Gmail spam filter upgraded

Online Tip of the Week: Tabbed Browsing Techniques

With time, an increasing number of people using Firefox as well as the latest version of Internet Explorer (IE7) have come to realize that they have the ability to engage in what’s known as “tabbed browsing.”

Tabbed browsing allows you to keep any number of websites open — all within one browser window — eliminating the need to open new windows each time you wish to visit a site while keeping another site open.

With tabbed browsing, you can “tab” through all your open sites by clicking on the tabs running across the your browser (beneath your toolbars) by holding down the Ctrl key with your left thumb and tapping the Tab key.

I’ve noticed that when many web surfers wish to open a site in a new tab, they’ll right click a link and choose “Open in New Tab” from the menu that pops up.

This is great, and it makes me happy to find more people taking advantage of tabbed to improve their online experiences.

However, my tip for today offers an alternative way to open links in new tabs.

Some people prefer right clicking, but I often find that holding down the Ctrl key and then simply clicking a link (left-clicking now, not right-clicking, mind you) to be a technique that’s even faster and easier.

Online Tool of the Week: New Gmail Option

I have a hunch that at some point or another, most Gmail users have logged into their accounts only to discover important e-mails incorrectly marked as spam. Boooo!

Thankfully, Gmail acknowledged this issue and the related growing frustration of Gmail users by recently releasing a new feature within Gmail. Perhaps you’ve noticed it?

If not, no worries. Next time you log into Gmail, create a filter that matches the e-mail address(es) you want to keep from being marked as spam (an example would be from:timeforcake.com) and make sure the little box next to “Never send it to Spam” is checked.

Hit “Create Filter” and you’ll never need to worry about e-mails from that domain getting caught in your Gmail spam filter again.

Grab Bag: Five Random Links of the Week

• http://tinyurl.com/285xqr — Learn how to compare and determine the differences between two versions of a Word document.

• www.eatpes.com — A great collection of fantastically creative stop motion videos made by a company called Pes. I highly, highly recommend the Fireworks, Western Spaghetti, and for all those of you who grew up playing Atari, you absolutely *must* see Game Over.

• http://tinyurl.com/37wcba and http://tinyurl.com/5b4p3a — Have you heard about Rule 240? You may wish to be aware of it in case you’re ever stranded at an airport.

• www.fabulousstationery.com — A completely personalized line of creative notecards. Choose the design, color scheme, and text that you’re looking for.

• www.otterbox.com — Keep your iPods, Blackberries, phones, and other precious technology pieces safe with cases from Fort Collins-based Otterbox.

And that’s it for today, everyone. Have a great week, and see ya next Monday.

Based in Frisco, eRin pheiL is the primary creative force behind timeforcake.

Learn more about her Colorado website design company at www.timeforcake.com or contact her via e-mail at info@timeforcake.com.