Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Keeping up with the Blog

As you can see I did go for a few months without posting.  I am wondering if the Blog is worth my time. Of course what I need to prove that it is worth the time I spend, is followers and then ultimately I need to produce income from these followers.  Hmm but how to do that? 

Computer Tutor is always looking to grow and expand.  If you can make suggestions that will help us better aid senior citizens and their computer needs please write.

At this time we offer an array of services from purchasing the computer and setting the PC up in the clients home, to sitting and training someone new one on one.  You can see a complete listing on our web site at www.sscomputertutor.com 

If you know a senior citizen that needs computer help in central FL contact Simply Seniors Computer Tutor!

cg3

321-431-3866

Great Microsoft Excel – Website

I thought I would pass this along to anyone looking for help with Microsoft Excel.  There is something tor every level of users here – from how to create formulas to in-depth explanations about macros and Hot-to’s.

http://www.bettersolutions.com/excel.aspx

The web site also offers help on Word and Power Point.  I believe it does have current versions including Office 2007 instructions for some topics.

Need a Tutor in home, in person?  Contact “Simply Senior’s Computer Tutors”  specializing in the needs of senior citizens and their technology.  On the web at www.sscomputertutor.com – visit us on Facebook!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Save time with quick computer shortcuts

 

"When I have the chance to sit down at my computer, I need to get at what I'm working on as quickly as possible.”

Save time with quick computer shortcuts

Over the years I have learned a set of keystrokes that are short cuts to commonly used features such as cut, copy, paste and print.  These short cuts save seconds but it’s well worth it when you want to get your computer work done and move on.   Working with people from different computer background I see the more seasoned computer user usually using the keyboard short cuts and we are going to discuss today.  I have always assumed that it because in the late 1980’s and 1990’s there were no mice to interact with and keyboard short cuts was just the way things were done. 

The following information on keyboard short cuts is brought to us by Microsoft.   I do have to ward you I did try some of these short cuts and did not see the results promised.  The short cuts do not appear to be OS specific – meaning they should work for you if you are using XP, Vista or Windows 7!

If you're looking to work more efficiently in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Internet Explorer, the key is using programmed shortcuts.

Driving around your desktop

To...

Use this shortcut

Select a file/folder/icon

Type the first letter of the file. If you have several files starting with the same letter, continue hitting the letter key until your cursor lands on the file or folder you want.

Search for a file/folder

F3

Rename a file/folder

Select the file/folder, click F2, and then re-type the name

Find out when the file or folder was created, by whom, and how big it is

Select the file, right-click, and then click Properties

Display the Start menu

Ctrl + Esc

Create a shortcut on your desktop to your favorite file/folder

Drag the file/folder icon to your desktop

Scroll between open items

Alt + Tab, then hold down Alt while clicking Tab to reach the desired file or program


Working with Word

To...

Use this shortcut

Select text

Shift + Right Arrow, Left Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow to highlight text

Copy selected text

Ctrl + C

Cut selected text

Ctrl + X

Paste selected text

Ctrl + V

Undo your last action

Ctrl + Z

Select all the text within your document

Ctrl + A

Bold text

Ctrl + B

Italicize text

Ctrl + I

Underline

Ctrl + U

Decrease font size

Ctrl + Shift + <

Increase font size

Ctrl + Shift + >

Change font

Ctrl + Shift + F, then use the arrow keys to reach the new font

Change font size

Ctrl + Shift + P, then use the arrow keys to reach the new font size

Create page break

Ctrl + Enter

Create new document

Ctrl + N

Open My Documents window

Ctrl + O

Close a document

Ctrl + W

Save a document

Ctrl + S

Print a document

Ctrl + P

Preview what you're about to print

Alt + Ctrl + I


Accelerating Excel

To...

Use this shortcut

Move right to left, cell by cell

Tab

Move up and down, cell by cell

Enter

Erase data in current cell

Backspace

Return to the beginning of the row

Home

Enter the date

Ctrl + ; (semicolon)

Enter the time

Ctrl + Shift + : (colon)

Start a formula

= (equal sign)

Check the spelling of titles or words within the cells

F7

Find out about the style within the cell

ALT + ' (apostrophe)

Display the Format Cells dialog box

Ctrl + 1

Apply the general number format

Ctrl + Shift + ~

Turn numbers into dollars

Ctrl + Shift + $

Make numbers a percentage

Ctrl + Shift + %

Apply a border

Ctrl + Shift + &


Expediting Internet Explorer

To...

