Change the desktop "wallpaper" on your PC

FOR THOSE WITH WINDOWS XP..

When you are on the desktop, put your mouse on a blank area (just make sure you are not on an icon) – now RIGHT CLICK

• At the bottom of the action list, the command you want to choose is “Properties”




• Now the Display Properties Dialog Box will open, which has several tabs: Themes-Desktop-ScreenSaver etc..




• Choose DESKTOP – and when this section opens, you can now change what is showing for the desktop wallpaper – there is a list of choices – NOTE: “none” which is at the top of the list is what we use to display the solid color MSN basic blue screen or




• You can go to the BROWSE button which opens My Pictures and add a photo from your folder








• Now you can now decide to have the picture "stretch" which covers the entire screen, such as you cat photo; or "center" which means the picture will be in the center will color around it, or "tiles" so that it takes the photo and replicates it many times.




• When you are done, at the bottom of the dialog box choose APPLY and then OK and your desktop wallpaper is changed until you change it again...

FOR THOSE WITH WINDOWS 7..

When you are on the desktop, put your mouse on a blank area (just make sure you are not on an icon) – now RIGHT CLICK

• At the bottom of the action list, the command you want to choose is “Personalize”




• Now a list of choices will appear, once of which is Desktop Background




• Click the picture or color you want for your desktop background




• As with the directions for Windows XP users above, you can now choose either a picture from those supplied by Windows 7, or if you want to choose something else left click the Picture location down arrow to view other categories, or click Browse to search for the picture on your computer. When you find the picture you want, double-click it. It will become your desktop background and appear in the list of desktop backgrounds.

What is Excel? And why would I use a spreadsheet?

Most of us understand that word processing software makes it much easier to create documents such as letters, forms, invitations, greeting cards and anything that contains text. Well – Excel does the same thing for us – making it easier to work lists, figures, numbers for list management, budget, statistics, data – anytime any type of calculation needs to be done. Although Excel spreadsheets/worksheets used to be used primarily for accounting and other analytical information where calculations needed to be made easily; but many of us find them a wonderful resource for list and other data management.

Like so many software application programs, Excel opens with a blank document – but in Excel that blank document is a blank worksheet, which is actually a grid of rows and columns.

In Excel, the rows of you spreadsheet/worksheet are serially numbered 1,2,3 .... and the columns are serially lettered A,B,C..... This numbering enables each space or cell to have its unique address; thus D15 represents the cell in the 4th column and the 15th row.

In Excel, using the ‘=’ sign, simple mathematical equations or formula can be used and sums, differences, products etc. calculated. Thus typing say, ‘=23+56’ in any cell will give the result of 79. The same work can be done by typing in the numbers 23 in cell A1, 56 in A2 and ‘=A1+A2’ in cell A3 and in fact what you have done is create a “formula”

Using a formula with cell references allows us to change the value in either cell A1 or A2 to get the revised result. This has significant advantages when using a complex formula or the same formula across multiple cells. The more recent your version of Excel, the easier it is to create and/or use formulas included in the software command list.

So many of the basic commands that we use all the time in Word Processing whether you use Microsoft Word Pad, Word or Word Perfect, such as Open, Save, Copy, Paste, Find, Replace Undo, Redo, Center, Left, Right etc.. are also available and work the same in Excel, Excel also offers a variety of basic commands that are designed to work with spreadsheets – whether you are managing a list of data or one with numbers and some of those are Paste Special, Filter, Sort, Wrap Text, Autofill, and Freeze panes.

And with the newer versions - Excel 2003, 2007 and 2010 - each new version adds more and more "templates" so that we don't have to recreate the wheel - so whether you are creating a budget for the holidays, a special event, your vacation or next years income & expenses - or various lists for managing data - there are hundreds of templates to choose from with the formulas already built in...

So whether you are trying to create a basic budget or want a way to quickly and easily maintain you all of your contact lists in one document – Excel is the answer.. So give it a try... it's easier than you think and can be used for so many things..

