Trick or Tracker Cell Phone APP for parents

What will they think of next...  This cell phone APP is getting rave reviews from tech forums, parent organizations and news rooms everywhere - and it's been on our local news, so thought we should pass it on.....  This is an app with parents of tweens & teens who have cell phones.. 

Trick or Tracker Cell Phone APP for parents

Check it out: www.trickortracker.com

 Trick or Tracker cell phone app is designed to link parents and their children's cell phones and uses each phone's GP"S capabilities so you can monitor their locations..  Children must have an Android phone , but parents don't need one; they can use their iPhone, BlackBerry or Windows 7 phone.

Parents can set a boundary or what is referred to as a "geo-fence" by specifying a desired radius around the home on the cell phone app's map. If the tween or teen then wanders out of range, the parent will receive a text message alert immediately; curfews can also be enforced through Trick or Tracker and they now offer a "latchkey kid" feature which sends a text message alert to the parent's phone when children arrive home..

 
This amazing Trick or Tracker by Iconosys, Inc. costs $4.99 for lifetime usage. But, those downloading it specifically for Halloween Day from the official website would be able to utilize it for FREE between 8 a.m. and 11.59 p.m. EST-great way to try it before you buy it.. 

Windows 8 is here!!!!

Yes, the long awaited newest operating system "Windows 8" is here...

Windows 8 Microsoft's newest operating system, was released yesterday, October 26th just after midnight EST.....BUT before you rush out and buy an upgrade or a computer with Windows 8 on it, take a little time and do some homework... read some of the articles online, so you will have a better understanding of what this long awaited new operating system is all about.  Yes, it is very different and Yes there will be a "learning curve" so I think it's advantageous to take the time to understand what it's all about first...

A few easy to understand articles...check them out or go to your favorite search engine and simply search for "what's windows 8 all about"...

www.lifehacker.com/5839777/first-look-at-whats-new-in-windows-8

www.cnn.com/2012/10/25/tech/gaming-gadgets/windows-8-faq/index.html

www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-rettinger/windows-8-is-here-8-thing_b_2022868.html

Typing Tutorial Websites

How can I improve my typing skills? a question we hear quite often.. 

Like the piano - it's simply a matter of practice, but remember this isn't crucial - lots of our famous authors and reporters spent their entire careers "pecking away" and did very well...   Now if you are getting ready to take a typing test that's a different story, but I doubt that most of us are worried about that...

But if you think you'd like to improve your typing skills - speed, accuracy or both - you don't have to run out and purchase an application software program - there are wonderful FREE websites that can help you with this new goal - here are "hyperlinks" to some of our favorite typing tutorial websites, so check them out...

Note-some sites will ask you if you want the "tutorial" for a "QWERTY" or "DVORAK" keyboard-ours in the classroom, as are most keyboards, are "QWERTY" style...  

Not sure what the difference is - check out our blog posting pack in November 2009 about these two types of keyboards

http://www.utseniorpcgeeks.blogspot.com/2009/11/whats-difference-between-qwerty-dvorak.html

Free Typing tutorial websites:

www.powertyping.com

www.typingweb.com

www.rapidtyping.com

www.freetypinggame.net

www.alfatyping.com

Enjoy and Good Luck

Social Security Updates for 2013

For those of you who may not have seen this article, there are several Social Security Changes that may affect you - so here's the scoop to help you stay informed...

Social Security recipients will get a small increase next year, and the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will rise - By MSN Money partner  10/16/2012-This post comes from Emily Brandon at partner site U.S. News & World Report.

Social Security recipients will get slightly bigger checks in 2013. The Social Security Administration also recently announced several other ways the program will be tweaked in the coming year.   Here's a look at the Social Security changes workers and retirees will experience next year:

Bigger monthly payments. Social Security payments will increase by 1.7% in 2013. That's considerably less than the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment retirees received in 2012. Social Security payments are adjusted each year to reflect inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Previous inflation adjustments have ranged from zero in 2010 and 2011 to 14.3% in 1980. The average Social Security check is expected to increase by $21 as a result of the change, from $1,240 to $1,261 in 2013. Couples will see their benefit payments grow from an average of $2,014 to $2,048.

