Open Forum Notes 12-26-2013

We covered a number of topics as the questions came in. Spent a few minutes talking about the standard window and how to move it around and resize it. How to double click the title bar to toggle between full size and restore size. How to click in the upper left corner an pop up a menu. And now to press Alt+F4 to close the window.

Talked about using Skype and how to install it. Showed my Skype screen and  answered questions about using it.

We were asked how to remove a printer. Showed how to print up the printers windows, right-click an remove a printer. This does not remove it from Programs. Use an uninstall program to do that; the one that is in Control Panel or in CCleaner or in Glary Utilities.

Suggested using Dropbox to get pictures from a phone (iPhone or Android) to your PC. Install on the PC first, then download the app for the phone and set it up with the same credentials (username and password) as the PC. Now even you take a picture it will be sent to the Dropbox and then when you sign on to your computer it will be downloaded to it. Here is the link to download it: http://tinyurl.com/b87mha8

Spent a lot of time on the apps I use to maintain my computer. Here is the paper I wrote back in November: http://www.rwevans.com/cccgc/LetsTalkBackupCCCGC11-5-2013.pdf. The only change is that I am using the defrag in Glary Utilities instead of Defraggler. It seem to run a lot faster.

I suggested to all to take Ron's maintenance class on Tuesday from 2-4.

We also looked at Locknote to keep a password protected note. I use it for my passwords so they are all in one place and protected instead of being in a Word file called passwords! Here is a link to download that program: http://sourceforge.net/projects/locknote/

File Management is Fun

Well I hope it was fun today as we delved into files and folders. You can download the handout at http://rwevans.com/cccgc/FilesandFolders12-19-2013.pdf.

I found a great You Tube video that explaines files and folder. Check it out at:


Next week we may just spend a couple of hours in an open forum format. In other words we will go in whatever direction you want to take. I will have something in my bag of tricks to show you if there is not many questions.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

This Week's Class 12-19-2013

Files and folders have been around forever with computers.

We will cover these questions and more...

What is a file? Are they all the same? What is a folder? Can I have more than one folder inside a folder? What about libraries? Do they have books I can borrow? (just kidding!). How do I copy files and folders or move them from one place to another? Can I name them whatever I like? Can I change the name later if I don't like what I originally said? How does the computer know which program to open when I double-click on a file? How can I see those hidden file extensions?

The New Yahoo Mail

Some ideas on fixing some of the things I did not like. Maybe you an use them...

http://evansstuff.blogspot.com/2013_12_01_archive.html#2542786251071466843

Thoughts on Browsing

Click to read latest post in Evans Technical Blog

File Management 12-19-2013

Full class today with 20 in attendance. Sure glad we have a new room to hold the sessions in. Thank you Computer Club for making it available! We burned and copied audio and data CD's.

Next week let's talk about files and folders and type of files and how to find things and how to copy and move them and more...

Come with your questions and with your laptops so I can help you with your issues, if I can.

Burning CDs class 12-12-2013

How do we use these CD/DVD drives we have on our computers. What are these CD-R and CD-RW designations all about? How can we backup some of our stuff to CD's (or DVD's). Can we copy a CD or DVD? Will the CD I make work in my CD player?

We will actually burn and copy CD's and DVD's to demonstrate how you can do it.

They are good ways to keep copies of your pictures and important files. Even great to create albums of pictures to duplicate and send to your family at Christmas. Got favorite songs you like to listen to? Burn them onto a CD and play them in your car.

Let's Talk Internet 12-5-2013

Yes, we have hit on this topic a number of times. But every time is a little different and many coming have questions. Some of you may not have been present at previous talks on this subject and are just clicking away.

Will look at different browsers and talk about using the Internet safely and how to locate Web sites using the browser and the address bar. They are not the same and one is much safer than the other.

And what is this http all about?

Should be a fun time as we jump into the Web finding out new things as we go.

December 5th Class

I trust you all have had your fill of turkey. I know we have. Hope you enjoyed your time with family and friends. We spent time with Dianne's mothers here in Florida.

