Site map

Newsletter|

Contributors|

Communications & mobility

Productivity & planning

Safety & security

Download fun extras for your PC

Find ringtones, emoticons and other items online

By Doug O'Neill

It’s 11 o’clock. Do you know what your kids are downloading? Ringtones, skins, dingbats, emoticons. The choices are endless.

In 2006 alone, mobile ringtones netted over US$9 billion in sales worldwide. Patricia MacInnis, editor of Computing Canada, says the downloading frenzy is led by “teens who are groping to stand apart and 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 your antivirus software is up to date and that a firewall is installed.

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 media player, Desktop or messaging program — are endless.

Try ThemeStress, which has hundreds of customizing options.

Liven up Windows Media Player with a funky skin. Celebrate the season with a spring flowers skin available at the Windows Media Player skins site.

If you’re into photo-sharing, visit webshots, which allows you to download photos and make your own wallpaper and screen savers.

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 Documents is represented by an icon. You can easily replace them with icons you have downloaded from special web sites.

Right-click the folder you want to change and go to Properties.
Select Customize.
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 you have downloaded.
To do the latter, go to Browse and locate the folder with your downloaded icons.
Click the icon you want > OK.
This will bring you back to the Properties box. From here, click Apply if you are happy with the icon you have selected; then click OK.
Hide tip

Back to list

Convey your emotions with emoticons

The next time you’re instant messaging, insert an emoticon — a graphic that expresses the way 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 Windows Live Messenger here.

Quick tip: Add new emoticons to illustrate your Messenger conversations

Create personalized emoticons from your own images to add to your Instant Messenger conversations.

To download emoticons, open Windows Live Messenger.
Open a chat window and click the yellow happy face on the left to open the “Select an Emoticon” tab. Next to Your emoticons, click “Show all” to open the Emoticons window.
Click Create.
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.
Name your emoticon (optional) and click OK.
To use emoticons in Messenger, open a conversation and type the code corresponding to each emoticon or select the image from the Emoticons drop-down menu on your browser.
Note: Some Live Messenger images will only appear as code to other Live Messenger users, although some emoticons are cross-platform and will show up from Live Messenger to MSN Messenger. Click here to upgrade to Live Messenger.
Hide tip

Back to list

Get artsy — with new Clip Art

Jazz up your next presentation, recipe book or child’s school project with Clip Art graphics, which run the gamut from computer symbols to holiday images. Try Microsoft Office Online, Classroom Clipart and Clipart Connection for a variety of images.

Back to list

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, one of the fonts 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 Start > Control Panel > Fonts.
Right-click on an empty space inside the folder and select 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 you want to add; then click OK.
Hide tip

Back to list

Call me to hear my funky ringtone

Get in touch with your inner musician, whether it’s Gwen Stefani or George Michael. For paid, and some free, ringtones, visit your service provider, such as Rogers Wireless, Telus Mobility, Bell and Fido.

You can also visit MuchMusic or Sympatico Mobile for more selection.

Make sure you have a phone that accepts ringtones before beginning. Downloading ringtones depends on your provider. For Rogers and Fido, you can head to the web browser setting on the phone; Telus and Bell offer phone and Internet downloads.

In most cases you’ll need to sign up on your telephone provider’s web site with a login name and password. Then follow the instructions on the screen. The ringtone (or photo or game) is usually sent to your phone message inbox — where you click on it to download.

Costs vary according to your provider, but most providers charge a fee for the ringtone plus a service charge depending on how long it takes you to download it.