Put your PC maintenance routine on autopilot

Most people do one of the following when their computer begins to slow down (besides get angry). They either:

1. Improve their computer by buying more memory.

2. Decide to tweak their computer's settings.

3. Figure that their computer is old, there's nothing else they can do, and that it's probably time to buy a new computer.

All these solutions will boost a computer's performance. However, what's to keep your newly blazing PC from slowing down again after a couple months or years? A badly fragmented hard drive will bring even a top-of-the-line new computer to a grinding halt.

One easy option is to try Windows Live OneCare, a new PC care service that helps protect and keep your computer running. OneCare is always on, running in the background. It helps gives you round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. If OneCare detects anything that you can do to improve the health of your computer, the service will automatically show you what action to take and give you a one-click solution. Learn 5 reasons to use OneCare to help protect your computer.

A second option is to create a preventive maintenance plan. One that's easy to set up and set in motion so you never have to think about it again.

The following sections provide information on how to automate a maintenance schedule to keep your PC running smooth. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tasks work for Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 2000, and Windows Vista.

Create a preventive maintenance plan for your computer

When people notice their computer's performance slowing, the most common reason is the hard disk. Your computer's hard disk is a non-removable area that holds all the information available from your computer. Over time, hard disks begin to lose their ability to store data efficiently.

The Windows operating system provides three great tools to help keep your hard drive humming smoothly. These tools are Disk Cleanup, Disk Defragmenter, and Check Disk. Find more information about using these tools to optimize your PC.

Ideally, you should run these tools on the following schedule.

Preventive Maintenance Activity	Recommended Frequency
Clean up the hard disk of temporary files	Weekly
Rearrange (defragment) the hard disk	Monthly
Check the hard disk for errors	Weekly

Of course, who has the time (or the desire) to keep up with this schedule? The best solution is to let Windows do all of the work.

The Windows Scheduler Task Wizard allows you to set up and automate these tasks, so you never have to worry about them again.

Clean up your hard disk (weekly)

Your computer amasses temporary files over time. These files can come from any number of sources—the Web being one of the largest offenders. After a while, these temporary files will slow down your computer.

About every week, you should run the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to clear your PC of these temporary files.

To set up Disk Cleanup to run automatically:

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears, as shown in Figure 1. Click Next.

   

   Figure 1: Accessing the Scheduled Task Wizard.

4. You'll find a list of applications within the Scheduled Task Wizard. Scroll down this list until you find Disk Cleanup. Click on Disk Wizard to highlight it, as shown in Figure 2. Click Next.

   

   Figure 2: Selecting Disk Cleanup from the Scheduled Task Wizard.

5. Select a frequency for the Disk Cleanup to run. Running this task weekly is suggested, as shown in Figure 3. Click Next.

   

   Figure 3: Setting the frequency of Disk Cleanup.

6. Select the best day and time of the week for the Disk Cleanup to run. Pick a time when you know you won't be using your computer, as shown in Figure 4. Click Next.

   

   Figure 4: Picking a day and time for Disk Cleanup to run.

7. Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.

   

   Figure 5: Associating a user with the Disk Cleanup scheduled task.

   Congratulations! You've successfully scheduled your Disk Cleanup to run, as confirmed by the page shown in Figure 6. Your PC will now automatically run Disk Cleanup on the date and time you scheduled—even if you're logged off your computer.

   Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.

   

9. Figure 6: Successfully scheduling Windows to run Disk Cleanup.

Rearrange your fragmented files (monthly)

Whenever a file becomes too large to store in a single location on your hard disk, your computer breaks that file into parts (or fragments). Don't worry, though. Your computer keeps track of all these fragments, piecing them together whenever the file is accessed.

However, as fragmented files accumulate on your hard disk, your computer becomes gradually slower. This is because your computer has to go through all these fragmented files in order to piece the correct parts together again.

While there's nothing you can do to prevent the fragmentation of files, Windows does have a utility (Disk Fragmenter) to help deal with this situation. Disk Fragmenter rearranges fragmented files, resulting in increased free space on your hard disk and quicker performance from your PC.

About every month, you should run the Windows Disk Defragmenter utility.

To set up Disk Defragmenter to run automatically:

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.

4. Disk Fragmenter isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\defrag.exe. Select defrag.exe and click Open, as shown in Figure 7.

   

   Figure 7: Navigating to defrag.exe.

5. The Scheduled Task Wizard asks you to define the frequency for defrag.exe to run. Monthly is suggested. Click Next.

6. You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Pick a time you won't likely be using your computer.

   If you selected a Monthly time frame, you're able to define what months and what day of the month this task should run. Keep all months selected, and pick a day of the month that works for you, as shown in Figure 8.

7. Select a start time that differs from your other scheduled tasks. That way, you won't have multiple tasks starting at exactly the same time. Click Next.

   

   Figure 8: Picking a time frame for Disk Defragmenter to run.

8. Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.

9. The next dialog box in the wizard states that you've successfully scheduled Disk Fragmenter to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.

Check your hard disk for errors (weekly)

Whenever some program you're using crashes, your computer may create errors on your hard disk. These errors will eventually slow your computer to a crawl.

The good news is that Windows includes a Check Disk program. Check Disk corrects these types of errors from your hard disk—resulting in better PC performance.

About every week, you should run the Check Disk utility.

To set up Check Disk to run automatically:

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.

4. Check Disk isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\chkdsk.exe. Select chkdsk.exe and click Open, as shown in Figure 9.

   

   Figure 9: Navigating to chkdsk.exe.

5. The Scheduled Task Wizard prompts you to define the frequency for chkdsk.exe to run. Select Weekly and click Next.

6. You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Select a time you won't likely be using your computer. Make sure this start time differs from your other scheduled tasks. Avoid having your tasks start at the same time.

7. Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Disk Fragmenter will run as if you started it. Click Next.

8. A wizard page appears, stating that you've successfully scheduled Check Disk to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.

Let Windows do all the work
These automated tasks—while they seem simple enough—are the foundation on which your computer's performance rests. Lucky for us, Windows can completely handle these tasks. You never have to worry about them. You just set up your maintenance tasks once, automate them, and let Windows take care of the rest.

Optimize your computer for peak performance

Our personal computers are like fine automobiles—they need preventive maintenance to run efficiently and avoid major breakdowns.

