December 26, 2011 -
I Wish I Hadn't Deleted That File
We’ve all done it. We’ve all accidentally deleted a file
that we didn’t want to delete. Or, we’ve deleted a file that we DID want
to delete, but later we had second thoughts. I’ll show you how you might
still be able to recover it.
[R E A D M O R E]
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December 19, 2011 -
We Wish You A Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you enjoy the
column! [R E A D M O R E]
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December 12, 2011 -
More Answers to Readers' Questions
It’s been an extremely busy week, and besides that
there’s been a lot of email. I really do read all my email. If I haven’t
answered your question yet, I’m working my way down to it! Here are some
questions that I was able to answer in the last little while.
[R E A D M O R E]
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December 5, 2011 -
When Is a Computer Like a Toaster?
For best results, turn your computer on. Also, you need
to enable Aero to see those little preview windows.
[R E A D M O R E]
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November 28, 2011 -
Sync, Share & Collaborate with Dropbox
Dropbox is a great way to sync your files between
devices, share files and work on them with others. I’ll show you how.
[R E A D M O R E]
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November 21, 2011 -
How to Send or Share Large Files
Email is good for lots of things, but it’s not
well-suited to sending large files. Even if your internet provider lets
you send gigantic files, the people you’re sending them to might not be
able to receive them. The common way around this problem is to upload
the files somewhere and email a link to that location rather than
emailing the big file.[R E A D M O R E]
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November 14, 2011 -
Odds and Ends
Hibernation is for bears, not for laptops. Change
the size of things on your screen so you can actually see things. Fix
most of the display issues with IE9. And finally, if you must have
shortcuts on your desktop, you might like some that open right to a
website. This week’s theme: Things that didn’t fit into any other theme!
[R E A D M O R E]
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November 7, 2011 -
Rogue Keyboard Behaviour
This week: What to do when your keyboard won’t behave
itself. [R E A D M O R E]
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October 31, 2011 -
Trick or Treat
It’s Halloween, and time for the annual “Trick or
Treat” column. Impress your friends with these tricks, and enjoy the
treats. [R E A D M O R E]
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October 24, 2011 -
It's Up to You!
You don’t have to settle for using your computer exactly
the way it comes home from the store. Windows gives you lots of ways to
display things and organize things. It’s up to you to configure Windows
the way you like it.
This week I have three often-overlooked, quick and easy customizations
that might make your computing experience more enjoyable. Turn on the
thumbnails in Windows 7! Turn off that “New Programs” nag! And if you
are left-handed, your mouse can be left-handed, too.
[R E A D M O R E]
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October 17, 2011 -
These Are a Few of My Favourite Things
I’ve been using computers a long time. I started even
before Windows! Over time I’ve found some websites and programs that I
really like. Some of these are useful, some are just fun, but in my
opinion they’re right up there with raindrops on roses and whiskers on
kittens. I hope you find something here you like.
[R E A D M O R E]
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October 10, 2011 -
Nice Find!
Once in a while I hear about something fun, useful, or
just plain cool, and I love to pass those nice finds on to you. This
week I have a few nice utilities and a good tip: End your web form
frustration, convert audio and video files, and turn off a super
annoying “feature” of Windows.
[R E A D M O R E]
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October 3, 2011 -
More Answers to Your Questions
It’s been a busy week, and I’ve received lots of
questions from customers and readers. This week, learn how to display
the menu bar in Internet Explorer or Firefox, use a built-in feature of
Windows to take a screen shot, and keep your startup routine lean and
mean. [R E A D M O R E]
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September 26, 2011 -
Pot Luck
The theme this week is: Things that didn’t fit in any
other themes. Email tips, a mouse without borders, and a DIY font. Enjoy
the buffet. [R E A D M O R E]
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September 19, 2011 -
How do I...
This week’s column answers four questions that
come up again and again. Learn what to do when your laptop doesn’t want
to turn off (HINT: “remove the battery” is not the right answer). Make
your Outlook Express forget its plan to spell check only in French. Open
a website from a desktop shortcut. Install fonts in Windows 7 in three
clicks. [R E A D M O R E]
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September 12, 2011 -
Setting Up Your Printer or All-In-One
Installing a printer isn’t hard if you pay attention to
what you’re doing. Goofing it up isn’t really hard if you don’t. This
week I’ll show you how to install one printer or multifunction device to
one computer, using a USB connection. Look for future columns on sharing
and networking printers.
