Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » drag and drop

Gmail adds MORE functionality to Labels – Video Tip

Rick — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:20:05 +0000

Yesterday, Google added drag and drop functionality to the already stupendous Labels feature. Adding drag and drop label organization further enhances the lead Gmail already holds on all other email systems…desktop or web based. Make sure to watch my other Gmail videos if you are just beginning with Gmail, but this short video will give [...]

Create Your OWN Personalized Newspaper Online – Video Tip

Rick — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:42:36 +0000

In this month's group, we talked about and demonstrated how to set up a web page that can be personalized. I like to use a customized web page (portal) as my home page (first page that shows up when I start my browser). We looked at the Yahoo portal (My Yahoo) and the newer Google customized home page.

Both services require that you register and setup a user name and password. Once you register, you can customize your page to include weather information, stock portfolios, sports news and scores, news from industries or topics that you choose, comics, and even content from other web pages. Both services are free and give you the flexibility to add, subtract and edit any type of data that you choose.

After you sign in, first look for the

Drag and Drop in Ubuntu Linux – Video Tip

Rick — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:25:29 +0000

Interestingly, because of the security setup in Ubuntu, drag and drop file management (ability to drag files from one folder to another) doesn't work without a little tweaking. I'm still learning the ins and outs of how Ubuntu is put together and how the all powerful "root" user corresponds to some commands or programs we want to run in Ubuntu.

Opening programs as the "root" user has the potential of creating some security or stability issues, but this small tweak seems to be universally accepted. To read more about drag and drop, the hack and how they relate to the Linux root user, read this forum thread on the Ubuntu Forum site.

What I demonstate in the video below is how to create a launcher item (shortcut) on your Ubuntu panel to open the file manager (Nautilus) in a mode that allows you to drag and drop files from folder to folder.

RIGHT Click any panel
Click Add to panel
Click the Custom Application Launcher button
Type a name for your new Launch icon
Type the following the command line: gksudo nautilus
Click the No icon button to bring up a list of icons you can choose from for your new launch button
Click OK twice
Click Close

Now your accessing your file manager (Nautilus) from this panel button allows you to drag and drop!

Drag and Drop

Rick — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:58:07 +0000

Over the past few weeks, we discussed the usefulness of cut, copy and paste. Another great skill to have at your disposal is "drag and drop". With very few exceptions, drag and drop requires your mouse. To drag and drop an object, click and hold the left mouse button on the file, object, or text and then move (drag) the mouse to its destination. It is the same exact maneuver computer users use every day to play solitaire and move the cards from stack to stack. Here are some other examples: * Want to delete an unused icon from your desktop? Click on the icon and hold the mouse button down while dragging it to the Recycle Bin. Once over the Recycle Bin, release the mouse button and the icon disappears.

Save Files to your ZIP, CDR/RW or other Removable Media Quickly

Rick — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:55:49 +0000

First, create a shortcut to your drive on the desktop following these steps: 1. Double-click on My Computer 2. Drag the icon of your removable disk to the desktop 3. When you let go of the mouse, the computer will inform you that you can't move the item there, but would you like to create a shortcut...answer 'yes' Now that you have the icon for you drive in place, you can simply drag and drop files or folders right to this icon for quick and easy copying! The new desktop drive icon is also a great way to read what's on a zip or CD disk. Although I keep referring to z