Windows Live Photo Gallery is a free, easy to use program developed by Microsoft. You can get it with windows update or by going to Microsoft’s download website. Once installed it can be found in the start menu as its own icon called “Windows Live Photo Gallery” or you can type “Windows Live Photo Gallery” in the “Start” search bar.

Unlike many other programs I have tried in the past for organizing photos, I would have to say Windows Live Photo Gallery is among the easiest to use. One of the more surprising aspects of WLPG (Windows Live Photo Gallery) is that it incorporates the popular media site Facebook. This allows you to easily upload photos directly to your Facebook account.

To use Facebook with WLPG you must first have a Windows Live account. If you do not have one it is easy to set up. Click the Facebook Icon at the top of the WLPG menu bar in the “Share” section. The “Sign in to Windows Live” window, will popup. Near the bottom of that window you can click “Sign up” next to “Don’t have a Windows Live ID?”. When you are finished use your credentials to sign in. You will also need to give permission for Facebook to interact with WLPG

To send photos directly to your facebook from WLPG, click one or multiple photos you would like to add. Then click "Facebook" under "Share". The "Publish on Facebook" window will popup allowing you to select an album to publish to. Here you can create a new album to place photos in or choose from an existing album.

If you are creating a new album for your photos, choose the create new album tab. You will have three categories to fill. First, create you album name, then choose a descriptive text for the album. Last choose who is able to view the album. When you are finished click "Publish". Your photos will be sent to Facebook. Visit your Facebook page and you should see your pictures in the new album or an existing album depending on the options you have chosen.

Publishing your photos to Facebook has never been easier. Just use Windows Live Photo Gallery to create an album or upload to a pre existing one.

Warmest Regards,

Erik Mjelde

Windows 7 Comes with a build in speech recognition program. It can be used to get around the operating system or to type words. It is actually very easy to use and does not require very much practice. It can be found in the "Control Panel" under "Ease of Access" or by typing "Speech Recognition" in the start panel search bar.

To begin using speech recognition click the "Speech Recognition" tab. Then click the "Set up microphone" tab to make sure we are using the correct listening device. From here choose which device best describes what you are using and then click "Next". You will get a brief overview of how to position your microphone, then click "Next". Now Windows will ask you to read allowed a small section of text. Begin Reading the section. This will help windows 7 adjust the microphone volume to a suitable level. Once you are done reading, click "Next". Your microphone should now be setup. Click "Finish" to end the microphone setup wizard.

To further the speech recognitions ability to understand what you are saying, it is a good idea to run the "Train your computer to better understand you" tab. This can be found in the "Speech Recognition" window. The training session will take about 10 minutes to complete and you should have a quite place you can read aloud. When you are done with the first exercise you can choose to do more speech training or click "Next" to finish. The more you talk to your computer and correct it's mistakes, the better it will understand what you are saying.

To begin using speech recognition Click "Start Speech Recognition" in the "Speech Recognition" window. Say out loud "Start Listening". The Computer will now listen to commands you give. For instance try saying "Open WordPad". WordPad should appear on your screen without clicking a thing. You can even use menu options just by using your voice. For instance, in WordPad if you say "Font" you will get four different options. In this case I would like to change the font size, therefore I would say "four", and then "OK". Last I say the size of the font I would like, for instance "15". You can now begin typing with size 15 font just by speaking the words.

To find commands and other options you can speak, you may want to open "Open the Speech Reference Card" tab found in the "Speech Recognition" window. Here, you will find a reference for common speech commands, keyboard key commands along with commands to control windows.

Windows build in speech recognition is nice. It works well once you have used the training program for windows to recognize your voice. You can use it to do many things you would normally need a keyboard and mouse to accomplish. This can be a wonderful tool for people with slow typing skills or even the advanced computer user looking for another way around there PC.

Warmest Regards,

Erik Mjelde