Save a link to your phone's Home Screen or you computer desktop

Most of us have probably been using bookmarks to save internet sites on our browsers for years.  However, I've found it to be helpful and a little quicker if I create a shortcut on my phone Home Screen and on the desktop of my computer to access frequently used websites like my medical portals, church, bank, etc.  Then, the minute I open my laptop or phone I see the icon for the saved website and I can click and be instantly taken to that website.

Can you think of websites you might want to access more quickly on a regular basis?  If so, here's how to create those shortcuts:

On an Android phone:

1. Open a browser (Chrome)
2. Go to the website you want a shortcut for.
3. Click the 3 little dots at the top corner of your window.
4. Select "Add to Home Screen."

On an iPhone/iPad:

1. Open the Safari browser.
2. Go to the website you want a shortcut for.
3. Tap the "share" icon found at the bottom of the screen.  (It is a little square with an upward facing arrow.)
4. On the window that pops up, scroll down a little then select "Add to Home Screen."

On a computer:

1. Open any browser.
2. Go to the website you want a shortcut for.
3. Click on the little padlock icon on the left side of the URL (web address usually beginning with http://) and drag it to your computer desktop.  

Once the bookmarks have been created on your phone or computer, you should see an icon with the name of the website or perhaps the URL on your main screen.  Clicking or tapping on it accesses the website you saved. 

These shortcuts can easily be deleted by right-clicking and selecting remove or delete if you are using a computer.  On a phone the bookmark can be deleted if you press and hold on the icon then select "Delete Bookmark."  

The above instructions may work a little differently on your personal devices; if you need a little additional help creating shortcuts for websites, you may want to take a look at these videos showing how to create shortcuts on the different devices:
On an iPhone (view the first minute of this video):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGQwXfpgj6k
On an Android phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQouKfLw9Mw
Computer desktop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mPG9ARLl8w

Tab key

Do you use the Tab key on your computer keyboard?

My mom is spending some time with us this week as I help her learn all about her new desktop computer.  She's doing very well, but one of the things I discovered yesterday is that she has never used the Tab key...except to indent a paragraph.

So, my tip(s) for today (or maybe just a reminder):  When you fill out any form on the internet, use the Tab key instead of using your mouse each time to move to the next box (field).
Example:  First Name [Tab]  Last Name [Tab] Address [Tab] City [Tab]

What if you get to a drop-down menu?  Often, you can just type the first letter of the word you are looking for.

What if you make a mistake?  Just use Shift+Tab.

The Tab key can also be helpful when composing an email to move between the To, Subject, and Body fields.

Alt +Tab can be used on your computer to quickly switch between programs you have open on your computer.  For Mac users, Command +Tab.  Give it a try!

Use the Tab key

Did you know that you can quickly move from one field to another on an online form by using the Tab or Shift + Tab keys?

If you are filling out an online form, e-mail, or other text field you can quickly move between each of the fields by pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab to move back a field.  (You don't have to move your mouse to each box and click...just use the Tab key).