By Dave Wallace

What, you don't have a computer yet?

If you don't have a PC and are still wondering whether to buy one I have a suggestion. The Craven Community College library has eleven PCs for public use that you can take for a test ride. They have access to Internet and someone in the library will help you get started. Once connected to Internet try using the search feature and explore any subject that comes to mind. You'll probably find that PCs are not as intimidating as you thought. A second place to play with computers is at the New Bern library. They recently added several new PCs with access to both the Internet and the card catalog. After messing around with PCs and finally deciding to buy one inquire of your computer literate friends what to look for. Also check basic PC courses at the college that beginners take. Most courses have no charge for seniors. And don't forget to join the New Bern Computer Users Group where all newcomers show up.

What, you have a computer but you're not on the Internet?

Well, you may have a good reason, especially if your PC is very old, not fast and with little memory. Today, I wouldn't consider connecting to the Internet unless your PC has at least Windows 95, 32 megabytes of RAM and a speed of 150 megaHertz or faster. Also you wouldn't be happy connected with anything less than a 28.8 kilobits-per-second modem.

If you received a new PC for Christmas or within the past few years it will likely have everything you need to get on the Internet. So what next? First, you'll need a phone jack near your PC. Second, you'll need to call an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in New Bern. There's now ten of them that offer local numbers to dial into. Don't subscribe to services that appear on your PC's desktop such as Compuserve, AOL or Microsoft Network unless you don't mind making toll calls for every connection. What does an Internet account at an ISP cost? The standard unlimited access to Internet is $19.95/month, which is what most folks pay, but some ISP's offer limited service at a reduced price. Shop around. Some may even have a special on the $19.95 price. Ask your friends whom they like best and why.

Recovering from a Hang

I've said it many times that when things don't work right in your PC, shut it down and reboot. When you do this the bug almost always disappears. But suppose you can't shut down normally. For some strange reason your PC hangs and your mouse and keyboard lock up. There are a couple things to do before finally hitting the reset button, which as you know is a last resort. The first is to press the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys together. A menu will appear where you can close out a program that may not be responding. Another way is to press Ctrl and Esc, which brings up a start menu to allow you to safely shut down. Ctrl/Esc is also nice to remember if your mouse cursor disappears someday.

Windows 95 desktop icons

I'm surprised how many people still have the same old icons on their desktop that the manufacturer put there originally. The reason, I found, is that many beginners don't know how to add new icons. I probably have too many. But I'm impatient and want to click on whatever I use often rather than having to find a program. I create icons on my desktop for every program, file, folder or web page I use often.