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Getting More Life Out of Your Laptop and Phone BatteriesA common battery in cordless phones and computers is nickel-cadmium. Ever wonder why your nickel-cadmium (NiCad's) don't last as long as they should?
Break The Chain - Don't Forward "Drug Costs" EmailI received a forwarded email about the cost of prescription drugs last night from a relative. There was a person mentioned in the bottom of the email from a government office so I wrote her and asked if she could verify what was in the email. She told me that it was just something that she had forwarded on and now was considered the source of the information. She receives lots of emails a day about it.
Spammers Love the Holiday SeasonFollow these simple rules when receiving and responding to e-mail:
Screensavers and Computer Screen WallpaperBe careful about downloading screensavers and wallpaper, many include spyware. http://www.Webshots.com is one that doesn't and you can download most pictures for free (up to five a day). They have many wonderful pictures on just about any subject one could imagine.
By Anna
Storing Color Printer CartridgesIf you are using a black cartridge and trying to save the color cartridge, it can dry out... store it in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel.
Upgrading Your Operating SystemIf you are going from Windows 98 to XP, before you buy your new computer with a new Windows Program, get a library book and start reading up on the new Windows. That way you won't be overwhelmed when the new XP Windows doesn't work the same as your old 98 Windows. A lot of times you can renew the book until someone else makes a request for it.
By Syd
Making Your Browser Easier to ReadYou can increase or decrease the reading fonts in your browser:
Computer Infections - Removing Spyware From Your ComputerIs your computer running slowly or having a slew of pop-up ads popping up all the time, even when you're not on-line? It is probably infected with spyware or adware. These are programs that one can pick up in the course of surfing the web and downloading programs.
Blogging For Loved Ones and FamilyAn easy way to keep everyone in your life up-to-date on the doings of your life is a blog. Standing for web log, it is software that allows one to post entries and have them available for all to read.
Phone Tied up While Online?We recently purchased a new computer. While this has been like a new toy to us, it has tied up our phone line and we've missed all kinds of calls.
Locating Printer ManualsIf you buy a used printer and it doesn't come with the book, you can go to the makers web site and look up your model. They will have your printers book that you can print out for free. Nice service. You can also read the part you need first to figure out the combinations you need to get it up and going before you use it.
Entering Online Sweepstakes and ContestsIf you enter many sweepstakes, create a separate email account for use as part of your submissions. This will help keep junk mail down for your regular email address.
Refilling Inkjet Printer Tanks and CartridgesRefilling is really a money saver, I have been doing this for over 6 years. The key is buying the ink that is designed for the manufacturer's tanks/cartridges.
Free Downloads Can Freeze Up Your ComputerI get so tired of "ctrl-alt-delete" when my computer freezes up on me, like five times a day. My buddy, the computer nerd, reminded me that downloading too many cutsie things and free stuff can have that effect.
New Mouse Pad for LessI've been needing a new mouse pad for ages. All of them that I saw were small ones that cost upwards of $6. I just replaced the old pad with a plastic place mat that cost $1.47 and it works great! The palm trees are very trendy, too.
Spam Prevention TipsNever post your email address online. If you must, you should post only your junk account (disposable when spam gets out of hand) in the following format...
Watch Out for Scam Emails from the IRSThe spammers are at it again. There are reports of fake emails from the IRS telling you of a $63 refund. These are FAKE, do not respond to them. They are phishing for your personal information for identity theft purposes. I just saw this on the news. The IRS reports they do not send out emails.
Fake Paypal EmailsLast week I received what genuinely looked like an email from Paypal stating my account had been violated. It advised me to log on and renew my information to make sure it was current. I smelled a rat...
Refurbished ComputersIf you are looking for a deal on a computer and are leery of buying one from an online auction, you may want to consider refurbished computers.
Attention Juno SubscribersTo all Juno subscribers who haven't been receiving your newsletters: For some reason for the last week or so they have been blocking our mail so I am unable to write to you to explain why you haven't been getting your newsletters. All emails to Juno are bouncing . . .
