Restoring Old Photos At No CostI have seen several articles on ThriftyFun pertaining to the restoration of old photos. They were well written and often showed before and after pictures depicting very impressive results. In most cases those results were obtained by using a 'paid for' computer software.
Copy And Paste Text To Print InformationMaybe I'm doing something wrong, but printing things I see online out, like recipes on Thrifty Fun, is always a hassle. I know how to highlight the selection I want printed, but, pretty often, a lot more gets printed, wasting paper and that expensive ink.
Don't Post Your House Number on Social MediaI highly recommend to never post your home address (# portion) in photos anywhere on social media. Even though you are not displaying your complete address with just the # portion of your address, it would easily be researched online.
Internet Search TipThis tip is so good, it deserves front page. If I'm correct, I was reading an unrelated tip when one person replying informed another of this neat little trick. Since that time, I've been using the tip every day, sometimes several times a day. That's why I think it deserves its own little spotlight.
Box for a Missing Printer Catch TrayAre you missing your printer catcher tray or it's broken? Perhaps you bought a pre-loved, used printer that didn't come with one. No worries, you can use a box like I did to catch your paper prints.
Charging iPhone With Loose AdapterMy smartphone charger adapter for the car has been used a lot over the past several months. You will think your phone is charging when you plugged it in without checking to see that the light is on and it is not charging, it actually is discharging. Time to buy a new one right?
Prevent Laptop from OverheatingUse a egg carton tray and place your laptop on top. If you don't want to pay another expense to buy an equipment to avoid overheating, use it instead.
Project Computer Screen on TVMy only splurge is yoga class. At first, teachers came over and corrected my alignment often. It was worth the price. Five years later, not so much. I read about yoga classes on the computer, but the screen is small. I knew there had to be a way to hook up the computer to the TV screen. I looked it up on YouTube and they said an HDMI cable would work. One end goes on the port on the TV and the other end goes on the port on the computer.
Better E-Mail WritingI recently sent an email to someone and the intent of what I was trying to say was 100% misunderstood. I re-read my email and couldn't see anything wrong with it. I read the answer I received and it left me with a "huh?" feeling. So what happened?
Dollar Tree Coaster as Mouse PadI have this wonderful mouse that I love. But having a slick bottom side on the slick table makes it slip and then my wrist hurts. I use one of these for opening jars and two for under vases. I wondered if it could stop my mouse from slipping. Happily, it does!
Computer Extension for Organizing Chrome BookmarksEveryone these days has a computer they use for email, looking up information, and sharing ideas. It is so easy to jump online and look for a recipe, how to fix a leaky faucet, order clothes, shoes or anything else in the world. Today everything is online and it is right at our fingertips. Furthermore, it is even easier to bookmark a page so that we can come back to it again if we need to check a few items or refresh our memory how something was done.
Using Google Search to Answer QuestionsThere is a fairly new element of Google search. I just by chance found out about it. Google gets a lot of bad (some well deserved) rap. This little gem is a feather in their caps!
Take a Photo of the Back of your Modem/RouterWhen I plug something into the wall under my desk, I want it to stay there. But when the internet guy hooked my stuff up, he had very little cable that day. That makes it really hard to "turn it around/backwards to see the numbers". Even then, I would have to see things upside down.
Emergency SOS for iPhone UsersThe iPhone has an emergency SOS feature for when you're in a dangerous situation and need help ASAP. You can also program other emergency contacts through the Apple Health app already on your phone. These contacts can show up on the screen, as well, and you can call them for help if desired.
Unsubscribe from Email Lists for the New YearA New Year's resolution of mine is to save money. Periodically I unsubscribe from email lists. I'm not sure how I got on so many lists, but I find I save time, because I don't have to sift through so many emails, and money, because I'm not tempted to buy anything.
Cover Webcam with Post-ItThere are reports where webcams can be hacked and you could be spied on, recorded or even the hacker has the ability to view your keyboard strokes for your passwords and personal information.
Soda Bottle Rubber Band Phone StandWrap elastic around one side of your phone, loop it over the bottle and attach it to the other side of the phone. Then you can do things on it or watch something.
Canning Rings to Raise LaptopI just moved. My laptop is now my main computer. Last night, I had it on for a while, on top of a wooden box with a drawer in it. I heard a 'whirring' sound. I went to check it out and felt the heat from underneath.
Organize Your Phone with ShortcutsWhen I am using my phone, I try to be as productive as possible. Creating shortcuts on frequently used phrases that I type on a daily basis helps keep me organized while saving time. You will be able to save as many phrases or word shortcuts you would like on your phone or tablet. This is for Apple devices.
