December 19, 2007

Dear Sassy: Thanks to your recommendation, I regularly use Spybot to look for and remove spyware that may found its way onto my computer. Will I automatically get a reminder to download updates to Spybot, or do I need to look for updates when I use Spybot?
~Shaken, not stirred in the Library

Dear Shaken: Excellent question! Just like with our anti-virus software McAfee, Spybot needs to be updated before using. Sassy does not see an option to automatically download updates so you must Search for Updates, Download and Install them before running Spybot for maximum efficiency.

October 9, 2007

Dear Sassy: I noticed on Friday and again today that the Internet doesn't look the same on all the computers in the lab. What happened?
~Is it Monday?

Dear Monday: Thanks for bringing this to Sassy's attention! The Internet looks different because there is a different Internet browser to view the web page. A few months ago Internet Explorer 7 came out but our Computer Services folks decided to hold off on installing this program on our campus, and we have remained on Internet Explorer 6. However, over the last few days Computer Services has pushed out IE 7 to our machines. Not everyone has gotten the update yet so be patient. IE 7 is a little different from IE 6, feel free to take the tour and note the changes. If you are comfortable using Mozilla Firefox you will notice that IE 7 has a similar tab feature. If you notice any problems with IE 7 and our databases/ejournals/website please let Sassy know.

March 14, 2007

Dear Sassy: I just noticed that my clock on my computer has not updated for the Daylight Saving Time change. How do I get back on time?
~Running late because of DST

Dear Running: What a timely question! On our work computers we should have all the necessary updates that would adjust our clocks for DST. But you can double check just to be sure. Open up an Internet browser, click on Tools, Windows Update. And run the Custom updates. This will let you see what you are going to download/update prior to doing so.

If you have all the updates (except for IE7) we need to verify a setting on your computer. Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Date and Time. Once this window opens, click on the Time Zone tab and make sure the box is checked next to Automatically Adjust Clock for Daylight Saving Changes. Once you check this box, your clock should correct itself.

March 6, 2007

Dear Sassy: I'm embarrased to ask this, but if I specify Norton anti-virus to run when "idle" does that mean my computer has to be connected to the Internet through my isp provider or, that my computer has to just be turned on? If it just has to be turned on, then how do I know Norton is running and when it is finished so I can turn off my computer? (Dial-up blocks telephone calls).
~ To be continued...

Dear Continued: Good follow up question! When the computer is "idle" it just means that it isn't running any programs, being idle doesn't have anything to do with Internet connectivity. For Norton to update its virus definitions, your computer must be connected to the Internet. Now, once your machine has the new definitions, you can disconnect from the Internet and run the Norton software to scan your machine.

From the past questions regarding Norton and your Internet use, it may benefit you more to complete all of your work on your machine and then manually update the Norton definitions, disconnect from the Internet and run the Norton scan software (in that order). When you manually run the software there should be a window showing the progress of the scan. This window will also be an indicator on when Norton is finished scanning so that you can shut down your machine.

March 5, 2007

Dear Sassy: I still have a few more questions regarding my anti-virus software. Can I specify when it runs? It seems to slow down my dial-up connection even slower. Can I check my email before it starts running, and then leave my computer on to do the Norton scan when I'm done working?
~Part deux on Anti-virus

Dear Deux: Keep the questions coming! Sassy wants to make sure that you have all the information you need to keep you and your machine happy. You can specify when the anti-virus software will run. Sassy does not have Norton installed, but you should be able to open up the program (Norton) to look to find where you can define options. With McAfee (like on our work machines) click Start > Programs > Network Associates > VirusScan Console. Once this opens you can specify when it will run as well as when the program will update.

For your home machine, instead of defining a time in which to update/run your software you may want to designate a time frame. In McAfee there are a few alternative choices you can make: At System Startup (where you can place a delay) or When Idle. If you select one of these options, this will guarantee that your machine will update on a regular basis (since your machine will be on) and hopefully not slow down your Internet connection too much.

