Ultimate Bundle of Computer Courses for Apple Mac
The Ultimate Bundle Unlocking All Easy Apple Mac Basics Courses: Mac OS X Computer Skills & Concepts
All Apple Mac OS X courses included in one “Ultimate Bundle” – click course module titles below to reveal individual lessons in each course
How to Avoid Computer Mistakes Course Modules:
How to Avoid Costly Computer Mistakes Module 1:
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 2:43 | Introduction
 Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 2 | 6:05 | First Computer Mistake, Part A
Existing Members Click to Sign In Failing to Back Up Your Computer Often Enough and In the Right Way - Learn Worth’s personal story of how he made this mistake over 20 years ago and still regrets it to this day |
| 3 | 26:07 | First Computer Mistake, Part B
Existing Members Click to Sign In Understand the basic pros and cons of different methods for backing up your computer
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| 4 | 22:57 | First Computer Mistake, Part C
Existing Members Click to Sign In How to protect your files and learn how to back up the way Worth recommends, using simple and effective methods |
How to Avoid Costly Computer Mistakes Module 2:
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 14:21 | Second Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In What Are Viruses and Worms, and Why You May Be At Risk, Even If You Think You’re Safe – understand common mistakes that put your system at risk and hear simple advice on what to do to stay safe |
| 2 | 14:22 | Third Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In Why You’re Risking a Lot if You’re Not Protecting Your Computer With the Right Type of Firewall – discover a really simple way of understanding what a firewall is and what it actually does to protect your computer. Learn what the two basic types of firewalls are and how one protects you better than the other, and how having two firewalls can be a big problem if you do it the wrong way, but a big benefit if done the way you should |
| 3 | 20:11 | Fourth Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In Dangerous Software You May Be Installing Without Even Knowing it - viruses and worms are only the beginning of the types of dangerous software out there trying to infect your computer. The fact is, “malware” is big money for criminal organizations and they are doing everything they can to profit from infected computers. Learn more about different types of threats and simple steps you can take to protect yourself from them. |
| 4 | 17:18 | Fifth Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In Exposing Your Life to Strangers With These Common Password Mistakes – How people tend to make a lot of the same dangerous mistakes when choosing and using passwords, why thinking that no one would target you is missing the point, plus some solid advice on exactly what you should be doing when choosing and using passwords not just online, but offline as well |
How to Avoid Costly Computer Mistakes Module 3:
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 33:05 | Sixth Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In Ways You May Be Physically Damaging Your Computer Without Even Realizing It - Most people do not understand how their computer works and frequently fail to take basic steps that could protect their computer from breaking down before its time, or worse yet, do things which can actually ruin their expensive computer Learn important lessons that can help extend the life of your investment and save you hundreds or even thousands in costs of repairing or replacing your computer and other electronics Discover tips to avoid lousy computer techs who don’t know what they’re doing and can make matters worse when “repairing” your computer, in a way that can’t even be traced back to them! |
| 2 | 22:02 | Seventh Computer Mistake
Existing Members Click to Sign In How to Recognize Ways Some Sites Trick You Into Revealing Too Much About Yourself Online – Everyone knows online privacy and security are critical these days, but many people don’t understand the ways that big companies want and profit from invading your privacy. Those companies are so good at this now, that people often don’t even realize what’s happening or why they’re at risk — this chapter will explain some of those hidden risks and how to avoid them so you can feel safe Beyond companies profiting from your personal information, there are many other potentially severe consequences to revealing the wrong information about yourself – discover what these are and learn suggestions to avoid having to face those problems
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| 3 | 8:57 | Conclusion & a Final Computer Mistake
That May be The Biggest One of All Existing Members Click to Sign In
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How to Back Up Your Mac Course Modules:
How to Back Up Your Mac Module 1
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| Using “Time Machine“ | ||
How to Set a Drive to Use With Time MachineExisting Members Click to Sign In
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3:59
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Time Machine is the backup program which comes with your Mac, and can be used as part of a good backup strategy to protect your files. In this lesson I’ll show you how easy it is to set a drive to use with Time Machine |
How to Exclude Unwanted Folders from Being Backed UpExisting Members Click to Sign In
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5:14
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Sometimes you might not want to back up everything on your hard drive using Time Machine, such as a folder containing lots of very large files which are less important to you and which could fill the backup drive very quickly.
This lesson shows you how to optionally tell Time Machine to ignore certain folders during backup |
How to Start a Backup With Time MachineExisting Members Click to Sign In
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5:48
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One of the things I don’t like about Time Machine (along with many other backup programs) is that it assumes you’re going to keep your backup drive turned on and connected all the time, which is a bad idea since it causes more wear and tear on the drive and thus makes it less reliable.
In this lesson I’ll show you how to easily tell Time Machine to back up with a couple of clicks so you can keep your backup drive turned off most of the time so it is a safer place to keep a backup copy of your files |
How to “Restore” a File or Folder from Backup with Time MachineExisting Members Click to Sign In
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9:20
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At some point you may need to “restore” a file from backup since you deleted it or want to go back to an earlier version.
This lesson shows you how to do so by going into Time Machine |
| Using Carbon Copy Cloner | ||
| Carbon Copy Cloner is a free program that makes a 100% backup copy of your hard drive, and is the backup program which I use myself and which I recommend the most to my students and clients.
After a one-time setup, CCC will back up your drive automatically (and very quickly), as easily as flicking the power switch on your backup hard drive. |
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Downloading & Installing Carbon Copy ClonerExisting Members Click to Sign In
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3:35
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This lesson shows you how to download the free program Carbon Copy Cloner, and how to install it. |
Easy 1-time setup that completely automates your backupExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:05
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This lesson shows you how, in just a few clicks, you can set Carbon Copy Cloner up to automatically back your hard drive up as soon as you plug it in and turn it on |
A Look at The Actual Backup ProcessExisting Members Click to Sign In
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2:55
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Just sit back and see how easy it is to back up automatically when you plug in and turn on the drive.
Please note: the first time you do this yourself, the backup process will take an hour or more, but after that, it takes as little as 5 minutes because it only copies the files that have changed or that are new |
Recovering Files Backed Up to External Hard DrivesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:32
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This lesson shows you how you can manually retrieve a file from the backup drive when needed to replace a lost file, or for similar reasons |
How to Back Up Your Mac Module 2
| Title |
Length
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Description | |||
| External Hard Drives |
Note: Links will open in a new window, and will take you to a list of different models of external hard drives on Amazon. Drives are very inexpensive these days. Consider getting two externals and rotating backups between the two for more peace of mind. |
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Understanding External Hard DrivesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:02 |
I explain the basics of an external hard drive; what it is, advice on buying the right one, and a brief recap of why it is very important to have one (see my audio report “7 Common and Costly Computer Mistakes” for more information).
