Tech Tuesday » PWOC International Blog

Headers and Footers

May 182010

The last time you had to think about headers and footers was back in high school or college, right? Not so fast. Headers and footers aren’t just for research papers. If you create any type of document that spans multiple pages, particularly more than two, you should make it a habit to include a header and/or footer and yes, that does include a typed letter. More often in PWOC, though, it will be in the form of meeting minutes.

Have you ever held a stack of paper in your hand only to see it fall to the floor in complete disarray? It’s happened to me and the most frustrating is when the stack included minutes from more than one meeting and now the pages are all mixed up on the floor. Here’s the challenge: in under an hour, organize all of the pages back to their original order! Can’t do it, can you?

A simple header or footer including the document title, date when relevant, and page number will go far in keeping your sanity in check in the most trying of times. When inserting the page number, go ahead and add the symbol for total number of pages, as well. It’ll only take a fraction of a second to do so but could pay off in dividends later.

Don’t know how to add these elements? No worries. Using your preferred Internet search engine, enter the program you’re using and the term ‘insert header,’ ‘insert footer,’ ‘insert page number,’ or ‘insert total number of pages.’ For example, if I were using Microsoft Word, I would enter ‘Word 2007 insert header.’ There are tutorials for anything you can imagine on the Internet so put them to work for you.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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What do those letters mean?

Tech Tuesday

May 112010

You may have noticed that every computer filename ends with a period and three or four letters. Those letters actually have a purpose. They tell your computer how to open the file, ie. which application to use.

If you’re having trouble opening a file, sometimes it helps to know what app the file is looking for. I’ve included a quick list below. If I haven’t included an extension you’re curious about, simply enter that extension and the word extension ( .doc extension) into your favorite Internet search engine and you’ll most likely get your answer.

.doc	Microsoft Word 2003 or earlier
.docx	Microsoft Word 2007 or later
.xls	Microsoft Excel 2003 or earlier
.xlsx	Microsoft Excel 2007 or later
.ppt	Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 or earlier
.pptx	Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or later
.pub	Microsoft Publisher, any version
.pdf	portable document file (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
.htm or .html	web page
.mpg	movie
.mp3	music
.jpg or .jpeg	image
.png	image with transparent background
.gif	animated or web image
.eps	encapsulated PostScript vector image

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Do U Txt?

Tech Tuesday

May 042010

Are you an analog person living in a digital world or a digi-geek reveling in the rapidly accelerating conveniences of technology? Either way, you’re sure to have heard, or even tried, texting with your cell phone.

It’s a wonderfully convenient way to communicate when time is tight and you need a quick answer. I can remember a shopping trip when I saw the cutest bag on the clearance table. It wasn’t my type but it was screaming my friend’s name from across the store. I simply took a picture of the bag with my phone, sent it to her using SMS (the language used for texting), and heard back from her with orders to claim the bag immediately. Not too many years ago this scenario would’ve appeared only on SciFi shows but now it’s commonplace.

Just yesterday, I was in my yard gardening when a group of 8-10 teenage boys walked by talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company. As I looked up, I noticed one of the boys look at his phone, no doubt checking for a text. They don’t remember a world without texting and here we are trying our best to learn this new language it uses. I refuse to let that make me feel old!

So, according to Wikipedia, here are some of the most common abbreviations used for texting although you may also see some of these in emails. If you come across new ones not listed here, simply enter the abbreviation into your favorite Internet search engine and you’re sure to find its meaning. HAP E Txting!

Word or phrase	Abbreviation(s)
As far as I know	afaik
As soon as possible	ASAP
At the moment	atm
Be right back	brb
By the way	btw
Got to go	g2g or gtg
Great	gr8
I don’t know	idk
Later	L8r
In my humble/honest opinion	imho
In my opinion	imo
Just kidding	jk
Laughing out loud / lots of love	lol
Rolling on the floor laughing	rofl
Take care	tc
Talk to you later	tty l8r or ttyl or t2

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Printing Secrets, Part II

Tech Tuesday

Apr 272010

Last week we talked about using Print Preview to conserve paper. This week, we’ll talk about a huge paper-waster…Microsoft Excel. I wonder how many trees have given their noble lives for the 2,000 attempts to get a spreadsheet all on one page.

There’s no need for the print-and-see approach, however, because Microsoft Excel has a very cool feature called ‘Print Area.’ To use this feature, simply select all of your data, then select File>Print Area>Set Print Area.

With that set, then choose Page Setup from the File Menu. At this point, you want to set the page Scaling to fit your data either on one page (1 page wide by 1 page tall) or if you know you’ll have too much data to fit 1 page tall, you could leave that box blank and Excel will confine your print to 1 page wide, but use as many pages as necessary to accommodate your data.

The key to remember when using this feature is that Excel will shrink your data in order to fill your request. This is where allowing multiple pages would be used since forcing it to fit onto only 1 page may cause the text to appear too small to read.

