Keyboard Shortcuts with the CTRL Key

Using Keyboard shortcuts – is often a quicker and easier way to activate a command than grabbing for the mouse…

Try using some of these popular keyboard shortcuts with the CTRL KEY (remember  a full keyboard has two (2) CTRL KEYS on the bottom keyboard row - one on the right and one on the left of the space bar, whereas many laptops, notebooks, etc only have one due to space  constraints.

• CTRL KEY - Holding the CTRL KEY down and pressing other key combinations will initiate quite a few actions (including these noted to the right) The commands vary based on what program you are in..

• CTRL with the + or – will magnify or de-magnify what you are seeing on the monitor when you are on the Internet; Great when you forget your glasses or reading fine print

• CTRL + H: In Word this opens the Find/Replace Dialog Box; but when you are on the Internet this opens the browsing HISTORY

• CTRL + N: On the Internet, this opens New Window; In Outlook, this opens a New Mail Message; In most WP programs, like Word & Excel, it opens a New Document

• CTRL + P: In most application programs (Word or on the Internet) this will open your Print Dialog Box so you can choose what you want to print and how many

• CTRL + S: In most application programs, this will open the SAVE Dialog Box

• CTRL + T: On the Internet, this will open a new TAB for tabbed browsing

• CTRL + A: Will highlight everything in a document (word, excel, power point allowing you to change formatting etc) or, use CTRL + A when you want to highlight all the the files or folders to copy and or move them to another location - such as to & from your computer and or flash or portable hard drive.. 

Cloud Computing & Syncing

CLOUD COMPUTING – simply means an online (or off-site) storage location for those things we normally save on our computers: documents, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, photos, music, videos etc will now also be saved in the "clouds" so that we can access from anywhere in the world, anytime....

These are just a few of popular cloud computing services - almost all offer some FREE online storage as well as a variety of paid storage plans - Even as I am preparing this information, the amount of free storage is changing, as are the rates & programs for paid storage - so do your homework... 

• GoogleDrive
• SkyDrive - those with Hotmail/Live accounts get some storage free on Sky Drive 
• Apple iCloud
• Amazon Cloud
• DropBox 

When we use these services including MSN  (hotmail, live accounts) or Google (Gmail accounts) or iCloud (Apple) accounts one major advantage is that each time you're connected to the Internet and make changes to data, files, photos etc. you can choose to have your account "sync" to your multiple devices.  

"Syncing" can include documents, photo, music, apps, emails, contacts, calendars etc. changed on one device will now appear on all devices that are in "sync" (desktop, laptop, iPhone, Smartphone, tablet, iPad etc.. - Making life much easier and saving confusion, time and money (not having to buy books, music, movies, apps for each individual device)...

You want to be careful that information you are putting in the clouds is NOT COPYRIGHTED, because if they are, that could potentially be in breach of copyright laws and the files could get deleted or your account suspended because of this.  

I think many of us feel more comfortable storing Music files on an external or portable hard drive..but you can certainly upload them to any of the Clouds..

Quick hello from Hodel Libary

Hello from Hodel Library! 

We were happy to have so many folks from Spring Frenzy come over to visit our library and sign-up for free library cards.  And we’re looking forward to meeting more of you. 

We can show you how to look at Consumer Reports on your computer.  We can show you a wonderful database called NoveList where you can read book reviews, get ideas for books you might enjoy based on the authors you like, and look at book club discussion ideas. Newspapers, magazines and “how-to” resources are available 24/7.  The best part?  It’s all free! 

For more information, you can call us at 453-5809, email me at wbirkhead@mohave.edu , or visit the Hodel Library on the Mohave Community College Campus (1977 Acoma Blvd. West).

Thanks,

Wendi Birkhead, Campus Librarian & Library Coordinator

Hodel Library

Mohave Community College

1977 Acoma Blvd. West

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Phone: 928-505-3311

wbirkhead@mohave.edu

www.mohave.edu

File Extensions-What are they?