The following tips can help improve your computer's performance. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tips work for all versions of Windows, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

By the way, in no way can you blow up your computer or files with any of these procedures. These tasks use utilities provided within the Windows operating systems to aid you in achieving the best system performance. This article does not address tinkering with the registry files.

Clean up disk errors

Run once a week

Whenever a program crashes, or you experience some power outage, your computer may create errors on your computer's hard disk. Over time, the errors can slow your computer. Luckily, the Windows operating system includes a Disk Check program to check and clean any errors on your computer and keep it running smoothly.

To run Disk Check:

1. In your Start menu, click My Computer.

2. In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.

3. In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab. In the Error-Checking section, press the Check Now… button. A Check Disk dialog box displays, as shown below.

   

   Access Check Disk to check for errors on your computer.

4. In the Check Disk dialog box, check all the check boxes. Click Start.

5. You will see a message box that says you can schedule the disk check to start the next time you restart your computer. Click Yes. The next time you restart your computer, it will automatically run through a disk check before displaying your login screen. After the disk check finishes, Windows will automatically bring you to your login screen.

   Note: Check Disk can take more than an hour to check and clean errors on your computer.

Remove temporary files

Run once a week

Your computer can pick up and store temporary files when you're looking at Web pages and even when you're working on files in programs, such as Microsoft Word. Over time, these files will slow your computer's performance. You can use the Windows Disk Cleanup screen to rid your computer of these deadbeat files.

To run Disk Cleanup:

1. In your Start menu, click My Computer.

2. In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.

3. In the Properties dialog box, click Disk Cleanup.

   

   Use Disk Cleanup to help clear unused files from your computer.

4. Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can free up on your hard drive. After its scan, the Disk Cleanup dialog box reports a list of files you can remove from your computer, as pictured below. This scan can take a while depending on how many files you have lying around on your computer.

   

   View results from the Disk Cleanup dialog box.

5. After the scan is complete, in the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click View Files to see what Disk Cleanup will throw out once you give it the go ahead. You can check and uncheck boxes to define what you wish to keep or discard. When you're ready, click OK.

6. You can also select the More Options tab within the Disk Cleanup screen to look for software programs you don't use much anymore. You then have the choice to remove these unused programs.

Rearrange your data

Run once a month

Don't be shocked, but your computer can get sloppy. Your computer often breaks files side by side to increase the speed of access and retrieval. However, as files are updated, your computer saves these updates on the largest space available on the hard drive, often found far away from the other adjacent sectors of the file.

The result: a fragmented file. Fragmented files cause slower performance. This is because your computer must now search for all of the file's parts. In other words, your computer knows where all the pieces are, but putting them back together, and in the correct order when you need them, can slow your computer down.

Windows includes a Disk Defragmenter program to piece all your files back together again (if only Humpty-Dumpty had been so lucky) and make them quicker to open.

To run the Disk Defragmenter:

1. In your Start menu, click My Computer.

2. In the My Computer dialog box, right-click on the drive you wish to check for errors (for most of us this will be the C: drive, unless you have multiple drives on your computer), and click Properties.

3. In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab, and then in the Defragmentation section, click Defragment Now….

4. In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, select the Volume (most likely your Local Disk C:) at the top of the screen, and then click Analyze.

5. After analyzing your computer, the Disk Defragmenter displays a message stating whether you should defragment your computer. Press Defragment to clean up your computer if necessary. The Disk Defragmenter will reorganize files by placing together and organizing them by program and size, as shown in Figure 5.

   

7. Files being reorganizing with the Disk Defragmenter.

Make Internet Explorer run faster

The Web is a sparkling achievement of modern society. It's everywhere—from the home to the classroom. We use it to communicate, to work, to play—even to waste time when there's nothing else to do.

Yet there's nothing more frustrating than having this technical marvel at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only to watch our computers access the Internet at a crawling pace. Thankfully, Microsoft Internet Explorer provides some useful options for quicker Web surfing. Let's look at these options now.

Reduce the size of your Web page history

Internet Explorer stores visited Web pages to your computer, organizing them within a page history by day. While it's useful to keep a couple days of Web history within your computer, there's no need to store more than a week's worth. Any more than that and you're collecting Web pages that will slow down your computer's performance.

To reduce your Web page history:

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2. In the Internet Options dialog box, in the History section, find the Days to keep pages in history: box. Type "1" in this box, as pictured in the image below. Click OK.

   

   Reduce the number of days to keep pages in history.

Don't save encrypted Web pages

Encrypted Web pages ask for usernames and passwords. These pages scramble information to prevent the reading of this sensitive information. You can define Internet Explorer to not save these types of pages. You'll free up space by saving fewer files to your computer, as well as keeping secure information off your computer.

To not save encrypted Web pages:

1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.

3. In the Settings section, scroll down to the Security section. Check the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option, as shown in the figure below. Click OK.

   

   Set up Internet Explorer so that you do not save encrypted Web pages.

Automate Microsoft Update

Configure once

Microsoft works constantly to release updates to Windows and other Microsoft products, including Office. At Microsoft Update, you can find and install all these updates?not just the critical ones. Often, these updates will improve your computer's performance.

You can make life easier by automating Microsoft Update so your computer downloads and installs all the updates without you having to worry about them.

To automate Microsoft Update:

1. In your Start menu, click Control Panel.

2. In the Automatic Updates dialog box, check the Automatic (Recommended) check box. You can define the time of day when your computer checks for updates. If the computer finds any updates, it will download and install them automatically for you.

3. Click OK.

   

   Automate Microsoft Update to keep your computer up to date.

Install antivirus and antispyware programs

Computer viruses and spyware (hidden software that gathers information about you without your knowledge or consent when you're using a computer) both reduce system performance. Computer viruses can not only reduce performance, but they can also destroy data. Any computer that accesses the Internet should have antivirus and antispyware programs installed.

• Antivirus programs: Two of the most reliable computer virus programs around are Norton Internet Security and McAfee Internet Security Suite. Find additional antivirus programs at Microsoft Store.

• Antispyware programs: For a great antispyware program, check out Windows Defender.

Smooth running

Follow these steps and you'll have your computer purring like a vintage Porsche (or whatever your dream car of choice is). And the best part?maintaining your computer is a lot less messy than an automobile. You don't even have to roll up your sleeves.

