Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Email of the Week – 022

Rick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:42:42 +0000

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 [...]

Computer Help Show Podcast – 11-18-09

Rick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:10:34 +0000

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! No related posts.

What did you learn today?

Rick — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:26:05 +0000

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 [...]

Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 066

Rick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:20:16 +0000

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 [...]

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

Rick — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

RT @FairTweets: http://bit.ly/Y5eRD 1st Video, Why we need a #Fairtax. Very informative video…Please RT! # RT @kylejudkins DiskMax: Recover Disk Space | LostInTechnology http://bit.ly/2nPB3l # Wow, long day…scanning Twitter & watching #Steelers battle Broncos. GO BIG BEN & company! # Hines Freaking Ward!!!! #fb # RT @kettlewell: If you could only choose one tool with online marketing, would you [...]

Holiday Computer Madness

Rick — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:23:36 +0000

Every year for the last 6-7 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.

5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease)

Rick — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:48:43 +0000

I've written about this before, but it bears repeating on occasion with new visitors to our site and long time visitors who haven't learned yet. The advice is simple: DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE SCREENSAVERS, EMAIL PROGRAMS (Incredimail, etc), 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. The most common computer ailment (for Windows users) searched on the Internet is "slow computers". 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: 1. Install and keep Internet security software current. Recommendations: AVG Anti-virus, a software or hardware firewall and a good anti-spwyare program or two. Check our Links & Resources section for recommendations. 2. DO NOT DOWNLOAD FREE CRAP FROM THE INTERNET UNLESS YOU KNOW ITS ORIGIN AND SAFETY. 3. Use Mozilla Firefox or Opera as your primary Internet browser instead of Internet Explorer, MSN, or AOL. This tip alone can save your computer. 4. If you have teenagers or young adults who use your computer, forbid the downloading of free music through services like Limewire or any other shady site (refer to #2) 5. If you do suspect SCD, get it looked at immediately. Waiting for it to cure itself will only make SCD worse. BONUS TIP: If your computer suffers from SCD, Defrag will NOT help it. No matter how many times you Defrag your computer, it will NOT help SCD. © *SCD is a copyrighted term of Castellini on Computers, HelpMeRick.com and Rick Castellini. Use of the term SCD is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Rick Castellini or administrators of HelpMeRick.com

How to print labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

Rick — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:54:11 +0000

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.

Why tech phone support is so difficult

Rick — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:15:10 +0000

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 [...]

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

Rick — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Reading: 3 Best Tools to Ask a Question from @KyleJudkins http://ow.ly/yngT # How To Lock Folders and Files with My Lockbox – http://su.pr/2laTEp (via @kylejudkins) # Reading: Is #Droid the combantant we’ve been waiting for or marketing hype from @Christopher_S http://ow.ly/ynlh # Broken Link Checker for #wordpress is helping me clean up my nearly 15yo site http://HelpMeRick [...]