Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part II ...

In Part I of my “Creating Tables” tip, I discussed what a table was, how to create them, and some basics on how to customize them. In Part II of the tip, I discuss how to use reverse text, cell coloring, sorting, formulas and create a form all with tables.

Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part I &...

Since many of us in the post-35 year old set learned how to type and create documents with a typewriter, we tend to try and use computer word processors like a typewriter. The two technologies couldn’t be further apart from each other and other than touch typing, we need to throw out almost all our knowledge of document creation from those days. FRUIT COLOR VITAMINS Apple Red or Green Vitamin...

How to print labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

You can learn and start using this tip TODAY to make Christmas card or group mailings a breeze. AND, I’ve included a template for you at the end of the article (below the video). Too many computer users have no idea what a database is, how to use it, and how to merge it with another program to create labels. Since printing mailing labels is only a once per year activity for many of you, learning how to do it again every...

Make reading the web easier than ever – Vide...

Although we now have 19″ and larger monitors on most new desktop computers, the text seems to shrink. Why is that? It has to do with screen resolution (how much information can be displayed). Screen resolutions on today’s monitors are up to 3X that of monitors we used just 6-8 years ago. We can see a lot more information, but often the text is too small to view for some computer users. Never fear. Using this...

Enable dictation for FREE with new Apple OSX Mount...

Since I bought my first computer, I have been borderline obsessed with voice recognition, using your voice to input text instead of the keyboard. With the release of the newest version of the Apple operating system for their computers, dubbed Mountain Lion or Mac OSX 10.87, that function is now a standard feature of the system. It does require an Internet connection because the dictation happens on the Apple servers and then...

How to find the best apps in Apple’s App Sto...

If you use an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, you have access to more than 600,000 apps (at the time of this writing) and growing. Great news right? Yes and no. If you don’t practice a little search narrowing , then finding a good app can be a frustrating and time consuming experience. In this tip, I give you a step-by-step outline on how to quickly and accurately separate the good apps from the mediocre or poor apps. Give...

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...

How to password protect PDF files with Mac OS X &#...

A client today had a need to learn how to password protect PDF files on their iMac and MacBook Air. With OS X, the process is quite easy…here it...

Creating documents in Apple Pages – Notes

Some notes for a client with a new MacBook Air. She wanted to create a Christmas letter with photos and colored text. She was amazed at what could be done with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks in Pages that she already had installed. I did learn that Pages has a cool reduce file size option to shrink large graphics. Works very well. In addition to helping her learn to create rich documents, I taught her how to export her...

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...

Customizing Apple’s Mac OSX Finder Tool R...

Since I’ve been featuring tips on file management this week, I thought I would demonstrate how to work with and customize the Mac OSX file management tool known as Finder. The finder is quite powerful as is, but sometimes having quicker access to tools you use often is helpful. Watch this short video to learn how to do just that.

3 Basic Tips for new Macintosh Users – Video...

I continue to see a surge in new Apple computer owners…and, in my opinion, justifiably so. This week’s tip focuses on skills that new Macintosh users will need to know in order to feel comfortable with their new Apple Computer. In this video tip, I give new Mac users some important information about how to use the Macintosh HD (hard drive)icon, the Dock (which launches programs and documents), and a primmer on...

OpenOffice: The good, bad, and the great – A...

Special guest post by Bri Castellini When I got my first laptop, for my sixteenth birthday three and a half years ago, I needed a word processor. Because I got a MacBook, Microsoft Word didn’t really make a lot of sense (plus, it’s super expensive!), and so my dad HelpMeRick helped (hah) me make the switch to a free, open source word processor. I started out with a program called AbiWord, but the formatting was...

Create Your OWN Personalized Newspaper Online R...

In this month’s group, we talked about and demonstrated how to set up a web page that can be personalized. I like to use a customized web page (portal) as my home page (first page that shows up when I start my browser). We looked at the Yahoo portal (My Yahoo) and the newer Google customized home page. Both services require that you register and setup a user name and password. Once you register, you can customize your...

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...