Windows 8 Start Menu Options

Several friends and client have commented they do not like the new Start look and feel of Windows 8. Yes, I too was somewhat confused between what I was comfortable with and what the new Windows operating system offers. However, after only one week, I have to say "I am quite OK with the new system and everyday I spend 5 - 10 minutes with it, I am becoming more comfortable". Below are two options to simulate a return to a more comfortable - more familiar look of Windows 7 ... but I suggest first you take an hour or two and locate 'Windows 8 tutorials, How to Use Windows 8, and similar keyword searches on the web and just watch and learn. The two (not reviewed) options are discussed in this PC World Win 8 Start Menu programs link.

Key Board Shortcuts - Make Life Easy

Just thought I would drop a quick tip(s) about a handful of keystrokes - not requiring the mouse to expedite actions when using PC:

In email: 

press C to compose a new message

press R to reply to a message you received

press CTRL + Enter to send a completed message (new or one you reply to)

In most applications:

press CTRL C to copy to the Windows clipboard any highlighted text

press CTRL X to delete any highlighted text

press CTRL V to paste any CTRL C text -or- any text or images held in the clipboard

Install and Use iCloud on your PC

Do you have and iPod, iPhone or  iPad? One nice feature using Apple’s devices is that they can back up data to the company’s cloud service, iCloud easily. If  you are a Windows PC user  you too can get access to that data in iCloud via your PC. You simply install the Windows iCloud app and access photos, contacts and more. Check out How to Install and Use iCloud on Windows.

Tip: Windows 8 Refresh Button

Where did F5 go? On the Toshiba laptop F5 enables/disables cursor. However CTRL +R works fine and Right Click page also refreshes page (at least in Chrome).

Make Photos Better - Crop!

A tool in most photo editing programs is Crop (see article section in this article). Essentially Crop allows you to 'zoom' in on a photo and select the best of that photo. I use Picasa by Google as my 'Go To' editor, but there are many online editors (see Pixlr) that offer editing, Grop essentially can substitute for zoom and works best if the original photo is taken on high resolution.

Should I Remove It?

We all know that over time, your PC gets slower and slower due to the downloading of software - purchased, trial or free applications that no longer are useful or are infrequently used. You can use Windows Add/Remove feature in the Control Panel, Sometimes however, you come across a program that you just don;t know whether it is safe to remove. Enter Should I Remove It? Try it ... you will like it. I do like their survey of the top downloaded programs for Windows (on their web site home page).

15 Gig Online Free - Secure (they say)

New online site Copy is offering 15 Gig online storage with promise of storage, sharing and security (you control who sees what). This storage offer matches Google's 15 Gig online space. May be worth a try to check it out and see how it handles photos and more. I have not tested so far ... but have an account. In a future post, we plan to review and recommend ways to make the most of free online services. As always - be careful and 'Trust No One' ... know where and who you share or store/backup personal information! 

Go to their site here for the details and set up your account.

Evernote - Could It Be the Holy (productivity) Grail?

I started using Evernote as a note taking tool about 9 months ago. Why? As I search the web as well as business/personal productivity forums ... Evernote continually comes to the top of the reviews - both their free and fee based versions. I guess a lesson I have learned when competitors compare themselves to a product (car, app, phone, etc.), is 'grab the one they compare themselves against!. I now use Evernote Clipper, Tag ideas, create Notebooks, email directly into Evernote and more! Just as their theme suggests 'Never Forget' ... this tool can help everyone remember. Make Use Of has the unofficial manual for Evernote that is worth a look. (Personal note: this is one app I 'actually' would consider paying the annual fee for their Pro version - now don't fall over!) Read more her.

Stop Chrome from Exposing Your Saved Passwords

Google Chrome is my favorite browser for my laptop and Desktop. However, Chrome allows anyone with access to your PC to be able to 'see' saved passwords (Facebook, email, etc.) with a little searching around.

Solution: Use a two-step solution. First: stop saving passwords in Chrome by going to Settings > Advanced Settings and un-checking the "Offer to save passwords" box under "Passwords and forms." Secondly, install the highly rated free Password Manager LastPass to save and 'remember' all your passwords needing only to remember one Master Password. Read more here.

Stop Online Tracking of Your Web Use

Disconnect (Firefox/Chrome/IE/Safari) blocks third party tracking cookies and gives you control over all site scripts and elements from a simple-to-use toolbar menu. It also protects you from tracking by social networks like Facebook, Google, and Twitter, which use your browsing even off-site to collect data about you. Read more ...