Personal Technology Tips in Plain English
Windows
Windows 7 Hocus Pocus Disappearing Act Solved: Show Desktop Shortcuts
Jul 21st
I have always loved my laptop, but hated the OS.
So I recently upgraded my laptop from Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 on recommendation from…everyone. That’s right, just about anybody who used to use Vista before has said to do the switch pronto . . .
Windows 7 supposedly has more stability and speed than Vista. The techie mags and blogs seemed to agree, so I made the jump. . .
But now, as I get to know the new OS platform, I’m trying to figure out how to do all the tasks I routinely performed on a daily basis pre-Windows 7. Most of it has been ok — whenever you upgrade, it takes a little time getting used to the new look and feel. Upgrades are supposed to bring improvements and changes, right?
But there’s a couple of seemingly small things that have changed or plainly disappeared *POOF!* which make big differences in my daily workflow. It is frustrating because you sit there wondering where did they go?
Using the SHOW DESKTOP icon which was previously conveniently placed in my taskbar at the bottom of the screen was one of them. But guess what?! There’s no more icon/shortcut available in Windows 7 that’s available in the task bar! 
Personally, because I need to get back to the desktop so often, this creates a big hole in my Windows 7 experience. Luckily, there’s two specific ways to do the same function without much hassle or headache.  Here’s two ways to SHOW DESKTOP in Windows 7:
When Geek is Cool
Apr 27th
Imagine having to go to a Math class the last day right before vacation. . .
Would you be paying attention?
Or would you be thinking of all the fun stuff you’re about to do during break?
And especially if it was MATH class. . .
Well, here’s one case where skipping class might have meant you missed out on something worth the time. Imagine if this teacher spent this much energy for the last day of class, how would his lectures be throughout the semester? I bet they would be worth every minute.
Don’t you wish your math teachers were as cool as this guy in this video clip below?
QUESTION: DID YOU HAVE ANY TEACHERS THAT HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR?
Add to the conversation and add you comment below!
How To Enlarge Your Field Of Vision: Multi-Monitor Set-Ups
Apr 20th
As HDTV flatscreen TV’s get bigger and bigger, so do computer monitors.
As of April, 2010, Samsung makes the largest LCD computer monitor at 46″ in size. . . But you can enjoy the benefits without paying $48,000 that is required to buy a big fat computer LCD monitor display!
If you have more than one monitor, that will work too.
It’s one of the best ways to increase productivity (and your geek factor) – chances are you have an extra monitor lying around in the back closet somewhere – it doesn’t even have to be a flat-screen monitor to add value either.
Setting up a multi-screen computer monitor set-up is easy. Windows and Mac have built-in tools to extend your desktop to more than your main screen.
But sometimes it’s better and easier to use 3rd party tools. Lifehacker to the rescue with their roundup of 5 multi-monitor management tools for the pc (actually it should be 4 since the include Windows 7 as one of them):
Of course there are bunch of other utilities out there to use, but the first two above do offer freebie versions which may work for what you need. And the other two made the list for good reasons too.
QUESTION: ARE MULTIPLE MONITORS ONLY USED BY GEEKS? Share your comments below!
Deal Alert: Microsoft Windows 7 Premium $29.99
Sep 18th
Microsoft is at it again.
Last time, it discounted Microsoft Office ULTIMATE down to $59.
Now, it is targeting a huge pool of prospective customers and slashing the price of their flagship product for 2009-10. It is selling complete legal versions of Windows 7, for a mere $29.99.
And it’s not the basic edition. It’s for the Home Premium version of Windows 7!
If you are a student or teacher associated with a university (basically if you have a .edu address) then you pass the first step of qualification for this promotion.
It’s one upgrade that I’m actually jumping on after my less-than-happy experiences with Windows Vista Business to date.
Lucky 7, here I come.
LINK TO WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM DISCOUNT
Deal Alert: SnagIt Now
Jun 1st
When you want to show someone else something that’s on your screen, a way to take a photo of your monitor is a great way. Screen captures do exactly that, minus the camera.
Some screen capture software lets you grab definable regions and/or crop or annotate the images after you take them.
TechSmith, the maker of Camtasia Studio (one of the best video screen capture software applications) is making their SnagIt screen capture software available as a free download this week (until June 5).
Just use this link to download SnagIt software v. 7.2.5.
There’s a newer version available commercially with more bells and whistles, but most users won’t need to upgrade at all.
One more caveat – the SnagIt 7.2.5 being offered free is not compatible with Vista (XP only). You can upgrade to the latest version (SnagIt 9.1) for only $24 vs. paying the full price for the latest version.
If you are still on Windows XP, this is a MUST DOWNLOAD. If you’re looking for the latest version, this is a great discount path to the full version for 24 bucks (well worth it).
Make Sure You Gain An Hour At The Right Time!
Oct 28th
My, how time flies…Daylight savings is upon us.
This year, in 2008, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9 and ends on November 2nd.
(And for you future minded people, in 2009, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8th and ends on Nov. 1st.)
The problem is that not all Windows Mobile cell phones – and desktop PC’s for that matter – are up-to-date regarding the recent change in how we do daylight savings here in the United States. If you recall, the US Government figured out that we don’t actually save electricity nor increase productivity by changing the timing of our clocks — so they moved the dates to confuse us all last year.
This year is no different, but you can be a little better prepared so that your cell phone time/date isn’t out of sync for a week or two based on the new daylight savings calendar.
So this is just a reminder to make sure you have applied the updates to your desktop PC’s windows / Vista platform, your Microsoft Outlook and your Windows Mobile device should be fine with your next syncs. The list of Microsoft applications that are affected are: Read the rest of this entry »
Timeshifting Emails: How to Schedule Emails To Be Sent In The Future
Apr 10th
Recently, I’ve been discovering and using productivity tools like reminder services to help organize and keep me efficient. There’s a bunch of websites that allow you to ping yourself in the future via text message, IM, Google Calendar, Twitter, etc. I personally like www.OhDontForget.com but some of the other one’s I keep coming across are:
- www.ohdontforget.com - simple text message reminder service
- www.gottakeepup.com - good for birthdays, anniversaries, other appointments
- www.rememberthemilk.com - more robust service with lists and other features – also IM reminders
- www.sportsTVinsider.com - couch potatoes can remind themselves to procrastinate and be lazy by reminding themselves of games to watch on TV
If you get into the habit of using a reminder service, it can be a real big help. But there are plenty of times where you wished other people are as (re-)mindful as you about things they shouldn’t forget…Or there are different circumstances where you just want to be able to email someone in the future, but know that you won’t be by the computer.
Perhaps some of you may think about using it to email co-workers during that “2nd hour of lunch” so that people think you’re back at your desk already…or even afterhours to make sure everyone knows just how hard you work…while you’re on your way home already! 
Of course there are tons of other possibilities that open up once you can schedule your emails to be delivered in the future… Read the rest of this entry »
I love tech, gadgets and the web. Hope you pick-up a useful tip or two here today that helps you use technology to your advantage! Better yet, why not share your own expertise in a comment on a post today to help the other readers that land here for answers!