What's a HOT SPOT and What Should I know about it?

You probably already know what "Wi-Fi" means: it means being able to access the internet wirelessly from your laptop, handheld, netbook, phone or desktop. When you create a wi-fi network at home or at work, it is secured so that only those with the access code can use it. 


But, you may have seen signs at your neighborhood coffee shop, McDonalds, or public library saying FREE WI-FI HERE, or WI FI HOTSPOT.


This means that the company is providing users with free, though not secure, access to the internet through their wireless network. Typically, it's as easy as finding the network and clicking.


Free hotspots are open to all, including to hackers and others who hope to steal your data. So, use wisdom when you use a hotspot:


1. Don't do banking or other things that involve sending personal information (codes, passwords etc) across the network. It is very easy for a hacker to grab those.


2. Be sure you are actually logged on to the correct network. In airports, especially, you may see several free options. Some of those are legitimate; some could be the guy or gal sitting next to you with a laptop who is waiting for an unsuspecting user to enter personal data into their "fake" hotspot.


Here is an article with Ten Tips for Public Wi Fi Hotspot Security. http://tinyurl.com/75oqugk  This will help you benefit from their convenience without risking your personal security.

Ten Things You Didn't Know You Could Do with Gmail

http://google.about.com/od/gmailtipsandtricks/tp/Gmail_Tips.htm

Gmail is one of the many integrated services Google offers for free. Some folks love this approach- others are fearful that Google will eventually take over the world.

In the meantime, you may want to check this link out anyway!

Alternatives to Microsoft Office?

Surprise! You do not HAVE to pay $280 to $500 to get the latest edition of Microsoft Office! There are many alternatives out there, and some folks find them BETTER than Office.

If you are contemplating changing from an "old" version of MS Office (like, Office 2003), you are already going to be facing a significant learning curve, because the layout is so different. So, you may wish to consider some of the alternatives, particularly for a home computer situation. Even those that are not free cost a lot less than Microsoft Office products.

Here are links to articles recommending various "top choices." Let us know if you have experience with these using the "Comments" section below!


http://reviews.cnet.com/1990-3524_7-5140428-1.html


http://tinyurl.com/ycs5f8l

http://tinyurl.com/6zm4e26

http://tinyurl.com/ydvheu4

http://tinyurl.com/3wefg23

Is your PC running slow?

In this TECH SUPPORT FORUM article, you receive a thorough, step-by-step introduction to what to do about a slow PC. This is not for absolute beginners, and generally won't be helpful on an office system where your Administrator or Network person may have set the system up to prevent you from doing many of these. But, for some of you, this may be REALLY helpful!

http://www.techsupportforum.com/3775-is-your-pc-running-slow/

Do you need more TIME in your life?

If only there were 30 instead of 24 hours in every day....


We all say that. This article puts an interesting twist on our "not enough time" perspectives, doesn't it?

What does it have to do with technology? Well, read it and decide! :-)


http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220668

Oops... I should have put that into a TABLE

 From Worldstart.com:

We’ve all done it – we’ve begun typing up a list of items and then realized too late that we should have put it into a table…

Using a table to organize and present our information is often an easy way to accomplish our task.

At any rate, back to that already typed list of information… what do we do?

http://www.worldstart.com/converting-text-to-a-table-in-word/

How to Insert and Type Words on a PDF File

You receive a PDF (portable document format) file and need to type your name, address, etc. into it.

With free Foxit Reader 5.1 you can! Here's an article about this from TECH SUPPORT FORUM that tells you how, and gives you a link to the free download of Foxit Reader 5.1.


http://www.techsupportforum.com/3769-how-to-insert-and-type-words-on-a-pdf-file-by-using-foxit-reader-5-1/