Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » Mac

How to print labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

Rick — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:54:11 +0000

I know I'm late for this year's Christmas season, but you can learn and start using this tip TODAY to make next year's Christmas card mailings a breeze. 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 single year requires too much time and frustration.

Early thoughts on Windows 7

Rick — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:18:48 +0000

Although I’ve been testing, using and writing about Windows 7 since last year, it has only been on the market 2 weeks. In those two weeks, I have setup 8 or 10 new machines already. The setup is much faster than Vista, but I’m already getting that same ‘ol, same ‘ol feeling about it as I [...]

Print Preview

Rick — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:34:56 +0000

Sometimes the most helpful computer utilities elude us and stay hidden for years. One such utility that I find very helpful (and have taken for granted) is the Print Preview function found in almost any program that allows printing. Because Windows and Macintosh made the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment available to the masses, what we see on our screens is pretty close to what we see on our print outs. However, if you need to tweak margins, find the extra line that is creating an extra page, or determine whether a document (like a spreadsheet) will look better in Landscape or Portrait mode, there is no substitute for the Print Preview command.

Keep your Mac running clean & fast

Rick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:07:16 +0000

Macintosh computers run remarkably quick and smooth when you first buy and set them up. However, over time, like any computer, they can begin to feel somewhat sluggish. To keep your Apple Macintosh computer running quick and smooth, try these hints: Leave your computer on overnight at least once every week or two. The Macintosh Operating [...]

Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 053

Rick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:50:27 +0000

The summer has kept me busy and I let a few too many question stack up (remember that you can make a small donation when asking your question to get priority). I answered all the questions you asked the last 2 weeks in these two videos. The first video contains questions from Doris, Henry, Andrew, Jean, [...]

Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part II – Video Tip

Rick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:40:15 +0000

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. The video takes a few minutes to load (may be too slow for dial-up), but the wait is worth the knowledge.

Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part I – Video Tip

Rick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:35:54 +0000

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 S
Peach	Peach	Vitamin J
Blueberries	Blue	Vitamin B

No one task illustrates this better than making a list of information in column format (like the illustration on the left) If we try to use tabs to create a three column list in the middle of a document, we are quickly reduced to cursing or babbling incoherent words under our breath. Instead, if you take a few minutes to learn how to use tables in your word processor, you will be creating beautiful documents in record time. Trying to explain how to create a table in words is impossible, you need to see the steps in action which is why I provided you with a video tip. Click the "Read More" option below if the video hasn't already started to play for you. To repeat the video, simply push F5 on your keyboard or the refresh button in your browser.

Adding RAM to increase computer speed – Video Tip

Rick — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:45:49 +0000

RAM is the temporary memory that the computer uses to give us the feeling of programs opening and running with some pep. It's like giving your computer a larger desk to work from so it can spread out and find things more efficiently. RAM also allows us to open multiple computer programs at the same time with less impact on the speed of the computer.

256 megabytes used to be a lot of RAM. Today, I'm recommending users have at least

Email of the Week – 007 – Why choose a Mac?

Rick — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:22:25 +0000

Name: Richard Doran From: Battlement Mesa, CO OS: Windows XP ———————- I have a friend who is seriously considering a switch from her Dell PC to a Mac. On a couple of occasions you have presented some really excellent “talking points” for people who should consider using a Mac. These deal mainly with [...]

Easy Envelopes for Mac users

Rick — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:37:20 +0000

If you own an Apple computer running the Macintosh operating system, you will love this free application. You can’t print envelopes any easier with any computer or program. EasyEnvelopes | Ambrosia Software, Inc.. Related posts:3 Basic Tips for new Macintosh Users – Video TipI no longer recommend Ubuntu or MacintoshMacintosh inching more and more