Recover a Deleted Google Calendar Event

It happens now and then, you accidentally delete a Google Calendar Event.  Yikes!

There are two ways to get it back.

If you catch it right away, there is a dialog at the top of the screen that includes an "Undo" link.  But this link isn't available after a few seconds after you delete the event.

The next option will work up to 30 days after the event has been deleted.

• On the left of the screen, look for the calendar from which the event was deleted from.
• Click on the box with a triangle in it to the right of the calendar.
• Look for "Trash" and click on that.
• Now locate the event and click on the box to the left of it.
• Next click on the box at the bottom of the page that says "Restore selected events."

It's so nice to know there is an "undo" available.

Activate the Android Power Strip

An important feature in Android is its built-in power tune-up widget. Here, you're able to quickly disconnect all the phone's battery-destroying features, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the Great Batter Killer that is GPS.

To install it, long-press on the screen and choose widgets.  Look for "Power Tune-Up" and choose a widget to add to your apps.  Once installed, you will have quick access to some important power settings.

Now you can block senders in Gmail from Android!

Gmail and Android users, Gmail just made it easy to block senders from your Android device or from the web.

From your Android device, while viewing the email from the unwanted sender, tap on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner.  You will now tap on "Block....."  When this sender is blocked, all messages from that email will now be sent to your spam folder.  You always have the option to "unblock" later.

An Amazing Tool: IFTTT

Have you heard of If This Then That (IFTTT)?  This app connects apps together, so they work best for you.  Visit the IFTTT site and sign up for an account.  Next, connect some of your apps, Gmail, Evernote, SMS (yes, texting on your phone), Facebook, etc.

When it comes to using this service, the possibilities are endless, but here are a few examples:

• Get a text every night of what tomorrow's weather will be.
• Track the time & your location in a spreadsheet.
• Automatically text someone when you are headed home.
• Have blog posts automatically emailed to you.
• When you post a photo to Instagram, have it automatically sent to Dropbox.

For just about any action you wish to automate that includes any app supported by IFTTT, you can find a recipe for.  Because there are so many possibilities, a Google search will give you so many more ideas.

Tax Calculator

Figuring out sales tax on the fly is not fun.  It can be easier with an app like the Sales Tax Calculator Free.  Download it on your phone, put in the tax rate, then you're all set.

When you're ready to use it, type in the price and it gives you the tax amount and total with tax.

This is a great app to have on-hand!

Hangouts Has It's Own Website

Google recently introduced a new space for Hangouts on the web.  If you access Hangouts from your computer, the new site is pretty nifty, providing you with all your Google contacts and options for getting in contact with them.

If you're like me, you get your text messages through the Hangout app on your phone.  Accessing the website allows you to send SMS through your computer and not even have to touch your phone.  Check it out:  hangouts.google.com

What's The Weather Forecast?

Having a weather report with just one click is pretty handy! "Weather", a Chrome extension gives you a simple forecast with just one click. The data comes from Forecast.io, a trusted weather site that proves accurate.  You can find the Weather extension in the Chrome Web Store.

Are You Using Google Now?

Have you tried using Google Now?  It's a nifty service that can help you navigate, give quick information such as weather and scores, and so much more.  You find it on your Android (or iPhone), say, "Okay Google", then ask it whatever you need.

You can set reminders for just about anything, search for whatever information you need, research so many topics, and a whole lot more.  It's one of those apps that you have to use and explore and make it work best for you.  Give Google Now a try!

Hangouts Gets Upgraded

Have you noticed your Hangouts App looks a little different?  It's been upgraded and has a completely new look.

Now, the process of adding an attachment has been simplified and sharing photos, emojis, and location happens directly from the chat box.  No more sending one photo at a time, you can now send multiple photos at once.

My favorite new feature is sending stickers.  You get to them by clicking the Sticker Icon between the photo and location icons in the text box.

Windows Safety

How can you keep your computer safe if you walk away from it?  Here are some steps you can take:

• Enable and use a lock screen.  You can set up your computer to lock after a set period of time, or manually with pressing Win+L.
• Keep your machine in a safe place.  Lock the room you keep your computer in, if possible and don't leave it unattended in public places.  You can also get a physical lock for it.
• Secure your Wi-Fi.  Wi-Fi is an easy way for neighbors or passersby to gain access to your data.  

It might be something you never thought about, but keeping your data secure starts with keeping your computer safe and non-accessible to others.

How Clean Is Your System?

You may not even think about it, but as you surf the internet on your computer, you pick up things that can slow your computer down.  A quick, easy way to optimize you system is to download a program called Ccleaner, you can download it here for free.

Ccleaner has been around for a long time and is trusted by millions.  You can expect a slightly faster computer, fewer errors & crashes, and a quicker start-up.

Should You Upgrade to Windows 10?

Windows 10 is coming this month and everyone who is currently running Windows 7 or higher is offered Windows 10 for free.  Should you upgrade?

I found this article at Make Use Of that gives excellent reasons to upgrade.

I already have my machines ready to upgrade.  Do you?

Read Email Receipt

Sometimes you would like to know when the recipient reads the email you send.  In Google Apps, PB&J Water has a feature set where you can know when someone opens the email.

Google Account Check-Up

It seems the big companies (Google, Facebook, etc.) update their privacy policies often.  They also change their account and privacy settings just as often.  Every now and then, it's a good idea to check the settings.  It only takes a few minutes to look everything over.

Which Music Apps Do You Use?

Listening to music while you work is such a blessing.  These days there are so many options to get music through your computer or your device.  Here are some great choices!

Photo Back-Up with Google Photos

A few weeks ago, I suggested using Flickr to back-up the photos on your Android device.  I still think Flickr is a great service and with  1 TB of storage, it's hard to beat!

Recently, Google has announced Google Photos and Google's offer is a tad bit better.

Voicemail Through Email

Here, at PB&J Water, we get all voicemail messages copied to our Management Team's email.  Occasionally, one of these messages will be forwarded to an employee so he or she can listen to the message and take care of the customer.

Bothered By Notifications On Android?

If you're like me, you don't want to be notified of every little thing on your Android phone.  In addition to being annoying, constant notifications can drain your phone's battery.  To turn off notifications:

2 Tips To Organizing Chrome Bookmarks Bar

When you are browsing the internet in the Chrome browser and you find something you want to bookmark, most likely, you will add sites to your bookmarks bar and before long everything is a cluttered mess.

Google Chrome - Pin Tabs

Do you know you can pin your tabs in Google Chrome?  What this does is "lock" tabs to the browser and they appear each time you open up Chrome, and they stay on the left side.