How and Why to use Google Docs and Spreadsheets to simply your life

This is an excellent video from Google that shows why web-based services are such a good idea and some basics on how to use them. If you ever wanted to learn more about Google Docs and Spreadsheets (and other web-based services) , this is a great place to start.



Technorati Tags: education, google, learn, learning, video

Live from the Library - Thursday, May 10, 6 PM PDT

Join us LIVE Thursday, May 10, 2007 for our next Internet Seminar at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.



Join us LIVE!

Need more information on joining out LIVE shows?




You can listen to past sessions and other TechnologyIQ audio by clicking below



Technorati Tags: california, howto, how-to, podcast, podcasting, tutorial, events, losangeles, technology, learning, education, library

New TechnologyIQ Discussion area on the Friends in Tech Forums

Now that TechnologyIQ is a full member of Friends in Tech, we have our own discussion group on the Friends in Tech Forums.

Bring your technology questions, comments and quandries.

Let's talk tech!

Join the TechnologyIQ Discussion (FREE) at Friends in Tech!

Computing for the Everyman 5 - Preferences

Listen to Computing for the Everyman - Part 5 - Preferences
(Backup Link)

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Transcript: If you remember the theme of this blog and podcast, it has always been to "Control your technology, don't let it control you!" In light of that, today's article is on how to make your computer and your programs act the way you want them to act, not the other way around.

First, every computer, every piece of software and every online service you use will have some preferences that can be altered by you. Sure, there will be default settings that work for the basics, but there can be anywhere from 1 to 100 different options that you can turn off and on, depending on how you want the program or service to operate.

The main reason I am writing on this topic is that nearly everyone I meet, whether friend or client, has some complaint about how their computer or software operates. Microsoft Word is the usual focus of their attacks. It has many features that try to be "friendly" and useful, but usually end up annoying most folks. So, I often find myself telling folks how to turn off this or that feature. The thanks I receive are amazingly heartfelt. After years of suffering under the tyranny of their software, they are free at last.

Now, you might not have such strong feelings about your software, but you can also learn a few things about your computer by checking out the preferences (or Options, as Windows insists on calling them) on your computer.

Let's start with the computer itself. On a computer running Microsoft Windows, the basic settings for Windows are held in the Control Panel. You should see Control Panel listed in your Start Menu, or it might be under Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel. There you will find items that let you change the size and resolution of your screen, network settings, uninstall programs and more. Look around there, and check out each individual Control Panel item. Don't worry, if you think you may have changed something by mistake, press the Cancel button to leave the Control Panel and the settings will remain unchanged.

On an Apple Macintosh computer, your basic preferences are found in the System Preferences application. This is always available from under the blue Apple menu, and it might also be available in your Dock. Just like with Windows, these System Preferences allow you to change the basic settings of your Mac.

Now, each program you use also contains its own preferences that are specific to the tasks that the program performs. Let's take Microsoft Word for example. On a Windows computer, you would select Tools Menu, Options... to see all the settings for the program.

I will admit, the Options page for a program like Word can look intimidating. Not only do you have one page showing 10-30 options, if you look at the top of the Options window, you will see tabs indicating another 10-12 pages of options, divided by category. Clicking on a tab brings that set of options to the front. Clicking OK saves any options you might have changed. Even though you won't have a need to change many of these options, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the options that are available. Then, repeat this for each program you use regularly.

On an Apple Macintosh, you can access preferences for each program by selecting Preferences under the Application menu (This is the menu, next to the blue Apple menu, that is the name of the program you are using. For example, if you are using Microsoft Word, the menu will read "Word".)

The next time your computer or software isn't working the way you wish, try checking out the Preferences and see if there is a way to change its behavior. You can find out more information about each preference by selecting the Help menu in most programs and searching for a particular Preference or operation.

Until next time, "Control your technology, don't let it control you!"

