Ask Dave Taylor!

How can I clear my search history in Firefox?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:28:11 -0700

I just noticed that when I start to type in a search query in Google that it pops up with suggestions based on my partial typing fragment. This isn't so useful and actually bugs me because my wife occasionally uses my computer too and, well, I don't want her to see all my random searches. How can I fix it? I'm using Firefox on a Mac, if that makes a difference.

How do I remove a Facebook application?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:27:30 -0700

Somehow I seem to be having an application on Facebook posting to my news stream information about me without ever remembering that I signed up for it. Disconcerting, to say the least! How do I check what apps I have authorized and delete ones I don't want from the Facebook universe?

How do I turn off Windows event sounds?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:14:12 -0700

I want to turn off all the miscellaneous sounds in Windows that make noise when I carry out some action -- like the clicks whenever the web browser goes to a web page, or the dings whenever a box appears on the screen asking me a question. I can turn my speakers off, but I still want to be able to play music or watch movies. Can I disable all the annoying Windows sounds, without turning off music that plays through my computer?

How do I use the Windows command prompt line?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:48:11 -0700

Now I know how to open a command prompt in Microsoft Windows, how do I perform common tasks in a command prompt? Can you show me some command prompt basics and perhaps something cool I can do to impress my friends?

How do I open and change "control panel" settings in Windows?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:58:21 -0700

I read some set of instructions for Windows saying that I need to go to the "Control Panel" and change some settings. On a computer running Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, how do I open the Control Panel?

How can I find out my IP address in Windows XP?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:35:36 -0700

I want to know the IP address that has been assigned to my Microsoft Windows XP computer. How do I find out what my IP address is without going all uber-geek?

How do I legally download Microsoft Windows 7?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:12:22 -0700

I finally switched from carrying a boat anchor (aka a PC laptop) and am now enjoying the slim, lightweight world of a Netbook. All is good. Until I realized that I can't actually update from Windows Vista (slow, clunky) to Microsoft Windows 7. I heard that there's a way I can download it? I don't want to get anything illegal, but I'm definitely intrigued! Can you tell me more about how to download Windows 7?

How do you copy and paste within a Windows command prompt?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:18:28 -0700

I know how to open a command prompt in Microsoft Windows, but the normal methods for cutting and copying and pasting -- like Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V -- don't seem to work inside a command prompt window. How can I do copying and pasting with a command prompt?

How do I attach a file to a Hotmail email message?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:10:50 -0700

I have a friend's e-mail address and I want to send them a file from my computer. How do I send it to them by e-mail?

How can I remotely lock my Apple iPhone?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:12:17 -0700

Last week I thought I'd lost my Apple iPhone but after a day I found it. Still, I've become a bit paranoid, but having a security code on the phone itself is too annoying. Instead, is there a way for me to remotely set a security code if I do lose the phone again?

Best practices on sending LinkedIn invitations?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:41:45 -0700

I'm wondering what's the easiest way to connect to someone I've met at a conference when I get back to my office and want to use LinkedIn? Some folk seem to use Facebook, but I'm a recruiter and LinkedIn is my favorite. Tips? Suggestions?

How can I create a Google and Google Images search box?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:45:48 -0700

I've seen your blog entries about how to create a search box for Google on my site, and how to create a search box for Google Images on my site, but what I'd love is a single, consolidated search box for both. Is that possible?

How can I print one message in a Gmail message thread?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:07:01 -0700

I like Google Mail, but the threading feature drives me nuts. I don't want my mail threaded and I don't think of conversations that way. The worst is that every time I print, I print the entire thread, rather than just a single email message in the thread. Darn Gmail! Is there a way to print just one message?

How do I keep my Apple iCal events in the correct timezone?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:35:28 -0700

I'm going crazy: I travel a lot on business and when I move to a different timezone, I dutifully change the timezone on my MacBook Pro to match. I just noticed, however, that iCal automatically switches to the new timezone and adjusts all my events. Eek! How do I not have iCal do that?

How can I select a group of files in Microsoft Windows XP?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:02:04 -0700

I know how to move files around on my computer and copy them to/from a disk by dragging and dropping, but it's a pain that I always have to open two windows and line them up side by side to drag and drop from one location to another. Plus, sometimes I'd like to select a group of files to copy or move, but they aren't arranged in order so I can't select a group of them by dragging a dotted-line rectangle around them. What's an easier way to do all of this?