Question Time

The Age

Tuesday February 26, 2008

George Skarbek

Q Is there software (preferably free) that reduces 2.5 MB-3 MB photograph files to a smaller size that I can email on dial-up? I use Windows XP.

I. Endersby

A Many programs can do what you want. A good one to start with is IrfanView, from irfanview.com. When viewing your image, press Ctrl + r or click on Image, Resize/Resample and, assuming your recipients will just look at the image on screen, select 800x600 pixels and also in the DPI box enter 72. Save the image with a new name or you will overwrite your original file. In the Save Quality box select a value of between 75% and 80%. The resultant image will be less than 5% of its original size but will look identical on screen. If your recipients want to print A4 size, a greater reduction in image size will be required. Picasa, from picasa.google.com, is another good free product. It can resize images for email and has other good features.

Q How can I put a password on to a file so no one in my absence can alter it before they print?

A. Drysdale

A There is no way in Windows to password protect a file and removing the read-only attribute is easy if anyone wants to do this. For password protection I suggest WinZip or the free 7-Zip. If it is a Word or Excel file, use Microsoft's encryption to prevent either opening or modifying it. For Word this is done from File, Save As, then click on the Tools drop-down menu for Options and click on Security and you can put a password to modify or to open.

Q The consumer magazine Choice emails a bi-monthly newsletter to online subscribers. I have never received this and have been told to check my spam filters because the newsletter could be getting blocked. How do I do that? I use Microsoft Outlook and McAfee Viruscan and Firewall.

I. Bickerton

A This is not the fault of the firewall or anti-virus software. Some anti-spam software, on your computer or internet service provider, is stopping the mail getting through. You have to add the sender's address to that software's anti-spam filter. Many ISPs will allow you to have your own "white list", which will allow such publications not to be stopped as spam. Also check Outlook's "Junk Email" folder.

George Skarbek's book, Computer Guide, is available at skarbek.com.au.

© 2008 The Age

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