Gmail | Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Posts Tagged: Gmail

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
4
Feb 10

Linux + Gmail = Computing Bliss

Last summer, I wrote an article about a senior citizen client of mine who constantly struggled with her older Windows XP machine. Updates would cause problems, the printer would stop working, security woes plagued her. She turned out to be my poster child for using Linux (in her case Ubuntu 8.10). Check out the article (by the way, she is still doing fantastic with her computer and Ubuntu).

Today, I visited another of my Linux clients. This couple came to me about six months ago (they are both seniors as well and self-described computer newbies). They explained that computers frighten and intimidate them, but they felt compelled to have one so they could stay in touch with their kids and grandkids. They strongly desired to have a machine that was simple to use, maintain, and was safe. After much discussion, they decided to take my advice and dump their nearly 12 year old computer and Continue reading →

7 Google services you have never tried

Google Sign Google started as a college project 12 years ago, then as a startup search engine just 10 years ago. Today, Google owns more than 60% of all web search traffic and employs close to 22,000 employees worldwide.

You probably interact with Google via their search engine primarily. However, you are missing out on some truly great services that Google also provides in addition to their fast and accurate search engine.

In this article, I will share 7 of the many other services Google provides.

Google News

When you arrive at google.com, click the link that says News at the top of the page or you can directly visit news.google.com. Google News is an auto-generated news page that refreshes automatically every 5-10 minutes and displays headlines from more than 4500 news sources around the world. To me, it is the ultimate newspaper?unbiased and unfiltered. And even more helpful, starting a Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 8 Comments
3
Nov 09

I don’t miss spam

Margaret Shaffhauser with bull terrier dog at the Canine Association Show, 3 Nov 1934 / by Ted Hood

photo credit: State Library of New South Wales collection

I just emptied 536 spam from my email spam folder.

Today, I ran across some clients who had problems with email spam, and I recanted the following story.

Once upon a time, my email inbox was filled to the brim with spam every single day. Then one cool autumn day in Las Vegas, Nevada at the now defunct Comdex show in 2000 or 2001, I met some nice folks from a startup company called Cloudmark. They were discussing and promoting a new way to combat spam that used human eyes and minds to identify spam instead of computer algorithms.

Intrigued, I immediately downloaded and started using it upon my return from Vegas. Cloudmark was nothing short of Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
3
Nov 09

Changing email addresses – It’s not that difficult

photo credit: TheeErin

AOL made millions of dollars for years because computer users are afraid to change their email addresses. All week long, I hear, “Oh, it’s too hard to change email addresses now.” Or, “It will take forever to change my email address with everyone.”

Come on folks…we’re using computers! You don’t have to fill out a change of address form and march it down to the postal office. You don’t have to send out a post card to every person you know. You don’t have to fill out a change of address for all your bills and utilities.

Changing email addresses is actually pretty painless and can be cathartic as well. In fact, think of it as going into the digital identity protection program. Here’s how to make it a smooth transition Continue reading →

Email Tips / Internet Tips — 2 Comments
2
Jul 09

Gmail adds MORE functionality to Labels – Video Tip

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 you a look at the further power being developed into Continue reading →

Email Tips / Tech News — No Comments
1
Jul 09

Gmail adds drag and drop to labels

In my mind, Gmail solidified their hold at the top of the email mountain by adding drag and drop functionality to their innovative labels system. Look for a quick video demoing this feature in the near future. In the interim, read the full article from Google below and read and watch my Gmail tips by clicking here.

Official Gmail Blog: Labels: drag and drop, hiding, and more.

Email Tips / Internet Tips — No Comments
30
Jun 09

Creating an email group in Gmail – Video Tip

I’m thrilled that so many people are heeding my advice and starting to use Gmail. Click here to see three how-to videos about Gmail to see why so many people are jumping to Gmail.

New Gmail users frequently ask me how to setup an address group in Gmail. Groups allow you to send a single email to a group of people in your address book by addressing the message to the group instead of the individuals in the group.

To create the group:

In Gmail, click the contacts link
Click the New Group icon
Type a name for your new group
Click OK
Click All Contacts
Place a check mark in the boxes of the contacts you want to belong to your new group
Click the Groups menu
Click the name of the group you want for them

To send an email to the group, click Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
27
Jun 09

Printable Gmail Tip Sheet

Gmail Logo

Google just released a printable reference guide you can download for free. The PDF file downloads quick and contains two pages of tips from beginner to advanced. If you print the two pages on one sheet of paper (front/back), it can be laminated and be a great reference tool to keep next to your computer.

Remember you can also watch and bookmark the many Gmail tips I have here at HelpMeRick.com as well. Enjoy!

Digital Photography / Email Tips / Macintosh — 11 Comments
13
Jun 09

How to attach iPhoto images to Gmail & Yahoo Mail – Video Tip

Currently, iPhoto only lets you send photos via email from within iPhoto if you use the Apple Mail program. For web based email users like Gmail, HotMail or Yahoo email, follow the easy steps in this tip.

Start a new email as normal in your Gmail, HotMail, Yahoo mail, etc.
Complete the address, subject, and body of the message as normal as well.
Look for and click the Attach Files option
The Select Files screen will appear
In the lower left hand corner of this screen, click Photos
Now at the top of the screen, you will see iPhoto where you can click your Events or Photos folder
Now all your photos appear at the bottom of the screen where you can select the ones you want to send. (Hold down the Command key as you click to select more than one photo)
When finished selecting your photos, click the Select button
Once they upload to the email, click Send on your email.