Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » camera

A quicker way to Rename folders and files in Windows

Rick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:52:03 +0000

Windows XP, almost eighteen months old, already impacts the way our computers work and how quickly we can accomplish tasks.

One of my favorite new features involves the renaming of files. You can still use the techniques I outlined in a previous tip, but renaming files can be even faster with the right steps. If you have the need to rename a group of files (for example a group of freshly downloaded pictures from your digital camera), you can select them and rename them in groups. Here's how:

Select the files or folders you want to change to a common name by clicking on them ONE time while holding down the Ctrl key
Push F2 on your keyboard OR right click on any file and click Rename OR click on the Rename tool from the Edit menu or the tool bar to the left of the folder
Type the new name for your file or folder
Press Enter on your keyboard
Windows now assigns the same name to all the files and numbers them starting with #1

This method saves loads of time and makes organizing your files much easier. Look through our newly designed Tips Archive for even more Windows tips, including Windows XP tips.

Print Your Own Manual

Rick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:22:05 +0000

To save on printing, shipping and packaging costs, many software and hardware companies no longer provide printed manuals. One of the top complaints I here from computer users is; "I wish there was a manual". Instead of printed manuals, many manufacturers use 'online' manuals or Adobe Acrobat files on the CD to house their manuals. Often times these manuals contain great information, but can be hard to 'thumb' through on your computer. My Olympus camera came with a 175 page manual in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format on the CD. Instead of battling with the online version, I took the CD down to a local printer and had them print and bind it in small format. The total cost was under $25 and now I have a wonderful easy to use manual at my side.

Nikon to release camera with built-in projector

Rick — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:05:13 +0000

Wow, a digital camera with a built-in projector capable of producing a 40″ image to show off your pictures and video without having to huddle around the camera and hope everyone applied deodorant and brushed their teeth. Read the whole story in this Endgadget.com article: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends. Related posts:Digital Camera [...]

Digital Photography School – Digital Photography Tips for You

Rick — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:41:40 +0000

I stumbled on this fantastic web site the other day and wanted to share it with you. Tons of great tips for digital photographers of all abilities. Check it out! Digital Photography School – Digital Photography Tips for You. Related posts:Digital Photography Basics – February 2009Holiday Digital PhotographyGreat digital photography debate topics

New Canon Digital Rebel Review

Rick — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:05:09 +0000

For all you camera nuts out there, you might be interested in this review of the Canon EOS Rebel T1i. The Gizmodo crew posted lots of pictures of it, and pictures they took with it. Apparently it has many features of it’s $1500 brother and costs almost half as much. Here’s the link. Canon EOS Rebel [...]

Digital Photography Basics – February 2009

Rick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:25:55 +0000

Adam Cochran ran our Digital Photography Special Interest Group (DPSIG) for almost six years and all that great information he shared during that time is archived here at HelpMeRick.com. Make sure to use that information.

In today's class we covered the basics about digital photography divided into three quick, hard hitting segments:

Setting up a new computer

Rick — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:17:58 +0000

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to avoiding illness in ourselves. Prevention in the computer world is no different. And like a newborn baby, a newly purchased computer is subject to many terrible diseases and problems if not properly cared from the moment it is taken from its cardboard box. I follow these steps when setting up a new computer system for my clients, and recommend this methodology for all new computer setups:

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.

Understanding exposure

Rick — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:45:37 +0000

Theory and Practice of Photography

Aperture:

Aperture is the setting of the iris of the camera lens. Just as your pupils in your eyes expand and contract to let in more or less light, you can do the same with your camera by setting the Aperture.

The Aperture measurement is called F-stop. The higher the F-stop number, the smaller the iris is set in your camera.

The trade-off: Each concept of photography seems to have a trade-off that prevents you from wanting to use it all the time.

Craigslist is full of scammers – but they are easy to spot

Rick — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:20:28 +0000

I recently wrote about the wonders of Craislist both on HelpMeRick.com and in our free weekly email newsletter. Someone posted a comment that I think needs to be addressed. There are many many scammers on Craigslist. However, they are stupid and easy to detect. Here are a list of ways to detect a craigslist scammer. 1. The item is priced very low, but not too low. A $50 digital camera that retails for $5,000 is obviously a scam. Craigslist scammers typically would price such an item at $1,100 making it almost believable. Think about it, would anyone really sell an item for half as much as they could easily sell it for on eBay.