August
2006
www.MrModem.com
Used with permission. Copyright © 2006 Get-the-Net, Inc. All rights reserved.
Q. I’m trying to
create a slide show of photos of our grandchildren on CD, but when I try to burn
the files in a certain sequence, no matter what I do, they seem to wind up
either in alphabetical order by file name or by date. I even tried numbering the
photos 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., but that didn’t work. I’m pulling my hair out on this
one and would really appreciate your help.
A. You’re on the right
track numbering the photos, but instead of using single digits, number them 01,
02, 03, 04, etc. so each number has the same format. If you have more than
100 slides, use 001, 002, 003, etc. Using this method, you can arrange files in
any sequence you wish.
Q. My desktop computer is about four
years old. Lately, it's developed an annoying habit of shutting itself off while
I'm using it. If I immediately press the power button, it won't start up,
but if I wait awhile and then hit the power button, it works. Any suggestions
would be appreciated. Love your weekly newsletter, Mr.
M!
A. From what you describe, my best guess is that your
computer is over-heating and shutting itself down for its own protection. Once
it cools off, it's permitting you to restart it.
Computers use cooling
fans that serve the same purpose as your car’s radiator fan. There is a fan for
your PC’s power supply, usually located on the back of your computer, and a fan
mounted on your system's processor, inside your computer. If either of
those fans stop, you don't want to be running your computer until you can have
it (or them) replaced. Any reputable computer repair facility can handle the
job, which is relatively inexpensive.
Check the position and
location of your computer, as well. Don't locate your computer in an area
without good air circulation, and be sure there isn't a lot of lint, dust, or
pet hair clogging the air intake area or around the exhaust fan in the
back. If there is, don't use compressed air to clean it out because you
can blow the dirt and debris into the computer, and that would not be good.
Instead, use a small computer vacuum available online or at most consumer
electronics stores.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the
Month - August 2006
www.MrModem.com
Airport Wait
Times
Courtesy of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), you can
now look up security checkpoint waiting times at airports throughout the U.S.
Select your state, airport, the day of travel, and your departure time. The site
then displays average and maximum waiting times at that airport during a
four-hour time frame, based on historical data for each airport.
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html
Archived
Databases
Thanks to the good folks at the U.S. National Archives &
Records Administration (NARA), Internet users can access hundreds of data files
containing millions of records. This site is a must-search for the serious
researcher, genealogist, or snoop. Be sure to click the "Getting Started" link
before you -- well, before you get started, because accessing the database can
be a bit confusing at first.
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/index.jsp
Piano
Works Search
A search engine created for piano teachers, students,
professionals, and amateurs with pianist envy. Its database contains more than
5400 works from more than 890 composers. Search options are a bit
different at this site by virtuoso of its content. You can search by
composer, nationality, composition title, duration, key mode, and work type
(piano solo, two pianos, piano and orchestra, etc.) A search for piano solos in
G-flat yielded 41 works from 31 composers. A search for solos in G-whiz
yielded nothing but scorn and derision.
www.pianopedia.com
For personal
answers to your questions by email, plus easy-to-understand computer tips,
subscribe to Mr. Modem’s Weekly newsletter. Don’t miss Mr. M.’s best-selling
CD-ROM featuring more than 1400 of the best Web sites. For more information, to
view an excerpt from the CD, or to order, visit
www.MrModem.com.
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