Now, what the heck was that password??

It used to drive me crazy. I know that "strong passwords" should have a lot of random letters, be hard for someone to guess, and not be my gerbil's maiden name... but how in the world could I keep track of them all? I mean... work account, emails, websites, Amazon... whew!

Then I tried FREE LastPass. It's fast. Easy. Safe. And, it helps. There's a version for 64-bit machines (Win 7 machines with more than 4G of RAM are generally "64-bit". All Win computers can run 32 bit version. There are also versions for Mac, Symbian, Linux, Blackberry, Android, and more!

https://lastpass.com/

Surfing the Best of the Best from 2011?

Here's an article on the 100 best websites from 2011....


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397663,00.asp?ipmat=250054&ipmtype=3

There's enough here to keep you from your real work for hours and hours and hours!

Don't say I didn't warn you!

"Undo" helps with those "oops!" opportunities

I don’t know about you, but I tend to go through my e-mail messages and then “sort” them. You know, delete it or move it to some folder or another.

When moving messages, I simply drag and drop them into their new location using the folder list. This works perfectly well in Outlook and Outlook Express, as well as with many other email programs.

The problem is that I inevitably drop some into the wrong location.

Usually I realize it right away, but still have to figure out where in the world I "dropped" it, then navigate to a different folder, actually find the message(s) and then put them where they belong.



But wait!

It turns out that I don’t actually have to do all of that in MS Outlook and many other programs.
Unknown to many people, the Undo command works on more than just editing changes.

Next time you find that you’ve dropped in the wrong location simply use Undo. You can use the Undo button; the Edit menu's Undo or, the short cut: Ctrl + Z.

Whatever way you do your undo, you’ll find that the messages you just moved are back where you got them from, just like the whole thing never happened.

Now, if only I could figure out how to do this when trying to cook....

How to Make Your Text Size Easier to See

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-make-your-computer-screen-easier-see.htm

CONTROLing Short cuts!

Did you know you can use a variety of "short cuts" to make common tasks (like copying and pasting, for example) faster and easier than fiddling with your mouse?


Here's a link to an article. The ^ symbol they use means "hold down the CTRL key and tap the other key."  So, in the article, if they say ^S  they mean "hold down the CTRL and tap the S key".


Some folks hate short cuts. Some love them. Most of us find a few favorites and would love to learn a few more. Here's the place!


http://www.techsupportalert.com/the_three_most_underutilized_keyboard_shortcuts.htm

Free service helps you remember!

Keeping your email inbox organized is a tall task, but it's one made easier with Followupthen.com. This free service sends you email reminders at times you determine so that email messages and tasks that need attention don't get lost in an overcrowded inbox.

This website has a good explanation: http://tinyurl.com/7j7rkmu 

And, if you prefer having this service send you a text message (instead of an email) to remind you, you can simply a) get text messaging on your phone, b) find out what email address your carrier uses (for example, Verizon uses the format: YOURCELLNUMBER@vtext.com  ) and set Followupthen.com to send an email there when you need it.

This is (of course!) a fictional story....

I got a call on my cell phone the other night. The caller said that they wanted me to call a toll free number in order to register my cell phone for a "no call list" so that I would not be bothered by calls from telemarketers. The caller gave me an 888 number.

Should I call it?

Well... this could be legit..  but it probably is not. Here's why:

1. If someone calls or emails YOU "out of the blue" and you did not request that info, and they send you to a website or phone number to share your personal information (name, phone number, address, etc.)... they are doing what is called  "phishing"- trying to get you to innocently provide information they can then use to do something nefarious (like, steal your ID...).

2. Sometimes they will say "well, to prove I am legitimate, here, you can call my boss...."  What they don't tell you is that their "boss" is in on the scam.

What should you do?

Be astute.

• If someone solicits YOU for ANY reason, fishing for personal information, consider it a likely scam.
• If they offer you a web site, email, or phone number to contact to "prove" they are legitimate, consider it part of a likely scam.
• If you think you really DO maybe want or need the service they are offering, get the name of their company. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Determine if the company or organization is legitimate and then CALL THAT NUMBER (not the one the caller gave you) and say "I received a call from so-and-so saying he was from your organization. It was an unsolicited call. Was it legitimate?"

Now- to the issue of "DO NOT CALL" lists. 

Yes, there are "DNC" lists. They are both STATE LEVEL and NATIONAL.

• To find your legitimate DNC list and register your home or cell phone, simply google "YOUR STATE do not call list" and you will be able to sign up very easily online. In Wisconsin, it is https://nocall.wisconsin.gov

• To register on the National Do Not Call list, go to: https://www.donotcall.gov/ 

Interestingly, look at what is posted in red on the website of the National Do No Call list:

Scammers have been making phone calls claiming to represent the National Do Not Call Registry. The calls claim to provide an opportunity to sign up for the Registry. These calls are not coming from the Registry or the Federal Trade Commission, and you should not respond to these calls. To add your number to the Registry you can call 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register, or go click on “Register a Phone Number” in the left column of this page.

Online Safety Tips and Resources

http://www.wiredsafety.org/
Check out this site for a multi-faceted collection of information on being safe online, staying safe online and what to do if... online.

Community Drawing?

What is a "SHARED WHITEBOARD"?

Well, picture a whiteboard- you know, those white smooth shiny surfaces you can easily write and erase with those special smelly markers? You'd find them in meeting rooms, classrooms, offices, kitchens, and on doors.

Well, now you can find them (free) online- and they are designed specifically for you to collaboratively share sketches, artwork, drawings, diagrams, or freehand notes!

Thanks to one of our dedicated readers, here are three options. Each allows you to invite others "in" to your whiteboard writing/drawing, or to share it with others after it is complete.


Awwapp (no ads, no chat, just draw): http://awwapp.com/draw.html

DrawitLive: http://demo.drawitlive.com/
(no ads, has integrated chat so you can type back and forth as you collaborate)

Flockdraw: http://flockdraw.com/
(ad supported, has integrated chat so you can type back and forth as you collaborate)

KEEP THE SUGGESTIONS COMING- there's TONS of interesting things "out there" we can share!

What's the weather?

Look out YoWindow!

Yes, that's a free program that is pretty robust. You can tell it two different places to track the weather, and it will put a picture on your computer screen (screen saver or "wallpaper") to show it in real-time. It will also give you a three day forecast. And, for many cities, you can even configure it to give you a live feed of video showing the weather... right on your desktop.

What a deal! http://www.worldstart.com/yowindow/ is where you can read a review and follow the links to download it. Now, of course, if your desk is actually NEXT TO a REAL window..... this might just be a tad less necessary.

FUNKY!!

Be Funky     http://www.befunky.com/


I have to admit,  sites like this can be great time wasters! So… no playing with this while you should be working, or I will get in trouble with the boss!

At Be Funky you can completely change your photos with on click, and with all sorts of wild effects!

To begin, click the Get Started Free button at the top of the page. Next, you’ll click Upload and choose where you want to get your image from. The image will load, and then you can use any of the image effects on the right side of the page (if you click the title they’ll open up and you can see the different options you have) the ones marked Plus cost extra money – skip those.

You also have options along the top menu: Smart Enhancements, Adjustments, Goodies, and Text Editor! So don’t forget to play with those options as well.

When you’re all done, you can Save, Print, or Share your image. To Save, you can chose where you want to save it. Print gives you the option of making a product or printing your image out. Share lets you share the image you’ve made over a social networking site.

Have fun with this one!

BUT, don’t get anyone in trouble, okay??