Clean your computer

I have a dirty secret. I've never cleaned my computer. Sure, I've dusted my monitor, but I haven't taken off the cover or tried to reach the crumbs lurking inside my keyboard.

"Your computer could fry if you don't keep it clean," says Jonathon Millman, chief technology officer for Hooplah Interactive.

Dust clogs the vents behind your computer, which causes your CPU to heat up—and heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Regular cleaning could save you costly maintenance fees down the road.

Keep your computer in tip-top shape by following Millman's guide to a spotless computer system.

Preparation

You'll need:

• screwdriver

• can of compressed air (available from computer dealers or office-supply stores)

• cotton swabs (do not use a cotton ball)

• rubbing alcohol

• paper towels or anti-static cloths

• water

Always turn your computer off before you begin and unplug all the cords.

Step 1: Inside the case

Using a screwdriver, remove the side of the case that's opposite your motherboard. Touch as little as possible inside the computer, keeping fingers away from cards and cords.

Blow air around all of the components and along the bottom of the case, keeping the nozzle four inches away from the machine. Blow air into the power supply box and into the fan (from the back of the case). Lastly, blow air into the floppy disk and CD drives. Wipe the inside of the cover with a lightly moistened cloth before replacing it.

Millman recommends doing this every three months if your case sits on the floor, if you have pets that shed, or if you smoke. Otherwise, every six to eight months is fine.

Step 2: Outside the case

Run a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol around all of the openings on the back of your case. Give them one swipe with the damp end of the swab and one swipe with the dry end. Do this as often as you clean the inside of your computer.

Step 3: Keyboard

Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it. Most of the crumbs and dust will fall out. Take a can of compressed air and blow into and around the keys. Next, take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. It should be damp, but not wet. Run the cotton swab around the outside of the keys. Rub the tops of the keys. If you have a laptop, follow the same procedure but take extra care with your machine. Do this monthly.

Spills — If you have kids, you're worried about spills. If it happens, disconnect the keyboard immediately and flip it over. Blot the top with a paper towel, blow compressed air between the keys and leave it to air dry overnight. For laptops, liquid can easily penetrate the hard drive so turn the computer over immediately and leave it in that position until it dries.

Step 4: Mouse

Rub the top and bottom of your mouse with a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. Open the back and remove the ball. Wash the ball with water and let it air dry. To clean inside the mouse, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub all of the components. Scrape hard-to-remove grime with your fingernail. Finally, blow air into the opening. Replace the ball and the cover. Do this monthly.

Step 5: Monitor

Moisten a paper towel or a soft, lint-free cloth with water. (You can also buy monitor cleaning products at computer-supply stores.) Don't spray liquid directly onto the screen—spray the cloth instead. Wipe the screen gently to remove dust and fingerprints. Never touch the back of the monitor.

For laptop screens, Millman suggests buying a special cleaning solution available at computer stores. Do this weekly.

Finally, make sure that everything is dry before you plug your computer back in.

Add more memory to your computer

I used to have the dining room table all to myself. Taxes, Christmas cards, birthday gift-wrap, household bills—I would spread out until the job was done.

Nowadays, with one child drawing pictures, another doing homework, and a third fiddling with Lite-Brite, I'm relegated to a tiny corner—if that much. Often I put off tasks until everyone has gone to bed and even then I'm hard-pressed to meet the breakfast deadline. Of course, I could expand the table...

It's much the same with computers. If the hard drive is the filing cabinet in which you store your documents, then memory, or RAM (random access memory), is the table you work on. The easiest way to get more space is to add extra leaves.

There comes a time when there's just not enough RAM. Everything is working fine, then you add photo-editing software, surf to a graphically intense Web site, install a game, and suddenly your computer can't keep up.

If the drive light is flickering like crazy, then it's probably time to install more memory. But before you unplug the cables, lug the machine to the car, drive to the computer store, wait to have RAM installed, and pay a minimum of $25 for the service, consider installing RAM yourself.

Determine how much RAM you have and how much you need

Before you make any purchases, you need to know how much memory you have and what type of memory to buy.

To see how much RAM is in your PC, go to the Start menu, click Settings, and then click Control Panel. Click System and then select the General tab. At the bottom of the page you should see the amount of RAM.

Most games will specify the minimum amount of RAM you need to install them and play. For example, Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban requires 256 MB. This amount includes RAM that the computer needs to do its own background work as well as to run the game.

Jimmy Ritchie, tech lead at Future Shop, says that the amount of RAM you need depends on the operating system you are using. For Windows 98, 128 MB to 256 MB is more than enough. For Windows XP, "the more the merrier—depending on what you're doing," he says. If you're just surfing the Internet and writing letters, you need 256 MB to 512 MB. "If you're gaming, the sky's the limit," says Ritchie, which means anywhere from 512 MB to 1 GB RAM (extreme gamers will need even more). You'll also need more RAM if you're using a lot of applications at the same time, such as desktop publishing and video rendering.

RAM modules can be purchased in 128 MB, 256 MB, and 512 MB sizes.

Figure out what type of RAM you require

To determine the maximum amount of RAM your computer can handle as well as the speed, consult your PC's owner's manual, which should show you the number of slots (the place where you insert the RAM), how much each can take, and the maximum your system can use.

Contact the manufacturer or use an online memory advisor, such as the one from Crucial Technology or Kingston Technology, that will tell you which products work with your system.

To find out what kind of module you will need, you can also open up your computer.

• First, turn off the computer, but leave it plugged in, because then it's automatically grounded, explains Ritchie. (Computers that should not remain plugged in will be clearly marked.)

• Place the computer on a clean workspace and remove the cover carefully (you may need to use a screwdriver).

• Touch the case to ground yourself. "If you've got a static charge then you won't once you've touched the case," says Ritchie. (Although some manuals recommend anti-static wrist straps, Ritchie says that this is not necessary for home users.)

• Locate the RAM modules, which are green with black tubes, on the motherboard.

• Now determine the type of module you have. "It's all in the look of the slot," explains Ritchie.

  • RDRAM is paired up (you have to put in two at a time) and has metal casing on one side;

  • DDR SDRAM is the most popular and looks like regular RAM, but has one notch;

  • SDRAM (which is being phased out) has two notches.