Turn Off Location Services On Your Phone CameraIf you own an Apple iPhone, the phone's camera has a built in GPS where every photo you capture will show the exact location, address - in addition to the date and time the photo was taken. This information sticks with the photo forever, unless you turn off the location services on your phone.
Hands Free Cellphone HolderCut the top off a sock. Attach it to your arm when you're jogging, exercising or whatever you are doing. Then you can be hands-free when need be.
Apple Store for Support and RepairMy laptop was out of warranty and I had an "unable to find driver for this platform" error which resulted in my laptop not starting up at all. I was so terrified because I have never backed my laptop and thought I would lose everything, not to mention I would probably have to pay money to get my laptop fixed.
Scareware on your ComputerI went into the office to use my PC and it had a page covering the screen advising me to STOP or my PC would eventually crash! I tried everything I knew of to erase or make my computer usable again. Since I bought the PC at Best Buy where they have the Geek Squad, I called them. I talked an agent there who explained that they call what happened to me "Scareware" and, yes, it was a scam!
Desktop Safety Precautions During StormsI was sitting at my desk, writing an email to a friend. There were faint rumblings of thunder off in the distance. I said to myself, 'I will quickly wrap up this email and get off this computer'. I said this because, years ago, even though I was using a surge protector, enough juice went through my computer during an electrical storm to fry my Internet card.
Add Contact Information to iPhone Lock ScreenThis is for the worse case scenario if you lose your phone. In order for someone to return your phone, you will need to set your iPhone "Lock Screen" with a photo of your contact information. Do not put your cell phone number as it would be the missing device, but a different form of contact.
Blocking Unwanted Calls on an iPhoneI don't answer phone numbers I'm not familiar with. I'll research the number online before blocking. This number shown above is a scam number and others have experienced calls from this number, too. If you have an Apple iPhone, it's very easy to block and you won't be harassed by these calls anymore.
Choose Printer with Fewer Ink CartridgesIf you are planning to purchase a printer, I would recommend that you check to see how many ink cartridges the printer takes and research the cost of the ink cartridges.
Free Classes at Apple StoresIf you own or plan to own an iMac, do not toss your box away. The box is structurally designed so you could easily package your iMac again for on the go, for a move, or for instances where you need to bring your iMac back to the Apple Store for repairs or to take advantage of the free classes.
Cleaning My ComputerI am getting ready to move and discovered all this dust in the areas you can't see. I began with a soft dust brush going over everything, the keyboard, the printer, the back of the hard drive, router, and power strip. Then I used my hair dryer.
Educational Discounts on Apple ProductsIn June of 2016, I shopped Apple's Back to School Deal where I was able to receive an Education Pricing Discount on my iMac purchase plus, eligible for the current promotional offer which was a pair of wireless beats for free with purchase, a $299 value.
Secure Your SD Card DataI take a lot of pictures. My camera records the pictures to an SD card. I then transfer the pictures I want to keep to a computer. I have several SD cards and I used the one most handy.
Using Windows Quick LaunchWhen I got my first computer, I went to the Start Button and Control Panel for everything. Then I discovered I could open all Windows folders and much more, right from my desktop with one click. No need to go to Start and then Control panel.
Recycle Ink CartridgesBy properly recycling your empty ink cartridges and toners, you will help reduce waste. You can also re-use the empty ink cartridges and get your ink refilled, which is cheaper than purchasing a new ink cartridge or a do-it-yourself refill kit.
Cut Your Mouse Clicks In HalfWindows by default requires that you double click a file to open it. Probably 95% of the time, all you will want is to open the file or folder with no need to make a choice from the context menu.
Turn Computer Off With Desktop ShortcutThis tip is written for PC (Windows) users. Here is the quick and easy way to create a shortcut on your desktop to turn off your computer.
Clean Laptop Keys With Interdental BrushRecently I found a naughty little piece of an almond under my "R" key, causing it not to work properly. I've found that interdental brushes for your teeth work so well for cleaning laptop keys. Gently press the brush tip under and scoop out the mess.
Use a Laptop Cooling Pad/FanIf you use your laptop a lot, like me, you can find your laptop getting hot. To prevent overheating, you should invest in a cooler pad/fan for your laptop. There are tons to choose from and reasonably priced, averaging $10-15.
Gift Bag as Wallpaper on PhoneI had an especially beautiful and crafty-looking gift bag this last year so I took a photo of it. It is my phone's background wallpaper and I am also using it as an inspiration for future crafts.
