HOME
TOPICS
ABOUT ME
MAIL
|
| technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983
D r . G i z m o
Once more, with feeling: How to move the taskbar back to the bottom
Oct. 5, 2005
By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2005, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2005, The Post-Standard
I'm a faithful reader of your columns and have gleaned a great deal of helpful and useful advice from them. I must have missed the one that explained how to return the taskbar from the top, back to the bottom. My wife somehow got her taskbar on her Dell Windows PC on top accidentally and we can't figure out how to get it back down. Can you help? -- Bob S., via AOL.
The doctor heard from many others with the same plea. The problem with sliding the taskbar back to the bottom is that it has no grab handle. Even worse, it refuses to move straight up or straight down. It only moves in an arc.
To move it, click on a blank area toward the middle of the taskbar and hold the button down for a second or so. Then, with the button still held down, arc your mouse pointer toward one of the sides of the screen. The taskbar will snap to that side. Do the same maneuver again and arc the taskbar to the bottom of the screen. (Obviously, you can use the same technique to move it to the top or to either side.)
Doc, a while back I asked about using a single click to take the place of double clicking in Windows. This was an option in previous versions, but you (or your partner -- I can never tell you guys apart) said Microsoft might have eliminated thata function in Windows XP.
Well, I found it, quite by accident. If anyone ever wants to know, here's how to set it up: Go to the Control Panel, then to Folder Options, then Tools, and click the apprpriate box. It will say One click on an icon like on a web page or something like that. Thanks again for all the help in the past. I know I'll be writing you again soon! -- R.S., via Road Runner.
The doc has the greatest readers in the world. Thanks, R.S.!
Doctor, I was just looking into purchasing Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) for my Mac and it's a good thing I checked the system requirements! I have an iMac G4 without a DVD drive -- it has a CD drive -- so I would have been in sorry shape had I not checked.
Isn't there another way for us poor souls without a DVD drive to upgrade to Tiger? I can't go out and buy a new computer since this one is functioning very well and I don't think my husband would approve of the expense. In 23 years this is the first time that I've been disappointed in Apple. -- G., via Road Runner.
The doc has good news. Apple will provide Tiger, it's latest OS X operating system, on CDs instead of DVDs if you ask. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE and tell the company you need the CDs.
There's no reason to try to have a serious discussion with you. -- V.P., via Yahoo.
The doc agrees.
Dr. Gizmo has serious discussions every day with Al Fasoldt's two tropical birds. You can send a cracker or just a letter to the doctor or his pal at Technology, Box 4915, Syracuse, NY 13221. Or send e-mail to afasoldt@twcny.rr.com.
| |