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Family FAQ Archive

My 65-year-old retired mom has never been online before, but now wants to keep in touch with me and her grandkids via email. How can I get her started?

Instead of buying a new computer, can I just add more memory to my current PC?

Can I connect a desktop monitor to my laptop?

We need a new computer, but I'm not sure if we should buy a laptop or desktop.

I need a last-minute gift for the grandparents. Is there a speedy way to turn one of our digital family photos into a fun present?

We only use our computer to do homework and email friends. Do we really have anything that a hacker would want?

How can I track my son's cell phone minute usage online?

My 12-year-old daughter doesn't want to spend any time on the computer. Should I be worried?

I just got a new web-enabled phone. To set up my email, I need to know: What is the difference between POP3 and IMAP account setups?

How can I get my hands on a new iPhone?

I heard most new computers or accessories come with a rebate. How can I make sure I get some cash back with my purchase?

How can I let my teen shop safely online?

Should I let my young children have their own email accounts?

I just got a new computer, printer and some software with tons of packaging and paperwork. What do I need to keep?

I'm tired of buying two of everything. Is it possible for my kids to share their digital music player?

Where can I find a web site that lets me design and print inexpensive stickers for my daughter's birthday?

Where does spam come from?

My family just bought a new computer. What are our options for warranties?

Is there a way to share and edit versions of a Word document via a web site?

Do some commuter buses and trains now have Internet access?

To save money, how can I find out which software packages work on both my Mac and PC?

My kids are always fighting over the computer. How can we keep the peace?

Are there any good portable laptop desks that I can use, while sitting on the couch for example?

Is it illegal to burn my digital music onto CDs?

I noticed that some online travel sites require you to pay up front for an entire hotel stay and don't offer a cancellation refund. Is this common?

How can I keep my child from seeing inappropriate videos on web sites?

How can I change the color of my desktop?

I want to be more eco-friendly with my electronics. Where do I find recycled or refilled printer cartridges?

Can my iPod be saved after being dropped in water?

How can I find out which hotels offer Internet access for free?

I'm changing email addresses. How do I make sure people who email the old one can still reach me?

I've heard my new U.S. passport will be embedded with an ID chip. What is this?

Where can I find a stylish laptop bag for my college-aged daughter?

When I search the Internet for my personal web site, a lot of other sites come up with the same domain -- but they are not my site. What's going on?

Are there any web sites that let me see all my financial accounts in one place?

My daughter is always sending her friends "messages" versus emails. How is she doing this?

Is there any way to get Web access on an airplane?

Who can I complain to if a Web site gathers my kid's information without my permission?

Can I access my favorite browser bookmarks from any computer?

Are there any great web sites that review the safety of toys for children?

When my daughter is instant messaging, (IMing), she often uses the term POS. What does it mean?

Are there any web sites that will let me swap and buy used baby gear?

Can you recommend where to find inexpensive laptops designed just for kids?

My kids love dogs, but we're not ready to adopt one. Are there any cute pet web sites we can look at in the meantime?

How can I use the web to find a parenting group in my city?

At what age is it OK for my child to go online alone?

Are there any web sites that let you build and create online scrapbooks of your family?

Where's the best place to download free video podcasts for my kids' portable media player?

Is there any way to automatically limit the amount of time my teen son spends on the computer?

I want to shut down my expensive cable TV service. Can I watch TV on my computer instead?

I heard you can print postage stamps via the web. How does this work?

Some days my Internet access is so slow. What can I do to keep it speedy?

I don't always want to use the small screen of my laptop. How can I hook up my laptop to a regular-sized computer monitor?

We just got a new computer for our kids. What's the best web site filtering software we can use to block out unwanted adult content?

My daughter wants to spruce up her MySpace page. Is this possible?

How do I sign electronic documents electronically versus printing them and signing with pen and ink?

Do I need special software in order to create PDFs?

I list many books and other product recommendations on my personal blog. Is there any way to get paid for my referrals?

I just bought a new laptop. Is there a trouble-free way to transfer my data from my old computer to my new one?

I'm taking time off to stay home with my new baby. What's the best professional social network online for keeping in touch with my former co-workers?

What are the benefits of getting an all-in-one smart phone?

I have a personal web site and I want to accept paid advertisements for it. Is there a service I can use?

How do I access my email while I am away from home?

My computer has a lot of programs that I don't use and they are taking up memory. What is the safest way to delete these program files?

Can I get a discount if I'm buying a computer for my child's educational use?

I want to start a blog but there are so many web sites out there to choose from. How can I pick the right one for me?

Texting has made my daughter's cell phone bill skyrocket. Are there more affordable alternatives?

I got an email from an online auction site confirming that I had purchased a new TV. But I didn't make this purchase. What should I do?

My teenager is interested in volunteering this summer. Are there web sites that publish information about volunteer positions?

Where can I find ringtones for my cell phone?

I'm shopping for a new digital camera. What features should I be looking for?

