Don’t buy Microsoft Office when you buy a ne...

Despite what big box store sales people try to sell you, don’t buy a copy of Microsoft Office. On all new commercial computers today, manufacturers install a trial version of Microsoft Office AND a copy of Microsoft Office Starter Edition. Microsoft Office Starter Edition does NOT expire and is every bit as functional as its costly brethren. The Starter editions includes only Word and Excel. If you need PowerPoint or...

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...

Converting Microsoft Works to Microsoft Office ...

I created these notes for a customer who just moved to Windows 7 from Windows XP. He had many documents and spreadsheets saved from an old Microsoft Works (4.0) that we needed to convert to Microsoft Office since buying newer versions of Microsoft Works is not easy. Click here to view, save, or print the notes I generated for this conversion process. ...

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...

Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part II ...

In Part I of my “Creating Tables” tip, I discussed what a table was, how to create them, and some basics on how to customize them. In Part II of the tip, I discuss how to use reverse text, cell coloring, sorting, formulas and create a form all with tables.

Creating Tables in Microsoft Word – Part I &...

Since many of us in the post-35 year old set learned how to type and create documents with a typewriter, we tend to try and use computer word processors like a typewriter. The two technologies couldn’t be further apart from each other and other than touch typing, we need to throw out almost all our knowledge of document creation from those days. FRUIT COLOR VITAMINS Apple Red or Green Vitamin...

Remember to Minimize

Every now and then, I like to bring up tips that appear elementary, but are seldom used. This week’s tip falls into that category. In my travels, it surprises me how many computer users forget that more than one computer program can be run at the same time. The trick is not necessarily running multiple programs, but keeping track of where they are. If you are using a word processor, for example, and you want to check a...

Read Newspapers Online

I enjoy walking to get my newspaper each morning and reading it at the breakfast table. However, I also enjoy reading my old hometown newspaper and a paper I used to read in college. The Internet makes it possible to read a large majority of newspapers from around the world. If you know the name of your newspaper, the first thing to try is: Click ONE time in the Address bar of your browser (long white box at the top of the...

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...

Create Your OWN Personalized Newspaper Online R...

In this month’s group, we talked about and demonstrated how to set up a web page that can be personalized. I like to use a customized web page (portal) as my home page (first page that shows up when I start my browser). We looked at the Yahoo portal (My Yahoo) and the newer Google customized home page. Both services require that you register and setup a user name and password. Once you register, you can customize your...

Making Single Space the Default in Microsoft Word ...

For some unknown reason (to me), Microsoft has decided to make paragraph spacing in Word 2007, 2010 and Start Edition double-space by default. In all previous version of Word, you need to press the Enter key twice to double-space. When formatting street addresses, for example, a user typically wants them to be single spaced, but that doesn’t happen in the newer versions of Word. Sure, you could try to remember to press...

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...

Selecting Text and Files – Video Tip

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 ...

Solution to Microsoft Outlook 2007 or 2010 not ope...

This particular problem has come a few times lately, so I thought I better write out the solution for the website for both my memory and for others who might have the problem. Here’s what the problem looks like: Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2010 users try to open a Microsoft Word or Excel document and cannot do so. Usually this occurs with Word/Excel 2007 or 2010 only. To solve the problem of opening Word (and Excel)...

Use Templates to Save Time

Computers can either save you loads of time or waste your valuable time…it depends on your approach. One way to surely save you some time is to learn to find and utilize templates. Templates are like stencils. Something you can use over and over by providing you a skeleton or outline of a project. You can create your own templates or find them online. The most basic template is re-using an existing document you already...