TECH TIPS FROM TEENAGERS

Teens are gadget-savvy because they have time to explore their gear without reading manuals. We asked them to share their top tips:
Say no to junk Minimise the spam you receive by using more than one e-mail address. ''I have an address for stuff I sign up to on the internet and one that I use properly,'' says Harry Browne, 15.
Clean up images ''My parents assume their camera's auto mode is all they need,'' says Rebecca Goldstein, 18. Instead, she advises using ''fill flash'' (activated via the lightning bolt button). This helps balance the amount of light when the subject is backlit or the contrast is too low or high.
Crush, then send Many adults e-mail photos without shrinking the resolution down to 72dpi (dots per inch), says Kate McCormack, 16. That's why a photo file can take forever to send. Make sure each attached file is 100kb or smaller.
Protect your phone ''Teenagers are always losing mobiles,'' says Natalie Sivolella, 16. ''Make a note of your phone's IMEI number.'' You can usually obtain this 15-digit code by typing *#06# into your phone. Quote it to your network to render the phone useless, even if the sim card is changed.


SOCIAL NETWORKING? Beware…
As millions flock to social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo, experts warn they could be putting themselves at risk from dangers such as identity theft and stalking. Take these basic precautions.
• Check the website's privacy policy. Some allow unrestricted access to posted content. If possible, restrict access to your profile so only close friends can view your information.
• Seriously consider omitting your full name, address, phone number, pets' and maiden names or any personal details that could allude to passwords.
• Choose a username that doesn't contain personal info.
• Be aware that personal photos can be altered.
• The internet is open to the public, so only post stuff you don't mind strangers knowing. After all, you can't take it back – even if you delete it, older versions may exist on other people's computers.
• Don't believe everything you read online. Report anything or anyone suspicious to the website or police.
E-MAIL ETIQUETTE
Although you can try to recall an e-mail, it's better to use discretion in the beginning, according to Will Schwalbe, co-author of Send, a guide to e-mail etiquette. Always be polite, too, but we're sure you already knew that.
Here's Schwalbe's checklist of things to consider before you send:
Is the e-mail simple? If not, it could create confusion and waste time. Edit words and sentences until the message is as tight and as pared-down as you can make it without losing its meaning.
Is it effective? Correspondence, particularly for business, has to be right the first time, as you may not have another chance to connect with the recipient.
Is your e-mail necessary? We all spend too much time asking others to do things that are essentially frivolous. Ask yourself what would happen if you didn't send the e-mail. If the answer is ''nothing much,'' then delete it.
Do you want something done?
If your e-mail requires action, make sure you follow it up. And don't fall into the trap of forwarding something just to pass the buck. Ask yourself if you are moving things forward or just moving them off your own desktop.
Dos and Don'ts
Don't use CAPITAL LETTERS – it's the equivalent of shouting.
Don't send emotionally charged messages. If you wouldn't say it to the recipient's face, don't send it.
Don't e-mail confidential material. It could end up in the wrong hands. Send a letter instead.

Do be specific in the subject line. Your message could get deleted if it looks like spam.
Do answer at the top, not the bottom, of an e-mail.It's annoying having to scroll down the bottom to read a response.
Do stick with black font, no larger than 12 points in size. This is the easiest type to read.