How do I change the small picture that appears next to my url on my web site from Internet Explorer to my own design?

This image (or 'icon') also appears in the top left corner of browser windows and is different for many web sites. These icons are referred to as 'favicons' - FAVourite ICONs - because they also appear in your FAVourites list.

They are an important part of a web site's identity and help to make your web site memorable. They are typically 16x16 or 32x32 pixels in size and can be of any of the following types: .ico, .gif, .jpg, .png. However, for now, the only type that works in all browsers is the '.ico'.

You can create these files in your favourite software and simply save them as 'favicon.ico' and upload to the root of your web site (usually public_html).
The easiest way to create them is to upload an image to favicon.co.uk and let them do it for you for FREE.

Your 'favicon' should then be uploaded to the root folder of your website. You may need to clear your cache and refresh your page to see the change.

My computer is "low on virtual memory". What does this mean and how can I fix it?

Virtual memory is not memory at all. It is a part of your hard disk storage that Windows uses when it runs out of normal memory. This is also referred to as the 'page file'. 

1. You should check the settings for this by holding down the Windows key and pressing the 'Pause' button on your keyboard. That is the quickest way. An alternative (and easier if you have a laptop) is to go to "My Computer" and then Right Click and choose Properties.
2. From the screen that appears, click the 'Advanced Tab'
3. Now click 'Change' in the Virtual Memory section. 
4. The best choice here is "System Managed" and that's it!

This file cannot be 'fragmented': it must be a continuous area of the hard disk. This is another reason to 'defrag' your hard disk because, as part of the defrag process, there will be the largest possible 'free' space in which Windows will create the page file used for Virtual Memory. Bigger IS better!

If you have a second disk drive that has more space than the C: drive then you can tell Windows to use this one instead. You do this on the same screen.

If, after making these changes, you still have a problem then you should consider upgrading your real memory. This is not expensive (around 50 Euro) depending on your system. As a guide, you should have at least 500mb of memory for XP and 1GB for Vista and Windows 7.

A website is a great way to gain new clients and any business will benefit from it. However, it is easy for your email address to be found by 'spiders' that automatically search all websites for email addresses.

For the purpose of this article I am assuming that your address has been added to a spam list automatically by one of these 'spiders' that are used by the spammers to harvest email address. For other ways to reduce spam see my article on how to reduce spam.

For most sites the amount of spam being received is controllable but, if you are getting inundated then here are a few options:

1. Remove your email address from your website! Yes, really! All you need do is change any email link to a link to a contact form. This stops the spiders and you can also ask for relevant information on the form.
2. ''Obfuscate' the address (make it harder to read). Speak to your web designer - he should know how to do this!
3. Replace the text ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with a picture (make sure you add a description for screen readers).

All of these solutions have their own drawbacks: they don't work all the time and will cause you to lose genuine emails.

My advice is to put your address in plain text and only remove this if Spam becomes a problem.

Your email spam filters are your main defence.

There are a few things you can do to reduce (but not stop) spam and these are listed below. I will then explain about a free and simple service that will help considerably.

First, the list:

1. Turn on your spam filters for your email account. Remember to look in the 'junk' folder from time to time to catch any wanted emails.
2. Block pictures in your emails (if possible) and then only open them from trusted emails.
3. Turn off read and delivery receipts (if the spammer receives one of these they know that it is a real address).
4. As in number 3, don't 'unsubscribe' to Spam - they'll know that you exist!
5. When you give your address read the pages and make sure you tick/untick the options you want
6. Create a spare 'junk' email account that you use for unimportant sites that insist on having your address
7. Don't forward chain emails (even the funny ones!) because your email address will then be spread around the World - more spam!
8. Use a disposable email address - see below.

Well done if you're still with me! Here's your reward: "disposeamail.com". When you are asked for an email for a site you never want to receive emails from (apart from the initial confirmation email) give them 'something'@disposeamail.com. ('something' is just an example; don't forget the 'e' in disposeamail). You don't have to sign up: just go ahead and use it. You can check for the one or two confirmation emails at their home page (no password required). All future emails (and Spam!) will go to them!