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
Avery’s Design & Print labels is a fantastic resource to create labels from your computer with nothing to buy except the labels! Avery developed this free service so that you can create quick, clean and flexible labels. The service is free and works inside your browser. Since it is a Web 2.0 application (works in your web browser), any computer… Read More »Create Labels Online – Video Tip
I talk a lot about Web 2.0 or cloud computing or using your web browser to perform functions via web applications versus installing and using desktop applications. Web 2.0 applications give you the flexibility of having tools at your disposal no matter where you are or whose computer you are using. This week, I want to give you a preview… Read More »Pixlr.com Online Image Editing – Video Tip
Email truly revolutionized communication. The ability to retrieve a message from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds is mind boggling. However, judging by the size of your inboxes (see this week’s poll), you could benefit from some tips on how to keep your inbox clean.
I used to keep as many as many as 50 or so email stacked up in my inbox, but I always felt that I was behind in my work and consequently much of the email went unread and unanswered. A little more than a year ago, it all changed after I read an article that struck a chord with me called Email Zen. I immediately started practicing the techniques and suggestions in the article and found myself with a cleaner inbox and a better overall outlook (no pun intended) about email and my email communication. I continue to strive for the empty inbox and find that if i get more than 10, I start to get a little jumpy.
From reading that article and my own experience over the past eighteen months, here are my suggestions for reaching harmony with email:
My brother asked this question earlier this week and at his suggestion, I’m sharing the answer here. He mentioned that he thought the search in Gmail wasn’t very good (which is preposterous since it has no match). He went on to explain that his searches weren’t finding items he had deleted. “au contraire”, I quickly retorted. I told him Google’s… Read More »How to get Gmail to show you search results from the trash – Video Tip
Cloud computing definition: Using a web site (app) to perform computing functions like word processing, spreadsheets, video and image editing, financial management and more. Ten years ago we used the web as a resource to find information. For productivity work, we installed programs that lived on our computers as did the data. If we had extra computers or needed to… Read More »Cloud computing – Ubiquitous, Powerful, and mostly free!
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.
My high school daughter ran from the house today in a panic because she was running late and didn’t have to time to print something she needed for school. She uses a MacBook and OpenOffice, but had already shut the computer off and was out the door.
Interestingly enough, she uses and is sold on the utility and effectiveness of online apps as well. She uses both Google Docs and Zoho (which she likes better) regularly after I introduced her to them a few years ago. But this time around, she had her info on her hard drive. Had she uploaded or created the document in Zoho or Google Docs, she could have gone to school happily, sat down at any computer, logged into her account and printed the document.
Needless to say, I think she will be uploading more of her documents to Zoho or Google Docs.
Another announcement from Microsoft this week centered around their upcoming release of Microsoft Office 10 and an online version of Microsoft Office that will compete with Zoho and Google Docs. The scheduled release of the new software and web apps is the 1st 1/2 of 2010. A lot can happen between now and then, but it will heat up the… Read More »Microsoft will offer Free Online Office Apps
Over the past few years, I have written and talked much about Web 2.0 or as it is sometimes known, cloud computing. You have ignored those articles and haven’t visited or tried the Web 2.0 offerings that are changing the way we use computers. Today, I’m going to give you a second change to get up to speed, because I will be writing more and more about Web 2.0 in the coming months, and I want you along for the ride!
Listed below is your HelpMeRick.com reading assignment for the day.
Email truly revolutionized communication. The ability to retrieve a message from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds is mind boggling. However, judging by the size of your inboxes 