• Also note your RAM speed, which is usually written on the side of the existing chip (either 266 or 333).

• If you don't have a free slot, remove one of the memory cards to check the number of notches on it. You'll be replacing the smaller of the two RAM modules.

Install your new RAM

• Turn off the computer and touch the metal casing.

• Locate the RAM modules. Find the empty one you plan to replace, or remove the RAM module you will replace.

• Line up the notches of the new RAM module and apply firm pressure to attach.

• Once you're sure the RAM module is snugly in place, close the latch at either end. If you have clips, they should snap back in place.

• Reconnect all the cables, but leave the casing open until you're sure everything is working right.

• Turn your computer back on. If the machine starts to beep, the memory is either incompatible or not in correctly, says Ritchie. If you've installed everything correctly, the system will detect the new RAM.

• Check the system properties to see how much RAM you now have. If you replaced a 128 MB with a 512 MB module, then you should have 512 minus 128 equals 384 MB more RAM than you did previously. If you added the RAM but didn't remove any, then you'd have 512 MB more RAM.

• Try one of your programs that wasn't working up to speed. If it still isn't working, unplug everything again and get back into the computer to check that the RAM modules are firmly secured.

Quick facts about RAM

RAM = random access memory. According to Microsoft Encarta, it is the primary working memory in a computer used for the temporary storage of programs and data and in which the data can be accessed directly and modified.

Shopping checklist

Amount of memory/RAM you have: __ MB

Amount of memory/RAM you require: __ MB

Amount of memory/RAM on each module: __ and __

Maximum amount of RAM your computer can handle: __ MB

Amount of memory/RAM you will buy: __ MB

RAM speed for your computer: __

SDRAM or DDR SDRAM

Share your vacation in real-time

Sharing a special moment of your vacation with loved ones back home has never been easier.

Thanks to a growing number of free blog, photo-sharing, and social networking Web sites, such as Windows Live Spaces, Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, YouTube, and Where are You Now? (WAYN), friends and family no longer have to wait until you get home to hear about your vacation.

Free and easy

Most social networking sites are free and easy to use. Some, such as Windows Live Spaces, enable you to tell your friends what you're doing, post up to 500 photos per month, and blog about your adventures. The little star icon, called a "gleam," that appears next to contacts in Windows Live Messenger lets friends know you've recently updated your Space.

Others, such as Flickr, Picasa, and Photobucket, specialize in hosting photo or video galleries and slide shows. Traveljournals.net is another free service that provides travelers with a place to post their photos, share stories, and keep friends and family up-to-date on their locations. Users can have multiple travel journals, upload unlimited photos, and pass on their individual URL to friends who can check on their travels any time they want.

"The real-time aspect is very nice," says Sam Javanrouh, whose Daily Dose of Imagery photo blog has won awards every year since he launched it three years ago, including the 2006 Best Art/Photo Blog from the Canadian Weblog Awards.

"It changes the dynamic," he says. "People have already seen where you've been and the conversation (when you return) starts from that."

User-friendly

When you're on the road, traveling through different countries or soaking up the sun, it's not uncommon to take tons of photos and want to share them with friends and family. But the last thing you want is technical difficulty. Because these "sharing sites" are so user-friendly, you don't need to be a computer whiz to use them.

What you will need:

• A digital camera or camera phone

• A computer (either your own laptop, or a computer located in a hotel, library, cyber café, cruise ship—the options are increasing, daily)

• A media card reader, if your laptop doesn't have one

• For travel outside of North America, a power adapter for recharging your cell phone or laptop

You might also want to pack a battery charger if you use rechargeable batteries.

If you prefer to pack light, as I did on a motorcycle trip through Europe, some sites, like Windows Live Spaces, accept text and photo posts from cell phones. Under Settings, enable "e–mail publishing." You will then be given an e–mail address just for blogging. You can e-send blog entries and photos right from your cell phone to this address, from anywhere in the world where your phone has Internet access. Your friends and family just have to check your Windows Live Space to see exactly what you're up to—as you're doing it!

It can be helpful to have a Wi-Fi phone for easy access to the Web when you can't get to an Internet café. I had a Hewlett-Packard iPAQ camera phone with Wi-Fi capability that allowed me to access the Internet anywhere I could find a wireless signal. During my trip to Europe, I even found free Wi-Fi hotspots at inexpensive hostels.

Photo-editing on the fly

If you want to modify images, there's a wide range of photo-editing software to choose from. Windows Photo Gallery comes free with the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. Its Auto Adjust feature can automatically lighten and sharpen a too-dark photograph with just one click. You can also fix red eye, crop photos, and change color photos to beautiful black and whites—with just a few clicks of your mouse.

If the computer you're using doesn't have Windows Vista installed, you can also use online photo-editing services at sites like Phixr, GIFworks, or Picnik to make quick changes. The Microsoft Professional Photography site is an excellent source for additional information.

Microsoft Research has been working on some cutting-edge editing software that takes your photography to the next level. Microsoft Photosynth transforms regular digital photos into three-dimensional, 360-degree experiences that change the way you experience and share photos. Photo collages celebrate important events and themes, and Microsoft AutoCollage lets you create a unique memento to print or e–mail to your family and friends.

Where to find wireless access

Web access is available pretty well everywhere these days. Most hotels and cruise ships offer wireless services that allow you to access the Internet from a laptop in your room. If you don't want to pack your laptop, many provide Internet facilities with computers.

Free Wi-Fi is available at many cafés and some restaurants, including many Starbucks and McDonald's locations. If your laptop has a wireless card, just click your wireless icon and ask for a display of available wireless networks. You can find a directory of free Wi-Fi locations on the Wi-Fi FreeSpot Web site. While Wi-Fi hotspots provide a valuable service, it's important to keep security in mind when accessing any Wi-Fi network. Wireless networks range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library, but they all have one thing in common—they're all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it's up to you to protect the data on your PC. Get 7 tips for working securely from wireless hotspots.

On my motorcycle trip, I favored full-out Internet facilities, which provided computers and even webcams. Full-size keyboards are definitely more comfortable than cell phone keyboards. Sites like EasyInternetCafé provide links to Internet cafes in several cities in Europe and the U.S. Simply search for your city and get a map and contact info for the closest café.

