Announcements

Grand Junction Windows 7 Launch Party

photo credit: alexander yee

Microsoft is asking people from all over the country to host Windows 7 house parties to celebrate the launch of the newest version of Windows.

We signed up. We figured we would use this as an opportunity to throw a “Thanks for your support” party sponsored by Microsoft. Castellini on Computers and HelpMeRick.com are now (14) years old and it’s time we
celebrated.

While we would love to invite everyone, we must get a headcount. So, head on over to http://talkingdigital.org/home/gj-windows-7-party/ and fill out the form so we can send you a personal invite.

We promise, you won’t receive any Continue reading →

Announcements / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 21 Comments
26
Jul 09

Yes, the site look has changed again

photo credit: hoyasmeg

I spent the better part of the weekend tweaking, hacking, and polishing up HelpMeRick.com to make it faster and easier to read. Also, the search is working better and better, and I will continue to add tons of new information and tips as I always do. Leave your comments or suggestions by clicking the title of this article and then filling out the form!

Thanks as always for stopping by and keep spreading the HelpMeRick.com word to all your friends and family.

Announcements — 4 Comments
1
Apr 09

Advanced Linux Meeting next week

First off, I need to stress that this new group has no affiliation what-so-ever with the Grand Junction Computer Users Group, and also need to stress that it is for advanced hobbyists only.

Last week, I met with Joe Mason last week who is very interested in this idea of starting an Advanced Linux Users Group. The conversation and information overwhelmed me, but also inspired me on how much more I want to learn about Linux. He agreed to lead the first meeting with an introduction to Linux distros and Linux lingo, etc. Then, as a group, we can discuss how we want to proceed with future meetings. Lastly, for those attending, if you bring a laptop that you would like to have Linux installed on, we can install Linux (a choice of distros will be available) on as many as time allows. Just make sure that the laptop doesn’t have any data on it that can’t be lost.

Details for the first meeting are:

When: Thursday, April 9 from 12:00-1:30pm

Where: Main Street Bagels downtown in the back meeting room. They have wifi there, but require that we spend a minimum of $30 while using the room

Who: Advanced Linux users only, and those that want to become advanced at using Linux

If you have any questions, leave a comment here or contact Joe. He has setup an initial web site for the group that has his contact information.

Announcements — 28 Comments
29
Mar 09

Newsletter poll

For all you newsletter/email update subscribers, I have a poll at the web site asking for your preference of weekly versus daily emails. Go to the web site and vote for your choice. Thank you.

Announcements / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
11
Mar 09

Improved Site Searching

photo credit: C.P.Storm

I worked on the searching situation here at the new HelpMerick.com, and I think you will find it much more responsive to your needs. Use these tips to help find the information you need out of the nearly 2000 articles on the site:

Use multiple words (ex: home networking, or email attachments)
Always check your spelling
Try different forms of the word if your initial search wasn’t successful (ex: network, instead of networking, or powerpoint instead of power point)

Keep an eye on the site as I continue to add more features and easier and more accurate searching.

Announcements — 2 Comments
7
Mar 09

Important Newsletter Information!

If you are a weekly newsletter subscriber, please read this information.

After two weeks of soul searching, research, and web browsing, I decided to move the email newsletter subscribers to my FeedBlitz service. Feedblitz picks out my newest articles and delivers them to you in an email. The service works great and I will be moving the address list into it starting on Monday or Tuesday.

As soon as I move the list into the FeedBlitz system (which is secure and the only access to the email addresses is through me), you will receive an email from the FeedBlitz service asking you to confirm that you want to get the email updates/newsletter from me through them. Click the link in the email that confirms your decision and that’s it! You will soon be receiving the email updates from HelpMeRick.com.

The FeedBlitz team advises the following:

As part of your pre-import advisory message to your existing subscribers, please advise them to:

Add feedblitz@mail.feedblitz.com to their address books or email whitelists immediately.

Only unsubscribe using the links we provide in each email, and not their ISP’s spam or abuse buttons.

Look out for the message from FeedBlitz advising them that the change has taken place.

Thanks for your patience through this transition from the old newsletter service which went south on me.

Announcements / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 3 Comments
1
Oct 08

Special edition of Castellini on Computers Radio Program on Friday, October 3

KAFM Logo This Friday there will be a special edition of the Castellini on Computers Radio program on our local public radio station, KAFM. Anyone can listen from any where by listening to the live web stream at the KAFM web site. Like all public radio stations, they host an annual fund raiser to keep the air waves open. The KAFM management asked if we would be willing to do a special edition of the show during the fund raiser, and we said, “Yes!”.

Tune in this Friday, October 3 from Noon-1pm for the special edition show. In addition to tuning in, we would really like to see your support for the show and our new home at KAFM in the form of a donation to their fund raiser. You can click here to donate on their web site, or better yet, let’s flood there phone lines on Friday during our show and let them know how many people tune in to the Castellini on Computer show!

We will be offering donation incentives in addition to the ones KAFM already offers…so tune into your web browser (at KAFMradio.org) or your radio in Grand Junction, CO (at 88.1 FM) from Noon-1pm Mountain Time on Friday for another edition of the Castellini on Computers Radio Show.

We will be taking your tech questions at 970-241-8801 Ext. 1 during the entire hour! So give us a ring and show your support for the show and KAFM!!

Announcements / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
18
Jun 08

KAFM Community Radio Show

Over the past six months, Adam and I have been fortunate to start a relationship with our local public radio station(not affiliated with NPR). Currently, we do between 1/2 hour and 1 hour one day a week…the third Wednesday of each month between Noon-1 PM Mountain Time.

Similar to our old terrestrial radio program, the show involves banter between Adam and myself, questions via phone calls to 970-241-8801 Ext. 1, and a recap of important technology related news. We like the format for a few reasons. One, radio in any format is fun for us. Two, the show runs in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week so it doesn’t cut into any family time and doesn’t interrupt our work schedules much either. Third, being available via the radio always brings new people to the world of HelpMeRick.com and allows us to help them really be productive and satisfied computer users. Lastly, KAFM 88.1 streams their station on the web so we can include folks who like to listen no matter where they live.

Please mark your calendars to listen to our show via your computer or locally on the radio on the third Wednesday of each month from Noon – 1 PM for the best in technology radio.