Q & A
Don't expect 'Print Screen' to actually print

By Kim Komando

Q. What does the Print Screen key do? I press it and nothing comes out of my printer.

A. Crazy, isn't it? The Print Screen key doesn't do what you think it would do. Rather than actually printing what you see on your screen, it copies the entire Windows display to the Windows clipboard. It then can be pasted into Paint or another graphics program and printed.

Q. I want to make a Web site with family pictures. The first page has only a few pictures and is over 10 megabytes! Am I doing something wrong?

A. I bet the resolution of your images is too high, and that's why the files are so huge. Generally, set the resolution for pictures posted on the Web to 72 dots per inch in 24-bit color, and save the images in JPEG (.JPG) format, which compresses them so they take up less space. Most photo-editing programs let you modify an image's resolution. Better yet, let Adobe's Image Optimization service (web services.adobe.com/optimize/main.html) do it for free. Upload an image and Adobe makes several optimized versions for you to compare. Pick the best, save it and it's ready to use on your Web page.

Q. With the increase in information requested to enter contests online, are we exposing ourselves more than we realize?

A. Companies are not collecting this information for fun. It certainly could and probably will be used for marketing purposes. Check the contest site's privacy statement. You'll normally find a link somewhere on the page; it's usually at the bottom. If disclosing the information bothers you, don't enter the contest.

Q. My Windows 98 hard drive is nearly full. What files can I delete?

A. Before deleting individual files, check for full applications you aren't using. You'll save much more space by removing them. Click Start, Settings and then Control Panel. Double click Add/Remove programs. Check the list of programs that pops up. Remove the ones you no longer use. If you still need room, go to Disk Cleanup. You'll find it at Start, Programs, Accessories and System Tools. This utility will identify files you can dump. Need more space? Go to Windows Explorer. In Tools, Find, Files or Folders, go to the Named: box. Enter *.tmp *.bak *.log *.— *.old. All of these can normally be removed. Delete them to your Recycle Bin. Leave them in there for a few days to be certain a program doesn't still need them. If necessary, you can restore them by moving them out of the bin.