Download fun extras for your PC
From ringtones to emoticons, we show you where to find them online
By Doug O'Neill
It's 11 o'clock. Do you know what your kids are downloading? Cellphone ringtones, skins, dingbats, emoticons—the choices are endless. In 2003 alone, mobile ringtones netted over U.S. $1 billion in sales worldwide. Patricia MacInnis, editor of Computing Canada, says the downloading frenzy is led by "teens who are groping to stand apart, to customize, to conjure up an identity of their own."
Greg Weir, content manager at Tucows, which for a decade has maintained a site where users can download freeware and shareware, concurs. "Users are keen to download anything that will help them personalize and customize. This includes everything from graphics and wingdings to games and clip art—and, wisely, anti-spam and antivirus programs, too."
But how do you ensure that the files your kids (or you, for that matter) are downloading are okay? No matter what you download, make sure that your antivirus software is up to date and that a firewall is installed. See Protect Your PC for more information.
Now let's see what you can toss into your cyber shopping cart:
Jazz up the look of your programs and icons
Would you prefer a close-up of Russell Crowe to greet you at your computer each day? Or is a soothing rainforest scene more to your liking? The choices of wallpaper, screen savers, and skins—images to customize most notably your Windows Media Player, desktop, or messaging program—are endless. For instance, try ThemeStress, which has hundreds of customizing options.
Liven up Windows Media Player by downloading a funky skin.
If you're into photo-sharing, visit Webshots, which allows you to download photos and make your own wallpaper and screen savers.
If you're a fan of screen savers, visit Freesaver.com.
For some really funky icons—pictures that represent folders, files, or programs—point your browser to The Icon Factory.
Quick tip: Change the look of your folders
Each folder on your desktop or in My Documents is represented by an icon. You can easily replace them with icons that you have downloaded.
| • | Right-click the folder that you want to change and go to Properties. |
| • | Select the Customize tab. |
| • | Under Folder icons, click Change Icon. You can select from the list of Windows icons that come with your operating system or choose an icon that you have downloaded. |
| • | To do the latter, go to Browse and locate the folder with your downloaded icons. |
| • | Click the icon that you want, click Open, and then click OK. |
| • | This will bring you back to the Site Images Properties box. From here, click Apply if you are happy with the icon that you selected, and then click OK. |
Convey your emotions with emoticons
The next time you're instant messaging, insert an emoticon—a graphic that expresses the way that you really feel. Don't just pick the standard happy face when a bolt of lightning, hug, or wilted rose better reflects your mood. There's a comprehensive list on how to create these emoticons with your keyboard on MSN Messenger.
Quick tip: Add new emoticons to illustrate your Messenger conversations
Create personalized emoticons from your own images to add to your instant messaging conversations.
| • | To download emoticons, open MSN Messenger. |
| • | Click the Tools menu and choose Create Emoticons. |
| • | Click Add. |
| • | Select Find Image and navigate to the folder where you saved your downloaded images (any image you have will work). |
| • | Enter a keyboard shortcut/code (make one up) for this particular emoticon. |
| • | Click OK. |
Find an endless selection of fonts
Is your writing style formal or sassy? If it's the latter, choose the Art Deco-styled ITC Arecibo, a new font release available on Font.com. Jazzy fonts, including dingbats, can also be found on Font Freak and Bravenet.com.
Quick tip: Install new fonts on your computer
Enhance your written documents with exciting new fonts.
| • | To install a new font, download the desired font and save it on your computer. |
| • | Click the Start menu and then Control Panel. Double-click Fonts and then go to the File menu and click Install New Font. |
| • | Navigate to the location where you saved the downloaded or unzipped font (double-click to unzip a file). |
| • | In the List of Fonts box, click the font that you want to add, and then OK. |