When booking your hotel or other lodging, you might want to ask about Internet access. "An Internet connection is part of my criteria when I book a hotel," Javanrouh says.

Technology has helped make travel a shared experience. Not only can you send e–mail to family members back home—you can show them what you're up to at any given moment, and where you're off to next. For many people, it adds a new and exciting dimension to travel.

Article written by Liz Metcalfe and adapted from an original piece from Microsoft Home Magazine.

Get your game on

As observant PC owners will note, the funny thing about gaming on Windows 7 and Windows Vista is that you needn't even consider yourself a "gamer" to enjoy it. That's because an intuitive interface and ever-expanding range of titles for all ages, genders and skill levels make it easy for everyone to instantly jump in and play.

Enter the era of "casual games," or user-friendly digital diversions that require zero background or familiarity with the pastime to enjoy. So while diehard enthusiasts still benefit from full support for hardcore offerings like Fallout 3 and The Witcher, everyone else is suddenly rediscovering the pleasures of family game night as well.

The proof is in the pudding, too. According to the Casual Games Association, over 200 million people enjoy these titles each month, 51.7% of which are women, with those participating in online communities averaging 7-15 hours of gaming every week. A six-month study conducted by East Carolina University's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies even shows these amusements can significantly lower stress, brighten one's mood and reduce depression levels – a great excuse to play.

Available for sampling and purchase via online download or local retailers, casual games don't just cost less and sport lower system requirements than typical Games for Windows offerings, making them even more accessible. They're also immediately engaging, easy to try in advance and capable of providing the kind of catchy hands-on experience that's easy to learn, yet hard to master, guaranteeing they'll captivate hardcore players as well.

Following is everything you need to know to play like a pro.

Standard features

At odds with traditional PC games, casual games sport several distinct characteristics:

• Low prices—Single titles often sell for US $19.99 or less on average, compared with a standard US $39.99-49.99. Purchase a monthly subscription package, and prices can dip as low as US $6.99 per game. Added bonus: Pogo.com and PopCap.com actually let you compete in puzzle and card games for cash and prizes – now that's what we call "play money."

• Minimal system requirements—Even older PCs can comfortably run these titles. While cool peripherals like sound and graphics cards or wireless gamepads provide tangible play enhancements, coming out of pocket's typically unnecessary, with add-ons considered strictly optional. Compare the minimum system specs required to run Windows 7 with those for popular title Diner Dash, and it's obvious… make the upgrade, and you'll be set for some time to come.

  

  Casual games like Burger Island 2 let you cook up instant fun.

• Familiar themes—From travel to trivia, weddings to Westerns, and even cakes to county fairs, casual games generally feature concepts based on everyday topics or pop culture references, increasing their overall reach and appeal. Many are further inspired by timeless arcade favorites, earning extra points for nostalgic appeal.

• Small sizes—Game downloads generally average about 25-50MB in size, meaning disk storage won't be a problem. Better still, you can also retrieve them with little difficulty, even on a dialup or DSL Internet connection. Be aware, however. Certain titles originally sold on CD-ROM, such as Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock, or those containing multiple in-game movies like Casebook, may require 10-20X as much storage space, and take hours to download. Be certain you double-check system requirements and expected transfer times with online vendors before making any purchase.

• Try before you buy—Dozens of providers like I-play, iWin and Reflexive Arcade offer endless hours of amusement. Titles either run right from Internet Explorer, or can be sampled gratis before you decide to purchase them via complimentary downloadable trials.

  

  Get started gaming at Reflexive Arcade.

• Ease of installation—Installing casual games onto your PC couldn't be simpler. Just double-click on the file you've downloaded or, in the case of retail titles, insert the CD and follow on-screen prompts or included instructions to launch the program. A step-by-step, guided wizard will walk you through the process.

Free with Windows

Even more exciting: Several cool casual games are included with Windows 7 and Windows Vista straight out of the box. To access them, simply open the Games Explorer, found on your Start menu.

Access free games right from the Games Explorer.

Between enhanced versions of old favorites sporting sharper graphics and gameplay to all-new, addictive outings, you're sure to spend weeks entranced by these runaway hits alone. (Although parental controls in Windows 7 and Windows Vista let you easily prevent kids from doing so when schoolwork calls.)

Examples include:

• FreeCell—The card game classic receives a pleasing facelift in the form of additional animation as well as built-in hints and tutorials.

• Minesweeper—Avoid explosives as always, only now atop selectable backdrops boasting customizable grid sizes and slicker picture quality.

• Purble Place—Includes three challenging children's diversions based on baking sweets, matching shapes and playing guessing games.

• Solitaire—A fresh edition featuring several decks and scoring systems, plus handy save options so you can take a break at any time, then pick up where you left off later.

  

  Classic games like Solitaire get sweeping upgrades in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Other bonuses include Spider Solitaire, Hearts and enjoy the catchy puzzler Mahjong Titans.

You can preview the entire selection available for Windows 7 here and for Windows Vista here.

Top picks

While hundreds of titles are compatible, several acclaimed casual games such as Darwinia and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved have been specially enhanced for use on Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

These all-star outings promise major upgrades like snazzier audiovisuals and additional levels, and can even cause your Xbox 360 Controller for Windows to rumble, offering the most immersive gameplay possible.

Peggle Nights will test your patience and hand-eye coordination.

In addition, you'll also find a limitless supply of equally engaging alternatives including:

• Peggle Nights—Using a limited supply of balls, angle shots correctly to eliminate all colored pegs and blocks. Spunky power-ups add excitement.

• Home Sweet Home 2: Kitchens and Baths—Like an interactive DIY home improvement TV show: Create custom interior designs then race to build them on tight deadlines.

• Mortimer Beckett and the Time Paradox—Equal parts fantastical adventure and virtual scavenger hunt, this time-traveling odyssey wins with its smart challenges and catchy presentation.

Play for free online

Surprise! We've saved the best news for last: Literally tens of thousands of casual games are also available free to play online – and without the need to download and install additional software!

MSN Games – a great place to play.