My daughter is being harassed on a social network site. Who do I report this to?

My accountant's computer was stolen and my tax return and personal information could be exposed. What should I do?

Should I go with DSL or cable Internet access? Which is faster?

Sometimes when I'm filling out forms on a web site, my private information automatically appears as I'm typing. Why does this happen and is my privacy being threatened?

We have a road trip coming up. Can I transfer my old books on tape (or CD) to my iPod?

My friend uses a "nanny" cam to monitor her kids' caregivers. I'm curious: what are the benefits?

How can I make dinner reservations online?

I heard that my son's game console can also be used as a DVD player. Is this true?

I've heard that some social networking sites offer parental notification features. How can I use these controls?

Is there a way to automatically back up certain files -- like my email address book -- from my computer?

I seem to get lost when searching the Internet. How can I conduct streamlined searches and get the information I want faster?

Why does my laptop sometimes get hot and cause its fan to rev up?

Is it safe to download a free screensaver or are there strings attached?

I'm always sending out emails with typos. How can I become a better proofreader or is there a program I can use?

My daughter knows more about using the computer than I do. This makes me uncomfortable. How can I get up to speed?

I get more instant messages (IMs) than I have time to answer. What's the etiquette for responding to IMs?

What kind of lighting should I have around my computer to get the best monitor quality?

Is it legal to upload TV clips from my favorite shows to sites like YouTube?

If I click a pop-up ad to answer a quiz question or play a quick game, will the advertiser be able to get my personal information?

Am I creating a security risk when I leave my computer turned on and connected to the Internet 24/7?

I've heard you can use tools to track the location of people who visit your MySpace profile. If this is true, should I be concerned?

Someone told me it's bad to have my computer speakers too close to my monitor. Is this true?

Why does some incoming email go into my spam folder, even though I have successfully received email from that address before?

Do I need to be concerned about the security of my mobile phone?

My son, who is a college freshman, thinks his 18-month-old laptop is outdated. How long do computers stay current?

Since our household now has three computers, we've noticed a significant increase in our electric bill. Any tips on how to reduce our energy use?

I buy a lot of things online. Will I get spam from the sites where I shop?

Is it really free to talk to my friends using an instant messaging program that has voice capabilities?

I want to recycle my old cell phone, but I'm worried that someone will be able to access my address book. What should I do?

My daughter has been suspended for writing about a teacher on her MySpace page. Can they do that?

My friend is always posting pictures of our kids online but I feel a little nervous about it. Do I have anything to worry about?

Instead of mailing holiday cards this year, I want to send a holiday email. What are some things I can do to make it special?

When shopping online, does it matter what kind of shipping option I choose or should I just go with the cheapest?

Is it OK to blog about my kids? Will it put them in danger?

Do politicians take emails that we send them seriously?

Every time I get driving directions from a mapping web site, they always seem to be wrong. Is there any way to get better results?

If my Internet service is down for hours or days at a time, do I have any rights as far as getting a refund?

My best friend is always writing about her boss in her personal blog. Could she get fired?

Is it OK for my daughter to register for her wedding gifts online versus at our local department store?

When I have to deal with my bank, utility company, or another service provider, is it better to use the customer service web site or to call?

Every site I go to on the web seems to have a privacy policy. Should I actually read them?

My son wants a camera and web-enabled mobile phone, but I've heard that some schools are banning them. Why is that?

Do web sites, like video games or movies, have rating systems to protect kids from adult content?

Sometimes I need to use our home computer to send a last-minute email to my work from my personal account. Is this a bad idea?

We're considering buying an inexpensive refurbished computer. Any pitfalls we should avoid?

Is it safe for our family to get medical advice over the Internet?

My friend always forwards me chain letters, jokes or well-known email scams. How can I get her to stop?

My daughter has a pretty long summer reading list. What's the best way to research the books and authors online?

I get so many emails each day. Etiquette-wise, how long is too long to wait to reply?

During summer vacation, how can I make sure my teens don't spend too much time online or view inappropriate web sites while we're at work?

We need to buy my daughter a computer before she heads to college. How do we figure out what features she needs?

I received an email that offered free beauty products if I visited a certain web site. Is this deal for real?

I've been looking for jobs online but I don't want my resume to get lost in the shuffle. How can I make sure it was received?

If my son loses his MP3 player or laptop, is that covered under my homeowner's insurance?

I'm always worried our laptop could be easily stolen. Is there a way to protect it?

How can we use our computer to share one calendar for our entire family?

Everyone in our family uses the computer a lot. How can we prevent wrist or other injuries?

We're going to let our 16-year-old son have his own computer in his bedroom. Are there any ground rules we should set?

How can we dispose of our old computer that isn't worth selling?

Word Alert

Many printers, keyboards, digital cameras and other devices connect to a computer via this kind of cable:

Answer

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Family FAQ

"My 65-year-old retired mom has never been online before, but now wants to keep in touch with me and her grandkids via email. How can I get her started?"

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