Changing your Desktop Background and Internet Explorer Hompage

 

De'Marcus Jackson

My tech tip for is all about personalization. There are a few studies floating around out there that conclude personalizing simple aspects of one’s personal computer (PC) can have a beneficial impact on productivity, satisfaction, and motivation. I certainly believe that this is true. I have found that when I make my PC’s desktop and Internet Explorer my own, I can get more things done and I don’t mind spending hours banging away at the keyboard or surfing the Internet.

So, I would like to provide faculty members with some tips toward personalizing your PC’s desktop and Internet Explorer. Many of you may be aware of these tips, but a lot of you may not. I hope for some of you that these tips are useful.

Changing Your Desktop Background

I know some of you are still rocking the ever so peaceful and serene Microsoft background called “Bliss” J. This is the background that comes standard on most Windows XP operating systems right out the box. It’s the background that resembles a golf course, with rolling green hills and a crisp blue and cloudy sky. Now, if you enjoy this blissful background, then by all means keep rocking it. But, if don’t care for this background but don’t know how to change it, then here is how you can personalize your background:

  • Right-click on any empty part of the Windows desktop and choose “Properties”. The Display Properties dialog box appears.

  • Click the Desktop tab. In the background box, Windows XP lists pictures from the Windows folder and the My Pictures folder.

  • Scroll through the background box and pick the picture you want. If you don’t see the picture you want, then you can Browse for any picture that is not listed in the box, but that you have saved on your computer. Note, this may be the case since pictures in the Shared Pictures folder typically are not included in this list.

  • Be sure to adjust the position of your chosen picture. Outside the background box, there is a drop-down box that gives you the option to stretch, tile, and center the picture. Most pictures look best if they are stretch to fit your desktop screen, but this is not always the case, so play around with the positioning.

  • Click Apply. Windows changes the background according to your specifications but leaves the Display Properties dialog box open so that you can change your mind.

  •  Click OK.

Choosing a background picture that reflects your personality and that you find relaxing, calming, or exciting, in my view, really can increase your personal attachment to your PC.

There are many websites that allow you to choose what are called “wallpapers”. These are basically desktop backgrounds that you can right-click on and “Set as Background”. I recommend visiting the following website: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/downloads/wallpapers . This is one of my favorite websites because I am into astronomy, but, generally speaking, the pictures on this site are simply beautiful! Try them out. You may find one that you like to stick to your desktop.

Changing Your Color Scheme

You can also change your color scheme. Windows XP ships with three designer color schemes that you may be familiar with: Blue (which is very common and probably the one you are currently using), Olive Green, and Silver. If you would like to change the color scheme (which I recommend you do) then here is how to do it:

  • Right-click on any empty part of the Windows desktop and choose “Properties”. The Display Properties dialog box appears.

  • Click the Appearance tab.

  • From the Color Scheme drop-down list, choose Default (blue), olive green, or silver, and click OK.

  • If you don’t like any of the Windows XP style colors (and I personally don’t), then you can opt to pick from the classics! Under the “Windows and buttons” drop-down list, select Windows Classic style. Under this option you will have over twenty classic color schemes to choose from. Play around with each scheme, until you find the one that best suits you.

Customizing your Internet Explorer Startup Homepage

I have assisted several faculty with changing the startup homepage that comes up when they open Internet Explorer. Some of you may find it frustrating having to navigate from often crowded homepages like MSN.com or a similar homepage. You may prefer to pick a homepage that is more to your liking, such as the Columbia State homepage or the Google homepage or some other personally desirable homepage. Here is how you can change your current startup homepage:

  • Go to Internet Explorer. Then, go to the homepage that you prefer to be your startup page.

  • Once your page has loaded, go to Tools and select Internet Options.

  • Under the General tab, click on the “Use Current” button. This will replace the address already in the box, with the address of your preferred homepage.

  • Click Apply, then OK. When you re-open Internet Explorer, it should go straight to your new homepage setting.

In closing, if any faculty member has a question or needs help implementing any of the above steps, then feel free to contact me or another Faculty Tech Mentor (FTM). We will be happy to assist you with personalizing and customizing your desktop and Internet Explorer experience.

 

Here is a final web link that can help with customizing the often overlooked, but very useful links toolbar: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/links_toolbar.htm

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dee Jackson

Mr. De' Marcus "Dee" Jackson, M.S.
Instructor of Psychology
Columbia State Community College
Office phone: (931) 766-1609, Lawrenceburg
My e-mail: djackson30@columbiastate.edu
My homepage: http://djackson30.columbiastate.edu
Psychology Dept.: http://www.columbiastate.edu/psychology