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An egg carton underneath a laptop to help with ventilation.

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.

 

A computer being projected onto a TV screen.

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.

 

A white coaster being used under a computer mouse.

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!

 

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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.

 

Canning Rings being used to raise laptop and allow air circulation.

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.

 

A data cable for a computer with a large torn spot, exposing the wires.

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.

 

Free Classes at Apple Stores - shipping box for computer

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.

 

A SD card for storing data.

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.

 

A computer screen showing how to use Window's Quick Launch options.

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.

 

Computer screen showing settings for adjusting your mouse.

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.

 

A screen from a Windows computer showing instructions for making a shortcut.

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.

 

A USB Laptop Cooling Pad and Fan

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.

 

A photo of a gift bag with snowmen.

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 Keyboard

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 Addresses

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?"

 

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Monitor Tip For the Vision Impaired

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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!

 

Placemat as Larger Size Mouse Pad

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.

 

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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!

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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 Mousepad, an old mousepad that is peeling up on the sides.

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

A thin keyboard, side view.

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.

 

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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.

 

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Non-Skid Computer Table Pad And Mouse PadIf you have a small computer table or desk; drape a furry blanket upside down over it, smooth side up; and place your computer there. This makes it hard to slide.

 

An oatmeal lid used to hold a burned CD.

Use Oatmeal Lid As Handy CD "PlaceMarker"I often work with CDs that I have saved documents and crafts on. When adding to them, it's often confusing as to which one I just did or which one comes next.

 

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Keep Computer Cables From Falling Behind DeskUse binder clips to hold your cables to keep them from falling behind the desk.

 

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Keep Laptop From OverheatingLaptops get warm and can overheat. To ventilate our laptop, I am propping it up off the table with old corks! I have taped 2 together for the hot side and use one on the other side.

 

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Computer Shortcuts Using the Control KeyMost average users know a few keyboard shortcuts but here are additional shortcuts that many folks under-utilize. If you spend a few moments learning them, you'll find them incredibly useful.

 

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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.

 

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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:

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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!

 

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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!

 

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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.

 

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Joke: How Many Electrical Engineers?Q: How many electrical engineers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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...

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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 . . .

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Making Your Browser Easier to ReadYou can increase or decrease the reading fonts in your browser:

 

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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?

 

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Missing Your Newsletter or Happy Garden Posts?Our apologies to all newsletter and list subscribers. Due to changes in our web server, the list server has not been serving the lists. (I may rename it the "list nonserver".

 

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