Looking to recycle old computers, TV's and other electronic equipment? Give TFS Networks a call. If you live in any of the Quad-city areas (Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey, and Chino Valley), they'll even come to your house to pick the stuff up.
I was pleasantly surprised by their quick response and willingness to come to my house so I didn't have to load my car up and take the equipment to them.
Their phone number is 928-925-0776. You can even schedule a pickup on line. If you're interested in recycling any old computer equipment or electronics, click here for more information and a list of acceptable items.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Video Editing Tips
People who know me, know I love to create videos. Although I have a mini-video camera, many of my videos are created using still photos. I generally use Sony Vegas
to create my videos, but I have used Windows Movie Maker too. Sony Vegas is my favorite video creation/editing software though.
While creating and editing videos is pretty straight forward, experience has taught me a few things and upon request, I decided to share those tips here.
In a nutshell, here are my top video editing tips .....
By default, most people store their pictures in the PICTURE folder (or in their DOCUMENT folder) and their music in the MUSIC folder, etc. While this is the preferred method for most everyday uses, it creates a problem for video editing.
The first problem is that people tend to delete, move, or rename their photos, music, video clips, etc. If that photo, song, etc. was already in your video timeline and you move, delete or rename the file, then the timeline can't find it anymore (your software will tell you it's "offline" or "missing"). This means you have to find the original file and reimport it into your video software so the timeline can see it. This can be a major pain (not to mention time-consuming).
But by COPYING these files (photos, video clips, music, etc) to a special folder (as described in steps 1-4 above), your video editing software will always know where to find them. In this case, it doesn't matter if you move, delete or rename your original files ... your timeline will remain in tact because it will know where to find the copies you created in steps 1-4.
The other big advantage in using the tips outlined above is that once the video is complete, you can copy this entire folder to your backup hard drive, flash drive or DVD and remove it from your desktop (to save disk space). But then if you ever need to make changes to the video or make more copies, you can just COPY the entire folder back to your desktop, open your video editing software and you're good to go again. The software will knows where to find everything.
Everybody has their own system, but through experience, this is the best system I've discovered for creating and editing home videos.
to create my videos, but I have used Windows Movie Maker too. Sony Vegas is my favorite video creation/editing software though. While creating and editing videos is pretty straight forward, experience has taught me a few things and upon request, I decided to share those tips here.
In a nutshell, here are my top video editing tips .....
- Create a new folder on your desktop for each video you create (one folder per video). Give the folder a name that reflects the theme of your video (example, "Christmas 2011")
- Within this folder, create sub-folders .... one for pictures (if using still photos), one for video clips (if using video clips), one for music, etc. The goal is to get all of the video, pictures, music, etc. used in your video into the same folder (away from everything else) so it's easy to find and manage.
- Copy the photos, video clips, music, etc that you intend to use in your video into their respective sub-folders which you created in step 2.
- Once you complete steps 1-3, open your favorite video editing software and IMPORT your video, photos and music from the subfolders you created in step 3.
- When you save your movie, be sure to save it in the top level folder you created on your desktop (in step 1).
- When you render (or make) your movie, be sure to save the created movie in the top level folder (step 1).
By default, most people store their pictures in the PICTURE folder (or in their DOCUMENT folder) and their music in the MUSIC folder, etc. While this is the preferred method for most everyday uses, it creates a problem for video editing.
The first problem is that people tend to delete, move, or rename their photos, music, video clips, etc. If that photo, song, etc. was already in your video timeline and you move, delete or rename the file, then the timeline can't find it anymore (your software will tell you it's "offline" or "missing"). This means you have to find the original file and reimport it into your video software so the timeline can see it. This can be a major pain (not to mention time-consuming).
But by COPYING these files (photos, video clips, music, etc) to a special folder (as described in steps 1-4 above), your video editing software will always know where to find them. In this case, it doesn't matter if you move, delete or rename your original files ... your timeline will remain in tact because it will know where to find the copies you created in steps 1-4.
The other big advantage in using the tips outlined above is that once the video is complete, you can copy this entire folder to your backup hard drive, flash drive or DVD and remove it from your desktop (to save disk space). But then if you ever need to make changes to the video or make more copies, you can just COPY the entire folder back to your desktop, open your video editing software and you're good to go again. The software will knows where to find everything.
Everybody has their own system, but through experience, this is the best system I've discovered for creating and editing home videos.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Kindle Fire versus Laptop
Many of my clients only use the computer to read email, check facebook and surf the web a little. They don't do pictures, or music or even play many games. If you fit into this category, you may want to consider getting a Kindle Fire instead of a laptop. Why???