Refilling Ink CartridgesSave money by refilling your own printer cartridges. I found that refilling ink cartridges is very simple and will save a ton of money! I ordered a refill kit from inksell.com and it came with everything to do the job. . .
Search Websites Using GoogleHave you ever gone to a website that didn't have a search function available? When this happens, be sure to try Google's handy site search feature.
Printing Just What You WantTo print only what you want instead of all the ads and links, highlight only what you want to print. Go to File, Print and under print range. . .
Internet Spell CheckerSpell check doesn't work for internet boxes like we use to post our tips here but I found some freeware that does. It's ieSpell. Look it up on Google, download and enjoy! (Note - it's free for personal use only.)
Take a Break From Your ComputerAvoid sitting in front of your computer for more than 30 minutes at a time. If you find you lose track of time, set a timer to go off in 30 minutes.
Surge Protector vs. Power StripsIt's a good idea to plug your computer into a power strip that has a surge protector in it. Not all power strips have this feature.
Spam Attack to HotmailTo those of you who are coming here to unsubscribe from a spam email you received, it is not from us and you don't need to unsubscribe. Someone "janelle25" is sending email saying "hi Come Join Me" with some of today's recipe newsletter text. It is NOT from us.
Check For Coupons At Manufacturer's WebsiteIf you are a coupon user and are always looking for the coupons for the foods you like to buy, here is an idea I have been using. Use any name brand of your choice and key that name brand with .com following it.
Thrift Store ComputersSometimes you can actually get computers in thrift shops. There's one in an upscale city near us where you can get a whole setup for less than $100.
Take Clear Photos For Selling OnlineWhen taking pictures of stuff to sell online, make sure you have a neutral background and good lighting. Otherwise the object won't be seen well and that can affect sales!
Warning Signs For International Internet And Text Messaging ScamsNot every scam has each of these warning signs, but if you recognize several of them, you probably have cause for concern.
Using Google for Measurement ConversionsWhen I need to do a quick conversion, I look no further then my web browser and google.com. Simply enter the amount you wish to convert and what you would like to convert to in the search box.
Be Careful About Personal Information On WebsitesPlease be careful about giving out personal info on websites, including thriftyfun.com. Last week I posted a comment about a cute little dog photo on thriftyfun.com. I then got a message from the woman saying I sounded nice and could I email her at her email address.
Print In Draft Mode To Save InkSave money on printer ink. When printing, under Preferences choose "Draft." You will find the copy quite dark. It's surprising. It makes your printer ink go further.
Save Webpages of Information to Your ComputerFinding great ideas, patterns and recipes for FREE on the internet is sometimes like a treasure hunt. You want to be able to find it again. Most people will bookmark the page, but often websites disappear or pages change.
Print Preview to Save PaperBefore printing a document off the Internet, do a print preview. Many times the last page is nothing more than the icons at the bottom of the web page. You can save on paper by selecting to print one fewer page than is listed.
Keep Online Passwords Locked UpI keep my most visited web sites with user id's and passwords written down on a little notebook and locked in a safe. Before I get online, I reference back to the ones I want to visit, then return the notebook back to the safe.
Fake FTC E-Mail Carries Dangerous VirusThe Federal Trade Commission, which has declared war on Internet scams, warned consumers on Monday not to open a bogus e-mail that appears to come from its fraud department because it carries an attachment that can download a virus.
Regular Maintenance For Better Computer PerformanceSpeed up your computer. Run disk clean up and defrag once a week, minimum. Contact internet explorer, if you have it, and give them permission to enter and control your system. They can go in and delete redundant programs and free up a LOT of space saving memory and increase speed when you restart your system. This is what takes so long to reboot.
Beware of Telephone Calls Asking For Your EmailI just wanted to let you all know that this is happening so you can be on your guard. I don't know why they would want your email address but probably for some sort of scam email. You would get the message, remember the call and think it was more legit.
Hit the Power ButtonHas your computer ever been frozen and your just frustrated? Well here is a new way to fix it! Do not, I repeat, do not get a computer dude.