Please note: while in the lesson I’m focussed on Firewire hard drives, any modern Intel-based Macs (all computers made by Apple from 2006 onwards) can use USB2 drives just as well as Firewire, and in fact a few only use USB — I still think Firewire is usually your best option, but modern Macs can all use USB as well, and USB drives are sometimes easier to find |
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Formatting your new hard driveExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:00
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This lesson shows you how you can “format” your hard drive so it is ready to be used. This is a one-time step, and should be done before you try adding any files to the drive.Please note: formatting the drive will completely remove any files currently on the drive, so do not do this to a drive that you’ve already put files onto! | |||
| USB Flash Drives |
Note: Link will open in a new window, and will take you to a list of different models of flash drives all made by Kingston, a brand I use and recommend. Make sure you don’t make the mistake of getting the smallest size drive! Remember that file sizes keep getting bigger and so you’ll end up needing it sooner or later, and it often only costs a few dollars more to get two or even four times as much space. |
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Understanding USB Flash DrivesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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10:07
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In this video I explain what a “USB flash drive” is, why you might want to get one, and what the pros and cons are of using them compared to other options.Note: this lesson was recorded a couple of years ago when flash drive sizes were smaller and more expensive — you can now get more space on cheaper drives than when I recorded it (that changes constantly) but all the other information is still the same today. | |||
How to Use a USB Flash DriveExisting Members Click to Sign In
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7:36
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Now that you understand what a USB flash drive is, this video shows you the steps to using them to back up your files, move files between computers, and more | |||
How to “Format” Your Flash Drive To Work Better With Other ComputersExisting Members Click to Sign In
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10:28
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Macs are the most compatible computers around, but sometimes it works better if your computer uses disks in “Mac only” mode (or Mac formatted, to use the proper term), but if you want to share files with Windows computers using a USB flash drive it needs to be “Windows formatted”, so the Windows PC can read it.This lesson shows you how to format your USB flash drive for either Mac or Windows (tip: flash drives are cheap. Why not get one for Windows, one for Mac for the best of both worlds) . | |||
How to Back Up Your Mac Module 3
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| Introduction | Protecting Yourself By Backing Up Your Computer | |
Why You’re Making a Huge Mistake if You’re Not Backing Up RegularlyExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:57
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One of the single biggest mistakes I see people making with their computers is failing to back up their files (or not doing so regularly or in a complete way). In this video lesson I’ll explain why backing up your files is so important and tell you the story of how I learned this the hard way many years ago |
A Recommended Backup StrategyExisting Members Click to Sign In
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13:48
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This lesson gives you an overview of the two general options for backing up your computer, as wells as specific recommendations for what method to use to best protect your computer |
| Dropbox.com | Backup online or synchronize files between computers | |
What is Dropbox and Why You Might Want to Use ItExisting Members Click to Sign In
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7:49
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In this video I explain what Dropbox is and some of the ways you can use it and advantages it offers. It can be used both as a way to back up your files, or give you easy access to important files on multiple computers. Watch the video to find out more |
How to Download & Install the Dropbox ProgramExisting Members Click to Sign In
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3:18
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Downloading the Dropbox program is free. Watch the video to see the steps to downloading & installing it on your computer.
You can get the program by clicking this link to go to Dropbox.com |
Running Dropbox for the First TimeExisting Members Click to Sign In
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8:01
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Now that the program is installed on your computer, watch to see what happens the first time you run the program, including the simple steps to get it working for you |
Overview of Using the Dropbox ProgramExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:39
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In this video lesson I’ll walk you through the basics of using Dropbox and show you how simple it is to use it to either back up your files and/or make them available on multiple computers via automatic synchronization |
How to Use DropBox to Send Someone a FileExisting Members Click to Sign In
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4:00
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How to use Dropbox as a simple and convenient way to send files to someone without clogging up their email inbox or forcing them to wait a long time when getting their mail |
A Look At the Dropbox PreferencesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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3:33
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This lesson takes a quick look at the preferences (settings) for Dropbox, just in case you need them |
Apple Mac Basics Course Modules:
Module 1: Computer Terms & Concepts
| Title |
Length
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Description |
Understanding and Seeing the Difference Between RAM (Memory) and Hard DriveExisting Members Click to Sign In |
9:32
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This video lesson shows you what two of the most important parts of your computer look like, and helps you understand what they do for you every time you use the computer. |
How to Better Understand Hard DrivesExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:18
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What is ‘formatting’ or ‘erasing’, and one reason why hard drives seem to end up with less space than you paid forIn this lesson I explain a couple of common computer terms and help you better understand your hard drive (the part of the computer where all of your files are stored). A common point of confusion is why is it that hard drives never seem to have as much room as they say on the box — this lesson will help clear up that mystery. |
Computer Dictionary – CPUExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:02
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In this video I explain in simple terms what a CPU is, and give you some tips to help you chose whether you need a high-end or more “average” speed computer when purchasing your next system, based on how you use the computer. I also help you understand why it is that a computer that is high end one year, can seem slow and underpowered just a few years later. |
Understanding Computer Speed and What’s Slowing Down Your ComputerExisting Members Click to Sign In |
23:01
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This lesson helps you understand in a non-technical way some of the different things that affect the speed of your computer. Once you understand the basic ideas I explain in this video, you’ll have a better understanding of not just where the computer is slowing down, but also whether it’s actually your computer that’s slow, or if it’s your Internet connection. Understanding these things can help you know where to start in fixing the problem, or avoiding it in the first place. |
Understanding the Computer Term “OS” or “Operating System”Existing Members Click to Sign In |
9:21
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In this video lesson I explain to you the term “operating system”, which few people understand very well, if at all. I’ll explain it in a way that actually makes sense, and which anyone can relate to. |
Understanding the Term DriverExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:29
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You’ve probably heard someone use the term “driver”, but never completely understood what it meant. Watch this video to finally understand this important computer term. |
Module 2: Mouse & Keyboard Basics
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Mouse Basics – Clicking CorrectlyExisting Members Click to Sign In |
25:36 |
Over the
years, I’ve found that a majority of people aren’t really using
their mouse the right way. This is not to say they’re using
it completely wrong, but they misunderstand when they’re supposed
to click once, and when they’re supposed to double-click. In
many cases, they double-click everything, which can cause unexpected
results and lead to frustration and confusion.While there
unfortunately is no dead simple, clear-cut rule for when to
click and when to double-click that can be said in one or two
sentences, this lesson goes over most of the common examples
and variations a few times to show you the right way to use
your mouse. Once you see it in context, with a few different examples,
it’ll start to make more sense.
The lesson also clarifies terminology that a lot of people misuse, and explains when to “right-click” (alternatively, Control-click if you have a single-button mouse, or two-finger click on a modern trackpad) and why you might want to do so. |
A Simple Secret That Makes the Computer Faster and Easier to UseExisting Members Click to Sign In |
13:34
|
Most people use their computer in a way that slows them down and makes the whole thing more slow and frustrating than it has to be — learn a few simple steps in this quick easy lesson that you can use every day to make things quicker and easier with just a few clicks. |
How to Chose the Best“Pointing Device” For You Existing Members Click to Sign In |
13:10
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In this video I talk about “pointing devices” (a mouse is the best-known type of pointing device, but is not the only type), some of the pros and cons of each, and why using a mouse might not be the best option for everybody. |
Using “Modifier Keys” – What Are They, & How Can They Make the Computer Easier?Existing Members Click to Sign In |
8:24
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This video lesson explains the right way to use the “modifier keys” on your keyboard, including Shift, Control, Option, and Command. I also teach you a few “keyboard shortcuts” that use those keys — when you use keyboard shortcuts along with the mouse (instead of mainly using the mouse to control the computer) it can make the computer easier and faster to use. |
Module 3: Basics of Files & Folders
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Understanding Files and FoldersExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:25
|
This lesson is a Plain English explanation of exactly what a file is and what a folder is, and why you use them. A lot of people get the two terms confused, and others don’t really understand either of them. But that’s OK, you will understand them once you’ve watched this lesson. |
Making folders to organize your filesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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4:02
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See how to make a folder or folders, and how you can use them to organize your files to make things easier for you to keep track of. |
Renaming files & foldersExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:17
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How to rename a file or folder — makes it easier to recognize a file by it’s name instead of guessing what it is or having to open it each time to find out. |
How to clean up your desktopExisting Members Click to Sign In
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17:51
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In this lesson I show you a very useful thing to do, which is to keep your desktop clean and organize your files. People tend to have very cluttered desktops, and aside from making it hard to find things, it can slow down your computer. |
Using Undo When Working WithFiles & Folders Existing Members Click to Sign In
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3:51
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It’s not uncommon for someone, whether they are a basic or a more advanced computer user, to slip up and make a mistake when working with files and folders. This lesson shares a valuable, and very easy technique to “undo” the last thing you did so you can recover from a mistake. |
Understanding How to Find Things on Your Hard DriveExisting Members Click to Sign In
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18:05
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Understanding how your computer’s hard drive is structured can help you keep your computer more organized and help you find things when you need them. This lesson shows you a few things about how to navigate your hard drive and its contents. |
Understanding and using “aliases” on your MacExisting Members Click to Sign In
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8:20
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Aliases are a very common thing on Macs, yet a lot of people don’t understand them or know how to use them. This lesson explains what they are and how to use them to save time and effort on your computer by setting it up to be convenient for you.Also has an important tip on what files are, and what files aren’t safe to delete or move around. |
Module 4: Basics of Menus, Buttons & Program Windows
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Basic Concepts: MenusExisting Members Click to Sign In
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15:15
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In this lesson I demonstrate some basic concepts about how menus work, show you how to avoid a common mistake I see people making when using menus, and more.This lesson also reveals a few secrets that nobody else teaches which make learning the computer much easier. |
How to Use Spotlight SearchExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:26
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Spotlight Search is an incredibly useful feature that can be used to find that important document you misplaced, or as a quick way to open an application you need occasionally but don’t want to have cluttering up your Dock. This lesson gives you the basics of how to use it to quickly & easily find files and folders on your Mac’s hard drive. |
Closing programs the correct wayExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:03 |
A common mistake people make using Macs is they will close the window of a program, but end up leaving the program still running and taking up system resources which can slow down some computers. This lesson shows you how to correctly “Quit” out of a program instead of just closing the window. |
Using the toolbar button, or “lozenge button”Existing Members Click to Sign In
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4:20 |
There is a button in the upper right-hand corner of many windows on Mac programs that hides or reveals toolbar buttons on the window. People sometimes click the button accidentally and suddenly important buttons are missing. This lesson shows you how the button works so you can avoid this problem. |
Understanding “Multitasking” and Using Multiple WindowsExisting Members Click to Sign In
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10:59
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A lot of people don’t use their computer to even close to it’s full capabilities, including missing out on fundamentals which can make it more easy and efficient to use. This video introduces you to the concepts you need to understand, while the following lesson shows you the steps. |
How to Use Multiple WindowsExisting Members Click to Sign In
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12:16
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Following from the previous video, this lesson demonstrates how to use multiple windows to make using the computer more efficient and easy |
Resizing WindowsExisting Members Click to Sign In
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3:25
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I find a lot of people do not realize they can resize and
move the windows on their screen, such as the window you are
reading this in right now. Watch this video lesson to see how
to easily change the size and shape of just about any window
on your computer’s screen.Tip: When you’re watching one of my video lessons, if you
try using this technique, you’ll find the video lesson will
shrink or grow in size to fill the window. I did this so you
could watch a given lesson full size one time, then go back
and rewatch it with the window made very small — that way
you can watch a lesson and do the steps I’m showing in the
video right along with me.