The following is a list of some of the most popular "file extensions" you will see on your computer and or receive in an email...  File Extensions tell the computer the specific type of "file" something is...    Note if any file extension has an "x" at the end of it, it is an indication it was done in one of the Office 2007, 2010, 2013 programs... (ie.e docx; xlsx, pptx)
Extension	Example File Type
zip	Zip archive
pdf	PDF Document
mp3	MP3 Audio File
jpg	JPEG Image
exe	Executable file
wmv	Windows Media Video
doc	Microsoft Word Document
ppt	Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
mpg	MPEG-1 Video
tif	Tagged Image File Format
wav	Waveform Audio Format
mov	QuickTime
psd	Photoshop Document
wma	Windows Media Audio
xls	Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
mp4	MPEG-4 Part 14
txt	Plain text file
bmp	Windows bitmap
pps	PowerPoint Show
aif	Audio Interchange File
pub	Microsoft Publisher
gif	GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) Image
qbb	QuickBooks backup file
dat	Data
rm	RealMedia
mdb	Microsoft Access
htm	Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
flv	Flash video
wpd	WordPerfect Document
rtf	Rich Text Format
jpeg	JPEG image
html	Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) document
pst	Microsoft Personal STorage
ttf	TrueType font
mswmm	Windows Movie Maker Project File
eml	E-mail message
bat	Batch file
wps	Text document; MS Works

Facebook - Using lists to customize who sees your posts

Using "lists" in Facebook allows you to create a post (with or without photos or videos) and share that post with a specific list of people that you have created, instead of sharing it with "everyone" in your friends list... 

You must be signed into your Facebook account and Remember in Facebook you have 2 different pages: a timeline page and a home page.

·       Your timeline page shows everything you have written/posted - as well as easy access to all your friends, photos, maps & likes (companies, groups, artists etc)

·       Your home page (or wall) shows your own postings as well as postings by those you are friends with and comments/likes made on those various posts

To create or edit a custom list, go to your home page. 

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Choose "Friends" from the sidebar on the left side of your home page

P  Press "Create List" at the top of the page

P  Type the name of your list in the "List Name" field. Type the names of Friends into the "Members" field

P  Return to your lists page. Your new list that you created should be on the page

To edit a custom list, go to your home page. 

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Find the list you want to edit in the left column, or click the More link next to Friends

P  Select the list you want to edit or click Create a List

P  Search for your friends in the search bar at the top of the page, or add people from the List Suggestions on the right

You can add individual friends to lists by hovering over the Friends button at the top of their timeline and selecting from the list names that appear. If you don't see the name of the list you're looking for, click the option to show all of your lists.

To delete a custom list that you have created, go to your home page (you are only deleting the custom list - the individuals in that list remain in your friends list)

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Click on name of the list you want to delete

P  Click on the Manage List dropdown and select Delete List

You will notice there is a RESTRICTED LIST category provided by Facebook, people you add to your Restricted list. When you add someone to your Restricted list, they'll only be able to see your Public content or posts of yours that you tag them in

Easily copy files/folders from one pc to another

We are always being asked how to transfer data "easily" from one computer to another.. Here are several options - all of which are quite easy:

USING AN EXTERNAL OR PORTABLE HARD DRIVE

You can "copy" all of your folders/files from one computer to either an External Hard Drive or Portable Hard Drive for temporary storage.  When you are ready, simply "paste" them to the correct main locations on your new computer...

WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER (Microsoft) - You will need an easy transfer cable to use this option..

P  Click "Start."

P  Click "All Programs."

P  Click "Accessories."

P  Click "System Tools."

P  Click "Windows Easy Transfer."

P  Follow the onscreen prompts to transfer the files you want.

MOUSE WITHOUT BORDERS (Microsoft) This is a free software download from Microsoft that was designed for people who use many computers in the same room. For example, a laptop or tablet that you take to meetings might sit right alongside the desktop PC in your office and allows you to control up to four computers from a single mouse and keyboard.

I have to tell you that I've used it many times now since the fall of 2012 and have no hesitation introducing it to all of you...  I find it easy to download and use, so that I can copy folders and files from on computer to another - whether PC to laptop or vice versa.. Also very easy when you are moving folders or files from one pc to another (as long as they are both up and running at the same time...and it works very well between Windows XP, Vista 7 & 8 operating systems, but I haven't been able to use it yet on Macs (assume the software isn't approved yet by Apple)...but I've also just downloaded it to my Smartphone and love it...