[Versions and Platforms could make this sequence slightly different. If you have trouble finding this feature, simply enter ‘MS Excel’ with your version number along with ‘Print Area’ into your favorite search engine for specific instructions.]

Have fun trying out this new feature. And remember, more trees = cleaner air.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Printing Secrets

Tech Tuesday

Apr 202010

Paper isn’t free and ink ain’t cheap so why print something before you know what it’s going to look like on the printed page? I wonder how many pieces of printer paper get thrown away straight from the printer’s output tray simply because the printer didn’t do what was expected. Hmmm.

There’s an easy fix for this – it’s called the Print Preview. Depending on your operating system (Win/Mac) or your application (Word, Internet Browser, Email), there’s almost always an option for viewing your print job before sending it to the printer. Check the File menu for ‘Print Preview’ in most apps. Mac users can choose the Print Command from any app, which will open the Print dialog box. A Preview button can be found along the bottom margin of this box.

I use Print Preview many times every single day and it’s a real paper saver. The biggest paper eater, in my opinion, is email. Often I’ll need to print an email message but left to its own devices, the sucker eats up 2-3 sheets of paper…and it was a short email! There are several reasons for this that vary from message to message but the most common culprit is when email providers tack on ads to the end of every exchange of a message which translates into printed paper later on. Avoid this by checking the Print Preview first and selecting only the page that contains the information you wanted on paper in the first place.

Make it a habit to check the Preview before hitting the Print button. Who knows, you may save a tree this year.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Closing All Windows

Tech Tuesday

Apr 132010

If you’ve read this column more than a few times (both of you), you’ll know that I simply adore shortcuts. Here’s another one for my PC gals out there.

When I’m doing research on the web, I often find that I have more than a few windows open at one time. Not just windows (or tabs) in my internet browser, but separate windows for each of potentially several apps open at one time (Word, Firefox, Acrobat Reader, etc.). After a while, this can make me a bit nutty and confused. Here’s a quick shortcut to simply close everything and start fresh.

Using a Windows PC, you’ll notice tabs along the bottom margin of your screen for each app/file that you have open. Clicking each tab will bring that app/file to the front of the stack; but to select more than one tab at a time, simply hold down the Control key while you click each tab. Once you have all of your tabs selected, right-click to display the contextual menu and select ‘Close Group.’ Voila! Clean slate.

NOTE: With the release of Windows 7, I am now two OS versions behind (I ignored Vista altogether). My dinosaur of a Dell desktop will turn SEVEN years old this July and is still going strong, but it won’t be getting any OS updates and will be replaced with a Mac upon its overdue death. That said, I would love for someone out there (a bit more current) to join the Tech Tuesday Team and contribute tips for Windows 7 users. Am I speaking to you? If so, please contact me concerning your willingness to serve PWOC in this way. It’s very cool to serve God in such a practical way.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Digital or Analog?

Tech Tuesday

Apr 052010

I think digital. What does that mean exactly? Any question that pops up, my instinct is to turn to my computer for an answer. It occurs to me that even in the 21^st century, I’m still not the average. Some examples:

I’m baking bread and realize that rather than whole milk, I only have nonfat dry milk powder. Can I substitute? In under five minutes, I learn that I can!
In the kitchen again, I need to make a measurement conversion. Using Google, I simply type “8 tbsp to cup” and before I finish typing, Google tells me the answer is a half cup.
While working on my Bible study, I come across a word for which I know neither the meaning nor pronunciation. This time, using Dictionary.Com, I type in the word and within a moment I have not only the definition but an audio pronunciation of the word, as well.
Next up, I have an appointment across town but I’m not quit sure how to get there nor how long it will take. There are several sites that offer driving directions, MapQuest, Expedia, Rand McNally, and I’ll use each of these for different purposes. For simply ‘round-the-town’ type questions, however, I’m probably going to start with Google Maps. There are lots of really cool features here but it’s still very easy to use. Simply type in the address, including zip if you have it, and you’ll get a map of the area with your destination marked. Click the driving directions link, add in your origin address and you’ll have directions and travel time. Don’t like the route chosen for you? Simply drag the route to the road of your choice and the travel time is automatically recalculated. Have more than one stop on your journey? No sweat, just keep adding them. When you’re all set, print and go.
While I’m out, the store doesn’t have what I’m looking for. Do I drive all the way over to the other store or do I call? Using my smart phone, I enter a search for the store’s name and the city I’m in. In barely a moment, the store’s name, address and phone number appear. Tapping on the phone number causes my phone to automatically dial the number. Learning that they do, in fact, have my item, I go back and tap the address and my phone gives me a map and directions for getting there. Now that’s a smart phone!

