10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or lear...

I originally posted this list in January 2007. However, through my keen observation skills, I discovered that all computer users have not yet read and digested this information. For this reason, I’m posting it again because I won’t stop working to educate computer users until every computer user knows these 10 skills. Computers have become almost a main stream household appliance. Whether you have been using a...

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...

Print Anything You See on Your Screen – Vide...

Many times a computer user may need the ability to print what they see on the screen, but can’t access a Print command.  Using the underutilized Print Screen button on the keyboard can rectify this situation. The Print Screen button is usually located just to the right of your F keys and above the Insert, Home, Delete key section. In the ol’ days of DOS, pushing this button would indeed send a paper flying out of...

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...

Share YOUR Favorite Keyboard Shortcuts

I’m always amazed at how surprised computer users become when they learn about a keyboard shortcut. A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that you press on your keyboard to perform a particular function. If you learn them and practice them, they can shave hours off of the tedious maneuvering of the mouse. These are my favorite and most used computer keyboard shortcuts: Alt + TAB Switch between Open...

Printing Error Messages*

NOTE: This tip is an off-shoot of our Print Screen tip that you will also want to read and watch. We all have computer mishaps and end up having to call for help. One of the first questions the helper (tech support) always asks is, “What was the message you received?” Most of the time, in our frustration, we failed to write down the content of the message. Here is a tip that will bypass the writing altogether...

How to Use the “Extra” Keys on Your Ke...

There are roughly 50 keys on your keyboard that you use on a regular basis, but there are at least 104 total keys on your keyboard. So, what are those other keys for? Here is a list of the keys you may not be using that can make your computing life a lot easier – in no particular order. F1 – The F1 key is located above your number and letter keypad. In almost any program anywhere in Windows, pressing F1 will bring...

Treo, what Treo?

After two solid months of using my iPhone 3G, I decided it was time for a short update. As many of you know, I used a Palm device for many years, ending with the Treo from 2003 through this August. When the first iPhone came out, I was intrigued, but thought Apple missed the boat, for me, by not utilizing the fastest cellular data network and not allowing 3rd party applications. When they announced the new iPhone last January...

Instant Shutdown in Windows XP & Vista –...

Here’s how to create a desktop icon to shutdown Windows XP or Windows Vista instantly: RIGHT Click on a blank part of your desktop Click New –> Shortcut Type the following phrase EXACTLY as shown in the box (or better yet, Copy and Paste it):    %SystemRoot%\System32\shutdown.exe /s Click Next Type a name for your shortcut like Shutdown, It’s Over, Time to Go…you choose Click Finish Now RIGHT...

What I learned in the first 4 days of my iPhone 3G

I picked up my new iPhone late on Thursday night, worked with it on Friday, then left with it for a quick trip to see my brother and my first and only nephew. Prior to this phone, I have used some sort of smartphone since 2000…all Palm software based. Prior to that I used Palm handheld computers since about 1997. I decided to move to the iPhone because I felt that the Palm innovation had stagnated…about 5 years...

Solution for computer users who can’t print ...

Since I use Firefox exclusively for my browsing, I haven’t seen this problem yet, but today I ran into a computer that could print from anywhere but Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). Turns out that, in her case, the upgrade to AVG 8.0 caused the problem. A standard installation of AVG 8 installs a security toolbar in Firefox, if you use it, or Internet Explorer 7. The toolbar is meant to help users from clicking on potentially...

7 Great places to start learning

Not long ago, a commenter on the web site suggested we put up some links to our some of our best and most visited tips. I thought it was a great idea, and here are seven that I came up with. If you have your own favorite or most helpful HelpMeRick.com tips, please share them with everyone by leaving a comment below. Cut, Copy, and Paste -  I believe that this invaluable skill should be a computer prerequisite Print just...

Print Folder Contents

The ability to print out the contents of a folder (directory) on your computer does not exist in Windows. “Why would I need to print out a list of what is in my folders?”, you ask. A couple of reasons actually; 1) it can serve as a quick glance reference to your computer’s contents and 2) you might want to print a copy of file names that you backed up. Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of programmers...

How to Remove the Greeting Card Virus

Adam and I first mentioned this nasty little virus earlier this spring on our radio show. The email that spreads it poses as an electronic greeting card from your friend or relative. Because the email is so poorly constructed, is never from a known address, and the link it displays in the body of the message is a number (NEVER, EVER Click a link that is constructed of a number, ex: http://91.188.176.15/) we didn’t put...

Fun with Cameroon Pet Scams

I really love English Bulldogs. Recently I became aware of a common pet scam that is based on every other over seas Internet scam. Someone from Cameroon posts a desired breed up for a ridiculously low price. He/she asks for money plus shipping. You never get the dog. Here is my recent correspondence with one such scammer. I have resorted the posts from oldest to newest so you can enjoy the events as they occurred. For...