Tech Tips, Webinars, & Resources

Tech Tips

Check this page for periodic computer-related tips.

Creating an Email Shortcut

Creating a Shortcut Key

Creating a Folder

Inserting Bullets in MS Word 2010

Saving a document as a Word 97/2003 file

Copying Non-Contiguous Files

Enlarging the Font in MS Word

Getting an AutoSum in Excel

Navigating PowerPoint Slides with Keystrokes

 

Creating an Email Shortcut

Do you have a colleague, friend, or family member with whom you correspond regularly?  Here’s how to make a convenient shortcut to their e-mail address.

Keyboard Users

  1. Press Windows key-D to move your focus to the Desktop.

  2. If an icon is selected, press Control-Spacebar to unselect it.  If none are highlighted, you’re ready to move on.

  3. Press the Shortcut key or your right mouse equivalent.  The shortcut key is also known as your Application Key and is located between the Right Windows and Right control keys. 

  4. Arrow to the New option and press Enter.

  5. Arrow to the Shortcut option and press Enter.

  6. Type in the following: "mailto:email address" and press Enter.  That’s mailto colon the e-mail address and press Enter, which will activate the Next button.

  7. Type in a name for your shortcut and press Enter.  This will activate the Finish button.

  8. Try out your new shortcut by pressing Enter on it.

Your e-mail application opens and your cursor is in the To field.  If you read your line, you should hear the e-mail address. 

Complete the remaining fields; type your message and send as usual.

Mouse Users

  1. Right-Click on an empty area of the Desktop.

  2. Left-Click on the New option.

  3. Left-Click on the Shortcut option.

  4. Type "mailto:email address" (without the quotes)

  5. Left-Click on the Next button.

  6. Type in a name for your shortcut.

  7. Left-Click on the Finish button. 

  8. Double-Click on your shortcut to try it out.

Your e-mail application opens and your cursor is in the To field. 

Complete the remaining fields; type your message and send as usual.

That’s it for now.  Happy Computing!

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Creating a Shortcut Key

We all have programs that we use every day, like e-mail   and web browsers. Wouldn't it be convenient to be able to open them at any time?  Here's how...

  1. Highlight the application, either on the desktop or in the All Programs sub-menu of the Start menu.
  2. Next, press the Applications key (located near the Right Control key).  You can also click your Right Mouse button.
  3. Now, use the Arrow Keys to highlight the properties option and Enter. You may also click on this option. It's the last item in the menu.  You should be in the General tab of the Properties dialog box.
  4. Next, Tab to the Shortcut option and type the letter you would like associated  with the application. By default, the key combination will be Control-Alt-Letter.  Example: Control-Alt-E opens my Outlook Express e-mail program. You may also click in this Shortcut edit field and type in a letter.
  5. Now, press the Enter key or click on the OK button.
  6. You'll want to try it out. Press the key combination you've chosen and be amazed at what happens! Hopefully, your application has opened before your very ears and eyes.

Happy Computing!

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Creating a New Folder using Keystrokes

Lynnette Tatum, Senior Instructor, CCVIP

Try this in My Documents Folder:  Press ALT-F, W, F; then type in a Folder name and press Enter. If  your fingers flew fast enough, you will have a new folder.

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Inserting Bullets in MS Word 2010

  1. Press Alt-H, U  to access the bullets list.

  2. Press the Tab key to move to the Filled Round bullets style and press Enter.

You will be returned to your document.

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Saving a document as a Word 97/2003 file  

  1. Press F12.
  2. Tab once to the Save As Type combo box.
  3. Type the letter W until you hear or see Word 97/2003 and press Enter.
  4. Tab to the Save button and Enter.  You can also press alt-S to activate the Save button.

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Copying Non-Contiguous Files 

  1. Highlight the first file.
  2. Press and hold the Control key.
  3. Press the Down Arrow.  When you hear/see a file you would like to copy, press the Spacebar to select it.  If you accidentally select a file, press the Spacebar to de-select it. Repeat the process for all files.
  4. Press Control-C to activate the Copy command.
  5. Open the folder where you would like the files copied.
  6. Press Control-V- to paste the files there.

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Enlarging the Font in MS Word

  1. Highlight the text.
  2. Press Control-Shift-P.
  3. Type a size (example: 25 points) and press Enter.

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Getting an AutoSum in Excel

  1. Highlight the column containing the numbers to be added by pressing Control-Spacebar.
  2. Check your status Bar.  The current sum will be displayed.

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Navigating PowerPoint Slides with Keystrokes

Press Tab to move between or among placeholders on individual slides.

Press F6 to move among the Slide, notes, thumbnail/outline panes.

Press control-Shift-Tab to change from the Thumbnail (picture) to the Outline (text) view.

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Webinars

The Ins and Outs of the iPhone 4S

Meet the NYS Commission for the Blind

Accessible eBook and Digital Book Readers

Accessible PDAs and Notetaking Devices

Making Life Easier with Some Low Tech Products

GPS Devices for Blind and Visually Impaired People

Accessible Apple Products

Portable CCTVs

Identification Devices

Accessible Book Readers

April 9, 2010 Conference on Employment and Visual Impairment video segments on labor trends and Keynote is available for viewing.

Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius

 

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Resources

We have provided links to pages that will make it easy to get information about access technology companies, organizations that support people who are blind and visually impaired, and home pages of individuals who have located blind-friendly sites, and have important information to share.

Assistive Technology companies

Freedom Scientific , makers of JAWS screen reader, MAGic low vision software

GW Micro, makers of Window-Eyes screen reader

AI Squared, makers of Zoomtext low vision software

Technical sites

For those using either Jaws for Windows or Window-Eyes screen reading systems, the following links will direct you to the pages that provide downloadable macros for a variety of software.

Freedom Scientific

GW Micro

Software to help in creating accessible web pages

IBM Rational Policy Tester Accessibility Edition solution   IBM Rational Policy Tester® helps organizations reduce their online risk and exposure by identifying issues impacting Web site compliance and usability.

JimThatcher.com

Web Accessibility Initiative

Organizations / Other

American Foundation for the Blind

Catholic Guild for the Blind

Esight Career Network

Helen Keller Services for the Blind

Jewish Guild for the Blind

Lavelle School for the Blind

Lighthouse International

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

National Association for the Visually Handicapped

New York Institute for Special Education

New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped

Vision Aware

Visions Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

 

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