March 5, 2007

Dear Sassy: How important is it to update my Norton Virus software annually on my home computer? It requires an annual fee of about $35.00. I have spybot search and destroy as well as automatic updates from various MS software products.
~ Frugal at home

Dear Frugal: If you get on the Internet at all on your home machine then you need an anti-virus software such as Norton or McAfee. The $35 annual investment for Norton is minimal compared to the damage viruses can inflict on your computer. Perhaps re-registering your software occurs on an annual basis but you need to update your software on a daily basis (or however frequently you get on your home computer). Sassy is sure that is what you meant, but did want to clarify.

October 30, 2006

Dear Sassy: I saw the new release for Internet Explorer 7 on the Shreveport E-announcements page. According to the announcement we are NOT supposed to download this update. I currently have the little yellow shield down in the bottom right hand corner of my screen that says I have updates to install. Can I install these or does it have Internet Explorer 7?
~ IE 7 updates in Question

Dear IE 7: Sassy is impressed that you are receiving your E-announcements and reading them! Great job! Currently you don’t have anything to worry about regarding Internet Explorer 7. We at LSUHSC-S are not installing this product at this time.


Dear Sassy: I was helping a patron the other day using the printers in the lab. One of the printers had gone down and was not working. Even though there was a sign directing the user to print to the lone working printer, they accidentally sent their print job to the non-working printer. The patron had already released the print job from the release station and paid for it. What do I do now? Does the patron need to reprint their print job and pay for it again?
~ Broke down in Printer land

Dear Broke: Oh how Sassy knows your pain! Please let me know anytime a patron has done this. It can be very frustrating for the staff and for the patron who has already paid for their print job and they can’t get it to print. Sassy can redirect the print job using the GoPrint software and send their print job to a working printer. This is a fast process and keeps the patron from having to pay twice for their print job.

June 26, 2006

Dear Sassy: Sometimes when I am typing a name or address in the “To:” field in my Outlook email – name(s) automatically come up. Is there a way to delete those?
~ Nameless in LA

Dear Nameless: What a great question! Occasionally Sassy has sent an email to the wrong person due to misclicking on those automatic selections. How embarrassing for Sassy! However, there is a quick fix for to avoid this embarrassment. While you are typing a name or address in the “To:” field if there are other names that begin with the same letter sequence you will receive an option to select one.

If you would like to delete one or all of these options, use the arrow key on your keyboard to select the one you would like to delete and press “Delete” on your keyboard. Remember, deleting this entry from this window will not delete the name/address from your Address Book.


Dear Sassy: In a previous column you talked about the difference between Windows updates and Office updates. I didn’t understand exactly what you were talking about. I mean, my computer is set to automatically update – I shouldn’t have to do anything else regarding updating … right?
~ Confused in the Library

Dear Confused: Sassy appreciates your honesty with being confused about a previous entry. Please at anytime if something doesn’t make sense let Sassy know (sometimes Sassy gets off her medication). Since Microsoft is in both of the names (Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office) Sassy can definitely see how it would be confusing. Your computer is set to automatically update Windows. This is the operating system for your machine – the big cheese – the big kahuna – where the rubber meets the road… Whew! The Office updates are for your Office products: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Office is a “Family” of programs that when placed on your computer will need updates just like we discussed with Adobe Acrobat. Please refer to a previous column for explicit instructions on updating Office. Even though both of these entities are Microsoft based, they require separate updating. Windows updates automatically while Office requires manual intervention. Sassy hopes that this helped to clarify any confusion that you may have had regarding Microsoft Windows vs. Office, if it didn’t please let me know.

As always, if you would like a member of the Systems Department to assist you with this or any other problem, please let us know.

