5 Steps to Using Online Financial Sites Safely

Every year computer users who use the Internet to check account balances, transactions, and even paying bills grows by nearly 30%. According to one Pew study, more than 50 million Americans use online banking services. 50 million sounds like a large number, but that still reflects less than 50% of online American adults. Bank web sites continue to evolve by becoming easier to use, more secure, and more helpful than ever...

KAFM Computer Help Show Podcast – 01-18-12

Mr. Matt Kettlewell guest hosted with me again this week, and we answered quite a few calls/questions at the end of the show. We started the show talking about SOPA and PIPA and the Internet Blackout today as well as steps to protect your online safety and we even touched on the Zappos.com security breach. Great listen today…watch the short SOPA/PIPA video below, then listen to the show! Thanks. Podcast:...

KAFM Computer Help Show Podcast – 01-11-12

Matt and I had a great time as usual kicking off the 2012 season of Castellini on Computers. We only had a small handful of calls, but they were good one. We talked about CES in Las Vegas, OLED, Ultrabooks, smart phones, Linux/Ubuntu, and many other topics. Listen now! Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Setting up a new computer

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...

Web surfing 101…again

Catching up on my reading, I ran across yet another article outlining how easily unsuspecting web users can be duped into infecting their machines and voluntarily giving up their own hard earned money. You MUST read this article, IF you want to keep yourself, your wallet, and your computer safe. Wired published the article I was reading today in their Ocotober issue. You can read it by clicking here. Executive summary:  Bad...

Holiday Computer Madness

Every year for the last 7-8 years, I bring up a version of this tip to help save you time and money during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years visiting season. Please follow the advice. I can guarantee that it will save you and your computer lots of grief. With all the traveling done during the holidays, your computer is bound to be taken hostage by friends and family wanting to check their email or play a game or two....

How to print stuff from the web the way YOU want i...

I created these notes for a client today who visits many sites with text that prints small. She knows how to make the screen text larger, and I referred to the tips  (below) about printing from the web, but sometimes good ol’ copy and paste is necessary to truly get the look you want on paper. Learn how to use the Printer Friendly Option – Video Tip How to Save Time & Money when printing Email – Video...

KAFM Computer Help Show Podcast – 11-09-11

We haven’t posted a recorded a show in a couple of months for a myriad of reasons, but here is a fresh new one from tonight! Had a few calls, and bantered about Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, tablets and more. Have a listen! Podcast: Play in new window | Download

5 Reasons why YOU should be moving to the cloud

I have written many articles about Web 2.0 or cloud computing. Cloud computing means that you work with programs and/or data that are not installed or saved on your computer. Instead, the programs and/or data live on an Internet connected computer (server) somewhere else in the world. Among other things, these computers/services provide: Security via the password and user name that you choose. Access to the service from any...

Google rolling out new Gmail look and functions &#...

Starting today, Google is rolling out the option for you to try out there new interface (look and function). You will see an option to try out the system in the lower right hand side of your Gmail screen (see picture at left for what it will look like). In a nutshell, don’t be overwhelmed by the new streamlined and minimalist look…all the things you are used to using are there, I promise. Take a just a few moments...

Disable Gmail Web Clips and Important Markers R...

Frequent visitors to this site know that I’m a huge fan of Gmail and recommend it and its web interface. However, every now and then Google introduces some features that perplex me. Some people may like the features, but it is nice to be able to disable them if you don’t use or like the feature. In today’s tip, I explain how to disable the web clips advertising bar at the top of the list of messages and also...

Remember to Minimize

Every now and then, I like to bring up tips that appear elementary, but are seldom used. This week’s tip falls into that category. In my travels, it surprises me how many computer users forget that more than one computer program can be run at the same time. The trick is not necessarily running multiple programs, but keeping track of where they are. If you are using a word processor, for example, and you want to check a...

Read Newspapers Online

I enjoy walking to get my newspaper each morning and reading it at the breakfast table. However, I also enjoy reading my old hometown newspaper and a paper I used to read in college. The Internet makes it possible to read a large majority of newspapers from around the world. If you know the name of your newspaper, the first thing to try is: Click ONE time in the Address bar of your browser (long white box at the top of the...

If you read nothing else on my site…

I haven’t had much time to post new content on my site lately, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a TON of great tips that will save you time and money on the site. In fact, I made it even easier to find the tips that I think will give you the most bang for your browsing buck. If you look to the right of any page here on HelpMeRick.com, you will see a place to sign up for the free email newsletter...

Facebook vs. Google+

For those three of you who haven’t been keeping up with Google’s recent launch, Google+ is the newest in a long line of social networking websites. Like Myspace and Facebook before it, Google+ allows you to add “friends” to your network, share pictures, and meet new people. And while Myspace has fallen into oblivion since 2006, Facebook is, in my opinion, still superior to the newest kid on the social...