I often get emails or calls asking a computer question or just asking for someone's phone number.  Google and the public phone book has made look good as a resource.  Often I will type the question in as I'm being asked it and voila!

Learning to use search engines is a valuable tool

​1. Use a hyphen followed by the word that you want to eliminate from the results.More of a minus sign, the "-" syntax lets you skip those results which have the words mentioned after the hyphen.  

2. Use quotation marks to look for the exact phrase.
Do you ever look for a quote from Shakespeare and instead get results from websites that deal in cheesy love quotes? Using quotation marks will make your search more organised and show results in which the words appear in the exact order as you typed.

3.  Use “define:” to ask Google for a definition of a word instead of relevant articles.
The syntax saves you a lot of time, cuts out on all the noise, and serves you with the only thing that matters- the definition you are looking for.

This article was particularly helpful.

20 Google Search Tips to Use Google More Efficiently
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Adobe is a great product. Unfortunately, to change a PDF requires Adobe Pro, which is a bit spendy. There are a few options that are free, which allow you to edit or change a PDF. I haven't yet tried any of these options, although I've tried unsuccessfully using other things. 
I trust Cnet though, so some of these are no doubt a good start. 
​You can read the article HERE. 
One of the cool things about this article is that it shows how to edit PDFs on a Mac, a PC, an iPhone, and an Android. 
This still doesn't allow for full editing, but it does give some very useful options.

We make a lot of long driving trips.  Listening to a good book makes the miles fly by.  I have a plan with Audible which allows me to download books. For the most part I've picked out some good listens but every once in a while there is one that I just can't stay with.  I might not like the story or the narrator.  In the past I've just chalked it up but recently I discovered you can "return" an Audible book.

How to make returns/exchanges

1. Go to your Account Details page on the Audible desktop site. (click on the down arrow next to your name on the top of the home page)
2. Click Purchase History.
3. Click Return next to the book you want to return.
4. Select your reason for return, then click Return.

I returned a book and within minutes the credit was returned to my account and  I was able to "purchase" another book.

​Carol

This week's tech tip is about the social media site LinkedIn and our guest contributor is none other than Julie Bondy Roberts of Coming Alive Coaching and Brian's twin!

Why bother with LinkedIn?
As I wrote here, many people wish LinkedIn worked like a gumball machine: Post something and client immediately pings you to buy your product or service.
Nah. It usually doesn't work that way.
Is that why only one percent of LinkedIn users regularly share content? After reading that shockingly low statistic, I interviewed eight content contributors who share content frequently – those who post at least 2-3 times a week. 
I asked: Why is it worth investing time and energy on LinkedIn?
All of their answers made me see LinkedIn with new eyes. Maybe they’ll do the same for you. Here’s what they said:
(1)  You make it easier for prospects to find you
“Because people have found me on LinkedIn. Plus it’s increased my SEO for my website.
Think of it this way: Marketing is like a big balloon and you must blow it up to make it big. Most times there is not a direct line to a client – but by sharing content, I’ve made my balloon bigger and prospects see the balloon.
You have to fill up your balloon from numerous ways – LinkedIn is one of them; it’s a part of your marketing discipline.” Executive Coach Lynn Zettler
(2)  You get juicy ideas from other content contributors
“I quickly began to see the ROI – I was getting a return of my investment of time that’s quantifiable. I’m getting business as a result of being so active on LinkedIn.
Plus it’s so much fun – it’s a creative place for me. I do get ideas from other people I see - whether it’s a video – or a meme they’ve created with a testimonial with photo – an event ad, or blog post.” -- Investor Pitch Coach Cindy Skalicky
(3)  You turn strangers into friends who can become clients
“LinkedIn's helpful in building our brand. People will see me posting, then they’ll look at my profile – then, a week later, they’ll want to connect.
People are getting familiar with me through the platform. We’re not a stranger. We’re approachable & human. It feels comfortable for them to reach out to me.
I’m like a friend. During the school year, we had a Business Success Series. One woman who attended - she said, “I just love what you post on LI - I watch for what you’re posting [on Tuesdays].” -- Private office space franchise owner Kristina Monson
(4)  You prove you’re an expert, influencing others’ perception of you
“Showing up on LinkedIn has an impact on people’s perception of you.
When you post content – it helps others perceive you as an authority in your niche. I don’t think people realize the impact of posting content consistently. [When you do] you’re broadcasting – hey, I really know my stuff. You’re perceived as a thought leader.” -- Sr. IT Service Delivery Leader Phillip Riester
(5)      You're not just local - you can have an international impact
“What LinkedIn has done has essentially made my career.
[Even when I began posting content], I had referral clients coming in off of LinkedIn. Eventually, my consistent posting took me from being a local-only coach to really being an international coach. I’ve coached people in Switzerland, China, Australia, England, Greece, Dubai. I’ve worked with people all over the world.” YouMap ® Creator & 4-time Author Kristin Sherry
(6)   You grow a large network of appreciative Brand Ambassadors
“The first benefit of LinkedIn is the opportunity to grow a large, strong network. That’s the overarching goal on LinkedIn. Right now, I’m close to 20K followers – it’s a great outcome.
It’s the posting of content that draws people in, not hypy, salesy content. I provide useful information. [You’re valued] when people feel you’ve hit a nerve with something they’re worried about and need help on.” -- ATS-Compliant Executive Resume Writer & LinkedIn Expert Victoria Ipri
(7)   You support colleagues by spotlighting their great work, boosting their credibility
“Why can’t we help each other [on LinkedIn]?
I have a network full of solopreneurs – I like to market them too by sharing their content and shining the spotlight on them.
I say let’s celebrate each other’s expertise. When I share my colleague’s content – I’m not taking something away [from me], I’m holding them up.” -- Author, Speaker, Trainer & Coach Denola Burton
(8)  You can ditch formalities and bond faster because you see who you have in common
“It creates a quicker relatability because you see how we’re connected. It creates community. And helps ‘up your game’ a little bit. If you didn’t have the platform, it’d be harder to connect.
For example, I recently had dinner with several remote colleagues at an industry conference. One of the first things we did was use LinkedIn’s “Find Nearby” feature – to instantly connect. It was such a neat way to instantly bond: “Oh, so you know so and so, tell me more about their background!”
LinkedIn helps you be intentional with engaging.” Career & Executive Coach and Trainer Tricia Fox
Just like in real life, building relationships takes time and genuine engagement. Which of these benefits listed above would help your business grow? The right answer: All of them!
I say, don't wait another day to blow up your balloon. As Fox says, whatever your business mission, “LinkedIn makes it so much easier to make it happen.”
I'm Julie Bondy Roberts, MA, CCMC, Courage Sparker, LinkedIn Writer/Educator & Forbes Contributor. I lead LinkedIn Boot Camps for business owners and their teams who need a clear road map for "raising their balloon" on LinkedIn. To learn more, let's connect on LinkedIn or contact me at juliebondyroberts@gmail.com.

Shortcuts was an interesting movie, painful at times, but some great actors and acting. Huey Lewis was in it, and he’s in another great movie, also painful at times, Duets. Great music in Duets.

I use shortcuts every day I use a computer. Copy and paste are the most common by far. I found that you can push 2 windows to the sides so you can compare them, handy for spreadsheets, or whatever. Do that by using the Windows key plus the left or right arrow. That was something I learned just a couple years back.
There are shortcuts for cutting & pasting too, as well as printing, undoing things, seeing passwords, so many that I can’t remember all of them. That’s a whole ‘nother issue. Learning a new shortcut can really be handy so check out THIS.