Pics and Images Are Painless

Resize Images Without Complicated Software

2009-11-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

So you take a picture that you intend to email or upload, but you forget to change the resolution to a lower setting beforehand and the photo is 5 mb (way too big). Ugh. Now the wrestling match with a photo software program ensues. Ugh again.

What you need is an Image Resizer. Here are two FREE downloads that both install easily. Resizing images will soon become as easy as a "Right-Click" on the image (or multiple images at once) in your "My Pictures" file.

For Microsoft XP, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
Scroll to find the ImageResizer.exe on the right hand column.
It is safe to download. Click it and choose RUN.
(No need to SAVE unless you're using FireFox.)

For Window's Vista, go to:
http://www.vso-software.fr/products/image_resizer/
(This link takes you to a pay-for page. This software is completely free for personal use if you scroll to the bottom and hit the orange download button. (Companies bury the Free downloads at the bottom of their pages.)

If any of these links don't click for you, copy and paste them into your browser.

Change a Desktop Icon's picture

2009-11-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to change an Icon's picture? Yes. I get bored with those little yellow files on my desktop.
Here's how...

1. Right click the icon to be changed, choose Properties.
2. On the Shortcut tab choose the button "Change Icon..."
3. Choose a new picture in the window or click the "Browse" button and find the Icon picture you made in MS Paint (below)...

Can I use one of my own .jpg's for an Icon? Yep...

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click "Paint"
2. Click File, Open, and choose the picture you want to use.
3. Click File, Save as, and under "Type" choose 24-bit Bitmap.
4. Save
5. Go to "My Pictures" (XP) or "Pictures" (Vista), and find the picture you just saved.
6. Right click and "Rename" the file extension from ".bmp" to ".ico"
7. Now change the icon on your desktop to this new .ico image using the instructions at the top of this post.

How to "Recuva" Deleted Pictures

2009-11-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

My friend Anthony called me immediately after he had accidently deleted 1300 pictures. And he was thorough... he also emptied his recycle bin. Well, I didn't have an answer for him, but he found a great one and shared it with me. I'm passing it onto you:
www.recuva.com

It's Free, easy, and he was able to retrieve all 1300 pics within a few minutes.

Don't Delete your Pictures!

How to Print Screen or Screen Capture

2009-11-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

I remember way-back-when how easy it was to print a screen. We just hit the "Prt Scr" button on the keyboard above the Home and End keys, and immediately the printer would engage and shoot out a piece of paper with our screen on it.

Then Microsoft Windows 98 came out and it all changed. Unfortunately, many of us never learned the new (hidden) step.

If you need to print a certain window or dialog box (usually to show the IT tech support guy so he'll believe you really had an error message), here's how:

1. Have the dialog box on the screen
2. Hit the "Prt Scr" button above the Home and End keys
3. Nothing happens. But actually, the copy is sitting on your clipboard waiting to be pasted.
4. Now open Word, Wordpad, or even an email screen
5. Paste (Ctrl V or Edit, Paste)

Short and sweet, and VERY handy.

BUT - The PrtScr button took a snapshot of your entire window corner-to-corner. What if you just want a picture of the "active" window, like the error message which only measures 2x6 inches?

In that case, press ALT + PrtScr, open a document, paste, print. Done!

Privacy Policy

2009-11-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

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