Use Makeup Brushes To Clean KeyboardsAn easy way to clean your computer keyboard is by wiping it with makeup brushes. They make it easier to get between the keys. The inexpensive brushes, large or small, work just fine.
Add an Asterisk to Your Favorite Website BookmarksPut an asterisk * in front of any of your Bookmarks categories that you'd like to show at the top of your bookmarks list. Since the categories are listed alphabetically, this is helpful when you have a category that would usually require you to scroll far down your list.
Use Loose Leaf Paper In Your PrinterHere is a great tip that I came up with out of "desperation": I love to peruse craft websites and print out free directions for ones I want to do later. Well, one day I went to print out a couple and found I was out of printer paper.
Add A Clickable Link To Your Yahoo MessengerGive your Yahoo messenger chums a clickable link to brighten their day! Open your messenger and find the "new status message" located on the option bar beside your profile pic above the ADD (+) friends symbol on the left.
Have a UPS to Protect Your Computer from Power SurgesRegarding surge protector power strips and computers, please be aware that a nano rated circuit interrupter is required to protect a PC from voltage surge.
Keeping Track of Logins, Websites and Phone NumbersI use a spiral notebook to keep tips, website addresses or phone numbers for companies I might use at gift buying time by the computer. I also write my passwords for different logins on the back cover. It is quick and I don't need to memorize all the different logins.
Spell Checking Your TipsSew tat ewe dont maek speling mistaiks ore tyypoz wen ewe pozt tipz, ewe can tipe your tip intwo an email and run a spellcheck. Kopypaste the Korekt vershion onto the tip spase and everywon wil think ewe did it perfecktlly the furst tyme "GiggleGiggleGiggle" U^u^U
Use Quotes to Search for an Exact PhraseIf you use quotation marks on either side of your request, you will get more specific answers. Instead of writing knit baby sweaters, you should write "knit baby sweaters" to narrow the hits returned to you.
Logins, Passwords and Security QuestionsI use my computer constantly and have for many years. Along the way, I've joined many, many sites, forums, etc. with user names and passwords. I use the same for most, but there are those that require something a little different and mine won't work.
Beware "CNN.com Daily Top 10" Emails; Actually MalwareThousands (possibly millions) of users are receiving what looks like an innocuous daily missive from CNN.com (it sails right through spam filters), offering links to the "Daily Top 10" stories and videos. Flag these emails as spam, and do not click the links inside.
File Your Computer PasswordsSince an assortment of creative passwords and other info is too much to remember when accessing your favorite websites, you might find the following tip useful:
Be Sure Your Home Computer Is Password ProtectedMost people keep password on their work computer, but few keep passwords on their home computers. However, one should keep passwords on their home computer as well...
Glue "Legs" on Your Laptop for AirflowHot glue things, such as a row of pencils or a medium size bead (like beaded car seats are made of) or clothespins or any other thing, to each corner of the underneath side of your laptop to give way to circulation. It can be cool rather than buying a product made especially to do the same thing.
Save Data on External Hard DriveThis is a tip to save you money, time and concern of not being able to recover data on your computer when, and if your hard drive crashes. After ours crashed I read a article on computers which stated; the odds of a system crashing are 1 in 12.
Joke: How Many Electrical Engineers?Q: How many electrical engineers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Computer Tips for SeniorsFor our senior citizens. This is for those of us with brain fog and using computers. I keep an address book to keep up with passwords and sign in info. It stays right in a drawer or by the computer. Buy printer paper when it is on sale.
Save Blog Entries Before PostingIt's frustrating to craft a word work of art, "post" and...it's gone. I have another blog that did that about once a week, and it drove me crazy! So I did something about it.
Use a Cool Hair Dryer to Clean Computer KeyboardUse your hair dryer on the cool setting to clean your computer keyboard instead of spending money on expensive canned air. Turn the keyboard upside down and blow the air up into it. I clean the tower (CPU) now and then as well. Dust and hair accumulate around the fan and vents can cause all sorts of problems, such as over-heating.