[R E A D M O R E]
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September 5, 2011 -
Two Tips and One Silly Game
This week’s column contains two tips --- one from me and
one from a reader --- and a little bit of foolishness for your long
weekend enjoyment. [R E A D M O R E]
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August 29, 2011 -
Hide & Seek
Restore the hidden Recycle Bin, get Internet Explorer to
quit searching for proxy settings, and find what you’re looking for on a
web page. [R E A D M O R E]
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August 22, 2011 -
Back to School
Are you headed off to school this fall? Got your laptop
already? Something here is bound to make your laptop life a little
easier whether you’re using Windows, OS X or Linux.
[R E A D M O R E]
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August 15, 2011 -
It's the Little Things
While it’s true that one of the services we offer at
Computer Care Kelowna is solving BIG problems, it’s also true that it’s
often the little things that make it easier for us to use our computers.
We fix the little things, too. Maybe one of these little fixes will help
you. [R E A D M O R E]
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August 8, 2011 -
Email About Email
For some reason, most of my reader email last week was
full of questions about email. Most of the questions were about backups
and spam filters, so that’s what I’ll focus on this week.
[R E A D M O R E]
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August 1, 2011 - What
Was That Thing You Mentioned?
Readers often email me to ask about a website or a
program or procedure mentioned in a previous column. Here are some of
the interesting ones, updated where necessary.
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 25, 2011 - What Happened?
Sometimes when I remove malicious software from a
computer, my customer will ask, “What happened? How did I get infected?”
Sometimes I can figure it out, sometimes not so much. But I can always
suggest ways to prevent a problem in the first place.
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 11, 2011 -
Stay Cool and Focussed
Finally! At last! The hot weather is here! Unfortunately,
that also means I will get lots of calls from people whose laptops are
shutting down “for no reason.” While there are several probable causes
for this, the hot weather is a clue. There is an easy fix for this one.
And what about the fuzzy fonts in Internet Explorer 9? We can solve that
one, too [R E A D M O R E]
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July 5, 2011 -
Scams on the Radio
Links from the conversation on AM1150.
[R E A D M O R E]
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July 4, 2011 -
Reader Feedback
This week I have a little more about Product Keys, and a
little more information about resizing photos.
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 27, 2011 -
Off or On?
Two more questions from readers this week. Is it better
to leave the computer on all the time, or turn it off? Where can you
find the Windows product key on pre-installed systems?
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 20, 2011 -
Welcome!
Put your own picture on the Welcome Screen. Patch your
computer, especially if you are running Vista.
[R E A D M O R E]
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June 13, 2011 -
Tweak Your Programs
You can customize almost any Windows program to make your
computing experience a little easier and more enjoyable. You don’t have
to accept the default settings. The trick is knowing where to find the
settings. Here are three tweaks that might make a difference in your
life. [R E A D M O R E]
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June 6, 2011 -
Scams, Recalls, Confusion
Avoid the Fake Microsoft Technical Support scam! Is your
HP or Compaq laptop overheating? Maybe your battery has been recalled.
Cut through the confusing new “look and feel” in Firefox 4 and Internet
Explorer 9. [R E A D M O R E]
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May 30, 2011 -
It's Magic
I work with computers and with people all the time, and
sometimes I forget that things that are second nature to me seem like
magic to others. This week I have three things that will make your
computing life a little easier and which might make you look like a
wizard to friends and family. Enjoy!
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 23, 2011 -
Sharing Photos and Other Stuff
People often ask me what is the best way to email photos
and videos. Most often the answer is “Don’t.” Photos and especially
videos are huge files. Usually, the better way is to “share” files
instead of emailing them. You upload a file, you email someone the link
to that file, and they can view it online or download it.
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 16, 2011 -
Three More Tips
Yes, you can make Windows quit offering you the updates
that you don’t want. And, you can easily copy, move, or delete many
files at the same time, without accidentally creating more copies.
