Computer Helpers from Boreham Library

Tips, Hints and Links for University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Students, Faculty and Staff

Welcome

This unofficial blog is intended primarily for the Students, Faculty & Staff of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith by the Boreham Library, but anyone is welcome to read it and perhaps find something useful. Pages may be updated at any time, so keep checking back.

Special link: The ultimate guide to scareware protection.  Check this before you get any new software that promises to fix/protect you.

You might like to check out the New Computer Owners Page.

The background About Computer Helpers is available by clicking here.

To use this blog effectively, you may click:

  • on one of the complete menu topics in the index below which is the best way to get everything on the listed topics
  • on one of the general page tabs at the top
  • on one of the Category links in the left column (which may not cover everything in here, just posts)
  • or use the Search box.

Index to Computer Helpers

Advice here comes from a number of sources, including those in the Blogroll in the right column. These resources are highly recommended. Many have RSS feeds and/or newsletters available.


 

Advice & Technical Help

The UA Fort Smith Computer Help Desk is available to help with the network and software used on campus. Students, faculty and staff of the University should check the FAQ there first for answers to many questions. Wireless setup for the campus network is covered here.

Commercial products are normally covered only if offered or taught on campus; otherwise most references are focused on freeware/shareware products.  Advertising is not sought or permitted at this time.

First, be sure to document your problem. Internet Fixes has advice on what you need to collect for somebody so they can figure out your problem. Remember — the other person cannot see what you did earlier, or even what your computer looks like now.

The latest posts on this topic are available by clicking here.

Other Resources

Windows Secrets search site uses the Google Custom Search feature to query sites that specialize in Microsoft Windows-related information.

See the latest posts for specific Techniques for the Windows operating systems here.

See also help for specific Windows programs at Windows Software Help & Links.


 

Macintosh, Macbooks, and Apple

At this time, the Boreham Library does not have Apple hardware available for use. The campus standard is based on Microsoft Windows-based systems. Macs are used in certain areas but not in the Library at this time.

However, Macs can be used with Library services provided the proper browser is installed. Check the bottom of the Library’s catalog pages for links to obtain a browser.

Without a Mac to test that version of the Safari browser, the Library cannot guarantee that it will work with all services, but you can try it and see.

The latest posts on this topic are available by clicking here.


 

About Computer Helpers

This site is intended primarily for students, staff and faculty of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, but anyone else is welcome to find useful information here.

The focus is on free and low-cost computing, so advertising is not accepted.  Programs with free and pay versions are considered.  Programs which require payment for all versions but which are used/taught on campus may be included as well.

The blogger

This unofficial site was created and is maintained by Dennis G. Van Arsdale, Technical Services Librarian at the Boreham Library on the campus of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Additional comments on creating and maintaining pages are available at The Over-Automated Librarian.

Please address comments, corrections and updates in the comments area, or directly to dvanarsd@uafortsmith.edu and please respect the draft policy and blogging guidelines.

Please note: while comments are accepted and posted (when appropriate) on this site, this particular topic seems to attract a lot of spam.  If your comment is inadvertently labeled spam and deleted, apologies are offered in advance.

Dennis G. Van Arsdale holds an MALS from the University of Missouri-Columbia with post-graduate training in computers and other subjects. He does not claim to be an expert or an advanced user, but instead someone who knows just enough to want to help others. This is not intended as a comprehensive list, nor a list for expert users. Some sections may refer only to conditions on the UA Fort Smith campus and network.

This information is provided solely as material which may be of some help to computer users on the UA Fort Smith campus, and much of it is from personal experience or sources considered reasonably authoritative. All information is offered for use at your own risk — programs may change, your computer may differ, and Finagles Principle (“the universe is infinitely perverse and will oppose you at every opportunity”) always applies  in computing.

Resources are primarily (but not exclusively) for Windows, as the Library does not have any Macs at present.

Disclosure

No advertising is accepted.  No payments, gifts, or other reimbursement is given by this blog or blogger for any mention of any product.

Disclaimer

This unofficial site, much like official University of Arkansas – Fort Smith sites, may include hyperlinks to websites maintained or controlled by others. The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is not responsible for and does not routinely screen, approve, review or endorse the contents of or use of any of the products or services that may be offered at these websites.

[This specific page was last updated 2009.6.17. Other pages on this site may have been updated more recently.]

3 Responses to “Welcome”

  1. tf76 said

    January 31, 2008 at 12:01 am

    Thankyou for including my site in your blog :)

    I do try my best, keep up the good work

    Webmaster
    http://www.topfreeware.net
    Best Freeware Downloads and tips to optimize your system
    Member of The Freeware Revolution

    Reply

  2. computer networking said

    May 22, 2008 at 9:23 am

    Operating System patches and security updates are required to protect your computer from the online threats like viruses, spyware, hackers attack and other security vulnerabiliteis.Operating System Patches

    Reply

  3. Adam said

    August 13, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    I keep running into problems with some of my windows processes, and actually came across this site:www.runscanner.net, which pretty much told me everything I needed to know about the one that was giving me problems (svchost.exe) I haven’t seen any info about windows processes on this site, I think you should include some.

    Glad you found something useful. I don’t try to be comprehensive, and not too technical, but when I do run across something on processes that might be helpful, I’ll try to include it.

    Reply

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