Although the adage - "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" - has been around forever, it could have been written for today's online world.
Please remember whenever browsing online that if the price of something is steeply discounted, it is probably not legitimate. Time and time again there are reports of people purchasing items online only to never have them delivered. And, even worse, those illegitimate companies then have your credit card information at their disposal.
NEVER EVER click on a link for an item advertised on Facebook! If an advertised item appeals to you, please type the address in to a different browser window rather than clicking on the link on Facebook. And, even then, please don't order an item from the website before checking out more about the company.
This old adage also applies to all of those nuisance phone call offers many of us still receive. Don't be sucked into purchasing that dream trip for a fraction of its value!
Repeat after me: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Don't take the bait!
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Are you going to lose your Google Photos?
Google recently contacted many of you regarding the elimination of your personal Google+ account. The Subject Line of the email was probably: "Your personal Google+ account is going away on April 2, 2019."
Several of you have asked me if that means you are going to lose the photos you have uploaded to Google as a backup. The answer is NO, nothing is going to happen to your photos. They are safe.
About 8 years ago Google launched Google+. It was a social media platform meant to rival Facebook and Twitter. However, it never really took off and most of you never used it. This article does a pretty good job of explaining it.
Several of you have asked me if that means you are going to lose the photos you have uploaded to Google as a backup. The answer is NO, nothing is going to happen to your photos. They are safe.
About 8 years ago Google launched Google+. It was a social media platform meant to rival Facebook and Twitter. However, it never really took off and most of you never used it. This article does a pretty good job of explaining it.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Some of my favorites to follow!
I've learned a lot since 1996. I distinctly remember our two sons around the Sunday dinner table questioning me about my knowledge of technology for the new job I was starting at the middle school. I didn't know the difference between RAM and ROM and I really didn't know how computers worked. They were pretty sure I didn't "know enough" to be teaching a technology class....especially in middle school!
But, fortunately, thanks to my interest in technology, my sons' patience answering their mom's questions, and my willingness to learn, I've "come a long way" and survived 15 years in middle school! My interest in technology continues, even as a retiree, and I enjoy following a couple of people online to continue learning.
A newly found Facebook resource is Rick Rouse of Rick's Daily Tips. He not only shares timely information but he also answers people's questions posted on FB. You will need to ask to "join" the group. An advantage of following a Facebook group is that I automatically see the posts each day and usually learn something new (so my time on Facebook is justified!) ;-)
Another regular resource for me is Steve Dotto of DottoTech. I subscribe to his YouTube channel so I get notifications every time he produces a new video. He just finished a great series of "how-to" videos on Google Apps.
Both of these guys are "down to earth" and easy to understand. If you have resources to share, please let me know.
But, fortunately, thanks to my interest in technology, my sons' patience answering their mom's questions, and my willingness to learn, I've "come a long way" and survived 15 years in middle school! My interest in technology continues, even as a retiree, and I enjoy following a couple of people online to continue learning.
A newly found Facebook resource is Rick Rouse of Rick's Daily Tips. He not only shares timely information but he also answers people's questions posted on FB. You will need to ask to "join" the group. An advantage of following a Facebook group is that I automatically see the posts each day and usually learn something new (so my time on Facebook is justified!) ;-)
Another regular resource for me is Steve Dotto of DottoTech. I subscribe to his YouTube channel so I get notifications every time he produces a new video. He just finished a great series of "how-to" videos on Google Apps.
Both of these guys are "down to earth" and easy to understand. If you have resources to share, please let me know.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Another keyboard shortcut - scroll through open tabs
A keyboard shortcut I use daily helps me navigate through the open tabs in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.:
On a Mac or PC laptop or desktop computer - Control (Ctrl) +Tab (press Control then press Tabrepeatedly as you scroll through the open tabs)
Open your browser then open several different websites in different tabs and try it out right now! The only way to embrace a new keyboard shortcut is to do it deliberately and repeatedly for awhile to see if it is beneficial for you.
In defense of my keeping many tabs open on a browser:
1) If I am gathering information for a class or group, I don't want to open each website repeatedly; I just leave the page open.
2) I alternate working between my devices: laptop, iPhone and iPad. By leaving the tabs open in Safari, I can pick up where I left off on any of those devices. Maybe more about that at a later date.
3) I recently added the Chrome extension OneTab; I haven't decided yet if I like using it as a replacement for displaying all open tabs, but I'm giving it a try.
