Al Lustie's Tips and Tricks

At some point we change.  Some move from Windows XP to Windows 7, others from Windows Vista to Windows 8, and yet others from Windows to a Mac, or from a Mac to Windows.  That's just the computer operating system, or platform. Think about the change from Word to Pages, or from Libre Office to Word or Pages.  Don't fret if the names don't mean much -- please stay with me.

The trick is figuring out how to figure stuff out.  When I taught one of the first things I taught people was the use of the F1 key.  In most programs that takes you to "HELP".  It is really, really useful.

The second useful trick is to use the HELP menu, usually on the far right of the menu bar (top of screen).  In our current generation of software and operating systems clicking the HELP menu usually brings up a search function so that if you are trying, for instance, to set TABS, you can type "set tabs" in that search area and hit enter.  The Help program will take you to whatever the help program has on what you typed.

I am typing this on a version of Google Docs (on the Web) from Blogspot.  Hmmm.  No F1 key.  No Help menu.  What can I do?

I can use Google or Bing or Ask or another search site and type my question in.  (I would look at the little menu bar first.  I might find exactly the command I needed right there.)

In fact, in our world of 2013, learning to use the search function on the Web might be the number one skill a person needs to make a change.

What do you think?  What do you do?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Making computing easier is one of my goals.  I constantly figure out ways to use my Mac and my Windows PC with less trouble.  Keyboard shortcuts help me.  I like not having to take my hands off the keys and still get things done.

So, here are some of my favorites.

Control + A selects "ALL" on a page, in an email, etc. Experiment with it.  you can press
Control + D to DESELCT.

Control + C Copies what you have selected.
Control + X Cuts (think of scissors) what you have selected
OK.  You want to copy or cut a selection.

Probably you want to PASTE it somewhere else.
Control + V Pastes.  It puts what you cut or copied where you want it.

You have the document or worksheet or web page as you like it.

Control + S will Save it.

Don't forget the Arrow Keys for moving around, selecting something, etc.  And, for a few more ideas, go to:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/6594?hl=en

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.

"Mac Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts" by Drew Provan appeals to me.  In a colorful, easy to use format I have learned about many shortcuts and a few third party add-ons that make life better as I use my iMac.  The same would be true for using my wife's MacBook.  I recommend it!