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Don't use company's software in e-mails

By JOHN TORRO
Published December 11, 2006

I use a photo program of a well-known camera company that came when I bought the camera. When I send an e-mail using the company's software, it attaches an ad that takes more than a half-page. I e-mailed the company's support about how I could eliminate the ad tagged to my e-mails. They replied: "E-mail feature in your software is a free service. In keeping with industry practices, the company attaches a brief message to your e-mail identifying the service." The company never asked my permission. After all, I'm paying for the Internet service.

Why use the photo company's software to send photos by e-mail? In Windows XP, you can right-click any photo or group of photos and select "Send to e-mail recipient." You are then given the option to send them full size, or change to a size more friendly (smaller) to your e-mail connection (recommended).

Can you tell me the difference, besides price, in Roadrunner and Verizon DSL? I have high-speed Roadrunner ($44.95 per month). Verizon is offering DSL for $17.95 per month. What is the difference in speed? Are they the same?

DSL uses the existing phone wiring to your house. It is slower than cable-based connections; that is one of the reasons why it is priced less. So when comparing, you need to do a DSL-to-DSL comparison as well as a cable-to-cable comparison. The bandwidth range for either of these can vary widely, so it is best to speak with the individual companies about what kind of bandwidth you can expect in your neighborhood. Fiber optics is emerging as a newer, faster alternative to DSL or cable. Again, check with your local providers in regard to whether they offer this product to your neighborhood.

Somehow we have saved a letter to our "new" template in Microsoft Office Word. Now every time we click on "new," this letter pops up. It pops up on all "create new" e-mails in our Microsoft Outlook. Our system is Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

Sounds as if you may have written over the NORMAL.DOT template file that controls how new Word documents are created. Do a file search for NORMAL.DOT. This file is usually under the "Documents and Settings" folder and by default is a hidden file. That means you will need to enable "Search hidden files and folders" under the Advanced settings in the file search wizard (Start, Search..., Files and Folders), or from Windows File Explorer click Tools, Folder Options, View and click the "Show hidden files and folders" option. Delete this file. When you start Microsoft Word, it will recreate the normal.dot (document template) with the original default settings.

Send questions to personaltech@sptimes.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions are answered only in the column.

[Last modified December 10, 2006, 19:43:37]