On a Mac or PC laptop or desktop computer - Control (Ctrl) +Tab (press Control then press Tabrepeatedly as you scroll through the open tabs)
Open your browser then open several different websites in different tabs and try it out right now! The only way to embrace a new keyboard shortcut is to do it deliberately and repeatedly for awhile to see if it is beneficial for you.
In defense of my keeping many tabs open on a browser:
1) If I am gathering information for a class or group, I don't want to open each website repeatedly; I just leave the page open.
2) I alternate working between my devices: laptop, iPhone and iPad. By leaving the tabs open in Safari, I can pick up where I left off on any of those devices. Maybe more about that at a later date.
3) I recently added the Chrome extension OneTab; I haven't decided yet if I like using it as a replacement for displaying all open tabs, but I'm giving it a try.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Keyboard shortcut
As some of you have observed during my Computing for Seniors class, I work with a lot of applications open on my computer, particularly when I am working on items for my class or when I'm working on items for a couple of groups of which I am a member.
I use one keyboard shortcut quite frequently and some of you may find it useful, too, when working on your laptop or desktop computer.
On a Mac - Command +Tab (press Command then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)
On a PC- Alt +Tab (press Alt then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)
Open several different applications and try it out right now before you forget.
There are MANY keyboard shortcuts that can make it easier to work on your laptop or desktop, and I'm sure you are familiar with some of them. If you'd like to refresh your memory or see if there are any others that might be beneficial for you, check out this page for both Mac and Windows shortcuts.
I use one keyboard shortcut quite frequently and some of you may find it useful, too, when working on your laptop or desktop computer.
On a Mac - Command +Tab (press Command then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)
On a PC- Alt +Tab (press Alt then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)
Open several different applications and try it out right now before you forget.
There are MANY keyboard shortcuts that can make it easier to work on your laptop or desktop, and I'm sure you are familiar with some of them. If you'd like to refresh your memory or see if there are any others that might be beneficial for you, check out this page for both Mac and Windows shortcuts.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Favorite tech resources
Although I read tech "stuff" almost daily online, below are some of my favorite "go-to's" when I want to learn new skills or understand how something works.
GCFLearnFree - excellent lessons, both video and text, on a wide range of topics: Microsoft Office, email,Using the Internet, Mac, Windows, and computer basics.
Steve Dotto - dottotech https://www.youtube.com/user/dottotech
Anson Alexander- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6P0T27tGd2YExINbzKR0Q
Have a terrific Tuesday!
GCFLearnFree - excellent lessons, both video and text, on a wide range of topics: Microsoft Office, email,Using the Internet, Mac, Windows, and computer basics.
Steve Dotto - dottotech https://www.youtube.com/user/dottotech
Anson Alexander- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6P0T27tGd2YExINbzKR0Q
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Tech gifts for Christmas?
Is your Christmas shopping all done? Or are you still looking for ideas? Check out the items below.
For iPhones/iPads Anker Nylon Lightning Cable(2 pk) - 6 foot nylon charging cables for your iPhone or iPad (I love mine!)
For Android phones - Anker Power Cable - 6 ft nylon charging cable
For charging your devices-on-the-go - Anker portable charger I was fortunate to pick up this item on Amazon Shopping Day in July for $19.99. Presently they sell for $32, but if you do a lot of traveling, have an older phone that doesn't keep its charge, or just like having the security of knowing you can always plug in your device to charge it, then you might want to consider purchasing this (or wait until it goes on sale again).
We LOVE our Echo Dot(s). We have 2nd Generation Dots, but right now the 3rd Generation Dots are on sale for only $5 more than the 2nd Generation. We have an Echo Dot on each floor of our house and use them to turn lamps off and on, set timers and reminders, add items to our grocery list, play Christmas music, and even play an occasional game. The possibilities are endless!
For iPhones/iPads Anker Nylon Lightning Cable(2 pk) - 6 foot nylon charging cables for your iPhone or iPad (I love mine!)
For Android phones - Anker Power Cable - 6 ft nylon charging cable
For charging your devices-on-the-go - Anker portable charger I was fortunate to pick up this item on Amazon Shopping Day in July for $19.99. Presently they sell for $32, but if you do a lot of traveling, have an older phone that doesn't keep its charge, or just like having the security of knowing you can always plug in your device to charge it, then you might want to consider purchasing this (or wait until it goes on sale again).
We LOVE our Echo Dot(s). We have 2nd Generation Dots, but right now the 3rd Generation Dots are on sale for only $5 more than the 2nd Generation. We have an Echo Dot on each floor of our house and use them to turn lamps off and on, set timers and reminders, add items to our grocery list, play Christmas music, and even play an occasional game. The possibilities are endless!
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