Email Tips

Beware of this type of spam

Below is an example of an email spam (unwanted email) that is increasing in frequency. Overall, the email looks to be legit and normal. However, there are two parts of the email that you need to pay particular attention to:

Who is it from? In the example below, I have no idea who Allison is. Red flag number 1. If you don’t recognize the name or the email address, be suspicious.
Link in the email uses an URL (web address) shortener service. If I don’t know who it is from, I’m darn sure not going to click the unidentified link. Red flag number 2.

I started using TinyURL.com years ago in my email and on the radio to be able to quickly and clearly send someone to a long web site address with little hassle. However, with the rising popularity of Twitter and other quick messaging and blog services, more and more URL shortener services have emerged. Most of which have no problems. The problem is Continue reading →

Email Tips / Internet Tips — 2 Comments
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Jul 09

Gmail adds MORE functionality to Labels – Video Tip

Yesterday, Google added drag and drop functionality to the already stupendous Labels feature. Adding drag and drop label organization further enhances the lead Gmail already holds on all other email systems…desktop or web based. Make sure to watch my other Gmail videos if you are just beginning with Gmail, but this short video will give you a look at the further power being developed into Continue reading →

Email Tips / Email of the week — No Comments
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Jul 09

Email of the Week – 009

photo credit: cindy47452

QUESTION

Name: Patrick

From: gj

OS: Windows XP

———————-

Solving email problems
Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 | Email Tips | Rick

Rick, the two email tips in this post could not be found. Are they still applicable?

ANSWER

Thanks for writing and thanks for finding more dead links here at HelpMeRick.com. Some of the tips here date back to 1996, when I first started this site. And the site has undergone many transitions and improvements since then.

For that reason, it helps me and many others who visit the site when I get a chance to correct tips like the one you were reading. To answer your question, the Continue reading →

Email Tips / Tech News — No Comments
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Jul 09

Gmail adds drag and drop to labels

In my mind, Gmail solidified their hold at the top of the email mountain by adding drag and drop functionality to their innovative labels system. Look for a quick video demoing this feature in the near future. In the interim, read the full article from Google below and read and watch my Gmail tips by clicking here.

Official Gmail Blog: Labels: drag and drop, hiding, and more.

Email Tips / Internet Tips — No Comments
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Jun 09

Creating an email group in Gmail – Video Tip

I’m thrilled that so many people are heeding my advice and starting to use Gmail. Click here to see three how-to videos about Gmail to see why so many people are jumping to Gmail.

New Gmail users frequently ask me how to setup an address group in Gmail. Groups allow you to send a single email to a group of people in your address book by addressing the message to the group instead of the individuals in the group.

To create the group:

In Gmail, click the contacts link
Click the New Group icon
Type a name for your new group
Click OK
Click All Contacts
Place a check mark in the boxes of the contacts you want to belong to your new group
Click the Groups menu
Click the name of the group you want for them

To send an email to the group, click Continue reading →

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Jun 09

Printable Gmail Tip Sheet

Gmail Logo

Google just released a printable reference guide you can download for free. The PDF file downloads quick and contains two pages of tips from beginner to advanced. If you print the two pages on one sheet of paper (front/back), it can be laminated and be a great reference tool to keep next to your computer.

Remember you can also watch and bookmark the many Gmail tips I have here at HelpMeRick.com as well. Enjoy!

Digital Photography / Email Tips / Macintosh — 5 Comments
13
Jun 09

How to attach iPhoto images to Gmail & Yahoo Mail – Video Tip

Currently, iPhoto only lets you send photos via email from within iPhoto if you use the Apple Mail program. For web based email users like Gmail, HotMail or Yahoo email, follow the easy steps in this tip.

Start a new email as normal in your Gmail, HotMail, Yahoo mail, etc.
Complete the address, subject, and body of the message as normal as well.
Look for and click the Attach Files option
The Select Files screen will appear
In the lower left hand corner of this screen, click Photos
Now at the top of the screen, you will see iPhoto where you can click your Events or Photos folder
Now all your photos appear at the bottom of the screen where you can select the ones you want to send. (Hold down the Command key as you click to select more than one photo)
When finished selecting your photos, click the Select button
Once they upload to the email, click Send on your email.

All these steps are illustrated and narrated for you in Continue reading →

Email Tips — 4 Comments
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May 09

Using the Search function in Gmail – Video Tip

Gmail remains at the very top of my list of best email services and email interfaces. Not only can you use an existing email address (in most cases), but you can get your email from any computer very quickly. One overlooked option in any email program is the search function. I see too many computer users scrolling through all their saved email looking for a message rather than searching. Today, I’m going to Continue reading →

Email Tips / Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — No Comments
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May 09

Gmail expands email and contact import

Gmail Logo

Gmail just announced that they are expanding the ability for Gmail to import contacts and email from many different sources. Right now, the function is up and running for all new Gmail accounts created adn will roll out to all existing Gmail users over the coming weeks.

The list it will import from currently looks like this:

Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
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May 09

Opening PPS (PowerPoint) files in Outlook Express

PPS files are PowerPoint presentation slide shows that have been saved as a file that can be viewed by anyone. If you get a PPS file and can’t see the slide show, then click here for our tip on where to find the free PowerPoint viewer.

Once you get the viewer, however, some people still can’t see the slide shows without first saving the attachment to the desktop then double-clicking it from there. It works, but requires a few more steps. Today, I had a call from a customer who was in this situation and really wanted to avoid having to first save the attachment, close email, look for the file and then double-click it to view the slide show.

I sucked it up and did some research and found a little tool that works great to correct this problem and allow Outlook Express and other email users the ability to view their PPS files from within their email.