Posts Tagged: skills

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 2 Comments
3
Nov 06

Using your solitaire skills (Drag & Drop) – Video Tip

Believe it or not, Microsoft put Solitaire in Windows to help new computer users get comfortable with the mouse and its functions. After years of playing solitaire, this tip will help you put the skills to use. I like to call this technique the "ol' 8 or hearts on the 9 of clubs trick." In computer talk, what you are doing when you move one card to another in solitaire is the "drag & drop."

Drag & drop ( " the ol' 8 or hearts on the 9 of clubs trick") is an extremely helpful and time saving skill to use in other computer activities. One of my favorite places to use it is moving files (pictures, documents, etc) from one location to another. For example, if you open a CD or memory card full of pictures up in one window and open another folder on your computer (like My Pictures) in another window, you can then drag files from one window to another.

The same drag & drop technique can also be used to move text from one area to another. This can be used to move information from one word processing document to another or from the web to an email or between two emails. The possibilities are limitless.

Drag & drop can also be used to open documents. One could drag a picture onto a Photoshop icon to start the program and have it open the picture at the same time. This works with Word documents and much, much more.

Start putting those hard earned solitaire skills to use with your other computer activities.

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
24
Oct 06

Don’t try to keep up with the Jones

To often anymore, we want to get the newest computer, printer, TV or other tech gadget simply because it seems that it will work better, faster, or easier. Unfortunately that kind of thinking is seriously flawed. You've heard me say it before and I will continue to say that a huge majority of tech users don't fully utilize the power in their current gadgets. That includes guys like me as well.

The reality is that with cars, we still use them to get from Point A to Point B. Do we need a new car because the new models can go from 0-60 a half second quicker? When computers first entered homes in mass 12 years ago we primarily used them for email, word processing, and solitaire. Do we need a new computer that can flip the cards a little faster? You get my point. Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is absurd.

And the madness has spread to software. In today's upgrade crazy world, a software company is expected to roll out new software versions at least once per year. It doesn't matter if the product is riddled with bugs and useless features; just roll out a box with the word NEW on it and the numeral representing next year.

In the old days of computers, good software was designated by numerals like 4.0 or 4.2. When we saw the product move forward in tenths, we knew that the upgrade was incremental. When the version number moved forward a whole number, the software made real changes that made the potential upgrade worth doing for some computer users. Today, software developers care more about market share, new bloated software, and rolling out frequent 'upgrades' rather than focus on producing quality, useful, and truly ground breaking, productivity enhancing solutions.

This soapbox stems from my desire for the average computer user to feel comfortable with their skills and equipment. Technology will continue to move forward, but we do NOT need to follow unless the tech we are using now doesn't accomplish what we ask of it.

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 Comments
7
Jun 06

What do Rick and Adam do during the week and what is their phone number?

A common misconception is that Adam and I spend our week sunning ourselves with our families on some exotic beach before returning to our mansions and counting our stacks of $100 bills.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. I own and operate a business called Grand Valley PC Partners in Grand Junction, CO. All my business is onsite home and office calls to help computer users get out of trouble, setup up new systems or Internet service, and teach users how to get the most out of their computer. I have been doing this for more than 10 years (the radio show is 7 years old).

Adam started his business, PC’s and Pixels, about five years ago and modeled his business off of mine. He makes house and office calls to do the same things I do. Being a photography guy, he also specializes in teaching people how to get the most out of their scanners, printers, digital or analog cameras and also does professional photography including weddings, school photos and family photos.

Together, we teach customized computer classes in Colorado on various topics including; Windows, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, computer security, digital photography, eBay and more. We have taught classes as far away as New York and are available for keynote speeches and corporate training as well.

I can personally guarantee that computer users CANNOT find better prepared, more empathetic, or courteous help anywhere. The big box stores (initials BB and CC) offer "computer help and repair" from barely trained SALES people who have horrid personal skills, little practical computer knowledge, and are more worried about when the next coffee break or day off is than your problem. Of course, there may be exceptions, but the good ones don’t stick around in these jobs very long. 

To schedule onsite training and troubleshooting with Rick, you can call Rick’s phone number at 970-257-0825. Adam can be reached by calling his phone number at 970-201-2250.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer ‘tech support’ type services via the telephone, so these numbers are used strictly for making arrangements for us to make house or office calls or to setup a customized class for your organization or business. 

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
19
Apr 06

I am bragging

I have read some of Adam’s "Shotguns" lately, and he has referred to himself as an expert, but also said he didn’t want to brag. My goal today is to stir things  up a little and try and get our readers to start utilizing the discussion possibilities in our posts.

When I sit down at a malfunctioning computer, I picture Bugs Bunny sitting down in the concert hall when he played Beethoven with Elmer Fudd chasing him around. He fluffed his tail and flipped out his coat tails with the utmost confidence and bravado. I don’t where a tux to help my customers, but I do strongly feel that they would be hard pressed to find a better computer person to sit at their desk. I know Adam is a very strong second and in some areas (like photography), way ahead of me.

