Hello there and welcome to our monthly feature of all kinds of tips.
We at the business desk are pleased to bring you our monthly feature of a plethora of tips that cover a wide range of topics.
All of our tips are designed to help you save time, cut down on your research, and help you get ahead.
So go ahead and read on.
This week we bring you our monthly tips.
It’s what we do for a living! We help you to help yourself!
Enjoy!
From the business desk team at https://www.sterlingcreations.com.
Follow us on Twitter @accessibleworld
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The new look for 2025
Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!
Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
5. Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
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From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips for learning ThunderBird
Sure, if you’re referring to Mozilla Thunderbird, the popular open-source email client, here are ten tips to help you get the most out of it:
1.
Explore the Setup Wizard:
Thunderbird has a setup wizard that guides you through configuring your email accounts.
Make sure to follow it to get your accounts up and running smoothly.
2.
Customize Your Interface:
Take advantage of Thunderbird’s customizable interface.
You can arrange your toolbars, choose different themes, and adjust the layout to suit your preferences.
3.
Use Add-ons and Extensions:
Thunderbird supports a wide range of add-ons and extensions that can enhance functionality.
Explore the Thunderbird Add-ons website to find tools for productivity, security, and more.
4.
Organize with Folders and Tags:
Keep your emails organized by creating custom folders and using tags.
This can help you categorize and find important messages quickly.
5.
Set Up Filters and Rules:
Automate your email management by setting up filters and rules.
For instance, you can automatically move emails from certain senders into specific folders or tag them based on content.
6.
Enable Message Encryption:
For secure communications, set up email encryption using OpenPGP or S/MIME.
This will help protect the contents of your emails from unauthorized access.
7.
Utilize the Search Function:
Thunderbird’s search functionality is robust. Use it to quickly locate emails by keywords, sender, date, or other criteria.
8.
Master Keyboard Shortcuts:
Learning Thunderbird’s keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your email management.
For example, `Ctrl+N` creates a new email, and `Ctrl+Shift+M` opens the write window.
9.
Regularly Backup Your Profile:
Thunderbird stores your emails, settings, and address book in a profile folder. Regularly back up this folder to prevent data loss.
10.
Stay Updated:
Thunderbird is frequently updated with new features and security patches. Make sure to keep your installation up-to-date to benefit from the latest improvements and fixes.
These tips should help you get comfortable with Thunderbird and make the most of its features.
To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)
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Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
What makes for an accessible cab
In my lifetime I have had the pleasure of being in so many different cabs. Some large and roomy, some small but comfortable, and some not so accessible or friendly.
Whatever it is, an accessible cab is always a pleasure to be in and I am going to list just a few nice to haves that will make a cab accessible, warm, welcoming, and friendly.
* The cab driver is friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
He does not need to be talkative and chatty. Just the above.
* Cabs are comfortable and clean.
* The cab driver knows the destination of your trip.
* The cab driver is helpful when guiding you in and out of their cab.
* The cab driver is skilled at dealing with traffic especially in rush hour.
Of course, there are many other things that I can add but this is a good start.
I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.
On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
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February 2024
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.
Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) Valuable tips about how to use various oils when cooking and baking:
A good virgin olive oil is a regular go to for cooking and especially salad dressings.
Use for cooking on low to medium heat.
Peanut oil is great for higher heat,
frying and stir-frying but should be used in moderation.
Not for people with nut allergies.
Some baking requires oil, such as muffins,
but you want a lighter oil for that such as canola oil.
Sesame oil is used in moderation for Chinese and Asian cooking.
The general go to is olive oil.
It is heart healthy.
2) About prescriptions:
A good tip is to throw them out about six months after they expire.
However, you need to make sure that you know the date of expiration.
3) Looking to have the dishes on your dish rack dry faster?
Wash and rinse in hot water.
4) A soothing remedy for itchy skin?
Wash gently with a cotton ball or piece of cotton dipped in Witch Hazel!
5) And here is something of note for drinking glasses.