A lot of people really like learning this way — give it a try with the next lesson and see what you think! |
Module 5: Basics of Working With Written Documents
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
An Introduction to Basic Editing SkillsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
17:28 |
This lesson teaches fundamental computer skills that can make your life easier, save you time, and transforms your computer from an overpriced typewriter into a tool for making writing easier. |
More Easy Editing TipsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
21:04
|
This lesson gives you a number of useful tips for editing text documents such as emails, word processing documents, and more.See how to save time by avoiding a common time-wasting mistake I see people make all the time, watch the steps to using the keyboard alongside the mouse to be more efficient and precise when fixing mistakes, and understand how to navigate through long documents more quickly and easily. |
The Importance of Multiple DraftsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
19:13 |
Most people work on documents (no matter how long, or how often they revise it) and keep saving again and again to the same file. In this lesson I’ll explain why this can be a mistake, and show you a simple system for saving multiple drafts of a document so you can avoid a common problem the usual way of doing things often causes |
Module 6: Tips to Make the Computer Easier & Save Time
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
How to Arrange and Organize Icons On Your DesktopExisting Members Click to Sign In
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9:45
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This video lesson gives you some tips on different ways you can make your desktop more organized and set up the way you want. |
How to Arrange, Organize, and Easily Find Your Files, Emails, Music and More With Column ViewExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:31
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People see their music, photos, documents, emails and more on their screen, arranged in columns every day (think of your email inbox with columns for From, Subject, Date Sent, etc), but a lot of people have no idea you can use column view to quickly and easily arrange things to make them more organized and make things easier to find and work with.This lesson shows you a few tricks you probably never knew about a wide range of programs on your computer that will make them easier to use. |
Overview of the DockExisting Members Click to Sign In
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19:19
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In this lesson I explain the basics of the “Dock” the strip of icons at the bottom of your Mac’s screen. |
How to use Apple’s Exposé to Make Using Your Mac More EfficientExisting Members Click to Sign In
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7:17
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Exposé is one of the coolest features of Mac OS X that I use every day to make it easier to navigate my Mac. It’s hard to describe, so it’s best to just watch the lesson and see what you think. In the lesson I’ll show you how it works and how to easily set it up on your computer.Please note: the steps shown in the video were recorded on OS 10.4 (Tiger) but are nearly identical to the ones in more recent versions of OS X — the only significant difference is that to get to the Expose settings once you are in the System Preferences, you need to click the icon “Expose and Spaces” and then click the Spaces tab on the next screen (one extra click to get to the screen in other words). |
How to Make Text Larger and Easier to Read in the FinderExisting Members Click to Sign In
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5:54
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In this lesson I show you how to change a setting in the Finder (the part of Mac OS X through which you view the desktop, as well as all files & folders on your computer) which increases the “font size”. This makes words, such as the names of files & folders, larger and easier to read. |
How to Change the Resolution of Your Computer ScreenExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:54
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The resolution of your computer’s display (screen) is the number of “pixels” (dots) which make up the image on the screen. Newer computers usually come with very high resolution screens which can sometimes make things look smaller than you might want.This lesson helps you understand exactly what the resolution means to you and helps you decide on the best setting for your computer screen and your personal needs. The information in this lesson used together with the information in the first lesson above can make a big difference in how clearly you can see what’s on the screen, especially if you have vision problems. |
How to Use the Zoom Feature of Your Mac to Zoom in on Any Detail on The ScreenExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:00
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Your Mac comes with a number of features designed to help people with vision or hearing problems use the computer more easily. These features are part of a system called “Universal Access”.The specific Universal Access feature we’re looking at in this lesson is the Zoom feature, which allows you to easily zoom in and out of parts of the screen. This can be a huge help if you have vision problems, and a very handy tool even if you can see fine. |
Safe & Easy Email Course Modules:
Click for Mac OS X Mail Module 1:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Mail SetupExisting Members Click to Sign In |
17:43
|
How to set up Mail for the first time. Please note: you will need the email setup information from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) |
Mail OverviewExisting Members Click to Sign In
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9:16
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Gives a general introduction to the OS X Mail program |
Address BookExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:28
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Using the address book — adding people’s email addresses, plus more advanced info. |
Composing EmailExisting Members Click to Sign In
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16:02
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Learn the basics of composing an email, plus how to use different fonts and colors with your email (and why you might want to avoid doing so), plus a tip to reduce spam and viruses, while protecting your privacy. |
Click for Mac OS X Mail Module 2:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Junk Mail FilteringExisting Members Click to Sign In |
26:25
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Learn how to use the bult-in junk mail filter to protect yourself from up to 90% or more of spam (junk email) |
Email AttachmentsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
27:32
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How to send and receive email attachments, plus tips on common problems with attachments. |
Click for Mac OS X Mail Module 3:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Intro to RulesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:28
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Overview of a Mail feature that can make your life easier by making some tasks automatic. |
Rules & FoldersExisting Members Click to Sign In
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19:46
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Using rules to automatically move or “filter” messages into different folders automatically, to make your life easier and more organized. |
Rules & LabelsExisting Members Click to Sign In
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11:46
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Using rules to automatically label messages with color so you can spot important messages, recognize emails from people you know, etc. Very useful |
| iPhoto & Mail | ||
Easiest Way to Email PicturesExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:25
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A bonus lesson — how to use iPhoto to make it super-easy to email pictures. Saves you several steps, and shows you how to send the right sized pictures instead of too big or too small. |
Click to Reveal Module 4: Basics of Gmail
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Explanation of Basic Email ConceptsExisting Members Click to Sign In
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9:24
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This lesson explains what the pros and cons are of using “webmail” vs using an email “client”, and also gives Plain English explanations of these terms and a few others related to email |
How to Get Your Own Free Gmail Email AddressExisting Members Click to Sign In
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13:07
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In this lesson I show you the steps to getting your GMail address for free on the Google Mail website |
An Introduction to Using Your New Gmail AccountExisting Members Click to Sign In
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16:24
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This continues the lessons on Gmail, giving you an overview of using the service. If you are a new member and missed last month’s lesson on how to get your free Gmail account, I will be adding it to the online Gold Club member area |
How to turn on “POP” mail in Gmail so you don’t have to be limited to webmailExisting Members Click to Sign In
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6:31
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This lesson shows you how to turn on the “POP” server function of Gmail, allowing you to do the steps in the next lesson |
Apple Mac:How to set up OS X Mail to use Gmail Existing Members Click to Sign In
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9:17
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This lesson shows you how to set your computer up to check your email with Mac OS Mail (the postage stamp icon).This makes it easier for you to send attachments, keep track of your emails, automatically share photos with others, and more |
Click for Module 5: Simple Tips to Make Emailing Easier
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| Email Basics Lessons | ||
Replying to & Forwarding Emails the Right WayExisting Members Click to Sign In
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17:07
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In this lesson I give you some tips on how to work with emails which can be used in a number of ways to improve your communications with others — one of the biggest examples of how to use this is for cleaning up all of those tons of unneccessary email addresses and other junk that shows up at the top of forwarded messages, so they’re cleaner and easier to read before you send them along to others. A big help a lot of people wish they knew how to do. |
Using ‘BCC’ For Greater Privacy & SecurityExisting Members Click to Sign In
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13:26
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There is an important feature of email programs which unfortunately few people know about, called “BCC”. BCC, short for “Blind Carbon Copy”, is a way you can easily hide the names and addresses of people you send emails to when you forward a message or otherwise send an email to multiple people at once.This helps maintain people’s privacy, and actually helps prevent the spread of viruses and spam at the same time. This is something everyone should know how to do. |
Two easy methods to email a web page to someoneExisting Members Click to Sign In |
8:04
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This lesson shows you two methods (one which works for most people, and another which can work for anybody) which allows you to share a website or web page with someone via email. |
Using TinyURL.com to solve a common problemExisting Members Click to Sign In |
6:00
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It’s not uncommon for people to try to send links using either of the above methods and run into a problem if the web site address is too long — it “breaks” in emails, or is too long to fit into a message when using systems like Twitter which only allow very short messages.TinyURL.com is a free website that shortens long website addresses to make them easier to share with others. This lesson will show you how to use the TinyURL service via their website. |
Using the free TinyURL Firefox add-onExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:24
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If you
find yourself using TinyURL a lot, as I do, you might want
a more quick and efficient way of using the free service. If
you use Mozilla Firefox to browse the web, it has the ability
to add features using “add-ons”, one capability that
Apple’s Safari lacks.This lesson
will show you how to install and use the TinyURL Creator
add-on, which automates and simplifies using TinyURL.
