Tag: information

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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

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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 learning computer tips

Library vs. Folder vs. Label vs. Albulm

What is the difference between a library and a folder?
A library is a grouping of items that could be files, emails, or data that is independent of the file system.  A folder or directory is usually part of the file system (although it is sometimes a virtual folder used in a library which is a different type).
Examples of libraries: iPhoto and iTunes uses a library system.  Macintosh also has a separate library that groups files together by category.
iPhoto library is put into it’s own container, so people do not accidentally mess with the library. People can make albums from different parts of the library, and then it does not create a whole new directory or files- it actually just links to them.
Windows 7 photo library may group emails that have photos along with photo files. To delete the emails you still have to delete them from the email program.
Picasa also uses a library, but is still primarily based on the file system.
Labels vs. Folders
The only place I know that uses labels is GMail or Google mail, but it is important to know since many people use GMail or Google Mail.  An email can have more than one label, but cannot be in more than one folder.  Like an album in iPhoto or iTunes a label is just a link or tag for easy categorizing.
Database System vs File Folder System
A database reduces redundancy, disk space, and time.  Databases can store large amounts of information without taking as much room as files.  It is also easier to find things in a database.  Many of today’s web sites are actually databases that are part of a content management system.  Even though they may appear to have a file structure [ ie: http://www.natesservices.com/blog/2012/11/17/library-vs-folder-vs-label-vs/ ], that may actually be a hidden database redirect.

Categories
computer learning

Would you recommend someone to take the same programs at the same colleges you went to?

Would you recommend someone to take the same programs at the same colleges you went to?
No.
Central Lakes College no longer offers Computer Science department. In addition computer technology classes changed.
College of St. Scholastica no longer offers Computer Science / Information Systems in Brainerd MN – it does still exist in Duluth and other locations.
So I’m not saying it was a bad thing, It just is not available.
The AA transfer program at Central Lakes College may be a good option though if you are in the area.

Categories
computer tips tech culture

Data value

Did you ever think of how much the data on your computer is worth?

  • how much are your family photos worth?
  • how much is your records worth?
  • how much is the information needed to run your business worth?
    • For certain things you can put a price on, for data some things a price can be estimated, some things are priceless.
      Unless you have nothing unique stored on your computer, hard drive, server or device the data is almost always worth much more than the device itself.

What would happen if you lost it?

  • If you have it backed up some place, and can easily access the back up and recover the data, that is what you would do.
  • If you have some of the information stored online such as in a web based email service, you would recover that from there.
  • You may be able to get some receipts, and statements directly from the business, banks and other organizations you deal with.
  • you may be able to recover some items from paper copies (it will be a lot of work and they won’t be as good of quality) or things saved on disks IF you don’t have a disaster.
  • You may be able to get some things from friends, and family you have shared with.
  • If you have a second computer, device, or your own web site that is still working you may be able to recover some things from there.
  • You may be able to recover some items from original media such as camera, SD card, or camera phone.
  • If you have iTunes, and purchased directly from them you now may be able to recover those items from iTunes as long as you can remember the information you need to access your account. (this was not the case, until November of 2011)
  • You may be able to recover certain things from a hard drive if it hasn’t been written over enough or severely damaged, with special hardware or software or sending it to a recovery specialist.

Of course I would recommend backing up everything, both locally and off site.
Full Disclosure: I do offer online backup which I may benefit financially from.
What to do about not letting people access your computer.
First require an operating password, finger print, facial recognition or some other method to access the computer.
If you save passwords on your computer, use an easy to remember, yet hard for others to know, master password that protects all of them.
For even deeper protection, limit the information you share online, that is not secure in both in encrypted transfer and secure on the other end. Have backup transferred over a secure, encrypted connection and also securely stored (and backed even elsewhere). You can set a system password for your computer and you can also encrypt the data on your computer.
You can have your computer physically locked down.
You can require a secure entry system. Building security. Firewalls (networking hardware), Firewalls (software), and Firewalls (actual building firewall)
Remember sometimes you have to balance the right amount of security, with ease of use, and costs.
The online backup that I offer does have the encrypted transfer, as well as securely stored on the server at more than one location and is accessible from most computers and Internet connected devices.
Striving to make your technology experience better,
Nathan Steffenson
Nate’s Computer Services

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