Just fire up your favorite Web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer) and hit the following sites to permanently kiss boredom goodbye:

• Shockwave

• Kongregate

• MSN Games

• Ninja Kiwi

• Addicting Games

• Newgrounds

• InstantAction

• MiniClip

• Armor Games

• Online Flash Games

Experience the power of PC gaming

Ask any diehard software enthusiast and they'll tell you: No other gaming platform in the world boasts as broad or high-quality a selection as a Windows PC. But thanks to the Games for Windows brand's steady growth, plus continued support from internal development teams and third-party publishers including Activision, Sega and Rockstar Games though, the best just keeps getting better.

Credit its seamless integration into Windows Vista, a partnership that's serving to welcome an entirely new generation of players to the table. Ongoing advancements are further raising the bar for technical performance and hands-on convenience with each passing day. Because of these strides, featured selections aren't just making major inroads throughout the globe. They're also increasingly appealing to men and women, young and old alike, and expanding to encompass the biggest names and franchises in the field.

For enthusiasts unwilling to compromise on audiovisual impact, gameplay quality, overall value and multiplayer mayhem, there's simply no better choice. So why not step your game up today?

Civilization IV will test your wits, and will to conquer.

Instant benefits

Just a few standard play enhancements Windows Vista owners who purchase Games for Windows titles enjoy straight out of the box:

• Ease of Installation - A standardized setup process ensures Games for Windows titles quickly and painlessly install to your Games folder. Just insert the CD and follow on-screen prompts. Titles are also easy to locate and remove, making it simple to manage your collection.

• Photorealistic Visuals - Thanks to DirectX 10 software which runs behind the scenes and powers high-intensity 3D graphics, you can enjoy dazzling views that stretch across multiple monitors, and at widescreen resolutions home consoles can't match.

• Parental Controls - Using Windows Vista's built-in parental control functions, it's easy to block children's access to games by age rating, content and specific title. It's also possible to limit their computer access to set days and hours if desired – say, after their homework's completed.

• System Compatibility - Extended prerelease testing ensures Games for Windows titles meet specific quality standards, and work with Windows XP and Windows Vista. You can also use the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows and Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows with titles that support game controllers.

• Free Online Multiplayer - With over 14 million members and counting, Games for Windows – LIVE is the first free online multiplayer service to let PC and Xbox 360 owners connect, chat and play with one another. A single identity (the Gamertag) carries across both platforms, letting you team up with friends and earn collectible Achievements for accomplishing in-game goals. You can even sample software or purchase new add-ons or maps in an online Marketplace, or enjoy instant matchmaking features that pair you against players of similar skill level. See here for a full list of compatible titles.

Common features

At odds with the thumb-numbing, white knuckle offerings typically found on consoles, Games for Windows sport several common traits that make them more appealing:

• Intelligent Play - With strategy games (Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts), story-driven epics (BioShock) and detailed simulations (Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania) among the platform's most popular genres, Games for Windows generally require considerable brainpower. In short, they're a great way to build your IQ while killing time. Besides… courtesy of action-packed blockbusters like historical blaster Call of Duty: World at War, high-flying adventure Bionic Commando and James Bond homage Quantum of Solace, you can always enjoy a little mindless mayhem too.

• Responsive Controls - Nothing rivals the precision you'll get from a mouse and keyboard interface, especially in 3D shooters or strategic challenges, today's best-selling software categories. Unless, that is, you're using one of hundreds of optional, gaming enhanced accessories compatible with Windows Vista such as joysticks, steering wheels or wireless pads.

• Tremendous Replay Value - Through the use of mods, downloadable patches, level editors and official updates, Games for Windows constantly change and evolve, giving you more for the money. Consider Fallout 3, which offers a free downloadable toolkit that allows owners to create new adventures and items.

• Unrivaled Selection - At odds with console amusements – which must be approved by system manufacturers prior to launch – home enthusiasts and bedroom coders are fully authorized to program new software for PCs. Meaning that in addition to the many traditional puzzlers, arcade outings and racers you'll enjoy with Games for Windows, independent studios are also free to offer brilliant adventures, stunning battle simulators and entertaining hybrids as well.

Telltale's Sam & Max leads the charge for episodic gaming.

Hot trends

Forget complex sci-fi tales and convoluted fantasy quests that cost $50 a shot and are strictly targeted at teenage males.

New technologies have enabled original types of electronic entertainment in recent months that aren't just instantly familiar and gratifying. They're also cheap and fun for the whole family.

Games for Windows and other Windows Vista titles remain the clear-cut category leader in the following areas:

• Casual Gaming - Casual games (available online or at retail) aren't just enjoyable in short or long-term sessions and suitable for all ages. They're also immediately playable and based on everyday themes like food, fashion and photography, so you can jump right in and start having fun, regardless of skill or experience. See providers like MSN Games, PopCap, iWin, PlayFirst and Big Fish Games for hundreds of instantly downloadable options.

• Massively Multiplayer Online Entertainment - Virtual universes which exist all day, every day and allow you – through a custom-created 2D/3D digital double – to simultaneously interact with and quest alongside thousands of fellow hobbyists. Here's a handy guide to getting started.

• Episodic Gaming - Instead of being sold in a single box, episodic games are divided into bite-size, value-priced installments. New episodes which further an overall storyline debut every few weeks, similar to your favorite television shows. Developers such as Telltale Games and Spicy Horse are leading the way.

• Digital Distribution - Download complete versions of retail products right to your hard drive at steep discounts using services like Steam, GamersGate, Good Old Games or Impulse.

LEGO Indiana Jones lets the good times roll.

Recent/upcoming hits

Ready to see what's got everyone raving? Here are a few recent and upcoming blockbuster Games for Windows that are already wowing critics and consumers alike:

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
From: LucasArts
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+

Reprise the original cinematic trilogy's most memorable scenes while dodging rolling boulders and whipping troublemakers into shape in this comedic spin on the famed archaeologist's escapades.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
From: THQ
ESRB Rating: Pending

Command armies of space marines, orks and humanoid insects into battle in futuristic real-time conflicts, with play characterized by visceral engagements and stunning 3D pyrotechnics.

You'll be blown away by Crysis Warhead.

Crysis Warhead
From: Electronic Arts
ESRB Rating: Mature

A sci-fi first-person shooter so visually arresting that it pushes the limits of even high-end performance PCs. Trigger-mashing online multiplayer options guarantee it's a blast.

