Make your notebook comfortable to use<\/p>\n
Question: I've just bought myself a new notebook. It's a thin and
\nlight model, and the screen is 13.3 inches. My eyes are not as
\nsharp as they used to be. What can I do to make it more
\ncomfortable to work on this computer? -- B. R. Pontianak, West
\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
Answer: Well, let's start with the screen resolution. Usually,
\nthe factory setting for a 13.3-inch screen is XVGA, or 1024 by
\n768 pixels. While this will display more cells in an Excel
\nworksheet, for instance, it will also give finer lines and text
\ndisplay. We do not always need it.<\/p>\n
Besides, the higher the resolution, the smaller the items will
\nappear on the screen. If we work mostly with Microsoft Office, we
\nmay prefer a more readable document and menu text. If I were you,
\nI would just reduce the screen resolution to SVGA (800 by 600
\npixels).<\/p>\n
To do this, just close or minimize all applications that are
\nrunning. Click anywhere on the Desktop (but not on any of the
\nicons) with the right mouse button, and then click on Properties.
\nClick on the Settings tab, and then drag the slide button to 800
\nby 600 pixels.<\/p>\n
By the way, if you have activated the Quick Launch pad on the
\nToolbar, you will automatically have the Show Desktop icon in it.<\/p>\n
This will help you minimize all open windows and display the
\nDesktop in just one click. Or, you can click the Toolbar with the
\nright mouse button, and in the menu list that appears you will
\nalso see Show Desktop.<\/p>\n
Why do you have to know this? Because sometimes you need to
\nchange the resolution as required by the application that you
\nrun. Microsoft Video Maker, for example, recommends -- though
\ndoes not absolutely require -- that you set the screen resolution
\nto at least 1024 by 768. The ability to quickly access the
\nDesktop will allow you to change the resolution with only a
\ncouple of clicks.<\/p>\n
In most new notebooks, you can set a high resolution and pan
\nthe display. You can set a very high resolution -- 1600 by 1200,
\nfor example -- and then you can pan around this \"virtual screen\"
\nusing the mouse. Personally, I never use panning, as it is
\nsometimes confusing.<\/p>\n
Another thing you can do is change the mouse pointer. In its
\ndefault shape, the pointer is small and not easy for people with
\nlimited vision to locate on the screen. I would use the largest
\nmouse pointer that is available on the system. Click on Start and
\nthen choose Control Panel. If you use the Classic view, you will
\nfind the Mouse icon. Double-click on it, and then on the Pointers
\ntab.<\/p>\n
Click the arrow of the Scheme, and find Windows Inverted
\n(Extra Large) (System Scheme). This should be available on
\nWindows XP computer. If you cannot find it, you can install it
\nfrom the XP installation CD. Or, you can download it from
\nLogitech's web site.<\/p>\n
While you are at it, try out some of the features in the
\nPointer Options. My favorite is 'Automatically move pointer to
\nthe default button\" in a dialog box. This will help you avoid
\nhaving to chase around looking for the mouse pointer every time
\nyou open a new dialog box.<\/p>\n
Finally, find the key combination or tools to adjust the
\nbrightness of your screen. Sometimes the factory setting is too
\nbright, because the notebook is intended for people with normal
\nvision and they usually place the screen at a distance from their
\neyes.<\/p>\n
The Accessibility Options in Control Panel is another feature
\nof Windows that you could experiment with as well. Among others,
\nit provides a Magnifying Glass utility.<\/p>\n
Depending on your eyesight some of these options may be of
\nhelp to you to improve your comfort. In general, changing the
\nscreen resolution and the shape of the mouse pointer will already
\nhelp a lot.<\/p>\n
If you have questions related to the use of information and
\ncommunications technology, send an e-mail to zatni@cbn.net.id.<\/p>",
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