Use this shortcut

Add sites to your Favorites

  • Go to the site.

  • Hit Ctrl + D to add to your Favorites.

  • Select Favorites and then Add to Favorites to create a separate folder for the site or to add it to a list already formed.

Select a home page

  • Go to the Web page that you would like to make your home page.

  • Open the Tools menu and select Internet Options.

  • Under Home page, click Use Current.

Use the History function if you visit a few select sites constantly

  • Select the History button on your top navigation (a green arrow on a clock face).

  • Select the site that you would like and double-click.

  • If the History button is not visible, go to the View menu, select Explorer Bar, and then click History to access.

Customize your toolbar to the tools you use most frequently

  • Right-click your top navigation.

  • Select the icons that you use or go to the View menu, select Toolbars, and then click Customize.

A final piece of advice from Brown: Have the Help Line numbers for all the products you use nearby. "At work you rely on your IT person to solve problems that come up, but at home you need to fix these on your own and those phone numbers become extremely useful," she says.

The more you use these tools, the more time you will save. Have fun and explore the options available to you.

Thank you so much for reading and if making those short cuts yourself sounds too complicated the Tutor’s at Simply Seniors Computer Tutor will be glad to help you. 

If you like our Blog please tell your friends!  And tell their friends!!! 

You can visit our web site at www.sscomputertutor.com – A qualified Tutor is always standing by to answer your questions at 321-431-3866 in Melbourne, Florida. 

Monday, May 17, 2010

Create an online photo album

Today’s Blog is all about Microsoft Live Photos – a Windows Live account is required to use this software or application.

Want to learn how to have more fun with your photos?  This article from Microsoft offers you one of many different ways you can create an online photo album to share with friends and family world wide!

If you don't have your own Windows Live account, go to http://windowslive.com and sign up today! It's free, it's easy, and it’s one convenient place online to share photos, files, e-mail, and see what’s new with your social network.

Because Windows Live Photos makes it so easy to upload, edit, store, and share photos, one of the first tasks most of us do is create a photo album of our favorite images. Some people create photo blogs that are more about images than text and upload photos from all over—posting the latest images from cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), webcams, and scanners and showing the world what's happening in their lives. 

Create an online photo album

What makes a good photo album? The answer is, just about anything—any topic, person, place, or event that you want to share. You might create a photo album to show the 10 finest photos from your best friend's wedding shower. Or you might create a photo album about the weekend you took your son to camp. Or you might simply have one photo album for each of your best friends, or your pets. Whatever the topic of the album, the idea is to group photos in such a way that the folks viewing them will understand how they're connected. You might even simply do a "day-in-the-life" photo album that shows images you captured throughout a single day.

You can stitch photos together, remove red-eye, crop, and tag photos on your PC with Windows Live Photo Gallery, then upload your albums to your Windows Live Photos page to share online with others. You can also add your favorite photos on your profile so your “What’s New” feed updates to keep friends and family up to date on your latest adventures.

When you're ready to create a photo album, follow these steps:

  1. Go to http://photos.live.com.

  2. Click Create an album.

  3. In the Name box, type the name of your album.

  4. In the Share box, set permissions for those you would like to see your album. You can make your albums public so everyone can see them, share them just with the friends in your Windows Live network, select specific people, or keep them just for yourself.

  5. Click Next.

  6. There are several ways to create your photo album.

    Click Select Photos from My Computer to browse for a picture anywhere on your computer.
    -Or-

    Click Add from an Existing Album to add photos from an album you've already created and uploaded.
    -Or-

    Drag a picture from anyplace on your computer into the Drop photos here box. As soon as you add a photo, the name of the box disappears. To add another photo, drag it to the Drop More Photos here and upload when you're done box. The photo will move to the Drop photos here box

    Example of the Add Photos page. Add Picture box.

    When you've added your pictures, select the photos you want to Upload, and that's it! Your album is ready to share.

    You and those you've given permissions can choose to view your album as a slideshow or thumbnails.