Well I used my Hallmark program to create a Christmas Card for this year. I will send it out soon to everyone. The computer version plays music as it moves through the card. I uploaded it to YouTube so I can easily send it. And, yes I will print some mailing labels to US mail cards to those on the list without computer access.

I will be there this Thursday ready for another couple of hours of hands on training. Not sure what the topic will be yet. Any suggestions?

NO CLASS on Thankgiving

Good class today. Hope you got something  you can use out of it. Nice to know about faxing from home for free. This is where I can use HTML to BOLD something and other things as well. See the class notes link to download today's handouts.

New Link to Classic Shell for Windows 8 and 8.1

If you are a previous user of any version of Windows or even a new computer user with Windows 8, this is for you. If gives control back to the desktop and even boots to the desktop instead of the new Start Screen. Also adds back features into Explorer that had gone away in 8. And you can easily jump back to the Start Screen when you want.

Get it today at: http://www.classicshell.net/

HTML Basics and More

Good class today as we dug deep into Facebook questions. Also covered Blogs, AntiVirus programs, and Resizing photos. And we defined the "cloud" in different terms.

Click the Class Notes link to locate the Class Notes for today.

Next week we will touch on some basics of HTML. This is not about designing a Web site, but just to understand how to use some HTML code in some of the posting we do. Basic stuff and you can see the results right away in your browser.

Also had some want to know how to take a document and email to someone else. We used to have to take the document to someplace that had a fax machine and have them send it for us. Today we can scan it into our computer and email it instead. We will step by step see how to do that with the scanner I will bring with me to class. Should be fun.

Class Topics for 11-14-2013

We have had a few suggestions for this weeks class. They are all regarding some topics we have already covered over the past few months. But that is fine as many missed those sessions or even still have questions about them. So plan on getting more into Facebook, Blogs, Resizing Photos, and AntiVirus Options. It should be a fun couple of hours. Come with your questions on the above topics or anything else and we will answer them as best we can.

EaseUS Backup Tutorial

Found this nice step-by-step on doing an image backup. There are links to other tutorials from EaseUS included on the page.

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/features/backup-system-partition.htm

Tonight's Backup Talk Notes

This was what the talk was about:

"Hands on demonstration of EaseUS backup creating an image of a computer. Also a look at a couple of Cloud Backups to run in between image creations. Will also demonstrate the maintenance  tools used to keep a computer clean and running fast."

Click on Class Notes link above to locate and download the notes in PDF form.

Next Training with Dick on 11-7-2013

Will be looking at Excel Tips and Tricks for the first hour. You will be surprised what you can do with Excel even if you have never looked at it. And you will pick up a few new tricks even if you have been using it for years. It will be a fun time for all. Join us!

Club Meeting Tuesday Evening 11-5-2013

See the CCCGC site for details... Link above...

Excel Question

Q. One problem I am having is I can’t seem to get 2 excel worksheets up at the same time so I can toggle back and forth.

A. When you have two workbooks open at the same time there are two sets of buttons in the upper right corner:



The top set is for Excel itself and the bottom set is for the individual workbooks. On the bottom set, click the restore down button. Then re-size the workbooks so you can see both in the work space.



Now you can easily jump back and forth between the two.

Greeting Card Class

Why spend all that money on cards? Today we looked at a number of software offerings allowing us to create professional greeting cards.

Here is a link to the notes:
http://rwevans.com/cccgc/GreetingCardsCCCGC10-31-2013.pdf

Using Google Search

Last week I used my 30% off coupon at Kohls to get a new pair of Nike Air sneakers. After a few days of use they started to squeak every time I walked. It was very annoying. No way to sneak up on anyone! LOL.

My wife suggested I bring them back. Good idea but first I went to Google search and entered my problem as a sentence and that brought me to a Q&A from a few others about the same issue. I found the answer. It was suggested by a couple of others who were successful fixing the issue. I pulled out the inner sole (what my feet step into) and sprinkled powder. Then I re-inserted the pieces I had removed. After walking on them for a few minutes the powder seeped down into the areas that were causing the squeaking.

I can now walk without that annoying noise! Thank you Google search.

