Ann’s Choice Technology Newsletter A Publication of the Ann’s Choice Computer Club

VOLUME I1 ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS The Question: What Kind of Computer Should I Buy?

The answer: How are you going to use it?

are you online most of the time when using your computer? Email? Skype? Zoom? YouTube? Banking? Shopping? Facebook? Maybe all you need is a web browser (Chrome, for example) and an Internet connection (Verizon or Comcast). A could be right for you!

The Chromebook interface (the desktop) resembles an Android phone. It does not look like a Windows desktop. Chromebook is secure, lightweight, and powerful enough for all that you want to do. do not run Windows directly, but if you do most of your computing online that won’t create any problems for you.

It would probably be best if you use only. You’ll sign into your Chromebook using a . is the default browser. If you use , and Docs, , etc., your set up will run smoothly and quickly. However, Office Online apps, as described in the July newsletter, work on the Chromebook, too, as does Zoom. Additionally, many Android apps are available through the Store.

Which Chromebook should you buy? That’s up to you. Most of this information came from an AskLeo.com1 article, and he listed the specs for the Chromebook he bought for his wife who does most of her computing online. If you’re interested, he bought a Google Go, with an ® Core™ m3 processor, 8GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an HD display.

Before you buy: 1. Check the return policy (14 to 30 days at BestBuy, Staples, and Dell) 2. Check the restocking fee (often 15% or more, plus tax) 3. Check if your printer is compatible (with few exceptions, all are) 4. Check https://helpdeskgeek.com/product-reviews/the-5-best-budget-chromebooks/

1https://askleo.com/why-a-chromebook-and-why-i-purchased-two-for-the- important-people-in-my-life/

The Computer Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM All meetings are held in Liberty Commons, LPT08 VOLUME I1 ISSUE 9 P A G E 2

Computer Club Computer problems or questions? Maybe we can help. Email us at [email protected] or contact one of the members below. Bert Holmes President Joe Walton Howard Bennett Gary Frantz Howard Bennett (215) 675-1637 (215) 672-6129 (215) 674-8781 Treasurer (10 am-4 pm only) Joe Walton Scheduling Excel and Calc Tip Change Worksheet Tab Color Ray Schwegel Scheduling If you want to change the color Jim Meyer used to display a worksheet tab, you Scheduling can follow these steps: Mike Sultanik 1. Right-click on the worksheet tab you want to change. Both Excel Scheduling and Calc display a Context menu. 2. Choose Tab Color from the Context menu. Both display a palette of Gary Frantz available colors. Technology 3. Select a color to use for the tab. a. Excel changes the tab color immediately

b. Hit OK to change the tab color in Calc

Windows Tip

You have one or more windows or apps open, and you want to open a file that’s saved on your desktop. You don’t have to close the windows or apps or even minimize them to display your desktop!

1. Slide your cursor down to the right hand corner of your screen. 2. Click that hard-to-see vertical bar. 3. Your desktop appears, and all your windows and apps disappear. 4. Click that bar again, 5. Your desktop disappears, and all your windows and apps reappear.

Neat, huh?

Smart Phone Tip

When you finish typing a sentence on your phone, double tap the space bar. The phone will add a period and a space and will capitalize the first letter you type as you start your next sentence.

All back issues of the Ann’s Choice Technology Newsletter are available on the Ann’s Choice website.

ANN’S CHOICE TECHNOL OGY NEWSLETTER VOLUME I1 ISSUE 9 P A G E 3

Are Your Guests’ Devices A Threat?

When you have visitors, do you allow them to use their devices to access the Internet through your router? When you allow guests to access the Internet through your router, any malware on their devices pose a threat to your computer. There’s a simple way to protect your computer with two extra routers. 1. Connect an unencrypted router to the Internet 2. Connect two encrypted routers to the unencrypted router 3. Give your guests the password to one of the encrypted routers 4. You access the Internet through the other encrypted router

Word and Writer Tip

To Switch Between Portrait and Landscape Layout Microsoft Word OpenOffice Writer

To switch to Landscape To switch to Landscape 1. Click Layout on the ribbon 1. Tap F11 2. Click Orientation (second from left) 2. Click Page Styles (fourth from left) 3. Click Landscape 3. Double click Landscape

To switch back to Portrait To switch back to Portrait 4. Click Layout on the ribbon 4. Tap F11 5. Click Orientation (second from left) 5. Click Page Styles (fourth from left) 6. Click Portrait 6. Double click Default

Put Your USB Cable in Correctly the First Time (usually).

You’re getting ready to plug in your USB cable. You just know you’re going to get it wrong the first time!. Well, with this tip you can get it right 100% (almost) of the time. Pick up a USB cable. Notice the trident symbol on the end of the cable.

1. Plugging in horizontally? The symbol will face up. 2. Plugging in vertically? The symbol will face left.

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-plug-in-a-usb-cable-correctly-every-time-5847279

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ANN’S CHOICE TECHNOL OGY NEWSLETTER VOLUME I1 ISSUE 9 P A G E 4

CUSTOMIZE THE MICROSOFT OFFICE 2013 RIBBON

Do you want to hide the Ribbon? Do you want to see just the tabs without the commands below them? Do you want to see both the tabs and commands? Here’s how to customize the ribbon.

1. Click on the small up arrow inside the box (fourth from right at top of screen).

2. The box below appears.

3. Take your pick! 4. If you click Auto-Hide Ribbon, the small up arrow (#1 above) disappears. 5. To show that up arrow again, click on the three horizontal dots in the upper right.

6. The boxes in #1 and #2 above reappear. 7. Click on the up arrow and make your selection.

CUSTOMIZE THE OPENOFFICE RIBBON

Unfortunately, this option is not available in OpenOffice apps.

The Ann’s Choice Technology Newsletter is published monthly by the AC Computer Club. Questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact the Editor, Gary Frantz ([email protected])