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Email of the Week – 008

Mailboxes in the sun
photo credit: mihirvaze

QUESTION

Name:   Norman B. Buckallew

From: Florien, La.,

OS: Windows XP

———————-
I have office 2003 standard addition installed on my computer. When I try use programs such as powerpoint it asks for a key word to install or activate it. I have lost the keywords that came with my computer. I have tried Belarc and it dosn’t give me it keyword for powerpoint or office 2003. Can you help.

Norman

ANSWER

Thanks for writing Norman. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get those numbers, but I would start byRead More »Email of the Week – 008

HP helps move us further from the mythical paperless office/home

I have to give Hewlett Packard credit; they know how to keep the big ink jet money wheel spinning. Today, they introduced a printer that can connect to the Internet and then print content from it without any user interaction. Hmmm…sounds like a new fangled fax to me. Computers were supposed to introduce us to a paperless society of ultra-organization.… Read More »HP helps move us further from the mythical paperless office/home

Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 049

Questions this week came from Carl, Kenneth, Dave, Thomas, Steven, Walt, Steve, Wendell, Shelly, Stefan, Rogene, JT, and Jean. Questions ranged from video editing. to the location of my shop, to French spell checking and more…have a look!

Senior uses Ubuntu system 14 months trouble free

Sirius Desktop
photo credit: Nico Kaiser

Computers started making their way into homes, en masse, 15 years ago. After 15 years, computer users should not be afraid of using their computer.

This case study tells the story about a customer of mine, Wanda, who happens to be in her 70s. Like most computer users she used a Windows based computer. In her case, it was a system put together by her grandson in 2002 or 2003 and has a 1.8ghz processor, 256mb of RAM and the XP Home version of Windows.

When I first met Wanda a few years ago, she had typical Windows user problems; slow computer, slow Internet, couldn’t open some attachments, virus and spyware problems. She used dialup Juno for Internet and Norton Antivirus on her system. I couldn’t talk her into getting a DSL or cable connection, but I did change her security from Norton to Read More »Senior uses Ubuntu system 14 months trouble free

Computer Help Show Podcast – 06-17-09

Had a few calls during the first 15 minutes of the show this month, but then folks sat back and drank in all the tech talk goodness. Why don’t you do the same!

Customize the mouse to fit your needs – Video Tip

Too many people start using a computer and don’t know how to customize its settings to best suit there needs. The mouse is one of the worst offenders…especially for low vision folks or computer users with other disabilities. This short video tutorial will help anyone get the mouse to work the best way possible for their own individual needs.

My iPhone applications after 10 months

iphoneapps
Click photo for full size view

From 1997 through August of 2008, I used only Palm based handheld organizers then the Visor Phone, Palm Treo 300, Treo 600, and Treo 755p.  I purchased an iPhone in August of 2008 because the iPhone proved itself in its short year of existence to be a valuable product, added the ability to allow third party applications, and gained access to the faster cellular networks. With very few exceptions, I couldn’t be happier and haven’t missed my old Palm products.

I use my iPhone for many more functions than just the phone. So almost a year later, I took the following screen shot of the additional software I have added to the iPhone (some of it free, some of it purchased). I added 42 applications to my iPhone so far. Of these 42, I use maybe 8 of them regularly, and the rest sparingly.

After looking over this list, most of my apps are free ones. That could mean I’m either one cheap SOB or there are some excellent free applications out there. The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

Here’s the breakdown:Read More »My iPhone applications after 10 months

It’s OK to shut computer off with the power button

We have discussed this topic many times, but I continue to hear from people who forget this simple troubleshooting step. When a problem arises that seems insurmountable or you can't move your mouse or type on your keyboard, shut the computer off at the switch.

There are two ways to shut your computer off when a problem occurs…actually three ways.

  1. Push and hold the on/off button in for at least fifteen seconds or until you hear the computer shut off (don't just push it once and let go…nothing will happen).
  2. Flip the switch on your surge protector. Yes, we should all use surge protectors…good ones.
  3. Reach around the back of the computer and pull out the power cable.

Once you shut your computer off this way, let it sit in the off position for a few minutes before turning it on again. If you are using Windows 95/98/Me, don't worry if it barks at you a little for 'not properly shutting down'. With any computer, this isn't the preferred method of shutting off the computer, but in a pinch it usually gets you out of a jam.