Throwback: How to Use the New Google URL Autocorrect Feature

Throwback: How to Use the New Google URL Autocorrect Feature

Tired of typos messing up your web searches? Google's new autocorrect feature for URLs suggests the right website address as you type it in the search bar, saving you time and frustration.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 22, 2024 - First Published October 22, 2023

Have you ever tried to search for a website, but accidentally mistyped the URL? 

It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you're not sure how to fix the typo. 

Here's a Cool Tip.  Check out Google's new URL autocorrect feature.

Throwback: Harry Potter Magic!

Throwback: Harry Potter Magic!

Discover these magical commands for your iPhone or Android phones.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 29, 2024 - First published January 8, 2022

The iPhone is a truly magical device.  

It combines a phone and a multi-use computer.  And provides light with the built-in flash.

But now it is even more magical since it responds to spells from the magical world of Harry Potter.

Throwback: Kid Safe Searching with Kiddle Search Engine

Throwback: Kid Safe Searching with Kiddle Search Engine

Kiddle, a safe search engine designed specifically for children, offers a family-friendly way to explore the internet, filtering out explicit or deceptive content and presenting information in an easy-to-understand manner.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 18, 2024 - First published February 28, 2016

The internet is a wild and often inappropriate place for children.

How do you search for seemingly innocent topics without returning unacceptable results?

There's a new tool that will help kids and parents to find suitable information and display it in a kid-friendly manner.

Check out the Kiddle search engine at www.Kiddle.co

fig. Kiddle.co

Throwback: Show or Hide Microsoft Word Format Marks

Throwback: Show or Hide Microsoft Word Format Marks

Microsoft Word's Show/Hide Format Marks function is a hidden gem that allows users to visualize and manipulate the formatting of their documents, making it easier to understand document structure and apply formatting consistently.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
September 9, 2024 - First Published July 9, 2015

Throwback: Select An Excel Data Set Faster with this Shortcut

Throwback: Select An Excel Data Set Faster with this Shortcut

Speed up your Excel workflow! Learn keyboard shortcuts to quickly select data without relying on your mouse.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 2, 2024 - First published August 13, 2015

You can select data in Excel faster than just using a mouse and dragging the cursor.

Let your fingers do the selecting.

To select an entire data set, click anywhere inside the data set and then press and hold the CONTROL + SHIFT + * keys.

You can also click in the first cell you want to select and press and hold the Control+Shift and then press an arrow key (Left, Right, Up or Down) to select data in a direction.

Throwback: What's Going On? Let Google Hot Trends Tell You!

Throwback: What's Going On? Let Google Hot Trends Tell You!

Stay in the know! Discover the hottest topics and trending searches on Google's Trends page to get a quick overview of what's capturing the world's attention.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 1, 2024 - First published May 14, 2011

As many of our lives move to digital for our daily information and interaction, it's not surprising that we turn to search engines like Google for answers on current events.

A quick way to get a pulse on what's happening in the world is to visit Google's Trends page at http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends  

Throwback: The Single Best Tip To Take Better Videos With Your Smart Phone

Throwback: The Single Best Tip To Take Better Videos With Your Smart Phone

Ditch the vertical videos! This One Cool Tip shares the simple trick to ensure your smartphone videos look great on any screen.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 31, 2024 - First published June 29, 2015

Do you take videos with your smart phone? You might be doing it wrong. And by wrong, I mean you are holding your phone wrong.

Throwback: How to Bounce Cats

Throwback: How to Bounce Cats

Take a break from work and have some fun with Cat Bounce, a quirky website where you can bounce cats for a lighthearted distraction. Remember, the gentler the touch, the better the bounce!

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 30, 2024 - First published January 13, 2023

Sometimes you need to take a few minutes to get your mind off of work.

And what could be more fun than bouncing cats?

