Visit our Software Updates page for links to these Program Updates

Tutorial Video

In order for your CDs to stand the test of time, you must care for them properly. This means placing them in jewel cases whenever you're not using them, not subjecting them to direct sunlight or other extreme weather conditions, and keeping them away from the hands of small children and clumsy adults.

The storage story
If you're short of jewel cases, paper or plastic sleeves are better than nothing. However, where a jewel case suspends a disc in midair, a paper sleeve is in direct contact with the surface of a disc. Dust can accumulate inside a sleeve, turning it into sandpaper, slowly yet inexorably ruining the surface of your disc.

Downside up
If you're not 100 percent diligent about keeping your discs safely tucked away (who is?), then you should always place them clear side down. The labelled/printed face of a disc is actually more delicate than the bottom, clear, poly carbonate layer, and major damage to the label side will ruin the reflective and dye layers as well.

Label issues
Labels are handy for categorizing your discs, but they can also affect performance and damage your discs. A poorly attached label can cause a disc to wobble too much for high-speed reading. If you must use labels, use only those formulated for use on CDs. These have milder adhesives than general-purpose labels and shouldn't react badly with the top layer.

Follow these few simple rules, and you can expect years of service from your CD media.

Windows XP is built on the proven reliability of Microsoft Windows 2000 one of the most dependable operating systems.

XP has proven to be faster starting up and shutting down, and faster at opening up applications written by Microsoft.

For security every user is set up by default as an administrator of the computer, which means that every user can view, edit, create, and delete any files or folders that exist on the computer. You can secure the computer and keep each user from seeing the other users? files and folders.

With XP's compatibility mode almost all applications & games will run properly.

There is an expanded driver database so installing new hardware is much simpler than it used to be.

XP home or XP Professional? XP Professional is the only one that ability the ability to logon to a Domain Controller, so if you are using your computer in a business environment that has or will ever have a server you should purchase XP Professional.

Some of the other differences are the ability to remote access you PC, data, and applications from the internet or through a dial-up connection.

With XP Professional you have more control over file and folder security and user level permissions

We would recommend a PC with at least 500 MHz or faster processor and 256 MB of RAM

• Unusual messages or displays on your monitor.
• Unusual sounds or music played at random times.
• Your system has less available memory than usual.
• Your computer seems to be running slower.
• A disk name has changed.
• A volume name has changed.
• Programs are suddenly missing
• Files are suddenly missing.
• Unknown programs are created
• Unknown files are created.
• Some of your files become corrupted
• Some of your files suddenly do not work properly.

• Google does Internet searches.
• Google is the world's largest search engine.
• Google is widely recognized as the "World's Best Search Engine" and is fast, accurate and easy to use.
• Google does searches daily for more than 150 million people.
• Google searches look at more than 2 billion web pages.
• Google.com is one of the 10 most popular sites on the Internet.
• A Google user might be a woman in Avonhead trying to find a golf course. Or a guy in Riccarton looking for the latest rugby scores. Or maybe a computer user in Brixton looking for a Computer Trouble-shooter.
• Google is the tool they have all chosen to help them ? the Google search engine.
• Google provides an answer to a search word or words that is unique to the user and uniquely useful.
• Google search answer are quick and guaranteed to be relevant and clear.
• Google works because it relies on the millions of individuals posting web sites to determine which other sites offer content of value.
• Google ranks every web page using a Page Rank which evaluates all of the sites linking to a web page and assigns them a value, based in part on the sites linking to them.
• Google may be the only company in the world whose stated goal is to have users leave its web site as quickly as possible.
• Google employs thousands of linked PCs - one of the world's largest Linux clusters - to quickly find each query's answer.
• One "Googol" is the mathematical term for 1 followed by 100 zeros. It's a very large number.

• Make sure all your data files, customization files, Registry, and application configuration files are backed up. Don't just do it once--make it a regular habit.
• Make sure you have up-to-date Windows start-up disks (Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Start-up Disk). Be sure to have copies of all your device drivers handy as well.
• Store your user names and passwords on paper and keep them somewhere safe. If you forget your Windows password, having it in a file on your PC won't help you.
• The Windows Registry is not something to be fooled with unless you have some experience using it already. Careful not to stray from the task at hand or you'll risk severely damaging your system.
• Partition your hard disk. Put your data files on a separate volume from your operating system and programs. Put a copy of your operating system on a separate hard disk as well: It will make backups and re-installation of software much easier.
• Paste a copy of each program's serial number to its CD jewel case, or use a permanent marker to write the number on the CD itself (on the label side!).
• If you're on a network, keep a copy of all your network settings (IP address, DNS, gateway, network card settings, and so on) handy.
• If it ain 't broke, don't fix it. If you have no compelling reason to open the case or upgrade your operating system or applications, don't.

• Maintain proper posture.
• Pay careful attention to positioning of head, neck/spine, arms/wrists, hips/thighs and feet. Basically, ensure the small of your back is supported, your shoulders relaxed (not slumped, not elevated), and that there is no pressure under your thighs.
• Alternate between different postures on a regular basis.
• When keyboarding, use minimum force while striking the keys.
• Keep a neutral position, where the forearms, wrists and hands are in a straight line.
• Avoid awkward reaching for work tools such as telephone, mouse and reference materials.
• Avoid resting elbows, forearms or wrists on hard surfaces or sharp edges.
• Take frequent mini-breaks throughout the day to give muscles and joints a chance to rest and recover.
• Alternate between work activities which use different muscle groups to avoid overuse.
• Give eyes a break by closing them momentarily, gazing at a distant object and blinking frequently.
• Proper exercises are a complement to a complete office ergonomics program.