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