WebProNews

The next generation of ad based free ISP's have arrived on the scene featuring smaller more function banners bars. Here are five free tips on maximizing your desktop's work space:

Tip #1 - Ideal Placement

If the banner bar takes up quarter the width of your screen, the best spot for it is in the lower right hand corner, just above your application's status bar and to the right of the vertical scroll bar. It won't interfere with any functionality there.

Tip #2 - AutoHide to Seek Desk Space

If you AutoHide your taskbar (Start/Settings/ Taskbar & Start Menu/ Taskbar Options) and dock the banner bar at the bottom of your screen, some services won't let you access the start menu unless you press your keyboard's Windows key. Worse, you won't be able to move the banner bar at all; once it's docked, it's frozen in place. Other free ISPs don't hinder AutoHide, giving you more work space. Experiment with the services you test to see their effect on AutoHide.

Tip #3 - Clear a Few Acres

Well, a few inches may be more accurate. Turn off all the toolbars you can in your browser to gain a little viewing space the banner bars take away. You can also turn off the browser's status bar.

Tip #4 - Make a New Resolution

Set your monitor to a higher resolution when surfing with a free ISP. The banner bar won't get much smaller, but you'll get about 25% more screen space in your applications. To increase the resolution in Windows 98, right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Properties. Click the Settings tab and move the Desktop Area to the right.

Tip #5 - Get a Big Monitor

Take the money you're saving with you're free ISP and buy yourself a 19" monitor. You'll be surprised how small the banner ad bar is when you have all that extra acreage.

For more information or to register with a free ISP, click here!

James Martell is the Sr. Editor and Webmaster for Desktop-Publishers.com, a free stuff site featuring free ISPs, free voicemail and free long distance, click here!