Payroll tax cut scheduled to expire. Workers will pay 6.2% of their income into the Social Security system in 2013, up from 4.2% in 2012. The temporary payroll tax cut expires at the end of December under current law.

Higher Social Security tax cap. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security taxes will be $113,700 in 2013, up from $110,100 in 2012. About 10 million people will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Increased earnings limit. Retirees who work and collect Social Security benefits at the same time will be able to earn $480 more next year before any portion of their Social Security payment will be withheld. Social Security recipients who are younger than their full retirement age (66 for those born between 1943 and 1954) can earn up to $15,120 in 2013, after which $1 of every $2 earned will be temporarily withheld from their Social Security payments.

For retirees who turn 66 in 2013, the limit will be $40,080, after which $1 of every $3 earned will be withheld.

Once you turn your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without penalty and collect Social Security benefits at the same time. At your full retirement age your monthly payments will also be adjusted to reflect any benefits that were withheld and your continued earnings.

Maximum possible benefit grows. The maximum possible Social Security benefit for a worker who begins collecting benefits at their full retirement age will be $2,533 in 2013, up from $2,513 per month in 2012.

Paper checks will end. The U.S. Treasury will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security beneficiaries on March 1. All federal benefit recipients must then receive their payments via direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a Direct Express Debit MasterCard.

Retirees who do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1 will receive their payments loaded onto a prepaid debit card. Most people already receive their benefit payments electronically, and new Social Security recipients have been required to choose an electronic payment option since 2011.

iMac Workshops & other Computer Classes at MCC

I am so pleased to announce that the “Everything i/Mac 4 hour Workshops” are now being offered at MCC this fall and winter. Cassandra Pham will be teaching these workshops and her love and understanding of all things MAC will really impress you; I can’t wait to hear your feedback… 

Class sizes will be limited, so be sure to contact MCC and register so you have a seat.. For those of you who already have “I”devices, such as iPads, MacBooks, iPhones etc.. be sure to bring your Macs with you (along with your questions)  - For those of you who are thinking about purchasing a MAC product, these workshops will help you better understand the features available with Apple/MAC’s and which device might be best for your needs…

Learn how to find & organize what’s on your MAC, work with photos & apps, how to have all your “i” devices work together, and much more…

November-December 2012: 8:30am-12:20pm

· Saturday, Nov 10 LSC 040-121

· Tuesday, Nov 13 LSC 040-122

· Wednesday, Dec 5 LSC 040-123

· Saturday, Dec 8 LSC 040-124

January 2013: 8:30am-12:20pm

· Wednesday, Jan 16 LSC 040-121

· Saturday, Jan 26 LSC 040-122

More of these 4 hour "Everything i workshops" will be offered beyond January 2013, specific dates will be announced by mid-December for those of you who might not be returning to Havasu until after the holidays – so don’t worry…

We are also exploring the addition of several short 2 hour workshops for Android/Smartphones and hope to announce that in the next few weeks...

Call today for these or any of our wonderful classes and join with a friend, Just call Registration 928-855-7812 or 453-1139 and we’ll save you a seat for these workshops, or any of my computer classes or any of the great variety of classes held on countless topics in the arts, health, fitness and more… or Stop by and visit our campus at 1971 Acoma Blvd in Lake Havasu or our website: www.mohave.edu.

