Cut, Copy and Paste! – Video Tip

These techniques should be standard tools for any computer user. However, many computer users find these techniques elusive. The ability to move (cut) or copy information from one computer program to another sets you free to do so much more with your computer. Cut, Copy and Paste function by temporarily storing the information, cut or copied, into a temporary holding spot of memory known as the clipboard (Click here for the...

Selecting Text and Files – Video Tip

Here are some techniques for making the selection of files and text easier and more efficient for you as you work with your computer. This tip also includes a narrated video to further demonstrate these important skills. Double click on a word to select it Click and drag in the margin of your word processor to select entire line(s) of text Push the Ctrl+A key on your keyboard to select all text in a ...

Make your web based email the Windows Default emai...

More and more computer users choose to use web based email systems like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL web based mail, and HotMail. I recently found this tool that will force Windows to recognize that you are a 21st century email user and thus recognize email links on web pages and send them to your web based email instead of a system installed on your computer that you do not use. The download is quick and free, and the installation...

Solution to Microsoft Outlook 2007 or 2010 not ope...

This particular problem has come a few times lately, so I thought I better write out the solution for the website for both my memory and for others who might have the problem. Here’s what the problem looks like: Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2010 users try to open a Microsoft Word or Excel document and cannot do so. Usually this occurs with Word/Excel 2007 or 2010 only. To solve the problem of opening Word (and Excel)...

Forwarding images in email with Gmail

I normally refrain from helping folks with their forwarding email problems because I believe the majority of forwards do not offer any value, but that’s just me. For those of you who enjoy forwarding and use Gmail and are having problems with the forwarded email not showing the images, try this simple tip: Before hitting send on the message  you are forwarding, alter the subject line a little…even just deleting...

HelpMeRick.com Podcast with Rick & Adam – 02-...

We had a couple of paying customers this week who had email questions, so they were answered right at the top of the show. We answer as many questions as we can during each show, but always answer the paying questioners first. In addition to answering your email questions, we also talked about the news of the week, upcoming tech to watch out for and much more. Podcast: Play in new window | Download

HelpMeRick.com Podcast with Rick & Adam ̵...

We answered tons of emails in this episode, talked about Apple celebrating 10 billion app downloads, the coming year of the tablet, university books using tablets and the various services associated with electronic text books and mush more! Listen now. Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Rick Answers His Email – Episode 078 – Videocast...

This week Anita, Jane and Bill paid to have their questions answered and here they are! Questions about Thunderbird, System Restore, backup and more…take a look!

Fix for AOL email not displaying subjects, dates

I have seen a few AOL customers this week who use the AOL software and had problems displaying their email. The email window only showed blank spots where subjects, dates, and senders appear. When opened, replying or forwarding email was also impossible. Fortunately, I have an easy fix for you AOL holdouts with this email problem: Start your AOL program, but DO NOT sign in! Click Mail from the menus Click Mail Settings...

Do not open attachments from people YOU KNOW

Image via Wikipedia Yes, you read that correctly. 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...

Use Templates to Save Time

Computers can either save you loads of time or waste your valuable time…it depends on your approach. One way to surely save you some time is to learn to find and utilize templates. Templates are like stencils. Something you can use over and over by providing you a skeleton or outline of a project. You can create your own templates or find them online. The most basic template is re-using an existing document you already...

Print only what you want – Multi-tip

How many times do you curse at your printer when you print a joke from email or some web page information and get two or more extra sheets of paper with useless information? Follow this tip and experience printing bliss from email or Internet and your word processor too! On the web, Select the text (by clicking and dragging with your mouse) that you would like to print Click File and Print from the menus (don’t click...

How to backup your important stuff – Video T...

Photos I’m betting that your photos top the list as your most precious data. If that is true, then you want to back that data up. First, you need to store all your photos in one easy to find (and backup) spot. My suggestion is to use the default My Pictures folder found in all versions of Windows. If you have not purposefully moved your photos to another location, then they should all reside there now. However, since we...

How to save time & money when printing email ...

The web and email were not meant to be printable items, but we love to print many things we receive via email or the web. In this tip, I’m going to teach you how to use less paper and ink when printing AND get better looking printouts for things you do want to print. If you combine this new tip with my Print Preview tip, my print what you want tip,  and learn how to use your printer’s draft mode (if available),...

Drag & Drop Attachments in Gmail – Vide...

Google rolled out a great new feature for Gmail this week that allows users to drag files from folders directly into an email. It only works with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox at the moment, but it works extremely well and makes attaching files a lot easier. Take a look at the video below to see how it works.