Windows 8.1: The Missing Manual

Paint

You can use Paint to “paint” simple artwork or to edit graphics files from other sources. You might say Paint is something like Adobe Photoshop (well, in the same way you might say the local Cub Scout newsletter is something like The New York Times). Common tasks for this program include making quick sketches, fixing dust specks on scanned photos, and entertaining kids for hours on end.

GEM IN THE ROUGH: Notepad Log Files

As stripped-down as it is, Notepad has one surprising feature not available in any other text processor or word processor: automated log files. Every time you open a certain file, Notepad can automatically insert the current date and time at the bottom of the file, creating a tidy record of when you last worked on it—a nifty way to keep any type of a log, like a record of expenditures or a secret diary.

To set this up, create a new Notepad document (choose File→New). Then type the phrase .LOG at the top of the new document. (Capitalize “LOG,” and put nothing, not even a space, before the period.)

Now save the document (File→Save) wherever you like, and give it a name. (Notepad adds the extension .txt automatically.)

When you next open the file, Notepad types out the date and time automatically and puts your cursor on the next line. Now you’re ready to type the day’s entry.

To make your log file easier to read, press the Enter key to insert a blank line after each entry before saving the file.

When you first open Paint, you get a small, empty painting window. Go ...