Posts Tagged: attachments

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
24
Aug 09

Do not open attachments from people you know

photo credit: shannnnnonlowe.

Those of you who have followed this site and my show since its early days in the 90s know that I have always warned against opening attachments from people you know. Probably the most egregious security problem among emailers is the myth that opening email and attachments is safe as long it is from someone they know.

I hear this statement at least five times per week and dispel it every single time I hear it. Now, I need your help in spreading the word about this growing problem and misinformation.

Recently, there has been a wave of hackers sending email with your friends and family names listed as the sender. Despite not hearing from Aunt Martha in 5 years via email, despite the fact that your mother’s best friend has never sent you a party picture, and despite the cryptic and brief subject and body, folks continue to click on these emails and the links and attachments contained within them. And time and time again, they are greeted with Continue reading →

Computer User Group / General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 14 Comments
26
Apr 09

10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

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:

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

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.

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 9 Comments
1
Apr 08

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 those pictures. Saving lots of pictures in your email program can drastically slow down the performance of the email program over time. Email programs typically can handle thousands of messages, but if something happens to the email database, and you haven't backed up those databases, the pictures will be gone for good. Your best insurance for saving pictures is to save them to a folder on your computer (like My Pictures or a subfolder of My Pictures) then back them up on a regular basis.

To save pictures from your email to a folder on your hard drive, do the following:

Outlook Express

1. Click the paper clip icon in the preview pane*
2. Click Save Attachments
3. In the "Save To" box at the bottom of the dialog box that pops up, click Browse and choose where YOU want to save the pictures and click OK
4. Click Save

* If you read your Outlook Express email in its own window, then RIGHT Click on the attachment name and click Save As

AOL

Click the "Download Now" button at the bottom of the email you are reading and follow on-screen instructions. Remember that most AOL versions automatically download to an AOL Downloads folder in the AOL directory. It differs, however, from version to version.

Juno/NetZero

Depending on your method of reading messages, the technique changes, but generally you should be able to RIGHT click on an attachment and save it.

For any email program that you can see the picture in the body of the message, you can RIGHT click on the photo itself to save it by clicking "Save As" or "Save Picture As".

Keeping your pictures stored in a known folder allows you to access the pictures easier, print them easier and most importantly gives you the ability to back them up. For more tips about receiving, printing and sending pictures via email, browse through our tips archive.

Watch the video below for a demonstration of this tip.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 6 Comments
23
May 07

How much would you pay for a “simple” computer?

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 bells and whistles in Windows.

So, here is my question. If there were a computer that would do email, Internet, basic digital photography, document creation and standard games like solitaire, how much would you pay for it.

Keep in mind that this computer would be able to open all of the same email attachments you current computer can, it can read and write Excel and Word documents and the Internet works exactly the same.

The only "disadvantage" would be that it would not run Microsoft Windows or programs that require Windows. However, there are plenty of compatible programs that work similar to those offered for Windows.

This new basic computer would be less vulnerable to viruses and it would be quicker at everything. It would have fewer lockups and errors but when they did occur it would be more difficult to find help.

Certainly there would be some trade-offs, but this basic computer could likely *cost less than $600 for the whole package and under $350 for just the computer (if you already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer.

 

* I adjusted the costs after doing some research on actual prices or various parts. 

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 1 Comment
18
May 07

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 bolts that you indicated in the design. "I heard you say that we should use that many bolts," comes the reply from the builder.

In each case, the next sentence that follows is an excuse from the offenders as to why they thought this should be an exception.

Today I heard the phrase, "I've heard you say that," twice. Once was a person who was running a very slow computer that wouldn't connect to the Internet. When I looked at their computer, they were running Norton Internet Security. When I told them that the problem was likely caused, or made worse by Norton they said, I've heard you say that Norton causes lots of problems. Then came the excuse, but I have it paid for until September.

With a straight face I jokingly told them to call me in September and I would get them back online. Suddenly the fact that they had paid for Norton didn't seem to matter much. I removed Norton with their permission and suddenly the computer came back online. Strange.

Later I had someone who was fighting their dial-up connection. I asked why they weren't on broadband. "I've heard you say that dial-up is dead, but I don't use the Internet very much."

As I worked away trying to get the dial-up to work they asked me three questions:

1. Why do pictures and attachments take so long to download?

2. Is there any way I can get phone calls when I am online?

3. Why is my computer always telling me I need updates?

Here are is the answer to each qustion.

