Here are some more ways to customize your computer using the Display Properties window.  Try some of these little tricks

Open up the Display Properties window.

• Click on the Start menu, click on Control Panels and click (or double click) on Display
• Note that there is another way to open the Display Properties.  You can right-click on the Desktop (in a blank area) and click on Properties.  The Display Properties window will open

Click on the Appearance tab.

Click on the Effects button.

Here are some options that look similar to the ones we discussed last week when we worked with the Performance Options.  Let’s look at these options.

Use the following transition effect for menus and tooltips:

If you decided last week that you wanted to use transitions effects for menus and tooltips, you can now choose what that effect will be.  Click on the down error in the drop-down box and choose Fade Effect or Scroll Effect.  If you like these fancy animation things, experiment with these 2 choices.  I don’t use any effect – it’s so slight anyways, it better leaving this one off.

Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts:

You can choose what method you want to use to smooth the edges of screen fonts.  Use Standard method or use the Clear Type method.  Again, experiment with these settings and see which one improves the quality of the fonts on your screen.  I get better results on my screen with this one off.  Try it though – it could improve your screen fonts.

Use large icons

You can choose to use large icons.  This refers to Desktop icons.  If you have trouble seeing the icons clearly, try checking this options and increase their size.  Nope – those large icons are a bit much for me – but maybe you would like them.

Use shadows under the menus

You can show shadows under the menus.  It looks pretty cool and if you are into these kind of effects, try it out.   Give me a break – who needs it – it’s off for me.

Show window contents while dragging.

The default setting for this is off.  But you can click it on and when you drag an icon on the desktop, the contents.  This one is a keeper for me – I leave it on.

Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt key.

Did you ever notice the little underline letters in the menu bar when you are using an application (like Word or Outlook Express.  Those little underlined letters are used as keyboard shortcuts when you want to access a menu without using the mouse.  When you activate this button, you hide those lines under the  letters until you press the Alt key.  If you leave it unchecked, you never see those little underlined letters.  Ii like it – I leave it on.

Give some of these options a try.  But remember, these options use some of your system resources and they may slow your computer down a bit – or a lot, if you use every option.  Experiment with them and see how they work with your computer.  Use them if you like them.