Using a Basket to Raise KeyboardI have issues with sitting, as many of us do. Today it occurred to me I wanted to raise my keyboard so I had the option of standing to do my computer work. But what to use that I already had? I found a basket that now has all my computer paper and card stock in it, and a side basket for the mouse that has rocks in it so it won't tip over.
Remembering Email AddressesMy DH is a wonderful guy in most respects but he absolutely refuses to learn some things. I get so tired of a grown up Korean War vet hollering at me; "What's our email address?"
Monitor Tip For the Vision ImpairedMy mother-in-law is legally blind and has very limited vision. She has been using the magnifier program on her computer with Windows 7 and is able to read her e-mail. It's one line at a time across the top of her monitor. It takes a little of getting use to, but it's do able.
Keep Your Computer Safe From Viruses,...Each day you use your home computer, tablet, or smartphone, you risk the chance of installing viruses, malware, spyware, or Trojans on your devices. Therefore, it's necessary to protect your devices with antivirus and spyware programs.
Unchecky for Managing Software DownloadsI have a lot of free software on my computers, and I do mean a lot. I have found that free software is usually just as good, and often better than paid for and original software as part of an operating system.
Beware of In-App Purchases on Phones...On Friday, I was checking over my bank account and saw a new purchase from iTunes. We use Family Share for the apps so all the purchases come out of my husband's Apple account. After checking with my husband, we realized that several small purchases on my teenage son's phone were adding up.
Product Review: Amazon Kindle Fire HDI bought my original Kindle when they first came out and loved it. I used it often on my bus rides to the VA Hospital which was 90 minutes going, 90 minutes returning not to mention the wait to be seen for my appointments.
Use an Alias For FacebookFacebook is a great source for saving websites you want to find easily. You already know this, but read on. Use it especially for a recipe you intend to use soon or often, or a quilt pattern, or any You Tube you want to find fast and easy. On almost any website, there is a feature where you click the FB icon, and it will be saved immediately.
Protecting Your Personal Data and...Computers, tablets, and smartphones are a part of everyone's life these days. Therefore, it's vital that we understand the importance of protecting our data when online.
Easily Remember Your PasswordInstead of random letters for passwords, create an 8 word sentence (with at least one number in it) that's memorable to you. Use a song lyric, favorite line from a book or movie or personal statement.
Add Personal Details to your ThriftyFun QuestionsNow I find it interesting when someone lists their location along with their name. Especially if they're in another country. Heck, I'm proud, I give my name and location. But here's the thing: So often questions are asked and and someone replies 'I don't know where you are, but . . .' Or 'I don't know if you're in a large city or small town, but . . . .' So many times, answers are predicated on your location. Especially if you're in another country. If you're from Nigeria or Australia, I can't very well tell you to go to your local Walmart, right? How about going in and beefing up your profile a bit - tell us where you're from.
Change Computer Date to Extend your "Free Trial" SubscriptionsIf your free trial is about up and you would still like to keep it with out making a permanent purchase option just yet all you need to do is go under your computer settings that manage the time and date and push the date back for however long you would like to extend your free trial.
Free or Discounted LaptopsI just read about a computer grant you can apply to. I saw it on interconection.org, they also have discount on computers. You all should go check it out and, no, I don't work for them. Thank you!
Outwitting My Epson PrinterTo save paper, for drafts or working pages, I print on the backs of previously-printed-on pages. Many of those pages have been 3-hole punched because they were in binders. With my old printers, this worked fine. However, my 15-year-old printers are dying.
Organizing your Web Page FavoritesI recently lost my laptop to a virus and it was more costly to recover than to purchase a new one. Fortunately, they were able to save my data. I had a bad habit of saving to "favorites" without catergorizing.
Use Bing Search Engine for Free Gift CardsEver hear of getting some moola effortlessly? Well you can, and I'm here to tell you how to do that. Bing rewards! Once you join, you automatically earn 1 point for every time you use your search engine. For example, say you get about 475 Bing rewards. You will get a 5 dollar gift card of your choice for free! So go on with your bad self, and light up that search engine.
Old Computer DisposalGoodwill has a 'Green' partnership with Dell Computers; In most areas of the Country you can get rid of your old PC or Laptop at a Local Goodwill Store!
iPhone Goes Straight to Voicemail FixMy husband and I were both regularly missing important calls on our iPhone so I did some research and found the problem. If your iPhone is sending calls straight to voicemail, turn off Do Not Disturb. You can tell it is on by the little moon icon next to the time, which you probably never noticed.
Cleaning a Keyboard with Microfiber ClothI recently noticed how dirty one of our computer keyboards had become. I tried a baby wipe and it didn't work. I wasn't sure how to clean the keys until my mom suggested trying a damp microfiber. It worked like magic and it was quick too!