There are folks that think I’m smart. The truth, however, is that I have tools that make me look smart. So the next time you get stumped with a question, give your computer a shot and see what it gives you. You may be surprised.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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What kind of mouse are you?

Tech Tuesday

Mar 312010

What kind of mouse are you? Pointing device, that is. You know, the thing you use to move the cursor around on the computer screen. It has buttons. You know the one.

It may surprise you that the mouse that is so very common is actually not the only way to perform the functions common to the mouse. In fact, I have three tools for this function although I almost never use one of them – the touch pad built in to my laptop. No, you don’t have to use it if you don’t like it! Cool, eh? There are alternatives.

My favorite pointing device is my pen tablet. Although it takes some getting used to, it is much kinder on your hand and arm if you spend substantial amounts of time at your computer as I do. They are most commonly used for graphic work, but I use it for everything else, too. Nearby, I also keep my cordless USB 2-button mouse with a scroll wheel for times when that just makes better sense.

It’s all about options.

Not long ago, I was leading a computer skills class and the space with which I had to work in was minimal at best. Since I was demonstrating techniques on my laptop, I needed it at a good working height, which left little room for mouse movement. (I was standing, by the way.) Since I really dislike the touchpad, I took advantage of my husband’s Track Ball device. The device itself doesn’t move at all. There’s a large ball that rotates around in a socket, controlling the cursor on screen. It’s also considered very ergonomic which is why my husband has it in the first place. The army bought it for him after a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis.

Entering ‘computer pointer device’ into your favorite search engine will return loads of devices from which to choose. I even found several variations that allowed hands-free operation! Go figure! My point is this – don’t settle for the pointing device that came with your computer just because that’s the one that came with your computer. Explore your options and find the device that fits just right.

One final word for those of you with a cordless mouse and mischievous kids – the old fashioned corded mouse is available for under $10. Grab one on your next PX/BX run and keep it as a back up. Don’t be the person that can’t check her email because the kids lost the mouse. That’s just silly.

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Tech Tuesday is publishing on Wednesday this week due to Tuesday’s Passover observance. I pray that each of you are taking full advantage of Holy Week 2010 to teach the next generation in your home about the gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ alone. He is Risen!

“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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PCS Season is Coming

Tech Tuesday

Mar 232010

We are a mobile community. On average, we move every 2-3 years and these aren’t our parents’ moves. We tend to move long distance, every time. Throw in the occasional overseas move and you’re in a whole new ballgame.

Those of us that have been around for a few moves have nailed the process. Clean out the closets, yard sales or thrift store drop-off’s, undies in a Ziploc, make sure the cat is contained when the packers come, and feed the movers.

Not everyone in PWOC has been through this process so many times, however, and we need to remember to share our experiences with our new-to-the-military sisters.

My first military move came 16 months into our marriage, 7 months in to our first pregnancy, and less than 1 month after my new husband’s return from six months in Afghanistan (early 2002). On top of that, I was leaving home for the first time (with my parent’s second grandchild yet unborn), and not just leaving, we were going literally halfway across the United States which, as far as my parents and I were concerned, was half way around the world. It was not the smoothest move.

I didn’t have PWOC back then and I wonder how different those early years would have been had I known about it. That’s why I’m always quick to tell new military gals all about PWOC. I even keep a stash of the Invitation Cards in my purse so that I have something tangible to hand them when we part.

Once our new-to-the-military sisters get involved, we become an invaluable network of resources, experience and friendship. With our Installation Locator, it takes no effort at all to reach out and make a connection with new friends at the next installation. It’s these connections that provide the most valuable information regarding living areas, schools, daycares, shopping and perhaps most important of all, these new connections combat that feeling of loneliness we all tend to feel upon arriving at a new location.

PCS season will be upon us in the blink of an eye. Remember to take advantage of the resources here at PWOC.org but also remember to be a resource to others less experienced.

We are Christ’s church. We are the Fellowship of Believers. We care for our own.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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Webpage Word Search

Tech Tuesday

Mar 162010

Here’s the scenario: You want to do a quick Internet search but your search returns pages and pages filled with words and words.

Short of reading everything searching for your one thing, what can you do?

While every browser is slightly different, they all have a Find feature and they all access it with the shortcut CTRL+F (CMD+F on the Mac). Once your Find field appears, type in your search word and the browser will locate the next occurrence of that word on the open web page. (If you’re using Firefox, look in the bottom left margin of your browser window for the Find field.) Click ‘next’ to find the next occurrence, and so on.

Using this feature can save loads of time. I often use this feature only to discover that my search term appears only in the page’s advertising. What a pain! I’m sure glad I didn’t have to read the whole page to find that out!

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

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PWOC International Blog

Headers and Footers

What do those letters mean?

Do U Txt?

Printing Secrets, Part II

Printing Secrets

Digital or Analog?

What kind of mouse are you?

PCS Season is Coming

Webpage Word Search

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