June 5, 2006

Dear Sassy: Thanks for the reminder to back up my files on the “libfilesbackup” server! I just tried to access the backup server by using the link that you placed on my desktop but I receive an error message when I click on the link. I guess I messed up my link – can you come fix it for me?
~ Broken link on Kings Hwy

Dear Broken: Sassy is so glad that you are trying to back up your files onto the “libfilesbackup” server! Do not worry – you did not mess up your computer. Sassy has complete confidence in you!

If you are receiving error messages regarding the “libfilesbackup” server, then something has gone awry with the server – not with your computer. Sometimes when there is a blip in the electrical power (or just because the server wants a break) it needs to be rebooted. Once the backup server is rebooted you should have no problems accessing it via the link that is on your desktop. Do please let the Systems Department know when you are unable to access the backup server and we can reboot the server.


Dear Sassy: Occasionally when I look at a pdf file, a lot of Adobe Acrobat update options appear. These range from Adobe 3.17912839 to Adobe Exercise-a-rama! How do I determine which updates to select? Should I choose 6.0, 6.1, and 7.0? Help!
~ Trapped on the High wire

Dear Trapped: Great question! Sassy can tell that you are an observant computer user. Sassy is interested in learning what version of Adobe Acrobat Reader you are using. If you are using anything below version 7.0 you will want to update your Reader. In fact, that may be one of your updates that keeps popping up (critical updates are marked with an *asterisk.) If it is not listed, you will want to uninstall the Reader that you have and reinstall the newest version at http://www.adobe.com. Once you have the newest Reader you will want to install the critical updates and then use your own judgment for the other updates. There is normally a description listed that will aid in your decision. Sassy isn’t so sure about the “Adobe Exercise-a-rama” update… As always, if you would like a member of the Systems Department to assist you with this or any other problem, please let us know.

May 22, 2006

Dear Sassy: Is there an easy way to search a website for a certain word or phrase? And could I also search a Word document?
~ Control less at LSU

Dear Control less: Excellent questions! There is in fact an easy way to search a website for a certain word or phrase. You will want to use the shortcut key of “Find” (Ctrl F) to search. Hold down the “Ctrl” key and press the letter “F” on the keyboard. This should bring up a search box in which you can enter you word or phrase. If you are using Internet Explorer the box should appear in the middle of the screen.


However, if you are using Mozilla Firefox the search box will appear at the bottom of the page. Nonetheless a search box will appear using the shortcut key of Ctrl F. This shortcut key will work in your Word and WordPerfect documents, and other programs as well.

You might be thinking – thanks Sassy, but how am I ever going to remember Ctrl F for searching? Well… If you select the Edit option from your toolbar you will see “Find” with “Ctrl+F” beside it. You will also see other options with their shortcuts listed out beside them. For example: Select All = Ctrl+A, Copy = Ctrl+C, Paste = Ctrl+V, Save = Ctrl+S, and so on. Even if you happen to forget the shortcut keys, you can always refer to your toolbar for assistance.


Dear Sassy: I have noticed that my computer is set to automatically update Windows. Do I need to update my Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) software as well?
~ Update or not to update? in the library

Dear Update: Glad to know that your computer is updating Windows on a regular basis! But what impresses Sassy the most is that you are aware that it is updating – great job! You do want to keep your Microsoft Office software up to date – this will increase the stability and security of your machine. (And we all like to be stable and secure!)

In order to run these updates you will need to open an Internet browser window. Once that is open click on “Tools” on your toolbar and then “Windows update.” Once the new window opens you should have “Office Family” as one of the tabs at the top of the page. Click on “Office Family.” On the top left of the screen you should see “Office Update” and under that “Check for Updates.” Click on “Check for Updates.” If updates are listed, go ahead and click on “Agree and Install.” Occasionally a screen will pop up asking if you have the Office CD – go ahead and say “Yes” normally it does not require the CD for installation but if it does, I have a copy in my office.

You will need to run the Microsoft Office update every few weeks. Office does not put out as many updates as Windows does so it does not need to be run as frequently. If you would like a reminder set up on your machine, please let me know and I can assist you with that or with running your updates.