Internet Tips

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 Comments
6
Nov 09

7 Google services you have never tried

Google SignGoogle started as a college project 12 years ago, then as a startup search engine just 10 years ago. Today, Google owns more than 60% of all web search traffic and employs close to 22,000 employees worldwide.

You probably interact with Google via their search engine primarily. However, you are missing out on some truly great services that Google also provides in addition to their fast and accurate search engine.

In this article, I will share 7 of the many other services Google provides.

Google News

When you arrive at google.com, click the link that says News at the top of the page or you can directly visit news.google.com. Google News is an auto-generated news page that refreshes automatically every 5-10 minutes and displays headlines from more than 4500 news sources around the world. To me, it is the ultimate newspaper?unbiased and unfiltered. And even more helpful, starting a Continue reading →

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
4
Nov 09

Troubleshooting Your High Speed Internet Connection

What a mess...

photo credit: geo462rge

This tip needs to come back to the front page again. I’ve helped many more people the last few weeks with this issue.

Please print it and hang it by your computer…and send it your friends as well.

I posted this tip many moons ago, but wanted to bring it back to the front page because we have so many new high speed Internet users. Click the Printer Friendly option at the bottom of this tip, print it out and post it next to your computer…you will be glad you did.

Routers take high speed Internet signals and then distribute the signal (route) to multiple computers. Sometimes, however, the signal gets lost and an Internet connection cannot be made. This can be due to multiple reasons, but most can be rectified the same way. Before you reach for the phone or grumble under your breath, follow this simple and highly effective procedure to get your system(s) up and running again.

  1. Shut off Continue reading →

Internet Tips — 4 Comments
1
Nov 09

How to create a customized Google Map – Video Tip

After I created an interactive, customized map showing all of the wifi hotspots in Grand Junction, CO, many folks asked my how I did it. Since it is such a visual process, I put together this short instructional video to show you how you can create your own customized Google Map.

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Application Tips / Internet Tips — 4 Comments
23
Oct 09

Password Mania

Login

photo credit: Mirko Macari

We are bringing this tip out of the archives because remembering passwords and having strong passwords is more important than ever with increased identity theft and the increased amount of business we conduct over the web.

I have accumulated nearly ninety user names and passwords for various email services, web sites, banking sites, etc. Without my password tracking software, I wouldn’t be able to remember them all or, I would be using the same user name and password for every instance (an extremely dangerous practice). You can use software solutions to securely save passwords on your computer or Continue reading →

Internet Tips — 6 Comments
22
Oct 09

Protect Your Identity

Identity Thief as Paris

photo credit: CarbonNYC

Identity theft is becoming an enormous problem in the United States and worldwide. Identity theft involves the misuse of your personal information to fraudulently purchase goods, services or open accounts to purchase good and services.

According to a FTC report, identity theft cost victims, businesses and financial institutions $500 billion in 2003. The average victim spent more than 75 hours cleaning up their name and accounts at an average loss of more than $11,000.

Contrary to popular opinion, most identity theft results from stolen mail, stolen wallets or purses, trash rummaging or the victim falling prey to a scam, not online shopping. In fact online shopping with reputable dealers is safer, in many respects, than shopping in your own city. Of course, most retailers operate safe businesses and have reputable employees, but the ever increasing reality is that we must be careful with our personal information.

Follow these guidelines to help Continue reading →

Internet Tips — No Comments
13
Oct 09

How to adjust toolbars in Internet Explorer – Video Tip

I ran across a question today that could not be explained verbally or in writing. It is so visual, that a video was warranted. The question was how to adjust or restore the default toolbars in Internet Explorer. Here’s a 49 second video demonstrating the skills you need to get this done. Take a look!

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Digital Photography / Internet Tips — No Comments
1
Oct 09

Pixlr.com Online Image Editing – Video Tip

I talk a lot about Web 2.0 or cloud computing or using your web browser to perform functions via web applications versus installing and using desktop applications. Web 2.0 applications give you the flexibility of having tools at your disposal no matter where you are or whose computer you are using.

This week, I want to give you a preview of my favorite online image editor called Pixlr at Pixlr.com. It loads fast and is featured packed. In fact, I think it contains all the Continue reading →

Computer User Group / Internet Tips — 4 Comments
9
Sep 09

Do everything online…for free!

cloud_computing_iconSome people believe that I drink too much Web 2.0 Kool Aid. That’s ok though because I love drinking it!

Web 2.0 refers to computing on the web versus your desktop. Instead of installing an application and then starting it from your desktop, you head to a web site instead. If you use HotMail (MSN email), Yahoo email, Gmail, or access your email via your provider’s web site, then you too are utilizing Web 2.0 computing or cloud computing.

For me, the big deal about cloud computing is how easy it is to access my information from literally any computer any time. If problems arise on my computer, I can easily move over to a different computer and barely miss a beat. And if you have had computer problems in the past, cloud computing offers Continue reading →

Email Tips / Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
27
Aug 09

Gmail Address Picker – Video Tip

Google very quietly added a new funcion to Gmail yesterday. Many emailers who convert to Gmail wondered why this function wasn’t there from the beginning, but now it is…an address picker.

I can’t remember an email program not having an address picker before, but I quickly adapted to the way Gmail did addresses when I switched three or so years ago. Currently, if you type in just 2-3 characters of a recipients first or last name, Gmail instantly displays folks in your address book that you can then click to add to your message.

Starting yesterday, Gmailers can now click the word To, CC, or BCC (depending on where you want the address to end up) to bring up a traditional address book picker where you can click and choose your recipients from the list.

This short video demonstrates how it works. Enjoy and pass on the news!

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Internet Tips / Links / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 Comments
19
Aug 09

16 Educational Web Sites to Bookmark Now!

pompidou

photo credit: ciro@tokyo

This month’s radio show focused on education and the web. Education related sites for students of all ages and sites for adults who just have inquisitive minds! If you have a great education related web site you want to share, please leave a comment with a link to the site. Enjoy.

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