Unwanted Facebook Posts

A question came up about the unsolicited posts in the news feed on Facebook. Here is a step through of how to get rid of them.



Notice it says Suggested Post? This means they are not your friend or someone you have liked. Facebook is giving you this so you can choose (by not saying anything) to continue to get posts from this place.



Mouse to the right of the Like Page button and a grayed out  down arrow appears. Pull it down.



You have a number of choices. I chose to Hide all...



They want to now why. I chose not relevant...



They want to know why. I chose not interested in the topic...



They confirmed my choices.

I will no longer be pestered with ads from this user.

Today's Class

Notes have been posted. Click the Class Notes link above to find them.

Good attendance today. Next week we will take a look at using your computer to make greeting cards either to send by email or to print on your printer to mail them. I will bring a printer so we can see the actual cards printed.

Social Networking

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will.  Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. We will discuss the six most popular ones: Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. Most of the time will spent on Facebook -- why you should use it and how to use it safely.

Join us this Thursday 10-24-2013 from 2-4 PM in the club office.

Facebook and You

Did you know that nearly two-thirds of 50-64 year olds and 43 percent of those aged 65+ are now on Facebook? This Thursday we are talking about Social Networking. If you are not part of that 43% find out why you might want to be...

Word MailMerge and Templates and more

Finished up the classes on Word today and the notes for both weeks have been posted along with some links to video on the main topics. See the Class Notes link above to open the notes.

Next week we will jump into Social Networking.

Remove the Background from Pictures

Ever take a great picture with your phone or your camera but it is filled with all kinds of stuff in the background? 

Found a neat website that let me take this picture



And turn it into this one
 

And it was all done in the cloud. Give it a try at
http://clippingmagic.com/

Yahoo Conversations

You can get rid of the new conversations "feature" in Yahoo Mail. It is very easy to do. Here is a link to their instructions:
http://help.yahoo.com/kb/index?locale=en_US&y=PROD_MAIL_ML&page=content&id=SLN15805

Today's Class

Spent the first hour on some Word 2003/2007 basics. You can pickup the notes on the Class Notes page link above or click here: http://www.rwevans.com/cccgc/WordStuffI10-10-2013.pdf

There were a number of great questions during the second hour. One was about how to let Word generate a Table of Contents for a long paper or book.

Another was on how to create an Index at the end of a document for key words. I did not remember how to do that, except that you needed to tag the words you want included. I Google it when I got home and here is a link to an article on how to do it: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/creating-an-index-of-a-word-2007-document.html

Most of the group had Windows 7 and a smaller number had XP. There was a similar mix of Word 2003 and Word 2007. Some were using Open Office, the free office suite of programs. I showed how to access and use Google Docs, which is the free suite in the cloud. Totally online, you do not need to install it on your computer and the documents you create are save in the cloud on the Google servers. I use this app more than I do Word.

Next week we will do some more Word stuff like templates and mail merge. The week after that we will talk about social networking and Facebook.

Word Stuff 10-10-2013

This weeks class will be about Word. Things we have touched on in the past and some new stuff as well. Bring your questions about Word and for the second hour about anything else.

It will be a review of using Microsoft Word, some tips and shortcuts, how to print envelopes, labels, and do a mail merge. And using and creating  templates. For all version of Word 97-2003 through Word 2013.

10-10-2013 2-4 PM at the Club office...

Setting Up and Using the Xelio Tablet

The low end 7" Xelio tablet is a great buy. However, it does not come with the Google Play Store app. This white paper will walk you through setting up the tablet and installing Google Play.

Setting up the Xelio Tablet.pdf

PC Maintenance

Back in 2012 I posted a blog titled PC Maintenance where I outlined what I did to maintain my computers. I do the same today with two additions.

1. I use Glary Utilities for a quick check as often as every day (when I remember!) Download it at http://www.glarysoft.com/

2. I use EaseUS to do an image backup of each computer to an external hard drive at least once a month. I let Mozy or iDrive backup my critical files that are changing on a daily basis. So between the two backsup I can totally recover from any system failure.

