Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » skills

10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

Rick — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:50:54 +0000

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 computer for fifteen years or one, these skills should be second nature:

Cut, Copy, Paste
Print just what you want (word processing, email, web)
Backup your address book
Select (highlight) text or files
Properly uninstall unwanted programs
Burn a CD
Download files from the Internet
Use MSCONFIG ; Another MSCONFIG tip
Search the Internet
Attach Files to an email

#11: Learn how to best utilize HelpMeRick.com

If you already know how to do these skills, please pass this article along to someone who doesn't...help me help other computer users.

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

Rick — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:30:22 +0000

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

You can do what I do

Rick — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:39:37 +0000

I love learning. My goal is to learn something new every single day I open my eyes. Luckily, I learn multiple new ideas, techniques, or facts every single day. When it comes to my job troubleshooting computers, I believe anyone can do it if they follow the formula I use.

You need to be able to be able to learn and learn quickly. Computers, software, peripherals and the infinite combinations of them change at a rapid pace. Learning to be flexible and adaptable is a must.
Remember and/or document solutions that you discover so you can use them again.
Work with as many different computers and situations as possible. Every computer is different than the next because of the way they are configured, what software is installed, whether the software has been updated, what security packages are installed, and more make every computer a unique challenge. The more of them you work with, the better your foundation becomes for the next one.
Read as many online troubleshooting blogs, tech newsletters, support pages, and magazines as you can possibly digest. And again, document and/or remember the information that you deem the most helpful or applicable to everyday computer users.
Hone your Internet searching skills (I use Google almost exclusively) so you can quickly find answers to problems you may have not yet encountered. When I say hone your skills, I mean learn how to properly word a search phrase and re-word it if necessary. Learn how to quickly scan the results of a search for the most logical and applicable result. Learn how to use tabs in your browser to make your searches and reading even faster. Learn how to discern which possible solutions apply to your specific situation. And finally, learn how to properly implement the solution you just found.
Learning to carry out a solution requires that you to learn how to safely and properly make use of tools like Windows Device Manager, the registry editor, the command prompt, task manager, computer management tool, anti-virus, and anti-spwyare scans to name a few.
Always keep track of the steps you take as you work towards a solution. By keeping track and leaving yourself some bread crumbs, you can often back track if a solution results in a dead end and you need to star over.
And most importantly, follow Harry Callahan's (Clint Eastwood) advice, "A man's got to know his limitations." Computer problems can eat up more time than a late night infomercial. Know when to walk away and re-evaluate a situation.

I've laid out most of the steps and techniques I use every day to solve computer problems. Feel free to use them and develop your own skills. When you decide that you need more help, follow Callahan's advice and then call in the professionals.

Google Earth – The Dime Tour – Video Tip – September 2008

Rick — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:57:59 +0000

If you have high speed Internet and haven't tried Google Earth, give it a try. Even if you aren't a geography buff, you will find Google Earth to be a fascinating resource to try out. Google Earth is another free product from Google that combines their excellent searching skills with a fully interactive globe. You can search for street addresses, points of interest, historical locations and then layer on other geographic information to your liking. You must have a high speed Internet connection because the application relies on that connection to pull in the information you want from Google's servers.

The newest version of Google Earth also adds Google Sky which lets you look into the heavens from your desk and learn and enjoy the starts, planets, and whatever other gassy objects are up in the sky.

Watch my short introductory video about this great product, then go try it for yourself. If you already use Google Earth, leave a comment below and tell me what you like and what you do with Google Earth.
Google Sightseeing Map of Strange on Google Earth Google Map Pedometer

Red Fish and Hero Machine – fun for French and American kids!

Rick — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:26:24 +0000

Poisson rouge means red fish in French. Poissonrouge.com is one of the greatest web sites for kids that I have ever been to. Chances are it will keep about 75 percent of adults entertained for an hour or two as well. The site is simple, visit and click on anything to discover new areas. The site will seem endless as you or your children click through feature after feature. No keyboard skills are required and the site is so well designed that it will hardly seem like you are on a website at all.

