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My Site updates

metal Sign

metalsign1

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photo video

Rainbows, Butterflies, flowers, and snapping turtle

Rainbows, Monarch Butterflies, flowers, and snapping turtle laying eggs, swans, loons rabbit

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photo

Brainerd MN week in photos June 14-20


Week in photos from past week past week June 14-20 2014- Steffenson photo site

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photo

photos from June trip


http://photos.steffensonphoto.com/GalleryThumbnails.aspx?gallery=4489291

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computer learning computer tips video

Making PDFs in Windows and Combing PDFs

First in Windows we will export an Open Office writer document to pdf.

Click File Menu
Click File Menu

In open office writer, with a document that is complete,
we go to the file menu
then Export as PDF
Click Export as PDF
Click Export as PDF

a dialog box is displayed, this gives you some options to adjust the quality and file size.
A Dialog Box appears
A Dialog Box appears

Click on Export.
Click Export
Click Export

A save dialog box is displayed. I’ll Make sure it’s in the right folder,
change the name, for this I’ll use pdfsampletext, and click on Save.
Change file name and location if necessary
Change file name and location if necessary

click save
click save

Also be sure it’s saved in open office document format, making it easier to modify in the future.
Be sure to save it as Open Office Document
Be sure to save it as Open Office Document

Now let’s find that PDF file
I’ll go to the Windows start menu
then documents
Documents
Documents

and then I’ll go to the folder I put in
locate the folder
locate the folder

open the file
open the file

and then I will click on the file pdfsampletext
it opens in Adobe reader
the converted file in Adobe Reader
the converted file in Adobe Reader

Next we are saving a file in Microsoft Office’s Word as PDF
With a completed word document click on File menu
In Word Click File
In Word Click File

then click save as
Save AS
Save AS

In the save dialog box next to save as type
select PDF
change file type to PDF
change file type to PDF

click Save
Save
Save

The file then opens in Adobe Reader
File opens in Adobe Reader
File opens in Adobe Reader

Next save a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as pdf.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet

First make sure the spreadsheet is saved as usual.
Be sure to save as spreadsheet (Excel Workbook) first
Be sure to save as spreadsheet (Excel Workbook) first

Then similar to Microsoft Word we will go to File Menu
File
File

then Save as
Save As
Save As

select PDF next to save as type
choose PDF
choose PDF

click save
Save
Save

it opens in Adobe Reader.
PDF file in Adobe Reader
PDF file in Adobe Reader

Google Chrome web Browser has built in functionality to save as PDF

  1. So in Google Chrome for windows we go to the web page we want saved as a PDF
  2. Click the Menu buton on the right
  3. Click Print
    Chrome - Menu Button on right choose Print
    Chrome – Menu Button on right choose Print
  4. Instead of using a printer we will choose save as pdf
    instead of printing choose save as PDF
    instead of printing choose save as PDF
  5. Confirm Save as PDF
    Save as PDF
    Save as PDF
  6. A dialog box pops up, change the folder location and file name if necessary
    Confirm file name and location
    Confirm file name and location
  7. then Save
    030apdfd
  1. In Windows File explorer I’m opening the folder we have it saved in
    032pdfd
    then opening the file
  2. and there it is in Adobe reader
    033pdfd

For programs that don’t have built in functionality to save or export a PDF, there is another option and it is print as PDF
For Windows you need to have a program that is a PDF printer. In macintosh this functionality is built in.
So I am going to demonstrate with this with 2 different programs
Neat Works, and CutePDF writer.
For this you have to be in the program you want the PDF document from
In this case I’ll choose Firefox
Click the menu button on the right035pdfd
Click Print – note that this web page is set up to print as a blank page
Then make sure to choose the PDF printer, in this case we choose
036pdfd
Send to Neat then OK
037pdfd
Then choose the neat library folder, then OK
039pdfd
It may take some time to process it,
Then it shows up in NeatWorks
042pdfd
For CutePDF writer
Choose the print in your program,
044pdfd
Then Choose Cute PDF writer
Then OK
045pdfd
Then choose filename and location.
046pdfd
Then Save
047pdfd
my main use for Neatworks is keeping track of receipts
but its also used to keep track of documents and can combine documents
So first to combine documents I drag them over to NeatWorks

