Email of the week — No comments
19
Nov 09

Email of the Week – 022

146/365 send me your love in my mail box

photo credit: Gibson Claire McGuire Regester

QUESTION

Name: Bill

From: Wisconsin

OS: Windows Vista

———————-

I’ve been using Apple Safari browser for some time now because I don’t get any of the menacing ads that seem to plague IE and Firefox.

How do you rate this browser since I never hear anything about it?

ANSWER

You are correct, I don’t talk about Safari (Apple’s web browsing program that just became available on Windows within the last year) much on the Windows platform. Probably because the browser market is so crowded with Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and of course Internet Explorer. Overall, I think Continue reading: Email of the Week – 022

Podcast / Show Notes — No comments
18
Nov 09

Computer Help Show Podcast – 11-18-09

Adam and I talked to a few listeners today, ranted a little about this negative article of Twitter in our local newspaper, gave some Christmas / holiday gift giving advice, and much more in this month’s radio show. Have a listen and remember to tune in live next month on December 16!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 16 comments
16
Nov 09

What did you learn today?

Prince of Wales, Sydney, 1920 / Sam Hood

photo credit: State Library of New South Wales collection

We started the Riding Shotgun series nearly three years ago to give folks a look at what it would be like to ride shotgun as Adam and I made our rounds as roving computer helpers/trainers.

I have used the platform to share anecdotes that happened during the day, post pictures of cool computer setups, climb aboard my soapbox and yack about computer security, passwords, etc, and share tech tips and solutions I learned throughout my day.

Yes, I learn something new every single day. If I can’t think of something that I learned on any given day, I consider that day incomplete.

Today, for example, I visited 6 homes and returned countless calls in addition to answering some email from customers. What did I learn through all this? Continue reading: What did you learn today?

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Videocasts — No comments
15
Nov 09

Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 066

Tons of questions today from Dan, Charline, Jader, Chinmoy, Raymond, Quen, Shirley, Lorraine, Deb, Janat, Walter, Gloria, Bsil, Jim, Kim, Phil, Debbie, Sue, Dave, Harold, and Terry.  They asked about virus removal, router settings, changing the desktop, setting up email in Thunderbird, new tech advice, lost Gmail password, learning how to use a Mac, Adobe Flash woes, another router issue, AVG install problems, a cryptic startup message, HelpMeRick.com poll feedback, another AVG install issue, Windows 7 64 bit question, connecting to wireless on the road, duplicating Internet Explorer windows, safely giving away a computer, and saving images from email.

Here are all those answers: Continue reading: Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 066

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No comments
15
Nov 09

What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-11-15

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 comments
14
Nov 09

Holiday Computer Madness

Every year for the last 7-8 years, I bring up a version of this tip to help save you time and money during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years visiting season. Please follow the advice. I can guarantee that it will save you and your computer lots of grief.

With all the traveling done during the holidays, your computer is bound to be taken hostage by friends and family wanting to check their email or play a game or two. Unlike the TV, a computer can be victimized, unintentionally, by all this attention. When everyone returns home, you may not recognize your computer or have problems with the way it runs.

If you like the way your computer is running currently, set a few ground rules for the use of your computer (and please follow the same rules if you are the one doing the borrowing of a loved ones precious PC). In no particular order, here they are: Continue reading: Holiday Computer Madness

General Computer Tips / Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 10 comments
11
Nov 09

5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease)

HPIM8136

photo credit: jennconspiracy

I’ve written about this before, but it bares repeating on occasion for new visitors to the site and long time visitors who haven’t learned yet. The advice is simple:

Do not download free screensavers, wallpaper, email programs (Incredimail, etc), or games from the Internet.

Unless you are WELL versed in the origin of these items, they can easily destroy your computer’s ability to compute.

“Slow computer” is the most common computer ailment  Windows users search for on the web. Sadly, slow computer disease (SCD*), does not have to be the pandemic it is because it is 100% preventable.

Here are my 5 simple rules to prevent SCD for Windows users: Continue reading: 5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease)

Application Tips / Computer User Group / General Computer Tips / Macintosh / Ubuntu Tips — 2 comments
11
Nov 09

How to print labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

I know I’m late for this year’s Christmas season, but you can learn and start using this tip TODAY to make next year’s Christmas card mailings a breeze.

Too many computer users have no idea what a database is, how to use it, and how to merge it with another program to create labels. Since printing mailing labels is only a once per year activity for many of you, learning how to do it again every single year requires too much time and frustration.

In this week’s tip, I take all of the mystery and hysteria out of creating and printing mailing labels. You will thank me every November when you need to print out your mailing labels. The tip centers around creating a word processing document where you can store, edit and print your labels quickly and easily. Watch the video as many times as you need to and you will NEVER be frustrated with printing labels again!!

If you can’t understand and utilize this tip to print your labels, get out your best pen and write them out instead.

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 6 comments
09
Nov 09

Why tech phone support is so difficult

call center

photo credit: vlima.com

It is no secret that computer and software phone support is awful. Finding a concerned and competent phone support person is like hunting for a four leaf clover.

Today, a long time client of mine called me, exasperated over a recent bout with her cable company’s tech support. Following is a modified transcript of the call:

Voicemail from my client: Hello Rick, I have a problem with my Internet. My Internet doesn’t work. I called (cable Internet company) and after talking with them multiple times, they asked me what antivirus product I used. I told them AVG, and they said they couldn’t help me because they had so much trouble with that product.

My thoughts while listening to the voicemail:  Wow, the classic “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, so I’ll blame another product or service” game played by so many undereducated tech support folks.

I called back my client:

Me: Hello Mrs. A. It’s Rick Castellini, I’m returning your call. First, I want to put your mind at ease Continue reading: Why tech phone support is so difficult

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No comments
08
Nov 09

What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-11-08