Mirboo

GreenPC is one of the major contributions Infoxchange Australia makes to breaking down the ‘digital divide’, the electronic gulf that separates the information rich from the information poor.

GreenPC refurbishes used computers received from government and business organisations and makes them available to those who might not usually be able to afford a new computer system.

They employ a workshop of trained technicians who completely rebuild and test each computer system. All GreenPC computers come with a twelve months parts and service warranty.

Please note that GreenPC is not a charity and they do not provide free computers. Rather, they do their best to make them as affordable as possible. GreenPC is a not-for-profit organisation and relies on any monies they receive through sales to pay their staff and maintain their operation.

To be eligible to purchase a GreenPC, customers must be holders of a current Health Care Card, Aged Pension Card, Disability Card or some other form of documentation relating to low income or disadvantage.

GreenPC also offers computer systems and information technology services at affordable rates to registered charities and community groups.

A first at Mirboo where a pensioner wanted to enter “Cyberspace”. He obtained a high powered PC for a reasonably low price from GreenPC. He is getting connected to the Internet through an affordable Satellite link that will enable him to not only look for interesting information but also allows him to keep in contact with his widespread family.

Further information can be obtained by clicking the GreenPC LOGO at the top right of this page.

If any help is required in assessing what type of PC is suitable that can be obtained from GreenPC or you need an existing PC’s capability assessed, also what is involved getting connected to the Internet please contact me at mirboo@mirboo.net for free advice.

Don’t let age bar you from the Internet age.

Wilf Gerrard-Staton.

The Windows XP Taskbar is usually situated at the bottom of the display. Did you know that there are several things you can do to it to make it more friendly and useful?

For example you can make it disappear and reappear at will thus making your whole screen display available for just viewing. You can also put your most used programs as icons and invoke them with a single click. You can also move it around and make it bigger so if you are a person who has lots of windows open can show them all in buttons in the taskbar.

If you are interested in customizing your windows xp taskbar, then read on.

Your windows xp taskbar consists of 3 parts. On the left you can see the “quick Start” icons. On the right you can see icons of all the programs that are started during startup. The middle contains all the buttons of the programs you have running.

First find the start button and left click with your mouse, select “settings” then “Taskbar and Start Menu” You will get a window like this:

As you can see there are several boxes you can select. Before you can on the actual Taskbar you need to unlock it. The Auto hide selection makes the taskbar disappear if you mouse pointer is not at the bottom of the screen. If you do not want to use the quick launch buttons you can deselect it this makes extra space for the program buttons. If you select the “Hide inactive icons” This hides any startup programs that are not presently in use.

Select everything you need but leave the “lock the taskbar” deselected. Click on “apply” then “OK”.

Now let us have a bit of fun with the windows xp taskbar.

If you place your mouse pointer in an empty space in the taskbar and press the left button on your mouse holding it down, you will find that when you move the mouse to the right, left or top the taskbar will move to those locations. Take you finger of the left mouse button and it will stay there. Move the taskbar to the location you like best.

If you would like your most used programs as “quick launch” icons in your taskbar all you have to do is to left click on the icon on your main desktop. While holding the button down drag the icon down into the “quick start” area of your taskbar then release the button. You will get a miniature of the icon in the taskbar. You can then delete the program icon on your main desktop if you wish. This enables you to reduce the “clutter” on you desktop.

You can make the windows xp taskbar deeper if you wish. Just move your mouse down to the taskbar, move it to the top edge until you see an up and down arrow. When you see this press your left mouse button and while holding it down move the mouse up until you get the depth you require then release the button.

One other thing you can do is increase the width of the “quick start” area. You may want to do this if the number of icons cannot fit the area. You will see a vertical bar to the right of the quick start area. Move your mouse to this until you see a left and right arrow. Press your left mouse button and while holding it down move the mouse to the right until all your icons can be seen.

The last think you should do to your windows xp taskbar is to lock it. This will prevent any accidental changes being made. All you have to do is “Right” click in an empty area in the task back. A window will appear where you will see a menu item “lock the taskbar” just click on this and then your taskbar is locked and no changes can be made. If you need to make changes just do the same and deselect the “lock the taskbar” and you will then be able to modify your windows xp taskbar again.