5 Steps to Using Online Financial Sites Safely

Every year computer users who use the Internet to check account balances, transactions, and even paying bills grows by nearly 30%. According to one Pew study, more than 50 million Americans use online banking services. 50 million sounds like a large number, but that still reflects less than 50% of online American adults. Bank web sites continue to evolve by becoming easier to use, more secure, and more helpful than ever...

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 labels the EASY way! – Video Tip

You can learn and start using this tip TODAY to make Christmas card or group 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. In this week’s tip, I take all...

Changing file-program associations – Video T...

Have you ever wondered how to get your picture files to open directly in your image editing program? Or maybe correct a problem with PDF documents not opening in your PDF reader? Read on to learn how to get your files to open where you want them to when you double-click on them. For example, by default JPEG picture files open with Microsoft Windows Image & Fax Viewer. Maybe you want them to open with Adobe Photoshop...

5 Reasons why YOU should be moving to the cloud

I have written many articles about Web 2.0 or cloud computing. Cloud computing means that you work with programs and/or data that are not installed or saved on your computer. Instead, the programs and/or data live on an Internet connected computer (server) somewhere else in the world. Among other things, these computers/services provide: Security via the password and user name that you choose. Access to the service from any...

How to register for your Avast Free Antivirus Lice...

Adding to my new ongoing series of daily how-tos I write for clients is this one about registering the Free Avast Antivirus I now recommend. Occasionally the registration servers are not working when I install the program for a client, so I created these instructions for her to follow when the servers come back online. This should also help those folks who need to re-register Avast after the first year. Keep in mind that for...

Learn Minesweeper & give Solitaire or FreeCel...

Solitaire seems to be a game that is synonymous with computers. Microsoft planted the game in Windows not only for entertainment, but also for new computer users to learn mouse skills (click-and-drag, double-click, etc). Some computer users have branched out to FreeCell and like it better than Solitaire. However, have you tried playing Minesweeper? Minesweeper appears difficult upon first look. And yes, it does require some...

How to print the contents of any folder in Windows...

Microsoft provides a set of instructions for adding the ability to print the contents of a folder in Windows XP or Vista, but the instructions will be over the head of many computer users. Years ago, I found and added a free folder print utility called FolderPrint to my web site. In all those years, however, I never provided a clear set of instructions on how to utilize that helpful little tool…until now. You can...

Easy File Management – Video Tip

You can easily delete and rename files from within almost any computer program. To delete a file or folder: Click  File from the menu of any program Click  Open In the window that pops up, click ONCE on any document you want to delete Push Delete on your keyboard.  Repeat as many times as you would like.   To rename a file or folder: Click File from the menu of any program Click  Open Click ONCE on the file you...

Windows Key Shortcuts

The Windows Key (usually located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on either side of your keyboard) allows you to push it and another key to gain quick access to some Windows utilities and programs. Here are the combos: Windows Key + F = Find/Search Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer (my favorite) Windows Key + R = Run Windows Key + M = Minimize all open windows so that you can see your desktop again (Windows Key + D will do the...

Avoiding the Mysterious Duplication of Files ̵...

Today’s quick tip is a video tip explaining why files seem to duplicate themselves, and what you can do to avoid and correct the problem. I receive desperate calls about this phenomenon many times per month, and it as always, the computer isn’t doing anything wrong or on its own…it’s all about the mouse. Take a look:   The video (under 3 minutes) contains audio as well so turn up your...

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...

If you read nothing else on my site…

I haven’t had much time to post new content on my site lately, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a TON of great tips that will save you time and money on the site. In fact, I made it even easier to find the tips that I think will give you the most bang for your browsing buck. If you look to the right of any page here on HelpMeRick.com, you will see a place to sign up for the free email newsletter...

Enable your menus and toolbars in Internet Explore...

This tip applies to Windows Vista and Windows 7 users only. Since Microsoft opted to not include XP users in the upgrade path to Internet Explorer 9, you XP users can file this tip until you upgrade to your next computer (if you stay with Windows). If you chose or were automatically updated to Internet Explorer 9, you may be like many of my clients who are not happy with the minimalist layout (similar to that of Google...

Must read article for ALL computer illiterate user...

I detest the phrase computer illiterate, but unfortunately hear it almost daily in my work. I think the better way for a computer user who feels inadequate around the technology and the terminology is to refer to themselves as time challenged. Since illiteracy can be thwarted with a healthy dose of education, that leaves making the time to obtain that education the stumbling block. However, I used that too often uttered...