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How to type in your password correctly the FIRST time – Video Tip

We use passwords to log into web sites continuously through the day. Your passwords should be long and complicated, but that makes them tough to type in accurately on the first try (since password fields are masked with dots or asterisks). Or, if you are using a netbook or mobile phone, the combination of a small keyboard and longer passwords can… Read More »How to type in your password correctly the FIRST time – Video Tip

Getting the most of searching the web and using Browser tabs – Video Tip

We had a great class today and talked about many aspects of searching the web safely and efficiently. The videos below cover the material we discussed in class including some answers to questions we talked about during the class as well relating to changing your home page, working with title bar, the new Gmail compose screen and more. How to… Read More »Getting the most of searching the web and using Browser tabs – Video Tip

You can change your Internet Home Page – Video Tip

When you buy a new computer, the Internet browser comes pre-configured with a home page (first web site you see when you start your web browser). For PC’s, it is usually MSN. For Mac’s it is Apple.com. If you download Firefox (which everyone should be using), its default home page is a Firefox branded Google page. Sometimes your Internet provider’s web site takes over as your home page if you run one of their setup disks.

Through all of this, you had no say so as to what your home page is. Fortunately, it is a simple procedure to change the home page to anything you want. Here’s how to change it no matter what web browser you use (except Internet Explorer 7):

  1. Pull up the web site you want to see first when you start Internet sessions
  2. Click and drag the little icon next to the address of that site to the Home icon (looks like little house)
  3. Click Yes on the confirmation dialog box asking if you really want to change your home page

That’s it. Now if you are one of the many unfortunate souls who is using Windows Vista, watch how “elegant, quick and streamlined” Microsoft has made this process with Internet Explorer 7:

  1. Pull up the web site you want to see first
  2. Click the drop down arrow next to the Home icon…no not the one at the end of the toolbar, the one righ next to the Home icon
  3. Click Add or Change Home Page
  4. Read and decide whether you want to “use this page as your only home page” or “Add this web page to your home page tabs” (a question which will befuddle many computer users)
  5. Click the option of the answer you chose
  6. Click Yes 

See, that’s DOUBLE the intuitive steps that we have used for more than 10 years and all other browsers use! That’s Microsoft progress! That’s Vista! But Vista sure is purdy.

To see these steps in action, watch the video below:

Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to browse your bookmarks…FAST – Video Tip

I’m sure I’ve included this tip in my past browser related tips, but I decided to pull it out and make it its own tip today. Bookmarking favorite or often used sites is important and recommended. However, with Firefox or Chrome, you no longer need to remember the entire name or folder where you stored it. Instead, use the browser’s… Read More »Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to browse your bookmarks…FAST – Video Tip

7 ways to become a more efficient web user – Video Tip

This is a reintroduction and retitling of a previous video/tip because of a copyright infringement complaint from Franklin Covey. Hopefully, the new title and verbiage will satisfy their legal staff.

All week long I help computer users of all ages and experience levels. Too often, I see that many computer users (beginners and experienced alike) do not utilize or know about some basic web browsing skills that will speed their work and give them less problems when using the Internet.

In this week’s tip, I will highlight the inefficient habits computer users use and replace them with tips that will make YOU a quicker and more profecient web user.

1.  Using an old browser

No matter how old your computer is or what operating system you are using, DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER 6 (IE 6). IE 6 is late 20th century technology and is not compatible with much of the web today and it also poses the greatest security risks.

Instead, use