Texting Lingo & Slang…

It’s only a short time ago (a few years) that none of us knew what “TEXTING” was, but we now hear it referred to all the time – on the radio, TV, newspapers, magazines – even billboards.
Texting from cell phones has created the need I guess for it's own “Texting Lingo” which allows anyone texting save time, energy and keystrokes with this new abbreviated language – problem is, many of us (and them) don’t know what it all means and the lists are growing every day… so here are just a few Texting Slang Expressions that you might see, but more importantly a new list of Texting Lingo a students just sent me for us “older adults” that I thought you’d enjoy and get a chuckle out of… and feel free to share these with your BFF’s…

Texting Slang:
Texting slang involves both symbols, and special abbreviations that mean certain things. Here some of the most popular texting slang symbols:

:) Smiley face / happy
=) Happy
:-) Happy
:( Sad
=( Sad
:' ) Happy Tears
:-* Kiss
:-D Laughing

Texting Lingo for Older Adults/Seniors:
And we are all aware that the younger generation is using lots of Texting Lingo (abbreviations) when they talk, text and email.. so why shouldn’t us “older adults” have some of our own - So here are some "texting lingo" terms created for us older adults/seniors and I want to thank Peg G. from New Brighton, MN for sending this to me to share with all of you:

ATD - At the Doctor's
BFF - Best Friends Funeral
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT - Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATSC - See You at the Senior Center
DWI - Driving While Incontinent
FWBB - Friend with Beta Blockers
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
FYI - Found Your Insulin
GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
HGBM - Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL - Living on Lipitor
LWO - Lawrence Welk's On
OAS - Older Adults-Seniors
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
OMSG - Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFL..CGU - Rolling on the Floor Laughing...Can't get Up!
TOT - Texting on Toilet
TTYL - Talk to You Louder
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA - Wet the Furniture Again
WTP - Where're the Prunes
WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil

Hope these help!

GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!

Computer Classes Begin October 4th

Greetings everyone, On behalf of all the staff at Mohave Community College, we hope you have had a wonderful summer and are ready to hit the books (well the computers anyway) again… My computer classes will begin again on Tuesday, October 4th at Mohave Community College.

We have some great classes lined up from October until May (other than a short break for the Christmas holidays) to help you become more comfortable with your computer, digital camera, using social networks, such as facebook and blogging, using your printer and lots of different software so you can create letters, newsletters, greeting cards, spreadsheets, power point slide shows, even to create your own books with or without photos…and of course lots of tips for using your email or skyping family all over the world…

The following classes are being held in October and it’s easy to reserve your seat, Call Registration 928-855-7812 or 453-1139.. Consider signing up with a friend – coming to class with someone else gives you the motivation to practice and the more people in each class the more is learned from questions....

COMPUTERS FOR THE FUN OF IT LSC062-121: October 4 & 5, Tuesday & Wednesday mornings, 8:30-12:20pm - 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…

SOCIAL NETWORKING & BLOG BASICS LSC080-121 October 4 & 5, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons, 1pm –4:50pm - Two 4 hour classes learning all about social networking & blogging, including “Facebook” “Twittering” etc.. Create a family or organization blog – learn how, why & when to post – comments; Set Up Your Own Blog; Templates; Add Ons: Links, Photos, Slide Shows, Blog Tools & more - it’s fun free & easy

INTERNET AND IT’S MANY USES LSC071-121: October 11 & 12, Tuesday & Wednesday morning, 8:30am-12:20pm Two 4 Hour classes designed to help you get totally comfortable with the 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

LIST AND DATA MANAGEMENT WITH EXCEL LSC069-121: October 11 & 12, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons, 1pm-4:50pm, 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 LSC100A-221: October 14 & 17, Friday & Monday mornings, October 14 & 17, 8:30am – 12:20pm, 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

HOW TO BUY & SELL ONLINE LSC101-121: October 18 & 19, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons, 1pm-4:50pm, 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

