Apple-Putting your devices to sleep, shutting down & waking them up..

When you put your apple product to sleep, your session can quickly be resumed and you can also bypass the startup process.  This feature is excellent if you will only be away from your device for a short time. If you will be away from it for an extended period of time, it is best to shut it down.

MacBook

To put your MacBook to sleep, you may do any one of the following:

·        Shut the display.

·        Choose the Apple and then select Sleep from the menu bar.

·        Press the power button and click sleep in the dialog box that will appear.

·        Choose Apple, then select System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and then set a sleep timer.

To shut down your MacBook, you may do one of the following:

·        Choose Apple and then select Shut Down from the menu bar.

·        Press the power button and click Shut Down from the dialog box that appears.

iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch

When you are no longer using your device, you can lock the display to save battery. When your device is locked, nothing happens if you touch the screen. If you are playing music, you can still listen to it while the device is locked and you can also adjust the volume by using the buttons on the side of the device.

·        To put your device to sleep simply press the Sleep/Wake button.

·        To power your device down, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button. A slider bar will appear at the top of the screen. Release the Sleep/Wake button and drag the slider to the right power the device down.

These devices are set to automatically sleep after a minute or two of inactivity. To change the Auto-Lock setting, go to Settings> General> Auto-Lock.   

Waking up Apple devices from Sleep

MacBook

·        If your display is shut, open it to wake your MacBook

·       If your display is already open, press the power button or any key on the keyboard.

iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch

·        If your device is locked, press the Sleep/Wake button or the Home button, and then drag the slider to the right.

·        If your device is powered off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple appears and then release the Sleep/Wake button.

 

 

Cloud Computing - Continued Discussion

Several times earlier this year (in Feb. & May) we discussed Cloud Computing, but things are changing and there are more and more companies offering us the ability to store on their clouds (which means on their servers) So- the discussion continues...

There is no doubt that cloud computing is here to stay.  Many of us have been using "cloud computing" for years without realizing it - If you use a hotmail, yahoo, AOL or Gmail account" for your emails, you go to the specific company's website, via the internet, enter your user name & password (from any computer in the world) and your email messages appear. You can then write/compose new emails - all the while the computer you are sitting at, is simply a vehicle allowing us to see and type - but all of our emails are actually being stored and/or written on/from their computers....hence "cloud computing"

Today many of these same email vendors are providing us with additional free space, so that in addition to our emails we can also store our documents, photos, movies & music in another part of our "email account" - like having an additional file cabinet...  Why would we do that?

Well, like your emails, you can access any of these items stored on their "cloud" when you are away from your computer (home or work) because remember it's stored on their computer - in their cloud...

If you have multiple devices - you may want to "sync" them, so that when you enter information on one device, it appears on all your devices...   

For example:

You have a Windows based computer, a Smartphone & a tablet - if you have a Gmail account and use the Google Drive Cloud - whatever is entered in these on one computer shows up on the rest

Or You have an iPhone, iPad and MacBook - by simply having an iCloud ID and password (and the iCloud ID can be your existing email address w/hotmail, Gmail, etc..) you can select in the settings of your iCloud what you want to share among your devices-Photos, emails, contacts, calendars, etc..

Or maybe you have a Windows PC, an Android Smartphone and a MacBook - you could simply choose to have the Apple iCloud on all your devices to share your music, data & moves...

And the combination goes on and one..

If you have been using hotmail/live/msn accounts - you have "SkyDrive" which is their free cloud computing for us to store data and photos - but anyone can go to SkyDrive.com and download the app and receive a certain amount of storage for FREE - Gmail users have the free Picasa Web Albums and Google Drive cloud; and again anyone can use this or Apple/MAC's iCloud or any of the other hundreds of companies... most allow some free storage - others charge an annual or monthly fee - some based on the amount of storage, some are by computer - it varies..

Shop around and remember you can use multiple "cloud services"; I know some people who store all their music in iTunes synced with the iCloud; and use their SkyDrive for their documents; maybe DropBox for their data from work; Google Drive w/Picasa Web Albums for their photos and Carbonite, so everything is backed up every time they are on the computer (no limit) but this service doesn't allow you to use a syncing feature (yet)!

The list of companies offering cloud computing is growing every day.  Each has their own features, it depends on what you are looking for... I always think it's better to begin with the FREE services while you learn, and once you've mastered that and understand what it is you are using, then you can always switch to or add another service if needed...Here is the link to an article recently published about some of the popular "cloud computing companies" -

http://www.consumer-rankings.com/online-backup

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 Download Audio & eBooks from most libraries…

Reading on portable devices has never been easier - and instead of running to your local library - most offer us the ability to download books from the comfort of our homes, office or anywhere we can access the Internet... 

