Komando's Q & A: Text from your computer
— -- Question:Is it possible to send text messages to a cellphone from my computer? And what does it cost?
Answer:You can text from your computer. And it's free. In most cases, you'll need to know the recipient's cellular provider. Often, you can do a reverse lookup online to figure that out. This should show you the carrier associated with the number. You can send text messages from many providers' websites. Or, you can send them using a Mozilla Firefox Web browser add-on. You can find that for free at www.komando.com/news.
Q:I'm trying to find friends and I'd like help tracking them down. Do sites do this? I've tried Google, but there are too many results.
A:The Internet is a great resource for locating someone. Google is a good place to start, but it can be tricky if the person has a common name. You might try narrowing the search with a location or interest, but I recommend people-search sites. Try Wink, CVgadget, Pipl or PeekYou. I have links at www.komando.com/news. These sites search networking sites and public records. They often also search the deep Web. These are pages that aren't indexed by most search sites. You'll have better luck at these people-search sites.
Q:I use ZoneAlarm firewall on my computer. It recently started giving me security warnings. It says that Client Server Runtime Process is trying to access the Internet. It mentions csrss.exe. Is this malware?
A:Client Server Runtime Process is a Windows process. Csrss.exe is its executable file. This process is critical in Windows, but the file is also associated with malware. Many viruses and other nasties target this process. Versions of the Netsky worm use the csrss.exe file, for example. Scan your computer with antivirus and anti-spyware programs. You may find something. If you don't have these programs, I link to them at www.komando.com/news.
Q:I have a Panasonic 50-inch plasma high-definition TV. It has 720p resolution. Does the 720p limit my ability to benefit from HD? Would I waste money upgrading my Dish satellite programs to HD? Would I benefit from Blu-ray Disc?
A:Your 720p set will work fine. It is a high-definition resolution. Some broadcasts are done in 720p, others in 1080i. Blu-ray Discs come in both of those, plus 1080p. The signal's resolution is not really important. Televisions automatically adjust them. So your TV will adjust a 1080i broadcast to 720p. You should notice little difference. I certainly would upgrade to high-definition. And you will benefit from Blu-ray Disc.
Q:A client of my husband's asked that he send e-mail to them in a PDF or Acrobat file. How do we do this? Will we need to buy special software?
A:PDF files are easily created these days. Special software was once required, but no longer. If you have Microsoft Word 2007, use that. Click the Save icon in the top left of Word. The Save As window will open. At the bottom of the window, name the file. In the Save As Type box, click the down arrow. Select PDF. Click Save. You may not have Word 2007. Several programs can convert documents into PDF files. Try doPDF or PDFCreator. Find these free programs at www.komando.com/news.
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E-mail questions to Komando at gnstech@gannett.com.