    Example of a photo album with pictures displayed in the thumbnail view.

    Show your pictures in a thumbnail view.

    Example of a slide in a slideshow.

    Display your album as a slideshow.

    When you’re done, you can use the Options menu in the upper right to add themes, publish your album in an e-mail, and more.

    That's it! Now you can invite everyone you know to come see all your favorite photos. Have fun!

Author: Katherine Murray and Mike Torres

Thank you to our authors and their had work and research.

remember our “Computer Tutors” are here to help with your computer problems.  In Melbourne, FL call 321-431-3866 – check us out on the web at www.sscomputertutor.com or become our friend on Facebook! 

Happy Computing!

Visualize it–5 ways to make your PC easier to see

Thank you to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/magnify.aspx for this informative article on improving your computer experience.  Do you find yourself fighting the urge to press your nose against the screen because you can't see text and images clearly?

Maybe you were born finding it hard to see up close, maybe you're just finding it difficult now, or—and, sigh, it's true―as you rack up birthdays, sooner or later you're going to experience some changes in your vision. But changes in your eyesight don’t have to interfere with your ability to see things on your computer.

clip_image001

Make your text larger

No, the text is not getting smaller. But you can make the text and other items―your icons, folders, and mouse pointer―larger. How? By increasing the dots per inch (DPI) scale. If you need to make everything fit on the screen, you can decrease the size of the text, and then use the Magnifier to see the text as you type.

For Windows 7 Users:

Make the text on your screen larger or smaller

You can make the text and other items, such as icons, on your screen easier to see by making them larger. You can do this without changing the screen resolution of your monitor or laptop screen. This allows you to increase or decrease the size of text and other items on your screen while keeping your monitor or laptop set to its optimal resolution.

Watch this video to learn how to make the text on your screen larger or smaller (1:37)

Click to watch the video

Click to watch the video

Download and install Windows Media Player Plugin

To make the text on your screen larger or smaller
  1. Open Screen Resolution by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and then, under Appearance and Personalization, clicking Adjust screen resolution.

  2. Choose one of the following:

    • Smaller - 100% (default). This keeps text and other items at normal size.

    • Medium - 125%. This sets text and other items to 125% of normal size.

    • Larger - 150%. This sets text and other items to 150% of normal size. This option appears only if your monitor supports a resolution of at least 1200 x 900 pixels.

  3. Click Apply.

    To see the change, close all of your programs and then log off of Windows. This change will take effect the next time you log on.

You can also make text appear larger or smaller by changing your screen resolution, but if you're using an LCD monitor or laptop, we recommend that you set your screen to its native resolution to avoid blurry text. This is the optimal resolution an LCD monitor or laptop screen was designed to display based on its size. For more information, see Change your screen resolution.

Picture of Display in Control PanelDisplay lets you change the size of text and other items on your screen without changing your screen resolution.

for Vista Users:

Change screen resolution

Screen resolution refers to the clarity of the text and images on your screen. At higher resolutions, items appear sharper. They also appear smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, fewer items fit on the screen, but they are larger and easier to see. At very low resolutions, however, images might have jagged edges.

For example, 640 × 480 is a lower screen resolution, and 1600 × 1200 is a higher one. CRT monitors generally display a resolution of 800 × 600 or 1024 × 768. LCD monitors can better support the higher resolutions. Whether you can increase your screen resolution depends on the size and capability of your monitor and the type of video card you have.

Picture of the desktop at a high screen resolutionText and images are sharper and smaller at high screen resolutions

Picture of the desktop at a low screen resolutionText is larger and easier to read at low screen resolutions, but images are blocky and fewer items fit on the screen

  1. Open Display Settings by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, clicking Personalization, and then clicking Display Settings.

  2. Under Resolution, move the slider to the resolution you want, and then click Apply.

Notes

Notes
  • When you change the screen resolution, it affects all users who log on to the computer.

  • When you set your monitor to a screen resolution that it won't support, the screen will go black for a few seconds while the monitor reverts back to the original resolution

Increase the size of your icons

You can also quickly make just the icons on your desktop larger and easier to see.

  • Right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Classic Icons. (Classic icons are the smallest size.) .

