Q:
Can you please explain what knowledge base means? Thank you!
A:
I sure can! This term isn't used a lot, but it does have something to do with computers, so it's helpful to know about it. Basically, a knowledge base is a special kind of database for knowledge management within a computer. It holds all of the computerized information for a system and it's able to retrieve the knowledge as well.
There are two major categories for knowledge bases and those are machine-readable and human-readable. The latter doesn't have much involvement with computers, but the machine-readable base is stored in a computer-readable form with a set of data that comes with rules that explain the knowledge in a logical manner.
The most important side of a knowledge base is the quality of information it holds. The best ones have well written articles that are updated regularly, a good information retrieval system and a stable content and classification format. All of those can be referred back to a search engine. Also, just for your information, you may sometimes see the words knowledge and base connected together as one. It's common for it to be all one word (knowledgebase), just like database. And now you know all about it!
~ Erin
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File Open With Startup
Do you have an MS Excel workbook that must be opened right away everyday?
If so, wouldn't it be nice if Excel would simply open that file for you every time you start the program?
If you're thinking that would save you a lot of time each day, this is the tip for you!
There's no special setting in Excel or anything fancy to do, but you do need to know where you saved the file. Yep, that's the whole trick!
When Excel starts up, it automatically looks in the XLStart folder. So, if the file you need is in there, it will be opened right away. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it!
So, to have your special file open as soon as Excel starts, simply locate your XLStart folder and save the file to that location. (While each computer system is unique, I can tell you that in my older version of Excel, the XLStart folder was located here: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10. But in Excel 2007, I found it here: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12. That should at least get you going in the right direction to find your folder).
Keep in mind that the file is now stored in the XLStart folder, so any older versions of the file located elsewhere will not be updated when you save your work. Only the file in the new location is updated each time, because it's the one the program actually opens.
That's it. A quick Save As to the XLStart folder is all it takes!
Now, I do have a couple more quick notes for this one.
First, this trick works with multiple files and you don't even have to pick the most important one. If there are two or three files in the XLStart folder, it will open all of them.
Next, for those of you who are file backup minded and are afraid you'll forget to back up the files in their new location, I have a work around. I found that you can also use this trick with shortcuts to the files. To do so, simply create a shortcut to the file in its original location (right click on the file and choose Create shortcut). Then just move the shortcut into the XLStart folder.
That should do it. Just another way to take control of your own Excel universe!
~ April
Alternative Virus Removal
So, tell me, has your computer ever been infected with a virus that completely took over your whole system? I mean, was it so bad that you couldn't even get your antivirus program to open? Yeah, I'd say that's pretty bad! So, what did you do about it? How are you supposed to fix your computer if you can't even scan your system to see what's wrong? Oh, what a nightmare!
Well, you could contact your computer's manufacturer and pay big bucks to get it fixed or you could just try to fix it yourself. How, you ask? Well, keep reading and I will give you the full scoop!
Below are a few steps you can follow to take matters into your own hands and get rid of that pesky virus that has invaded your computer. This is information every computer user should know, so listen up!
1.) First, you need to disconnect your computer from the Internet (or your network if you have one). That prevents the virus from spreading to other computers and it stops the virus from sending itself through your e-mail to all of your address book contacts. You can disconnect by simply unplugging your network cable or by turning off your wireless router.
2.) Next, make sure you back up all of your important files to either a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
3.) Now, you'll want to check out the System Restore feature on your computer. Every now and then, you should go and set up a restore point for your computer, which will cover you if your computer ever stops working. If it does, you can simply reset your computer back to a time when it worked properly.
To set up your own restore point, go to Start, Control Panel (make sure you're in the Classic View) and then click on the Backup and Restore Center link. Next, click the option that says "Repair Windows Using System Restore," located on the sidebar. Then just follow the rest of the instructions. (Note: These directions are for Windows Vista, so if you're using XP, they might be a little different).
4.) Okay, let's go back to the virus situation. If you know where the infected file is on your computer, you can try deleting it and then emptying your Recycle Bin.
5.) Or, if you're not sure where it is, you can try using Trend Micro's HouseCall Antivirus Scan, found here. The virus will not be able to detect that scan, so you can give your computer a good check over.
6.) Now, as a last resort, you may want to try resetting your computer to its factory settings (the way it came when you first purchased your PC). Different computers have different ways of doing that, but as a general guide, you can use the System Restore option we talked about earlier.
Those are just a few things you can do if you're having trouble getting a nasty virus off your computer. I'm not promising they will work for every infection, but they're at least worth a try. I hope this one helps a lot of you!
~ Brandon Zubek