This will be of most use to people who find themselves using TinyURL a lot, and the steps in the previous lesson will work fine for people who only use it occasionally. It does require you to use Mozilla Firefox for your web browser and will not work with Safari. The method in the previous lesson, however, will work with any web browser. |
How to Files By Email a Better WayExisting Members Click to Sign In
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10:25
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There are a lot of drawbacks to sending large pictures or other kinds of files (or too many smaller ones) by email, especially if the person you’re sending it to has dialup.I explain why in this video lesson, and show you how to use a free service called YouSendIt.com, which helps solve the problems with sending files by email. |
Click for Module 6: How to Avoid Spam & Scams
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 0:51 | Introduction to Report on Spam & Email Scams
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 2 | 2:28 | Basic Definition of Spam, How Many People Use the Term Wrong, & Where
the Name Came From Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 3 | 14:36 | The Basic Problem of Spam, How it Spreads and Why, Tips to
Avoid Getting More Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 4 | 11:25 | How Viruses & Worms Spread Spam, plus Tips to Help
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 5 | 20:04 | Understanding and Spotting Common Email Scams – What To Do;
Mistakes to Avoid Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Safe & Easy Internet Course Modules:
Module 1: Basics of How to Use Safari Web Browser
| Title |
Length |
Description |
Overview of SafariExisting Members Click to Sign In |
12:19 |
Gives you a basic overview of Safari, with comparison to Internet Explorer, plus a quick overview of the Web in general |
BookmarksExisting Members Click to Sign In |
11:10 |
I explain bookmarks, and show you how to bookmark a page. I also explain how to “manage” your bookmarks to keep them organized |
Tabbed BrowsingExisting Members Click to Sign In |
14:20 |
I explain what tabbed browsing is, and show you how to use it and how it can make web surfing more easy and convenient. |
Downloading FilesExisting Members Click to Sign In |
25:19 |
Shows you how to download a file, with info on where to find things to download, plus how to set up a special downloads folder to make your computer more organized and safer |
Text ZoomExisting Members Click to Sign In |
1:12 |
A quick tip on how to quickly and easily make the words on a web page bigger or smaller |
Module 2: More Lessons on Safari & Web Browsing
| Title |
Length |
Description |
General Web Info |
These 2 lessons cover topics very important to, but not specific to Safari | |
Intro to the WebExisting Members Click to Sign In |
11:56 |
A general introduction to the Web. Explains what a web browser is, explains elements of a web page, how web addresses work, and more. |
Intro to the Search EngineExisting Members Click to Sign In |
20:15 |
A general introduction to using a search engine. I use Google as an example, but what I say applies to all search engines (Yahoo, etc.).Includes: what exactly is a search engine, and when you use it; a common mistake people make when using search engines; example searches; how to search more effectively, and more. |
Privacy & Security Tips |
These 2 lessons are specific to Safari | |
Clearning Private Info and Private Browsing ModeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
14:00 |
Quick lesson on how to empty your disk cache, which is needed sometimes to fix problems viewing sites, and how to clear private information like searches you’ve made and the history of pages you’ve been to |
What is the ‘Status Bar’, and How it Protects YouExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:08 |
In every Web browser (the program you use to browse the Web, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari) and most email programs, there is something called a status bar at the bottom of the window that gives you info about the web page you’re visiting (or the email you’re reading), as well as tells you where links will take you if you click on them.In this video lesson I show you how to turn the status bar on if you don’t see it, and how to use it to verify that links in emails take you to the place you expect them to, which can help protect you by avoiding scams such as “phishing scams”. |
Module 3: Simple Secrets of Google Search
| Title |
Length |
Description |
Understanding Search Engines (Like Google) Better so You Get More Of the Results You WantExisting Members Click to Sign In |
27:46 |
Google and other search engines are used by millions and millions of people every day, yet many people don’t understand them well, if at all. As a result, it can be easy to miss the results you’re looking for.This lesson will help you understand search engines a little better, and why one website might show up instead of another when you’re searching for different things. I also demonstrate a few different ways to do your searches that might help if you’re not getting the what you’re looking for when you search. |
More Tips for Getting Better Search ResultsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
20:06 |
I find a lot of people do not really understand the way a search engine (like Google) works, and so they end up using it incorrectly, or not nearly as effectively as they could. In this lesson I explain a little of the “nuts and bolts” of how a search engine works, plus demonstrate a few example searches to give you a better idea of how to phrase your search. There is some overlap with the previous lesson, but it serves to reinforce & compliment the previous lesson. |
Using Google Search For More Than Just Finding WebsitesExisting Members Click to Sign In |
9:34 |
When most people think of Google search, they think of it as a way to find web pages. While that is its main purpose, it has some useful “hidden features” you might find very useful to know about. This video shows you a few. |
Using Google Search to Find the Current Time in Other TimezonesExisting Members Click to Sign In |
2:04 |
As I’ve mentioned in previous lessons, Google Search has a lot of hidden “tricks” which can be used to find more than just web pages. This lesson shows you how you can find out the current time in major cities (and some smaller cities) around the world, which can be very useful if you are planning a long-distance phone call, want to attend an event online, etc. |
Module 4: More Secrets of Google Search & Related Tools
| Title |
Length |
Description |
Using Google Image SearchExisting Members Click to Sign In |
12:54 |
If you aren’t looking for a web page or web site per se, but are more interested in finding pictures of something, Google Image Search (or GIS) is a great way to find them. This lesson shows you the basic way to use the search, as well as how to narrow down the images you find by size and type of image (photograph vs. drawing, etc.) |
Using Google Video SearchExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:14 |
This lesson shows you how to use Google Video Search to find videos hosted on a variety of websites including YouTube and others. I also show you how to narrow down the results by video type and length. |
How to Use Google Maps – OverviewExisting Members Click to Sign In |
20:44 |
In this video I show you an overview of how to use the free Google Maps service, including how to see satellite images, a traditional map, or a mix of the two. Plus how you can get live traffic and street level views for a growing number of places. You can get to Google Maps by going to maps.Google.com, or by clicking here.[link will open in new window so you don't lose your place here] |
How to Use Google Maps To Get Step-by-Step Driving DirectionsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:38 |
In this lesson I’ll show you the basics of using how to use Google Maps to not just get directions from point A to point B, but to plan the best route for you. |
Using Google TranslationExisting Members Click to Sign In |
9:37 |
As you may know, Google provides other services than just Web searches. Sometimes you may run into a website or something else written in language you can’t read, or you may need to translate something into a foreign tongue. If so, you can use Google Translation. It’s not perfect (I have yet to see a computer translate from one language to another perfectly) but it can help you out in a pinch. This video shows you how to use it when you need it. |
Module 5: Secrets To Making the Web Safer
| Title |
Length |
Description |
What is the ‘Status Bar’,& How it Can Help Protect You Existing Members Click to Sign In |
10:08 |
In every Web browser (the program you use to browse the Web, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari) and most email programs, there is something called a status bar at the bottom of the window that gives you info about the web page you’re visiting (or the email you’re reading), as well as tells you where links will take you if you click on them.In this video lesson I show you how to turn the status bar on if you don’t see it, and how to use it to verify that links in emails take you to the place you expect them to, which can help protect you by avoiding scams such as “phishing scams”. |
Tips for Spotting Dangerous Email “Phishing” ScamsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
23:09 |
This lesson dovetails with the previous lesson and shows you examples of three different scam emails of a type known as a “phishing” scam. A phishing scam involves tricking an unsuspecting computer user into providing personal information such as account passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc. for the purpose of identity theft. Arming yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself is your first line of defense. |
Critically Important Lesson to Protect Yourself From Online Scam Sites That Are Out To Infect Your ComputerExisting Members Click to Sign In |
