This week’s tip focuses on skills that new Macintosh users will need to know in order to feel comfortable with their new Apple Computer.
In this video tip, I give new Mac users some important information about how to use the Macintosh HD (hard drive)icon, the Dock (which launches programs and documents), and a primmer on how application and folder windows differ from those in the Windows environment.
As with any operating system, there are multiple ways to accomplish the same task, none of which are wrong. Enjoy the tip if you are a new Mac user or pass it along to a new Mac user!
Solitaire seems to be a game that is synonymous with computers. Microsoft planted the game in Windows not only for entertainment, but also for new computer users to learn mouse skills (drag, double-click, etc). Some computer users have branched out to FreeCell and like it better than Solitaire.
However, have you tried playing Minesweeper?
Minesweeper appears difficult upon first look. And yes, it does require some brain power, but isn't that partially the purpose of our computers…to use our brains? If you do like a challenge and using logic and something different than clicking on cards or sitting in front of a TV, give Minesweeper a try.
The object of the game is to avoid the 'mines'. You do this by first making a random guess and clicking one time on the board. If you are lucky, you didn't hit a mine. Now you have to use the clues the game gives you to figure out where the other ones lie. The clues come in the form of a number (usually 1-5). The number indicates how many mines border that particular square. One hint to commit to memory is that one square (if it isn't along the edge), borders eight other squares. Keep that in mind and like FreeCell, every game is winnable. (see the video below for a video lesson on this fun game.)
Give it a try. My best time so far on the beginner level is 29 seconds and 326 seconds on intermediate level. Call us up and let us know what your best times are, leave a comment here, but most of all have fun!
This question has come up rather frequently lately so decided to construct a tip from it. The problem arises when a Gmail user wants to forward a message from earlier in a Gmail conversation (group of emails about the same subject…see illustration and video). When you click a conversation, Google only displays the most recent message. If you click forward,… Read More »How to forward a specific email from a Gmail conversation – Video Tip
We use passwords to log into web sites continuously through the day. Your passwords should be long and complicated, but that makes them tough to type in accurately on the first try (since password fields are masked with dots or asterisks). Or, if you are using a netbook or mobile phone, the combination of a small keyboard and longer passwords can… Read More »How to type in your password correctly the FIRST time – Video Tip
We had a great class today and talked about many aspects of searching the web safely and efficiently. The videos below cover the material we discussed in class including some answers to questions we talked about during the class as well relating to changing your home page, working with title bar, the new Gmail compose screen and more. How to… Read More »Getting the most of searching the web and using Browser tabs – Video Tip
If you own an iPhone or iPad, learning to use keyboard shortcuts to speed up entry of commonly used words, phrases, or names can be a boon to your productivity and your relationship with your iPhone or iPad. Instead of having to always type your full email address in forms, or your full name, or mailing address, or any other… Read More »How to use keyboard shortcuts with your iPhone or iPad – Video Tip
Since 2009, Office Depot (and merged partner Office Max) along with Support.com were knowingly scamming customers into paying for repairs or “fixes” that were absolutely not needed. I won’t go into the gory details, but you can read the full story here. Just know that large retail outlets that sell goods and services don’t always concentrate on providing the best… Read More »Bogus Repair Requests at Office Depot costs them $35 million
Since I bought my first computer, I have been borderline obsessed with voice recognition, using your voice to input text instead of the keyboard. With the release of the newest version of the Apple operating system for their computers, dubbed Mountain Lion or Mac OSX 10.8 (and later), that function is now a standard feature of the system. It does… Read More »Enable dictation for FREE with new Apple OSX Mountain Lion and later – Video Tip
One new feature that Windows Vista brought to the table is an easier way to take pictures of your screen…known as screen shots. In previous versions of Windows you had to learn how to use the Print Screen button (click here for my tip on that technique) or find a third party utility to do the same thing.Windows Vista introduced a new tool called the Snipping Tool that makes taking screen shots easier and more flexible than Print Screen. Vista users can find the Snipping Tool in the Accessories menu. The Snipping Tool will also be included in the upcoming Windows 7. To see how it works, watch my video below.
