Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No comments
07
Oct 09
photo credit: Don Solo
There are roughly 50 keys on your keyboard that you use on a regular basis, but there are at least 104 total keys on your keyboard.
So, what are those other keys for?
Here is a list of the keys you may not be using that can make your computing life a lot easier – in no particular order.
F1 – The F1 key is located above your number and letter keypad. In almost any program anywhere in Windows, pressing F1 will bring up your help screen. From the help screen you can look up topics and learn more about the program you are using.
PRINT SCREEN (PRT SCR, PRNT SCR, etc.) – Located to the right of the F keys, the Print Screen button is handy for capturing Continue reading: How to Use the “Extra” Keys on Your Keyboard
Riding Shotgun with Rick — 10 comments
06
Oct 09
photo credit: puroticorico
When I meet new customers or even strike up conversations with existing ones, my past sometimes infiltrates the conversation. I didn’t start out my adult life as a computer tech/trainer. I didn’t get a degree in computer technology. My degree and training is in physical therapy. I worked as a physical therapist for over 10 years, mostly with geriatrics.
During those years, I informally did my own case study on healthy individuals, recovery time for sick or injured, and general wellness. I tried to compile and make sense of those who stay healthy as we age and why.
In 6 easy to digest snippets, here is what I observed in my years as a working physical therapist and in my years as trained physical therapist working in technology: Continue reading: 6 Health Tips from a Physical Therapist Turned Tech Dude
Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — 1 comment
06
Oct 09
I’ve written many times about passwords and their importance in keeping you safe online. Search the site for passwords to read them and also take a look at this article from the Gmail Blog at Google.
Official Gmail Blog: Choosing a smart password.
Email Tips — No comments
06
Oct 09
photo credit: CGehlen
Like any medium, we all need to keep a discerning eye on the information we read on the Internet and in email. You don’t believe everything you read in the newspaper or see on TV do you? The Internet is no different and tends to breed more fiction because its tools are so readily available.
First and foremost, keep an anti-virus software running on your computer at all times and make sure it is updated at least weekly. Remember, keeping an anti-virus program updated is completely different than the program doing a weekly scan of your computer files. I currently favor AVG Antivirus or Avast on my computer and my client’s computers, but whatever you use, keep Continue reading: Learn to stay safe with your email
Announcements / Email Newsletter — 7 comments
05
Oct 09
photo credit: thomas_sly
I missed last year’s annual newsletter subscriber drive, so I need your help once again to make this year’s drive a success. As you can see from the Email Newsletter subscribership number in the orange box in the right column of my site, we are holding steady at just over 2700 subscribers.
My goal is to double this number by the end of the year.
All I ask is that you refer just one more friend, relative, colleague, casual acquaintance, email forwarder, pastor, congress person…anyone, to sign up for the newsletter. With your help, the goal can easily be achieved before Halloween!
The newsletter is 100% free and 100% spam free.
The information that is disseminated each and every week of the year can save hundreds or thousands of dollars. Who doesn’t want to save money during a recession? And learning should never go out of style.
So, please, refer just one person to sign up of the newsletter. It’s fast, free, and causes no bodily harm. If you want to refer more than one person, feel free to do that as well.
Riding Shotgun with Rick / Videocasts — No comments
05
Oct 09
This installment 60 of Rick answers his email (cue the balloons and dancing girls). Questions this week are from Robert, Paul, Jose, Henry, Blane, Clare, Romero, Mark, Robert, and Paramount. They asked about Word 2007 typesetting, backing up photos to CD/DVD, monitor problems, Microsoft Continue reading: Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 060
Email of the week — 4 comments
03
Oct 09
photo credit: bitzcelt
QUESTION
Name: Robert
From: Grand Junction
OS: Windows XP
———————-
I listen to streaming audio on my computer but it is confined to one room. Is there anyway I can get the audio to my whole house system wirelessly ie transmitter hooked to computer output & reciver hooked to amplifier input with enough voltage to drive amplifier.
ANSWER
There a number of ways to listen to the music you have stored on your computer or music you can listen to via the web like Pandora or Yahoo Music all around your home. One inexpensive and easy way to Continue reading: Email of the Week – 019
Email Tips — 11 comments
03
Oct 09
This week’s tip also applies to Windows Vista users who use Windows Mail…which is basically Outlook Express with a new name.
I still recommend that emailers save their important pictures and documents sent to them via email to a folder on their computer for easier backup (see my video tip on how to do this by clicking here), but many people also save a great deal of email and don’t want Continue reading: Backup Outlook Express Email – Video Tip
Digital Photography / Internet Tips — No comments
01
Oct 09
I talk a lot about Web 2.0 or cloud computing or using your web browser to perform functions via web applications versus installing and using desktop applications. Web 2.0 applications give you the flexibility of having tools at your disposal no matter where you are or whose computer you are using.
This week, I want to give you a preview of my favorite online image editor called Pixlr at Pixlr.com. It loads fast and is featured packed. In fact, I think it contains all the Continue reading: Pixlr.com Online Image Editing – Video Tip
Loading ...
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.