Q. I have a new computer, but it doesn’t have a floppy disk drive. How do I use a USB flash drive to transfer data from my old Windows 98 computer, which has a floppy drive, to my new computer? I hope you can help me with my problem, Mr. M.

A. If your old computer has a USB port and is running Windows 98, 2nd Edition, (in My Computer, click Help > About Windows to determine this) go to the Web site of your flash drive manufacturer and download Windows 98 drivers, if your PC is not detecting the flash drive. With the drivers installed, plug in the USB drive and it should automatically be detected. Once the drive appears in "My Computer," you can then drag files to it, via its drive icon, as you would with a floppy disk.

If your old computer does not have a USB port, you can purchase a USB floppy drive to use with the new computer. This is simply an external floppy drive that attaches to your computer by a USB cable. External floppy drives are inexpensive and are available online at most computer supplies retailers such as www.newegg.com, and office supply stores. As soon as you plug in the drive, Windows will recognize it and you’ll be ready to go.

Q. How can I get rid of Windows Messenger so it doesn't announce to the world that I'm online?

A. You can disable most of Messenger's annoying habits by clicking (within Windows Messenger) Tools > Options and removing the check marks from the boxes on the Preferences tab.

To remove Windows Messenger, go to your Control Panel and click Add/Remove Programs. Click the icon marked Add/Remove Windows Components. The Windows Component Wizard will appear. Remove the check mark from the Windows Messenger box, then click Next. When the Wizard’s work is done, click Finish.

Q. Sometimes I hear people talking about “applications” or I’ll read about an “application” in a magazine, but I’m not sure what that means. Can you explain, Mr. M? I hope this isn’t too stupid a question.

A. There are never any stupid or silly questions here in Mr. Modemville. Every week I respond to hundreds of questions submitted by subscribers of my weekly computer-help newsletter ( www.MrModem.com) and that’s always Rule No. 1. Turning to your question, the word “application,” sometimes shortened to “app,” is synonymous with “program” or “software” that performs a specific task, such as word processing, sending email, or Web browsing. Unlike operating system software, which runs the computer itself, (such as Windows), an application is generally an end-user program.

Mr. Modem's Sites of the Week:

BoundlessGallery
An unusual site that helps artists and collectors by streamlining the process of buying and selling art, thereby allowing artists to focus more on creativity and less on marketing. More than 2,000 artists and dealers from over 100 countries have submitted more than 25,000 pieces of art for sale on the site. If you have art to sell, or if you’re contemplating expanding your collection of Elvis-on-black-velvet paintings, check out the Boundless Gallery.
www.boundlessgallery.com

Deep Sea Images
Scuba divers and nature lovers will appreciate this site, which is an online photo library filled with marine-life images, including sea creatures, shipwrecks, coral reefs and other phenomena that lurk below the surface. Scrolling through the extensive gallery of photographs is like being underwater—well, minus the discomfort and immobilizing fear.
www.deepseaimages.com

Checkpoint Wait Times
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides security checkpoint wait-time information to help travelers plan their flight departures. No, seriously. The wait times are historical (not in real-time) so your actual delay may vary, but if nothing else, you can determine which airports have the best and worst track records for security checkpoint delays.
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov

For plain-English answers to your questions by email, plus useful PC tips, subscribe to Mr. Modem’s Weekly Newsletter. For information, visit www.MrModem.com.