Throwback: How to Build Digital Sand Art

Throwback: How to Build Digital Sand Art

Create mesmerizing digital sand art with This is Sand Art, a playful web and mobile app that lets you layer virtual sand in vibrant colors, just like the classic bottle craft from childhood. Available on desktop browsers and iOS/Android devices for a relaxing, creative escape.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 15, 2025 (Originally published January 20, 2023)

Remember making those multi-colored sand in the bottle crafts when you were young?

Relive the fun of your youth with this Friday Funday Cool Tip: https://thisissand.com/

ThisIsSand allows you to drop multi-colored sand piles to create amazing works of art.

ThisIsSand can be played in a laptop/desktop web browser (thisissand.com) OR with the Thisissand app on iOS (iPhone) or Android devices.

fig. 1 - This is Sand Art

Exploring Wikipedia's List of Lists of Lists

Exploring Wikipedia's List of Lists of Lists

Wikipedia's "List of Lists of Lists" is a valuable, time-saving resource for quickly accessing condensed information on diverse topics. It highlights how this curated compilation helps users efficiently explore subjects, using literature as an example to show how writers can find inspiration through categorized lists of books and authors.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 10, 2025 (originally published May 31, 2023)

In the vast ocean of information available on the internet, Wikipedia stands as a beacon of knowledge. 

With its comprehensive articles covering various topics, it has become an indispensable resource for many. 

However, nestled within this vast repository of information lies a Cool Tip known as the  List of Lists of Lists. 

Use this Microsoft Edge Cool Tip to Go To a Website

Use this Microsoft Edge Cool Tip to Go To a Website

This Cool Tip introduces a time-saving feature in Microsoft Edge that allows users to directly navigate to a website address contained within highlighted text.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 11, 2025 - Originally published May 24, 2023

Are you tired of copying and pasting URLs from web pages to your browser’s address bar? 

Do you want to save time and effort while browsing the web? 

If yes, then you’re in the right place! 

In this Cool Tip you'll learn how to use Microsoft Edge browser to highlight text and go to a website. 

Most websites will hyperlink a web address so that readers can just click.

But when you see just plain text, use this Cool Tip.

It will help you save time and make your browsing experience more efficient. 

Let’s get started!

How to Use Google Keep to Stay Organized and Productive

How to Use Google Keep to Stay Organized and Productive

Tired of scattered notes and forgotten tasks? This Cool Tip unveils the power of Google Keep, showing you how to use its intuitive features to effortlessly organize your life and boost your productivity. Learn how to capture ideas instantly, categorize them effectively, set timely reminders, and even collaborate seamlessly with others.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 10, 2025 (Originally published May 9, 2023)

How many times have you forgotten an important appointment? 

Lost track of a great idea? 

Or had to scramble to find a piece of information you needed?

If you answered "more times than I can count," you're not alone.

The good news is that there's a Cool Tip: Google Keep.

Google Keep is a free note-taking app that is available on all major platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. 

It is a great way to keep track of your thoughts, ideas, and to-do lists. 

Google Keep is simple to use and has a variety of features that make it a powerful note-taking tool.

How to Set Your Startup Pages in Google Chrome

How to Set Your Startup Pages in Google Chrome

Tired of opening the same websites every time you launch Chrome? This quick tip shows you how to set specific pages to automatically open on startup, saving you valuable time.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 4, 2025 - Originally published May 6, 2023

When you start Chrome, do you always have to take a few minute to open all of your favorite websites?

You don't have to do that,

Here's a Cool Tip.

Change your Chrome settings to set the tabs you want to open whenever you launch Chrome.

And it can be more than one page.

How to Set a Timer or Stopwatch in Google Chrome

How to Set a Timer or Stopwatch in Google Chrome

Quickly access a timer or stopwatch directly within your Chrome browser using Google's built-in feature – no extra apps needed! Simply type "timer" or "stopwatch" into the address bar to start timing

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 3, 2025 - Originally published April 26, 2023

Whether you're cooking a meal, need to know when to leave, or something else, a timer can be a handy tool. 

And with Google Chrome, you can set a timer or stopwatch right from your browser.

How to Make the Apple Watch Text Bigger, Brighter and Bolder

How to Make the Apple Watch Text Bigger, Brighter and Bolder

Quickly customize your Apple Watch display for better readability by adjusting brightness, text size, and enabling bold text directly on the watch or through your iPhone's Watch app.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 1, 2025 - Originally published April 29, 2023

Are you tired of squinting at your Apple Watch's display in bright sunlight? 

Or maybe you find the screen too bright in dimly lit rooms? 

Whatever your preference, adjusting the brightness and display settings on your Apple Watch is simple and easy to do. 

In this Cool Tip, we'll show you how to change the Apple Watch's brightness and display settings directly from the watch itself, as well as from your iPhone.

Boost Your Excel Productivity with this Cool Status Bar Tip!

Boost Your Excel Productivity with this Cool Status Bar Tip!

Unleash the hidden power of Excel's status bar to instantly calculate and analyze your data, boosting your productivity with quick insights. Learn how to customize it for even faster access to key information.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 28, 2025 (originally published April 24, 2023)

Are you looking for ways to improve your Excel productivity and efficiency? 

Check out this very Excel Cool Tip.

The status bar in Excel is a powerful tool that can help you quickly calculate and analyze data. 

It displays a variety of information about your worksheet, including the average, count, and sum of selected cells.

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.