Simple step-by-step computer help for beginners

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 comments
14
Mar 10

Windows 7 – 4 month report

Technically, I’ve been using Windows 7 (in beta and final form) for more than a year, but for today’s discussion I want to review what I’ve seen with it since its public release in October. Since then, I have helped many computer users setup their new Windows 7 laptops, desktop, and netbooks (probably around 125-150 new systems in total). I also helped around a dozen or so computer users upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7.

After this hands on experience, I’ve started to see some trends about Windows 7 that I like and some that I don’t like. Maybe some of this information will help you with the purchase of your next system.

Windows 7 is Vista done right (in the speed department)

On the surface, many computer users familiar with Windows Vista will think they are simply looking at Windows Vista. And overall, they would be right. Except for the small user interface changes with the Start menu, taskbar changes, system tray overhaul, and the way you can interact with open Windows, Windows 7 looks and feels like Vista. Under the hood, however, is where Microsoft Continue reading: Windows 7 – 4 month report

Create Your OWN Personalized Newspaper Online – Video Tip

In this month’s group, we talked about and demonstrated how to set up a web page that can be personalized. I like to use a customized web page (portal) as my home page (first page that shows up when I start my browser). We looked at the Yahoo portal (My Yahoo) and the newer Google customized home page.

Both services require that you register and setup a user name and password. Once you register, you can customize your page to include weather information, stock portfolios, sports news and scores, news from industries or topics that you choose, comics, and even content from other web pages. Both services are free and give you the flexibility to add, subtract and edit any type of data that you choose.

After you sign in, first look for the “X” in the upper right hand corner of each content box. Continue reading: Create Your OWN Personalized Newspaper Online – Video Tip

Internet Tips — 3 comments
25
Feb 10

Measure the distance of your walk, run, bike with Google Maps – Video Tip

I’ve been meaning to share this great tool with you for a few years and somehow kept forgetting to do so. The Gmaps Pedometer is an easy to use tool that a runner put together using Google Maps to be able to quickly map out distances on city streets. The creator did a remarkable job of preserving the simplicity of Google while marrying it with a useful set of tools for exercise folks and tourists. I didn’t mention it in the video, but if you are touring a foreign city and want to know why your dogs are so tired at the end of the day, pull up Gmap Pedometer to see how far you walked! It works for any city in the world.

So whether you are a runner, walker, biker, or Continue reading: Measure the distance of your walk, run, bike with Google Maps – Video Tip

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Videocasts — 2 comments
24
Feb 10

Rick Answers His Email – Episode 075

Harold (who was first because he paid a dollar), Alan, Patsy, Ceil, Rickenstien, Doris, Verlyn, Laurel, John, Richard, Jim, Tom, and Pat.

They asked questions about Gmail’s chat window, Excel, JAVA, printer problem with no details, inserting video into PowerPoint, saving photos from email, getting contacts off of iPhone to another phone, how to delete email without opening it, opening existing Word & Excel files in Ubuntu, removing browser toolbars, GoToMyPC.com security issues, Hotmail question in Firefox, and how to remove personal information Continue reading: Rick Answers His Email – Episode 075

Internet Tips / Windows Tips — 3 comments
19
Feb 10

7 Internet Security Tips to Save You Time & Money

photo credit: maistora

I write about Internet security frequently because I see too many breaches of Internet security every single day. And by Internet security, I’m referring to keeping your computer free of spyware, fake security software and other annoying, time consuming, and expensive ailments that can strike your computer.

THESE TYPES OF INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE.

First, I need to exempt Mac and Linux (Ubuntu) users from reading this article since they are almost entirely immune from these problems. Of course, if you are a Mac or Linux user and want to read on simply to gloat at how secure and easy your computing life is…feel free.

Back to my Windows readers. I don’t use all caps often, but I do want to reiterate that by educating yourself, you can avoid the costly and time consuming problems associated with malware infections. It is also important to know that there is not a security product on the market that can Continue reading: 7 Internet Security Tips to Save You Time & Money

Podcast — No comments
17
Feb 10

Computer Help Show Podcast – 02-17-10

After a two month hiatus, we finally got the show recorded today. And we are happy we did…tons of great calls today spanning everything from lost passwords to high speed Internet access. We squeezed in some social networking talk including the new Google Buzz, smartphone talk (yeah, we know…it’s a constant topic for us), and much more. Download the podcast or listen now!

Don’t forget to tune in live next month on March 17!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 comments
15
Feb 10

Quick cell phone address book tip

photo credit: evelynishere

If you use a cell phone (you do, don’t you?), you should also be using your cell phone’s phone book (address book) feature. In it, you can store phone numbers, of course, but you can do so much more. Since there are a bazillion different cell phones on the market, I can’t possibly give you step-by-step instructions like I usually do.

You can keep these little hints in mind when using your phone’s address/phone book feature:

Always enter the area code for your entries…yes, even all the local people you add. When you travel out of your home area, you can’t dial from the phone book feature if the area codes aren’t entered.
You don’t have to enter the Continue reading: Quick cell phone address book tip

Digital Photography — No comments
09
Feb 10

Import photos using Picasa 3.5 – Video Tip

Picasa made some nice changes last year with the upgrade to 3.0, then 3.5. My favorite has to be the new streamlined import feature. Admittedly, the previous import wizard was a little clunky and took a few times to become comfortable.

Not so with this newest version. To import photos using the newest version of Picasa, follow these steps:

Click Import button in the upper left corner of Picasa
Make sure the Import from box correctly identifies your device or memory card (usually does)
Make sure the Exclude Duplicates box is checked (it is by default)
Highlight the photos you Continue reading: Import photos using Picasa 3.5 – Video Tip