You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to change the size of your desktop icons.

  • On the desktop, press and hold CTRL while you scroll by using the wheel to change the icon size.

Learn more about how to show, hide, or resize icons.


Use the Magnifier

You may have been using Windows for years and not realized there is a built in Magnifier that enlarges part of the screen. You can adjust the Magnifier to zoom in at various levels and focus wherever you want to focus on the screen.

Windows 7 Users:

Make items on the screen appear bigger (Magnifier)

Magnifier enlarges different parts of the screen. This is especially useful for viewing objects that are difficult to see, but also for seeing the whole screen more easily.

There are three modes:

  • Full-screen mode. In full-screen mode, your entire screen is magnified. You can then have Magnifier follow the mouse pointer.

  • Lens mode. In lens mode, the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the area of the screen that's magnified moves along with it.

  • Docked mode. In docked mode, only a portion of the screen is magnified, leaving the rest of your desktop in a normal state. You can then control which area of the screen is magnified.

Note

Note

Full-screen mode and lens mode are only available as part of the Aero experience. If your computer doesn't support Aero, or if you're using a theme other than an Aero theme, Magnifier will only work in docked mode.

Watch this video to learn how to make items on the screen appear bigger (1:56)

Click to watch the video

Click to watch the video

Download and install Windows Media Player Plugin

To make items on the screen appear bigger
  1. Open Magnifier by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Magnifier.

  2. On the Views menu, click the mode that you want to use.

  3. Move the pointer to the part of the screen that you want to magnify.

Notes

Notes
  • To exit Magnifier, press the Windows logo key Picture of Windows logo key+Esc.

  • When you're using full-screen mode, you can quickly preview your entire desktop by clicking the Views menu, and then clicking Preview full screen.

  • For a list of keyboard shortcuts that you can use with Magnifier, see Keyboard shortcuts.

Vista Users: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Make-items-on-the-screen-appear-bigger-Magnifier

Visualize it–5 ways to make your PC
easier to see

Do you find yourself fighting the urge to press your nose against the screen because you can't see text and images clearly?

Maybe you were born finding it hard to see up close, maybe you're just finding it difficult now, or—and, sigh, it's true―as you rack up birthdays, sooner or later you're going to experience some changes in your vision. But changes in your eyesight don’t have to interfere with your ability to see things on your computer.

A screen too far

Make your text larger

No, the text is not getting smaller. But you can make the text and other items―your icons, folders, and mouse pointer―larger. How? By increasing the dots per inch (DPI) scale. If you need to make everything fit on the screen, you can decrease the size of the text, and then use the Magnifier to see the text as you type.

Windows 7

Windows Vista


Increase the size of your icons

You can also quickly make just the icons on your desktop larger and easier to see.

  • Right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Classic Icons. (Classic icons are the smallest size.) .

You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to change the size of your desktop icons.

  • On the desktop, press and hold CTRL while you scroll by using the wheel to change the icon size.

Learn more about how to show, hide, or resize icons.


Use the Magnifier

You may have been using Windows for years and not realized there is a built in Magnifier that enlarges part of the screen. You can adjust the Magnifier to zoom in at various levels and focus wherever you want to focus on the screen.

Windows 7

Windows Vista

Magnifier in Windows 7 includes full-screen and lens modes. Full-screen mode lets you magnify your entire screen and follow your mouse pointer. In lens mode, the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the area of the screen that is magnified moves along with it.


Enlarge your mouse pointer

You can change the look of your mouse cursor so it is easier for you to quickly and easily see on-screen. Try selecting a new pointer style, and also try changing the color and size of your mouse pointer.

Windows 7

  • Click the Start button , click Control Panel, and then under Hardware and Sound, click Mouse.

  • Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:

    • To change the look of all of your pointers, in the Scheme list, click a new mouse pointer scheme.

    • To change an individual pointer, in the Customize list, click the pointer you want to change, click Browse, click a pointer, and then click Open.

More ways to change your mouse settings.

Windows Vista

  • Click the Start button , click Control Panel, and then under Hardware and Sound, click Mouse.

  • Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:

    • To change the look of all of your pointers, in the Scheme list, click a new mouse pointer scheme.