Placemat as Larger Size Mouse PadI have a place mat on the top of my desk for when I snack while playing Scrabble. I have another on my pullout tray where the keyboard and mouse are. It is big enough to keep me from running off the edge with my mouse.
Easy and Secure Password ManagementThis is a tip passed on to me by my security instructor that works with government installations. Go to a password generator website. Choose to generate an 8 character string and check the boxes for lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols.
Remember Passwords EasilyChoose a category that interests you; Premier League Footballers, Wild Flowers or whatever. Find a name for all of the more commonly used letters of the alphabet Your password for any given site will be the name that starts with the same initial letter, plus whatever combination of...
Ideas for Finding a Free LaptopI read on here about going through Freecycle. That doesn't work so well here in Indiana. One place we were able to find a free laptop is through the college classifieds online.
Removing CD Stuck in MacbookI got a CD stuck in my Macbook and couldn't get it to eject. I tried several methods get it out. Tweezers were too thick to go in the slot and grip around the end of the disc. Restarting it with the mouse button held down didn't work.
Tape Deck as iPhone HolderIf you own an iPhone and are cool enough to have a tape deck in your car, then you may find this tip useful. :) An iPhone fits perfectly into the opening of your tape deck, making it a great place to put it while driving.
Organizing Apps on iPhones and iPadsJust drag similar apps over each other and they will automatically create a folder and name itself. From here, you can add to them very easily.
Operate an Old Computer Years into the FutureIf you have been on the web for years, do not listen to anybody who tells you to update or to upgrade your old computer.
HP Ink Cartridges Have an Expiration DateI just bought several new refurbished ink cartridges at the local office store and they would not work. So, I took them back. The manager pointed out to me they were expired and should not have been on the shelf.
Storing New Passwords in EmailsWhen I get an email to help me reset it, I go back to it after I have reset the password and type it in that email and resend it to myself.
Larger Mouse PadI had been looking for a long time for a large mouse pad, because my hand was always going off the regular ones. Then it came to me to use a stiff vinyl placement, several of which I had on hand. I have been using it for a year or so, and it works perfectly!
Poem: "A Night Without the Internet"I didn't hear the doorbell. I must have been asleep.
I didn't get my package and it almost made me weep.
The box contained my modem. Connectivity was lost.
With life unplugged I didn't know if I could I bear the cost?
Tips For Saving on Printer InkIf you use your printer a little or a lot, ink is still expensive. I use my regular printer a lot, mostly black but it still "uses" color inks.
Use Cardboard To Clean KeyboardI found to my surprise that using cardboard from a toilet paper roll, about the size of a large paperclip, makes an excellent hair and debris picker-upper from off the keyboard.
Use Swagbucks Search Engine to Get Free StuffI have made Swagbucks my default search engine and have earned several gift cards for stores where I shop. Easy to do and nice to get free stuff. Go to Swagbucks.com to sign up.
"Please Hear Me" - Email EtiquetteThis is something I wrote recently and actually did send it to some of the people who can't get it after years of asking nicely.
Cleaning Computer Monitor and KeyboardThis is the way I clean my laptop monitor; I use a microfiber cloth. If this doesn't work dampen the cloth and try again.
Do Not Automatically Renew Your Computer Antivirus SoftwareDo not set up to automatically renew your computer antivirus program. My computer came with a trial of Norton Internet Protection. I signed up for a years protection when that expired. The program had installed for it to automatically renew at the end.
Keeping Laptop Computer CoolerTake a baker's rack and set your laptop on it. This lets air flow thru underneath it and thereby keeps your computer cool. This way you do not have to keep buying fans to sit under it to cool it. It works great either sitting it on your lap or on a desk.
Saving Pictures to Your ComputerIf you are only going to use a picture one time, just save it as "new". When you save the next picture, you will save that as "new" and it will replace the other picture. Saves a lot of time cleaning out your pictures that you just wanted to use one time.
Possible Cause for July 2012 Internet ProblemsIf someone you know is having problems connecting to the Internet starting on about July 9, 2012 then they might be affected by a DNS changer malware which the FBI has been investigating.
Alert Regarding Malware TrojanHorse: DNS ChangerThere is a malware Trojan called "DNS Changer" that has infected millions of computers worldwide. The FBI plans to pull the plug on DNS servers that are currently providing computers infected with the DNS Changer malware.
Bookmarking Online TipsI find it easy to create files for areas I'm interested in under the "Bookmark" area. For example, Crocheting, Knitting, Cleaning, Stores, etc. Then when I come across a page or note I'd like to keep, I simply bookmark this page and save it under its proper file folder.
