in a graphics program and add the missing or unreadable information. It's much easier to find a scanned item on a disk than looking through a pile of papers for an elusive receipt. The scanner is also ideal for saving tax information especially those W-2's and 1099's that have to be dealt with by April 15th. If you are making or collecting monthly payments based on an amortization schedule, scan that schedule into your computer. Save it as a graphic or a word processing document if you have an OCR program. Each month, mark off each payment with the date and check number.

53. ORGANIZE THE SCAN: If you have a lot of scanned documents, make a folder named "Scanned Docs" and organize them into sub-folders by type such as Taxes, Insurance, Computer, Monthly Payments, Utilities, Correspondence, Appliances, etc. Don't forget to convert those large byte scanned documents to smaller "gif" files and toss the originals. If you use a portable drive, put the Scanned Docs folder onto a separate disk along with your scanning software, OCR program, form-filling applications, and any other software which involves scanning. Now make a new folder on the portable disk named "Scanning" and put all you scanning-related folders in it. For your "Scanned Docs" folder [or for the individual sub-folders if they are extensive], Scanning software, OCR program, form-filling applications, etc. make shortcuts and paste them into the "Scanning" folder. Make a shortcut to the "Scanning" folder and paste it on your desktop and/or into your Windows/Start Menu folder. Now when you have scanning to do or want to retrieve a scanned document, all the relevant tools are available from your master shortcut.

54. SUPER ORGANIZED SCAN: Now that you have all your scanned documents all sorted and converted to gifs, wouldn't it be great to see each group all at once rather than having to open each picture individually? No problem. Just write a little HTML file to which the gifs will attach. For example, if you happen to scan your monthly electric bill, write an HTML file and embed each months bill. You can write a template HTML which will hold a whole year's bills as follows:

48. WINDOW WIGGLES: There are many keyboard shortcuts, but few of us learn them all.
One handy keyboard shortcut that can keep you from reaching for your mouse when you want to maximize /minimize /restore /close a WINDOW is to use the following commands:

ALT+SpaceBar-X = Maximize a Window
ALT+SpaceBar-N = Minimize a Window
ALT+SpaceBar-R = Restore a Window
ALT+SpaceBar-C = Close a Window

NOTE: Most of the following Laptop Tips are for Windows 95, but many will work with DOS and/or Windows 3.x systems too.

14. FREEZE UP: Are you sometimes plagued with a computer freeze-up? Even a cold shut-down and boot-up won't solve the problem. Here's an undocumented solution that often works. Shut down your computer, unplug the AC current if you are connected, and remove the battery. Then reverse the process - put the battery back in, reconnect to AC and restart your computer.

15. PAUSE THE PRINTER: If you move around with your computer a lot, chances are you are not connected to your printer very often. Always keep your Printer on Pause until you get connected. And if you are going to print pages as well as envelopes, put the latter on "Documents-Pause" so you can make the necessary printer adjustments before you print envelopes.

16. RE-PRINT: If you are going to print documents from files which are on a portable disk [but not an internal drive] and you don't want to drag your portable drive along when you go to your printer, then send the files to "Holding" before you give the Print command. Print from the files in the "Holding" folder; too often you may not get the expected results when you print the first time and if the source document is on a portable disk you will have to reconnect to the portable drive. By printing from files on the hard-drive you can easily re-access them if necessary. Remember to delete the hard-drive file copies after printing and to re-pause the Printer.