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Last week we wrote a tutorial for the new Image Resizer for Windows 7 and Vista…and now it’s time to review it!  The software has been developed by CodePlex and is free to download!

As a whole we’re very impressed with the program and think it’s got a lot of potential.  The software itself is very easy to use and provides a very effective and efficient service.

If the product was to be developed further we’d like to see a couple of new features added.  Firstly, we think that there should the option to select the image compression.  By this we mean you can select the extent to which the image quality is compromised.  Secondly, there could be some basic image editing software within the application.

Overall we’re impressed and think it’s worth downloading!

See Also:
Downloading and Installing – Image Resizer for Windows 7 and Vista

Just over 1 1/2 years ago we wrote a post titled ‘Quick Tip – Resize Multiple Images Quickly‘.  One of the programs we mentioned in the blog only worked for machines running XP.  However, a company called CodePlex have adapted the software so it can be used for Windows 7 and Vista machines!  Here is a tutorial for the software:

Downloading and Installing

1. Before you do anything you need to download the program.  The software can be downloaded from phototoysclone.codeplex.com.
2. Click ‘Download Now’ on the right
   
3. Click ‘Agree’ if you are willing to agree to the license.
4. Next save the file to your computer by clicking ‘Save File’ (Firefox Users, wording may vary between Web Browsers)
   
5. Now you need to open the downloaded file.  Internet Explorer users should click ‘Open’.  Firefox users should go to the downloads window and double-click on then file then click ‘OK’.
   
6. Click ‘Run’
7. Now follow through the installation process until the end.
8. Once the installation process is complete you’re ready to get resizing!

How to Resize One Image

1. Firstly ensure that you’ve downloaded and installed the software.
2. Secondly locate the image you wish to resize.  For example, most images on computers are stored in ‘my pictures’.
3. Once you’ve found the image you wish to resize right click on it and select ‘Resize Pictures’ (click to enlarge image)
   
4. If there is size option you’re happy with select it but clicking on it and then click OK.
   
   Alternatively, if you wish to choose specific dimensions click ‘advanced >>’.  This gives you the opportunity to create custom dimensions, ask the tool to make images smaller but not larger and also ask the tool to resize originals and not make copies.  When happy click ‘OK’
   
5. Your images will then appear resized (see example below for users who chose for copies to be made)
   

How to resize a selection of images in one folder

1. Firstly follow step 1 and 2 from the ‘How to resize one image’
2. Once you’ve located the images you wish to resize click on them all whilst holding down ‘Ctrl’ (Control) on your keyboard. If you would like to resize all press ‘ctrl + A’ (Click image to enlarge)
   
3. Next you need to Right Click on one of the images you have selected and then select ‘Resize Pictures’ (click to make the image bigger)
   
4. If there is size option you’re happy with select it but clicking on it and then click OK.
   
   Alternatively, if you wish to choose specific dimensions click ‘advanced >>’.  This gives you the opportunity to create custom dimensions, ask the tool to make images smaller but not larger and also ask the tool to resize originals and not make copies.  When happy click ‘OK’
   
5. Your images will then appear in the folder resized (click to make image bigger)
   

We’re impressed with this program!  Watch out for our review on it next week!

This tutorial will show you how to run a ScanDisk on your Vista PC.

What is a ScanDisk?

ScanDisk, also known as ‘Error Checking’ simply scans the file system and repairs any errors or bad clusters.  This just helps keep your computer running smoothly and hopefully quickly, so its worth doing.  How often depends on how much you use your machine, every three months for the home user should be fine.  Busy home machines or business machines I would say monthly ideally.

How to run a ScanDisk

1. Firstly, close all programs.
2. Click on the Start Orb.
   
3. Select ‘Computer’
   
4. Right-Click on the drive which has the Label ‘(C:)’ and then select ‘Properties’.
   
5. Select the ‘Tools’ tab and then ‘Check Now’ (Click to Enlarge Image)
   
6. Ensure that both boxes are ticked, then click ‘Start’.
   
7. Click ‘Schedule Disk Scan’ and then restart your machine.
   

Any questions?

My Quick Tip this week is related to Windows Vista users! With Vista being a new Operating System there is much many of us don’t know with the system, let alone new features and tools that are being made available for it!

So…My suggestion for this week is to check out the Windows Vista Magazine Blog! On the blog you will find news about recent Vista service pack releases, new tools that people have developed or come across, solutions to problems that people are having and much more.

Posts are made by three main groups The Magazine / Blog team, Partners and the Community. Filter out the ones you are not interested in to read just the good stuff!

Time to answer some questions that are frequently asked about Microsoft Office 2007:

Q: Is it possible to open Office 2007 documents in different versions of Office?
A: Yes, there is a free Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2007 file formats which enable other users to view, save edit etc documents in Office 200, XP or 2003. For more on how to install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack click here and for more information on how to use earlier versions of Excel, PowerPoint and Word to open and save files from 2007 Office click here.

Q: Can I save my documents in older Microsoft Office formats?
A: Yes you can. Simply click the office button on the top left and choose Save as, then just pick the earlier version of your 2007 Office system application e.g. Excel 97-2003. You can lose some information by doing this though. So to check if anything, what will get lost, select Prepare–>Run Compatibility Checker.

Q: How do I check if I have any problems in my Office 2007 system?
A: Office 2007 comes with its very own built-in diagnostics tool, which you’ll find by following these simple instructions: Start–>All Programs–>Microsoft Office–>Microsoft Office Tools–>Microsoft Office Diagnostics. Then just follow the on screen instructions which will give Office a check to make sure everything is running healthily.

Q: How can I change a program’s options?
A: You can change with all of the 2007 Office system applications by selecting the Office button from the top left hand corner of the screen when the program is open. Then just select the Options you wish to change from the button at the bottom of the window. Spending the time to go over the sections carefully is recommended as it will save you a hell of a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Q: Is it possible to back up my Office 2007 system settings?
A: Windows Vista includes the Microsoft Office system settings with in the back-up tools. If you wish to transfer them to a PC instead you can use ‘Windows Easy Transfer’. You can find both by doing the following: Start–>All Programs–>Accessories–>System Tools.

Anymore post ‘em ‘ere and we will see what can be done.