“HTD Tech Tip” collection
Solve common technical frustrations with quick, actionable “Tech Tips” and expert software workarounds. This series provides fast solutions for optimizing your devices and resolving minor technical glitches in seconds.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →May 4, 2012
How To Create a “Work” Menu Like Office 2004/2008 in Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac
While I truly like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac (you can see my review of it here on the Microsoft Office for Mac Blog), there are some folks who have complained about a feature being removed from previous versions, specifically, the “Work” menu that was present in previous versions of Word in Office for Mac (2004 & 2008). Personally, I…
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April 24, 2012
Get Those Cleaning Supplies Out & Roll Up Your Sleeves – How to Clean Your Digital Home!
It's Springtime! Leaves are appearing on the trees, the sun is starting to gain dominance over the rain, and my eyes are teary, not only from the pollen in the air, but also from the fact that I need to start doing my spring cleaning around the house! It's time to put away the winter clothes, coats and blankets, throw…
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April 23, 2012
How To Fix Adobe Fireworks Hanging After Launch on MacOS
Adobe Fireworks is the lifeblood of many web developers, artists and bloggers so when it stops running, I envision all of these groups running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Recently, I ran into an issue where when I launched Fireworks, it would run through the splash screen, loading extensions and the like but then hang, once it…
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April 17, 2012
10 Ways Brands Can Work More Effectively with Top-Tier Bloggers
Bloggers are not second class citizens. At least not all of them. I do have to draw a bit of a line here between those "bloggers" who simply post sales, coupons, contents and giveaways, and those who produce content in the form of reviews, how-to articles, social commentary, experiences, analysis and the like. In my mind, there is a clear…
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March 6, 2012
How Internet Security Savvy Are You?
If you have read any of my articles in the past, I find it extremely important to use technology as a tool to better your life. Some of those "tools" are for entertainment, and others are for security and safety of yourself and your family. Entertainment is obviously fun, as it should be, but security and safety is not as…
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February 1, 2012
If Your Laptop is Jealous of your Ultrabook, Give it a Hybrid SSD from Seagate – the Momentus XT
I have an Ultrabook and a MacBook Air and my non-SSD traditional laptop is getting jealous. It told me that it wants to be more like them, faster booting up and able to launch applications more quickly. "Why can't I be like those super slim laptops you are always using?" it always asks me. Obviously there is no way for…
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January 31, 2012
A Cloud For All Seasons – Picking the Right Cloud
Cloud computing can be very confusing. It can be abstractly discussed but also detailed to intricate levels. A few years ago, part of the reason why people weren't adopting cloud computing was because they simply didn't understand it and what it could do for them. And, a few years ago, the technology and services were relatively new and not as…
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January 23, 2012
iOS 5 Tip: Using Siri As A Spell Checker and Spelling Assistant – Spelling Test Results!
For a few months now, I have been using the iPhone 4S and enjoying the wonders of Siri. There have been literally thousands of posts on tips and tricks that you can do with Siri (and I'm sure the one that I'm about to mention has been covered in some form or another). For those of you hiding under an…
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January 10, 2012
Video: How To Wrap a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro MagSafe Power Adapter the NEW Way
I have been in search of a really good way to wrap up my MagSafe power adapter for both my MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The reason being, if you simply wrap them up the "conventional" way, you run the risk of fraying the connections which increases the risks of electrical shocks or shorting out your power adapters. And to…
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November 29, 2011
How To Configure Location-Based Reminders on the iPhone with iOS5
I kept hearing about how with iOS 5, you could set up Reminders that would trigger when you arrived or left a particular location. It's a pretty neat concept. You can program in an address, like your work, and set up a series of to-dos that magically remind you when you are geographically near that location. Or perhaps, you are…
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October 13, 2011
iOS 5 Tip: How To Activate the Camera Button on the Lock Screen on your iPhone
With iOS 5 for the iPhone launching yesterday, there are a flurry of new features that are coming to light. There has been plenty of coverage of these but I thought that I would pick a couple that are particularly cool or helpful and briefly discuss them. One of these is the camera button on the lock screen. Of all of…
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August 22, 2011
How To Easily Remove, Replace & Install an Apple iPhone 4 Battery
I have done quite a few installs and hardware replacements in my time, but never have I found an easier project than to replace the battery of an iPhone 4. As with many of my previous iPhones, I tend to blow through the batteries pretty quickly. Some of the signs that you have an aging battery are: battery drains faster…
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