Technorati Tags: DIY, howto, how-to, tutorial, technology, windows, macintosh, software, computers, high-tech

Learn how to subscribe to a podcast

Even if you listen to my podcasts directly from the web site, or see the Subscribe links on this page, you still may be wondering what this "subscription" thing is all about.

Well, here is a video that shows you exactly how to subscribe to podcast using iTunes or the Juice podcatching client.

Watch How to Subscribe to a Podcast

After you watch the video, you can use the links below to subscribe to TechnlogyIQ and and receive each new episode automatically.


Subscribe with iTunes

Copy this link to Subscribe using other podcatching clients or RSS feed readers

Technorati Tags: howto, how-to,podcast, podcasting, tutorial, technology, video

Live from the Library - All things blogging...and more!

All Things Blogging and More
Listen to Live from the Library - April 26, 2007
(Mirror)



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Technorati Tags: DIY, howto, how-to, tutorial, technology, windows, macintosh, software, computers, email, high-tech

Next Library Internet Seminar - April 26, 2007

Join us Thursday, April 26, 2007 for our next Internet Seminar at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

This session will focus on services that let you build your own blog whether you actually have a web site or not. The services I will show include Blogger.com, Vox.com, MySpace.com, WordPress.com and more.

You can listen to past sessions and other TechnologyIQ audio by clicking below



Technorati Tags: california, howto, how-to, podcast, podcasting, tutorial, events, losangeles, technology, learning, education, library

Video: RSS in Plain English

Click to Play

There are two types of Internet users, those that use RSS and those that don't. This video is for the people who could save time using RSS, but don't know where to start.

TED Talks give you deep learning...for free!

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and it is one of the most exclusive conferences in the world. That said, you can now see hundreds of the talks from TED from the comfort of your own computer.

There are talks on Technology, Science, Culture and more from some of the best known names in the world, including Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall, David Pogue and Frank Gehry.

The TED.com web site brings the world's foremost authorities right into your home or office. Check it out, but don't blame me if you lose yourself there. Of course, your time will be very well spent.

Giving Away Information, but Increasing Revenue (Bob Tedeschi/New York Times)

Giving Away Information, but Increasing Revenue — THOSE who don't have $6,000 or enough prominent connections to get into a TED conference can take heart. The price of admission just went to zero, provided you can settle for a more remote experience. — The TED organization …

Source: New York Times

Author: Bob Tedeschi

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/technology/16ecom…

Techmeme permalink

(Via Techmeme.)

Technorati Tags: podcast, podcasting, creativity, tutorial, events, technology, presentations, ethics, software, computers, space, astronomy, high-tech, cool, learning, education, performance, theater

Library Internet Seminar - April 12, 2007

Join us Thursday, April 12, 2007 for our next Internet Seminar at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

We are focusing on online web services like Google Docs and more. I will have a few sites to show, followed by an open question and answer session.

You can listen to past sessions and other TechnologyIQ audio by clicking below




Technorati Tags: california, howto, how-to, podcast, podcasting, tutorial, events, losangeles, technology, learning, education, library

Computing for the Everyman - Part 1 - Introduction

by Douglas E. Welch, techiq@welchwrite.com
Reader/Listener Line 206-338-5832

Listen to Computing for the Everyman - Part 1 - Introduction

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Whenever I am talking to the average, non-geeky, computer user I often hear complaints about how complex, how confusing and how aggravating computers can be. Along with that, people are scared...scared of losing their data, scared of damaging their computer and scared of pulling their hair out. (SMILE)

It doesn't have to be this way nor should it. One of the first things I try to do with anyone I work with is to put them at ease. I assure them that, short of attacking their computer with a baseball bat (which I have known a writer to do after one too many crashes), there is little they can do to hurt their computer. I encourage them to play with their computer, trying out its functions on small, non-critical projects, like a letter to a friend or typing up some notes. All of this is meant to encourage them to familiarize themselves with the computer in a non-threatening environment. Just like becoming familiar with a new car or a new toaster, comfort is one of the most important aspects of starting to use your computer.

