Tech Column: File Organization

Here's another of my monthly tech columns for the Gulf Coast Newspapers Boomers insert, this time on File Organization.

This is one of those facets of personal computer use that I didn't fully grasp until far too far along in my journey toward better computer literacy.  Too many of my patrons just hit "Save" and then lose files forever.  Perhaps you remember what it was like to lose an entire term paper somewhere around 4am before it was due at 8 because you had no idea what your defaults were?  Yeah.  It's just as upsetting when it's a picture of your granddaughter's piano recital.  Learning more about how to organize your own files and navigate those "Save-As" dialog boxes really helps.

Here it is, on File Organization.

I hope you find it helpful!

Don't forget to check me out on Twitter @libraryladyjane.

Tech Column: On E-mail

Back in November, I began writing a monthly technology column geared toward Seniors that has been appearing in the Baldwin County Newspapers' (found on the web at GulfCoastNewsToday.com) monthly Boomers insert.

I'll start making links to the Google Docs versions of the columns available here.  Again, they're geared toward the tech-unsavvy reader, but your patrons (or parents) might find them useful.

On E-mail -- In this column, I outline a straightforward, proactive approach to email that involves the recommendation to ditch any email account for which you did not register yourself in favor of a Gmail account that you set up from start to finish.  This is the basis for the third week of my Basic Computers class.

Camellia Net for Kindle Users

Here's a handy-dandy guide I made for users of our local Overdrive-powered digital library, Camellia Net.

Since everyone got a Kindle in December, and, of course, Amazon has the most streamlined process for acquiring library e-books, this was the easier guide to make.  I plan on making available a guide for iDevice and Android users, as well.

The Camellia Net website recently underwent an overhaul, so the guide had to be revised for that.  I'm also taking a "wait-and-see" approach to other E-Readers, since the process is far more complex, involving the download and registration of Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID.  This often proves to be too much for my patrons, and I like to make one-on-one appointments with them to walk them through it.  By doing this, any frustration with the necessary steps falls to me, while enhancing the appearance of my usefulness.

Kindle for Camellia Net Guide:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZB74_llm3nZmf4Zs5UwR0EtSiBbmA5yzzHF93Mfx5I/edit