- Reading How To Claim Your Facebook Fan Page Custom Continue reading: What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-11-01
01
Nov 09
What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-11-01
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Nov 09
Deleting Programs and Files
photo credit: geoftheref
This tip conjures up some points from older tips, but needs to be reiterated. Follow these rules-of-thumb to keep your system clean and more importantly running smoothly.
Use these rules when deleting individual files:
- Never delete files that you did not create.
- If you can’t trace the origin of the file, leave it alone.
- If the file sports one of the generic
looking ‘windows’ icons (see picture), do not delete it (again unless you created it). - Do not delete files that exist in the Windows directory, unless you created it.
- Instead of willy nilly deleting files, use the CCleaner tool
Use these rules when deleting programs or applications:
- Always start with Continue reading: Deleting Programs and Files
01
Nov 09
Share YOUR Favorite Keyboard Shortcuts
I’m always amazed at how surprised computer users become when they learn about a keyboard shortcut. A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that you press on your keyboard to perform a particular function. If you learn them and practice them, they can shave hours off of the tedious maneuvering of the mouse.
These are my favorite and most used computer keyboard shortcuts:
| Alt + TAB | Switch between Open Windows |
| Windows key + E | Open Internet Explorer |
| Windows key + M | Minimize all windows and show the desktop |
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert | Paste |
| Arrow keys | To scroll pages and place my cursor |
| TAB | Move between form fields (boxes) |
| F2 | Rename a file or folder |
| Ctrl + F | Usually on the web to search for a word on a page |
| Windows key + R | Open the Run Command |
Here are a couple more tips that Continue reading: Share YOUR Favorite Keyboard Shortcuts
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Oct 09
Type first. Edit last.
photo credit: mpclemens
Most of us 40+ learned how to type letters and documents using a typewriter.
Word processing reigns as then new king of document creation, and most typewriters are relegated to attics, back rooms and antique shops.
However, the majority of computer users use their word processors (MS Word, Word Perfect, etc) like a typewriter.
The first rule to remember when using a word processor is to forget your typewriting rules.
When we sat down to our typewriters to create a document (whether a simple letter to Mom or a 100 page novelette), we had to have a clear picture in our head of what the document should look like. Otherwise, crumpled typing paper dominated our floors!
With word processing, the most efficient way to create a document is to Continue reading: Type first. Edit last.
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Oct 09
Email of the Week – 021
photo credit: diegoperez74
QUESTION
Name: Barb
From: Grand Junction,CO
OS: Windows Vista
———————-
If I install Windows 7 and I find I do not like it, can I re-install Vista on my HP Laptop by using the recovery Disk, then I would have to set it all up again?
Is it necessary to have Winows 7 professionaly installed, or is it as easy as the Beta version you installed?
Thanks for all you do, you have helped me so much over the years.
ANSWER
First, you are welcome…I appreciate the kind words and hope you keep talking about me and referring people to the site for years more to come.
And, yes, you can definitely Continue reading: Email of the Week – 021
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Oct 09
Fun night at Windows 7 Launch Party
Adam is on the left, I'm not paying attention to photographer @kettlewell
My radio show co-host, Adam Cochran, sponsored a Windows 7 launch party tonight, and I helped out. We both setup our laptops and projectors and showed off some of the Windows 7 features and answered general questions about upgrading, buying new computers, what software was included, and more. We talked about the new taskbar, increased search abilities, demonstrated the Home Groups feature by sharing some folders back and forth, talked about the less intrusive User Account Control (UAC), demonstrated the snap to edge for positioning windows, the shake technique and how the system installs faster with greater driver support.
Many computer users continue to believe that Microsoft Office (more specifically Word) is included in Windows. Word has never been Continue reading: Fun night at Windows 7 Launch Party
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Oct 09
Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 063
Wow, tons of great questions this week from Donna, Deborah, Craig, Jay, Chris, Larry, Gloria, Jack, Ralph, James, Robert, Darren, Leo (who just said hi), Marge, Janette, Joyce, Leo Jason, Emir, Bob, Glenna, Enoch, and Alice.
In order, they asked questions about installing Flash in Firefox, a stolen email address, moving to a Mac, viewing large pictures sent as email attachments, removing spyware (2 in a row), HP scanning software, fake update emails, improving boot up speed, a laptop screen problem, transferring favorites to Firefox from IE, opinion about ThreatFire, how to send smaller pictures via email, adding a photo to a blog, using Picasa to create special effects, Windows 7 launch party question, where to find computer components locally, missing desktop icons, backup recommendations, removing the Quick Launch toolbar, how to copy & paste, and what’s up with McAfee Security Scan. The answers to all these questions and more are located in these two videos: Continue reading: Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 063
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Oct 09
What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-10-25
- RT @howtogeek: crappy 6′ HDMI to DVI cable at best buy: $49.99 … on Amazon: $1.45 <– & crappy tech help at Continue reading: What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2009-10-25
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Oct 09
Password Mania
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: Password Mania
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Oct 09
Protect Your Identity
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: Protect Your Identity
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