Productivity
Remove the Background from a Picture in Word
How to Remove the Background from a Picture in Microsoft Word by howtogeek.com
Every so often, you might want to remove the background from an image in your Word document, leaving a transparent area instead. You could turn to a full-featured image editor, but you can also do this right within Microsoft Word. Here’s how.
– Grammarly, an online grammar checking too
Grammarly Review: Is Grammarly Worth All The Hype? by bloggingocean.com
Do you make a lot of grammatical and punctuation errors? Don't worry; you are not the only one to face this problem.
Grammarly, an online grammar checking tool, claims to make writing a lot easier by proofreading your content in real time as you type. Off late, it is gaining a lot of popularity and is being used and recommended by many people.
Grammarly – Advanced grammar and spell checker for iPad and Mac by michaelkummer.com
Grammarly is an advanced grammar and spell checker for iOS and the Mac. It helps me to write better copy at work and in my capacity as a blogger. If you write as much as I do, I would highly recommend to check it out.
Tired of Pasted Text Messing Up Your Formatting? Try This
Tired of Pasted Text Messing Up Your Formatting? Try This by howtogeek.com
You paste text into a document and for some dumb reason the formatting comes with. Gah! Here’s how to stop that.
Pasting text without formatting is possible on both Windows and macOS, assuming you know the correct keyboard shortcuts—typically Ctrl-Shift-V on Windows and Command-Option-V on macOS.
How to log in to multiple Gmail accounts at once
How to log in to multiple Gmail accounts at once by digitaltrends.com
Have you found yourself rapidly accumulating Gmail accounts? Between work, school, and any personal or spam accounts you may have created, it’s completely reasonable to have three (or more) Google accounts that need to be checked regularly.
It can be annoying (not to mention time-consuming) to log in and out of each of your accounts every time you want to use them. Luckily, Google makes it easy to log in to multiple Gmail accounts at once and quickly switch between them on your phone and computer. Here’s how to make use of Google’s multiple sign-in feature.
Customize Swipe Gestures on Mail, Gmail, and Inbox
How to Customize Swipe Gestures on Mail, Gmail, and Inbox by lifehacker.com
To be honest, I’m not sure what different swipes do on your favorite email app, because every app is a little bit different. And it’s possible that you don’t like how your favorite email app handles swiping. Maybe you’d rather delete messages than archive them; maybe you just like swiping in one direction over another.
Windows 10’s Backup and Recovery Tools
How to Use All of Windows 10’s Backup and Recovery Tools by howtogeek.com
Windows 10 includes several different types of backup and recovery tools. And we’re going to take a look at all of them.
Sometimes, bad things happen to good computers. Fortunately, Windows includes a number of tools you can use to make sure your files are properly backed up and to recover your computer should you need to. On the backup side of things, File History is the…
Google Translate’s Offline Mode Just Got a Lot Better
Google Translate's Offline Mode Just Got a Lot Better by lifehacker.com
Google Translate is an app that’s been critical to my success when traveling in other countries. When you don’t speak the language (or don’t speak the language well) somewhere you’re traveling, being able to quickly look something up, or speak into the phone to create a translation you can use to chat with that guy on the street can be a lifesaver.
How to Use Windows 10’s Hidden Video Editor
How to Use Windows 10’s Hidden Video Editor by howtogeek.com
Windows 10 has a hidden video editor that works a bit like Windows Movie Maker or Apple iMovie. You can use it to trim videos or create your own home movies and slideshows. You can even have it create videos automatically.
Extensity – Enabling and Disabling All Your Extensions for Google Chrome
Chrome extension that allows you to enable and disable all of your extensions within Google Chrome. Ideal tool to efficiently manage your Chrome extensions.
Tired of having too many extensions in your toolbar? Try Extensity, the ultimate tool for lightning-fast enabling and disabling all your extensions for Google Chrome. Just enable the extension when you want to use it, and disable when you want to get rid of it for a little while. You can also launch Chrome Apps right from the list.
- Keep your browser fast – disable extensions that you won't use right away.