drag
drag

I select all that I want combined by clicking on each item while holding the
Control or Shift Key down
052pdfd
Then under action choose combine
053pdfd
055pdfd
To use the PDF in a different program other than Neat you
choose Export
056pdfd
To PDF
Selected Item
Then in the dialog box, choose the location and name, then Save
Here it is in Adobe reader
059pdfd
A word of caution about the Cute PDF writer:
It is a little difficult to install you have to install 2 parts.
Also if you don’t want the Ask Toolbar or Weather channel app you have to be sure not to install them.
And they do also offer a more featured paid version called Cute PDF Pro
Software used in this video:
Microsoft Windows & MSOffice http://www.microsoft.com
Apache Open Office http://www.openoffice.org
Neatworks http://www.neat.com
Adobe Reader http://www.adobe.com
Cute PDF Writer http://www.cutepdf.com
Chrome browser http://www.google.com/chrome
Firefox http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox
other software to consider:
Adobe Acrobat http://www.adobe.com
Nitro pdf http://www.nitropdf.com
or other operating systems such
Macintosh http://www.apple.com
software and brand names (other than Nates Computer Services and Brainerd Update) are of their respective owners and are not affiliated with this video

Categories
video

Memorial Day Brainerd

A carnival has been going on at Westgate Mall. There was the wreath drop for in memory of soldiers lost at sea, memorial at all veterans memorial, parade to cemetery and other events this morning. I slept in today. Here’s some video from years past. 2013

2012

2009-2010

Categories
computer tips tech culture

Avoiding injuries from computers, tablets, smart phones, TV

First I’m not a medical professional, and this is Not medical advice as everyone’s body is a little bit different. However this is an important for anyone that uses these and similar devices.

  1. Take breaks from your computer, TV, smart phone, tablet.  For your eyes and the rest of your body it is good to take breaks from all of these. If you have other things to do you not using these devices you can do that (so it doesn’t always have to be an actual work break).
  2. Reduce the time that you use these devices.
  3. Don’t retype things that are already typed. Don’t rescan items already in electronic form.  This will save you work and less stress on you and your body.
  4. When lifting anything heavy (including electronics) get help, avoid using backpacks(for my bike I use a bike rack with a bike trunk with Quick MTX Track), and when possible avoid the heavy lifting and transporting altogether,
  5. Take care of your body with exercise, enough sleep and rest, and eating properly, and everything else you need to do take care of your body.  Exercising or even just getting out of your home to socialize with others will help your brain more than any video game such as http://www.lumosity.com/.  Your brain is a physical part of your body so it needs to be taken care of well physically as well. Studying some, then Sleeping and eating breakfast will help you better on a test than staying up studying all night
    1. Exercising doesn’t necessarily have to mean going to the gym (although that can help) I bike or walk to most places I go instead of driving.
    2. Cleaning, gardening, raking, or grocery shopping can be exercise.
    3. If you drive to a place, parking farther away can help you get more exercise and maybe make it easier to have a parking spot.
  6. Use proper electrical equipment. Avoid extension chords. Avoid eating and drinking by computers, phones, tablets.  Avoid getting water on equipment. Fiberoptic to the building instead of copper wires helps avoid damage by lightning.
  7. Turn TVs, smart phones, tablets, computers off at night if you have trouble sleeping and if possible avoid having them in the bedroom.
  8. Make sure you are using proper furniture with any of these devices. Avoiding falling from chairs, and avoiding equipment  coming down on you. Having furniture that will let you have good posture.  Proper Ergonomics.
  9. Take advantage of technology that reduces pain:
    1. If speech recognition is easier than typing or tapping on screen for you, I recommend using it.  And use accessibility settings that help you, I sometimes have my computer read selected text out loud to me.
    2. If you like natural light better for reading then you can use an e-reader that uses e-ink such as certain Kindles or Nooks. (I personally don’t have these since I like to minimize the devices I use)
    3. I use washing and drying machines for laundry and do other things while it works. (the same can apply if you have a device like a dishwasher, or automatic bread maker which I don’t have due to my small apartment)
    4. I use a robot vacuum to vacuum while I’m gone. I still need to keep things off the floor and clean the vacuum itself.
    5. Use autosave feature and automatic backup so you don’t have to redo your work. Email, written drafts, and timed posts can help.
    6. Do other non-computer things, while your computer is doing large processing tasks.
    7. Use cloud, online storage, file sharing, web mail, and other services to avoid physically transporting media.
  10. You may want to also consider getting professional help with assisting you with your health : like an eye doctor to see if you need glasses, a general practice physician, an ergonomics professional / Ergonomist for the safety around your desk/device/work place, and even dentist for your teeth.

Additional resources
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/

Categories
Going Green

The work and costs involved in using and retaining paper

Here’s a Throwback Thursday for you

  • The work and costs involved in using and retaining paper are much higher than being paperless.

