Simple Computer Tipsthat make computers less irritating
and you more productive
Never Forget your Password
● You will never have to remember a password again.
● Safe and secure● Website
Say No to Internet Explorer
● Not as efficient and user friendly as other web browsers
● People use it just because it comes on their computer or out of habit
● Does not sync your bookmarks
And Yes to Chrome
● Simple Searchings● Bookmarks Toolbar syncs with other
computers!● Automatically updates● Incognito Mode● Website
Ad Blocker Plus
● View web without annoying ads
● Website
Incognito Window in Chrome
● Your browsing history isn’t recorded
● Your cookies are deleted
● Two people can be logged into the same site - Like 2 Facebook users on the same computer without logging off.
● People who are very concerned for privacy
What is the Cloud?
● Cloud is really just another word for the Internet
● Cloud-based applications live on the Internet rather than on your local computer. You can access cloud based applications from any computer
Photo/Video/Doc Storage
● Google Drive - For storing anything. Its cloud storage● Get Google Plus + from App store on your phone and
can have your photos from your camera automatically sync to your Google Drive
● Apple - iCloud - For Apple users● Drop Box - If you ran out of storage and you like the
company and the extra features they offer, you can buy more
● One Drive- It's a Microsoft product so if you use a lot of Microsoft products it might be good
Photos and the Future
● When considering the storage place online for your photos/docs/videos you should consider the future of the company
● Big companies are less likely to fail. So you won’t have to worry about trying to get your files back
Google DriveIt’s like Microsoft Office● Docs - Create and format text documents● Sheets - Online Spreadsheets application● Presentations - Allows you to show off your
work visually● Share files, access anywhere● Store all docs, photos, videos in ONE spot● Get App from App store and have on your
iPhone
Tips / Video Website
Google Drive - Sheets Example
Gmail, How do I love thee?
● Archive emails and search if needed● Put filters on emails/or unsubscribe● Syncs on all devices● A lot of storage● Google Drive● One login for all the Google Apps● Calendar - Syncs to all devices● Star Important Info for things you
want to reference often.- Ex Library Card Numbers
Gmail Tutorial
Organizing Emails
● Archive!● Make Labels● Unsubscribe from
companies● Star the important emails● Use Filters
Filter Unwanted Emails
A filter is a rule placed on incoming email● Set Up Filters in Gmail● How to use Filters● Filter Article
Steps to Change Gmail Name You can't change your email name, BUT you can create a new email address from Gmail and forward all emails from your current to the new one you create
● Next - send everyone an email giving them your new email address
● You can export your contacts and import them easily too
● 1 Minute Video on how to forward email
● 2 Minute Video- How to Export Contacts
Cleaning Up Links
Before https://help.aweber.com/entries/21681628-How-Do-I-Put-Links-URLs-in-Messages-After Links in Messages
● You can write any words you want and link to the site
● Send clean links in emails, links in blog posts, etc
How to Clean Up Links
1. Highlight Text2. Hover over the + near send
button3. Click the chain link icon4. Change the Text Display to
what you want5. Will show your text as a link
Anytime you want to link to a site, find a link icon and follow with these steps
Creating a New Window
Opening up a new window when clicking on a link● Right click on your mouse● OR Command and click on the
link on MAC● OR Control button and click on
the link on PC
All your Brain in One Place
A free, cloud-based note taking, notebook, organizational tool
Examples:
● Recipes● Homeschool Topics● Trip Planning● Articles to read● Date Night IdeasEvernote
Virtual To Do List
To Do lists you can share with others
Wunderlist
Screen Capturecopy what you see on your screen
MAC: ● Press ⌘ + Shift + 4 + press the Spacebar● Press ⌘ + Shift + 4 to select a specific part on the page.● Your Mac then saves it as a file on the desktop. The file name
will look like“Screen shot 2014-08-01 at 08.45.00 AM.png”
PC:● Press the "Print Screen" ( PrtScr) key on your keyboard or
Press Alt+Print Screen● Use Paint to save the picture in the clipboard (watch video)
Mac How to Video
PC How to Video
Phone Screenshots
● iPhone: Press the power and home button at the same time.
● Android: Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time
Edit Screenshot / Any Photo
Genius Scan
● Take a picture of any document or photo and it saves it as a PDF
● Very helpful to copy/send important documents in the right format
● Email right from the app● It’s a free app
Podcasts
● Do not use iTunes podcast- too much hassle
● Use an app like Overcast
● It’s free
Reputable Sites● Do your homework● Search on Google, look for evidence
of good/bad● Look for mentions of the site on
social media ● Get a feel for what its about before
going all in● Reputable site link/connect with
well know sites● Google sometimes informs you sites
are malicious
Viruses/Malware
● Don’t execute or hit ‘run’ if you didn’t want it. Ex. Pop-up windows from a link
● Don’t click on attachments in your emails- most common way you get viruses
● Can come from people you know but in an unusual email because they got a virus themselvesWindows Defender - free
● Mac - Built in by default
Why Computers Run Slow
● Computers will run slower over time automatically- they age, get clogged up
● They can feel slower because other computers you use are faster than yours
● Programs are running in the background you can’t see and the more you accumulate them, the slower it feels. Ex. Adobe PDF, iTunes
● Suggestion: Get with computer savvy person and have them help you do a deeper clean.
● Check out these tips
Computer Back Up
● BitTorrent Sync - Its a back-up to another computer. There is no cloud part of it. Its free. Take a look at the video on the site
● It mirrors files from your computer on the network
A Few of my Favorite Kid Sites
Sylvia's Awesome Mini Maker Show
Kahn Academy Computer
Outrageous Acts of ScienceBrain Pop / Brain Pop Jr.
ScratchRoblox
Typing Instructor For Kids
Kid PresidentCode School
TED TALKS/TEDEd
My Favs
GroovesharkEntreleadership
Behind the BrandJillfit
Skill CrushTreehouse
Modern Mrs.Darcy
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Happiness Advantage
Loving What Is
The Willpower Instinct
Never Go Back