Link to download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460

No matter which way you choose, be sure the data transfer is complete before deleting the information on the disk or old computer.

Welcome to MCC Hodel Library

Greetings from the Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu Campus of Mohave Community College! The weather is beginning to warm up, so it’s a perfect time to take your reading outside.

Come to the Library and check out a Jonathan Kellerman or a Janet Evanovich to read. You can also use the Library’s online databases to look at articles from journals such as Consumer Reports, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, PC World, U.S. News and World Reports, etc.

The best part – it’s all FREE! Come on in and sign up for a Library card and see what we have to offer. For more information, give me a call at 928-505-3311 or email me at wbirkhead@mohave.edu.

You can also come by and visit with us in person at Mohave Community College, 1977 Acoma Blvd. West (we’re located toward the back of the campus, not far from the 500 Building).

Thanks, Wendi Birkhead, Campus Librarian

Hodel Library, Mohave Community College

1977 Acoma Blvd. West
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
www.mohave.edu

Helpful Travel Tips

Just a few helpful travel tips .

BOOK AIRLINE TRAVEL from 12:01AM WEDNESDAY MORNING (Eastern Standard Time) on; all new fares are announced/posted at midnight Tuesday evening for the next week

SIGN-UP FOR ALL E-MAIL NOTICES of special prices from low cost airlines that serve your city or target destination (or are near-by).   Examples include: Kayak's FareAlert, Southwest Ding! Fares, Southwest Click 'n Save fares, AirTran, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit Airline Red Light fares.  The low cost airlines' special fares are much less restrictive than the high cost carriers' week-end specials.  You can get a weekly summary of many of the airlines weekend specials at SmarterTravel.com. 

LAST MINUTE TRAVEL – Are you retired, a student off for the summer or can take time off from your job on short notice – then register with various “last minute travel sites” who offer incredible deals for short 3 or 4 days vacations to even longer 14-21 vacation land and or cruise packages – Why??  Arrangements are made & once that ship sails or hotel night passes the revenues can’t be made up, so they’d rather sell the package cheap, knowing you’ll spend money on liquor, side trips, gambling & other amenities…  Some incredible deals if you can leave on a few days notice

CONFIRM ARRANGEMENTS. If transportation and hotel are included in the travel package, ask how to contact those companies and confirm with them directly that the reservations have been made.  Always be sure to print off confirmations and keep a print copy with your folder or send yourself an email with the info..(with being able to sync phones & emails & claendars today it's easier than ever to access this info)

EMAIL YOURSELF ALL PERTINENT INFO: Send yourself an email including all airline info; hotel & car rental info & confirmation #'s an rates quoted; list of credit cards you are taking and their pertinent info - #'s, type, exp date, sc code, bank tele #'s; list of all your medications & dosages; doctors names etc... Today no matter where you go you will find a computer so that you can access this data in a pinch..

If you have a suggestion that might be helpful to others when they are travelling, we'd love to hear it...

What is an Android????

According to Wikipedia, "Android is a Linux-based operating system designed primarily for touch screen mobile devices such as Smartphone's and tablet computers. Initially developed by Android, Inc., which Google backed financially and later purchased in 2005, Android was unveiled in 2007 along with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance: a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. The first Android-powered phone was sold in October 2008.

Android is open source and Google releases the code under the Apache License. This open source code and permissive licensing allows the software to be freely modified and distributed by device manufacturers, wireless carriers and enthusiast developers. Additionally, Android has a large community of developers writing applications ("apps") that extend the functionality of devices, written primarily in a customized version of the Java programming language. In October 2012, there were approximately 700,000 apps available for Android, and the estimated number of applications downloaded from Google Play, Android's primary app store, was 25 billion.

These factors have allowed Android to become the world's most widely used smartphone platform and the software of choice for technology companies who require a low-cost, customizable, lightweight operating system for high tech devices without developing one from scratch. As a result, despite being primarily designed for phones and tablets, it has seen additional applications on televisions, games consoles and other electronics. Android's open nature has further encouraged a large community of developers and enthusiasts to use the open source code as a foundation for community-driven projects, which add new features for advanced users or bring Android to devices which were officially released running other operating systems."