Sins of a Solar Empire
From: Stardock Entertainment
ESRB Rating: Teen

Space-age strategy meets high-tech combat. Wield force of arms, diplomacy or business savvy to conquer the cosmos. Its four cornerstones: Explore, expand, exploit and exterminate.

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Gold Edition
From: 2K Games
ESRB Rating: Teen

Ancient history made fun: Select an exotic culture and seize victory by uncovering new lands, researching technology and using trade or aggression to eliminate rivals.

Kung Fu Panda kicks it up a notch.

5 cool underrated games

There's nothing worse than dropping money on a bad video game. But what about the opposite—the games you didn't expect much from that turned out to be an incredible adventure? It is possible to find one of these gems buried in the mountain of bargain bin games.

These five underrated games sold poorly, were undeservingly slammed by the critics, or simply fell between the cracks for no good reason at all.

Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna

One of the most accessible and addictive action role-playing games lets players step into a 3-D fantasy world by taking control of a traveling troupe that fights evil with might and magic. The game takes place across huge outdoor and indoor levels but unlike many games, doesn't force you to wait for multiple-load screens when entering new areas. The Legends of Aranna expansion pack includes the full version of the original Dungeon Siege plus an all-new campaign on the mysterious island of Utrae. You'll also find new story elements, gameplay features, characters, enemies, spells, and weapons.

No One Lives Forever Mega Mix

This action-adventure hybrid stayed on the store shelves for months before word caught on about its level of freshness and fun. Now a cult classic, the over-the-top gameplay in No One Lives Forever combines the wry humor and silly villains from 1960s spy films with tactical action played from a first-person perspective. Gamers assume the role of Cate Archer, a.k.a. "The Operative," who must take down a criminal organization with weapons, gadgets, and, most of all, savoir-faire. This "Mega Mix" demo mission, should you choose to accept it, includes four single-player levels and two multiplayer maps.

Command & Conquer Generals

Armchair generals glued to CNN, it's time to put your mouse where your remote is. The new Command & Conquer (C&C) puts players in charge of one of three warring factions. C&C Generals is in true 3-D and comes with plenty of solo and multiplayer options. The game plays out in real time, so gamers must make decisions and execute them without pausing the action. The single-player campaign is spread across 23 missions, but those who prefer live opponents can log on to the Internet to play online.

Wizardry 8

Veteran role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts may know that it has been 20 years since the first Wizardry computer game and 10 years since the last. Now, Wizardry 8, in all likelihood the final game in the coveted fantasy series, has cast a spell on PC players once again—that is, for those who know it exists. Though it suffers from a few technical bugs, Wizardry 8 is a deep and challenging RPG that pits a band of skilled fighters against the Dark Savant, who has escaped with a powerful artifact said to contain the secret of life. Pick your traveling party members, travel through exotic locations, and take on mandatory missions and optional side quests. Combat utilizes a phased, turn-based system, with each character taking turns attacking the enemies onscreen.

The Neverhood

Mention The Neverhood to anyone who has played the game and chances are you'll evoke a childish ear-to-ear grin out of the gamer. The problem is, said gamer will be hard to find since this award-winning 1996 title sold roughly 41,000 units (according to the marketing organization NPD Group). The Neverhood was created by animation masters at DreamWorks Interactive who used "claymation"—that mesmerizing stop-motion animation with clay characters and environments. The goal is to lead a cute little guy though many wild puzzles and environments. Zany music and sound effects add to the fun.

10 tips for improving your wireless network

If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your connection isn't as fast or as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose your connection entirely in some parts of your home. If you're looking to improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location

When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets)

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3. Replace your router's antenna

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

4. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter

Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.

5. Add a wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

6. Change your wireless channel

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

7. Reduce wireless interference

If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.

8. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the driver updates, do the following:

Windows Vista

• Click Start menu, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

• In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows Vista looks for the latest updates for your computer.

• Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter.

Windows XP

• Visit Microsoft Update, click Custom, and then wait while Windows XP looks for the latest updates for your computer.

• Install any updates relating to your wireless adapter.

9. Pick equipment from a single vendor

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g

802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.

Create an online photo album

Because Windows Live Photos makes it so easy to upload, edit, store, and share photos, one of the first tasks most of us do is create a photo album of our favorite images. Some people create photo blogs that are more about images than text and upload photos from all over—posting the latest images from cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), webcams, and scanners and showing the world what's happening in their lives.

What makes a good photo album? The answer is, just about anything—any topic, person, place, or event that you want to share. You might create a photo album to show the 10 finest photos from your best friend's wedding shower. Or you might create a photo album about the weekend you took your son to camp. Or you might simply have one photo album for each of your best friends, or your pets. Whatever the topic of the album, the idea is to group photos in such a way that the folks viewing them will understand how they're connected. You might even simply do a "day-in-the-life" photo album that shows images you captured throughout a single day.

If you don't have your own Windows Live account, go to http://windowslive.com and sign up today! It's free, it's easy, and it’s one convenient place online to share photos, files, e-mail, and see what’s new with your social network.

You can stitch photos together, remove red-eye, crop, and tag photos on your PC with Windows Live Photo Gallery, then upload your albums to your Windows Live Photos page to share online with others. You can also add your favorite photos on your profile so your “What’s New” feed updates to keep friends and family up to date on your latest adventures.

When you're ready to create a photo album, follow these steps:

1. Go to http://photos.live.com.

2. Click Create an album.

3. In the Name box, type the name of your album.

4. In the Share box, set permissions for those you would like to see your album. You can make your albums public so everyone can see them, share them just with the friends in your Windows Live network, select specific people, or keep them just for yourself.

5. Click Next.

6. There are several ways to create your photo album.

   Click Select Photos from My Computer to browse for a picture anywhere on your computer.
   -Or-

   Click Add from an Existing Album to add photos from an album you've already created and uploaded.
   -Or-

   Drag a picture from anyplace on your computer into the Drop photos here box. As soon as you add a photo, the name of the box disappears. To add another photo, drag it to the Drop More Photos here and upload when you're done box. The photo will move to the Drop photos here box

7. 
   

8. 
   
9. 

   When you've added your pictures, select the photos you want to Upload, and that's it! Your album is ready to share.

