Tranquility will never ask for your username or password, because we already know them. Some of our users have received such emails and replied with their username and password.  If you send your information to these scammers they may be able to log into YOUR email and send out excessive amounts of mail. This puts your account and the accounts of other Tnetmail users at risk and slows down the mail delivery process for all.

Give your account the ability.

1. Click on the wheel button in the upper right corner of your window. In the drop-down window, select Settings.
2. From the menu across the top of the page, select Labs.
3. Scroll down and find the Create a Document lab. Enable it.
4. Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes.

 Start converting emails.

1. Open the email you would like to change to a document. Click the More button in the menu across the top. In the drop down menu, select Create a document.
2. Your new document will open in another tab and will be saved in your Google documents. To download the document to your computer, remain in edit mode for the document, click File in the menu across the top. From the drop-down menu, select Download as and select the format you would like to download.

]]> http://www.tranquility.net/2012/04/turn-your-email-into-a-document/feed/ 0 http://www.tranquility.net/2012/04/how-googles-new-privacy-policy-impacts-users/ http://www.tranquility.net/2012/04/how-googles-new-privacy-policy-impacts-users/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:20:47 +0000 mayecreate http://www.tranquility.net/?p=2171

Google’s new privacy policy has been in effect for over a month now, but there’s still some confusion surrounding the changes. In summary, all information will now be centralized for each user into a single profile. Before the new policy, each Google service-from Gmail to Google Scholar-had it’s own privacy terms.

Google provides a page describing and listing their new terms and policies on their website. To get a better understanding of how these changes affect users, though, it is important to look at both the benefits of the new policy and the harms.

The not-so-bright side

The announcement of Google’s new policy sparked an onset of concern from some users about how the changes would affect their privacy while using the Internet. Google stated that it will not be collecting any new information. It will simply be combining the information it already collects to get a more complete knowledge of who each user is.

Those who are worried about their privacy should have been worried a long time ago. Even before the changes, Google collected data from your usage, information and the location from the device you are using, the personal information you provide and all of your browsing information.

If you are concerned about your privacy, there are a few steps you can take to prevent Google from collecting your information:

• Don’t log in to your Google account. That way, Google won’t be able to connect your browsing information with your profile. You’ll be incognito.
• Edit your profile to reveal or remove any personal information you do or don’t want connected to your online image.
• Avoid Google Chrome as a web browser. You can download Mozilla Firefox or a number of other web browsers.
  If you continue using Chrome, you can avoid some data collection if you don’t use it to remember or save your passwords. You can also delete your browser history in Chrome.
• Use a different search engine, like Bing or Yahoo.
• Set your browser to block all cookies. This may make some of Google’s services less functional, but it will prevent your browser from collecting and storing details about your use of different websites.
• When using Gmail Chat, set your conversation to go off the record so Google won’t store your chat history. To do so, click on “Actions” at the top right of your chat window and select “Go off the record” in the drop-down menu.
• Make use of Google’s privacy tools. They make it easy.
• Shun all Google services. Good luck, though, and don’t forget that Google also owns YouTube, Picasa, Blogger and Android.

The bright side

Google is being even clearer about their new policies than before. By combining most of their old terms and policies into one, they make it easier for users to find information, read through all of that information and use Google’s services in a manner that they find safe. Furthermore, Google has stated that it will not sell user information to outsiders.

The user will benefit from this information sharing with ads more targeted to his or her interests, a closer relation between the Google and YouTube search histories and more clarity about the programs he or she is using. Google has also said that the changes will create a more integrated experience while using their services.

Or perhaps just the resourceful. You can use the Canned Responses feature in Gmail or Tnetmail to send pre-composed emails to similar inquiries. So if you’re tired of typing up the same email for the millionth time or don’t want to go copy/paste it yet again, pay attention. Tranquility found an easy solution:

1. Click on the wheel symbol in the upper right corner of your screen. A drop down menu will appear. Choose Settings.
2. In the menu across the top of the screen, choose Labs.
3. Scroll down the list of labs and find the lab titled Canned Responses. Click Enable, scroll down to the bottom of the list of labs and click Save Changes.
4. After you are redirected to your inbox, click the Compose button on the left side of your screen.
5. In your composition window, enter a subject line and type up the message that you would like to turn into a canned response. Then, under the subject line, locate the words Canned responses. Click, and a drop down menu will appear. Choose New Canned Response.
6. In the pop-up screen, you can choose a new name for your canned response or let it remain as the subject line. Click OK.
7. To use the canned response, compose a new email or response email, click on Canned responses under the subject line bar and insert your preferred response.

