29
Apr 10

How to locate where your photos are saved – Video Tip

Many of us use photo management software (Picasa, Photoshop Elements, Corel, Kodak Easy Share, Canon Zoom Browser, etc) to manipulate, organize, and share our photos. Unfortunately, too many computer users think their photos exist in these programs.

They don’t.

Our digital photos are like any other piece of information on our computer…they exist in a folder somewhere on our hard drives. Most of these photo management programs offer a way for you to figure out where (computer path or folder) your photos really do reside. Since I recommend, use, and support Picasa, I put together a Continue reading: How to locate where your photos are saved – Video Tip


28
Apr 10

Ubuntu 10.04 released tomorrow, manual today

Microsoft released Windows Vista a little over three years ago, and it hit the market (and customers) like a rock right between the eyes. Hardware configurations were too underpowered, hardware support was horrid, and tons of third party software did not work with it (including some of Microsoft’s own).

Supporting this abomination was even harder.

Out of the clouds, however, came sunlight because being enormously frustrated with what users were stuck with, I looked into options. The best option I could come up with was Ubuntu. Ubuntu is an Open Source (click link to read definition) and free operating system. The first version I discovered in 2007 was Feisty Fawn (7.04). It impressed me immediately. It loaded fast, looked usable (simple), and didn’t try to wow you with too much fluff…it just worked, and worked well. Sure, it wasn’t as refined as Windows, but it also blew the doors off of Windows in performance and Continue reading: Ubuntu 10.04 released tomorrow, manual today


25
Apr 10

Picasa – Still the best

Picasa LogoI get to see tons of software in my weekly travels, and that includes photo management software. Picasa, from Google, remains my favorite photo management and downloading system for Windows, Macintosh, AND Linux (Ubuntu). It offers:

  • Great flexibility in organizing and tagging photos
  • Easy to use download function
  • Good integration with online photo ordering services
  • Wonderful way to share photos via online albums, Facebook and of course email
  • Nice photo archiving backup function (although I wish they would add backup to external hard drive)
  • And it’s free!!

Over the years, I have put together a series of tips and videos demonstrating how to Continue reading: Picasa – Still the best


21
Apr 10

Computer Help Show Podcast 04-21-10

Calls were down this month, but we more than made up for it with some great high tech banter on topics including Norton’s pathetic antivirus, the iPad, the lost and found iPhone prototype, new grad laptop recommendations, and much more!!

If you missed the live show, you can catch us next month…the live show will be Wednesday, May 19 from Noon-1pm Mountain Time!


18
Apr 10

How to type in your password correctly the FIRST time – Video Tip

brian tries to crack the safe

photo credit: Kate Tomlinson(this is not me)

We use passwords to log into web sites continuously through the day. Your passwords should be long and complicated, but that makes them tough to type in accurately on the first try (since password fields are masked with dots or asterisks). Or, if you are using a netbook or mobile phone, the combination of a small keyboard and longer passwords can be extremely tricky.

Save yourself some time and energy by using the power of cut and paste to accurately enter your password the first time. I prefer this method to saving my password using the browser’s password manager that automatically logs me in for three reasons: 1) It forces me Continue reading: How to type in your password correctly the FIRST time – Video Tip


18
Apr 10

How to start page numbers from a number other than 1 – Video Tip

My daughter needed to know how to start automatic page numbering in Microsoft Word 2007 with a number other than one for a school publication. She and her classmates couldn’t figure it out, so she asked me. I put together a quick video to demonstrate the technique for her, and decided to Continue reading: How to start page numbers from a number other than 1 – Video Tip


17
Apr 10

Handouts for Grand Junction Family History Fair

Since many handouts collected at trade shows or seminars end up in the garbage or forever relegated to the plastic bag they were stuffed in, I’m providing today’s handout online for your downloading and viewing or printing convenience.

Thanks for attending the class today!

High Tech Does Not have to be High Stress – Family History Fair Handout

Computer Maintenance Handout


17
Apr 10

Drag & Drop Attachments in Gmail – Video Tip

Google rolled out a great new feature for Gmail this week that allows users to drag files from folders directly into an email. It only works with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox at the moment, but it works extremely well and makes Continue reading: Drag & Drop Attachments in Gmail – Video Tip


14
Apr 10

Fake Security Alerts & other Internet Bad Guys CAN be prevented

Security

photo credit: Anonymous Account

Over the past year or so, the majority of my professional time has been digging computer users (Windows users only) out of jams where they were infiltrated by fake security software or spyware. Two things to know about this type of infection:

  1. No matter what type of security software you use and how much you paid for it, IT CANNOT PROTECT YOU IF YOU INVITE THE BAD GUY INTO YOUR COMPUTER.
  2. It is preventable.

Over the years, security and keeping computers running clean has been a common soap box for me. Listed below are just a handful of the articles you Continue reading: Fake Security Alerts & other Internet Bad Guys CAN be prevented


11
Apr 10

Rick Answers His Email – Episode 077 – Videocast

This week, I answered questions from Jane, Nancy, Jim, John, and Diane. I answered questions about downloading CCleaner updates, protecting a laptop from theft, reinstalling Google Chrome, correcting a spontaneous scrolling mouse, and downloading Quickbooks from the Internet. Enjoy, and remember I will answer any question from Continue reading: Rick Answers His Email – Episode 077 – Videocast