    • To change an individual pointer, in the Customize list, click the pointer you want to change, click Browse, click a pointer, and then click Open.

More ways to change your mouse settings.


Improve your screen resolution

Screen resolution refers to the clarity of the text and images on your screen. At higher resolutions, items appear sharper, but they also appear smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, fewer items fit on the screen, but they are larger and easier to see. Choose a screen resolution that is better for your eyes.

Change your screen resolution

Screen resolution refers to the clarity of the text and images displayed on your screen. At higher resolutions, such as 1600 x 1200 pixels, items appear sharper. They also appear smaller so more items can fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, such as 800 x 600 pixels, fewer items fit on the screen, but they appear larger.

The resolution you can use depends on the resolutions your monitor supports. CRT monitors generally display a resolution of 800 × 600 or 1024 × 768 pixels and can work well at different resolutions. LCD monitors, also called flat-panel displays, and laptop screens often support higher resolutions and work best at a specific resolution.

The larger the monitor, usually the higher the resolution it supports. Whether you can increase your screen resolution depends on the size and capability of your monitor and the type of video card you have.

Picture of the desktop at a high screen resolutionText and images are sharper but smaller at higher screen resolutions.

Picture of the desktop at a low screen resolutionText and images are larger but often less sharp at lower screen resolutions.

Watch this video to learn how to change your screen resolution (1:10)

Click to watch the video

Click to watch the video

Download and install Windows Media Player Plugin

To change your screen resolution
  1. Open Screen Resolution by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and then, under Appearance and Personalization, clicking Adjust screen resolution.

  2. Click the drop-down list next to Resolution, move the slider to the resolution you want, and then click Apply.

  3. Click Keep to use the new resolution, or click Revert to go back to the previous resolution.

Picture of resolution options in Screen ResolutionScreen Resolution in Control Panel shows the recommended resolution for your monitor.

Native resolution

LCD monitors, including laptop screens, typically run best at their native resolution. You don't have to set your monitor to run at this resolution, but it's usually recommended in order to ensure you see the sharpest text and images possible. LCD monitors generally come in two shapes: a standard proportion of width to height of 4:3, or a widescreen ratio of 16:9 or 16:10. A widescreen monitor has both a wider shape and resolution than a standard ratio monitor.

If you're unsure of your monitor's native resolution, check the product manual or go to the manufacturer's website. Here are typical resolutions for some popular screen sizes:

  • 19-inch screen (standard ratio): 1280 x 1024 pixels

  • 20-inch screen (standard ratio): 1600 x 1200 pixels

  • 22-inch screen (widescreen): 1680 x 1050 pixels

  • 24-inch screen (widescreen): 1900 x 1200 pixels

For more information, see Getting the best display on your monitor.

Notes

Notes
  • When you change the screen resolution, it affects all users who log on to the computer.

  • When you set your monitor to a screen resolution that it won't support, the screen will go black for a few seconds while the monitor reverts back to the original resolution.

Vista Users:

Change screen resolution

Screen resolution refers to the clarity of the text and images on your screen. At higher resolutions, items appear sharper. They also appear smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, fewer items fit on the screen, but they are larger and easier to see. At very low resolutions, however, images might have jagged edges.

For example, 640 × 480 is a lower screen resolution, and 1600 × 1200 is a higher one. CRT monitors generally display a resolution of 800 × 600 or 1024 × 768. LCD monitors can better support the higher resolutions. Whether you can increase your screen resolution depends on the size and capability of your monitor and the type of video card you have.

Picture of the desktop at a high screen resolutionText and images are sharper and smaller at high screen resolutions

Picture of the desktop at a low screen resolutionText is larger and easier to read at low screen resolutions, but images are blocky and fewer items fit on the screen

  1. Open Display Settings by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, clicking Personalization, and then clicking Display Settings.

  2. Under Resolution, move the slider to the resolution you want, and then click Apply.

Notes

Notes
  • When you change the screen resolution, it affects all users who log on to the computer.

  • When you set your monitor to a screen resolution that it won't support, the screen will go black for a few seconds while the monitor reverts back to the original resolution

If you are lost or need help please contact our tutors for more information.

Thanks for reading!

Happy Computing!

Simply Seniors Computer Tutor

www.sscomputertutor.com

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