Throwback: Dictate in Google Docs with Voice Typing

Throwback: Dictate in Google Docs with Voice Typing

Say goodbye to tedious typing! Google Docs lets you dictate your documents effortlessly using Voice Typing, a feature that allows you to speak your thoughts directly into your document.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 29, 2024 - Originally Published September 7, 2015

Do you ever get tired of typing a document?

Let the power of Google do it for you.

Google Docs, the online word processing software, just got a whole lot better with the ability to dictate a word processing document.

The new feature is "Voice Typing" and requires Google's Chrome browser.

To dictate, enable Voice Typing in the Tools menu.

Throwback: Open Task Manager FAST With this Quick Trick

Throwback: Open Task Manager FAST With this Quick Trick

Forget the three-finger salute! Learn a faster way to access the Task Manager in Windows and quickly shut down those pesky unresponsive programs.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 28, 2024 - First published September 3, 2015

Do you have a program that is non-responding in Windows?

The Task Manager app is the best tool to exit a non-responding program.  The Task Manager displays programs, processes and services that are currently running on your computer.  You can use Task Manager to check your PC's performance too.  And...close down an application that has frozen.

We've all usually opened the Task Manager by using the ALT-CTRL+DELETE (the three finger Windows salute!) to get to the security screen and then choosing the Task Manager option.

There is a much faster way.

Press and hold   CTRL + SHIFT + ESC

Throwback: Running Out of Gas? Let Waze Show You the Best Prices

Throwback: Running Out of Gas? Let Waze Show You the Best Prices

Waze isn't just for navigation! Discover how to use this powerful app to find the cheapest gas near you, and how you can contribute to the community by reporting gas prices yourself.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 25, 2024 - First published October 9, 2015

All hail the mighty power of Waze.

We've told you how the Waze app can help you navigate your next drive by avoiding congestion, police and road hazards.

But it's also a great way to find the best gas prices too.

You can find the closest stations to you as well as brands and current prices.

Throwback: How to Insert a Screenshot in Microsoft Power Point, Excel, Word or Outlook

Throwback: How to Insert a Screenshot in Microsoft Power Point, Excel, Word or Outlook

Learn the simple trick to capture and insert screenshots directly into your PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, or Outlook emails, streamlining your workflow and enhancing your communication.

by Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 26, 2024 - First published October 23, 2015

Microsoft Office products, Power Point, Excel, Word and Outlook, have a built-in tool to insert screenshots.

Throwback: Reopen Closed Tabs in Chrome Browser

Throwback: Reopen Closed Tabs in Chrome Browser

Discover a quick fix for accidentally closed tabs in the Chrome browser!

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 25, 2024 - First published Aug 5, 2015

 

It just happens.   We've all done it.

You're clicking too fast and then oops.

You accidentally close a tab in the Chrome browser.

Fear not.

There's an easy fix.

All you have to do is press Control + Shift + T and the just-closed tab will reopen where you left off.

On a Mac, use Command + Shift + T to do the same thing.

You can also right-mouse click in the gray box to the right of the tabs and select "Reopen closed window"

Throwback: How to Search Google with Right Click

How to Search Google with Right Click

Streamline your Google searches directly from any webpage! Learn how to instantly search for a word or phrase using a simple right-click, saving you time and keeping your browsing experience seamless.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 24, 2024 - First published June 25, 2023

Do you ever find yourself wanting to search Google for a word or phrase that you see on a web page, but you don't want to open a new tab or window? 

If so, here's a Cool Tip:  Right Click.

You can use the right click menu to search Google using Google Chrome for the selected text.

Here's how to do it:

Throwback Thursday: Try These Two Gmail Address Hacks

Throwback Thursday: Try These Two Gmail Address Hacks

On this Throwback Thursday, let's look back to this very popular Cool Tip from September 2015.  Discover these two amazing Gmail hacks to increase your productivity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 22, 2024

Try These Two Gmail Address Hacks

Wondering why you are getting some spam that slips through filters?  

Probably because you signed up when using an account and the email looks legit.

How can you tag emails that you use when you sign up for unimportant websites?