Warning: If You Use Linkedln Change Your Password ImmediatelyIt was just announced by Linkedln (today is June 7, 2012) that user passwords have been stolen from their database and not only that but that they have also been posted on the internet and 60% of the encrypted passwords have already been cracked!
Cake Cooling Rack for Keeping Laptop CoolWhen I use my laptop on my lap, it gets very hot even with the fan running and the vents clear. Using it on the desk or table, it also gets very warm and sometimes shuts down because it over heats.
Remove And Destroy Hard DrivesALWAYS remove your hard drive when getting rid of your PC. Even if you erase the hard drive, it will have data on it that still can be retrieved by a savvy computer tech.
Fix That MousepadMy mousepad was is sad condition. It showed multiple spill spots, and had peeled up from all four corners. I considered buying a new one. But of course I had to try and use what I had first.
Schedule Time To Check EmailAvoid this morning time-stealer. Do not start your day reviewing e-mail. Chances are you will get off-schedule and find yourself responding to other people's needs instead of yours.
Protect Your Laptop From SpillsI use my laptop quite a bit in my kitchen for looking up recipes or just surfing the net while cooking. I always put the laptop on top of a cookie cooling rack (a small one fits perfectly) on my kitchen counter, so if there are any spills of any kind, your laptop is raised a bit.
Saving Money on Printer InkSome of us have printer/fax machines that are costly. I know that after purchasing my Canon printer, I began to regret it because I felt that I couldn't afford it.
Weebly.com For Free Website TemplatesThere are free templates out there. I created websites for people using the Weebly.com templates. It is very very basic, no html.
Software Recommendations: Malwarebytes and AVGInstall and activate Malwarebytes. It has saved my reinstalling my Operating System! Even if you get a virus you can boot into safe mode, activate it and remove the offender.
Water in LaptopIn February, I accidentally spilled water down the fan side of my 2 week old brand new laptop. The computer tech told me to take the battery out ASAP!
Additional Free Email AccountsI had a tip about organizing e-mail, using more than one e-mail address. It dawned on me that some people may not know how or where additional e-mails can be acquired.
"System Fix" Virus EmailI received an email from the USPS. They gave me an attachment that was an application to retrieve the package, and correct the address. I clicked on it, and Norton said it was not a virus. That is when everything went to panic mode. Things began to lock up, then go black.
Magazine Mouse PadWho knew? My pa did; he's 84. If you have an optical mouse and need a fresh mouse pad, all you need is a good magazine. It works like a charm and you can pick the cover page you like.
Thumb Drive for Regular Backups"Thumb drives," also known as "flash drives," are very inexpensive and plug into any available USB port on your computer. I don't have a lot of important files to back up, but I learned that frequent backups matter. During last July's heatwave, my old hard drive was fried.
Using Different Email Addresses to Your AdvantageI get about fifty emails a day: personals from friends and family, daily newsletters, confirmation emails and special offers, etc. Since the emails come in no particular order, I decided to organize myself concerning them.
Cleaning a ComputerUse eyeglass cleaner to dust of the monitor and use a damp Q-tip between the keys. Use a feather duster to give it a dust, lightly over all. This works for me. You can't use anything strong on the monitor.
Considerations Before Buying a ComputerMany things to consider when buying a new computer. First and foremost, does it need to be portable? Shopping for a laptop is totally different than shopping for a desktop.
Keeping Track of Sites Using MailI bookmark some sites on the computer, but if I only want to go back and check them out later I just add them to mail to myself. When I find a site on the computer that I want to go back and look at, I open a compose mail and paste the URL to the body of the letter.
Cheap Fix for Laptop With Broken KeyboardI had gotten a new laptop and gave my son the one I had been using. Well after time he had messed up the keys, and took it apart to try and fix the keys. Then he lost some keys because he couldn't get them back on properly and was getting very frustrated with not being able to type.
Product Review: Logitech Back Lit KeyboardEven if it was a regular keyboard with no lighting, I would still love it because of how ulta-thin it is. It also has rubber pads on the bottom and doesn't slide all over my desk. I also really like the way the keys feel. It is by far the best keyboard I've ever had and I enjoy using it.
Remember Three Words For PasswordsI have given this lots of thought and have figured out a simple way to have a unique password for every site I visit with only needing to remember 3 words.
Before You Dispose of That ComputerFirst off let me say that if your PC or laptop does everything you want it to do, why replace it? If it is a matter of hard drive space for more applications or files, upgrade you technology with a larger hard drive.