As for my computer classes – we have the following classes coming so be sure to call and get your seat and if you have specific questions, always feel free to email me:   cherie_houston@hotmail.com

internet and it’s many uses ~ LSC 071-121,  8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct 16 & 18 - Two 4 Hour classes internet tips & lingo, such as ISP, browser, blogger; when/why to use F5 & F11; website basics, hyperlinks, email basics, using “Google & Bing” to search web, images, news; translating to & from different languages; blogging

EXCEL-LIST AND DATA MANAGEMENT ~ LSC 069-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct. 16 & 18 - Two 4 hour classes-Learn to work with numbers & text (budget, contact lists for mail merges) Workbook vs. worksheet; cells, columns, rows, auto-formats; margins, grid lines, sorting numbers & data & print basics - Bring an address book or contact list to class

DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS ~ LSC 100A-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Fri & Mon, Oct 19 & 22 - Two 4 hour classes-Intro to digital cameras; pixels, camera lingo, basic how to’s, move photo’s to your PC with memory card & memory card reader, organize photos on your PC using Windows Explorer; save photos to portable drives Bring your digital camera to class

WORD-CREATe GREAT LOOKING DOCUMENTS ~ LSC 068-121, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct 23 & 25 - Two 4 hour classes-reviewing the basics to open, create, save documents; highlight; cut-copy-paste, set & change margins; create letters, envelopes, labels & use clip art, word art to enhance documents, create flyers & invitations & lots of printing tips

HOW TO BUY & SELL ONLINE ~ LSC 101-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct 23 & 25 - Two 4 hour classes-Buy and Sell on Line, find what you want; searching, making travel arrangements, general shopping tips, intro to online sales with sites such as eBay; eBid; craigslist & others: shortcuts, security

PICASA PHOTO EDITING ~ LSC 081- 121: 1pm-4:50pm, Mon’s & Wed, Oct 29, 31 & Nov 5 – Three “3”- 4 hr classes to learn to edit & print digital photo’s using Picasa (this is free Google software); learn to upload photo’s from your camera and/or scanner to the PC & learn to order prints online; how to create a quick movie or collage; use Picasa online web albums; use face & geo tagging & more - Bring your digital camera to class

Computers FOR THE FUN OF IT  ~ LSC 062-122, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct 30-Nov 1  - Two 4 Hour classes reviewing computer hardware, software, printing tips, keyboard shortcut tips, customizing desktop-changing backgrounds, create shortcuts, using quick launch bar, Start Menu, Task Bar, control panel & much more…

POWER POINT ~ LSC 069D-121,  1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Thurs, Oct 30 & Nov 1 - Two 4 hour classes-Use your digital photos to create Slide Show presentations, enhance presentations with text, photos & clip art, animation, music, transition & timing, and how to save slides as photos.. Bring photos and flash drive to class

WINDOWS 7 OPERATING SYSTEM ~ LSC100-124, 1-4:50pm, Wednesday, Nov. 7 – One 4 hour workshop helping you get more comfortable with Windows 7 and the many Features & Improvements (vs XP-Vista), such as Desktop customizing; Use Libraries to manage files; Jump Lists vs Task Bar or put taskbar back; Run apps; Shuffle wallpaper & screen savers; System Tray; Media Player; Alerts vs action centers & more

LAPTOP BASICS ~ LSC 100-121, 8:30-12:20pm, Thursday, Nov. 8^th – One 4 hour workshop learning about  desktop/laptop differences, laptop tips, accessories, Fn key, maneuvering around, internet & WiFi Basics, shortcuts, security & more – Bring your laptop, netbook etc. if you have one

EVERYTHING “i” APPLE/MAC WORKSHOP ~ LSC040-121, 8:30am-12:20pm Saturday, Nov. 10^th – One 4 hour workshop taught by Cassaundra Pham, discussing the varied features of the Mac products, focusing on iPad, MacBook and iPhone – including working with efinder, photos, apps, emails, syncing your “i” devices and much more – Bring your “I” Apple/Mac devices and your questions

HOW TO SKYPE OR GOOGLE VOICE  ~ LSC100-123, 8:30am-12:20pm, Monday, Nov. 12 - One 4 hour workshop learning how to use Skype and/or Google voice to make free phone calls & web calls world wide from any pc or smartphone.. lots of tips

MOVIE MAKER ~ LSC100A-125, 1-4:50pm, Mon & Thurs, Nov 12 & 15 -  Two 4 hr classes to learn to create movies with your photos, music & other special effects: transitions, titles/credits, your favorite music, timeline narration, and much more.  This software is free With Windows Xp, Media, Vista And/Or Windows 7 - Bring Photos To Class (On Your Camera Or Flash Drive)

FIND/ORGANIZE WHAT’S ON YOUR PC ~ LSC 062-123, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Nov. 13 & 14 - Two 4 hour classes Using Windows Explorer to find what you’ve saved on your PC; organize your work, files & photo’s to find them quickly & easily.  Learn to back up your pc, photo & documents with portable flash & hard drives, memory cards and memory card readers..