Greetings from the MCC Hodel Libary

Hi All! My name is Wendi Birkhead and I am the Campus Librarian of the Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu Campus of Mohave Community College. I want to invite you to visit us and find out about all the wonderful books, DVDs, audiobooks, and electronic materials we have to offer. 

Many people don’t realize that we are open to everyone – students and non-students, alike – and anyone can get a library card for free. Let me fill you in on some great things that we are presenting in January and February: 

• On Friday, January 25^th , the campus will have Marshall Shore (“Arizona’s Hip Historian”) presenting “A Historical Trip Down Route 66.” John Steinbeck called Route 66 the “mother road” and that name endures today. Arizona has the longest stretch of Route 66 that is still in use. This iconic route is a timeline dotted with towns rich with history and tradition. Come learn about Arizona’s Route 66 and discuss its role in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. This free presentation will be held in Building 600 at 4:00 pm. 

• We will have a book discussion of The Grapes of Wrath in our campus Library on Wednesday, February 13^th at 2:00 pm. Come by the Library for a free copy of the book. 

• I will present a series of classes during Spring Frenzy that will show you some tricks and tips of using the Library’s free online databases. Learn how to access magazines like Consumer Reports, Kiplinger’s, PC World, and more (for free!). 

Please give us a call at 928-453-5809 to ask for more information. You can also come by and visit with us in person at Mohave Community College, 1977 Acoma Blvd. West (we’re located toward the back of the campus, not far from the 500 Computer Building).

We look forward to talking with you.

Wendi Birkhead, MLS, Campus Librarian and Library Coordinator

Hodel Library – Lake Havasu City Campus

Mohave Community College

1977 Acoma Blvd. West-Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Tel 928-505-3311; Cell 928-846-7021

Fax 928-453-8335

Toll Free: 1-866-664-2832

Email: wbirkhead@mohave.edu

12th Annual Spring Frenzy Reminder

Just a reminder that the 12th Annual Lake Havasu City Spring Frenzy is February 4th thru 8th, 2013 and registrations begin today, Monday-February 7th, at the Aquatic Center-so be sure to stop by...

 

For those of you who haven't experienced Spring Frenzy, it is a fun-filled week of activities and classes designed not only for fun, but for improving your quality of life as well.

 

This year Lake Havasu City Parks & Recreation is offering 192 classes featuring 14 special activities including fishing, golfing, field trip to the Bluewater Casino and to Stagecoach Trails. Happy Hour will be happening every day Monday-Thursday from 4 -  6 p.m. and on Friday is a concert.

 

MCC is again donating classrooms at campus so that Wendi Birkhead can introduce everyone to the services of our wonderful campus library and Cassaundra Pham and I will be doing a wide variety of one (1) hour introductions to many of our computer classes including how to use:

• Your Computer, Laptop, Table, eReader, iPad, iPod, iPhone, MacBook & Digital Camera
• How to use Picasa for digital photo editing; Word to create documents, tables & mail merges, Excel for spreadsheets and list managment; Movie Maker to create movies with your digital photos and other application programs;
• How to find & organizde what's on your PC;
• How to use Skype to make free phone calls worldwide; 
• How to save & make money by safely shopping & selling on line;
• How to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & other social networking sites and many more... 

So if you are thinking about taking a class at MCC, this is a great way to "test the waters"...

 

All classes and events fill up quickly, so be sure to stop by the Aquatic Center, right off Rt. 95 at 100 Park Avenue.

 

Price: $4 each class or $30 for the week...

 

So join in the fun.....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you and your family and we hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  For those of our readers who will be travelling to Lake Havasu - safe travels...


I want to apologize for the lack of postings the last several weeks - in addition to the normal hustle and bustle of the holidays, I had some major back issues and while I was back in Boston for the holidays, had no choice but to give in and have a necessary medical procedure on my back, so much to my dismay, I was unable to spend anytime on the computer (not an easy task for me) as most of you can imagine.....

But I'm pleased to say that I am finally feeling better and look forward to getting back to blogging and teaching...

