September 2, 2010 -
Back to School
Hello, students! I’ve got five ways to make your
academic life less painful. They’re not all free, but they’re all good.
[R E A D M O R E]
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August 26, 2010 -
What I Learned This Week
I have the best readers and customers ever! You folks
have such great questions and interesting computer problems that I learn
new things all the time. This week I’m sharing several things I hope
you’ll find useful. There’s no reason for everyone’s head to explode!
[R E A D M O R E]
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August 19, 2010 -
Can I...?
I get lots of email from readers and calls from
customers that begin with “Can I...?” Here are the answers to two
frequent questions. [R E A D M O R
E]
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August 12, 2010 -
That Was Easy
An interesting thing about computers running Windows
is that there is almost always more than one way to do something.
“That’s nice,” I hear you say, “but what’s the EASIEST way to...”
This week, a collection of tips that
actually are the easiest way I’ve found to shrink you photos so you can
email them, flip through your open applications, and get all your email
on different computers. [R E A D M
O R E]
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August 5, 2010 -
Email Demystified
A lot of the email I get from readers has to do
with...email! Over the next few weeks I’ll show you how email works and
share some tips about how to make it work better for you. This week’s
column starts with the basics: What is an email client, and why do you
need one, anyway? [R E A D M
O R E]
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July 29, 2010 -
Service Packs and Cool Tools
This week: Checking Windows Service Packs, managing
all kinds of e-books, pasting plain text, and a killer tool you can use
to find out more about your computer hardware.
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 22, 2010 -
How to...
Three quick tips this week: How to view those
PowerPoint presentations you get in your email, how to delete the saved
games in Vista and Windows 7, and how to spice up or tone down the look
of Microsoft Office. [R E A D M O
R E]
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July 15, 2010 -
Get The Most Out Of Your Mouse
The days of the old style mouse with a ball inside
are over. They just are. Whether you use a wireless mouse or one with a
cord, your mouse is likely to be an optical mouse or a laser mouse. That
is as technical as I’m going to get here, I promise.
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 8, 2010 -
Just Turn It Off!
When I set up a new computer for someone, I try to
show them some of the new features of Windows 7. There are some great
features, but they’re not for everyone. Sometimes people just want to
know how to turn those features off. I am here to help!
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 1, 2010 -
Update Your Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security has an upgrade for you. Adobe and
Mozilla have updates. Stay safe, and enjoy your holiday!
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 24, 2010 -
Shopping for a new computer
There are lots of ways to shop for anything,
including a new computer. I am not a recreational shopper, so I do best
when I have a list, a goal, a time limit, and a double-espresso.
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 17, 2010 -
Where am I?
This week: The second in a series of tips to ease
your transition to Windows 7, including finding your programs, and
finding your way around. Finally, the definitive World Cup 2010
Calendar. [R E A D M O R E]
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June 10, 2010 -
Tough Day at the Office
I like Microsoft Office 2007, but that doesn’t mean I
don’t have to speak sternly to it from time to time. Here are a couple
of tricks to make you more at home with Office 2007.
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 3, 2010 -
How to Use Libraries, Screensavers, and Keyboards
This week: The first in a series of tips on making
the transition to Windows 7, instructions on how to manage your
screensaver no matter what version of Windows you’re using, and how to
make your keyboard understand English.
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 27, 2010 -
Four Fast Facts
Learn how to check if your HP laptop is on the
battery recall list, wish PacMan a happy birthday, fix your spell
checker, and tame your mouse. This week’s column contains four items I
hope you’ll find helpful.
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 20, 2010 -
Odds and Ends
Outsmart your cats, get the right weather report, and
install an “Oops Button.” This week’s tips are all over the place, but
they’re still good!
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 13, 2010 -
What's New?
This week there is news about Targus power adapters,
I learned a new trick in Microsoft Word, and there’s a new standard for
ruggedness in external hard drives.
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 6, 2010 -
Getting Rid of Desktop Clutter
Does your computer have a beautiful picture as the
desktop background...and bazillion program icons on top of it? That
makes hard to enjoy that tropical setting or admire that grandchild. And
it’s just about impossible to find the icon you need to start a program.