   You and those you've given permissions can choose to view your album as a slideshow or thumbnails.

   

   Show your pictures in a thumbnail view.

   

   Display your album as a slideshow.

   When you’re done, you can use the Options menu in the upper right to add themes, publish your album in an e-mail, and more.

   That's it! Now you can invite everyone you know to come see all your favorite photos. Have fun!

Use instant messaging and video to stay in touch

Every Sunday, my 20-month-old daughter and I call grandma and grandpa. We live in Colorado; they live in Las Vegas. But my daughter knows them by sight as well as voice—we call using a webcam. My parents have literally seen her grow: They saw her take tenuous first steps and clapped loudly as she learned to wave and blow kisses. Grandma has played hide and seek with her more times that I can count.

A bonus to using the webcam is that the instant messaging software for it also allows me to chat instantly with anyone—my girlfriend in Texas is always there to gossip with, or get advice from with a simple "you there?" message from me. Even though I'm the only one of my friends and family to live in Colorado, I never feel alone because someone is always there to talk to.

In this article, we'll discuss both of these options for staying in touch with family and friends.

Get the software and hardware

Here is what you need to get started:

Instant messaging software – Windows Live Messenger

There are lots of free programs that you can use to stay in touch, but my favorite software for instant messaging and video calls is Windows Live Messenger. Here are three reasons I use Windows Live Messenger rather than other instant messaging software:

1. It's integrated with other Microsoft products and services like Outlook and Windows Live, so I can see when my friends and family are online as I do other things.

2. Most people I know use it, plus I can chat with people on Yahoo! too.

3. I can easily send and receive video.

There are lots of other features, but those three are the ones that I use most often to stay in touch. Also, it's easy to set up, which makes it easy for me to use with other people who aren't the least bit technically savvy.

To get it, download Windows Live Messenger from Microsoft. Once you're on the Web site, click the orange Get it free button, click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the prompts to install it.

Webcam

The next item you'll need is a webcam. Any brand is fine; just choose something that will work with your computer and operating system. Ideally, you should get one with a built-in microphone. If you don't, you'll need to purchase a separate microphone and possibly a headset. Laptops often have built-in webcams, by the way, but if you purchase one on your own you'll need to plug the webcam into a USB port on your computer and install the software that comes with it. Follow the instructions that come with your webcam to install it on your computer.

Once you have the messaging software and your webcam set up, you can start connecting with friends and family by letting them know your Windows Live Messenger ID and locating them through Contacts and Add a Contact.

Adding a contact and sending a personal invitation is logical and easy with Windows Live Messenger.

This feature is great because you simply enter e-mail addresses and type a personal invitation—Windows Live Messenger can automatically send the message to anyone you designate with information and instructions for installing the software.

When you're ready to start chatting, open a chat with others by simply double-clicking the contact name, typing your message in the text box provided, and hitting Enter on your keyboard.

Making a call with your webcam

Making a webcam call is as easy as making a call from the telephone in your kitchen. The big difference is that you're using your computer to make the call. Here's how it works: Your computer calls another computer using the IP (Internet Protocol) address associated with your contact's e-mail address.

To make a call with Windows Live Messenger:

1. Click Actions.

2. Click Video.

3. Select Start a Video Call.

4. Select a contact to call.

5. Click OK.

6. When the other party picks up, start talking (and viewing!).

In addition to making a call where both parties talk to and see one another, there is another feature on Windows Live Messenger that my husband loves: receiving webcam video. He can't use video at work to actually talk to us but he can receive the webcam video to simply watch what we're doing. There's no sound involved, just video—kind of like those traffic webcams that the local news uses to show you certain intersections at rush hour.

When the other person accepts the invitation generated for a video call or sending a webcam, they can see exactly what your webcam sees (bottom right).

When my daughter is doing something that I think my husband will want to see, I set the camera up and he can watch our activities while he's working. For example, he's seen his daughter create her first watercolor this way. Maybe he can't physically be with us during the day, but he's there in spirit.

To use Windows Live Messenger to send your webcam to someone else:

1. Go to Actions and click Video.

2. Click Send My Webcam.

3. Select a contact from the list provided.

4. Click OK.

Make your webcam available for others to see.

When you are ready to hang up from either a video call or sending a webcam, just close the chat window.

Chatting during video calls

Speaking of chat windows, did you notice that one automatically opened with the person you were calling or sending your webcam to as you made a webcam call? With Windows Live Messenger, you can chat with the person you are talking with—if the sound isn't working, for example, you can send messages quickly to one another to troubleshoot the problem. Or perhaps you want to send a file during your video call—that's okay, too.

Chatting during a video call with others is also easy to do—just open up a chat with anyone else on your contact list and multi-task to your heart's content. The person you're chatting with will never know that you are also on a video call, but be careful: the person on the video call will see what you're doing and where your eyes are.

Video and IM tips

With instant messaging, it's easy to overdo it. Little messages pop up on your screen at the oddest times, and it's difficult to resist them even when a work deadline or other important task needs to be completed. If you have a lot of people in your contacts list, you could spend half your day instant messaging. To help you stay on track and in touch, here are some instant messaging tips:

1. Use the My Status feature to alert others to your availability. This feature tells others at a glance whether you can chat, or whether it might not be a good time for you. Conversely, respect the status of those you want to chat with. If someone has the red Do Not Disturb icon on their name, for example, don't bother sending a message until they become available. To set your status in Windows Live Messenger, go to the File menu and click MyStatus, then select the option that describes your current availability: Online, Busy, Be Right Back, or other option.

Pay attention to availability status icons, such as the Do Not Disturb next to Michelle's name as shown here.

2. Establish regular times for video calls. You can always be spontaneous, of course, but remember that some folks wear pajamas half the day and may not want to pick up a video call at all times!

3. Regularly check the video settings for your webcam. First, check your video settings in Windows Live Messenger by going to the Tools menu and clicking Webcam Settings. When the Camera Settings dialog box opens, you should see yourself in the window. (If you don't, check your webcam properties in My Computer to make sure that you have set up your webcam properly.) Adjust the brightness, contrast, and other camera settings by using the sliding arrow.

Staying in touch with family and friends is actually a lot of fun when you use instant messaging and video. With the way people are scattered around the country and even the globe these days, it's also a practical way to communicate.