Clean Dust From Your CPUIf you have a problem with dust in your house, it's worth it to blow the dust from your computer. You have to unscrew and remove your CPU casing (make sure the power is OFF first) and then use the blower to clear any dust inside the PC.
Staples Ink Cartridge Rewards ProgramI wanted to share with the ThriftyFun community about the Staples Rewards Program. For every ink cartridge you return to the Staples store (limit 10 Per month) as a Rewards member, you are given a $3.00 PER cartridge credit.
Make an Automatic Computer Virus AlertYou have probably heard of the computer viruses that will automatically send themselves to everyone in your email address book, there are several different ones out there. If someone opens or clicks a link in one of those emails, they can 'catch' the virus, too.
Free Lessons and Entertainment OnlineDo you want to learn to play the piano or perhaps take voice lessons? Maybe taking art lessons is more your cup of tea. You can learn to play the guitar and even go to youtube and learn to play the ukulele. All for free. You can take free online classes from universities.
Waterproof Printer InkI do outdoor craft fairs and I need printer ink that does not run or smear when it rains! Epson printers have waterproof ink. With my Epson printer I don't have to worry about my business cards, brochures or signs running if it rains!
Managing Backup on My ComputerOnce my computer started automatically jettisoning information. The only way to stop it was to quickly press the OFF button. When this started, I hired a computer repair person to take a look at it.
Keeping Track of Email CouponsThis suggestion is about received email coupons for restaurants and grocery stores. To keep better track of which to use up first due to expiration dates, I forward them to my email addy with the name of the restaurant and the expiration date in the subject bar.
Send Text Messages From Your ComputerIt does not cost you anything to send text messages to a cell phone from your computer, simply type your friend's cell phone address into the "to" box in the e-mail header.
Buy a Mac to Avoid PC VirusesNext time you replace a PC plagued by viruses buy a Mac (Apple) computer and you will have no more virus issues. ;-)
Mark Computer Cords for Easy Set UpI am by no means electronically gifted. And any time I have to unplug my computer, then plug it all back in again, I used to invariably have to holler for help!
Check Refurbished Printer Cartridge Expiration DateI was told to look at my cartridge for a date. There is evidently a microchip in the ink cartridge that tells the printer when that date has arrived. When that date gets here, it is considered to be an expired cartridge and will no longer work.
Inexpensive Mouse Wrist SupportI needed support for my wrist while resting my hand on the desk when I was using the computer mouse. It was getting very uncomfortable while I was reading all the great ideas on Thrifty Fun! I did not want to give that up!
Email Documents To Transfer To New ComputerIn the process of researching local companies that would come and set-up my new computer, I found that there would an additional charge if I wished them to transfer any of my files from my old computer to the new one.
Organizing Computer CordsI take single labels and fold them in half over the cord close to the end that goes into my device and label it.
Use Paragraphs When Writing OnlineBreak up your sentences to form paragraphs to make recipes or any type of written information easier to read. After typing a few sentence, skip a line and start typing more sentences.
Address Book for Internet InformationAn inexpensive address book is a great place to pencil in passwords for various on-line accounts. "A" is for Amazon and American Express, etc. Using pencil will prolong the life of your book, which should be kept in a safe place!
Warning: Emails Instructing WinXP Users to Press F1Microsoft warns NOT to press the 'F1' key if you have WinXP. This is not a rumor, this is real!
Speed Up Your PCWith time a PC will slow down unless you perform some basic maintenance. This has changed a bit with the different operating systems by Microsoft but the tasks are roughly the same.
Use Gmail for Multiple Email AddressesIf you have more than one e mail address, Gmail offers the option of having all email delivered to your Gmail address and it specifies which email address the email is coming from.
Wash Keyboard In Dishwasher As Last ResortReading the tip on cleaning a keyboard made me think of this tip. If you have a keyboard that seems dead or has too many sticky keys and you're about to pitch it, try this, it worked for me.
Keep a Journal By Your ComputerI keep a journal type notebook with me at the computer. I write down tips, valuable information, recipes, websites, etc. I have anything from what to include in a pet first-aid kit, the ASPCA poison control phone number and crafts I'd like to do with my grandaughter.