- Keep your toolbar clean
- An ideal companion for extensions collectors.
- Turn all extensions off (and back on) with a single click.
- Quick switch between several extensions groups using the Profiles feature.
- Keep computers in sync with Chrome Cloud Storage support.
Resize Photos In Windows, Mac & Chromebook
Image Resizer Online Is a Fast Image Resizer
Image Resizer Online does all image resizing in the browser, so you do not need to upload any photos to the server to resize the pictures. Not uploading also allows you to keep your photographs secure as all the images stay on your computer at all times as well as using no bandwidth for sending copies to a server which also makes Image Resizer Online very fast. Or visit: https://imageresizer.online/
Installing the Chrome Extension lets you use the tool with a Chromebook.
Or visit the Web Site to use the tool online directly: https://imageresizer.online/
About
Image Resizer Online was created for a simple reason, to make resizing images online as simple, secure and fast as possible. Image Resizer Online does all the image resizing in the browser which means that your pictures stay on your computer at all times, they never get sent to a server to be processed like many other services.
Image Resizer Online is actively being worked on to improve functionality and user experience. We want to make image resizing and conversion as fast and as simple as possible.
Why use Image Resizer Online
- Works with Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.
- Pixel or percentage based image resizing
- Image Resizer Online can convert images to JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and WebP (Chrome only)
- Image Resizer Online can compress JPG and WebP images.
- Very fast. Because Image Resizer Online runs in your browser, it's extremely fast.
- Batch image processing. Image Resizer Online can batch process images which means that you can select multiple photos and process them all together.
Need more features check out TinyPNG.
Why use TinyPNG?
PNG is useful because it’s the only widely supported format that can store partially transparent images. The format uses compression, but the files can still be large. Use TinyPNG to shrink images for your apps and sites. It will use less bandwidth and load faster.
Make Fake Email Accounts for Website Signups
Make Fake Email Accounts for Website Signups Using the 'Burner Emails' Extension by lifehacker.com
Chrome and Firefox: There are plenty of reasons you might not want to give out your real email address when signing up for a site or service. Maybe you’re really big on privacy; or, more likely, you just hate spam, and figure the fewer places that know your real email address, the better.
This Savings-account Hack Will Give You Almost 20 Times What You’re Earning Now
This Savings-account Hack Will Give You Almost 20 Times What You’re Earning Now by marketwatch.com
The world is awash with cash, but you don’t seem to be getting any of it from your bank account.
Banks pay almost nothing for deposits these days — the average savings account gives customers 0.09% a year, according to Bankrate. That means you’d earn $9 a year on an account worth $10,000.
Why People Don’t Pick Up The Phone Anymore
Why People Don’t Pick Up The Phone Anymore by howtogeek.com
Remember running to the phone to make sure you didn’t miss a call? Yeah, no one does that anymore.
One reason is the sheer number of options people have for getting in touch with you: texting, messaging apps, even email. Calling someone for a quick question just isn’t done anymore.
How to Use PayPal via Google Pay on YouTube, Gmail, and Google Play
How to Use PayPal via Google Pay on YouTube, Gmail, and Google Play by lifehacker.com
You can already use your PayPal account to make purchases through Google Pay. Now, Google and PayPal are extending their partnership to allow you to use your PayPal account to pay for things across the Google ecosystem, including Gmail, YouTube, and the Google Store. Better yet, if you link your PayPal account to Google Pay, you won’t have to keep signing in to PayPal every time you want to make a transaction.
For $250, laptops don’t get better than this
For $250, laptops don't get better than this by laptops.reviewed.com
Ah, Chromebooks. They may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'll continue to praise them for as long as I walk this mortal plane. I mean, what's not to love? They're secure, affordable, and durable. The only complaint I ever have is that they're plain-looking. Well, that's not the case with the Acer Chromebook 11
Google I/O 2018 – Duplex: A.I. Assistant
Google just gave a stunning demo of Assistant making an actual phone call by theverge.com
Onstage at I/O 2018, Google showed off a jaw-dropping new capability of Google Assistant: in the not too distant future, it’s going to make phone calls on your behalf. CEO Sundar Pichai played back a phone call recording that he said was placed by the Assistant to a hair salon. The voice sounded incredibly natural; the person on the other end had no idea they were talking to a digital AI helper. Google Assistant even dropped in a super casual “mmhmmm” early in the conversation.