Speaking of teaching we are offering lots of great classes - including some new and modified classes (in red) for those of you with laptops, tablets, eReaders, smartphones, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks and those wanting to better understand facebook, twitter and other forms of social networking...

We are continuing classes to help you find & organize what's on your pc, using Word - Excel - PowerPoint - email - your digital cameras, editing photos, creating great things with your digital photos including wonderful coffee table books & other gift ideas and movies, getting more comfortable buying and selling online-whether it's making travel arrangements, renting a vacation home or selling those things you've been accumulating in the attic and many other great topics... We continue to update these classes to reflect new changes made in software - such as those changes in Office 2007 & 2010 (vs. Office 2000, 2003, XP etc) and discuss the differences in our classes & handouts; we are also addressing the changes in operating systems such as Windows 7 and the new Windows 8, and hope to add a Windows 8 class in February... so our goal is to help give you the information you need to stay current as this technology continues to change and we encourage your feedback as to what topics you would like us to be teaching.....

In addition to our computer classes, MCC offers many other great classes in a wide variety of fun & interesting subjects - from genealogy, health, many types of dance, fitness, ceramics, painting and many more...Visit our website: www.mohave.edu; visit our campus at 1971 Acoma Blvd in Lake Havasu and when you do stop by and visit our wonderful Hodel Library on campus and get a library card or use our computers there, all of which are open to the public; or call MCC for more information.. So sign up today and bring a friend along - Call Registration 928-855-7812

If you are thinking about taking a class - please register.. Last fall we truly regretted disappointing students who showed up for classes, thinking they'd register after the class, only to learn the class was postponed due to low enrollment.. So try to register, and if something comes up and you can't attend we can move your class or refund the monies.

My classes begin next week - we are in Classroom #507 in the computer building and my classes will continue thru April - Complete schedules are available at our MCC campus or online or email me..this is a list of my classes the next two weeks...

Great news for those of you with "i" devices from Apple Mac, we have a wonderful new addition to our team, Cassaundra Pham who will be teaching several 8 hour classes a month dedicated to iPads, iPhones and MacBooks, so I'm listing her class info as well....

As always don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or suggestions about class topics you'd like to see us teaching - We look forward to seeing you soon....., 

FIND/ORGANIZE WHAT’S ON YOUR PC ~ LSC 062-124, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 8 & 9 

LIST AND DATA MANAGEMENT WITH EXCEL ~ LSC 069-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Wed & Thurs, Jan 9 & 10 - Bring an address book or contact list to class

HOW TO SKYPE OR GOOGLE VOICE  ~ LSC100-122, 8:30am-12:20pm, Thursday, Jan 10 

Computers FOR THE FUN OF IT  ~ LSC 062-121, 8:30am-12:20pm, Fri & Mon, Jan 11 & 14 

DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS ~ LSC 100A-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Fri & Mon, Jan 11 & 14  Bring your digital camera to class

LAPTOP, TABLET & eReADER BASICS ~ LSC 102-121, 8:30-12:20pm, Tues & Thurs, Jan 15 & 17 Bring your laptop, tablet, eReaders if you have one

WORD-CREATe GREAT LOOKING DOCUMENTS ~ LSC 068-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 15 & 16 - 

PICASA PHOTO EDITING ~ LSC 081- 121: 8:30am-12:20pm, Wed & Fri, Jan 16, 18 & 25  Bring your digital camera to class

SOCIAL NETWORKs: fACEBOOK, tWITTER & bLOGGING ~ LSC 080-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Thurs & Fri, Jan 17, 18 & 25 

internet and it’s many uses ~ LSC 071-121,  8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 22 & 23

HOW TO BUY & SELL ONLINE ~ LSC 101-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Thurs, Jan 22 & 24

INTRO TO iPAD'S ~ LSC041-121, 8:30am-12:20pm - Wed, Jan 16 & 23 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504  Bring your "iPad" with you

INTRO TO MAC BOOKS ~ LSC042-121, 1pm-4:50pm - Wed, Jan 16 & 23 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504 Bring your "MacBook" with you

INTRO TO iPHONE ~ LSC040-121, 8:30am-12:20pm - Saturday, Jan 26 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504 Bring your "iPhone" with you