Welcome to our Blog (and what’s a blog?)

April 16, 2009 — admin

This web site will contain IT department announcements, tips, tricks, solutions to common problems, and system status updates.  If there’s anything you’d like to see here, please let us know.

The main content is a series of dated articles, with the most recent first. This format is known as a Blog, which is a contraction of Web Log.

On the left side of the page are two sets of links — pages and categories.

Pages are articles that are on separate pages of the site, instead of being part of the main log.

Categories are links to lists of articles. Every article belongs to one or more categories and clicking a category link will show all related articles.

Posted in Uncategorized. Comments Off

email: “I’m on vacation…”

April 27, 2009 — tofma

On vacation? At a three day conference?

Let your email correspondents know, here’s how:

  1. In your web browser, go to web mail at mail.falmouthmass.us and sign in to your account.
  2. Click Preferences in the menu bar at the top of the page, then click Account Preferences.
  3. Click the tab labeled Mail Settings.
  4. Ignore the Forward to Address
  5. Write your away message in the AutoReply Message text box.
  6. Click Save Settings

To stop the autoresponder, change the message to blank.

Posted in Quick tips, email. No Comments »

Office 2007 Training

April 17, 2009 — lynn

…Painless – Sit Back and Take Notes

For the next few months IT will be offering Training Sessions for Microsoft Office 2007 Products. We have purchased training CD’s and we will be showing them in a group setting with outline notes and an IT person to run the CD’s and answer questions. This is NOT hands-on training but an easy way to learn the differences between 2007 and earlier versions as well refreshing up on tips and techniques.

We urge all 2007 users to participate – especially in Word 2007 Essentials Level 1.

We are planning on using the Old Water Department Room on first floor of Town Hall, Selectmen’s meeting room or IT Conference Room.

We will offer Word 2007 Essentials Level 1 twice. We will be scheduling Word 2007 Essentials Level 3, Excel 2007 and PowerPoint 2007 in the future.

Please let me know if you are attending (if possible) so I can schedule the correct room.

(Note: we also have Word 2003 Essentials we could also show on request)

Course Date Time
Word 2007 Essentials, Level 1 Wednesday April 29 9:00 - 12:00
Word 2007 Essentials, Level 1 Wednesday May 6 9:00 - 12:00
Word 2007 Essentials, Level 2 Wednesday May 13 9:00 - 12:00

Don’t tell anyone, but June previewed the course and took some great notes, AND you can see them here.

Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments »

I can’t log on!

April 15, 2009 — tofma

Can’t log on? Password doesn’t work? Someone changed the user name to Administrator?

1. If your log on dialog looks like this one with just 2 input fields, click the “Options” button to make the third field appear.

twoline

2. Your log on dialog should now appear like this one. Make sure the “Log on to:” contains TOWNHALL, then continue with step 3.

threeline

3. If necessary change the user name to yours. Most user names are first initial then last name, i.e. gtrudeau. However there are a few exceptions, usually first name then last initial, such as georget. User names are not case sensitive.

4. Enter your password and click OK. Remember passwords are case sensitive.

5. Still can’t log in? Call IT, extension 7400.

Posted in Common problems. Comments Off

I didn’t know you could do that, #2

April 13, 2009 — tofma

Problem: Your screen is covered with windows and you need to get to something on the desktop.
Solution: Hold the Windows key and press D (for desktop). Press <Windows> + D again to put everything back.

The Windows key is between <Ctrl> and <Alt> and looks like this:windowskey

Posted in Quick tips. Comments Off

Pssssst… your .pst is too big

April 13, 2009 — tofma

We’ve recently had a few problems with some users’ PST files.

The PST file is Outlook’s repository of all your emails, mailboxes, appointments, and contacts. As you receive and write mail, it grows,and if it gets too big, you may have problems.

In order to keep this file to a manageable size we advise that you do not store attachments in your email inbox.   This refers mostly to large attachments such as videos, powerpoint presentations, autocad or large picture file attachments.  If you no longer need the attachment you should delete the email.  If you need the email address of the sender open the email right click the senders email address and add it to you contacts before you delete the email with the attachment.  If you need to save the attachment open the email right click the attachment and save it to you’re My Documents folder.  Then delete the email.

For those of you who look at your email over the WEB mail and have asked to keep a copy of your mail on the mail server for several days we advise the same procedure because large attachments will file up your WEB inbox as well.  This has lead to a bounce back email to senders saying your inbox is full.

Next let me remind you not to open any attachments from anyone unless you expect the attachment. There are VERY, VERY BAD MEN out there.  They can spoof an email address so the infected attachment looks like it comes from someone you know and trust.

Just a couple of hints from IT

Any Questions Just Call IT, extension 7400.

Posted in Outlook, email. Comments Off

I didn’t know you could do that, #1

April 6, 2009 — tofma

Problem: The text on a web site is too small, or too big.
Solution: Hold the <Ctrl> key on your keyboard and press + (plus) for bigger or - (minus) for smaller.

Try it!
“If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger; pull it back to make them smaller.”

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The Conficker Worm

March 30, 2009 — tofma

From the News…
On April 1st, the Conficker worm is set to attack vulnerable Windows XP and Vista computers. Conficker is one of the most serious threats to computer security in recent years. Infected computers may have their data deleted, be used to send SPAM or steal passwords.

What about us?
In general, your Town computer is safe as we have centrally managed anti-virus protection, security updates are turned on, and our network is behind a firewall.

If you have any reason to believe your computer is not safe from such threats, or you notice any unusual activity or slowdowns, please call us here in IT so we can make any needed changes to your setup.

How about my Home Computer?
Here’s a few things to do:

  1. Update your operating systems by visiting http://update.microsoft.com
  2. Select Express to download high-priority updates.
  3. Install any available updates.
  4. If you do not have an anti-virus program, you should install one. Besides commercial programs like Norton Antivirus and McAfee, there are free anti-virus programs you can use at home. Two favored by the IT staff are www.avast.com and free.avg.com

Something for Everyone to Keep in Mind

No matter what protections you have in place, there are still dangers. Most problems can be avoided by following these simple rules:

  1. Don’t open email attachments unless you know who they’re from and why they were sent to you. Sender addresses are easily faked.
  2. Don’t click any buttons on pop-ups with dire warnings such as “You have a virus,” or “Your computer is running too slow.”These are often invitations to download a virus from a compromised web site. The best action is to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and choose to terminate your web browser.

If you’re not sure, call IT first! Extension 7400.

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