23:09 |
A recent study revealed that 63% of people in the study were not able to tell the difference between a real and a fake popup warning message, and so were falling for a common online scam which is designed to infect your computer. Since the people in the study were warned ahead of time that they would be getting a mix of legit and fake messages, the fact that 63% of them still couldn’t tell the difference between the two tells me that the number is probably much worse in the real world. This video lesson is designed to help protect you by showing you several things to look for that should help tip you off when you encounter a fake (scam) error message while browsing the web. |
Module 6: Understanding the Internet Online Audio
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 1:33 | Introduction to Understanding the Internet
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 2 | 8:18 | Basic Computer Terms Internet, Web & Email – How Many
People Get These Terms Wrong Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 3 | 9:54 | Understanding Different Types of Internet
Connections & How to Choose the Right One Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 4 | 10:47 | How to Make it Easier When You Switch Internet Service Providers
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 5 | 7:16 | Pros and Cons of VOIP or Voice Over IP Internet Telephone
Service Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 6 | 9:07 | Understanding How to Protect Your Computer From a Common Problem
& Tips to Keep Your Internet on Even When the Power is Off Existing Members Click to Sign In |
iPhoto Course Modules:
Click for iPhoto Basics Module 1:
| Title |
Length |
Description | ||
| iPhoto Lessons | iPhoto is a program that comes with all Macs, and allows you to hook a digital camera up to your computer, easily copy the photos onto the computer, then change or fix them, share them, and more. | |||
How to install iLifeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
5:20 |
This lesson
shows you how to install iLife, which includes the new version
of iPhoto, iDVD, iWeb and Garageband, adding many new features
to all of these programs. You will find that these same basic
steps are the same when you install most programs from CD.
Don’t have
iLife yet? You can use the links below to to order it.
Just chose one of the two links below depending on your location:
(Links will open in a new window) |
||
Overview & intro to iPhotoExisting Members Click to Sign In |
18:35 |
This lesson gives an overview and introduction to iPhoto, part of iLife. Overall, the program is still very similar in how it works compared to the last couple of versions of the program, but introduces a number of new features, including facial recognition | ||
Intro to iPhoto (Older versions)Existing Members Click to Sign In |
5:00 |
This lesson gives a basic overview and quick intro to the older version of iPhoto 6 for those who have an earlier version | ||
Getting oriented in iPhotoExisting Members Click to Sign In |
9:49 |
In this lesson I give you a general overview of the main iPhoto window. You’ll see the basics of how to navigate around and find your photos. | ||
Importing photos into iPhotoExisting Members Click to Sign In |
6:35 |
This lesson shows you what happens when you hook your digital camera up and import photos into iPhoto. Importing is the process of copying photos from your camera to the computer. | ||
How to make some basic changes to your photosExisting Members Click to Sign In |
6:31 |
Learn the basics of how to edit your photos, fixing problems and improving or making them more the way you like. I also show you how to bail yourself out of any unwanted changes you might make, freeing you to really have fun and play around without worrying you’re going to mess your pictures up. | ||
Getting rid of red eyeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
2:43 |
See how to remove red eye from pictures — where a normal person looks like they have glowing red eyes, which used to run what would’ve been great pictures. Now you can get rid of it with a click or two. Plus I show you a way you can use the same tool to make some fun changes to a picture that are a little different than just getting rid of red eye. | ||
How to automatically enhance your photos with a single clickExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:49 |
This lesson shows you how to use the iPhoto enhance tool, which can fix many common problems with otherwise great photos that were ruined by bad lighting or colors that didn’t come out right.I also show you what to do if you’re trying to edit a photo but some of the buttons seem to be missing. | ||
How to use the adjust toolExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:35 |
This lesson shows you the basics of using the adjust tool in iPhoto. The adjust tool includes a number of tools for making changes to the color, the brightness, and other elements of your pictures.It is more advanced than some of the other photo editing tools in iPhoto, and gives you more control over the changes you’re making. | ||
How to use the retouch toolExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:56 |
This simple iPhoto tool lets you “airbrush” out imperfections in pictures including those annoying power lines that get into the perfect shot, or even magically reduce or erase crows feet or skin problems, so your pictures come out better than real life. | ||
Click for iPhoto Basics Module 2:
| Title |
Length |
Description |
iPhoto albumsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
6:59 |
This lesson shows you how to create “photo albums” in iPhoto which can be used just to organize your photos or as a starting point for other projects |
Printing photos with iPhotoExisting Members Click to Sign In |
8:41 |
This lesson shows you how you can print out your photos with a number of different options including multiple photos per page. |
Burning a photo CDExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:43 |
How to burn a photo CD so you can make backup copies of your photos, or share them with other people. |
Using photo effectsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:42 |
How to use the photo effects to apply any of several preset “effects” to your photos, including black & white, vignette, and more. |
Make your own professionally bound book of photosExisting Members Click to Sign In |
31:44 |
How to design and publish your own customized and personal book of photos chosen from your iPhoto library. Design it and order it through iPhoto – makes a great gift, or good conversation starter on your coffee table. |
iTunes Course Modules:
How to Use iTunes Module 1:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| iTunes Lessons | iTunes is a free program that allows you to purchase music online, plus copy music off your own CDs, play them on your computer or on an iPod, make your own custom CDs, and more. | |
Downloading iTunesExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
6:59 |
Shows you how to go online and download iTunes for Mac OS X. This is not necessary for most Mac OS X users since it’s normally preinstalled, but it’s still good to understand.Note: This lesson mentions iTunes 7, but the steps are still the same. |
Installing iTunesExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
10:12 |
This lesson shows you how to install iTunes once you have downloaded it from Apple.Note: This lesson mentions iTunes 7, but the steps are still the same. |
Running iTunes for the first timeExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
8:43 |
I show you what will happen the first time you run iTunes. |
Overview of iTunes & Switching To More Useful ViewExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
6:07
|
This video gives a quick intro to iTunes, looking at the biggest (and potentially most confusing) change between the current version of iTunes and earlier ones.Also, a simple fix for this change by using a suggested setting which actually makes it much easier to organize and enjoy your music and more in iTunes |
General overview of iTunes music libraryExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
12:30 |
In this lesson I give you a general overview of the iTunes music library, showing you some of the basics like playing songs, arranging them and finding them once you’ve added a lot of music. |
How to Import a Music CD With iTunesExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
7:55
|
This lesson explains how to import a CD (i.e. how to copy the music from an audio CD to your computer) using iTunes. I also explain the meaning of the main settings for the import process, and give you some suggestions on which setting you might want to choose. |
How to Set iTunes to Use Larger Fonts for Easier ReadingExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
1:32
|
In this lesson, I show you a quick tip on how to increase the size of the fonts in the program to make the text larger and easier to read. |
How to Use iTunes Module 2
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| iTunes Lessons | iTunes is a free program that allows you to purchase music online, plus copy music off your own CDs, play them on your computer or on an iPod, make your own custom CDs, and more. | |
How to make a playlistExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:44
|
See how to make a “playlist” or a custom list of songs (any songs you have in iTunes, in any order) with iTunes. Making a playlist is needed if you want to burn a music CD. |
How to “burn” music CDsExisting Members Click to Sign In |
6:51 |
This lesson
shows you how to “burn” a music CD with iTunes, creating
either a copy of one of your CDs, or making a custom mix CD
with the songs you want in the order you want. Please watch
the lesson on making a playlist before watching this lesson;
you need to make a playlist before burning a CD.The music CDs you make should play in most CD players or on any
computer, but some older CD players may not recognize the disk.
