A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

Computers

Advice from Professor 'Puter

By: Paul S Cilwa Page Views: 1,131
Sage advice…or is it garlic?
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (35 words)

I love to help. And I've helped out a lot of friends with their computer woes, and some people who weren't really more than acquaintances. Here are a few of my better bits of advice.

A Web Site of Your Own

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 5/8/2007
Updated: 4/7/2010		 Page Views: 3,084
Hashtags: #Blogging #WebsiteDesign
I explain how you can have a web presence of your own, even if you are not technically savvy.
Estimated reading time: 7 minute(s) (1652 words)

So, you're thinking of having your own web site? Good for you! Everyone deserves a voice and, thanks to the Internet, you are no longer limited to the "15 minutes of fame" promised by Andy Warhol.

Email-to-Texting

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 10/26/2007
Updated: 2/16/2017		 Page Views: 1,896
Hashtags: #TextMessaging
A tech tip from Professor 'Puter.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (376 words)

If you "don't text," as one of my friends says, but have received a text message on your phone that you want to answer, what can you do? One possibility is to use your regular email service to reply.

Scam

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 10/30/2011 Page Views: 997
Hashtags: #Craigslist #Scams
In which I recognize a Craigslist scam when I see one.
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s) (976 words)

A lot of people avoid Craigslist for fear they will somehow become victims of a scam. That's too bad, because a lot of less fearful people make good use of this tool for getting money for things they no longer want or need. I, personally, have successfully sold many items, including drapes, a floor steamer, and even a DVD box set. Sure, scams exist, but they are actually very easy to spot. And when you do, you have the option of telling the scammer exactly what you think of him or her! So, when you do advertise something on Craigslist, you either successfully sell it, or you get free therapy (and sometimes both). Win-win!

Email Gets Multiple Sends

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 4/22/2013 Page Views: 24
Hashtags: #ProfessorPuter #email
I don my professorial mortarboard to answer some common questions I've received.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (880 words)

As a computer expert, I am constantly asked computer-related questions. I don't mind it—on the contrary, I love it! But I do get asked certain questions often enough to suspect that many others have the same questions, and could therefore benefit from my writing the answers down. Thus, Professor 'Puter was born!

I Lost My Windows 7 Password

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 11/30/2016 Page Views: 963
Hashtags: #Windows7
How to get back into Windows 7 if you've forgotten your password.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (525 words)

If you are still running Windows 7—which many people are—and you have secured it with a password (recommended if you are using a laptop or live in a household with people you don't trust), inevitably you will need to get into it on a day when you cannot remember your latest password. (This usually happens the day after changing it.) Fortunately, there is a way, tricky though it may be, to change it.

How To Add An AutoPlay Option in Windows 7

By: Paul S Cilwa Posted: 8/30/2017 Page Views: 1,275
Hashtags: #Computers #ProfessorPuter #AutoPlay
What to do if Windows' AutoPlay feature doesn't include the option you actually want.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (805 words)

Dear Professor Puter,

I am still running Windows 7 (less buggy). I recently downloaded an app/program to rip audio CDs, and I would like that program to start automatically when I insert one. However, Windows does not give me the option of adding a new app to the list of proposed options. What can I do?