Downloading YouTube Videos

     Wal Towells wrote to ask if there is a free program for downloading YouTube videos.

     Yes. Charles Monica called to tell me about just such a program. It can be found at http://youtubedownload.altervista.org. I found the program easy to use, and it offers various options as to what video format you would like a download saved in. I am very pleased with the MP4s it created for me.

     If the downloaded files don't play on your default media player, they can be played on the VLC Media Player, which can be freely downloaded from http://vlc.idownload.org.

Auto Complete

     Gloria Bernal wrote that her word processor displays a previously used word when she types its first two or three letters, and wants to know how to make the completed word stay in place when she sees this option. Pressing ENTER will complete the word - otherwise, keep typing and the option will disappear.

PowerPoint-compatible Programs

     Sheila Schwander asked if there is a free PowerPoint-compatible program available. Yes, Google Docs has a presentation-creating utility that can be used online at docs.google.com, and the freely downloadable OpenOffice.org suite has a free PowerPoint-compatible program available.

      Also, a free PowerPoint Viewer is available at Microsoft.com, but it can't be used to create or edit a presentation.
Right-Click Key on Keyboard

     Henry Lulli wrote to ask the purpose of a keyboard key that resembles a lined page with an arrow pointing into it. Pressing this key is the same as doing a right-mouse-click; it brings up a menu of command options.

     Here are some other keyboard shortcuts worth knowing about:
  • F1 will bring up most programs' Help files.
  • F7 will initiate the Spell Checker in Microsoft programs.
  • SHIFT+F7 will launch a Thesaurus.
  • ALT+F4 will close an open file. Subsequently pressing ALT+F4 will close other open items and will eventually turn off the computer.
  • Pressing the Windows Flag key (WinFlag) is the same as clicking on Start, whereupon using the TAB key and/or the Arrow keys can be a substitute for using a mouse.
  • Pressing the WinFlag key along with another key will cause the following to happen: WinFlag+E brings up the Windows Explorer view of the folders on your hard drive. WinFlag+D toggles between displaying and hiding any open documents. WinFlag+E opens the My Computer folder. WinFlag+U opens the Control Panel in Vista.
  • WinFlag+F opens the Windows Find/Search box, into which full or partial file and folder names can be typed.
  • WinFlag+R will display a RUN box, into which can be typed various commands, such as MSCONFIG for displaying the Microsoft Configuration utility.
  • MSOffice users can launch Excel by typing its name into the box. Type in winword to launch Microsoft Word or msworks to display the Microsoft Works launch options.
     More Keyboard Shortcuts can be found HERE.

Backing Up Photos

     Helen Howland wrote to ask the best way to save the millions of digital photos she has. Helen has copied many of them to USB flash memory sticks, but says she can't label them because they are black.
    Nicholas Roberti made the following suggestion: Cheap and easy to use is a Sharpie Metallic Silver pen. Unlike all the other dye colors, this one writes clearly on anything. Got mine at Office Depot and have used it to label innumerable USB gadgets.
    Thanks, Nicholas - very helpful information.
     Flash memory sticks (thumb drives) also come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors, including some with a hole in the back end for attaching a key ring or a suitcase label. Beyond putting photos on one's own backup drives, many Web sites offer free online photo storage, such as Flickr.com and PhotoBucket.com.



© Donald Ray Edrington – All Rights Reserved

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Don Edrington - Computer Columnist for The Californian and San Diego's North County Times

Senior Computer Tutor
Don Edrington

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