Save pictures from email – Video Tip

It’s been almost one year since I first posted this tip. We have many new visitors this year, and not enough of you are heading my advice yet on this subject, so I’m posting it again. Please believe me when I tell you that this tip alone can save you countless dollars, time, and tears! Through my travels, I have noticed that many computer users save emails with pictures because they are unsure of how to save...

Where to buy a book manual for your computer

“Why didn’t my computer come with a manual?” One of the most common complaints we hear is about how new computers don’t come with manuals. I am here to explain why this is the case. The sad answer is that if the computer company came with a manual, it would weigh more than the computer. “But my old computers used to come with manuals…,” Is the next comment. Back in the old days...

Always check the cables

Two customer visits this week took less than 10 minutes after I arrived on the scene. When printers, speakers, keyboards, mice, etc stop working and I get a call, the first thing I ask is whether the cables/cords are all plugged in correctly or at all. About 50% of the time, I’m told either “yes they are” or “I don’t know how to check them and want you to do it.” I show up and check the...

Brain transplant

If I could impart one aspect of my computer knowledge to everyone who uses a computer, it would be the ability to understand file management. File management, in the computer world, means how information (files) are stored and utilized on a computer system. Understanding file management, means understanding: How to locate files (documents, pictures, spreadsheets, music, etc) on your computer. How to move those files from...

Is anyone out there?

There is no doubt in my mind that our site has the most relevant and easy to understand computer information for the average and beginner computer user. Unfortunately, the average computer user doesn’t know how to browse the web well and has trouble finding the information they need to know. Search engines are confusing. Searching a web site is even more baffling. These computer users do well when they have a recipe...

Wacom Bamboo – an excellent artist’s t...

A Wacom tablet is a tool used by artists to design work on the computer using a natural pen and paper motion. The tablet is hard and flat and the stylus that you draw with looks like a pen. The Wacom tablet is pressure sensitive providing the ability to draw thicker or heavier lines depending on the amount of pressure that you apply while drawing. The stylus has a pen tip end and an “eraser” end. As...

Fun with Cameroon Pet Scams

I really love English Bulldogs. Recently I became aware of a common pet scam that is based on every other over seas Internet scam. Someone from Cameroon posts a desired breed up for a ridiculously low price. He/she asks for money plus shipping. You never get the dog. Here is my recent correspondence with one such scammer. I have resorted the posts from oldest to newest so you can enjoy the events as they occurred. For...

Quickly resizing photos with Windows Vista –...

Web designers, eBay sellers, and other folks who need to quickly and painlessly resize large digital photos had an excellent option in Windows XP. (See our tip: An Easier Way to Resize Your Digital Photos). However, that little utility doesn’t work any longer with Windows Vista. I’ve devised a little workaround that works, albeit not perfect. Here’s how: Open the folder where the photos you want to resize...

Do you remember your password for…?

If you do any online shopping and/or banking, user name and passwords have infiltrated your life. Many of my customers can easily knock one-half hour or more off their bill if they kept track of their passwords. I get many blank stares when I’m troubleshooting a machine and need to log into an Internet service or web site and I ask the customer for their password. Often times I receive the classic, “I don’t...

How much would you pay for a “simple” ...

This will be our poll question in the newsletter tomorrow, but I wanted to give you time to consider the question. Like Rick, I am constantly on a mission to make computers easier to use. I don't believe it is necessary to upgrade computers every few years if the system you are using now is working well. I hate (strong word, but accurate) the direction Microsoft has taken with Windows. Most people never use all of the...

I’ve heard you say that before

Imagine for a moment (you won't have to stretch very far) that your son or daughter comes home past curfew and you say something like, "I told you to be home by midnight." In reply your kid says, "I know I heard you say that." Imagine for a moment that you are an engineer who builds bridges. One day a bridge that you design collapses. You confront the builders only to find that they used half of the...

Backup – What, Where, When, and How – ...

It doesn?t take long to back up your files, but it does take discipline.  Just like getting the oil changed in our cars regularly to maintain its health, it is imperative that a good backup program be put in place for you computer creations. Follow these simple rules for backing up your files and you will be able to face any computer calamity: Save your files in a common folder or directory like My Document or Work Make...

Faster Internet does not equal faster computer

A common misconception I run across often is that getting a faster Internet connection will make the computer faster. The Internet is just one of many functions a computer performs. Whether you connect via a phone line, DSL, or cable has absolutely NO bearing on how quickly the computer boots up or opens a particular program. A faster Internet connection will allow you to receive large email attachments faster, surf the web...

Can’t read forwarded message attachments in ...

One of our callers today, Jeff, couldn't get forwarded emails to open if they were attachments. We believe this method may work to rectify the situation: Use the following steps to use the Clear Cache button in Outlook: 1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Other tab. 2. Click Advanced Options. 3. In the Advanced Options box, click Custom Forms. 4. In the Custom Forms box, click Manage Forms. 5. In the...

Sorting the Mail – Video Tip

Wouldn't it be nice if you could sort your email by the date it was received or by the name of the sender? If you use Microsoft Outlook Express (or Outlook), Mozilla Thurnderbird, or most other email systems), you can quickly sort all of your mail. AOL finally added this feature for its members just last year. As an added bonus, this tip will work with any computer or operating system.   To sort the mail: Click ONE...