There IS a way to have a lovely, enjoyable, and visible desktop
wallpaper AND have access to your programs. People, please! Clean up
your desktops! Use your Start Menu to start your programs!
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 29, 2010 -
Facebook, Feedback, and Floppies
This week: Making sense of Facebook’s newest
“improvements,” some reader feedback, and it’s goodbye floppy disk...or
is it? [R E A D M
O R E]
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April 22, 2010 -
Solving Internet Explorer Problems
If your Internet Explorer freezes, crashes, or spits
messages about C++ or “needing to close”, there are several likely
causes. [R E A D M
O R E]
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April 15, 2010 -
Vista Service Packs Are Important
If you’re running Naked Vista (the original version
of Vista with no Service Packs) you might want to stop that. Soon. Also,
ClearType should already be enabled in Windows 7, but I’ll show you how
to improve your fonts in XP and Vista.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 8, 2010 -
Reader Email
This week’s column answers questions from readers.
Get that Thumbnail Preview thing working, just like on the Windows 7
commercials, and check out several photo editing programs.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 1, 2010 -
Time Machine
Turn your computer into a time machine! Make your
Vista or Windows 7 show pictures like good old fashioned Windows XP.
Update your device drivers, but be ready to roll back to the originals.
Listen hard-boiled detective shows from the 1940’s and ‘50’s on your
computer. [R E A D
M O R E]
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March 25, 2010 -
Changes
Change can be a good thing. This week, how to change
the view in Windows, how to change your mouse to act left-handed, and
how to change your browser start page.
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 18, 2010 -
How Do I ...
This week’s column answers three frequently asked
questions about annoying Windows characteristics. Are you struggling
with getting web pages to print properly? Would you like to bypass the
login screen and go right to your desktop? Would you like to know how to
get rid of Norton?
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 11, 2010 -
Back To Basics
Here are a couple of basic tips to make your
computing experience more satisfying. Even if you know the basics, you
might enjoy the twist on each of the tips!
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 4, 2010 -
More Answers To Your Questions
One of the most fun things about writing a column is
being able to answer your questions. Here are three that came in this
week. [R E A D M O
R E]
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February 25, 2010 -
What I Learned This Week
Boy, it’s been an interesting week! Some weeks go by
where I find myself dealing with the same problems again and again. Not
this week. I managed to learn a few things, and I want to pass them
along to you. [R E A D
M O R E]
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February 18, 2010 -
Not the Same Thing!
Understanding computers can be challenging,
especially if you aren’t sure of the terminology.
[R E A D M O R E]
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February 11, 2010 -
Dealing With PDF Files
Pop quiz: What do the letters PDF stand for? Here’s a
hint: This week’s column puts the “Portable” back into PDF.
[R E A D M O R E]
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February 4, 2010 -
Leftovers
I finally found a desktop gadget I really like. I
like the new version of Firefox. If you liked Outlook Express, you can
give Windows Mail or Windows Live Mail that retro look. This week’s
theme is Things I Couldn’t Fit into Previous Columns That Had Themes.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 28, 2010 -
Help! I Can't Connect to the Internet!
We get a fair number of calls here at Computer Care
Kelowna from people who say they can’t send or receive email, and they
can’t get to the web. If you can do one but not the other, you do have a
working connection. But if you can’t do either, odds are your connection
is down. [R E A D M O R E]
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January 21, 2010 -
News and Notes
Is your Acer Aspire on fire? The Olympic Torch is!
You need to update your Adobe and your AVG. Finally, don’t get caught in
the Haitian earthquake email scams.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 14, 2010 -
Helpful Hints
Setting up a new computer can be big fun. Or, it can
be a migraine-inducing experience that you would rather outsource.
Either way, I can help you! This week I have three tips for improving
your computing experience. If you want more help that than, yes, we make
house calls! See the contact information near the bottom of the column.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 7, 2010 -
Understanding the Rule of Holes
I hope you all had a great vacation. I spent much of
mine making house calls to fix infected computers. Nope, not the H1N1
kind of infection. I mean seriously embedded
virus/trojan/malware/spyware infections. The kind that take specialized
skills, knowledge, tools --- and imagination! --- to remove.
[R E A D M O R E]
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