The first email

Could you guess when the first ever email was sent and by whom?

It is an interesting story.

You can read all about it here.

Who sent the first email and when?

Beware of Facebook Hacking

Do ensure that you use tight security on your Facebook page so that others can't log in and pretend to be you.  At the very least, add a mobile number so that you get a text if there is a log in from an unknown place or device.  If it was you, you get a code which comes as a text and you can enter to verify that it was actually you.

If you click on this article, you will find other useful information.
Tips to help you protect your Facebook account.

New Year's resolutions

Wishing all my readers a very happy new year and frustration free computing in 2016.

To start the year, I thought it would be good to recap on a few things that I have mentioned in previous articles. 

A new year often starts with taking stock of one’s situation and looking back over the previous year, the highs and lows and salient points.  You can do this with your computer as well.  Now is a good time for you to take a look at what you have on your computer tablet or phone, and decide if it’s still relevant to you in 2016.

On your computer, take a look at the Desktop- the first screen you see.  Is it covered in icons you never use or have no idea about?  (Icons are a shortcut to programmes loaded on your computer.)   If your screen is cluttered, take a moment to discover what the icons do- double click on them to find out, and if you don’t think you will find them useful, drag them into the bin.  This process won’t delete the underlying programme, but makes your screen look tidier, and you will feel more in control of your computer.

Next, take a look at your folders one by one, do this using Windows File Explorer or Finder.  Are your documents and photos a mess or can you find things easily?  Take time to delete anything irrelevant and create subfolders so that everything can be tidied up.  If you have lots of duplicate information, get rid of duplicates.  Many of my clients have lots of copies of their photos in different folders and no idea of what is where.

On your tablet or phone, look at the Apps on the main screen.  Do you use them all?  Are there other more useful Apps on other screens that are hard for you to find?  If so, drag the Apps around so they are where you want them, or delete ones you don’t need any more.  You can also create folders if you have a lot of Apps.

Make sure that you have updated all your programmes and keep your operating system up to date.  Don’t ignore those annoying messages that keep popping up from time to time.  If you don’t understand what the computer is trying to do, ask for help, or Google the problem.  If you don’t take action, some parts may not run as well as you would like.

Run Utility programmes such as Defragmentation and Disk cleanup to delete stray files and temporary Internet files.  This spring-cleans your computer’s hard drive.

Make sure you have backed up your computer, tablet or phone.  I would suggest you do this regularly.  Get to know how to do it, and don’t risk losing vital information or precious photographs because you don’t understand how to do it.

I would suggest that you need 2 external backups for photographs.

Once you have tidied up the inside of your computer, you can give your screen a wipe, and spring-clean your keyboard and mouse.  Use a microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution.  Make sure your keyboard isn’t full of dust and crumbs.  Turn it upside down and tap it.  For cleaning a laptop’s keyboard, turn it off, then turn it upside down and tap it lightly so all the mess falls out.

The start of a new year is a good time to tackle new challenges.  For those of you who want to learn something new, I would be more than happy to hear from you and help you. 

Happy New Year to all my blog readers and students.  Hope 2016 is a good one for you all. 

Wishing you frustration free computing and a desire to learn new things.