The Best Chrome Extensions for Productivity
The Best Chrome Extensions for Productivity by lifehacker.com
It will come as no surprise that, as the editor of a website devoted to productivity, I’m obsessive about refining the details of my tech life to be certain every element is helping me get the job done. While I have software that I swear
Google Sheets Features You Should Know
5 Google Sheets Features You Should Know by howtogeek.com
You’re probably familiar with the basics of Google Sheets, but Google’s spreadsheet offering boasts loads of features that aren’t obvious at first glance. Here are some of our favorites.
How to Insert a Checkbox in Google Sheets
How to Insert a Checkbox in Google Sheets by makeuseof.com
Why is the humble checklist such a powerful tool? Well, it helps you keep track of anything—step-by-step or even as a random to-do list. Also, it is so simple to create. If you love checklists, then you will like the news that it is just as easy to insert a checkbox (or a “tick box”) in Google Sheets.
Podcast Clients for Android
The Best Podcast Clients for Android by howtogeek.com
There’s no shortage of podcast apps in the Play Store, so finding a good one can be a challenge—especially if you’re shelling out a few bucks for it. Here are a few deserving of your attention. And dollars.
Seven Android Gestures You May Not Know About
Seven Android Gestures You May Not Know About by How-To-Geek
Gestures make using your phone faster and more efficient—but only if you know the gestures in the first place. Here’s a collection of some of the best ones for Android that you may not already be using.
Clean Up Your Overwhelmed Gmail Inbox
How to Clean Up Your Overwhelmed Gmail Inbox (by Hand) by lifehacker.com
There comes a time when enough is, quite simply, enough. I had been putting off the task of organizing my sprawling Gmail inbox for months, if not years. But when Lifehacker told me that we were going to have a Spring Cleaning week, I knew it was time. And I wasn’t going to waste precious hours trying to find apps or tools to do the task…
Protonmail – Encrypted Email Service
Protonmail Adds Shorter Pm.me Domain to Its Encrypted Email Service by Venturebeat
ProtonMail, the Swiss email provider that promises privacy via full client-side encryption, has launched a pithier email domain option for its millions of users around…
ProtonMail brings encrypted contacts to its mobile email app by Engadget
ProtonMail's encrypted contacts are now readily available beyond the web — the company has updated its Android and iOS email apps to add the privacy-minded…
Chrome/Firefox Extension of the Week: Grammarly
Chrome/Firefox Extension of the Week: Grammarly by Lifehacker
Even if you’re the next Stephen King or George R. R. Martin—and if you’re the latter, please try to write faster—everyone needs a helping hand with writing. That’s why the world has editors, and copy editors, grammar coaches, ten million books on writing, and most importantly, browser extensions that can help you better your craft.
Let’s face it; you might be a pretty good writer, but self-editing your work can be an agonizing process. While the Chrome and Firefox extension Grammarly can’t…
View (and Monitor) Your Credit Report For Free
How to View (and Monitor) Your Credit Report For Free by howtogeek
If you keep a regular eye on your credit report, you’ll notice when identity thieves open accounts in your name and when errors are listed that might cause you problems in the future. Here’s how to do it for free.
US law entitles you to a free yearly credit report directly from each agency, but you’ll have to go…
Look Better On Conference Calls and Streaming Video
4 Ways to Look Better On Conference Calls and Streaming Video by reviewgeek.com
Whether you have to video conference call for work or you’re film YouTube videos for fun (and profit?) we increasingly find ourselves in front of the camera. Just because you’re in front of the camera though, doesn’t mean you have to look like a hot mess. We’ve got four tips to get you looking sharp.
