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Measure the distance of your walk, run, bike with Google Maps – Video Tip

If you are working on a new year’s resolution to walk or run more, or you just want to measure how far it was to walk from your hotel to the restaraunt, this tip is for you. There a million and one other uses for this tip as well.

The Gmaps Pedometer is an easy to use tool that a runner put together using Google Maps to be able to quickly map out distances on city streets. The creator did a remarkable job of preserving the simplicity of Google while marrying it with a useful set of tools for exercise folks and tourists. I didn’t mention it in the video, but if you are touring a foreign city and want to know why your dogs are so tired at the end of the day, pull up Gmap Pedometer to see how far you walked! It works for any city in the world.

So whether you are a runner, walker, biker, orRead More »Measure the distance of your walk, run, bike with Google Maps – Video Tip

Use Alt+Tab or Command(Apple)+Tab to quickly change applications – Video Tip

Thanks to long time listener and web visitor, Daniel, for suggesting this week’s tip. I have been using this technique for more than ten years, but in order to learn it, you really must see it in action. Thus, it was a natural for our Video Tips, which are now almost 18 months old!

For Ubuntu and Windows users, you can quickly switch between open programs by pushing Alt+Tab on your keyboard. Macintosh users have a key called the “Command” key on their keyboards. By holding down the Command+Tab key, Mac users can switch between their open programs.

Why use the keyboard instead of your mouse? Time. I didn’t run any official tests, but I’m willing to bet that it takes at least three times longer to look at your task bar or dock (how many of you know what that is?), hunt for the application you need to switch to, then click on that program than it does to use the Alt+Tab or Command(Apple key)+Tab technique.

I know this doesn’t make much sense reading it, so click the play button on the video below and watch it in action! I show the Windows technique first, Ubuntu second, and end with the Macintosh tip. All told it’s about 2.5 minutes…2.5 minutes that WILL change your computing life. Pass this tip on to ALL of your computer buddies.

Great article from HowToGeek.com about downloading & Security

I came across the following article from HowToGeek.com last week and wanted to share it with you. It drives the point I make constantly here at HelpMeRick.com…be careful what you download, where you download, and how you install downloads. The HowToGeek site has a paid staff that puts together these articles, and they are always thorough, well illustrated and easy… Read More »Great article from HowToGeek.com about downloading & Security

Fake Security Alerts & other Internet Bad Guys CAN be prevented

Over the past few years, the majority of my professional time has been digging computer users (Windows users only) out of jams where they were infiltrated by fake security software or spyware. Two things you need to know about this type of infection:

  1. No matter what type of security software you use and how much you paid for it, IT CANNOT PROTECT YOU IF YOU INVITE THE BAD GUY INTO YOUR COMPUTER.
  2. It is preventable.

Over the years, security and keeping computers running clean has been a common soap box for me. Listed below are just a handful of the articles youRead More »Fake Security Alerts & other Internet Bad Guys CAN be prevented

Good bye Windows XP

Today, I am writing this blog post from a favorite coffee shop of mine in-between customer visits…using my iPad and no peripherals. Thirteen years ago when XP just came out, the computer world was elated with the new system and its capabilities. However, there was very little wifi at the time, high speed internet was still not mainstream, and laptops… Read More »Good bye Windows XP

World Backup Day 2014

The last few years since this day came into existence, I found out about it AFTER the day passed. This year, however, I found out the date BEFORE so I can celebrate it with you. Any long time visitor to HelpMeRick.com knows that I frequently get on my backup soap box and answer many questions about backup on my radio… Read More »World Backup Day 2014