Know the difference between “Delete” and “Clear Contents.” The latter erases all formulas while the former actually deletes the cells, forcing other cells to fill the gap.
Archive for September, 2010
Microsoft Excel: Delete vs Clear
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010Microsoft Word: Count Your Words
Monday, September 20th, 2010In Word 2003, right click on any of the Toolbars and choose the Word Count toolbar. Dock this handy counter to let you know when your school paper meets your teacher’s “size” requirements To see this option in Word 2010, click the Reference tab and then choose “Word Count” under the proofing section.
Internet Tip: Change Your Wallpaper
Sunday, September 19th, 2010Find a picture on the Net that appeals to you? In Internet Explorer, right-click on it and choose “Set as Background” or “Set as Wallpaper.” Now you can view it everyday…(also works as a great prank on coworkers). Make sure the picture is public domain first!
Windows Tip: Update Automatically
Saturday, September 18th, 2010Open your Control Panel and double-click “Automatic Updates.” Using the Internet, your computer can make sure that you have the latest software fixes and security patches…automatically!
Online Diversions: Build the Bridge
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Some games focus on your ability to destroy. Other games test your building skills. This week’s diversion combines those two into a “build a bridge quickly before the approaching train sails into the ravine” type game. Build the Bridge is great fun and tests your construction prowess. The music is great, lending itself to the whole “train” theme. Later levels get pretty, hard, though. Enjoy!
Site of the Week: Font Park
Friday, September 17th, 2010Fonts, fonts, fonts. Do you have enough? I doubt it. If you want load some new styles for your letters, check out my site of the week, Font Park. You can download over 70,000 free fonts for your computer. From calligraphy to Wingdings, you’ll find them all fontpark.net!
Google Instant
Friday, September 17th, 2010One of the things I like about Google is how fast it gives me results. I could type in anything, and within a second or two, I get a list of all the websites on the planet that talk about that thing.
Well, Google wasn’t satisfied with a “second or two.” They just launched Google Instant. Basically, Google will now start showing results as you type your keywords in, letter…by…letter. At first, that sounds great.
But then my A.D.D. kicked in. I found myself watching the results as I typed. In fact, I started clicking on links before I finished entering my actual keywords. Look! Squirrel!
I never did finish typing in that keyword phrase. But I found a funny video I forwarded to my friends.
So, is Google Instant worth it? I don’t know. Personally, I find it distracting. The good thing about this “feature,” though, is that you can turn it off by clicking on the far right of the search blank.
Google Family Safety Center
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Keeping your kids safe on the Internet is critical. The biggest player on the Net recently acknowledged that fact by launching the Google Family Safety Center. This site provides a number of resources for parents.
My favorite links are the videos. Presented in easy-to-understand, plain English formats, these videos give you real world strategies to effectively manage your kids’ online experiences.
In addition, if you click on the More Resources link to the left, you can find links to some great interactive sites that teach kids how to be safe on the Internet.
Of course, don’t forget my favorite parental assistant, K9 Web Protection. It makes monitoring your kids’ Internet usage a snap. And it’s free!
Microsoft Excel Tip: Patterns
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010Make your cells stand out. Pull down the Format menu and choose “Cells.” Then choose the “Pattern” tab. In Excel 2007 or higher, click the Home tab and then choose “Cell Styles.”
Microsoft Word Tip: Watermarks
Monday, September 13th, 2010Need a Watermark in Word? Pull down the Format menu, click Background, and then choose “Printed Watermark” at the bottom of the list. If you are using Word 2007 or higher, click “Page Layout” and then “Watermark.”