POWER POINT SLIDE SHOWS: LSC069D-121: October 25 & 26, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons, 1pm – 3:40pm - Two 4 hr. classes Two 4 hour classes to create basic Slide Show presentation and enhance your presentation with text, photos & clip art, animation, transition & timing features

CREATE/PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK LSC100A-124: November 15 & 18, Tuesday & Friday afternoons, 1pm – 4:50pm, - Two 4 hour classes learning to create & publish your own book, using free book publishing software from www.blurb.com known as personal book making & publishing-use 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-we will also work with walgreens.com to create a book & greeting cards using your photos Bring photos to class (on camera or flash drive)

We will post new upcoming classes every few weeks, and remember you are welcome to check the college website at your convenience.. Anxious to see you all...

As always, there are lots of great happenings going on in Lake Havasu City, so be sure to check out the Lake Havau City Tourism website, which has been totally redone nad looks fabulous. Once ther check out the events tab and choose the month you are interested in..

www.golakehavasu.com/events

Apple iTunes, iPods, iPhone, iPads & Music...

So many students are now using various Apple devices – such as iPod, iPad, iPhone etc.. and the questions we receive are as varied as the devices themselves.

Bu the most popular question I receive is “how do I get music from my computer to my iPod, iPad, iPhone etc”…all of which use Apples iTunes…

Apple has a wonderful instructional site that answers every conceivable iTunes questions you might have – The site walks you through (in English) the various aspects of everything and anything you might want to do with these and other Apple devices… And trust me, it is easy…

So if you have created an iTunes library and/or you have one of the iPod, iPad, iPhone devices - visit this website. The website boasts “It will answer all your questions from burning CDs to watching HD TV, everything you always wanted to know about iTunes"

I would recommend that you save the website to your Favorites/Bookmarks or better yet, add it to your Favorite Bar, because I’m sure you’ll visit it often…

http://www.apple.com/itunes/features

Tribute to the victims and families of 9/11

I want to thank Paula Abrahms from Schnectedy, NY for sending this to me and I hope you will join us today as we all remember all the families who lost children, parents, husbands, wives, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, associates, friends and personal heroes on that dreadful morning that we now refer to as 9/11. Cherie Houston

No doubt most of us remember that beautiful Tuesday morning, ten years ago today “September 11th, 2001” when in just moments, 2,996 people lost their lives that morning - 2,977 innocent victims and the 19 highjackers.

Yes 246 innocent victims were on the four planes, the two that struck the towers in New York, the one that struck the Pentagon and the 4th that went down in a field in Shanksville, PA; another 2,606 innocent victims in New York City who were in the towers or on the ground, and the 125 innocent victims at the Pentagon in Washington. Yes all the deaths that morning were innocent civilians except for 55 innocent military personnel who were killed in the attack on the Pentagon…

This morning please take a moment to remember these families who continue to live with the impact of that dreadful morning, so that they will continue to find the strength needed to continue moving forward on their life journey..

This day is remembered and quietly kept
I pray to God that we never forget,
Yes the blow was hard, the shock severe,
So many lost, so much fear amidst the tears

I pray its true they still live on in the hearts and minds,
Of the loving families, that they left behind
No longer here in our life to share,
But in our hearts – they are always there

Our love for them and theirs for us, can never go away,
I think they are with us every day
Unseen and unheard, but always near,
So loved, so missed, and so very dear.

Yes its hard for sure when we’re left behind
Trying to move forward, praying for some peace of mind
Time and faith and kinds words when spoken
Will help heal our hearts that were so badly broken

Good Lord Above
Please grant strength and peace
to all 9/11 moms and families

And take a moment to visit the website dedicated to the 911 Memorial being dedicated today in New York City, NY in memory of all who lost their lives...

http://www.911memorial.org/

GPS & tips when using one - Part 2 of 2

Whats The Difference Between A Typical Gps Unit Or Using The Gps Navigation On A Smartphone?…

Let’s Talk Cost First….

