Windows 11 Narrator Gets Faster and Smarter

Windows 11 Narrator Gets Faster and Smarter

The August 2024 update for Windows 11 brings significant improvements to the Narrator feature, enhancing its speed, accuracy, and overall user experience. Discover how these updates can make your digital interactions smoother and more accessible.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 4, 2024

Have you ever struggled with navigating large documents or websites using screen readers? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Update to the recent *optional* Windows 11 update.

With the August 2024 improvements to the Narrator feature, Microsoft is making strides in accessibility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a seamless digital experience.

The Narrator feature in Windows 11 is a built-in screen reader designed to assist users with visual impairments by reading aloud the text displayed on the screen and describing on-screen elements. 

Unlock Knowledge with Free Textbooks Using Google Gemini and OpenStax

Unlock Knowledge with Free Textbooks Using Google Gemini and OpenStax

This Cool Tip will help you utilize Google Gemini's powerful AI capabilities and OpenStax's vast library to access free educational resources and textbooks.  It covers the process and highlights the benefits of using this technology for your learning needs.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 3, 2024

In today's digital age, the way we access and consume information is rapidly changing.  

Have you ever wondered whether there's a smarter, more efficient way to access textbooks?  

Can AI help us break down the barriers to education and make knowledge more accessible?  

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini's AI capabilities now with OpenStax. 

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.