Those of you who know us, know that we are not conceded, boastful individuals. In fact, we are almost too laid back and tend to fly under the radar. I think there is a difference between those who strut around with a chip on their shoulder and those who truly have a confidence and belief in their abilities. We need to be proud of our accomplishments and our skills. By we, I mean Adam and I and anyone else who has honed the skills of their trade or craft.

You have heard me many times say on our show that I am not an expert in all areas of computers, but what I am an expert in, I will pit against any challenger. And I have the confidence enough to know the areas where my expertise is lacking and will point a person in the right direction to get their problem solved. I tell my kids that if I don’t learn something new every day, then I feel that the day was not complete.

Adam, you are not bragging (and neither am I). We are simply stating facts about our knowledge and abilities and we enjoy sharing that knowledge with as many people as possible. Why? Because what good is knowledge if you can’t spread it around!

Internet Tips / OnAir Solutions — No Comments
4
Mar 06

Successful Searching of the Internet

All too often I hear comments like “I can’t find anything on the Internet” or “I’m afraid of getting viruses from the Internet” or “Where do I start”. In today’s meetings, we discussed some tried and true methods of searching the Internet successfully and easily.

Google is the current king of web searching and should be your first stop to start any search.

Boolean searching is probably the single best methodology to learn to improve your searching skills. Here’s how it works in a nutshell:

Search Convention Result
Phrase -
ex: “create template”		 only documents with the phrase you enclose in quotes
Include (AND) – ex:
“create template” +Excel		 documents with your phrase AND the word or phrase you include after the + sign*
Exclude (NOT)- ex:
“create template” -Lotus		 documents with your phrase WITHOUT any sign of the word or phrase you include after the – sign*
OR
ex: dogs OR canines		 returns documents that include one of the words or phrases you typed on either side of the OR
NEAR
ex:
abraham NEAR lincoln		 documents that include either word before or after the operator IF they are within 10 words of each other

* Note that the AND and NOT operators/conventions can be used in place of the + and – sign respectively.

Unlike searching topics in a library, web searching requires you to start more specific and then broaden your searches if unsuccessful with results.

SPEED SEARCHING

Learn to utilize the power of your computer and the Internet to cull through results faster. Even with a fast Internet connection, clicking on one search result at a time is tedious and wastes time. Instead try these techniques:

Internet Explorer & Mozilla Firefox

Remember that with Google you can search for just pictures, just news, and perform other specialized searches as well.

Use this sites for specialized searches:

Residential Phone Numbers (including reverse lookup) Whitepages
National Yellow Pages Big Book or Dex Online
Movies Internet Movie Database
Blogs
Dictionary
Encyclopedia Wikipedia
Internet Tips — No Comments
30
Dec 05

Geocaching

Computers, the Internet, GPS, and Hiking for Treasure

A customer of mine (Bill) introduced me to a  fast growing sport called geocaching. Geocaching makes use of Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), the Internet and hiking to find ‘treasures’ all around the world!

GPS uses a series of satellites (24 to be exact) to triangulate a GPS users position. One must use a GPS receiver to utilize the system and access the satellites. Cost for a GPS receiver starts at $90. The signal will give you (within 1-3 meters of accuracy) your latitude, longitude, altitude, speed and direction. Learn more about GPS and how it works by clicking here.

Geocaching starts on the Internet. You can search for a cache using the search engine and a city name or zip code at Geocaching.com. Once you find a cache you would like to find, note its coordinates and trail description. Some are extremely easy to get to and find, others require more strenuous hikes, so be sure to read the details. Then you use maps, your GPS and treasure hunting skills to locate the cache.

When you arrive at a cache, open the container and leave a small item and take a small item or simply sign and date the log book and carefully put the cache back in its original position for the next treasure hunter to find. Upon returning home, make sure to log in your visit back at the geocaching web site.

Some great web sites that will help you have a successful ‘hunt’ include:

Geocaching started in Oregon in May of 2000. Today there are more than 140,000 caches in nearly 214 countries. In any given week, geocaching.com records more than 70,000 logs from geocachers world wide.

My family loves going geocaching on weekends and even vacations. We shared information about this great sport with our family and friends who all now enjoy this fun sport as well.

Geocaching provides a great way to mix technology, family and friends, and nature. Check out geocaching.com and learn more about how you can get started in this exciting (and addicting) sport.

Hardware Tips — No Comments
30
Dec 05

Pull the Plug!!

One problem with technology is that sometimes we let it overshadow our problem solving skills. In particular, errors on our computer such as “lock ups”, illegal operations, erratic behavior, slow downs, and other computer anomalies can be corrected by simply restarting our computers.

The most common way to restart our computer involves clicking on Start–>Shut Down–> Restart. However, sometimes the mouse does not work so try this keyboard sequence: Push the Start key (between Ctrl & Alt), then U, then R, then Enter.

If this doesn’t work, try pushing Ctrl+Alt+Delete up to five times to try and restart.

Still not working, look for a “reset” button on the front of your computer and push it.

No reset button, then reach down and shut the computer off (it’s ok, really).

Still no luck, shut your surge protector off or just unplug the machine! When the computer restarts, all should be well.

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