• A Typical GPS unit for your car and/or boat will range from $120 - $250 and remember, most GPS’s require you to pay extra for annual software/map updates ranging in cost for this an annual free of $70-$90/per year/upgrade.
  


• Smartphones typically cost $149-$299 with a two year contract, plus an average of $30 per month for a data plan, and turn by turn navigation apps rane in [rice from free to $99, byt smartphone navigation aoos don’t carry annual map update fees…

What About The Types Of Maps On A GPS Vs. A Navigation App On A Smartphone

• As we mentnioned with a typical GPS you have to be sure you periodically update the mapping software, so that you have the most current maps..


• Smartphone map and points of interest databases “apps” are either downloaded initially with the purchase of the app (like with TomTom for the iPhone or you can download them on the fly a they say, per MotionX GPS drive or antoher app…
  


• When you downloard maps on the fly, you will always have the latest version. But you might be without a map if you are ni a remove area and out of cell phone tower range, such as when youa re cmaping or hiking…

What is a GPS & tips when using one - Part 1 of 2

GPS - stands for Global Positioning System

If you aren't familiar with these great little devices, a GPS is a space age navigational system that can pinpoint where you are anywhere in the world very accurately within a few yards or meters for our Canadian students. They will work day or night using a constellation of 24 satellites in precise orbits approximately 11,000 miles above the earth and the satellites transmit data via high frequency radio waves back to Earth in all weather conditions on land, on water and even in the air.

Although you don’t need one they are great to have if you are boating, driving, camping, hiking, 4 wheeling and anywhere on the move…

Top Sellers are the Basic Garmin, TomTom and the Garmin Magellan

Although they are great, when you are using a GPS a few helpful things to remember:

• Once you input your route, review it to be sure it makes sense to you



• You may not want to use the smaller recommended roads where services might not be readily available especially in new areas that you aren’t familiar with



• Your GPS should be a helpful tool, but always take and review a new updated street, topographic or marine map



• Don’t let the GPS distract you – don’t program it while driving; don’t pay more attention to the GPS unit than the road and never neglect your line of sight while following the directions from the GPS unit



• Pay attention before making turns when the GPS tells you to turn or take an exit, remember the GPS has no idea if its safe to do so at that moment… Some drivers might panic when thеу gеt thе instructions and aren’t able to take the turn or exit..



• Remember if you miss a turn or exit, thе GPS will recalculate аnd gеt you back οn track.



• Mοѕt GPS devices offer multiple routes tο a destination, ѕο іf you don’t lіkе or agree with thе proposed route, then choose another way with the help of a map….



• Don’t check your common sense at the door (or the dock) just because you are using a GPS device…

Apologies for no posts this week

Just a quick note to apologize for not having made any posts this week - but thanks to an unwelcome "guest" I haven't had any power, Internet or telephone since quite early Sunday morning when Hurricane Irene decided to visit the east coast and her winds and heavy rains introduced themselves to all of us in the wee hours..... Fortunately by the time she actually landed in Massachusetts she was just a Level I/tropical storm, but the damage has been incredible - trees and power lines down everywhere, but thankfully the loss of life could have been considerably worse.. so for that we are all very blessed and grateful...

Fortunately, our power was restored this morning and we now have Internet.... So within the next few days I'll be back in full swing and posts will be posted again every few days....

As always, if you have any specific topic or question you'd like addressed - just send me an email... the more questions or requests the better - that's how we all get to learn from each other.

In the meantime, let's hope that the next storm "Katia" which is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean will decide to take a stroll out to sea...

Enjoy your evening and I look forward to hearing from all of you ~ Cherie Houston

CUSTOMER SERVICE ~ TECH SUPPORT HELP

No doubt all of us have tried to call the customer service or tech support departments in any number of companies, only to waste time listening to music we don’t like and waiting to be told which button to push to continue on thru a maze of other numbers in the hopes of maybe getting thru to a live person that can help us…

Next time, before you make that call, you might want to check out these two websites, that can help you to maneuver thru these mazes. Both of these websites, list the correct phone numbers for countless companies and they also will give you the correct button sequences to get you through to a live person much more quickly.

