Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » attach

Learn to stay safe with your email

Rick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:47:16 +0000

Adam brought to my attention this email that came to his inbox with a virus attached. It looks official at first glance, but read my comments on how to dissect an email for authenticity.

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 a virus program updated is completely different than the program doing a weekly scan of your computer files. I favor AVG Antivirus on mine and my client's computers, but whatever you use, keep it updated.

Control Photo Size in Email Attachments with Picasa – Video Tip

Rick — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:55:21 +0000

For you Picasa users, this quick tip shows how to control the size of the photos that you attach and send via email using Picasa. The default settings might not be to your liking, so leanring how to contol the size of your photos can let you get the results you want. If you aren’t using [...]

How to attach iPhoto images to Gmail & Yahoo Mail – Video Tip

Rick — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:34:06 +0000

Currently, iPhoto only lets you send photos via email from within iPhoto if you use the Apple Mail program. For web based email users like Gmail, HotMail or Yahoo email, follow the easy steps in this tip. Start a new email as normal in your Gmail, HotMail, Yahoo mail, etc. Complete the address, subject, and body of [...]

Opening PPS (PowerPoint) files in Outlook Express

Rick — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:10:48 +0000

PPS files are PowerPoint presentation slide shows that have been saved as a file that can be viewed by anyone. If you get a PPS file and can't see the slideshow, then click here for our tip on where to find the free PowerPoint viewer.

Once you get the viewer, however, some people still can't see the slideshows without first saving the attachment to the desktop then double-clicking it from there. It works, but requires a few more steps. Today, I had a call from a customer who was in this situation and really wanted to avoid having to first save the attachment, close email, look for the file and then double-click it to view the slideshow.

10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

Rick — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:50:54 +0000

I originally posted this list in January 2007. However, through my keen observation skills, I discovered that all computer users have not yet read and digested this information. For this reason, I'm posting it again because I won't stop working to educate computer users until every computer user knows these 10 skills.

Computers have become almost a main stream household appliance. Whether you have been using a computer for fifteen years or one, these skills should be second nature:

Cut, Copy, Paste
Print just what you want (word processing, email, web)
Backup your address book
Select (highlight) text or files
Properly uninstall unwanted programs
Burn a CD
Download files from the Internet
Use MSCONFIG ; Another MSCONFIG tip
Search the Internet
Attach Files to an email

#11: Learn how to best utilize HelpMeRick.com

If you already know how to do these skills, please pass this article along to someone who doesn't...help me help other computer users.

Gmail guide for beginners – 3 Videos – Video Tip

Rick — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:54:08 +0000

This week's video tip is a HelpMeRick.com first...it involves 3 videos to cover the topic of Gmail. Directly above each video below, I give a short synopsis of the videos contents. The more I use it, the more impressed I am with Gmail. If you currently use Gmail, don't be afraid to watch these videos as you might pick up a tip or two yourself.

Google offers a good Help section covering their email system, and you can find it by clicking here. My short video series here are meant to just get you started quickly and give you the highlights of this email system.

What do you really do with your computer?

Rick — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:38:36 +0000

In my travels, it seems that most home computer users primarily use email. I would love to see 100-200 comments attached to this short article so you can tell me what you use your computer for from day-to-day. You don't have to be statistically accurate or detailed, I'm just curious and this topic is too broad and detailed for a poll. Here's how I use my main computer: Internet (web browsing, pay bills, web site maintenance, etc) - 60% Email - 15% Instructional videos - 10% Word Processing - 8% Desktop publishing (creating newsletters, flyers, calendars, etc) - 2% Skype video calls - 1% Digital Photography (including ordering, editing, and downloading photos) - 1% Games - .33% Other - 2.67% YOUR TURN! Leave a comment and share what you use your primary computer for on average. Thanks!

5 Reasons why YOU should be moving to the cloud

Rick — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:56:56 +0000

Over the past two or there years, I have written many articles about Web 2.0 or cloud computing. Cloud computing means that you work with programs and/or data that are not installed or saved on your computer. Instead, the programs and/or data live on an Internet connected computer (server) somewhere else in the world. These computers provide security via the password and user name that you choose. Five reason come immediately to mind on why you should start moving your data and computing power to the cloud.

1. Although more powerful than ever before, computers have become more unreliable than ever.

In particular, Windows computers require more expertise to keep them safe, updated, and problem free than at any time in the short history of home computers. Macintosh and Linux operating systems certainly require less technical expertise from the security standpoint, but still rely on desktop applications to create, save and edit data. Web based (cloud) applications provide plenty of power and flexibility for the vast majority of computer users while also presenting a simpler interface.

2. You already spend 90% of your time in the cloud already.

Non-business computer users spend the majority of their computer time

Great digital photography debate topics

Rick — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:39:31 +0000

Technology is no different than politics in that there are a variety of topics that people have opinions on. While you may not know much about these topics now, what you know about them can have a great impact on knowing who to listen to when it comes to learning more about digital photography and related topics.

PC vs. Mac:

The Mac people will tell you that Macs are better for graphics, easier to use more stable.