The Kindle Fire lets you connect to the Internet so you can check email and surf the web, but also gives you the added advantages of a lightweight, easy to carry computer which you can also read books on. So in essence, you kind of have the best of both worlds ... being able to read while still having a way to check email, facebook and surf the web.
Kindle Fire's are especially useful when traveling! You don't have to bulky books to read, and you can stay connected to friends and family at home with one handy easy to carry gadget!
To learn more about the Kindle Fire, click here!
The Kindle Fire lets you connect to the Internet so you can check email and surf the web, but also gives you the added advantages of a lightweight, easy to carry computer which you can also read books on. So in essence, you kind of have the best of both worlds ... being able to read while still having a way to check email, facebook and surf the web.
Kindle Fire's are especially useful when traveling! You don't have to bulky books to read, and you can stay connected to friends and family at home with one handy easy to carry gadget!
To learn more about the Kindle Fire, click here!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Getting Help with Microsoft Word
A lot of my clients struggle using Microsoft Word, so I thought I'd offer some helpful links below.
Hopefully the links above will be helpful to you in figuring out how to use Word effectively!
Hopefully the links above will be helpful to you in figuring out how to use Word effectively!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Understanding the New Facebook Timeline
Unfortunately for many of us, Facebook is about to roll out a new change on everybody called Timeline. You may have noticed that some of your friends have already voluntarily switched over. And in keeping with Facebook's "I don't care what the user wants" attitude .... we'll all be getting the time very soon.
This new change will be so different that it will take longer to learn and understand what's going on than previous changes to Facebook. Here's a brief introduction of the new Timeline profile.
And should you decide to stay with Facebook after this new change, the links below should help you navigate the new timeline quicker.
Facebook Changes Again - Everything You Need to Know
Facebook Timeline - Old Profiles verses New Timeline Profiles
10 Things You Should Know About Facebook Timeline
Preps for Facebook's Timeline Layout - 6 Must Do Privacy Tweaks
How to Get Your Facebook in Order
Hopefully the links above will help you adjust to Facebook's new timeline profile quicker. But just in case you're one of the many users who are ready to sever your relationship with Facebook, you can always cancel your Facebook Account by clicking here.
This new change will be so different that it will take longer to learn and understand what's going on than previous changes to Facebook. Here's a brief introduction of the new Timeline profile.
And should you decide to stay with Facebook after this new change, the links below should help you navigate the new timeline quicker.
Facebook Changes Again - Everything You Need to Know
Facebook Timeline - Old Profiles verses New Timeline Profiles
10 Things You Should Know About Facebook Timeline
Preps for Facebook's Timeline Layout - 6 Must Do Privacy Tweaks
How to Get Your Facebook in Order
Hopefully the links above will help you adjust to Facebook's new timeline profile quicker. But just in case you're one of the many users who are ready to sever your relationship with Facebook, you can always cancel your Facebook Account by clicking here.
Friday, December 16, 2011
What is One Note in Microsoft Office?
If you're using Microsoft Office 2007 or a later version, you may have noticed a new program called, One Note. This is a new program in the Microsoft Office Suite. A lot of my clients have asked me about it, so I thought I'd provide some information here about One Note.
Unlike Microsoft Word (which is a word processing program), One Note was designed to help you track and organize important notes. Many of us are often scribbling notes on various pieces of paper, which often get lost or are difficult to keep track of. One Note is a digital program designed to replace all those notes scribbled little pieces of papers. And even better, it helps you organize your important notes so they're always at your fingertips.
You can watch a demo video showing how One Note works by clicking here.
For more information about One Note, click here.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Beware of Fake Adobe Software Update
Although I typically tell my clients it's okay to update Adobe when they see a notification to do so, I want to issue a caution regarding those updates. There is currently a FAKE update message making the email rounds and folks definitely want to IGNORE and DELETE this warning.
Legitimate update notices show up in the taskbar (you'll see a little message window down in the corner of the screen by the clock). It's OKAY (and advised) to respond to these messages and update your Adobe software.
However, NEVER respond to update notices received via emails. These are almost always scams. And of course, if you're ever in doubt, don't respond to messages asking you to update. Instead, go the software application's website and download the latest version of the software and install it. This will ensure you're always updated and eliminate the risk of getting caught in a scam.
Legitimate update notices show up in the taskbar (you'll see a little message window down in the corner of the screen by the clock). It's OKAY (and advised) to respond to these messages and update your Adobe software.
However, NEVER respond to update notices received via emails. These are almost always scams. And of course, if you're ever in doubt, don't respond to messages asking you to update. Instead, go the software application's website and download the latest version of the software and install it. This will ensure you're always updated and eliminate the risk of getting caught in a scam.
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