The websites are:

Get Human - www.gethuman.com

Dial A Human - www.dialahuman.com

Before you make that call - also consider another option "Instant Messaging" that is offered by many companies directly on their websites. Yes, many companies today offer us the ability to “instant message their customer service and or tech support personnel” directly from their companies website..

If this is an option, try it. Most of us find this much more effective than waiting on the telephone - because you can converse "via typing" back and forth with this individual.. I also like this because I can then highlight our conversation - copy it - and save it in my PC Problem folder that I've created in My Documents for reference in the future...

Instant messaging also allows you the option to immediately attach documents that they can read - so you can scan in a document you might want them to see and then attach it during your "instant messaging conversation" or if it's a computer problem – this option also allows you the ability to “take a picture of what’s on your monitor” by using the CTRL + PRNT SCREEN Key and then pasting the photo in word and saving it in a PC problem folder you’ve created, so that while you are “talking/instant messaging the tech support person, you can attach the document that will show him/her the problem or error message you are getting…

Technology can be frustrating, but if you know what to do you can use it all to your advantage..

Hello from the Mohave Community College Library

Greetings from Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu Campus of Mohave Community College!

It’s still too hot to spend much time outside here in Lake Havasu, so come by the Library to check out a book or audio book to enjoy inside. No matter where you are, you can always visit our website at Mohave.edu/library to take a look at some of the great databases we have to offer. You can look at Consumer Reports and many other popular magazines for free.

Just call me (Wendi) at 928-453-5809 or email me at wbirkhead@mohave.edu and I can explain to you how to access the databases (it’s easy – I promise!). Or, you can come on by and visit with us in person at Mohave Community College at 1977 Acoma Blvd. West (we’re located toward the back of the campus, not far from the 500 Building). Remember, the Hodel Library is open to everyone!

So please feel free to call us if you have any questions - again our number is 928-453-5809 and of course we hope you will come by and visit with us in person.. or email me directly at wbirkhead@mohave.edu. Let us know how we can help.

Enjoy what's left of your summer and for all our winter residents, safe travles and we can't wait for your return to the MCC Campus and Lake Havasu City...

Wendi Birkhead, MLSCampus Librarian

Hodel Library - Lake Havasu City Campus
Mohave Community College
1977 W. Acoma Blvd, LHC, AZ 86403
Tel 928-453-5809
Fax 928-453-8335
Toll Free: 1.866.664.2832
wbirkhead@mohave.edu or www.mohave.edu/library

Windows Explorer-The computers filing cabinet

Windows Explorer is an application software program available in all Windows Operating Systems that allows you to find anything on your computer.

To me, Windows Explorer is like looking at various file cabinets and what's in those file cabinet drawers to find everything I've saved on my computer.. It allows us to to easily copy documents, photos, music, videos from one folder to another or to back up my folders onto a flash drive or portable hard drive..

Windows Explorer is typically listed in the Program list under Accessories, but for the easiest access no matter what program you are in, just use your keyboard shortcut:
Windows Flag Key + E .

When you use Windows Explorer, you can see all the documents stored on your computer (or your network), which makes it easy to select documents, folders, travel drives, digital cameras portable hard drives to work with them.

Windows Explorer uses the same “folder system” you would in a “filing cabinet”. Folders and sub-folders are "containers" to store documents (files). The folders that Windows creates for you are named My Documents, My Music, My Pictures & My Videos. They get their names from the fact that you use them as follows:

My Documents: Use this folder to store other types of documents you save, such as typed text or spreadsheets

• My Music: Use this folder to store music you copy to your computers


• My Pictures: Use this folder to store pictures, such as those you get from a camera or scanner, or from the Internet


• My Videos: Use this folder to store videos, such as those you get from a video camera, emails or from the Internet

In Windows XP and older operating systems you will see that you must open the My Documents drawer to see the other master folders, such as My Music, My Pictures, My Scans, My Videos...