Google’s Project Fi Is the Best Cellphone Plan You’re Not Using
Google’s Project Fi Is the Best Cellphone Plan You’re Not Using by The Daily Dot
Project Fi is an alternative to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile that refunds you for unused data.
Google has a solution for everyone who is tired of seeing astronomical cell phone bills at the end of each month. Launched in 2015, Project Fi is an alternative wireless carrier to AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. It uses three different mobile networks for service in remote areas and asks users to only pay for data they use.
Noosfeer – One-click Saving of Any Page
Noosfeer Is a Content Reader and Aggregator.
Using Noosfeer you'll have clean articles and personalized recommendations without annoying ads. They load 10x faster, they use 20x lesst mobile data and you can read them offline on any device.
Each time you stumble upon a page you want to read but don't have the time, add it to your reading list. Stop accumulating 'to-read' tabs and links, have them in one beautiful place.
Browser Plug-ins for
- Chrome Extension – Chrome Reading List offered by noosfeer.com
- Firefox
- Safari
When you find something on the web that you want to read later, put it in Noosfeer. It automatically syncs to your phone, tablet or computer so you can view it at any time, even without an internet connection and without downloading an app.
Phone and Tablet Apps
- Noosfeer – Android Apps on Google Play
- WebApp for iOS
Web articles are over saturated. Lots of annoying ads, slow connections and heavy websites hold us back from staying informed. – Noosfeer simplifies your reading. Use Noosfeer to have simplified articles loading faster, consuming less memory and accessible offline. – And keeps you informed. Create a reading list with your favorite topics and articles. Noosfeer provides suggestions, so you can stay up-to-date and expand your knowledge.
- How to start using Noosfeer in iPhone, iPad, & iPod Touch
- 3 simple steps to create a Reading List in Chrome by Medium.com
Information overload is slowly killing our productivity and our capacity to stay informed.
A reading list is the best tool to read more and be productive. It is like a to-do list filled with the articles you want to read when you have the time (whilst commuting, on the toilet, eating breakfast…).
Windows 10’s Redstone 4 Update, March 1018
What’s Coming in Windows 10’s Redstone 4 Update, Available March 2018 by How-To Geek
Microsoft is hard at work on Windows 10’s next update, codenamed “Redstone 4”. This is Windows 10 version “1803”, which means it will likely launch sometime in March 2018.
This article contains features that have arrived through Insider Preview version 17083, which was released on January 24, 2018.
See What Mail You Have Coming Before It Arrives
How to See What Packages and Mail You Have Coming Before It Arrives by howtogeek.com
The United States Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx all offer online dashboards where you can see exactly what packages (and letters, in the case of the US Postal Service) are scheduled to arrive at your address. They’ll even email and send you text message notifications so you can stay on top of things.
Digitally preview your mail and manage your packages scheduled to arrive soon! Informed Delivery allows you to view greyscale images of the exterior, address side of letter-sized mailpieces and track packages in one convenient location.*
* Images are only provided for letter-sized mailpieces that are processed through USPS' automated equipment
No need to take time off work, change plans or stay home for a package anymore. UPS My Choice® lets you decide how, where and when home deliveries occur to fit your schedule. Get estimated arrival and progress alerts. Sign for a package in advance. Set vacation holds, change a delivery address or hold at a UPS location. Whether online or by mobile, UPS My Choice makes it easy to put your plans ahead of the package.
FedEx Delivery Manager®. Customize deliveries
Receive alerts whenever a FedEx®package is sent to you. Sign up and see FedEx packages coming your way, including things you buy online. View arrival dates and take more control of delivery options. Don't miss another delivery!
Request to hold packages for pickup at a FedEx location, Walgreens and more. Use our Hold at Location option to pick up or redirect to a convenient location.
Sign for a package. Authorize your delivery online and avoid having to schedule a redelivery.
Why Is My Internet So Slow
Why Is My Internet So Slow? by howtogeek.com
There are many reasons your Internet connection might appear slow. It could be a problem with your modem or router, Wi-Fi signal, signal strength on your cable line, devices on your network saturating your bandwidth, or even a slow DNS server. These troubleshooting steps will help you pin down the cause.
