I had an interesting question this week from Jenny.  She said that she uses a dual monitor set up for her home computer and her work computer and wanted to know how to extend the taskbar.

Before I get into the taskbar I just wanted to refresh your memories on how dual monitors work.  If your video card will allow it you can plug in two monitors to your computer.  Most new computers’ video cards are capable of running dual monitors today.  You will just need to check the back where you plug in your single monitor and see if there is another plug.  It may be a different type of plug.  If the plug is different you can always check at your local computer store for a compatible cable.  If your video card does not allow two monitors you can purchase a new one; however, you will have to install it which may put off some of you.

Why two monitors you may ask?  Well I love them.  Since I am usually working in at least Microsoft Word and Outlook at the same time, I can have each open on the computer simultaneously.  I know that isn’t such a big deal because anyone can do that with one monitor.  However, with the two monitors I am able to see both programs in full screen at the same time, no alt + tab required.

You can also drag files from one window to the other without the edges of the monitors getting in the way.  When you drag them from one to the other they just slide on over, no boundaries.  You have to experience it to see just how productive this can be.

Also, when you open and then close an application in one monitor it “remembers” where it was when you use it next time.  So when you open the same program later, even after rebooting, it opens in the same monitor in the same location.

OK, enough talking about the dual monitors and onto Jenny’s question.  She wanted to know if there was a way to stretch her taskbar across the screen.  That way, when she opens a program in the right monitor it would show on the taskbar also located on the same monitor.  Microsoft operating systems do not offer that feature; although, I believe they should have for many years.

I would like to mention a free program that I have used for at least 5 years that serves this purpose.  It is called, “MMTaskbar PRO” and can be found with a host of other free applications.  The PRO version does cost; however, the version that I have used for the past five years is absolutely free.  They are found on the same page…make sure you download the correct version.  There are several other similar programs on the net but this one I have used without incident and the price is right.

They have lots of instructions on the site but I remember just installing it and it worked.  It is a  great utility that I highly recommend, and it works on Windows 7 flawlessly.

Sometimes computer users just plan scare me.  I have written several columns about email and web fraud which have plainly warned readers of the nasty elements on the web.  They are out to get your money; apparently some of you (and many in the world) keep falling for it so STOP!

The two that have hit hard and heavy in the last couple of weeks are different in purpose and how they work to accomplish their deeds.

I received the first email scam from 5-10 times this week, which should be a clue right there.  It is titled, "Notice of Unreported/Underreported Income".  It looks like a "real" email from the IRS letting me know; I either owe or will get back money.  It has a very official look to it and asks me to "Please review your tax statement on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website (click on the link below)".  And it has a lengthy Tax ID number that looks very official. 

The link takes you to an organized website that asks for your first and last names.  The next page asks for your mailing address and goes deeper with each mouse click.  Yes, I tried it for you readers but poor John Smith at 123 Smith Street, Smithville, TX, will probably start to hate me.  I stopped when it got to, "Enter your Social Security Number".  Can you give me a better example of an Identity Theft attempt? 

Warning: The IRS, your bank, general websites, ad infinitum, will never ask you for your personal information.  That is unless you call them first and they need that info to solve a problem for you.

The next scam was purportedly from, "DHL Global Forwarding Services" which is was not.  The email went on to inform me that they had, "failed to deliver the postal package sent on the 15th of June in time because the addressee’s address is incorrect."  They told me that the attached zip file was they invoice which I needed to print, fill out and return to them so that I could receive my package.

I knew that I had not ordered anything that had not been received.  Warning #2: Do not open an attached file from most any email but absolutely not from an unknown source.  I took a look at what was in the zipped file, without opening it, and found that it was an executable file.  Executables run and can install programs. You don’t want that!

Now comes the point of this column.  Some of my readers actually opened and processed these with full belief that they were legitimate.  DO NOT EVER DO THIS!  One stopped at the point of, "Enter your SSN" and another pretty much made a paperweight of their computer by double clicking the "invoice" form.

Go to the FBI eScam website where you can read about some of the latest tricks and also sign up for email warnings.

This week I had a good reader question; so thanks to Douglas for asking.