Here is the original post:
http://evansstuff.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html#7907346847537149770

Here is post on Backing Up with Mozy and EaseUS:
http://evansstuff.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html

And one on iDrive:
http://evansstuff.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html#4831851699561929901

October 3rd Class

Full house once again as we ventured into the unknown bunch of programs that comes with all versions of Windows from XP to 8. We took a look at them and talked about what you might use them for. We only touched on a few of them. Poke around in the All Programs area on the Start Menu and see what useful things you can fine.

Here is a direct link to the notes:
http://rwevans.com/cccgc/ProgramsThatComeWithWindowsCCCGC10-3-2013.pdf

MWsnap

This the screen capture utility I have used for a number of years. It works on all versions of Windows from XP to 8. Click the blue download button, not the green one at the top.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/mwsnap.html

October Calendar

Check out all the classes coming up in October. Some of you have asked about backup and there is a class coming up on EaseUS. Ron will be doing a class on maintaining your computer. Larry has one on spreadsheets. And there are a number of others as well. Take advantage of all the free classes you can. Never know what you can pickup to add to your bag of tricks.

Here is the link to the calendar:
http://cccgc.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Oct13Cal.pdf

October 1st Member Meeting

Ebooks: 
At this month’s meeting Yvette will be presenting the variety of choices you have including apps for borrowing from your library of choice. The ease with which you can download your ebooks and what the formats are for, and which vendors have what type of format.

Don't miss it! And if you do not have a tablet to read your books, check out the great deal below for the $39 one at Wal-Mart Online.

Beginners Training 5-7 PM
Open Forum 6-7 PM
Meeting and Presentation 7 PM

Tablet for $39

A couple of weeks ago this was $49 and we ordered it. Great little tablet. Has Android's Jelly Bean OS. Works great! And a steal at $39 today:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/XELIO-7-Tablet-With-4GB-Memory/23709345

Programs That Come With Windows

We talk a lot about the cloud and the apps that can be both run in the cloud or the ones that are freely downloaded to our computer. But what about the one that are already on our computer, the one that are included within the Windows package?

Whether you have XP, Vista, 7,or 8 there are a number of places you may never have gone.

Come an explore them during the 10-3-2013 class... 2-4 PM at the Club.

Fix Chrome's New Tab Page

Chrome has a new look for its new tab page and I do not care for it. I want to see the list of apps is used to display. There is a fix for it. Read the following article. It is pretty easy to do.

Here are the steps I took:

1. In the address bar type chrome://flags and hit the enter key
2. Locate (use Ctrl+F) "Enable Instant Extended API" (without the quotes)
3. Pull down the selection arrow and choose Disabled

The next time you open your Chrome browser the tab will work like they used to.

Here is the link to the article I found:

http://blogs.computerworld.com/internet/22878/chrome-new-tab-page

Practical Stuff Notes

Notes from today's class have been uploaded to the class notes site:
http://rwevans.com/cccgc/PracticalStuff9-26-2013.pdf

Practical Stuff 9-26-2013 2-4 PM

This week we will cover a few practical things. This is the list I have come up with. You may want to add some of your own to the list. It should be a lively discussion.

Understanding email a little more. How does it work? Where is my email? Why can't I find it on my other computer? Why is gmail or yahoo or another cloud based mail better than comcast mail or embarq mail? Or is it? What is Outlook on Windows 8? What is auto forward? Why would I want more than one email account?

Should I have a battery backup? What use is it?

Why backup my computer if I never save anything on it?

Should I still be running AOL?
Create and broadcast your own internet radio station

Capture Those Memories Recap

Full class today with 24 registered. Fun time capturing audio and video and pictures of old snapshots. The notes are done and you can view them at the class site: at http://rwevans.com/cccgc/CaptureThoseMemoriesCCCGC9-19-2013.pdf

You can access the home page using the link above.

Any ideas for next week? Send me an enail with your wish list.

Replying in Gmail

Found the answer to the question Ron had today. And that was "When replying to an email can I turn off having the original email and all previous response follow along?" Here is how you turn off that automatic feature in Gmail:



You can change this setting so that replies aren't threaded into conversations, but appear as individual messages in your inbox. To do so, go to the General tab of your Gmail Settings, and select the radio button next to 'Conversation view off'.