Tip: You do not need to buy blank CDs labeled “Music CD” — any CD-R will work, and the “music CD” ones are usually more expensive. |
How to subscribe to free “Podcasts”Existing Members Click to Sign In |
18:10
|
“Podcasts” are audio (or even video) programs you can download for free through iTunes.Many radio shows are available ranging from NPR, to Fox News, to BBC Radio and a lot more. And unlike the regular radio, you can
listen to the latest episodes whenever is convenient, instead
of being forced to listen on someone else’s schedule.Beyond that, there is a vast selection of content from individuals who get together and talk about their favorite hobbies, teach you new
things, and more. If there’s a subject you’re interested in,
there’s probably a podcast you can listen to about it.
They make a great source of entertainment and a great source of education. This lesson shows you how to get them through iTunes. |
Listening to Internet radio through iTunesExisting Members Click to Sign In |
4:44 |
How to use the Radio feature of iTunes to listen to any of dozens of Internet radio stations, choosing from over two dozen categories or genres. |
Signing up for an iTunes Store AccountExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:27 |
This lesson shows you how to sign up for a free iTunes store account that is needed to purchase music or videos from the iTunes Store, and is also needed to be able to download album cover art. |
Using the iTunes StoreExisting Members Click to Sign In |
11:39
|
Gives an overview of how to find and buy what you’re looking for in the store, with examples of two ways to find music, movies, TV shows, etc. — browsing and searching. |
Microsoft Word for Mac Course Modules:
Basics of Word for Mac Module 1:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
Introduction to WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:40 |
A basic overview of the main Word window, including the “toolbars” which contain buttons for many of the main functions of Word. |
Basic layout of documents in WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
6:05 |
How to do basic “layout” in Word.In other words, how the lines of text are laid out on the page, such as making a line centered, aligned left, aligned right, etc. |
Basic formatting of text in WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
10:00 |
Watch and see how you can change how the text (words, letters, numbers, etc.) are formatted on the page — bold, italic, larger or smaller, different fonts , etc. |
Making lists in WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
3:53 |
How to easily create two types of lists in Word: a bullet list (a series of items with “bullets” at the beginning of each line) and numbered lists (a series of items automatically numbered 1,2,3, etc. on each line) |
How to automatically number pages in WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
3:53 |
Set Word to automatically number each page in your document, and chose where the number appears on the page |
Spell checking your Word documentExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
6:13 |
See two ways to have Word help correct your spelling mistakes, and how to “teach” Word less common words (like names, for example) which Word thinks are misspelled, by adding them to your own personal dictionary so they don’t get marked as wrong in the future. |
Using the “Zoom” function to make your documents easier to read on the screenExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
2:42 |
This lesson shows you how to use the Zoom feature to make the words appear larger on the screen without making them oversized when you print them out.Please see the lesson on formatting of text to see how to change the size of words when you print your document. |
Using the find featureExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
4:20 |
Learn how to use the Find feature in Word to locate a word or phrase, plus how to use the Find/Replace feature to automatically replace any word or phrase in your documents. |
How to open an existing Word documentExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
1:49 |
How to use the “open” feature in Word to open up an existing word processing document |
How to save a Word documentExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
7:41 |
How to save a new document, plus tips on avoiding common mistakes made when saving, tips on saving when working on a document that goes through more than one draft, and how to easily avoid a mistake Mac owners often make when saving a file that makes it hard or impossible for the file to be read when sent to a Windows PC. |
Basics of Word for Mac Module 2:
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| Microsoft Word Lessons | ||
How to Add Photos to Word DocumentsExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
10:47 |
This lesson shows you the steps to adding a picture to a Word document |
Using Multiple Columns in WordExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:49 |
Sometimes you might want to write a document with multiple columns (like in a newspaper) — this lesson shows you how |
The Importance of Multiple DraftsExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
19:13 |
Most people work on documents (no matter how long, or how often they revise it) and keep saving again and again to the same file. In this lesson I’ll explain why this can be a mistake, and show you a simple system for saving multiple drafts of a document so you can avoid a common problem the usual way of doing things often causes |
Using the Recent Items Menu Option to Save TimeExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
1:24 |
There is a great feature in Word and many other programs which a lot of people miss: the “recent items”. This is a quick and easy way to open up documents you were working on recently without having to hunt for them. |
Using the Free Program NeoOffice Instead of The Expensive Word Program
|
NeoOffice is an “open source” program (made through the collaboration of many people around the world instead of by a single company) which is a high quality free alternative to Microsoft Office, including Word. The program does everything most people want, but costs nothing, instead of hundreds of dollars. | |
Downloading & InstallingNeoOffice Existing Members Click to Sign In
|
10:05
|
This lesson shows you how to download the free program NeoOffice,
and how to install it.[Click
here to go to the NeoOffice download page]
|
Introduction to NeoOffice word processingExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:40 |
A basic overview
of the main NeoOffice window, including the “toolbars” which
contain buttons for many of the main functions, and a comparison
to Word.For most things, using NeoOffice is almost identical to using Word,
so refer to the Word lessons on how to do different things like formatting
text, etc.
|
Skype for Mac Course Module:
Skype Lessons
| Title | Length | Description |
Downloading & Installing SkypeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:13
|
This lesson shows you how to download and install the free program Skype.
Click here to go to the download page for Skype once you have watched the lesson. |
Running Skype for the first timeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
10:42 | This lesson shows you what happens the first time you open Skype, including how to set up the free account that is needed to use the program. |
Adding a contact or “buddy” to your listExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:43
|
Skype, like most chat programs, uses a list of contacts or “buddies” that lets you keep in touch with your friends, family, or whomever you want to be able to talk to with the program.This lesson shows you how to find and add a contact to your list. |
Setting your “status”Existing Members Click to Sign In |
3:35 | Your “status” is a way to let people know if you are available for a conversation in Skype. Setting your status to Available, Away, Busy, etc. is easy to do, and being able to recognize when one of your contacts in Skype might not be able to chat is a simple but important skill. |
Having a text chatExisting Members Click to Sign In |
4:04 | One of the ways you can talk with people using Skype is by having a “text chat”. This is sort of like an email in that you’re typing messages back and forth, but it’s live and in real time, sent one or two lines at a time via “instant messages”.Take a look at the lesson to see what I mean. |
Calling someone with SkypeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
3:11 | See how to call someone in your contact list so you can have
an audio (voice) conversation, or even a video conversation with them for free, anywhere in the world.Note: voice chats may work on dialup & other very slow connections, but video chats will not, because dialup is just too slow. Video chats also need a web cam, which often comes included in many modern computers.
Please also note that during the lesson you see me on a video chat and you may notice my voice and my lips’ movement is not in sync — this is caused by the recording of the video lesson, and does not happen when you are in an actual video chat. |
When someone calls you with SkypeExisting Members Click to Sign In |
1:50
|
This video lesson shows you what you see when someone tries calling you for a chat, and how to go from there. |
Bonus Computer Lessons Available in the Ultimate Bundle:
Amazon.com & Kindle eBook Reader Course – 1 Module:
Click to reveal lessons
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| Kindle eBook Reader | The lessons in this area are meant to go with others in the Amazon.com lessons section below. It’s up to you to whether you want to watch the Kindle lessons first, and the Amazon lessons second, or go back and forth between the two groups of lessons.Click here to jump to the Amazon lessons. | |
Understanding Computer Terms eBook and KindleExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
6:46
|
What are eBooks and what is Kindle.
