Photoshop Elements 6 is out – Yawn.

Adobe released a new version of Photoshop Elements this week. I haven’t read everything about it, but looking over the "What’s New" section on the website it appears that there is little to get excited about. The new features and upgrades fall in four main catagories, organize, edit, create and share. These four catagories can be narrowed to two, useful and arts-and-craftsy. On the useful side, Adobe...

Ubuntu – Day 14 – Final Report

  I can’t believe it has been two weeks already that I’ve used Ubuntu Linux exclusively. If I had to sum up the experience in one word, that word would be “satisfying.” And my regular readers/listeners know that I can’t sum anything up in one word, so I will use this format to provide a complete synopsis of my Ubuntu thoughts. Minimum Requirements Ubuntu and its derivatives can run...

Ubuntu – Day 7

Today marks the one week mark that I quit using my Windows Vista machine and started using Ubuntu exclusively. I pledged to use Ubuntu only for two straight weeks to really put the operating system through the paces of daily use. After a rough start with email and fighting spam, I am almost in a groove of using this free and robust operating system. I think that Microsoft has the work cut out for themselves over the next few...

First iPhone setup

I helped setup an iPhone for the first time today. Here is a quick summary of my findings: Pros Amazingly easy setup on the Windows XP machine we installed it on. No disks or CD’s ship with the iPhone at all. The only requirement is that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. The activation and installation were SIMPLE…the way all installations should be. Nice form factor. Felt like a large candy...

Dang! There’s a computer program for everyth...

In the basic computer classes I teach for the local Parks and Rec., I discuss how computers should make our lives easier, not more difficult. I have often written on this site and talked on the show about how your computer should be a tool and you shouldn't feel obligated to learn features and programs that you don't have any interest in. Anyone can use a computer to make their job or project easier. There are...

I made a bold statement on Saturday

Well, it was bold for me anyway. I stated (and Adam should have the audio up soon for the exact quote) that computer users who have not learned how to Copy and Paste should unplug their computers are put them on the curb for someone else to pickup.  The statement seems a little extreme and at the time, it was meant for a giggle in the context of the show. However, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The...

Photoshop Elements 5

Adobe Photoshop Elements is the standard photo editing software for consumers and many professionals. The latest edition offers many new features, but are those features worth upgrading from previous versions of the program? First, there is no upgrade version but since the program can easily be found online for under $70, it won't hurt too bad if you do want to upgrade. Photoshop Elements has been a solid program since...

Delete only one entry from Internet Explorer Addre...

The address bar in Internet Explorer (or any web browser) allows you to type in known web sites and visit them quickly. Sometimes you might want to clean out individual entries from the address bar or history, but this isn't possible in Internet Explorer unless you edit the registry. Watch the video below to learn how to perform this delicate Windows tweak. The video has a surprise ending to make this process a whole lot...

Getting familiar with your digital camera

Although we recently had a class on getting to know your digital camera, many in the group have brand new cameras this time. Since our meeting this month will focus a lot on the individual cameras that people bring to the meeting most of our notes will be posted after the meeting. Here are a few items I expect to touch on. You have a camera, now what? Once you have the digital camera, you will need a few extras. A 1...

Picasa Picture Manager Video Tip – Part 2

In Part 1 of our Picasa Video tip , we discussed how to use many of the editing and organizing tools available in Picasa. In this tip, you will learn about: Transferring your digital camera photos to your computer with Picasa Selecting photos from multiple folders Creating a web album Printing your photos Ordering prints from your photos and more! Click the Read More option below to start the video if it has not already...

Options and Preferences

I had a brief epiphany today as I helped two of my customers. When I'm setting up a computer or troubleshooting one, I am constantly in an out of the Options or Preferences of many programs. Almost all programs, from Quicken to Word to image editing software and of course Internet and email software, contain a section that allows you to customize the experience. For example, in Internet Explorer, I always click Tools...

Editing DVR files created by Windows Media Edition

Gary wrote to us and was wondering how to edit files created by the DVR function in Windows Media Edition. This site looks like it will get him pointed in the right directionl

Amazing Photoshop Elements: Toolbox

The Amazing Photoshop Elements Toolbox There are so many wonderful things you can do with Photoshop Elements. You will find many of our tips in our notes from previous meetings. Photoshop Elements Part I Photoshop Elements Part II Photoshop Elements Part III This time we will spend most of our time discussing the Magical Photoshop Elements Toolbox. There are three kinds of tools in the Toolbox: Hover your mouse over any area...

Giving Photos a Professional Look

Giving Photos a Professional Look Have you ever wondered what makes professional photos look so. . . umm. . . professional? The following tips will help you create photos that look like you know what you are doing! Taking Better Pictures: There are several links in the group archives giving tips on composition. Here are some other helpful tips. Use the color wheel. Whether you paint, quilt, or photograph – the...

Retouching Photos

Touching up your photos Before you begin touching up your photo, you should decide what size you want to print it and what programs you are going to use to do the job. There are several tutorial sites out there that will help you learn how to do basic touch ups but the true techniques must be learned first hand using lots of practice. There are the basic tools you will use: l Clone tool: This is my favorite...