Capture Those Memories

This Thursday, 9-19-2013, we will take a look at transforming those old picture albums, cassette tapes, and VHS tapes to digital and then on to a CD/DVD or even to an external hard drive.

Class Notes

Lively class this  afternoon. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I wrote up some notes and posted them on the club site. Click the Class Notes link above to open that site or click the following link to get right to the notes: Potpourri CCCGC 9-12-2013

I have not come up with a topic for next week, but will let you know as soon as I do. Any suggestions?

Potpourri 9-12-2013

This weeks class will be a little different. Will discuss a number of topics to look at like buying safely on the Internet, letting someone else control my computer, do I need a new computer, Is XP still a usable OS, should I get a tablet?

Bring your questions and even your laptop if you need some help with something. CU Thursday!

Another Cloud Backup Service

Ubutu One is free for the first 5gb of storage. Plenty enough space for most of us to store all our important documents. All except our pictures which are better on sites like Picasa Web or Flickr, also free.

It saves your files in the cloud and automatically syncs from our computer to the cloud backup. Easy to set up and use. Give it a try at https://one.ubuntu.com/

Hidden Password

Check out the latest entry on my technical blog. It explains how to "see" your passwords hidden behind the ****.
http://evansstuff.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html#6893209758628003185

Presentation Software 8-15-2013

Next week we will be taking a look at creating presentations using PowerPoint, OpenOffice/LibreOffice, and G-drive. You might wonder why you would want to even open up this type of application. You don't go around speaking in public using a projector to get your point across. Well there are other reasons using presentations. We will learn how to build a presentation, the basics, and more. Create a slide show of pictures. Include videos. Animate slides and more. Join us on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 pm, 8-15-2013

Speech in Windows

We learned a lot yesterday about speech-to-text and text-to-speech in all versions of  Windows. Click the Class Notes link to locate the 9 page handout for the class.

What I remember we discussed afterwards:

To increase the size of the information on a Web page, you can press Ctrl +. Ctrl 0 brings it back to normal size. Ever had a screen that was hidden below the bottom and you could not get to it? Well try Ctrl - to make the screen smaller until the entire page is view-able. I have had to use this a number of times.

Those three buttons on the top of a window are also pretty useful. The one on the left looks like a minus sign. It is the minimize button. Clicking it removes the window from the desktop without closing the application. A button remains on the taskbar (the bar that has the  tart menu on the left and extends all the way to the right of the screen where the time is displayed) so you can click it later to restore the window to the desktop.

The button with the X is the Close button. Clicking it removes the window from the desktop and the taskbar. It closes the application.

The square is the maximize button. Clicking it make the widow take up the entire desktop. Many like to view their widows this way. However, it does not allow you see the other windows that are open because this one hides the others. All are show on the taskbar. You can hold down the Alt key and tab the Tab key to scroll through a display of all the open applications. Letting go of both keys makes the window you were see on the scrolling display the active window.

When you are in maximize mode, the square changes to two overlapping squares. This mean you are in maximize mode. Clicking that button reduces the size of the window to a smaller size, a window that is resizeable by dragging any corner or edge. You can move that smaller widow around the desktop by dragging it's title bar.

Alternately you can double-click the title bar to toggle between maximize and restore sizes.

iDrive

https://www.idrive.com/?uid=U6K1S9L3C3

Notes Posted

Notes for today's class on spreadsheet:
http://rwevans.com/cccgc/SpreadsheetBasicsCCCGC8-1-2013.pdf

Next week we will tall about speech to text and text to speech using Windows.

Hope to CU there...

Good Deal on 1TB External Drive

Just got this in my email and thought some of you might be interested. Tiger Direct has a 1 terabyte external hard drive for $59. Great price! This is just what you need to do image backups of your computer. Take a look at:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2525328&CatId=2424

CCleaner Video

Nice info video about CCleaner. Check it out at http://www.piriform.com/blog/2013/6/13/ccleaner-video

I use CCleaner to keep my computer running fast and the other free applications you can download as well:

• Defraggler (defrag the hard drive)
• Recuva (recover deleted files)
• Speccy (display the specs for your computer)

Spreadsheet Basics

Spreadsheet Basics Class Thursday 8-1-2013 2pm

No experience necessary. And you do not need to be a math wiz or an accountant. Find out why a spreadsheet could be useful to you. No need to have Excel on your computer. There are a number free options to obtaining the software needed to take advantage of spreadsheets.

