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...

White House Web Site: Open For Questions

No matter your party affiliation or political leanings, this site offers a major opportunity for Americans to talk with each other on a government web site. Whether or not the questions are taken seriously and read by our public servants remains to be seen, but it offers an incredibly easy method of asking, rating, and searching questions about our government and country. I applaud the White House for attempting such an...

Welcome to the new HelpMeRick.com!

I need to clean up a few rough edges over the next few days, but the site is far enough along that I moved over to it today. I redesigned the site for a few reasons: Make it easier to navigate (cleaner), Make it easier for you to interact with the site via comments, RSS and search. Make it easier for me to post even more content Make it easier to add new features to the site without cluttering up the navigation. I believe...

AVG .bin error

Sunday morning update 8/17/08:  Grisosft has already corrected the .bin problem and the panic is over. You can RIGHT click your AVG icon by your clock and click Check for Updates, then update on the screen that appears and all will be well again. This was a perfect example demonstrating that when something goes awry with your computer, the best thing to do is to remain calm and patient. The problem will get resolved...

Yet another feature yanked from the NEW Microsoft ...

While working with a small business client today, they asked how to insert a picture into a Word document from their scanner. “Oh, that’s an easy one”, I said to myself. Then I realized they were using the new Office 2007. In all previous versions of Microsoft Word and other word processor worth their weight, you follow these steps to insert a picture from a scanner into a document:  Click Insert...

Microsoft Excel tip that will change your life ...

If this tip doesn’t change your life, it can change your cube mates life or someone’s life who uses Excel a lot. This short (4 minute) video demonstrates the power of knowing how to quickly navigate around a spreadsheet without using the vertical or horizontal scroll bars. Even if you don’t use Excel, watch the video…it is like a magic show you might see in Las Vegas. ...

3 Reasons NOT to use Registry Cleaners

I know that downloading can be fun and pop-ups can be enticing. But when it comes to most system utilities (programs supposedly designed to help your computer), just say “NO!” One of the worst add-on utilities you can get is the so-called “registry cleaner”. First, let me try to define the registry. Starting with Windows 95 and all versions of Windows since then, Microsoft has employed a large and...

Microsoft Outlook not saving password any longer

I found this answer at this site:  Optimizing your PC   So, I haven't tried it or  had to use it, but the process seems plausible. In some cases Outlook doesn't save your password, even if you enable the option to save the password. This error is caused by a malfunctioning of the Protected Storage Space from Windows. To solve this problem, run the registry editor and navigate to the key...

Basic Ubuntu Navigation – Video Tip

One more day left in our first annual "Ubuntu Week", and I have another great tip for all of us Ubuntu beginners. In Ubuntu, there is no "Start" button like Windows. Instead, I think the Ubuntu creators came up with a more elegant and intuitive format for accessing programs we use, navigating our saved files, networks and operating system options and preferences. Watch the video below for a video and...

Another post from Ubuntu

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't had much of a chance to play around with my Ubuntu Linux (alternative to Windows) machine. Last night, I updated to the latest version of Ubuntu Linux 7.04 for free. Compare that to the minimum of $179 you would pay for the basic version of Vista. I was motivated to do the update not only because I promised I would learn more about Linux, but also because Dell released a story...

AOL and Vista

Two of my favorite whipping horses, but today I want to provide some information to help AOL users who might be moving to Windows Vista. I discovered today that a standard AOL disk will NOT work in Windows Vista. Most disks available at your local retailers or that you may have received via US Mail were minted in 2005 or earlier. That was the last time a major revision of AOL was released. Unfortunately, this version is not...

Make your desktop pretty – Video Tip

The common theme being written about the new Windows Vista is that it is pretty. And yes, it is pretty. If you are like me, you may not care how your computer looks, but how it performs. But even I get tired of looking at the same old folder and program icons day after day. If you would like to spruce up your desktop a little, you can trade out some of the icons with new ones. To do this, follow these steps on any shortcut...

Dummie’s Books and Idiot’s Books

I don't hate many things (except lima beans), but I despise the Dummie's and Idiot's line of books. Why? At least three reasons: 1.  Philosophically, I believe that buying any of these books plants a seed in your head that you are not intelligent enough to figure out a subject (you can now get this abomination of a series on everything from marriage to cooking, and computers to stamp collecting). I believe that...

My Christmas shopping has started

I started doing a little Christmas shopping this year and discovered that there are so many great gift possibilities. My wife and I have already done all of the shopping for the kids, so all I have left is my wife. Here are some of the items that caught my eye as I was shopping for my eye. I think that she may need a Micro Mosquito remote controlled indoor helicopter. This has to be one of the coolest gift ideas in years....

Quick access to your favorite web sites

No matter what web browser you use, you can create quick access to your favorite web sites by creating a desktop icon. Here's how: Open your web browser Navigate to the web site you want to access quickly (like this site) Click the little icon next to the address in the address bar and drag it to your desktop  That's it! Now you can double-click on the icon you just made to reach your the web sites you visit the...