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.

Click for the background About Computer Helpers.

To use this blog, 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 do not cover everything in here)
• 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.

• Adobe Acrobat
• Advice & Technical Help
• Anti-Virus & Other Protection
• Audio - see Sound Software & Links
• Avatars & Icons
• Backup Tutorial
• Backups & Imaging
• BitTorrent — see P2P Software & Links
• Blogging (Weblogs) Software & Links
• Books, Finding
  
• Boots, Multiple Operating Systems
• Browsers for the Internet
• Buying Computer Hardware & Peripherals
• CD-ROM drives and software
• Chat — see Instant Messaging
• Compatibility for Hardware
• Computer-Related Hardware (MP3 players, etc.)
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
• Hardware Maintenance & Repair
• Daylight Saving Time
• Disabilities for Computer Users
• Email & Email Software & Links
• Encryption
• Ergonomics & Disabilities for Computer Users
• File Fill-In Tutorial
• File Formats You Can Use
• File Viewers, Formats, Etc. Software & Links
• Finance Software & Links
• Find a Book
• Firefox & Thunderbird Software & Links
• Firewall Software & Links
• Flash Drives Help
• Fonts Software & Links
• Freeware & Shareware Resources see also specific subjects here
• Fun
• Google Software, Techniques & Links
• Graphics and Photo Software & Links
• Hardware and Peripherals Help
• Hardware Maintenance and Repair
• Help & Advice in General
• Imaging & Backup
• Instant Messaging
• Internet Explorer Help
• iPods, MP3 players, etc.
• Java on Library Systems
• KeePass Password Safe Tutorial
• Library Software CD-ROM
• Linux
• Instant Messaging (IM) Software & Links
• Macintosh, Macbooks and Apple
• Macros and Shortcuts Software & Links
• Maintaining Your Software
  
• Malware
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Internet Explorer Help
• Microsoft Office Software & Links
• Microsoft Office 2007 Formats
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Works
• MP3 files
  
• MP3 players, iPods, etc.
• Music Software & Links
• Office Suites Freeware & Links
• Online Software
• Online Storage Software & Links
• Open Document Format (ODF) Software & Links
• OpenOffice and OxygenOffice
• P2P Software & Links
• Passwords Software & Links
• PDF (Adobe Acrobat) files Help
• Phone Searching (searching over your phone)
• Presentation Software & Links
• Programming Software & Links
• “R” Drive for On-Campus Use
• Recycling Used Hardware
• Related Hardware
• Repair of Hardware
• RSS Feeds (Updated Blogs, News, etc.) Software & Links
• Searching
• Security Software & Links
• Sharing Your Computer
• Sound
• Spreadsheets
• Thunderbird Software & Links
• Translation services for languages
• Tutorials
• • Backup Tutorial
  • File Fill-In Tutorial
  • KeePass Password Safe Tutorial
• USB Flash Drives Help
• Utilities Software & Links
• Video Software
  
• Virtual Operating Systems - see Boots, Multiple Operating Systems
• Viruses, Etc. (”Malware”) Protection & Links (spyware, popup ads, firewalls, etc.)
• Web 2.0 Software & Links
• Web Browsers, Plugins, Etc. Software & Links
• Web-based Software (see Online Software)
• Web Site Creation
• Widgits Software & Links
• Wikis Software & Links
• Windows Software Help & Links
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer Help
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office Software & Links
  • Microsoft Office 2007 Formats
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Works Help
• Wireless Access/Advice
• Word Processing Software & Links
• WorldCat Help
• Yahoo Software & Links

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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.

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.

For the latest posts on this topic, click 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.

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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.

For the latest posts on this topic, click here.

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About Computer Helpers

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.

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 always applies (”the universe is infinitely perverse and will oppose you at every opportunity”) in computing.

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

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.