You need to clean them regularly.
Clean with a damp cloth.
Because if you don’t, they can dry rot.
6) Some important info about ants.
They enter your home in order to seek food and shelter.
To keep them out then;
Seal your food stuffs and plug your crevices.
Ants love sweet stuff.
You may want to use honey pots to keep them out.
7) Scientists found these facts about only children.
They get higher grades.
In fact, the more siblings a child has, the harder it is for them to make good grades.
Say researchers, “As family size increases, parents talk less to each child
about school, have lower educational expectations, save less for college,
and have fewer educational materials available.”
but have no fear! By fifth grade, researchers find that only children’s social skills have developed so well that they’re on par with their peers.
They struggle in kindergarten. Well, struggle socially anyway!
Only children may show signs of having greater language perception and processing skills.
8) Some yearend terms from the Oxford dictionary
* Anosmia — the loss of the sense of smell, either total or in part
Many people who contracted Covid-19 have suffered from anosmia.
* Riz — “,” a shortened form of “charisma,”
The Gen Z slang term derived from “charisma”
This term went viral this year after the actor Tom Holland claimed to have none.
* Swiftie. A term used for a pop fan of Taylor Swift.
* “beige flag” a characteristic suggesting a partner is boring),
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From the scam watchers
3 Common Scams to Watch Out for in February
February might be a short month, but it’s packed with opportunities for scammers to target unsuspecting victims. As winter drags on and people focus on their New Year’s resolutions, fraudsters are busy crafting new schemes. Here are three common scams to watch out for this February:
1.
Valentine’s Day Scams
Love is in the air, but so are scammers. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, beware of fake romance scams. Fraudsters often create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, luring individuals into emotional relationships to eventually ask for money. Be cautious of anyone who seems overly eager or requests financial help early in your interactions. Remember, if something feels off, it’s worth investigating further.
2.
Tax Season Phishing
As tax season kicks off, scammers ramp up their efforts to steal your personal information. Watch out for phishing emails or texts claiming to be from the IRS or tax preparation services, asking for your social security number or bank details. Official tax communications will never ask for sensitive information via email or text. Always verify the authenticity of any correspondence by contacting the organization directly using official channels.
3.
Winter Weather-Related Scams
February often brings harsh winter weather, and scammers take advantage of this by offering fraudulent home repair services or emergency assistance. Be wary of unsolicited offers for snow removal, roof repairs, or heating system fixes. Always research contractors thoroughly, check reviews, and get multiple quotes before agreeing to any service. Scammers might also exploit winter weather-related charity appeals, so ensure any donations go to legitimate organizations by verifying their credentials.
Stay vigilant and informed to keep these scams at bay. If you encounter suspicious activity, report it to the appropriate authorities to help protect others from falling victim.
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Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
Get to know your slow-cooker
Slow-cookers, we have found, vary considerably in temperature level and many of the newer ones cook at a much higher temperature, greatly affecting the speed at which food cooks.
Plan to try a new slow-cooker, or a new slow-cooker recipe, on a day you will be around to keep an eye on what’s happening. Observe how the time the food takes to cook jibes with the cooking time in a recipe. Don’t keep lifting the lid to look inside, as every time you lift the lid you add 20 minutes to the cooking time. Do this a couple of times and you will have a much better idea of how your slow-cooker functions.
Some foods, large pieces of meat for example, may be fine if cooked at too high a temperature for too long. Others may end up dry. Slow-cookers are wonderful time savers, but you do need to learn to live with the one you have.
KEEP IN MIND:
* The cooker should be at least half full and no more than three quarters full.
* Don’t be tempted to add more liquid than called for. While slow-cookers need some liquid, foods give up quite a bit as they cook and too much extra liquid dilutes the flavor. A possible exception: one of the newer slow-cookers that cooks at a higher temperature; you may find you need to add more liquid to prevent the food from drying out.
* There is no need to stir or turn food, and because it cooks evenly, it won’t stick or burn.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711