1. Because you are on dial-up.

2. You can only do that if you are on broadband.

3. Because you aren't connected to the Internet long enough or often enough to get all the updates your computer needs – like you would be if you were on broadband.

For some reason people always think that I am trying to sell them something when I make suggestions on how to avoid problems with their computer, yet they will let the salesmen at Best Buy talk them into Norton products.

I don't sell anything. I only get paid for the time I spend working. Contrary to what may seem logical, I don't enjoy fixing computer problems. I could make just as much money and be a lot happier if I was teaching people how to get more out of their computer or setting up computers to prevent problems.

It seems though that most people would rather pay for having problems fixed than pay for prevention. Most of the advice I give for free, yet people end up paying me to fix problems that came as a result of ignoring that free advice. I would call it job security, but that would imply that I have something to do with the problem. I would see half as many clients each week if they all would just listen to the advice I give for free.

That's it, I have given away my secrets. My advice is the key for not needing my services. Why do I give advice that would prevent people from needing my services? Because I believe in trickle-down computer help. The less people need to spend money on getting the computer fixed, the more likely they are to pay me to have me teach them Photoshop, Windows, Microsoft Word, How to use the Internet, How to keep their computer safe, etc.

Computer User Group / General Computer Tips — No Comments
8
May 07

Backup – What, Where, When, and How – May 2007

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 sub-folders if you have a lot of categories
  • You do NOT need to back up the entire hard disk.  Most of the hard disk is occupied by programs not your data files
  • One easy way to backup is using a flash drive:
    • Open up Windows Explorer (Start | Programs | Windows Explorer), find the folder that you are saving your data files in and RIGHT Click on it?.Now Click Send To, removable disk (drive letter will vary depending on your setup)

That?s it, the entire contents of your important folder will be transferred to your flash drive.

  • Other important considerations:
  • Take advantage of the built in backup programs that come with all financial software, genealogy software, and other specialized programs.
  • Make at least two backup copies of everything you deem important
  • If you have extremely critical data, then keep one of your backups onsite and take another backup to a bank safe deposit box or some other safe place
  • Backup your data at least monthly and more often if you create or change data files a lot

What to Backup

The general rule of thumb I give is backup anything that you created or modified. Here is a non-exhaustive list of items you need to backup:

  • Word processing documents
  • Spreadsheets
  • Photos
  • Email downloads or attachments
  • Address books
  • Financial information
  • Favorites or Bookmarks
  • Downloaded music
  • Email passwords and/or settings

When to Backup

  • At least monthly OR anytime you worked on a large project that you don't want to lose
  • Before vacations
  • Before making major software or hardware modifications to your computer system

Where to Backup 

  • Large amounts of data that doesn't change should be archived onto CDR's or DVD+R's. Examples would be pictures, music or video
  • Items that change often should be backed up using USB flash drives
  • External hard drives (or a second internal hard drive) can be used for more frequent automated backups, but should never be considered your only or primary backup. 
  • Online backup will become more popular as faster and faster Internet speeds become available

How to Backup

  • We already mentioned the easy-to-use "Right click and Send To" method which works well
  • Archiving data requires you to use a CD/DVD burning software like Roxio, Nero, or similar.
  • Automated backup systems can be setup and utilized. Two of my favorite backup systems are:
Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
9
Mar 07

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 faster, and download updates faster, but
it does nothing else for speeding up other computer functions. If your
computer feels slow, that can be due to one or more factors including; not
enough RAM, too many temporary files saved on your computer, a “dirty”
startup, and/or spyware and viruses.

Email Tips / OnAir Solutions — 22 Comments
24
Feb 07

Can’t read forwarded message attachments in Outlook

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 Forms Manager box, click Clear Cache. 

Email Tips — No Comments
23
Feb 07

Sorting the Mail – Video Tip

Sort MailWouldn'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:

  1. Click ONE time on the desired heading of your email list. For example, to sort your messages chronologically, click once on the date heading to sort from oldest to newest.
  2. Click again to sort from newest to oldest.
  3. To sort your mail by the sender, simply click on the "From" heading at the top of the email list.
  4. To sort by the subject of the email, click one time on the "Subject" heading at the top of the email list.
  5. As in Step 1, if you click a second time on a column heading, the sort direction will reverse.
  6. You can even click on the "paper clip " at the top of the email list to quickly find messages that have attachments.

That's it! Simple, clean and useful…give it a try!! Watch the video below to see this tip in action.

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