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Computer Tips

Check Your Email When Away from Home

When we vacation, checking our snail mail is either left up to a house sitter or a neighbor. However, email is something we don't usually delegate to these fine folks who keep track of our snail mail and newspapers. Did you know that you can check your email from almost anywhere in the world?

It's true and this week's tip shows you how to do it. All email is sent not to you, but first to your provider. They don't read it, but it sits on their computers until you retrieve it, thus allowing you to check it remotely. While you are away from your home computer on vacation, the mail sits and accumulates on the provider's computer. You can check in on your email by logging into your provider's web site from any computer that has Internet access and read and write email.

Quick access to useful tools and most used programs in Ubuntu – Video Tip

Two of my favorite tips (tricks) to teach Windows users is the use of the Quick Launch bar. See:

Create a new toolbar in Windows – Video Tip

Create a docked Quick Launch bar in Windows Vista – Video Tip

As I make my way into the Ubuntu world, which I think has the potential to whole heartedly change the computing landscape as we know it, I learn how to duplicate skills with it that I learned and utilized with Windows. As with the navigation tip I posted earlier today, I think Ubuntu came up with a more clever, faster, and more flexible way to access our commonly used computer tools. Watch my new tip below to see how it is done in Ubuntu.

 

Basic Ubuntu Navigation – Video Tip

Ubuntu Navigation

One more day left in our first annual "Ubuntu Week", and I have another great tip for all of us Ubuntu beginners. In Ubuntu, there is no "Start" button like Windows. Instead, I think the Ubuntu creators came up with a more elegant and intuitive format for accessing programs we use, navigating our saved files, networks and operating system options and preferences.

Watch the video below for a video and audio tour of Ubuntu's navigation options.

Automatic Update in Ubuntu Linux – Video Tip

In our ongoing "Ubuntu Week" series of articles, today's tip focuses on computer safety. No matter what operating system you may use, the most important skills you can learn for your computer's safety is updating the operating system. All operating systems, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, BeOS, etc. offer security and system updates from time-to-time. These updates fix problems found in the software and shore up security holes found through research or hackers.

Ubuntu Linux implementation of Automatic Updates works quite well and is painless to maintain. Today's video tip shows you the steps to take to make sure your Ubuntu system is running the latest in system and security updates.

Emailing in Ubuntu Linux – Video Tip

This is a three part video tip showing how to setup and use email in Ubuntu Linux using the included Evolution software. Evolution is a full fledged Personal Information Manager (PIM) that can perform calendaring, tasks, email, contact management and more. Think of it as Outlook for Linux, but easier.

Windows Vista’s Open and Save Dialog Box – Video Tip

Vista Dialog Box

Windows Vista has brought us many changes…some good, many not so good. One change that takes some getting used to is the new open/save dialog box. It takes a little getting used to, but with some practice and tips in my video tip below, you will be in harmony with Gates' new monster. In the video, I include how to create shortcuts to your most used folders, explain the new Vista file hierarchy, and demonstrate how to effectively utilize the new dialog boxes you encounter when opening and saving files.

Easily replaced hardware items…

Sometimes I am accused of being too laid back about life and problems. I take that as a compliment and consider my low key approach to life to be an asset not a liability. When it comes to computers, many computer users should also take a low key approach to many hardware problems.

Keyboards and Mice

If you start having a problem with a mouse or keyboard, the first thing to try is shutting the computer off, unplug and re-plug cables, then try again. If they still give you problems, go out and buy a new one. Mice and keyboards can't and shouldn't be repaired…just replace them. Mice and keyboards both can be found for less than $20. If your mouse or keyboard is a cordless one, always check the batteries.

Take a break …. Physical Therapy Advice

Many of you know that I started out as a Physical Therapist, but switched careers almost twelve years ago. I notice that many computer users (including myself) can get absorbed in reading online news, working with pictures, researching, learning a new computer program, or just playing a game. Unfortunately, when we get absorbed, we also lose track of time and thirty minutes can quickly become two hours! We have all been there. 

I like to use a computer timer (but an egg timer or watch alarm will do also) to remind me to stand up and walk away from the computer when I'm working on a long project. Our bodies don't like to sit stationary for too long and our eyes really don't like staring at a fixed distance for long periods of time either.

Easy, safe, fun (and useful) Google Images – Video Tip

Google offers hundreds of features and most of them go unused by the average computer user.

Google Images is one of the coolest features that the monster search site has to offer. Google Images allows you to search the web for graphics or pictures related to any search topic.

It's so easy to use:

1. Visit Images.Google.com

2. Type in a word or phrase that you want to search for

3. Hit ENTER key on your keyboard

4. The website where the image is found will load but you can get directly to the image itself by clicking on the thumbnail at the top of the page.

Reset your HP Printer

I don't remember where I learned this trick or why it works, but it  does work in many instances with some HP printers. Use this technique to reset your printer if it is hung up for any reason, can't automatically "align cartridges" or is just acting goofy.

  1. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer
  2. Let the printer sit untouched without the power cable for at least two to three minutes
  3. Push and hold the power button
  4. Plug in the power while still holding the power button in.
  5. Keep holding the power button for at least thirty seconds after you plugged the power cable back in.
  6. Release the power button and try using your printer again.

Good luck!