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Do you have a digitized photograph that is nice, but has specks or small cracks in the background? If so, open the file in Adobe Photoshop.  Next, check to make sure your tools toolbar is visible (click "window", if there isn't a checkmark by "tools", click it).  On the tools toolbar there is a clone stamp tool (the icon looks like a rubber stamper) that you click to select. Notice the bar under the pull down menus now reflects all the clone tool options.  Move your mouse near an imperfect spot (the size of the circle is controlled by the brush button at the top).  You may choose to play with the options to get what works best for you and the photo. Caution - in Photoshop you can only undo the last step.  Place the circle over an area that looks generally how the background "under" the imperfection should look.  While holding down the ALT key, left click your mouse.  Now move the circle over the imperfection (or part of it) and click.  A copy/clone of the ALT+click background replaces the imperfection.  You can repeat the steps as needed.  This generally works great with backgrounds because, as a rule, they are not too intricate. This method may also work to some extent on the subjects but is it much trickier.

Wonder what a color photograph would look like as a black and white print?  No need to wonder!  Digitize your photograph with the method of your choice (scan or take a digital photo of it).  Open the graphics program of your choice (MS Paintbrush, Photoshop, PrintArtist, etc.) and look around in the different menus.  Open your color photograph file.  Most, if not all, graphics programs will have an area that shows your color photograph as color (or RGB, CYMK, etc.).  In or near this notation there will be a way to change it to grayscale.  For computer beginners a quick way to define Grayscale (computer speak) for "black and white photograph", while black and white options will drop out all gray tones and convert color to either black or white.  Choose grayscale and read and answer any computer dialog boxes that come up carefully (such as "do you want to discard color data").  Remember as long as you don't save your changes over the original file, you can try almost anything without loosing your original file.  Once the photo is "black and white" (grayscale) you'll know if it will look good, bad, or OK in b/w print.  You can save this file over the original color or "save as" a different name, etc.

Volume 4, Number 3

A large number of genealogists are taking advantage of the resources of the internet.  Just because you can find a document or GEDCOM online today doesn't mean it will be there (or free of charge) tomorrow or 20 years from now.  Because of this, it is a good idea to treat computer print outs for your files/archives to reduce their acid level as much as is comfortable implementing.  Here are a few tips:

• use acid free paper

• only print on one side

• only run the paper through the printer once

• if you don't use only acid free paper, you might invest in a second printer that uses only acid free

• when buying a new printer consider the composition of the ink it uses

• if possible, take a "junk" print out from the printer and wet it down to test it's water resistance - if it runs, you need to select another printer for your file copies

• when making notations on the print outs, make sure to use archival quality ink pens (widely available, if in doubt - head for the scrapbooking section)

• don't use paperclips, staples, rubber bands, adhesive (unless archival and absolutely needed), post-it notes, etc.

• store in acid free folders, etc.

• keep temperature and humidity steady and comfortable.

For more information visit
http://www.gregathcompany.com/gstore.html
http://www.gregathcompany.com/sstore.html

Volume 4, Number 4

What time is it!?!
///////////////////////////////

Don't forget to double check your computer clock around daylight savings time.  Many things about a computer system may cause you problems if your clock setting is very far off - say an hour.  If you've moved your computer, or had a massive electrical outage, you will need to manually adjust your clock as well.  Most newer systems automatically adjust for daylight savings time, but if your computer doesn't, here's how to fix it:

From the desktop, select (click or double click - depending on your set up) "my computer", select "control panel", select "date and time" - this should bring up the date/time window.  Click in the time box and change the time (you can also drag the clock hands).  While you have the window open, you may want to look around in the box (and tabs).  If your computer didn't adjust at daylight savings time, there may be a simple check box you can click so it will adjust in the future.  Likewise, if you are in an area that doesn't observe DST and your computer is switching on you, you can click the box to deselect this option.

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Volume 4, Number 5

The Library of Congress Copyright office can now be found at http://www.copyright.gov with the older address of http://www.loc.gov/copyright listed in an earlier edition.

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Volume 4, Number 6

Information about ISBN's can now be found at http://www.isbn.org with the older address of http://www.bowker.com listed in an earlier edition.

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Volume 4, Number 7
Send pictures via email without attachments

Most folks learn early how to send photos by attachment with emails.  However, not everyone opens attachments due to virus concerns.  What to do?  Find out how to embed the photo in the email itself.  Please find general Outlook Express instructions below (NOTE: all choices listed below will not be available unless you are in an outgoing email box/window):

Double check to see your are in html email format by clicking the "Format" pull down menu - a dot should be by Rich Text (HTML) - if it is not, click it and the dot will move.  Next, place your cursor in the email where you want the photo to go, then click the "Insert" menu and choose picture - this will bring up a "Picture" window from which you will click the "Browse" button.  This brings up an "Open" window.  In this window, you will go through your files to find the one you want to use.  Once you have selected the file, click the "Open" button at the bottom of the window, then click the "OK" button.  This should place your photo where your cursor was.

