Amazing Tips - The Art of Hovering

The Art of Hovering

Getting more from your software

I am frequently asked how I learn new software and keep current with new releases. The primary approach I use is to hover.

According to Merriam Webster, there are many uses for the word hover including:

• to float in the air without moving in any direction
• to stay very close to a person or place
• to stay near a specified point or level

When learning new software I am referring to the third use of hovering. I move slowly across any toolbars that are available, pausing at each item. As I do so a balloon label generally appears giving me some insight into the use of the tool. This is quite helpful because it is not uncommon that the icons defy deciphering and the balloon label is of limited help. At least at that point I can go to a browser and search for more information about the tool since I now know what it's called.

I think it's generational but, the graphic designers who come up with the size/shape/color of the tools often have different perspective than I do and different from the people I work with. In the early days of computers, the designers came up with the blue floppy disk to represent "Save". Twenty five years later I'm still pointing it out to people and explaining that it is the tool to use to save their work. The response I get is predictable. I hear everything from, "I thought it was a 50's TV set", to "What's a floppy disk." I used to carry a floppy in my bag to demonstrate the likeness to the save button but, without a machine to read them, my floppies didn't survive the last move.

One of my favorite discoveries that I found using the hover technique was to locate the "missing" dialog boxes I had become accustomed to using in Microsoft Office programs. When Microsoft did away with menus with the 2007 version of the office suite, I could no longer go to the Format menu to format text and paragraphs...not until I hovered and discovered the "Show dialog box" option on the ribbon. Now when I want to use advanced features in Word, features that the engineers didn't include on the ribbons, all I have to do is click the Show dialog box option.

Write a comment about a tool you learned about when you were hovering.

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Happy computing!

Diane

Don't forget to click the Subscribe to 100 Computer Tips in 100 Days via email link on the right side of the screen so you get email alerts when I add a new post.

Groups on the iPad

Groups on the iPad

Creating groups for emailing

Here's a tip that's only for my Apple iPad friends...I know you don't always feel the love from me.

I was working with a client today on her iPad when she asked if we could create a group to make it easier for her to send email to a distribution list. "Absolutely," I said confidently and started to look around the Contacts app. I looked and looked but didn't see how to do it. I promised her I would take the assignment as homework and let her know the answer.

Imagine my surprise when I did my research and found that you can download an app to do this or you can use the iCloud but that you can't create groups in the Contacts program on the iPad! Yikes! It seems like such a fundamental feature. Well there is a work around that does not require adding any apps or using the iCloud to your device. Here's how:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Click the plus sign (+) to create a new contact
3. In the First field put in part of the name for the group, such as "Book"
4. In the Last field put in the second part of the group name, such as "Club"
   (alternately you can use either field for the entire group name)
5. In the add email box enter the email addresses for each individual separated by a comma and a space. For example, mom@aol.com, dad@comcast.net, bob@snet.net
6. Tap the Done link.
7. When you want to address an email type the group name (in this case book club) in the To: Cc: or Bcc: box and send as usual.
8. That's it! Nice job!

Apparently Apple has no plans to add this feature to the Contacts app and is suggesting that you move to the iCloud where it is possible to create groups. If you're not comfortable with the iCloud, at lease you know there is a workable solution to your problem.

My book, 100 Amazing Computer Tips - Shortcuts, Tricks, and Advice to Help Everyone from Novice to Professional, is available NOW at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble in both print ($14.99) and ebook ($7.99) formats. There's also a handy link on top right side of this window for your shopping convenience..

Happy computing!

Diane

Don't forget to click the Subscribe to 100 Computer Tips in 100 Days via email link on the right side of the screen so you get email alerts when Diane adds a new post.