Cloud computing – Ubiquitous, Powerful, and ...

Cloud computing definition: Using a web site (app) to perform computing functions like word processing, spreadsheets, video and image editing, financial management and more. Ten years ago we used the web as a resource to find information. For productivity work, we installed programs that lived on our computers as did the data. If we had extra computers or needed to have access to that information on a different computer, it...

This does not have to happen to you

One of my main goals here at HelpMeRick.com is to help make computers and technology a usable, productive tool for ALL computer/tech users. The information contained within these digital walls does just that…providing you read and practice the tips. I often stand on my backup soap box here on the web site as well as with my clients and on my radio show. The backup soap box makes a frequent appearance with me because so...

Control + F

One of my daily visits brought me to a growing business today. As I waited to work on one of the employee’s computers, I noticed that she spent a good 10-15 seconds scrolling through a medium size spreadsheet looking for a particular entry. I then asked if I could give her a quick tip on how to search through her spreadsheet faster using Ctrl+F on her keyboard. She said, “sure”. When you push Ctrl+F in a...

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, family and friends will want to use your computer to check their email or play a game or two. Unlike the TV, a...

How to export your Netflix queue to a spreadsheet ...

I was trying to export my Netflix queue tonight and tried to find an easy to follow tutorial or tool, but found neither. Instead, I created my own! It ended up being so easy, that I’m going to share it with the rest of the web…here it is: Open your Netflix queue Select the entire queue using your mouse (don’t use Ctrl+A) Click Edit –> Copy from the menus OR Ctrl+C on your keyboard Open Notepad (or...

WARNING! Spyware/Virus Infections Getting Nastier!

This article applies primarily to Windows users (any version) since virii and spyware infections are pretty much limited to Windows users at this time. However, Apple and Linux users should heed the advice that I will lay out here and help their Windows using friends and family as well. First and foremost, EVERY Internet user should read, study, and understand the who, what, why, and how of spyware and virus infections by...

How to print labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

You can learn and start using this tip TODAY to make Christmas card or group mailings a breeze. AND, I’ve included a template for you at the end of the article (below the video). 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...

Start your password tracking system today!

One common problem I help solve every day is the recovery of passwords. For some reason, tracking passwords and usernames becomes a daunting task for most computer users. The advice I dispense most often when asked how to track all of the usernames and passwords we accumulate these days is to simply write it down. Not just anywhere, however, but in an address book, on an index card and filed in a recipe box, or on full sheets...

How to scan documents to computer using NuanceR...

This week, I had a client who really wanted to control the onslaught of paper he was accumulating and was thinking of buying a $200-300 document scanner to help him with the project. I saved him the money by teaching him how to use his Brother all-in-one printer to do the same thing with the included Nuance PaperPort software. Click the image below to see the full instructions I left for him. As with anything digital, I also...

How to text on Android phone – Notes

A retired client of mine started using an Android based smartphone and wanted to be able to text his son and grandson. I instructed him how to use the dictation feature of Android and produced this set of instructions for him. If you use an Android, you will also benefit from these...

The Magical Title Bar – Video Tip

The title bar is the long (usually blue in Windows XP or transparent in Vista or 7) bar at the top of each program. The title bar contains three familiar buttons on the right; the minimize button (little bar), the maximize or resize button (middle button) and the often used “X” button to close a program. On the left side of the title bar is a small icon in the far left corner that matches that of the program. The...

Great interview with MalwareBytes developer

Chris Pirillo, web tech meme, interviewed the Vice President of MalwareBytes and hit on some great questions and answers about how computers become infected, why, and how you can stay safe. In addition to all the information I provide for you here at HelpMeRick.com, please, please, please watch this...

Questions from Computer User Group Members, Answer...

Last month I asked the Grand Junction Computer User Group members to help me come up with ideas for future meetings, and they came through in spades! I received almost a few dozen ideas and questions. Some of the suggestions were more questions than entire presentations, so this month, I’m going to write out those questions here with their answers! Attendees of this month’s meeting got to see me demonstrate and...

Your friends and family CAN & DO send you mal...

Update:  This tip has been on my site for more than 5 years, but I’m editing it a little and including an email I received today that demonstrates the real world implications of my tip. Keep in mind that friends and family don’t purposely send you problems, but read on to understand exactly what I mean. Probably the biggest single misconception I hear from computer users almost daily goes like this: “I...

How to download and install CutePDF Free – V...

CutePDF has been one of my favorite computer utilities for many years. This small (free) utility lets you create a PDF (portable document format) file from anything that you can print. I use it to save web pages, online shopping receipts, and many other items that I might be tempted to print to paper. Instead, I print it using CutePDF and save the resulting PDF file in a folder for long term storage and retrieval. No paper,...