Internet Tips — 2 comments
09
Jun 10
This is a reintroduction and retitling of a previous video/tip because of a copyright infringement complaint from
Franklin Covey. Hopefully, the new title and verbiage will satisfy their legal staff.
All week long I help computer users of all ages and experience levels. Too often, I see that many computer users (beginners and experienced alike) do not utilize or know about some basic web browsing skills that will speed their work and give them less problems when using the Internet.
In this week’s tip, I will highlight the inefficient habits computer users use and replace them with tips that will make YOU a quicker and more profecient web user.
1. Using an old browser
No matter how old your computer is or what operating system you are using, DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER 6 (IE 6). IE 6 is late 20th century technology and is not compatible with much of the web today and it also poses the greatest Continue reading: 7 ways to become a more efficient web user – Video Tip
Computer User Group / Internet Tips — No comments
09
Jun 10
At this month’s computer user group meeting, I used many of the articles, tips and videos I have written over the years to highlight how any computer user can start making quicker and better use of the Internet.
Before I delve into specifics on this topic, watching and reading this tip title 7 ways to become a better web surfer, will yield you the greatest benefit if you read nothing else on this page. Do it! Now!
First and foremost, it is important to use a capable and safe web browser (the program used to view web sites). My recommendation is to use only Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. I currently use both, but prefer Google Chrome more and more every day because of its speed. Internet Explorer, MSN, and AOL are simply too slow and out dated to be used effectively in today’s fast paced and content rich web.
Clicking here will get you a list of all my Continue reading: Become a web surfing pro!
Digital Photography / General Computer Tips — No comments
07
Jun 10
One of my client’s today did not know how to transfer photos from her computer to a SD Card so she could utilize her digital picture frame she received at Christmas. She was amazed and relieved at how simple the steps were once I walked her through the process.
This method works for transferring any type of file from your computer to an external drive like a USB flash drive, external hard drive, or a memory card like shown here.
- Insert your memory card into the computer (or card reader…note too that newer digital cameras can act as a card reader as well)
- Click Start –> My Computer
- Double-click your Continue reading: How to transfer photos from computer to a SD Card – Video Tip
Riding Shotgun with Rick — 10 comments
31
May 10
Right now, I carry an iPhone, an Asus EeePC netbook (running Ubuntu 10.04 NBR) on a daily work day basis. When I travel, I carry the iPhone and usually the EeePC. I also own a 13″ Toshiba laptop that I dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 7, but I only use the Toshiba only for teaching and presentations.
My thought process is:
- Should I sell both the Toshiba and the netbook and get a thinner, lighter laptop?
- Just sell the netbook and stay with the Toshiba?
- Sell the netbook and get an iPad or one of the upcoming iPad competitors running other operating systems?
- Sell the Toshiba and the netbook, and get a slightly bigger netbook to replace both devices?
As a traveling tech trainer and troubleshooter, my netbook is extremely handy to have with me when Continue reading: Re-thinking my mobile tech
Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 13 comments
21
May 10
photo credit: Anders Adermark
Over the past few weeks, it seems that a large share of my clients were still using older, mechanical mice (the one’s with the ball underneath). I say older because almost all new mice are optical mice…either infrared or laser. These mice replaced the ball rolling against rollers in the mouse housing (that could quickly become dirty and cause erratic behavior of your pointer) with a light source that tracked your movements more accurately than the mechanical mouse ever could.
In addition to tracking better, never getting dirty, and having the ability to work on any surface (except glass), optical mice also allowed smaller chassis and helped propel a new plethora of cordless mice.
If you are in the market for a new mouse (and if you are using Continue reading: Optical Mice
Podcast — No comments
19
May 10
Wow, wall-to-wall calls today…and not just calls, but some great questions. Thanks for your participation. If you missed today’s how, click below to download or listen!
Mark your calendars now for June 16 from Noon-1pm Mountain Time. That’s the date of the next show, and you can listen online live from anywhere in the world, or here in Grand Junction, Colorado on 88.1 KAFM. Enjoy!
Computer Help Show-05-19-10
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Application Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 comments
16
May 10
Microsoft will release Office 2010 in the next few weeks. The upgrade price will likely cost around $130 for the home edition which includes Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The professional versions cost as much as $500 depending on what package you get. After almost fifteen years of using Microsoft Office and watching others use Microsoft Office, I can say without hesitation that it is a waste of hard earned money for most people, and don’t be pressured or swayed into purchasing it. Here’s why: Continue reading: 3 Reasons NOT to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2010 & 5 Alternatives
Macintosh — No comments
15
May 10
After years of looking and trying different programs, I think I found a great, free program for new Apple users that will help ease the move from Windows. Yes, believe it or not, a huge stumbling block for many of my clients in making the move to Macintosh is Solitaire, Free Cell, and/or Spider Solitaire.
Prior to today, I guided folks to the web in search of a solitaire program available from Hoyle or playing online Solitaire from Yahoo and other online sites. All these ideas were not 100% satisfactory replacements for their Windows games.
Today, I discovered Continue reading: Free Solitaire for Apple Macintosh users
Digital Photography — No comments
13
May 10
One of my long time customers called me the other day with a question about not being able to backup his photos using Picasa without errors. Upon some research, I discovered that he was simply hitting the burn button to quick. To avoid repeating his problem, wait for Picasa to finish calculating the backup job before hitting the burn button.
While doing this research, I also discovered how to use Picasa to backup all your photos to an external hard drive or Continue reading: How to use Picasa to backup ALL your photos to an external hard drive – Video Tip
Email Tips / Hardware Tips / Internet Tips — No comments
02
May 10
photo credit: alancleaver_2000
The web and email were not meant to be printable items, but we love to print many things we receive via email or the web. In this tip, I’m going to teach you how to use less paper and ink when printing AND get better looking printouts for things you do want to print.
If you combine this new tip with my Print Preview tip, my print what you want tip, and learn how to use your printer’s draft mode (if available), and you will find yourself making less frequent trips to the store for ink and paper.
This tip is very visual, so you will learn the most by Continue reading: How to save time & money when printing email – Video Tip
Franklin Covey. Hopefully, the new title and verbiage will satisfy their legal staff.
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HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.