EVERYTHING “i” APPLE/MAC WORKSHOP ~ LSC040-122, 8:30am-12:20pm Tuesday, Nov. 13^th  – One 4 hour workshop taught by Cassaundra Pham, discussing the varied features of the Mac products, focusing on iPad, MacBook and iPhone – including working with efinder, photos, apps, emails, syncing your “i” devices and much more – Bring your “I” Apple/Mac devices and your questions

Word – WORKING WITH TABLES ~ LSC100-122, 8:30am-12:20pm, Thursday, Nov. 15 - One 4 hour Workshop learning to use Word to create “TABLES” using columns, rows, cells – merge cells, change borders & shading, tables are used in correspondence – quick budgets, to create forms including newsletters with clip art & more

MAIL MERGE USING BOTH WORD & EXCEL ~ LSC068-123 , 1-4:50pm, Mon & Wed, Nov 26 & 28 - Two 4 hr classes create a data list using both Excel and Word software Learn to enter & sort data various ways; to merge data for multiple “personalized” documents such as mailing labels, other labels, envelopes or form letters.. Bring An Address Book Or Contact List & Flash Drive  To Class

EMAIL HOW TO’S – ADVANCED ~  LSC 071-123, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Nov. 27 & 28 - Two 4 hour classes to enhance your basic email skills – work extensively with attachments of all types – documents, photos, videos, power point – learn to open & save, find & attach.  Learn to work with hyperlinks; to copy & paste to & from emails, internet and word

CREATE/PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK ~ LSC 081-122, 1-4:50pm Tues, Thurs, Fri, Nov 27, 29 & 30 – Three “3”  4 hr classes to Learn to create & publish your own book, using free book publishing software from Walgreens & CVS as well as blurb.com (for a book that’s copyrighted) using your WP skills & digital photos and learn in quantities as small as just one.  You decide: soft or hard cover, various sizes, all text, all photos or a combination of photos & text, story book or recipe book Bring photos to class (on camera or flash drive)

How to uninstall software programs from your computer

If all you are trying to do is remove an icon from your desktop, but want to leave the software program on your computer, simply hover your mouse over the icon on your desktop – right click and choose “delete”  With many software programs, you will receive a quick message dialog box reminding you that you are only deleting the icon and that if you want to actually remove the software, this must be done from the control panel.

Why would you remove a software program from your computer..  Programs we never use can take up extra storage space and can slow our computer’s down – or maybe you are changing Anti-Virus providers – remember you can only have one Anti-Virus program on your computer at a time, so you must remove one before you add a new one…

The Windows operating system has a program utility that makes it easy to uninstall unused or unwanted and it’s easy to get to through your Control Panel. 

1. Left Click the "Start" button on your taskbar.
2. When the Start menu appears, left Click "Control Panel."
3. When the Control Panel appears – left click “Add/Remove Programs”
4. It will take a moment and then list all software programs on your computer
5. Scroll thru the list to find the software program you want to install
6. Under each program on the right side, you will see a "Uninstall” button.
7. Left click on the “Uninstall” button and it will remove the program and once removed it will no longer appear on the program list
8. Once removed it will also remove icons from desktop, quick launch and taskbar)
9. Repeat process for any other programs you want to uninstall. 

Reminders…

Some programs include an option to change or repair the program in addition to uninstalling it, but many simply offer the option to uninstall. To change a program, click Change or Repair.

Some programs might ask you to enter an administrator password or confirmation before this can be done, so you’ll need to type the password or provide confirmation.