Although the way in which can vary slightly from library to library, most work the same way – whether you want to download them to your computer, mobile device, iPod, iPad, Nook, Kindle or other eBook reader…  If you have a problem download, call or visit your specific library’s website, as most list their instructions for downloading…

WHAT DO YOU NEED:

1.   A compatible device with an internet connection – PC, Mac’s or mobile devices

2.   A current valid library membership card

3.   Free software, which is typically available at your library’s website, such as

•  OverDrive Media Console for Audio Books on PC, Macs & other mobile devices
•  Adobe Digital Editions, for PDF & EDUB eBooks on PC, Macs & other eBook readers..

 WHAT TO DO NEXT:

1.   Browse your library’s website, searching by title, subject, author or format

2.   Add selections to your “Cart” – Some libraries will allow you to place “a hold” on books currently not available and then you will get an email when they are available

3.   Click on the “proceed to checkout” link (similar to shopping online)

4.   Click “Download” or “get for kindle”

5.   Once it is downloaded, you are ready to enjoy your Audio Book or eBook

• For eReaders: You will Open “Adobe Digital Editions” and drag  drop the title onto the device name on the left panel-After the transfer is complete you may disconnect your device from the internet and enjoy your books..
• For audio and video, Open “OverDrive Media Console”, select your title an click “Transfer” to launch the Transfer Wizard – Follow the prompts to complete the transfer process
• For Kindles, click “Get for Kindle” to retrieve your download from Amazon.com, Select the Kindle or Kindle reading app in which o deliver the title and you are ready to go..

 REMINDERS…

·   The book “Titles” typically will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, avoiding any late fees.

·   Once you’ve downloaded these, many Audio Titles can be burned to CD, so you would insert you CD, then Click the Burn button in “OverDrive” and launch the Burn Wizard, Select the part you want to burn and when the burn is done, you can enjoy your title wherever you can play CD..

Different ways to shut down your computer or laptop..

Before shutting down your computer, it is always a good idea and beneficial for the life of your computer, to close all applications you have running, such as your email, multiple websites/tabbed browsing, word, excel, power point or games or other  application programs.

·         This can be done by Left clicking the "X" in the upper-right corner of each program page (often in a red box)

OR

·         Using your task bar at the bottom of your monitor, Right click on each open program and then left click on “close group:.  If you have open applications such as Word, Excel and the like, you may be promoted to confirm whether or not you want to save any changes made to those documents, spreadsheets or power point presentations..

Using keyboard shortcuts

·         Press and hold the following three keyboard keys at the same time: "Control, ALT and Delete (CTRL + ALT + DEL)" keys on your keyboard

·         This will open the “"Shutdown" menu

·         Using your navigation arrows on the keyboard, press the downward (or upward) arrow to highlight the "Shut Down" option.

·         Once “Shut Down” is highlighted, simply press the "Enter" key on the keyboard and the computer will shut down and power off

Using your mouse

·         Simply left click on your “Start” Button

·         When the Start Menu Appears, note that the right bottom side of the start menu list, you the “Turn off computer” button

·         Left click on this button or arrow

·         The “ShutDown” action box will appear and depending on the version of Windows you are using, you will have the choice of choosing “Standby”. “Restart” or “Shut Down”

·         Left click on whichever option you choose and that is the action that will occur

On an apple Mac:

·         Click on "Finder" at the top of your computer screen to access a drop-down menu (usually next to the Apple icon).

·         Highlight the "Shut Down" option from the drop-down menu.

Allow your computer the time it needs to completely shut down before you close the lid on your laptop or remove the power supply from your computer.

How to convert music to MP3 format?

How can I change my iTunes or other music, to MP3 format so that I can insert them when I am creating a photo video in Movie Maker or Picasa Movies?

This is very easy and a very common question - whether your are using a PC with windows software or a MAC. When we purchase and download music from various vendors or when we rip them CD's, they typically come over the “fullest” version.

However when we want to create a project, using software such as Picasa Movie and or Windows Movie Maker, many of these application programs will not allow us to use the “fullest” version of the music because it is too large.

So when we open the music files from these programs, although we know the songs are there, we don’t see them - the file appears to be empty; so we need to change/convert the music to MP3 format, which all these programs accept - follow these steps:

• Simply open your iTunes or media player
• Be sure on the left you have chosen music as the media folder you want to see, and then find the album or individual song you want to convert to “MP3 format”..
• Highlight the song/songs that you want to convert in the playlist
• Go to the menu bar: in Windows choose Edit and on a Mac/iTunes – Choose iTunes
• When the menu bar drops down, choose Preferences,
• When the Preferences Dialog Box Opens, be sure you are on the General tab
• Now Choose Import Settings (about the center of the dialog box-right side)
• When the Import Settings Dialog Box opens, Change AAC Encoder to MP3 Encoder
• Also be sure High Quality is chosen and then click OK

Now, be sure your songs are highlighted that you want to change

• Right Click on the songs and when the action menu list appears, choose MP3 Version
• You’ll see the songs being converted
• You are done..

