Tech Stuff

Now that I've got a computer, what can I do?

Often, new computer users may not know all the capabilities of their new computer, laptop, or tablet or may want to know more about what it can do. Below is a list of things a computer can do.

Connect to the Internet

The Internet is one of the most popular things to access and use on a computer and is something every new user should try.

• What things to do when bored on the Internet.

Use your word processor

Some of today's computers include a word processor. Below are some of the things you can do in most word processors.

• Write a document, a letter to a friend/family member, a report, or even a book.

• Write about your life experiences and add pictures into it.

• If music has been in your life then write about the music or songs that have affected you. Also add hyperlinks into your writings so the reader can hear the music/song that affected you for good or bad.

• Help check for spelling and grammar errors in your text.

• View other documents, manuals, or other word processor files.

• Link the word processor to an external source, such as Outlook, Excel, or another source, and create labels.

• Create flyers, handouts, or other pages with graphics and pictures.

Use your spreadsheet

Some of today's computers also include a spreadsheet program. Below are some of the things you could do in a spreadsheet program.

• Create a listing of numerical values. For example, you can create an electronic version of your checking or savings account, allowing you to see the total amount in each account. Add graphs to show which area is growing.

• Create a listing of statistics, for example, Computer Hope keeps statistics of how many users visit its pages. These statistics can be viewed to see an increase or decrease in values.

• Create a listing of contact information or other information that can be sorted and viewed by different columns.

• Use your spreadsheet as a simple database for a book, stamp, music, movie, clock or parts collection/s.

Broaden your knowledge

There are thousands of software programs that enable you or your children to learn more about a particular subject. Below is a listing of the different programs to give you ideas of what is available. You can find many of these programs through your local computer software store or through online computer software stores.

• Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia - There are hundreds of available software versions of dictionaries, thesauruses, and Encyclopedias. You may use them to browse and learn more about everything or as a reference to look up information. Be aware that you may need to check the info you read with other sources. Check out the free websites.

• Geographical or Map software - Several companies that make sophisticated map programs that enable users to learn more about the world or a specific location, look up directions, find a local store, etc. See our map information page for a listing of free online map services.

• Language software - Numerous programs are available that help users learn different languages and even translate text from one language into another.

Tip

There are also many free Internet web pages that offer much of the above information for free. Although many of these sites may not be as extensive. For ideas, see: What things to do when bored on the Internet.

Play games

Games are another popular thing to do with your computer no matter what your age is. Below is a listing of different games for different age groups.

• Children learning games - There are hundreds of games for young children (12 and younger) that are not only enjoyable to play but often also educational.

• Teenager and older games - By far the most popular games, the games that are often played for entertainment value.

• Learning games - Numerous learning games for all people and all age groups. For example, many flight simulators are available that help users learn to fly, and at the same time are really enjoyable.

• Online games - Users who have access to the Internet also have access to millions of free online games sites, like MSN games. Online game sites feature hundreds of games you can play against other Internet users from around the world.

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Listen to music, create music or music CDs

MP3 files and the increased popularity of sharing music legally and illegally make computers a great way to get new music and listen to your favourite artists.

Create and record your own music.

You can sit at your keyboard and with musical software you are able to create, name and save your own musical masterpiece as a mp3.

Below is some general information about how you can listen to music on your computer.

Download or copy sound files

Each song, and sometimes a whole CD, is contained in a sound file, often an MP3 file. These files can be downloaded from various sites on the Internet for a small fee, or if public domain, for free. Keep in mind that unless the song is public domain (something you would not buy at a store), downloading the song for free is considered illegal, even though many sites provide this ability. Try getting songs from Spotify to listen to.

You can also rip or copy songs from CDs you already own and create MP3 files. A free and excellent program we suggest for creating songs from your CD is CDex. Another option is to use Windows Media Player to rip an audio CD.

Once the songs are copied to your computer, you can listen to them in the player any time. Having the songs on a computer means you never have to insert a CD and can have thousands of songs instead of only a few.

Internet radio

Users with Internet access can also listen to millions of online radio stations. Both sound players mentioned above and most new players, support the ability to listen to streaming content.

Look at pictures, scan pictures, import pictures, and create pictures

Computers are capable of storing billions of pictures and can have access to almost any picture imaginable. You can also move your pictures onto your computer from your digital camera, scanners, or using other computer peripherals.

After moving your pictures onto your computer, you can change almost anything about them by editing them in an image editor. Examples are improving a picture's appearance, cropping, or copying elements from the picture. After you're done editing, you can move the pictures into another program and create personal slide shows or burn a CD with pictures.

Watch videos, create movies, or watch TV

Users can now watch short video clips and movies on their computer and create them. Below are some of the different methods of watching and creating videos and movies.

DVD movies

Many of the new computers today come with a DVD drive, which means you can watch DVD movies on your computer. If you don't have a DVD player for your TV a computer can connect to a TV to watch DVDs.

Short videos

There are millions of short videos available through the Internet and included with software programs. These are videos that are often no longer than 10 minutes and are often home made videos or videos that accompany the software program.

Create movies

Today, numerous software programs are available to help you create and edit movies. Users with the proper hardware and connections can also connect external sources to their computer to copy movies. For example, a user could connect his or her camcorder to the computer and copy their personal movies from it.

Watch TV

With a TV tuner card in the computer, you can watch TV shows on your computer, while also using the computer for other tasks.

Store personal information and contacts electronically and share it with other devices

Smartphones capable of keeping and storing contacts, to-do lists, and calendars have become widely used. Keep contacts on your computer and synchronized with your smartphone to have access to all contacts on both devices.

Use your computer to control appliances and lights or security for your home

With the proper software and hardware, your computer can automate different appliances, lights, sprinklers, and even your thermostat.

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000718.htm

Submitted by Allan Daniels

SENDING LARGER FILES

Proven ways to send large video files from a desktop or laptop.

Can’t attach large video files to your email? Here’s how to send large video files using your Windows or Mac computer:

1. Google Drive

Google Drive is a universally used cloud-storage solution to share files of any kind. The best part is that once you upload a file to Google Drive, you can choose to give access to particular people to view and download it. But like any other cloud storage, the space on the free version of the cloud is limited and if you want more, you will need to pay a monthly subscription fee. 

Another great thing about a service like Google Drive is that it has end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encrypted cloud options are great when you need to share confidential files because even Google can’t read your files.

Uploading files to Google Drive is fairly straightforward. For instance, here’s how you’d upload a video to Google Drive and share it:

1. Sign up on Google Drive — you’ll only need to login if you already have a Gmail account. I have a Google account and also a gmail address. Your web browser will look like this if you have a Google account or a gmail address.

2. Click on the Google Apps icon

Click on the Drive icon

2. Right-click in the whitespace and select File Upload. It may be better to create some folders first, so that you may be able to find your files easier later.

3. Select your file from the explorer.

4. Once uploaded, right click on the file and click Share.

5. Change the file permissions by selecting Change to anyone with the link (if you want your file to be accessible to a group of people)

You can now copy the link to an email and share it with your colleague or friend.

Google Drive also offers one of the largest free storage of any other cloud-storage provider. You get 15gb free storage with the free plan 

Pro Tip: To make uploading to Google drive easier, you can compress large video files and then upload to the cloud. Check out this blog on how to compress large video files. 

Submitted by Allan Daniels