FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  393 (09/12/03)

Q

I have just purchased my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix 4300, which came with its own image editing software. I would like to print out on A4 paper thumbnails of the photographs contained in each file or CD. I have been unable to work out how this can be done. Can you help?
I. C. Blaik, via email

A
Look no further than Irfanview, amongst this excellent little image viewer’s many useful facilities is a ‘Contact Sheet’ option that lets you select and print an A4 sheet of thumbnails. Irfanview is freeware and may be downloaded from: http://www.irfanview.com/

Q

Is it possible to show date in addition to time at the command line at the bottom of the screen of my PC?  If so, how do I do it? I use a Dell Pentium 4 with Windows XP Home edition.
Ved Agarwal, via email

A

If you ‘hover’ the mouse pointer over the time display the date will appear. If you want it permanently displayed the only solution, without resorting to third-party software, like Tclock (freeware, from: http://users.iafrica.com/d/da/dalen/tclockex.htm) is to widen the taskbar. When it is approximately twice normal width the day and date will be displayed. To do that place the mouse pointer along the topmost edge of the taskbar, it should change to a double-headed arrow, click the left mouse button and drag it to its new size. If that doesn't work right-click into an empty area of the taskbar and uncheck 'Lock the taskbar' and try again.

Q

I have a problem with Internet Explorer in that it does not want to come off line. I use Windows XP Pro and have no problem with Outlook Express as I have an icon that immediately asks if I wish to turn off the modem when left clicked but there doesn’t seem to be an equivalent option with Internet Explorer. Is there a way to disconnect the modem?

John Marshall, Tetford, Lincs

A

In previous versions of Windows a ‘Connection’ icon was usually enabled by default and appeared in the System Tray (the area next to the clock). Clicking on the icon brings up the option to disconnect from the Internet (or network). For some reason it’s not normally displayed in XP but it’s still there and not difficult to switch on. Open Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, right-click on the entry for your modem, select Properties and then the General tab. Towards the bottom of the box check the item ‘Show icon in notification area when connected’ and click OK. When you want to come off-line simply double-click the Connection icon and select Disconnect. Incidentally, you’ll notice the little icon flashes when data is being downloaded, this is a useful indication that the modem, and your Internet connection are operating properly.

Q

Our local U3A (University of the Third Age) group is getting into the 21st Century by replacing an Epidiascope with a laptop computer plus projector. Many of the members are happy producing PowerPoint presentations, which look superb. However, some Luddites are asking why the laptop, scanner and projector cannot be used like an Epidiascope so that photos etc can be projected straight away without the hassle of producing PP shows"?

I tried to do this using an image-editing program but of course there are several boring steps to be completed, all visible on the screen, and the final image is small and inside the image-editing program display. What we need is a program, which will project only the large scanned image at a press of a button! I have searched the Web but cannot find such a program.

Gilbert Rimes, via email

A

For the benefit of readers who may not have come across an Epidiascope before, it’s a bit like an overhead projector but rather than using transparency films, you just place an object or document face down on the device and the image is projected directly onto the screen. It’s all done with mirrors, not a microchip in sight and very clever...

At the risk of sounding like another Luddite I wonder if you need a PC at all?  You can replicate the functions of an Epidiascope simply by connecting a video camera to the projector’s video input. If you want to do the job properly you could use a camera or photographic ‘Copy Stand’, which provides a firm adjustable support for the camera and extra lighting, on the more elaborate models. For an idea of what’s available have a look at: http://www.testrite.com/CopyStands.htm

http://www.thedarkroom.co.uk/old/copy.html

Q

I want to create backup copies of my emails.  I have found the dbx files but I can't open them properly. Any suggestions?

Neil Sinclair, via email

A

Outlook Express mailbox files are encrypted and can only be opened by Outlook Express or a utility like DBX Viewer (freeware, download from http://www.mitec.cz/). To backup your email messages copy the Outlook Express message folder to a safe location or better still to a CD-R. When you want to restore all or part of your backup, if it’s on CD-R copy the whole folder to a location on the PCs hard disc then open Outlook Express, click Import on the File menu and select Messages. From the list that appears select Outlook Express 5 (don’t worry, OE 6 uses the same file system as OE5) then Next. On the dialogue box that appears select ‘Import mail from an OE Store Directory’, click OK and use the Browse button to locate your store folder, select the items you want to import and click OK