Notes:

• Next time you open the music folder from Picasa or Movie Maker you will see the songs as MP3 format and be able to include them in your video..
• You will now have 2 versions of every song – the original “full” version and the more condensed MP3 version

SKYPE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Many of us use SKYPE daily and if so, you know they are having some technical difficulties right now. They are working on the problems and hope to have a fix soon. You can check out this information for yourself as to what to do in the interim to fix it, which we copies from the MSNBC website:

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/26/6722180-skypes-not-working-right-now-heres-how-to-fix-it?GT1=43001

While you wait for Skype to fix things though, you can still use the service if you're willing to do a little bit of work. The "Next Web" has helpfully provided instructions on a trick which will let you sign in through your official Skype desktop client of choice (or you can wait until Skype fixes the problems):

WINDOWS VISTA & WINDOWS 7

1. Close Skype

· a. Right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (at the bottom right of the screen)
· b. Choose Quit

2. Ensure that “Show hidden files and folders” is switched on.

· a. Click Start, type run and press Enter
· b. Type control folders and click OK.
· c. Select the View tab and ensure relevant entry is enabled.

3. Locate the shared.xml file.

· a. Click Start, type run and press Enter.
· b. Type %appdata%\skype and click OK.
· c. Delete the shared.xml file.

4. Restart Skype. The shared.xml file will be recreated.

WINDOWS XP

1. Close Skype
· a. Right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (at the bottom right of the screen)
· b. Choose Quit.

2. Ensure that “Show hidden files and folders” is switched on.

· a. Click Start and then Run…
· b. Type control folders and click OK.
· c. Select the View tab and ensure relevant entry is enabled.

3. Locate the shared.xml file

· a. Click Start and then Run…
· b. Type %appdata%\skype and click OK.
· c. Delete the shared.xml file.

4. Restart Skype. The shared.xml file will be recreated.

MAC OS X

1. Quit Skype.
2. Go to the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/
3. Delete the file shared.xml (it will be recreated once you open Skype again, this is fine).
4. Start Skype.

Please note on the MAC OS X that the ~ sign means your home folder. You can find your home folder by opening Finder and selecting Go > Home from the menu bar or pressing Command (Apple), Shift and H keys at the same time.

OS stands for Operating Systems

New Wi-Fi Memory Cards for Digital Cameras

Have you heard of the new “wi-fi” memory cards for use in your digital cameras and camcorders… Check out this website:

www.eye.fi

The Eye-Fi memory cards look, stores media, and fit into cameras just like a regular SDHC memory card. On top of that, the Eye-Fi card has built-in Wi-Fi that uses your wireless network to effortlessly transfer photos and videos

The Eye-Fi card uses your home or office Wi-Fi network-Upon setup, specify which networks the Eye-Fi card uses to transfer your media. You can add up to 32 networks for your card to use. The next time your camera is on and within range of a specified network, your photos and videos will fly to your computer and to your favorite sharing site.

The Eye-Fi cards (4GB – 8GB for $40-$150 each) are the first wireless memory cards.

Features (from their website)

• 
  
  4GB memory. Store up to 2,000 photos or 90mn of video with top-notch Class 6 speed. Works just like with your regular SDHC memory card. Perfect for your compact camera


• 
  
  Wireless. Upload .JPEG or .JPG photos & videos fast through your home Wi-Fi network thanks to built-in 802.11n speed


• 
  
  Endless. Get the only card that can free-up space for you after pictures are safely delivered. Never worry about running out of space again


• 
  
  Automatic back-up. Wirelessly upload JPEG photos and videos to folders of your choice on your computer, or even directly into iPhoto for Macs


• 
  
  Organized. Photos and videos can automatically land in date-based folders, so memories are organized effortlessly


• 
  
  Compatible. No need to buy a new camera – visit their website to confirm that your camera can be turned into a wireless uploading machine


• 
  
  Effortless sharing. Wirelessly send your JPEG photos and videos to a popular website. Visit their website to see a complete list that you can choose from, which includes Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, MobileMe, and YouTube


• 
  
  Pick your pics. You can select which photos and videos are uploaded


• 
  
  Get notified. Get email, Facebook or Twitter alerts when your photos are uploading online


• 
  
  Quick and sweet. Set up takes just minutes

MAC Users Group in LHC

In answer to a questions we often receive: "Where can I go for help on my Apple MAC???" Thanks to one of our Students W.E. Coleman, also a MAC user, he has suggested visiting the Lake Havasu City's Apple Mac User's Group webiste (which is now listed on our Blog for Mac Users-under students favorite website) and is also listed below...

http://havamac.com

Or consider attending one of their bi-monthly meetings to learn more about your MAC from other MAC users... They meet:

2nd Tuesday of every month 2-4PM at
Lake Havasu Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall
2101 N. Palo Verde Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ

Visitors Always Welcomed!
PC users Come see what the Mac world has to offer.........