[R E A D M O R E]
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May 9, 2011 -
Tips and Tricks
Did you know that it’s important to check the settings in
your antivirus program to make sure it’s actually doing something? You
should! Also, learn how to get a Do Over in Windows, and how to keep
your Windows 7 desktop looking good.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 28, 2011 -
Let's Be Careful Out
There
Avoid the Microsoft telephone scam, print the contents of
any Windows folder, track your packages, and play the grown up version
of the children’s game Telephone.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 21, 2011 -
In Box
Here’s a look
at my In Box. Readers ask about all that stuff on the hard drive,
Favorites in Internet Explorer 9, and an easy way to tell your computer
what to connect to.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 14, 2011 -
Managing Downloads
This week: Learn how to install what you want and not
what you don’t, and how to organize the programs you’ve downloaded.
[R E A D M O R E]
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April 7, 2011 -
Firefox 4: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Mozilla released the Firefox 4 browser March 22, and
I’ve taken it out for a spin. It’s not all bad, but it’s not all good,
either. Here are my first impressions.
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 31, 2011 -
Win a Book!
We have a great contest for you this week. Also, news
on Web of Trust, and a nice program to track your laptops and phones.
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 24, 2011 -
News and Notes
New versions of Internet Explorer and Firefox this week;
preserving your digital self, and an announcement of an announcement.
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 17, 2011 -
How to Avoid Dangerous Websites and
Downloads
If you spend more than about twelve seconds on the
internet, you will find yourself bombarded with ads for products
purporting to clean your computer, protect your computer, and speed up
your computer. Some of these products are actually trying to harm your
computer, but how do you know which ones? Your antivirus + antispyware
program offers some protection, but you can easily improve on that.
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 10, 2011 -
Spring Forward!
Three tips this week to help you get along with your
computer: Share photos, install fonts, find out what’s on those old
CD-R’s. And, oh yes! It’s time to Spring Forward!
[R E A D M O R E]
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March 3, 2011 -
It's Official. Or is it?
Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 last
week. But Internet Explorer 9 is still in the testing phase. Are you one
of the testers? [R E A D M O R E]
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February 24, 2011 -
Browsers, search engines, and email
When I read the email I receive from readers of this
column, and when I fix people’s computers, I can see that there is a lot
of confusion out there about browsers, email, and search engines. These
are not the same things. Let me explain.
[R E A D M O R E]
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February 17, 2011 -
Whoops!
Windows has a habit of asking me if I’m sure I want
to do something. Like just about everyone else, I’ve answered “YES! I’M
SURE! QUIT ASKING ME!” and although I have been absolutely sure, I’ve
also been completely wrong. If you’ve ever had that sinking feeling that
you just deleted something you’d like to get back, read on.
[R E A D M O R E]
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February 10, 2011 -
Round Up the Usual Suspects
Friends, family, fellow curlers and customers all want
to know what makes their computers so slow! When it comes to slow
computers, there are three usual suspects.
[R E A D M O R E]
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February 3, 2011 -
Reader Feedback
My Inbox has been crammed with questions and comments
from readers. I love that! Here are just a few of the comments I’ve
received in the last few weeks.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 27, 2011 -
Backups 101
A good time to develop a backup plan is before everything
goes haywire. This week’s column will show you that backing up is not as
tedious a job as you might imagine. Future columns will offer more
detail. [R E A D M O R E]
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January 20, 2011 -
How To...
This week’s column answers some of the questions I am
most often asked. Learn how to view those slide show email attachments,
tame Internet Explorer’s tendency to randomly resize browser windows,
and get your browser to print pages that you can actually read.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 13, 2011 -
Get Rid of It!
No matter which version of Windows you’re using,
something that the folks at Microsoft regard as a “feature” turns out to
be a major annoyance for some users. Learn how to delete your saved
games, kill Aero Snap, and disable CAPS LOCK.
[R E A D M O R E]
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January 6, 2011 -
Tips To Make Your Life Easier
This week I have three tips that will help you get
along with your computer! First, a refresher on Copy and Paste, then two
easy ways to help you know where you are and find your way around
Windows. [R E A D M O R E]
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