Fun Stuff

Who says that your computer's wallpaper and icons should be dull and boring. All of Windows operating systems have had theme and customized icons.

Windows Vista comes with some basic theme and fantastic wallpaper photos. You can go online and find some really great graphics.

My favorite for icons and theme packages is Star Docks. There came out with the first task bar that resembles the Apples operating system task bar. Object Dock works great on Windows Vista. I am very impressed. I have download it and use it on my work computer.

Balloon Pop Ups - Disable

Today's tip comes through JesusGeek.ifo and then The How To Geek. Yes this is a very geeky tip. If you are not comfortable when it comes to disable the pop balloon, then get your local computer geek to help you.

When balloon pop ups first were used in Windows XP everyone was looking to disable the annoying pop up. The pop up balloon is there as reminders that some portion of the computer maintenance needs your attention.

However, if you find the popup notifications annoying, you might be interested to know that you can completely disable them. You can even do this across the board with any balloon pop up.

Starting from the start Orb in Windows Vista you will need to left click in the Search box. Then type in regedit.exe. This will open the registry editing window. Then all you have to do is go down to the following location.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Right-click on the right-hand pane, and create a new 32-bit DWORD with the following values:

• Name: EnableBalloonTips
• Value: 0

You'll have to logoff and back on in order to see the change… or to be more correct, you won't see any popup balloons anymore.

Icons Are More Than Icons

Yes, Vista does require a lot of processor power. It does use a good deal of Memory. Over and above the security features, Windows Vista give you some nice key graphics.

By default Vista will give your PDF's a preview thumbnail view. Folders let you see if documents or other folders are inside that folder.

I know to some people this is an unnecessary feature. If you feel that way you can turn it off. However, I am in need of all the help I can get when it comes to keeping track of what I got in different folders.

Desktop Wallpaper

Windows Vista raised the bar when it comes to desktop wallpaper. One really needs a good graphics card on their computer along with a nice monitor to see some of these beautiful pictures.

You can view them from the Start Orb then Pictures. Then go to Sample Pictures. There you can view them a thumbnails or in Photo Gallery.

Now, on the Microsoft website there is more stunning pictures you can use as wallpaper. These are winners of a PhotoVista competition in Singapore. After looking at these photos, I never thought that Singapore was so beautiful. Go out there and check them out for yourself.

All you need to do to set one of these pictures as a background is right click on it, go down to Set As Desktop Background and then left click. You will then be given options to stretch, center, or tile the image. I usually choose to stretch.

Windows Flip

In all of the newer Windows operating systems you were able to switch between programs that were open by holding down the Alt key and pressing the Tab key. This is know as Alt - Tab by many computer users.

Microsoft has taken this one step further. Now you can not only switch between program, but the the Desktop, with Windows Flip. Alt - Tab will allows to do this in Window Vista. If you want a little fancier look at the programs you have open, hold down the Windows key and press the Tab key. This is called Windows Flip. The handy improvement over switching programs along with adding the Desktop was done through computer users who frequently work with multiple programs open at the same time.

In the screen shot below you can see how many programs I have open, in my morning work session.

Desktop Sidebar - Changing Gadgets

Sidebar is usually turned on by default. You may want to change or edit the clock, calender, and slide show that is set in the sidebar of your new to Vista computer. This is done by:

• Left clicking on the Start Orb
• Go to All Programs
• Then Accessories
• Finally to Windows Sidebar

This will open Windows Sidebar on the right side of your monitor. If you want to add new gadget, just left click on the little plus sign at the top of the Sidebar. This will bring up a selection of gadgets that come with Windows Vista. At the bottom of this Window is a link that will take you to a web location where you can choose from more gadgets.

If you want to remove a gadget from the sidebar move your cursor over that gadget. A "X" will appear. Left click on this "X" and that gadget will be removed from the Sidebar.

What Is Aero?

AERO stands for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open. It is to give a crisp new look to Windows Vista. The AERO only is available on Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Vista. The only benefit of AERO is the glass like look.
If you want to turn on and off AERO or change the setting:

• Right-click a blank area on the Vista Desktop
• Click on Personalize.
• Click on the link: Windows Color and Appearance
• Examine the Color Scheme
• 'Windows Aero' is the best choice.