Copy and Paste on a Chromebook
How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook the Fast Way by Digital Trends
New to Chromebooks? Learn how to copy and paste on a Chromebook for images, text, web pages and more content. When you first fire up…
How To Print From a Chromebook
How To Print From a Chromebook by Digital Trends
Can't figure out how to print from a Chromebook? You'll have to make sure it's connected to the right printer first, though. We'll walk you…
Gboard – Keyboard For Most Smartphones
Gboard Is the Best Keyboard For Most Smartphones by Wired
Whether on Android or iOS, you likely already use Google Maps for navigation. You use Gmail for email. You use YouTube to watch videos. And…
Apps and Tools for Chromebooks
The Best Apps and Tools for Chromebooks by Howtogeek
You have a shiny new Chromebook and you want to make the most of it. Good! Despite popular belief, Chromebooks are in fact excellent productivity…
Make Gmail More Productive With These Extensions
Make Gmail Even More Productive With These Extensions by makeuseof.com
If you use Gmail on the web, then adding handy browser extensions can save you time and boost your productivity. With notifiers, schedulers, trackers, signature creators, and similar tools, you can easily reduce the time you spend with your messages.
The Chromebook Has Arrived
The Chromebook Has Arrived: Switching From Mac, Windows Is Easy by forbes.com
I'm a Chrome OS convert. The Google Pixelbook made the conversion easy.
Here's the tl;dr: my Pixelbook runs everything I need. It runs Android apps, Google Docs (of course), Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneDrive, iCloud (yes, Chrome now can access iCloud photos online), my social networking apps, Firefox, Skype, imaging apps…
Set Up Your Own Home VPN Server
How to Set Up Your Own Home VPN Server by How-To-Geek
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are very useful, whether you’re traveling the world or just using public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop in your hometown. But you don’t necessarily have to pay for a VPN service—you could host your own VPN server at home.
Teamviewer 13: Ios Screen Sharing and More
Teamviewer 13: Ios Screen Sharing and More by ghacks.com
TeamViewer 13, the latest version of the secure remote desktop access and support application, comes with iOS screen sharing functionality and usability improvements.
TeamViewer GMBH launched a public beta of TeamViewer 13 on October 30, 2017. That version has now been promoted to final, and users from around the world can download the new version of the remote desktop software.
9 Gmail Hacks You Need to Know
9 Gmail Hacks You Need to Know Since They Will Basically Change Your Online Life by Hellogiggles.com
Whether we like it or not, so much of our life revolves around our email. Checking, replying, vigorously unsubscribing — emails are so needy. Which is why we should do the best we can to make the experience as pleasurable as possible. If you know some Gmail hacks, for example, you can really start to tackle your email problem, or at least get more of what you want from your inbox.
Google Drive Pc App Dies Next March
Prepare to Update, Because Google Drive Pc App Dies Next March by cnet
The Google Drive app for personal computers will stop working March 12, 2018. Its fuller-featured replacement, Backup and Sync, is available now.
If you're among the hundreds of millions of people using Google Driveto synchronize files across your PCs and phones, be warned: you've now got three months to install its replacement.
Google Home Hands-Free Calling
Hands, Er, Off with Google Home Hands-Free Calling by Thurrott.com
Google recently announced that hands-free phone calling had come to Google Home, it's Google Assistant-based smart speaker. I spent some time using it to place…
How to Use a Password Manager
How to Use a Password Manager by The Verge
If you're using the same password over and over and over again, it's about time you stop. Here's how you can start securing your accounts — it's a lot easier than you'd think.
Set Up Authy for Two-Factor Authentication
How to Set Up Authy for Two-Factor Authentication (and Sync Your Codes Between Devices) by How-To-Geek
Strong passwords are not enough anymore: we recommend using two-factor authentication whenever possible. Ideally, that means using an app that generates authentication codes on your phone or a physical hardware token. We prefer Authy when it comes to authentication apps—it’s compatible with all sites that use Google Authenticator, but is more powerful and convenient.