“Kindle” refers to both a physical ebook reader device, as well as ebook reader programs available for your computer, as well as an Apple iPhone or iPad. In this lesson and the ones below, I help you understand what all of this means, and how it can help you enjoy great books (sometimes whole collections of books) for as little as 99 cents |
How to Download and Install the Free Kindle For Mac SoftwareExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:21
|
How to download the free Kindle eBook reader program for your computer. When you have this software installed on your computer, you can use it to read any Kindle ebooks you buy from Amazon.com |
One-Time Setup The First Time You Open The ProgramExisting Members Click to Sign In
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4:20
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This lesson shows you what happens the first time you run the program, including getting it linked to your Amazon account so it automatically loads any books you may buy. |
A Basic Overview of the Kindle SoftwareExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
10:17
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A basic overview of how to use the Kindle software to download newly purchased ebooks and how to read them and navigate through them more quickly and easily than a regular book.This lesson assumes you have already purchased at least one ebook, but you can easily watch the lesson without having done so. |
| Amazon.com Basics | ||
How to Create a Free Account on AmazonExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
5:28
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Before you can order anything from Amazon.com you need to have an account. The account can also be used for other things, such as rating and giving feedback about the products available on the site. |
How to Find and Order Kindle eBooks From AmazonExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
10:37
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In this lesson I demonstrate the basics of how to find and order any of the hundreds of thousands of Kindle ebooks available on Amazon. |
How to Complete an Order on AmazonExisting Members Click to Sign In
|
7:19
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In this lesson I step you through the process of placing an order on Amazon — I cover both ordering a regular product which is shipped to you, as well as an ebook which is delivered electronically straight to a Kindle device or the Kindle software on your iPhone, iPad, or computer.This includes correctly entering your credit card, address, and other information, as well as selecting shipping method, etc. I also mention at least one tip that can help you avoid a common problem some people run into when checking out on Amazon or any other website. |
Using Amazon Wish Lists to Make Giving the Right Gifts EasierExisting Members Click to Sign In |
7:35
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A common
problem people have around the holidays, birthdays, and other
times when we give gifts is choosing a gift which someone will
enjoy, and avoiding giving a gift that person already has.Amazon
and other online retailers have solved this problem with
their online gift registries. Personally, I’m pretty good
at picking gifts for most people, but some people are just
a nightmare to buy gifts for. Unless they have an online
wish list, then, problem solved!
This lesson shows you Amazon’s wish lists, but the same basic idea applies to most sites which do this. Here are links to take you to Amazon: If you are outside of the above countries, they do ship abroad, or you can go to your own country’s Amazon site. Above links will open in a new window. |
Creating Your Own Amazon Wish List to Help Others Give You Gifts You Actually WantExisting Members Click to Sign In |
8:44
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OK, so now
you know how to find someone else’s wish list and that helps
you buy them something, but what if you want to help people shopping
for you? This lesson shows you how to create a wish list on Amazon
and how to add items to it.Here are
links to take you to Amazon:
If you are outside of the above countries, they do ship abroad, or you can go to your own country’s Amazon site. Above links will open in a new window. |
“Real Simple Syndication” Course – 1 Module:
Click to reveal lessons
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| RSS Lessons | ||
What is RSS and Why Use It? 
|
8:53
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This video explains what the computer term “RSS” means, and gives you a few ideas about how you might find it to be very useful, especially if you are interested in an easy and effective way of keeping up-to-date on current news & other information. |
How to Download & Install the Free RSS Reader “NetNewsWire”
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3:57
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How to
download NetNewsWire, a free RSS feed reader.An RSS feed reader is a special program designed to let you organize
and read all of the RSS feeds you’ve subscribed to, all in one
place.
NetNewsWire is considered to be one of the best RSS feed readers available for Windows, and includes a number of useful features, many of which I’ll be covering in these lessons. |
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Opening NetNewsWire For the First Time |
4:18
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What to expect when opening NetNewsWire for the first time, including suggested initial settings that will help you get the most out of using it. |
Overview of Using NetNewsWire
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9:26
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A basic overview and walkthrough of NetNewsWire, including subscribing to feeds, keeping them organized to make things easier, a couple of suggested settings, and more. |
Subscribing to an RSS Feed Directly From a Web Page in Safari
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3:18
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How to use Safari to set NetNewsWire as your “default” (primary) RSS feed reader. Also demonstrates how to subscribe to a feed directly from a web page. |
Subscribing to an RSS Feed Directly From a Web Page in Firefox
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6:56
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How to easily subscribe to an RSS feed when you find one on a website, and how to make sure the feed ends up listed in NetNewsWire when using Firefox web browser. |
How to Get a Free Google Account
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5:27
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A number of times in these lessons I mention how I recommend signing up for a free Google account to get the most out of using RSS. A Google account gives you access to not only the Google Reader, but a lot other services, including many useful ones I teach about.This lesson shows you the quick and easy steps to creating a Google account. |
Safari’s Reader View
|
3:27
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With Safari version 5, Apple introduced the “Reader View” feature which gives you a very clean, easy to read view of many websites, and can be a nice way to read the articles or information you’re finding through RSS feeds you’re subscribed to.In this lesson I give you a quick look at this easy, convenient feature which is pretty much unique to Safari. |
The Basics of Safe Social Networking Course – 1 Module:
Click for Social Networking Basics Lessons
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 2:09 | Introduction for Computer Basics – Social
Networking Sites Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 2 | 11:18 | What Are Social Networking Sites – Brief History and Basic
Definitions Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 3 | 3:29 | Things to Understand & Remember When Signing Up For a
Site Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 4 | 4:00 | Examples of Things You Should Not Share on a Social Networking
Site Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 5 | 4:25 | Hidden Dangers of Social Apps and Games
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 6 | 7:02 | Suggestions to Protect Your Privacy & Security When Using
Social Networking Sites Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 7 | 8:04 | Who Owns Your Information – Risks of Keeping Personal or Business
Information on These Sites Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 8 | 5:00 | Summary and Closing Thoughts
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Twitter Basics & Facebook Privacy Settings Module:
Click for Twitter Basics & Facebook Privacy Lessons
| Social Networking Video Lessons | Social networking sites are a fairly new phenomenon, but they have become incredibly popular in the last few years, with millions of people each year who discover this new way to connect with others around the world. | |
| How to join Twitter.com with a free account
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Twitter.com
is a amazing phenomenon which has rapidly grown from a seeming waste of time where people “tweet” about mundane aspects of their day, to an incredible instant news source the like which
has never been seen before.
Twitter has empowered people with a voice that can be heard from anywhere. It has proven to be the ultimate source of news of real events the instant they happen around the world, as people report on what goes on around them, even in places where the traditional media is being blocked. This lesson shows you how to join in with the millions of new Twitter users around the world, many who share common interests or who might be interested in what you have to offer. Click here to see some of Worth Godwin’s “tweets” on Twitter (will open in new window). Make sure you join Twitter and “follow” me to be kept up to date with what I’m writing and teaching about in the future (see lesson below on “following” for the steps) |
|
| First steps after signing up for Twitter
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
This lesson picks up right where the previous lesson leaves off, with the first steps after you get your free Twitter account. | |
| First look at your Twitter home page
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
This lesson introduces you to your home page on Twitter. This is where you will see all of the “tweets” (think short messages) from the people you are following on Twitter. These messages could be updates on what your friends or family are doing, they could be links to important news stories, or if you follow me, links to new lessons, etc. | |
| How to “follow” me on Twitter
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
This lesson
shows you the steps to “follow” me on Twitter — when you follow someone on Twitter, you are updated whenever they post a “tweet” about what they are doing, share a link to something you might want to see, etc.
