After you tell your computer who’s the boss and nothing much happens, try these helpful , tips and tricks to help you search the Internet better and smarter.

below you will find information on fun techniques to find information fast on Google.

  1. Definitions - Pull up the definition of the word by typing define followed by the word you want the definition for. For example, typing: define bravura would display the definition of that word.

  2. Local search - Visit Google Local enter the area you want to search and the keyword of the place you want to find. For example, typing: restaurant at the above link would display local restaurants.

  3. Phone number lookup - Enter a full phone number with area code to display the name and address associated with that phone number.

  4. Find weather - Type weather followed by a zip code or city and state to display current weather conditions and forecasts for upcoming days.

  5. Track airline flight - Enter the airline and flight number to display the status of an airline flight and it's arrival time. For example, type: delta 123 to display this flight information if available.

  6. Track packages - Enter a UPS, FedEx or USPS tracking number to get a direct link to track your packages.

  7. Pages linked to you - See what other web pages are linking to your website or blog by typing link: followed by your URL. For example, typing link:http://www.wcplnc.org displays all pages linking to Warren County Memorial Library’s Web site.

  8. Find PDF results only - Add filetype: to your search to display results that only match a certain file type. For example, if you wanted to display PDF results only type: "dell xps" filetype:pdf -- this is a great way to find online manuals.

  9. Calculator - Use the Google Search engine as a calculator by typing a math problem in the search. For example, typing: 100 + 200 would display results as 300.

 10. Stocks - Quickly get to a stock quote price, chart, and related links by typing the stock symbol in Google. For example, typing: msft will display the stock information for Microsoft.

There are millions of free and open source projects available, many of them better than any commercially available product. Below is a short listing of what we think is the best out there, broken down into ten categories.

Anti-virus and malware protection

Most PC users realize that they need some type of protection on their computer or may have an installed anti-virus program from their computer manufacturer. What most don't realize is that there are free programs that are just as good and in some cases better than the commercial products. Below are our recommendations

Anti-virus program: Avast! or AVG

Malware / Spyware protection: Malwarebytes

Backup solutions

There are dozens of free and commercially available backup programs for computers. Unfortunately many of those backups are stored locally, meaning if your house were to catch fire, get robbed, or if you simply lost your backup discs all your data would be lost. This is why when dealing with important data we suggest users use online backup services.

Online backup solution: Mozy * or Dropbox

* Free 2GB of online backup for personal use

Browsers

Although Microsoft Internet Explorer comes pre-installed on Windows computers. There are several excellent free alternatives that everyone should try. These free alternatives can often be faster, have more options, and in many cases be more secure than Internet Explorer.

Internet Browser: Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome

Compression utility

When downloading files on the Internet you'll eventually encounter a .zip, .rar, or other compressed file. Dealing with these files can be easy with our below free file compression utility.

File compression utility: 7-zip

E-mail

E-mail is yet another service that can be done freely. Most users today use online e-mail solutions like the one listed below. However, for those still using an e-mail client such as Microsoft Outlook we strongly suggest one or both of the below suggestions.

Online e-mail: Gmail

Welcome to the WCML Computer Services.  Here you will find information about upcoming computer classes and training sessions.  The Warren County Memorial Library has twenty six free access computers that are available to all Warren County Residents with a library card.

Classes are free to all Warren County Public Library card-holders. Registration is required.

Introduction to the Computer or equivalent knowledge is required for all classes.

Registration for computer classes will close when the maximum of 8 seats have been filled. Please call early – classes fill up fast!

Please understand that classes provided by the WCML are designed to offer basic, library-resource instruction and in no way replace curriculum-centered or formal instruction.

To register for classes, call 252 257-4990

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/int ernet101

http://www.brooklynpubliclibra ry.org/feature/internet_tutorial/ page01.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/ abbeg/abbeg.shtml

http://www.typeonline.co.uk/le sson1.html

http://www.nimblefingers.com/

http://www.powertyping.com/q werty/lessonsq.html

http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/co mputerlab/tutorials/keyboard/ page1.html

http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/co mputerlab/tutorials/mouse/pa ge1.html

http://www.pbclibrary.org/mou sing/mousercise.htm

http://www.pbclibrary.org/mou sing/games.htm

Are you looking to learn more about the computer?  Visit these easy learning Web sites below.

The Web sites listed below are easy, and free to learn from.  All you need is a computer, an Internet connection and a few minutes a day . You can use your own computer or our free access Library computers. Each Web site listed below walks you through each stage of the learning process in easy to understand language.

Join Our

Computer Classes

Contact library staff for class schedules

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Evolution Design Concepts • Macon, NC

119 S. Front Street Warrenton NC 27589

Main: 252. 257. 4990   Fax: 252. 257. 4089