In Windows Vista and Windows 7 Operating Systems, the Master folder is called a Library and in that you will find each of the individual master folders, including My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, My Scans, My Videos..

For those of you using MAC’s – you now have Macintosh Explorer – check it out at www.ragesw.com/products/explorer.html

CTRL + F - Keyboard shortcut to find specific words

By now, most of you know how much I enjoy using “Keyboard Shortcuts” which make doing certain functions a little easier - and I like easy - but they do allow us to give a command and get results quickly and easily…

To me CTRL + F is one of those keyboard shortcuts that I think you will use as often as I do, which is “all the time”

Most of us spend time looking for documents or other things on our computer because we can’t remember what we named them – but we do remember words specific in that document – report, spreadsheet, letter – whatever… Well if you haven’t tried this keyboard shortcut before – give it a try…

This great keyboard shortcut works in almost every application (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, with all major browsers, Notepad, Word Pad and many other application software programs... Simply type the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F (F for Find) to find a word or series of characters.

Give it a try right now while you are on the internet—search for the word “keyboard” in the next section.

Surf the Internet and use some favorite shortcuts

Just a few reminders to use some of the "basic" keystrokes & keyboard shortcuts so that when you are surfing the Internet - it will be easier and more enjoyable.....

• "F5" REFRESH KEY – using this function key will “reconnect" you to a website to update all the information


• "F11” FUNCTION KEY – (or Menu Bar, View, FULL SCREEN)- This is a “toggle button/key” so you can go back and forth for Full Screen which CONDENSES your toolbar at the top OR Normal Screen with All Toolbars at top and Task Bar at bottom…


• CTRL AND + OR – KEYS – Allow you to quickly and easily enlarge the screen when you are on the Internet OR use the Zoom Icon/drop down menu on the status bar at the bottom of your screen or go to your Command Bar, Page and Zoom-and change the size there - remember this doesn't change text size, it simply magnifies whats on your monitor when you are on the Internet so that it is easier to read..


• CTRL PLUS LEFT CLICKING THE “HYPERLINK” YOU WANT TO OPEN – this allows you to leave the page you are on open and it forces open another new tab so you toggle between both websites


• TABBING & FAVORITES/BOOKMARKS – these features allow you to easily multi-task and toggle from one website to another without having to “sign in” repeatedly and to visit websites you visit often

When you can't cancel a print job..

From time to time there will be print jobs that just won’t seem to delete no matter how we try to cancel or delete the print job - whether we try to cancel:

• By using the cancel on the printer OR

• From the Printer in the Start Menu OR

• Using the Printer Icon & Menu from the system try (bottom right corner of the monitor above the clock)

Don’t panic – try the following – which usually corrects the problem …

In Windows XP

• Go to Control Panel

• Select Administrative Tools

• Double-click on Services (Icon is usually 2 gears)

• When the list of services appear, scroll down until you find one called "Print Spooler"

• Highlight this service option – and on the left column choose "Restart"

• The "deleted" jobs will disappear and any queued jobs in your print queue will print

In Windows Vista

• Go to Control Panel

• Select System and Maintenance

• Select Administrative Tools

• Double-click on Services

• When the service list appears, scroll down until you find one called "Print Spooler"

• Right-click on "Print Spooler" and select "Restart"

Success - the "deleted" jobs will disappear and any jobs waiting in your print queue will now print

Annual Credit Report

This is the official website to check your credit report for free...

http://www.annualcreditreport.com/

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report - You are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit report can be requested through this website, by phone or by mail.