Another great web site is Hero Machine. This one may at first seem like it is just for boys, but my 9-year-old daughter has spent her share of hours on it as well.

Use YouTube.com to review the games your kids are playing

Rick — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:41:10 +0000

Grand Theft Auto IV was released this week and, as always happens when a version of GTA comes out, there has been a lot of discussion about video game violence and sexual content. Without going into detail GTA is a game that features guns, civilians, cops, cars, prostitutes and an environment that allows you to act in any way you please. As you can imagine, most teen game players choose to use the game as a simulation for testing their skills at abiding the law.

Selecting Text and Files – Video Tip

Rick — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:44:46 +0000

Here are some techniques for making the selection of files and text easier and more efficient for you as you work with your computer. This tip also includes a narrated video to further demonstrate these important skills.

Double click on a word to select it
Click and drag in the margin of your word processor to select entire line(s) of text
Push the Ctrl+A key on your keyboard to select all text in a document
Text that spans multiple pages: Click once where you want to start selecting, scroll to the end of the text and then hold the Shift key down and Click

Can I ask a dumb question?

Rick — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:09:46 +0000

"The only dumb question is the one you don't ask." That's my pat answer when approached with the question...and I hear that question a lot. I believe that by not asking questions you eventually end up costing yourself time, money, and/or knowledge. When it comes to computers, it behooves you to ask as many questions as possible so that you can learn. Too often, I hear this phrase; "I don't take your classes because I need to learn more first." Re-read that last sentence. If that phrase makes sense to you, re-read it again! If it still makes sense to you, don't come to my classes.

Is anyone out there?

Rick — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:47:04 +0000

There is no doubt in my mind that our site has the most relevant and easy to understand computer information for the average and beginner computer user. Unfortunately, the average computer user doesn't know how to browse the web well and has trouble finding the information they need to know.

Search engines are confusing. Searching a web site is even more baffling. These computer users do well when they have a recipe of what to do in front of them or can watch someone else perform the steps.

Enter the above average computer user...YOU!

We desperately need your help in spreading the word about HelpMeRick.com Your neighbors look to you for help and computer advice. Your co-workers look to you when they need to find a lost file. And of course your family knows that you know the answer to their latest computer dilemma.

Unofficially, YOU provide tech support for a multitude of computer users. Those computer users you help need to be visiting HelpMeRick.com to help get answers to their questions and to improve their computer knowlege. You can help them get the computer education they need by using the thousands of answers we provide here at the site.

Send your tech support charges links via email to the exact answer to their question at HelpMeRick.com. No reason for you to have reinvent the wheel.

Grandma needs to know how to send an email attachment. Send her here.
Dan across the hall from you at the office would like to know how to organize his photos easier and then email them. Send him here and here.
Your neighbor, McElroy, is supplying free Internet to the neighborhood, unintentionally of course, but can't get his kid's computers to print to his printer. Send him here.
Your sister-in-law called and said that there computer is so slow that the household is almost at full mutiny. Print out the tips found here and mail them to her because her computer is so hosed that the Internet connection is unusable.

Get the picture? Help us, help you. Help us, help your friends.

Then tell your friends to visit HelpMeRick.com often so they don't get in these messes to begin with or can learn new skills that make them more productive computer users.

And finally, let them know that they also should send their friends, family, and co-workers to HelpMeRick.com for education and computer help. Knowledge is power, and powerful computer knowledge can be found right here.

Ubuntu – Day 14 – Final Report

Rick — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:05:57 +0000

I can't believe it has been two weeks already that I've used Ubuntu Linux exclusively. If I had to sum up the experience in one word, that word would be "satisfying." And my regular readers/listeners know that I can't sum anything up in one word, so I will use this format to provide a complete synopsis of my Ubuntu thoughts.