You get to chose who you follow and who get to hear from, and you can stop following someone at any time. Some people you follow may follow you in turn. This can be a great way to keep in touch with people and let them know what’s going on in your life, or to reach new customers if you have a business, and more. |
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| Looking at your profile, customizing it to convey your personality and setting it up to be more secure Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Your profile is your public face on Twitter. You can customise it to make it reflect your personality, with your choice of images, colors, and the layout of the page. This lesson shows you how, and goes over some of the settings for your account, including some suggestions to protect your privacy and security. | |
| How to find family, old friends, or new people on Twitter Existing Members Click to Sign In |
This lesson shows you how to use the search feature to find people who are using Twitter, or to invite people who you know outside of Twitter to join you there and keep in touch. | |
| Understanding some of the basics of how to communicate with others on Twitter
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Talking on Twitter is kind of like email in some ways, but more like an instant message such as you might use on AOL Instant Messenger, iChat, Skype, or other services. This lesson shows you how to reply to “tweets” (messages), how to mark them as favorites you can come back to later, and more. | |
| Facebook Privacy | Facebook is currently the most popular social networking site, but just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s the best one. I’m not a big fan because Facebook is actively working againsts its users, something they do to exploit them by collecting as much information as they can about you so they can sell it to the highest bidder. | |
| How to Set Suggested Privacy Settings in Facebook
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
I really encourage you to avoid using Facebook, but if you do, you’ll want to watch this video. In this lesson we go through important privacy settings in your Facebook account, explaining what the settings are for, and some important things to understand about them. |
Mac OS X User Account & Firewall Course – 1 Module:
Click to reveal lessons
| Title |
Length
|
Description |
| OS X User Accounts | ||
Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard” & 10.6 “Snow Leopard” - Setting Up A New User Account on Your Mac
|
16:43
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In my Secrets of Computer Security audio, I give a few reasons why you should have at least one additional account on your computer, both for convenience as well as for some important security reasons. This video shows you how to create a new account on your computer, and make sure it’s set up the right way.Note: this specific lesson is for Leopard & Snow Leopard. If you use Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger) or earlier, see the lessons right below this one for the steps for Tiger and earlier. These lessons also are worth watching even if you have a newer version of OS X. |
Mac OS 10.4 “Tiger” – Intro to user accounts
|
15:12 |
Explains what user accounts are, what different security levels are, and why it’s important to set your Mac user accounts up the right way |
Adding a new user
|
18:45 |
Shows you the steps to creating a new limited user account on your computer to protect your privacy and your computer’s security |
| Software Updates | ||
Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard” & 10.6 “Snow Leopard”: How to Use Software Update to Keep Your Computer Safe and Up-To-Date |
5:32
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In this lesson I show you how the Software Update system works on your Mac in Leopard & Snow Leopard. It’s easy to do and is important to keeping your computer safe and working smoothly. |
Mac OS 10.4 “Tiger”:How to Use Software Updates To Keep Your Computer Safe and Up-To-Date
|
11:32 |
Explains why you need to do updates to OS X, and shows you the steps to doing the updates if you use OS 10.4 (Tiger) or earlier |
| OS X Firewall | ||
What is a Firewall and Why Are They So Very Important
|
14:18
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This lesson explains exactly what a firewall is (not to be confused with firewire) and why it is so critical for you to not just be using one, but the *right* one. Will help you understand this important concept with a very simple explanation that will make a lot of sense |
How to Protect Yourself with the Mac OS Firewall
|
8:45 |
Shows you how to make sure your firewall is on, which is a critical step to protecting yourself when your computer is connected to the Internet (remember: if you have DSL or cable Internet, you are always connected if the computer is on) |
Secrets of Computer Security Audio Course – 1 Module:
Click to reveal lessons
| Track | Length | Description |
| 1 | 1:09 | Introduction to Secrets of Computer Security
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 2 | 12:18 | Review Of General Internet Security Tips
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 3 | 22:06 | Setting Up Passwords & Accounts For Added Security & Privacy
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 4 | 1:19 | A Few Thoughts On Backing Up Your Computer
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 5 | 5:21 | Preventative Measures Against Theft Of Your Computer
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 6 | 8:29 | What Are Your Options If Your Computer Does Get Stolen
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
| 7 | 0:35 | Conclusion of Secrets of Computer Security
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Understanding Upgrading Your Computer – When You Should Upgrade vs When You Should Buy a New One, and Tips to Make it Easier When You Do:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Why it can be a big risk to have a drive with too little free space, how to know if you’re at risk, & what to do about it
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Why it can be a problem for an older computer to run current software
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding the hard drive and RAM on your Mac or PC & when is it a good idea to upgrade it?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| More on RAM – how much to add when buying a new computer
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Extensive advice & tips on migrating to a new computer, including not just upgrading to a new computer of the same type (for example: Windows XP to Windows 7, or Mac OS X”Snow Leopard” to Mac OS X “Lion”).
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding what a “product key” is and whether you’ll need a new one if you switch to a new computer
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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What is WiFi and Other Common Wireless Internet Questions:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| What is the difference between WiFi and
Bluetooth?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Can you connect to WiFi without a router & What is encryption?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Can you use two routers at once & understanding “port forwarding”
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Can a router get on the Internet without a modem?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Different broadband options including what can you do to get online in a rural area?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Do all computers have WiFi?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Does a computer need special software to connect to WiFi & how expensive is it?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What is the cost of getting online through your phone? Is it free when you use WiFi or not?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Will an iPad work on any wireless network?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Understanding Drives, Data, and More in Plain English:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Can the stuff installed on your computer slow it down? How can you fix it?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Is it really a good idea to save all of your files on an external drive – why this can be a bad idea
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| How can external (backup) hard drives be so cheap? Is there a problem with inexpensive drives?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What really happens when you delete a file? Is it really gone or can someone get it back?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What is formatting a drive? When is it needed, and how it relates to “restoring” your computer
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What are the pros and cons of using a backup hard drive vs online backup? Which one can really let you down when you need it, and which gives you more privacy and control over your personal files?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Troubleshooting & Solving Common Internet Problems:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Figuring out where the problem is when you
your Internet seems slow & steps that often solve it
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Are there any risks to resetting your router?
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding reasons why videos won’t play smoothly on
websites (or if the web is slow in general)
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding what to do if a website isn’t working
because you’re missing a plugin
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Some ideas of what might be wrong if your antivirus program
won’t update
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| How to know if a router is bad & more on troubleshooting slow
Internet connections
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Why videos might start & stop online, and tips to deal with
the problem
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding more about how websites load & avoiding a common
misunderstanding that can leave people stuck
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Troubleshooting & Avoiding Common Computer Problems:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| What to do if a liquid is spilled on your keyboard or other electronics Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What to do if your computer is shutting off suddenly Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Computer freezing on shutdown Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Figuring out if your Internet connection is slow, or if the computer itself is the problem Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Problems with turning the computer on – error tones Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What to do if you have computer problems and no “restore disc” Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Tips on how to back up to an external hard drive Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Undoing computer mistakes & using “versioned files” to protect
yourself Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding how storms and other electrical power surges can damge your computer & other electronics — including hidden dangers most people miss Existing Members Click to Sign In |
Online Safety and Privacy Tips Explained in Plain English:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Introduction & overview to computer security Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Picking the right antivirus or Internet security software Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Has your computer been hijacked? Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding the hidden privacy & personal security risks of posting your photos online Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Why Backing up is crucial, and hidden costs and disadvantages
of backing up online Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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Internet Tips & Security Advice:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Tips on staying safe by choosing the right passwords
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What to do if you lose your password for a website or other account
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Answering questions on public wireless (WiFi) security
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| More on whether using WiFi is secure (overlaps with but adds
to & reinforces previous lesson)
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| More on WiFi vs 3G (cellphone) wireless, including mobile devices like the Kindle
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Understanding some of the risks of uploading personal information online – not so much in terms of privacy, but in terms of owning your own data (including photographs, writing, etc.)
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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Email Tips & Security Concepts Explained in Plain English:
Click to Reveal Lessons
| Recognizing and avoiding fake virus scams
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Avoiding the “trapped abroad” scam & similar scams
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| What is the real reason people make and spread viruses and other threats
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Are faxes obsolete and is newer technology *always* the better option? A few things most people never consider
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Figuring out the cause and possible solutions when you have problems getting your email delivered
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Dealing with downloaded files you have problems opening
Existing Members Click to Sign In |
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| Avoiding getting duplicate emails when checking an account on multiple devices (desktop & laptop, computer & smartphone, etc.)
Existing Members Click to Sign In |