Start – a New Tab Page
How 'start – a New Tab Page' Turns Chrome Into an Igoogle Replacement by PcWorld
Start – A New Tab Page is an interesting Chrome extension for those who need more information in their browser.
Sure, it’s 2017, but if you miss the old days of iGoogle personalized homepages, there are a few Chrome extensions that can provide something similar on your new tab page. One of them is called “Start – A Better New Tab” from 64 Pixels.
Google Docs Users Hit With Phishing Attack
The Google-phish-that-was-also-a-
More on that Google-phish-and-worm saga, with some tips on what to do now, and how to avoid this sort of thing in the future.
Google Docs Users Hit With Sophisticated Phishing Attack by TheVerge
As detailed on Reddit, the attack sends targets an emailed invitation from someone they may know, … We encourage users to report phishing emails in Gmail.
Update: Google Doc phishing story takes some bizarre turns by Sophos.com
Since news began circulating last night of a phishing campaign parading around as Google Doc access links, the tale has taken strange twists and turns. A self-described graduate student claims he was behind the blast of emails, and that they were part of a test for a school project, not a phishing attack. But according to […]
Be sure to checkout the what to do, at the end of this article.
The question, after all this, is what users should do to protect themselves. If this were a cut-and-dry phishing attempt, our tips would be to:
Google Drive Guide
The Only Google Drive Guide You’ll Ever Need to Read by MakeUseOf
Google Drive is a fantastic resource for those who need free (or cheap) online storage space. It synchronizes beautifully with Google’s own suite of products, as well as several third-party services such as desktop email client Mailbird, productivity and organization software Evernote, and online communication tool Slack.
Crimp Your Own Custom Ethernet Cables
How to Crimp Your Own Custom Ethernet Cables of Any Length by How-To Geek
Have you ever needed a short Ethernet cable, but all the ones in your closet are six feet long? You could just wrap up the excess, but for a cleaner look, you can shorten the cable yourself. With the right materials, you can even make your own custom-length network cables.
Gmail Tip for Each Type of Email User
How to match the best Gmail tip for each type of email user by TechRepublic
Here are a few of the different types of email users I've encountered—along with the single tip I suggest you try for each type.
You can easily overwhelm people with lots of Gmail tips. But if you really want to change how a person uses email, study their habits and recommend just one technique to try.
Noosfeer – Save Webpages for Later Reading
Noosfeer is a content reader and aggregator.
Using Noosfeer you'll have clean articles and personalized recommendations without annoying ads. They load 10x faster, they use 20x lesst mobile data and you can read them offline on any device. Stay informed on the things that matter to you.
How to use Noosfeer?
Offline list
- Your selection of articles to read OFFLINE.
Suggestions
- Choose your favorite topics. Noosfeer gives smart suggestions, so you can stay up-to-date on the subjects you love.
Bookmarks
- The articles you bring from other sites. In Noosfeer you can read them with a beautiful (ads-free) design.
Read offline
- Open your offline list in any browser when you have an internet connection, wait between 10–20 seconds. Once it is synchronized, you can read without internet.
Browser Plug-ins for
Phone and Tablet Apps
Chrome Reading List by noosfeer.com
Each time you stumble upon a page you want to read but don't have the time, add it to your reading list.
Stop accumulating 'to-read' tabs and links, have them in one beautiful place. Note: You can synchronize it with your pocket account (getpocket.com). Noosfeer helps you come back to the articles you want to read and to improve your productivity. When you find something on the web that you want to read later, put it in Noosfeer. It automatically syncs to your phone, tablet or computer so you can view it at any time, even without an internet connection and without downloading an app.
Extension Features:
- One-click saving of any page
- Your last 5 added articles or suggestions
- If you are a heavy user of Pocket, Instapaper, Readability and/or Evernote,
Noosfeer can help you manage your articles to consume them in a small and manageable way.