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Rick

Why are Facebook games easier than general computer use?

Twice in the past week I came across clients who consider themselves computer illiterate (I abhor this phrase, but that’s a whole different issue.yet could operate Facebook games like a professional gamer.  The two folks (one woman, one man and both well over 70) have difficulty understanding how email operates in terms of servers, providers, etc, have not learned how to copy and paste, think that Google is THE Internet, and would rather not learn more about their security software other than asking me if it is working.

However, through the course of my visit with each of them (again, separate households), they both had browser issues with Facebook. They logged in to Facebook after typing Read More »Why are Facebook games easier than general computer use?

Downsizing my tech

I repurposed my EeePC Netbook for my nephew with a copy of Qimo Linux for kids and it works great. Not only does my nephew now have a computer that is secure & virtually trouble-free, but it also comes packed with great learning resources & games. It also allowed me to reduce my computers by one. I now carry my… Read More »Downsizing my tech

Print only what you want – Multi-tip

If you use either of these programs, then you will find yourself using this tip often. How many times do you curse at your printer when you print a joke from email or some web page information and get two or more extra sheets of paper with useless information?

Follow this tip and experience printing bliss from email or Internet.

On the Web (using Microsoft Internet Explorer), if you first select the text (by clicking and dragging with your mouse) that you would like to print and then click on File and Print, you will have the option to print all pages, certain pages or only your selected text.

Become a web surfing pro!

At this month’s computer user group meeting, I used many of the articles, tips and videos I have written over the years to highlight how any computer user can start making quicker and better use of the Internet. Before I delve into specifics on this topic, watching and reading this tip title 7 ways to become a better web surfer,… Read More »Become a web surfing pro!

How to transfer photos from computer to a SD Card – Video Tip

One of my client’s today did not know how to transfer photos from her computer to a SD Card so she could utilize her digital picture frame she received at Christmas. She was amazed and relieved at how simple the steps were once I walked her through the process.

This method works for transferring any type of file from your computer to an external drive like a USB flash drive, external hard drive, or a memory card like shown here.

  1. Insert your memory card into the computer (or card reader…note too that newer digital cameras can act as a card reader as well)
  2. Click Start –> My Computer
  3. Double-click yourRead More »How to transfer photos from computer to a SD Card – Video Tip
Handspring Visor phone

Re-thinking my mobile tech

Right now, I carry an iPhone, an Asus EeePC netbook (running Ubuntu 10.04 NBR) on a daily work day basis. When I travel, I carry the iPhone and usually the EeePC. I also own a 13″ Toshiba laptop that I dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 7, but I only use the Toshiba only for teaching and presentations.

My thought process is:

  1. Should I sell both the Toshiba and the netbook and get a thinner, lighter laptop?
  2. Just sell the netbook and stay with the Toshiba?
  3. Sell the netbook and get an iPad or one of the upcoming iPad competitors running other operating systems?
  4. Sell the Toshiba and the netbook, and get a slightly bigger netbook to replace both devices?

As a traveling tech trainer and troubleshooter, my netbook is extremely handy to have with me when Read More »Re-thinking my mobile tech