How to create a cool slide show with Windows Movie Maker

Sharing just plain pictures can be boring sometimes. Say you like to surprise your grandparents on their anniversary by compiling all their pictures together and presenting it to them. You can spice up the presentation a bit by making a slide show with Windows Movie Maker. This means you can add

How to save data on a CD or DVD using Windows Vista or XP

In a previous article I've explained about the different media you can use to backup your files. If you have chosen to save on a CD or DVD then below videos will help you a lot. The first shows how to save with Windows Vista while the second video will show how to save with Windows XP. Just a trivia, the process of saving on a CD or DVD is called burning so aside from saying 'I will save on a CD/DVD' you may say 'I will burn on a CD/DVD'. The reason behind this is because lasers will be used to burn the impression of the data unto the surface of the CD or DVD.

Burning data with Windows Vista

Burning data with Windows XP

How to create a new user and add user password

In a household there might be only one computer and many users. If this is the case it makes sense to create an account for each user so they can have more flexibility in organizing their folders and customizing the look of their desktop. It would also be best to add a password to these accounts to increase privacy for each user.

The steps to create a new account and add a password is simple. The steps below would work for both XP and Vista computers. There is also a video tutorial to provide you with a visual guide.

1. Go to start
2. Go to control panel
3. Go to user accounts
4. (depends) go to user accounts again
5. Select the user you want to add a password
6. Click create a new password
7. Type the new password in (twice - once in the first box and once in the second)
8. (If you want) Add a password hint (DO NOT put the password itself!)
   
9. Click create password

How to install Microsoft Vista

In a previous article, I discussed about what is Microsoft Vista, provided reasons why upgrade/use and not upgrade/use Vista and finally reminded about the minimum system requirements for installation. If you have already purchased the DVD installer (if not yet you may get one from Amazon) then you may now proceed to intall it in your computer.

Please do not feel intimidated with the installation process because as you will see from the video demonstration below, even a kid can do it.

Microsoft Vista 101

Currently the latest Microsoft Operating System sold in shelves is Microsoft Vista. There are different editions available depending on use. Namely they are

• Home Basic
• Home Premium
• Business
• Ultimate

You could view their differences in detail here. However for a normal home or student use the Home Premium edition is sufficient.

If you are using Windows XP, there are reasons why you should get Vista but there are also other reasons why you shouldn't. This site explains it best. Bottomline however , most likely the compelling reason for you to want to upgrade to Windows Vista from XP would be to get that new Aero interface which looks so cool on screen. :)

Before you go about buying Vista, you must take note of the computer specifications. There are minimum system requirements to meet. According to Microsoft for Windows Home Premium they are:

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:

- WDDM Driver
- 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
- Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
- 32 bits per pixel

• DVD-ROM drive
• Audio Output
• Internet access

When you have decided to upgrade and start using Microsoft Vista. Buy the DVD first. My suggestion is the Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 Upgrade, then proceed to the next article on how to install Microsoft Vista.