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Computer Tips

Learn how to check your backups

I'm glad to see so many of my customers really starting to take backing up seriously. As we start storing more and more crucial or even irreplaceable data on our computers, it is absolutely imperative that you learn to backup your data properly. 

Once you start backing up, you may start to wonder, "Hmmm, does that disk really have the information that I need on it?" If you are backing up by simple using the Send To function or copying data straight to a flash drive or CD/DVD, then the easy way to check your backup is by double-clicking the drive in My Computer. This will open the drive and let you peer at its contents. If nothing shows up, then your backup method is failing, and you need to adjust. If the data is there, then pat yourself on the back and enjoy the feeling of seeing that your data is safely located on a disk other than your computer's hard drive.

Daylight Savings Time

Last week, a caller or emailer asked about our computers and the upcoming change in our Daylight Savings Time procedure. Traditionally, we North Americans set our clocks ahead one hour on the first Sunday of April and then set them back an hour on the last Sunday of October. Computers automatically made these changes while we slept through it or first thing the next morning when we turned on our computer.

Starting this year, that will change in the United States and Canada. We will now "Spring Up" on the second Sunday in March and "Fall Back" on the first Sunday of November. Computer updates are being rolled out as we speak to take care of this for us. You can read more about the roll out on Microsoft's site by clicking here.

How to detect keyloggers

Keyloggers are viruses (or can be hardware in an office situation) that log everything you enter into your computer…including passwords, user names, and account numbers. Don't take this problem lightly as it can lead to identity theft. Keyloggers are rare and if you run proper security software (search security on our site), you are not at risk. However, if you suspect a keylogger, use one of these tools to detect them:

SpyBot Search and Destroy

Keylogger Killer

Create a new toolbar in Windows – Video Tip

Desktop icons are great to access commonly used programs and files, but I have found an even faster way to access those commonly used programs and keep my desktop a little cleaner at the same time.

After following the outlined steps below, you will have an orderly toolbar that contains easy one-click access to your favorite programs or files:

  1. RIGHT Click on your Taskbar (next to the Start button)

  2. Click Toolbars

  3. Click Quick Launch (or make sure there is already a check mark there)

Picasa Picture Manager Video Tip – Part 2

In Part 1 of our Picasa Video tip , we discussed how to use many of the editing and organizing tools available in Picasa. In this tip, you will learn about:

  • Transferring your digital camera photos to your computer with Picasa
  • Selecting photos from multiple folders
  • Creating a web album
  • Printing your photos
  • Ordering prints from your photos
  • and more!

Click the Read More option below to start the video if it has not already started, and be patient as the video loads.

Picasa Picture Manager Video Tip – Part 1

Picasa , from Google, has matured into a phenomenal digital photo manager. Not only is it easy to use and contains tons of great features, but it is also free to use. In the upcoming week, we will present you with a series of video tips explaining how to get the most out of Picasa.

This video may take a few minutes to get started (even on a broadband connection), but be patient, and you will be happy you have seen the video.

 

Add more USB ports easily

PCI USB Expansion CardMany new computers over the past few years come with a minimum of six USB ports (four in the back and two up front). With cameras, scanners, printers, MP3 players, external hard drives, mice, keyboards and more, what seemed like a lot of ports quickly dwindles. You could add an external USB hub that plugs into one of your ports then gives you four more, for a net gain of three. Hubs can be found for about $20-30. More often, however, I'm recommending people spend less than $10 and get a PCI USB expansion card that gives you a net gain of four or more USB ports.

Are you missing the Menu bar in Internet Explorer 7?

IE 7 Menu BarActually, Microsoft designed the new browser that way so that there is more room for browsing. However, if you want the menu bar (the one with File, Edit, View, Favorites, etc) back, follow these steps:

 

  1. Start Internet Explorer
  2. Press and release the Alt key on your keyboard
  3. The menu bar will be visible, Click the View menu option
  4. Click Toolbars
  5. Click Menu Bar

That will do it. You can't move the menu bar above the new address bar, but at least it will be visible and usable from now forward. For those of you who just want quick access to the menu bar, but don't mind that it is missing, remember the Alt key trick to get the menu bar to appear when you need it.

When do I right click?

Wow, I get that question so many times that I decided we should put up an explanation on the site. All computer mice have at least two buttons. The primary button is usually the left one and does the vast majority of the work. Follow these rules when thinking about your mouse buttons:

Left Mouse Button

  • It is your primary work horse AND the only button used for double-clicking.Left Mouse button
  • Double-clicking is NEVER required…it is always an option.
  • The only places you need to double-click (and I'll show you how to avoid it altogether at the end of this tip) are the Desktop and any Windows Explorer window where you want to open a file.
  • When clicking links and menu options on the Internet, Click just ONE TIME with the left mouse button
  • If you are moving Solitaire cards from one stack to another or files from one folder to another, you click ONE time with the Left mouse button and hold it down while moving the object. When you let go of the button, the item will stay where you put it.
  • This is the only button you will use to make selections from menus.

Right Mouse Button

Make a deep Favorite or Bookmark

This tip arose earlier today when I told a customer that he could make a favorite or bookmark to any part of a web site. He frequently needed to access one portion of a web site, but always started at the home page and then clicked two to four pages deep to get to his destination. He and many more like him never realized that a bookmark could be set at any point in the browsing process…not just the home page. He was amazed and delighted that he could save all this time for many of his sites. Browse to the portion of the site that you need to access, and then set your bookmark or favorite.

I realize many people already understand this concept, but unfortunately many do not. Share this information with them and their friends so that everyone can save a little time on the Internet.