Next, I will ask each client or attendee to my Internet Seminars at my local library, to make a list of what they want to do with their computer. These lists should be in the form of tasks they want to accomplish with the computer, instead of vague references to printing, using the software, managing their files. Rather, I want to see items like:

• Instant Message with my grandchildren
• Print envelopes from my printer
• Research my family genealogy
• Make free phone calls over the Internet

Once we have this list, I can really begin to teach these people something useful. First, we attack one of the tasks from the list, say writing a letter. Then I show them how to open a program, add their text to the document and how to save it. Throughout that lesson, I am constantly throwing in the fundamentals of each of these steps. For example, to start a program I will have them click on their Start Menu (for Windows user), then click All Programs, then the program itself.

Then, I quickly explain to them that all programs on their computer can be opened in this same fashion. If they are looking for a specific program, they can follow these steps and then look through the menu until they find it. I might go even deeper in explaining how menus work the same in every program, regardless of its purpose. I might show them the Edit menu and explain how Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste will ALWAYS be found in this menu, regardless of the program they are using. In this way, by the time we are done with our lesson, individuals have learned not only a specific step-by-step operation, but also much of the underlying fundamentals that make it easier to use ANY program on their computer. Even despite the Windows versus Mac battles of the past, these operating systems are more alike than ever before.

The fact is, learning these fundamentals that apply to any computer or technology, allows you to address almost any technology questions you might have. Much like elementary and high schools are focusing on "learning how to learn", as well as absorbing raw facts, technology users need to be learning the underlying principles of all technology, so that, even when they encounter an unknown device or computer, they can still begin using it almost immediately. I have much that same experience when I am visiting my wife's relatives and I am forced to speak Italian for 99% of my day. For the first few days it is very tiring, but around the 3rd day there is a change, a "click" that occurs and I find myself thinking in Italian instead of trying to translate everything to and from English. This same "click" occurs with technology, and much more quickly than you might think.

This is my goal in this on-going series of posts on TechnologyIQ. I want to help you get to the "click" that allows you to understand any technology, as if it were your native tongue. I can guarantee you, when it occurs, your friends and family will be amazed and wonder aloud how you became some a technology expert.

Technorati Tags: DIY, howto, how-to, tutorial, technology, windows, macintosh, software, computers, email, high-tech, learning, education, seminar

Scratch: Multimedia programming kit for kids

I came across this neat program, Scratch, created by the LIfelong Kindergarten Group at MIT. It allows kids (and silly adults, like me) to create multimedia presentations and games while also teaching them computer programming as they go.

Check out this neat video showing some of its features.

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Celebrate Dr. King by sharing this DVD with your children, Our Friend Martin, written by our friend, Dawn Comer Jefferson and Chris Simmons, writer for Static Shock, the animated series.

We have also found this show on tape at our local video rental store.

From Amazon. com:

This animated time-travel adventure features a stellar cast and is a delight for kids and adults alike. When Matt, a black teenager, has to go on a class field trip to the museum of Martin Luther King Jr., he thinks that he'd rather play baseball. But the trip turns into an exciting adventure when he and his best friend, Randy, who's white, are sent back in time to meet Dr. King.

The story is also remarkably moving, as Matt and Randy learn what Dr. King did for humanity, and come to see him as a real person, not a historical figure. Matt and Randy experience segregation firsthand when they aren't allowed to eat on a train together. Together, they witness the bus boycott, the Birmingham riots, and the "I Have a Dream" speech. They discuss the theme of "non-violent resistance" with their new friend Martin and the work of Ghandi in India. As King tells Matt, "We must meet hate with love. It will take time, but somebody's got to start." Authentic historical footage blended with animation make this an excellent choice for teaching kids about the legacy of Dr. King. --Elisabeth Keating

Stars the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, John Travolta, Ed Asner, Angela Bassett and more.

Technorati Tags: kids, children, learning, education, protest, parents, parenting, holiday, race, racism, mlk, history