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Volume 4, Number 8
Software: Maintenance

A computer is a wonderful thing, but unless you change computers yearly (sometimes even then), a little simple maintenance may head off problems in the future.  We'll take the time this issue, and future months to mention some of the "high points".

It's always a good idea, to start with general hard disk cleaning (XP: Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean Up) and "defragging" (XP: Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter).  Of the two, run Disk Clean Up first.  It will empty your Recycle bin, delete many temporary files, etc. - nothing you have actually saved into your files, and compress some into smaller space.  Think of all the data you have saved, deleted, moved, etc.  They are all little chunks of data that can dot your hard drive.  Large files may even be stuck here and there, taking quite a bit of system resources to even open it.  With defragmenting, you are allowing your computer to bring all your bits together and order them in a much smaller block on the hard drive.

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Volume 4, Number 9 - Internet browser

Your Internet browser could be retaining too much data.  To make it "lean and mean", start by opening the browser and selecting the "Tools" pull down menu.  Click Internet Options which brings up the "general" tab.  In the middle, under history, click the settings button.  Under temporary internet settings, you only need a fairly small amount of disk space used.  Some computers come set with this up to 40% of total disk space!

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Volume 4, Number 10

Don't neglect your anti-virus program.  When prompted to download, don't put it off, but make it a priority to get it complete before doing a lot of work online (or installing new software).  Also, do full disk scans periodically.  This is in case a new virus slipped paste before the anti-virus could identify it.  The sweep will pick it up, hopefully before it does too much damage.

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Volume 4, Number 11 - Organization - part 1

Having trouble finding anything on your computer?  Are you a "file dumper" into My Documents?  Consider that today's hard drives have space to hold a room full of filing cabinet information.  Too many people don't treat their hard drive like the filing system it is.  Many of those that do, start out with good intentions and then for some reason, over time, "just save it" with the intention of moving it later.  At best, this makes the file hard to find, at worst it results in different versions of the "same" files or even exact duplicate files (taking up usable space).

First thing to do when deciding on how your filing system should work is decide what level you (and others using the computer)  are at.  Realize that different types of software programs produce different types of computer files.  Can you look at an "open" directory and see the files you want to open and ignore the rest?  Example:  A novice is working in Word (word processor) and wishes to open a photo.  They will generally try File, Open - resulting in "gobilty gook".  If this is your problem, I suggest start out segregating your types of files - in "My Documents" have a file for each type of program you use, i.e. Word, Works, Adobe Acrobat, Publisher, Draw, Family Tree Maker, Quark, Photoshop, etc.  From then on, never save a particular format file in a different programs area.  This cuts down on trying to open files the wrong way, but adds to your organization structure. 

One way to make all purpose files: click Start, from menu go to My Documents - this will open a window. From the left column you may choose "make a new folder". If selection is not available, click in blank area to deselect any folders.  (If column is not there , click File, slide down to new, slide over and click Folder)  Name your folder next, and repeat as necessary.  When you are ready to build folders in any one of the folders you have made, double click it and begin.

More next month...

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Volume 4, Number 12 - Organization - part 2

Once you have decided whether to have one main organization structure, or divide files by type and then organize, it's time to do some serious directory making and/or "moving in".

Don't start moving your files until you have your main directory structure thought out.  For instance, don't make "photo" and "graphic" file folders in My Documents/My Pictures and the move all your graphics, then decide to make folders in photo for subjects, dates, etc. - this would make you more work by having to move the same file every time you choose do divide it more.  First take a look at your overall structure you have decided, think about the type of files you have and/or may be making - plan a structure and file folders that will make items easy to find.  Once the structure is in place, you can start moving in.

One easy way to move files follows: click Start, then click My Documents.  From there, double click a file folder you wish to move into.  Continue double clicking into sub folders until you get to a folder you plan on moving files into.  Next go back and click Start then My Documents again.  If files need to be moved from here just place the mouse on the item, hold down the left mouse button and drag it to the other file folder window and release.

Continue repeating steps until files are in correct folders.  Don't worry if you find as you move you need more folders, just make them :o)

Note - if you find you've placed a file folder in the wrong place, the whole folder can be moved just like a single file: drag and drop.

More next month...

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