Each person is entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies through the Central Source. It is entirely your choice whether you order all three credit reports at the same time or order one now and others later. The advantage of ordering all three at the same time is that you can compare them. (However, you will not be eligible for another free credit report from the Central Source for 12 months.) On the other hand, the advantage of ordering one now and others later (for example, one credit report every four months) is that you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit report. So if you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date

The addresses for the credit reporting agencies are listed below:

Equifax
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, Georgia 30374

Experian
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, Texas 75013

TransUnion
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

s

Website for Internet Safety Tips (FBI)

One of the most common questions and/or concerns we hear from our students is that of protecting themselves online from privacy theft or internet fraud..
The FBI has a great website that is updated continually about the latest scams – but the following link is to their section specifically designed for all of us “older adults” to help ensure that we can surf the web safely and enjoy the internet.. Check it out and add it to your favorites… Goal is to give you recommendation to protect yourself, your identity and your money!!!

www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors/seniors#target

Some basic tips:

• Never respond directly to an internet ad via their “Link”


• Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements


• Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment


• Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand


• Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase


• Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor


• Trust your gut - if it feels too good to be true, it probably is!!!


• Talk to family & friends first - ask for their recommendations

Safelink - A free cell phone for seniors

You may want to check out “SAFELINK” wireless which is offered to seniors for free – many of our students have taken advantage of this program, so check it out… It is a very basic phone, but wonderful to have in an emergency…

This is the link to their website…

http://www.safelinkwireless.com/

This is the initial introduction made on their webpage – so once again, check it out…

SAFELINK WIRELESS® service is U.S. government supported program for Income eligible households provided by TracFone Wireless, Inc. In order to participate in the SAFELINK WIRELESS® service, persons must meet certain eligibility requirements set by each State where the service is to be provided. These requirements are based on a person’s participation in a state or Federal support programs or by meeting the Income Poverty Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Government. SAFELINK WIRELESS® service is limited to one person per household

For those of you who already have a Safelink cell phone, remember to leave the phone on the first 3 days of the month so that you get your minutes – and if you forget to leave your phone on, your minutes are there waiting for you - to retrieve them to your phone, follow these simple steps...

You may retrieve your Monthly Minutes by following these instructions:
1. Press the MENU key.
2. "Prepaid" will be displayed across your screen.
3. Press OK or SELECT.
4. Go to "Redeem Airtime" or “Add Airtime."
5. Press OK or SELECT.
6. If your screen displays a message, go down and press OK until you see “Card #” or “Airtime PIN.”
7. Enter 555 and press OK.
8. If you are prompted for a promo code, press NO.

You will receive your Minutes shortly.

Router or Modem – What’s the difference?

Routers and modems are “hardware” – They are individual devices with very distinct and separate functions.

A ROUTER is not really essential for internet communication. It is still possible to connect to the internet without routers just like in the old days with internal PCI modems. But you should remember that the main job of the router is to protect you from possible threats and malware, and this shouldn’t be taken very lightly

A MODEM, is the device (or piece of hardware) that allows us to connect our computers – either wired or wirelessly – to the internet. Typically, the modem you use will be provided by your internet provider – you can purchase your own, but be sure that the model you choose will work with the connection from your internet provider (telecommunication company, cable company or satellite provider) before making the purchase. Without a modem, you cannot connect to the internet.

More and more often today, you can purchase combined router/modems so that you don’t have to have 2 separate devices in your work area, such as wi-fi modems that are equipped with routing capabilities which can be wireless or wired or both. There’s no question that in the future, there will be no practical need for cables anymore and all wi-fi modems will also have wifi router functions.

What does Download & Upload mean?

When we “download” something – we are bringing “it” from the source we are connected to on the Internet to our computer. Such as, we might "download" music, videos or photos from a website we are visiting to our computer so that we can save it for future use. It is very common today to purchase software from an online store or source and then “download” the software to our computer. In all cases – when you download something – the original remains at the source you are copying it from. You are downloading a copy - never the original.

When we “upload” something we are sending a copy of “it” from our computer to the source we are connected to on the Internet…- such as when we want to order or share photos, we will “upload them” or send a copy of them to Walgreens, CVS or Picasa web albums so that we can then access them from anywhere in the world; when you add an "attachment" to an email, a copy of the original is being "uploaded" and attached it your email.. In all cases – when you upload something – the original remains on your computer – it is simply a copy of that original that is uploaded and sent to the source