Washington - You can do more with your wheel mouse than simply scroll through web pages. Every software program controls the wheel functionality on a mouse differently. In Internet Explorer, for instance, hold down the Shift key and move your mouse wheel. You'll go backwards a page or forward a page, depending upon the direction in which you move it. In Word, when you hold down the Ctrl key as you scroll, you will zoom in and out of the page. To see what the mouse wheel can do in a particular program, consult the program's Help section. --------
Washington - If you are a hard-core gamer on the Windows platform, you'll want the latest version of DirectX, the Windows technology that enables game makers to bring realistic scenes and sound to the gaming fan. DirectX version 10 allows game makers to bring a new level of realism to games, with characters that look less blocky than with previous iterations of DirectX. DirectX 10 comes standard with Windows Vista, but XP users can download it for free (http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/AboutGFW/Pages/DirectX10.aspx).
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Washington - In Windows, you need to open a browser to see a web page. From the Address bar of Windows Explorer or from the Run dialogue box, you can launch a web page simply by typing in the web address. Note that you do not need to type http:// before the web address. That information is supplied automatically. When you press Enter, your web browser will open immediately.
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Washington - Finding the telephone number of someone who lives in a foreign country has always been something of a challenge. Not any more. Assuming the person's number is listed publicly, you have a better chance of finding the number at Infobel.com (http:// www.infobel.com/teldir) than almost anywhere else. The site features the white pages and Yellow Pages from dozens of countries around the world.
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Washington - Who doesn't love comic strips? While newspapers might give you your daily fix for the funnies, Comics.com (http://www.comics.com/) will keep you laughing all day long, if you wish. This huge compendium of comic strips is organised neatly into categories according to topic or intended age of audience. If you don't find the comics you are looking for on the site itself, chances are good that you can use the site to find the Internet location for your favourite comic strip.