Free Microsoft Malware Program To Protect Your ComputerI recommend this FREE Malware program to help you protect your computer. It doesn't replace virus or spam software, but does a super job of trying to keep your PC running in top shape and it's easy to install.
Computer Keyboard Dust CoverThis time instead of throwing out the shower liner, I made a dust cover for my keyboard for when it's time to shut down the computer for the night. I measured the length and width of the keyboard and added 3 inches all the way around.
Anti Virus Software RecommendationsAre you having problems with virus', worms, Malware, and other such nuisances on your computer? Here are some free software links and advice to set you on a better track while surfing the wonderful world wide web.
Google's Back Button Issue In Internet ExplorerBack-button not working in Google? If your back-button has stopped going back to the previous page(s), you can do one of two things:
Managing Email AdvertisementsI love to receive email advertisements from the stores where I shop, but I seldom really need to buy anything. Instead of opening each email and looking through it, I have created a folder for "Advertisements." I move each unopened ad directly into the folder.
Make Monitor Print LargerIf you have difficulty seeing your monitor, rather than get your reading glasses, hold down the control key with your left hand and with hand on mouse scroll away from you to make the print larger. To make it normal again, scroll toward yourself. This makes life much easier.
Fixing Black Google ToolbarDoes your Google Toolbar turn black? Try this:
Use a Stocking as a Keyboard CoverI recently bought a new black keyboard and a package of knee-highs. Once the keyboard was connected, the stocking went on. I safety pinned the end so it wouldn't come off. It helps keep the cord out of the way and definitely is keeping things out of the keyboard.
Don't Charge iPhone in CarYou should not be in the habit of charging your iPhone in the car using a car charger. If you do, make sure you only plug the phone in after the vehicle has been cranked, and remove the phone from the charger before the vehicle has been turned off.
Delete Spam Emails In BatchesTo quickly get rid of a lot of the spam in your email box, just do this. As you check your new mail, go down the list and check the little box next to the spam mail as you go down the list.
Use Eraser to Clean ComputerI have a white Mac and it always gets black dirt on it. The safest way I found to clean it so it looks like new is to use a pencil eraser. Be sure to use a white eraser, not a hard one designed for ink.
Use Google For Missing ManualsIf you go to google and type in the company name, then model, and the word "manual", it will usually give you links to the company, the manual, etc. Most are general manuals for the same company and will work no matter what the model number is.
Use Open Office For Free Office SoftwareIf you can't afford Microsoft Office and need to use something comparable, there is a program called OpenOffice.org that is compatible with Microsoft Office and is free to download to use. I have been using it for a few months now and it works fine.
Use Facebook To Reconnect With FamilyI would just like to encourage people to go to Facebook and sign up. I have found over 150 relatives that I have wondered about for years. I have wondered how they are, where they live, how they and their children are, etc.
Warning: Swag Bucks ScamSwag Bucks is a Scam! I love being able to sign up at a site and be rewarded for participating in all of the offers available. It is fun, you meet cool people, and you win prizes. Sounds good so far, huh? Here it comes.
Searching Documents for Word or Phrase You can eliminate wasting time proofing a document looking for a particular phrase or word (i.e., if you opened a 120 page document and you were searching for something related to "Vitamin A"), by doing the following:
Link: Internet Coupon ScamI just read this clip about fake internet coupons and thought I'd pass it along. It's just hard to know what sites that can be trusted these days.
Avoiding Scam and Viral Email MessagesWith the vast of spam/scam/viruses out there, sometimes you get bad messages that appears to be real. Always remember, no real message will ask for any of your private information.
Sharing Information On Social Networking SitesI know lots of people who absolutely love Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. There are lots of good things about these networks, but my caution about these particular social networks is to be careful of what and how much personal information you publish on them!
Protect Keyboard with Saran WrapSince I work from home on my computer and also use it for emailing friends, etc., I often find myself eating in front of it as well. Recently I became concerned that I might spill something on the keyboard of my laptop and ruin it.