Much like a word processor a spreadsheet allows you to digitize what was once manual. And you can not only enter the data, you can easily analyze it and use the features of the app to perform calculations automatically.

 Plan on coming; it will be fun. And bring your questions about anything. We will use the second hour to cover your individual topics. Having a problem on your machine, bring it with you so we can see the issue you are having live.

Free Online Backup

There is a new player in the online backup arena. IDrive.

Give them a try today. Takes about 5 minutes to sign up. Nothing to lose and your data in a safe place to gain. Here is the link:

   http://www.idrive.com/?uid=U6K1S9L3C3

Steps to Scanning

I have been asked how I use my printer to scan a document and save it on my computer. My printer is an HP­ Deskjet 1050. It is a low end inkjet printer with a flatbed scanner.

It is very useful as a copy machine. You simply place the document you want copied on the class of the scanner and press either the black or color button to print a B&W or Color copy of the document. Want 3 copies? Press the button three times. It is that easy.

Scanning to the computer is a little different. You place the document on the scanner the same way you did to make a copy. But all the commands to scan are done at the computer and not at the printer. You need to have the HP Printer Assistant installed on your computer. This should have come from the CD that came with the printer. If you do not have the CD, you can locate the program for your printer on the HP site.

click to read the entire white paper...

Ebay Class Notes

The notes are posted on the class notes page. See the link above.

In addition we talked about a number of other side topics. This is what I remember:

Watching out for email scams.
I showed a number of examples of emails that are possible scam. Ones you do not want to open. Basic rule of thumb is if you do  not know the recipient, do not open the email. Set your email to not open images automatically so you avoid getting embedded malware from people unless you know them. Also, emails from those you know that just have links to strange site are probably the result of their email being hacked. DO NOT take the link. Never give out your email usernames and password to anyone online. They are just phishing for it to hack your emails and get your contact list. I also avoid looking the videos and attached files people send me unless it is a YouTube video or a document I am expecting. Also if you get a suspect email from a friend, do not take any links but also do not report it as spam or you will be telling your email provider to consider email from your friend as spam!

We also talked about resizing pictures.
I suggest the application called Prish Resizer and suggested you use a site called download.com as a safe place to download from. Once you have installed it you can right-click on any picture or group of pictures and select Prisher Resizer to resize them to any desired size. Also talked about using rename in Windows to rename a group of pictures giving them all the same name with a sequential number added. Makes it easy to locate pictures later.

DropBox
Use this link to sign up for drop box http://tinyurl.com/b87mha8. This will give you an account. If you download the software to your computer you will also get a dropbox folder on your machine. It will be kept in sinc with your cloud storage on dropbox.com. What ever you drag into or save to the folder will be automatically saved to your dropbox in the cloud. Download the dropbox app on your smartphone and when you take pictures they will be automatically uploaded to your dropbox.

Looking for ideas for next weeks class. Leave them as comments below as will has any comments or questions about the class.

Ebay Listing Created in Class

Click to view the listing for the vase.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330967960306

Class Thursday 7-25-2013

Presentation will be on eBay, buying and selling.

Will also talk about email scams and show some examples and what I do to avoid getting trapped.

2:00p-3:00p Topic Presentation

3:00p-4:00p Open Forum.

Using eBay 7-25-2013

One of our members asked about using eBay. I touched on this topic over a year ago so now is a good time to re-visit it. So this coming Thursday that will be the main topic. I will also touch on the speech recognition topic someone asked about. Join us for a couple of tech hours of fun.

Here is what to expect: 

eBay is a great place for finding bargains, but it is also a good way to pick up some extra cash by selling some of those items that have been hanging around the house for years. Learn how to post an item, how to receive payment safely, and how to ship your items.