Gadget's Tips

There's only one thing worse than a frustrated Border Collie, and that's two frustrated Border Collies! So what's the problem this time?

Well, unless you routinely use the Find tool to look for files on your computer the indexing feature in XP isn't much use. In fact it slows down the computer - and frustrates Gadget's quick pawed efficiency when he's trying to respond to all your emails.

So here's how to disable it.

Gadget has noticed that Vista's Start menu can be used to search for files - which is fine, but tends to produce dozens of results (certainly too many for a busy Collie).

As a dog who likes to be in charge, Gadget has found he can get more control over exactly what he's searching for by right-clicking the Start button and selecting 'Properties'.

On the Start Menu tab, he clicks the 'Customize' button and unticks any options that can safely be ignored.

(For example, he unticks 'Search favourites and history', as he doesn't often use these.)

Want to cycle through several open windows? The boring, cat-preferred method is to hold down the ALT key and push TAB a few times.

Not good enough for Gadget!

Instead he holds down the Windows key and presses TAB - which brings the "Flip 3D" system into play. Less boring? He thinks so (and it's much less strenuous than the other kind of flip - catching his frisbee that is).

So, why not try it for yourself...?

Gadget was complaining the other day that his home PC only has one user account - The Gadget Man. He reckons it's silly to type the password every time he starts it up. Now he's discovered a way to avoid this...

Click Start, then Run, and type control userpasswords2 before pressing Enter. Select your account and untick the box labelled 'Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer'. Click OK, enter the password when prompted and click OK again.

Great, straight onto DoggyChat for a woofing big natter with his chums.

Sometimes Gadget wants to select or open a number of files or folders. That's easy if they're all grouped together - just shift and drag. But suppose they aren't...?

No problem for Gadget, because in Vista you can add a tick-box to all your icons!

Open a folder, and go to Organize, then 'Folder and Search Options'. Move to the View tab and tick the box labelled 'Use check boxes to select them'. Click OK.

And now when Gadget wants to open his top ten choices for dog treat recipes he can select all of them together! (Paws up whoever wants one...)