Skip to content

Riding Shotgun with Rick

How to register for your Avast Free Antivirus License – Notes

Adding to my new ongoing series of daily how-tos I write for clients is this one about registering the Free Avast Antivirus I now recommend. Occasionally the registration servers are not working when I install the program for a client, so I created these instructions for her to follow when the servers come back online. This should also help those… Read More »How to register for your Avast Free Antivirus License – Notes

Steps for Scanning with HP Solution Center – Notes

I inserted a photo of the notes I created for a HP Scanner / All-in-One user today. Anyone using an HP scanning device with the HP Solution Center software will be able to use these notes to get the hang of using the scanner. You can also download the PDF version of these steps:  Scanning a Photo or Document

Zoho Creator (database) – Video Tip

This my last installment in my Zoho.com tour, but far from the full capabilities of Zoho. So far I’ve introduced you to Zoho Writer (word processing application) and Zoho Sheet (spreadsheet application). For Part III in my series, I’m giving you a quick tour and demonstration/instruction on how to create a database with Zoho. Zoho has two database applications; one called Creator and the other called Database and Reports. I focused on the Creator application in my video tour.

Database programs offer the most flexibility and ease of use for collecting data on any subject from a book collection, to a club member address list, to tracking expenses for your home or business. Once you learn a few techniques with database design and creation, I’m willing to bet you will leave the lowly spreadsheet behind for gathering this type of data.

Zoho’s database application provides, in my opinion, unparalleled ease of use AND power for both the beginner database user and the advanced user. I strongly encourage anyone ever remotely interested in database collection or anyone who hasn’t been able to find the perfect data collection program to give Zoho Creator a try after watching my short video below.

Some of Zoho’s database features include:

  • Convert spreadsheet data to database
  • Online, anywhere access
  • Easily build powerful database collection forms with drag and drop
  • Sophisticated form elements including drop down lists, radio buttons, check boxes, date pickers and more
  • Embed collection forms in your web page or blog
  • Query data
  • Export data to multiple formats
  • Use a powerful scripting language to enhance your database
  • and much more.

Watch the short video below to see how far online applications from Zoho.com can take you.

How to use multiple signatures in Gmail without add-ons or tweaks – Video Tip

This week I helped a client start the transition to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook. Turns out that although he used the same email address, he did have different signatures setup for various uses (personal, business, charity, etc). With Gmail, it is possible to setup a separate signature for different email addresses (which not many people do with Gmail), but not… Read More »How to use multiple signatures in Gmail without add-ons or tweaks – Video Tip

Customizing Apple’s Mac OSX Finder Tool – Video Tip

Since I’ve been featuring tips on file management this week, I thought I would demonstrate how to work with and customize the Mac OSX file management tool known as Finder. The finder is quite powerful as is, but sometimes having quicker access to tools you use often is helpful. Watch this short video to learn how to do just that.

Windows Key Shortcuts

We featured this particular tip about a year ago, but it bears repeating. Also, I discovered a few additions.

The Windows Key (located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on your keyboard) allows you to push it and another key to gain quick access to some Windows utilities and programs. Here are the combos:

* Windows Key + F = Find
* Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer (my favorite)
* Windows Key + R = Run
* Windows Key + M = Minimize all open windows so that you can see your desktop again (Windows Key + D will do the same thing)
* Windows Key + C = Control Panel
* Windows Key + Pause/Break = System Properties

Remember to Minimize

Every now and then, I like to bring up tips that appear elementary, but are seldom used. This week’s tip falls into that category. 

In my travels, it astounds me how many computer users forget that more than one computer program can be run at a time. The trick is not necessarily running multiple programs, but keeping track of where they are.

If you are using a word processor, for example, and you want to check a reference on the Internet or some other program in your computer, don’t close the word processor. Instead, minimize it so that it appears on the taskbar and then start your other program.

Must read article for ALL computer illiterate users

I detest the phrase computer illiterate, but unfortunately hear it almost daily in my work. I think the better way for a computer user who feels inadequate around the technology and the terminology is to refer to themselves as time challenged. Since illiteracy can be thwarted with a healthy dose of education, that leaves making the time to obtain that education the… Read More »Must read article for ALL computer illiterate users

Rick’s guide to trouble free computing

Advice chairIn January, this web site and my business will turn 13 years old. In that time, I have worked on thousands of computers ranging from the oldest DOS machines to the newest gaming and Mac monsters. My youngest client in that time has been 5 years old and my oldest was a 94 year old author writing a book for the first time on a PC. When your work in any field for a certain period of time, you start to spot patterns and consistencies.

After incubating the idea in my head for about six months, I want to share with you (and anyone you forward this article to) my opinion of how to use computer technology with the bare minimum of issues and cash. The following would be my advice to a computer user who truly wanted to follow my advice, no questions asked, based on my knowledge and experience.

  1. Buy a mid-range laptop costing no more than $600. Immediately install Ubuntu Linux on the laptop and allow Ubuntu to completely erase the drive’s contents (Windows and a ton of trial ware) as it installs. Ubuntu will provide you a top notch Office productivity package (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager, etc), tons of games, CD/DVD burning, secure, fast Internet browsing with Firefox, photo management and editing software, and more for no cost. Ubuntu also does not require