Douglas was wondering with the high cost of inkjet ink if it would be better to use the refillable ink kits which are advertised on the internet.  I have used refillable ink before and right off the bat I would say, "Yes, much cheaper." 

Don’t stop to think too hard about this, but calculate what you are paying for ink per gallon.  You may find that it costs over a couple thousand dollars per gallon.  That even makes gas prices look good.

Some ink cartridges are made to refill.  If you look at your ink cartridges and see a very small rubber grommet this may be your refill port.  Just pop that stopper out and you can easily refill your ink.  Color cartridges may not be refillable but the savings on refilling black and white ink can be considerable.  While on the refill sites check your printer to see exactly what is offered.

If you don’t have a refill port on your cartridge never fear; most of the refill kits come with a small hand drill (pencil lead sized that you turn by hand).  Using the drill you can make your own refill port and plug it with the included rubber stopper.  Before you buy a kit make sure it has those if needed.

I have found that the refill ink is just as good as the ink that comes with normal cartridge.  However, I have no scientific way to test that so keep in mind that it is just my opinion.

These kits also come with a large syringe that you use to put the ink into the cartridge.  This way your refilling process should be tidy.  I still advise you to refill it over your sink in case of a slight spill, leak or overflow.  Speaking of overflow, that is the only problem that I have had refilling ink cartridges, so be careful.  Apparently I like to put a little more ink in than necessary.

I have found that since the print head is built into most inkjet printer cartridges today your cartridges still need to be replaced over time.  I will usually refill three or four times max to keep the printing sharp and clear on the paper.  That would be your call after some testing.

Another thought is that obviously, printer companies want you to get their printer and buy their ink; the ink being where they most likely make the money.  My old printer has been replaced by a newer model.  The newer model costs about $35.  The refill cartridges cost about $45.  Do the math and it is easy to see a new printer is a lot cheaper than new ink.  But be warned, the ink cartridges in the new printers usually come about half full.  This causes you to buy more ink-soon.

Using the refill kits you may get your ink at a price below $1,000/gallon…possibly.

Sorry there is no column this week as the paper doesn’t run me when there is a Monday celebrated holiday.

But don’t worry, in the words of that famous philosopher, Terminator, “I’ll be back!”

I was reading back over some of my old columns this week not because I can’t remember them all (well there is that too) but due to a question I received this week from Larry.

Larry wanted to know, "Since you are the big Google devotee, why have you never written about ‘Google Earth’?"  Well right after reading his email I thought I had, so I proceeded to check my almost 500 columns I have written over the past years.  Guess what?  Larry was correct; I have mentioned it three times in the past and once even stated, "…for a real trip try ‘earth.google.com‘."  Google Earth must be downloaded to your computer so after doing that, install it and let’s take a look.

Google Earth is a powerful mapping tool that you can use to plan trips, get directions, etc.,  pretty much like all the others out there.  Once you check your map you can also zoom around 3D photos of buildings in many major areas.  However; there isn’t that much detail of the Shenandoah Valley.

Besides regular satellite maps you can also view the sky at night and see where all of the celestial bodies are located from your backyard.  You can also zoom in on many of them and get information about them.

Another neat feature I was using for the first time while writing this column is the moon view. At the moon you can look at the areas where the astronauts explored in the last century.  There are small flags all over its surface.  When you click on a flag you may get details of that area.  With some clicks you get a short movie narrated by former astronauts.    I spent way too much time clicking, looking, watching and reading there today.

Did I mention you can do pretty much the same thing on the planet of Mars?  Go give that one a whirl.

After you are finished with maps of your neighborhood, looking at your friends’ swimming pools and the heavenly bodies, where else do you think you could go?  Correct, to the bottom of the ocean with some other interesting factoids about areas and objects there.  To dive into and view the ocean depths make sure you cut on "Oceans" and "Terrain" in the left panel for the best features.

Oh well, I have to go now, I want to go see exactly where we went on vacation this summer.  Let me know how you use Google Earth or interesting things you’ve found there.

Tags: globe, google, google earth, map, mapping, maps, Ron Doyle, world