I have been personally been working on being paperless for at least 5 years now.
The costs of having paper:

  • Disorganized: Paper made me very disorganized, whether it was a messy desk, locker, room, or apartment. The number one thing making me disorganized was paper. Now being closer to paperless, I’m able to be somewhat organized.
  • Storage: there are a lot of cost associated with the storage of paper. It can be square footage, shelving, or file cabinets.
    filecabinet
  • Physical work, physical pain. Having papers has caused me a lot of physical work as well as physical pain. I’ve got papercuts, back pain from too many books, and sliced my foot on a paper cutter.  Shock and burn from laser printer. Other health problems with the dusts from paper. Physical work putting furniture together and moving furniture.
    when I was 12 years old making a book shelf for the books I accumulated
    when I was 12 years old making a book shelf for the books I accumulated

    cutting with a miter saw as part of an OK 4-H project
    cutting with a miter saw as part of an OK 4-H project

    me with a backpack carrying books and papers in the early 1990s
    me with a backpack carrying books and papers in the early 1990s
  • Actual tangible  costs of paper, folders, printers, ink, pens, pencils, printing, mailing, recycling, and disposal.
  • Paper is harder for people with certain disabilities to use.

My solutions:

  1. get everything electronically in the 1st place and keep them electronic. Instead of printing important emails, I just save them. I use online banking, online bills, automatic deposits and payments, and insurance statements and download and backup.
  2. Share my items electronically instead of printing. Such as photos and documents. Sending receipts by email to customers. Use online meetings and share with online storage.
  3. Scan every paper item I can that is not already in electronic form. This includes receipts, paper bills, and paper notices.
  4. Use digital photography and only have my best photos printed, or only when someone request one printed.
  5. Recycle all junk mail, and recycle scanned items that do not need a physical paper copy.
  6. Request to be taken off junk mail lists and phone book lists:
    1. Yellow Page optout
    2. Opt out of pre-screened Credit Card Offers
    3. Direct Marketing Associations Mail Choices
    4. Contact companies directly through their web site or sometimes by phone.
  7. Read newspaper online or a shared copy. Use eBooks instead of paper books.
  8. Have all of my important public information for my business on my web site.
  9. Use the notes feature, calendar, reminders, and contacts on my smart phone and computer.
  10. Older Methods I use to be paperless using marker board and message / plastic letter boards
    Message/ menu /letter board
    Message/ menu /letter board

    Marker board
    Marker board

    directory / plastic letter board
    directory / plastic letter board
  11. Sell the furniture at a low cost after I get rid of enough papers
    20 years after making it, I sold the bookshelf. An accomplishment of going towards being paperless.
    20 years after making it, I sold the bookshelf. An accomplishment of going towards being paperless.

 More about being Paperless

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My Site updates

15 years ago

15 years ago I registered the domain Onamia.com offering local information about Onamia MN area. Today it’s part of my business known as Nate’s Computer Services.
Thanks to all my web visitors, and customers.
Nathan Steffenson

Categories
computer tips

About Windows XP support ending

What does this mean?
It means Microsoft has stopped doing updates for Windows XP.  Also In most cases, you will not get manufacturer support  for Windows XP either (such as Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, Sony).
Some support already ended years ago.
Windows Security essentials will continue to work, but will no longer be updated.  So if you want continue to use Windows XP we recommend that you uninstall Security Essentials, if it is installed, and use a different security/antivirus program that is still supported.   I will be researching these shortly to see which programs are still supporting XP. Remember you should only have one security software program on your computer and it should be from a reputable company.
If you continue to use Windows XP, consider switching your browser to FIrefox or Chrome.
Do I have to upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8 or get a new computer?
You do not have to upgrade. Windows XP should continue to work. However you should back up any important data and consider your options with a software upgrade, new computer, or device.
Link Windows 8 Upgrade Advisor
Other options:

  • Keep using Windows XP until the computer doesn’t operate like it needs to.
  • Switch to a Linux/GNU installation such as Ubuntu
  • Get a new device: Laptop, desktop, Apple Macintosh, tablet/iPad, iPod, Smart Phone, Chrome book.

It is also important to note that many of the Windows computers out there now already have a newer version of Windows such as Vista, 7 or 8. So be sure to check that before upgrading.
See also Microsoft’s Press release

Content ©1999 - Nathan Steffenson, Nate's Computer Services - All rights reserved. - Be Green! save money and energy. Please do not print this web page.