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...

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

Registration tomorrow morning for our next computer class

Remember: Registration will be held for our next computer class series, tomorrow
Tuesday morning, August 2nd - 9am at the SA offices:

If you are unable to register - away on vacation or ill - but plan to attend the series, please email Cherie Houston - cherie_houston@hotmail.com or call Linda Roach at the Southern Artery office asap so that your seat can be held... As always, your membership must be current..

This new series will begin the week of August 15th and continue thru October, so be sure to mark your calendar and pass the word.

Afternoon advanced students are also welcomed to pay a 2nd fee if they would like to join in & repeat any of the morning classes - Beginner; Intermediate 1/Internet; Intermediate 2/Word Basics or Intermediate 3/Excel Spreadsheet Basics - you are welcome to do so...


So pass the word - Registration for the next new 10 week Computer Class Series (#51) will be held bright and early tomorrow morning, Tuesday August 2nd 9am at the SA offices.

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 wi-fi router functions.