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Computer Tips

Keyboard shortcut to launch applications in Windows 7

I ran across this tip yesterday at Lockergnome and someone suggested that a video should be made…so here it is! The new Windows 7 taskbar, dubbed superbar, allows you to add any application you want there and then the same icon also acts as the taskbar icon as well. To quickly launch any application on the taskbar using your keyboard, hold down the Windows key plus the number of the location of the icon.

In my video example, Google Chrome was in position one, so I just held down the Windows key and the Read More »Keyboard shortcut to launch applications in Windows 7

Opening PPS (PowerPoint) files in Outlook Express

PPS files are PowerPoint presentation slide shows that have been saved as a file that can be viewed by anyone. If you get a PPS file and can’t see the slideshow, then click here for our tip on where to find the free PowerPoint viewer.

Once you get the viewer, however, some people still can’t see the slideshows without first saving the attachment to the desktop then double-clicking it from there. It works, but requires a few more steps. Today, I had a call from a customer who was in this situation and really wanted to avoid having to first save the attachment, close email, look for the file and then double-click it to view the slideshow.

Use keyboard shortcuts to save time editing text – Video Tip

When you open an existing Microsoft Word document, Word places the insertion point at the beginning of the document by default. However, if you would like to move the cursor to the location it was in when you were last working on the document, simply press Shift + F5 on your keyboard.

When you use press Shift + F5, Word performs the Go Back command, which moves the insertion point from its current location to the last location in which a
modification, such as typing, deleting or formatting text, was made.

Some other helpful Word cursor keyboard movements include:

* Press Home to get to the beginning of a line

For Beginners: 3 Getting Started Guides for Google Docs

You know that I write about Web 2.0 (cloud computing) often. To me, working in your browser is easier, safer (for backup), and more consistent than using desktop applications. And since most of us use only the bare minimum of features for document creation, why spend $100s of dollars for name brand applications. Online applications offer full Microsoft Office compatibility… Read More »For Beginners: 3 Getting Started Guides for Google Docs

Microsoft Fix it Solution Center

Microsoft recently started a set of online wizards that can cure common problems like a lost recycle bin, problems with Outlook or Outlook Express and many Windows woes as well. If you have a specific problem with an error, it might be a worthwhile trip over to the site to see if there is a Fix It available for you.… Read More »Microsoft Fix it Solution Center

CleVR – Free and easy panoramic photo stitching

Small backyard picture
Click the image to see the full size.

Web 2.0 (using the Internet to do work instead of your computer) truly gets more powerful every day. CleVR is a free online application (actually uses the Adobe AIR platform) that lets you upload digital photos and then it automatically stitches them together into a panorama format. And it does it quickly! I did the one shown here in just a few moments.

It also automatically creates anRead More »CleVR – Free and easy panoramic photo stitching

How to Download Files from the Internet – Video Tip

Once you find a file you would like to view or download, how do you get it to your computer? Follow these steps to get the computer safely and successfully to your computer:

  1. Click once on the file?s name (some web sites will have a download button)
  2. You will be asked to ?Save? the file before the download initiates. Pay special attention to the ?Save In? box at the top of the save screen so that you know where your file is going. (TIP: I suggest that you download all files to the desktop so that they are easy to find)
  3. Click on the Save button and in a few seconds your download will start and you will see a progress meter showing how much of the download has completed

That?s all there is to downloading a file.

Remember that you can click back to the web and continue surfing, writing email or doing other activities at the same time you are downloading, but you do have to stay connected to your provider for the download to continue.

Also, it is possible to download more than one more file at a time.

Click the "Read more" link underneath this tip to listen and watch the video describing this tip.