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The Timbercrest Technology Users' Group (TUG) is a group of residents that meets regularly to share technology information and help Timbercrest residents solve problems with their computers, printers, tablets, smart phones, electronic book readers, etc.The TUG Planning Team facilitates TUG meetings and maintains this website.
To visit our informational web pages please click on the blue underlined text shown below.
We welcome your comments and suggestions for other topics to add.See the current Timberline Calendar for a schedule of TUG Meetings
TUG Tips:
Below are topics that have been discussed at TUG meetings. Most of the links are to handouts in PDF format. This format can be opened in Adobe's Acrobat Reader which is available as a free download at https://get.adobe.com/reader/. These PDF files may printed. Some contain links to other useful websites. Many TUG Tips are also demonstrated at the meeting.
Timbercrest Recycling Guidelines
In March 2018, a group of Timbercrest residents formed a Recycling Committee which created guidelines for residents to use when recycling items. This includes procedures to follow and also a listing of acceptable and non-acceptable items. They created the handout which you can see by clicking on the link below.
Timbercrest_Recycling_Guidelines.pdf
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Senior Financial Exploitation
This document was prepared by Merrill Lynch for caregivers of seniors. It describes several different situations where scams often aimed at seniors, although these also can affect anyone.
Senior Financial Exploitation.pdf
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Microsoft Windows Defender
Windows 10 and 11 include the Defender anti-virus program for protecting from virus programs infecting your computer. This document contains information about Defender and also about some other commercial anti-virus programs for purchase.
Microsoft Windows Defender.pdf
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Scam and Spam Examples
Scam/Spam messages can come through e-mail and text messages. This document contains several examples of these received by residents. It also includes a legitimate e-mail from the Social Security Administration about this topic with links to helpful resources provided by the SSA.
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Thunderbird E-mail Client
Thunderbird is a free, open-source e-mail client and is part of the Mozilla family of applications. It is available in dozens of languages and can be run on Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac operating systems. It is easy to use, can be customized, and includes many features. The Thunderbird website is: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/. Click on the document link below for information provided during our TUG meeting.
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Helpful Websites
There are many ways to obtain helpful information for your computer. One such resource are websites designed to inform and help computer users about current issues and warnings. An example is the Kim Komando website. She also creates weekly radio advice broadcasts and provides other resources. Click on the link below for information about her advice and a link to her website.
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Voice Assistants
Voice assistants are getting more powerful all the time. The links here are for information about Android Voice Access Commands and Google Assistant. Click on the link to retrieve the information.
Android Voice Access Commands.pdf
How to use Google Assistant.pdf
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Cyber Safety Tips from Norton
Safety when transacting business online is very important. Click on the handout below for 6 Safety Tips from Norton Security.
Norton Holiday Tips for Cyber Safety.pdf
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E-mail Attachments
E-mail can be used to interchange files on the Internet. The most common files transferred are documents and photos, although other types of files can also be transferred. Click on the handout below which describes how to insert and retrieve e-mail attachments in both client and web e-mail systems.
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Uses for old cell phones
Old smart phones that no longer can be used to make calls still have many useful features. Click on the handout below for a list of these uses.
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Windows 11 Desktop Icons and Options
An introduction to the Windows 11 interface including icons and other features. Click on the handout linked to below.
Windows 11 Desktop Icons and Options.pdf
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Timbercrest YouTube Channel
Timbercrest's YouTube channel contains many videos of programs held in the Chapel after the start of the COVID pandemic. The Timbercrest Senior Living Community YouTube channel can be viewed by following the instructions in the handout linked to below.
TC YouTube channel directions.pdf
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MetroNet Devices
MetroNet provides Timbercrest residents with both TV service and high-speed Internet connectivity through their fiber optic technology. This document identifies several MetroNet devices with photos and also a diagram explaining the buttons on the remote control.
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Facebook's Privacy Checkup module
Facebook provides a module which makes it easier to manage a number of privacy and security settings. The module guides you through these settings. The steps to do this are explained in this document. Click on the link below.
FacebookPrivacyCheckup Handout.pdf
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Connecting to the MetroNet router
How to connect to Timbercrest's MetroNet WiFi router is explained in this document. Click on the link below.
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Windows Voice Recognition Assistant
In Windows 10, Cortana is a search assistant that helps users perform searches on the computer and the Internet. However, a user cannot speak voice commands until voice activation settings are turned on for voice commands are turned on for Cortana. Click on the links below to go to Diane Wichern's handouts on using Cortana.
How to enable voice activation in Cortana.Cortana_1_voice_activation.pdf
How do I get Cortana on my search bar?
Cortana_2.pdf
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Copying Photographs from a Smart Phone to a Computer
Below you will find a link to a handout that Gary Heisler has created to help cell phone users understand the steps to transfer a photograph from a smart phone to a personal computer. Clicking on the blue text link below, will take you to a PDF file which you can print.
photos_from phone_to_PC.pdf--------------------------------------------------
Using Google Maps
Below you will find a link to the handout that Gary Heisler distributed along with his presentation on using Google Maps software. Clicking on the blue text link below, will take you to a PDF file which you can print.
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Keyboard Short Cuts
How to use keyboard short cuts. The following links are to PDF files so you can print them.
Keyboard Shortcuts in Table Form
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Resizing Text, Photos, and Screen Size
Useful Hints for Resizing Text, Photos, and Screen Size
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Cut and Paste/Copy and Paste
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Free Online Courses
Have you thought about taking taking a class at Manchester University but haven't gotten around to it? Why not try a free course online?
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Using Taskmanager to Exit from Scam Pop-ups
How to remove Tech Support Scam Pop-ups that don't allow them to be closed.
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Websites Recommended by Timbercrest Residents
This web page contains links to websites that Timbercrest residents have recommended as websites that they have found to be useful, interesting or informative.
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Internet Searching Techniques
For an introduction to browsers and internet searches click on the link below.
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How to Test Your Internet Connection Speed
Explains how to use the website speedtest.net to test your Internet connection speeds and what the results are telling you.
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Editing Photos with the Photo App in Windows
With the invention of digital cameras and cell phone cameras, software has been developed to let us modify our pictures in many ways. For example changing the size, cropping, or making them lighter. Windows includes a Photo App which makes editing pictures fairly simple.
Click on the link below for a PDF file which introduces this app.
Photo Editing with the Windows 10 Photo App
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Using the File Explorer in Windows
For an introduction to file management click on the link below.
You can also download the File Management page as a PDF file which will let you view the information and also print it if you want to.
Click here for the PDF version.
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Tips for Printing
Helpful tips for printing documents.
Useful Links
Sources for help with your Computer
Using a Stylus with E-books and Touch Screens
E-books