Its been quite awhile since the last edition of Rick's Computer Tips was published. So time to "get it started" again with some new info and tips. The new editions will feature tips for the following:
- Windows Operating Systems
- Microsoft Office applications
- Web Browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome)
- Technology News
Window Operating Systems - Free Up Hard Drive Space
If you have had your computer for more than a year, its likely that there are files on your hard drive that couple be deleted. This happens when programs are loaded on to your computer, you're downloading information from your browser, or even updating that come from Microsoft to keep your operating system with the latest security and performance improvements. Over time, these files, which get stored in installation and temp folders on your C: drive can rob you of storage space. Here are a couple ways to clear files that are no longer needed.
Using Windows tools to free hard drive (HD) space - Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 all provide a tool (Disk Cleanup) that automatically looks thru the places where temp files are stored on your computer, and identifies which can be deleted (and the amount of space that will be freed up). Go to START/ALL PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SYSTEM TOOLS, and select DISK CLEANUP.
- Select the disk drive you want to clean (most will only have a C: drive)
- Click OK and it will search your hard drive for files to be cleaned (and amount of space freed)... this could take a few minutes
- A window will pop up showing check marks next to items which can be safely removed. It will also show some other items that could be removed if you don't use them.
- When you are done reviewing what will be deleted, hit OK. It will ask you if you are sure, click OK again.
Microsoft Office - Using Templates
Microsoft has literally thousands of templates that have been created for use with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. These templates save you from recreating forms. Examples are:
- Brochures
- Calendars
- Certificates
- Invoices
- Letters/Newsletters
- Resumes
- Time sheets
Using Templates in Microsoft Office Applications - There are a couple ways o find templates that you can customize for your needs.
Method 1 - Using the Microsoft Office Software on your computer
- Open your Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
- Click on NEW. You'll see along the side options to choose (eg. blank document, blank web page, and "Templates").
- Select a category that you are interested in, and you'll see several templates you can use.
- Select a template you want to use and follow instructions (the procedure is slightly different between versions of Microsoft Office), and hit OK.
- The template will open on your computer, and you can edit the template to suit your needs.
- Save with your file name when done.
Method 2 - Using the Microsoft Office Web site
- Go to the Microsoft Office Templates website
- Select the category you are interested in.
- Click on the template that you want to use, and click on DOWNLOAD.
- The template will be downloaded. Click on the download, and it will open in the Office application it was designed in. You can now edit it to your needs
Web Browsers - Adding Bookmarks Bar at top of Browser
If you have certain web sites you frequently go to, there's a slick way of putting those links at the top edge of every browser window you open. Each browser version (IE, Firefox, Chrome) does it slightly different. Once installed, a single mouse click on the link and your site is open. No need to go to favorites or type in the site URL!
Bookmarks Toolbar using MOZILLA FIREFOX
- At the top of the Firefox Browser window, select VIEWS/TOOLBARS and check BOOKMARKS TOOLBAR
- Firefox browser window will now show links across the top of the browser window
- To add a link you frequently visit, do the following:
- Open the web site in your browser window,
- Once open, move your mouse cursor over the icon the the left of the web site address
- Hold your LEFT MOUSE BUTTON down and drag it to the area where the links are shown for the BOOKMARKS TOOLBAR
- You'll see a little mark appear indicating it will place the link in that spot.
- Release the mouse button, and now you will see a new link to the website
§ You can edit the name by clicking on this icon with your right mouse button and selecting PROPERTIES, then hilighting the name and changing it to whatever you want, and then clicking on SAVE
· To delete a link form the BOOKMARKS TOOLBAR:
o Move mouse cursor to link in the BOOKMARKS TOOLBAR you want to remove and click on it, using RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON
o Select DELETE
Bookmarks Toolbar using MICROSOFT IE
· At the top of the IE Browser window, select TOOLS/TOOLBARS and FAVORITES TOOLBAR
· IE browser window will now show links across the top of the window
· To add a link you frequently visit, do the following:
o Open the web site in your browser,
o Once open, move your mouse cursor over the icon the the left of the web site address
o Hold your LEFT MOUSE BUTTON down and drag it to the area where the links are shown for the FAVORITES TOOLBAR
o You'll see a little mark appear indicating it will place the link in that spot.
o Release the mouse button, and now you will see a new link to the website
§ You can edit the name by clicking on this icon with your right mouse button and selecting RENAME, then hilighting the name and changing it to whatever you want, and then clicking on SAVE
· To delete a link form the FAVORITES TOOLBAR:
o Move mouse cursor to link in the FAVORITES TOOLBAR you want to remove and click on it, using RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON
o Select DELETE
Bookmarks Toolbar using GOOGLE CHROME
- At the top of the Chrome Browser window, select TOOLS icon and select ALWAYS SHOW BOOKMARKS BAR
- Chrome browser window will now show links across the top of the window
- To add a link you frequently visit, do the following:
- Open the web site in your browser,
- Once open, move your mouse cursor over the icon the the left of the web site address
- Hold your LEFT MOUSE BUTTON down and drag it to the area where the links are shown for the FAVORITES TOOLBAR
- You'll see a little mark appear indicating it will place the link in that spot.
- Release the mouse button, and now you will see a new link to the website
- You can edit the name by clicking on this icon with your right mouse button and selecting EDIT, then hilighting the name and changing it to whatever you want, and then clicking on SAVE
- To delete a link form the FAVORITES TOOLBAR:
- Move mouse cursor to link in the FAVORITES TOOLBAR you want to remove and click on it, using RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON
- Select DELETE
Technology News
This section will be used to share info on new technology regarding computers, software, cameras, cell phones and media in general
Store and transfer large/multiple files to other computers and other people -
Have you ever taken a bunch of phoots and wanted to share with others, but couldn't due the the file size(s) is too large, and your mail service will not allow you to send them? There a great free application available called Dropbox which will provide you a way to share with others.
Dropbox offers 2 Gigabytes of free storage online, which you can "share" with others (you can increase this amount by recommending others to Dropbox). Once they register, you receive an additional 250 Megabytes for each person registered.
How Dropbox works
- Go to DROPBOX.COM and register.
- Download and install the software on the computer you want to use. It will create a "My Dropbox" folder in your "My Documents" Folder. Use this just like you would any folder on your computer (cut, paste, copy, delete, etc.).
- Place files you want to share with others in the "My Dropbox" folder
- Go to START/ALL PROGRAMS/DROPBOX/DROPBOX
- A "blue box" icon will appear on your task bar (Lower RH Corner of screen)
- Click on this icon with YOUR RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON, and click on LAUNCH DROPBOX WEBSITE
- You will see a listing of the files you placed in your Dropbox folder
- To share a file or folder from this with another person:
- Move mouse icon over the file/folder you want to share
- A "downward V" will appear to the right - click on it
- A window will appear, where you select SHARE FOLDER OPTIONS
- In the window that appears, add the email address(es) you want to share with in the top panel, and in the bottom window add any note you want to communicate to the person(s)
- Click INVITE
- That's all there is.. your friend(s) will receive an email with a link to this file/folder that they can copy to their computer to view or use.
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