You want even more “resources”?

Your use of Canned Responses could end here, but where’s the fun in that? To gain the most use out of the the Canned Responses feature, you can set up filters to send your Canned Responses automatically. That’s right, Tnetmail or Gmail can send your email for you. And it takes less steps to set up a filter than the actual canned response.

1. Return to your Settings menu. In the menu across the top, choose Filters.
2. In the center of your screen, click on Create a new filter. A form will drop down from your search bar. Fill out the search fields with information common to the emails in which you would like to send your new canned response. In the bottom right of the form, click Create filter with this search.
3. The form beneath your search bar will change so you can select what actions are performed on the filtered emails. Check the box with the words Send canned response. Then, choose the canned response you would like to send to the filtered emails from the expandable menu below. Click Create filter.

To access more features like Canned Responses, contact Tranquility and set up a Tnetmail account. We offer support with our email accounts, so you can be extra lazy.

Springpad.

One part virtual notebook, one part personal assistant, Springpad helps you remember stuff today so you can make better decisions tomorrow. – CNN

Because Springpad is made of Internet codes instead of paper, it’s a lot smarter than your average notebook. With this online notebook, you can look up and save movies you want to watch, people you need to contact, products you need to add to your shopping list, etc. You can e-mail information to your Springpad account, make task lists, create sticky notes, and set up alerts among other organizing actions. Springpad is an Internet resource, but you can download the iPhone, iPad, or Android app to make your life more mobile. If you want, you can even share your notes with others…just not junior high style.

CardMunch.

This mobile app for iOS from LinkedIn converts paper business cards into digital contacts…A must-have for conference-goers and business trippers. – CNN

Whether you are an avid LinkedIn user or not, you can find a use for this handy little smart phone app. With CardMunch, you can avoid a wallet-full of business cards by taking a photo of each card with. When you take a photo, the contact information will be added to your phone, and you will be directed to their LinkedIn account where you can find connections you have in common.

Pinterest.

Described as a virtual pinboard. Pinterest lets you organize and share your passions in a visual way like no other. – CNN

If you haven’t yet encountered Pinterest, don’t expect this to be the last time you hear about it. This is another organizer-happy web resource which is gaining popularity with extreme momentum. You can avoid the finger-pricking involved with real tack boards by pinning photos that link to web pages onto your virtual pinboard. Many people use Pinterest to bookmark products they like or DIYs they want to try, but its possibilities span as wide as the Internet. You can even use it to market your business.

LogMeIn.

This service provides anytime, anywhere remote access to your PC or Mac via your iPhone or iPad. – CNN

 

Much like the TV remote wedged between your couch cushions, this iPhone or iPad application can help you control your virtual life without leaving your seat. LogMeIn allows you full accessibility to your PC or Mac, including the desktop, files, and applications. It can be used for business or fun, because you can connect from any location.

All of these resources and applications can help you access the digital world. If you don’t have reliable Internet access, though, you’re going to have a little (or maybe a lot) of trouble connecting. Contact Tranquility, and we’ll get you connected with residential or business Internet service.

There are a few tell-tale signs that can automatically tip you off to a shifty or sketchy website:

• There may be no contact information,
• The site might be asking you for unusual personal information,
• Or the website may have a list of beautiful testimonies with no information on how to submit one yourself.

If one of these indicators or some other hint tips you off to a scam website, you can become more certain about it by inspecting the domain or using some of the tools provided by your web browser.

Check the domain

The first step to staying safe on the web is understanding Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), or the address of a website.

http://www.tranquility.net/2012/02/avoid-shifty-sketchy-websites/

The above website is an example of a URL after it has been broken down into its various components:

• The orange portion, www.tranquility.net, is the website to which you are connecting. You can identify the website as anything before the first single slash (indicated above by /).
• The red portion, blog/2012/02/avoid-shifty-sketchy-websites/, indicates a page that exists on that website. In this example, you would be directed to the blog page of Tranquility.Net.

Website scammers often try to trick you into thinking you are going to a safe, secure website by creating deceiving URLs. There are four key ways that people falsify websites:

1. They can create a page with the title of the website to which you are trying to connect. An example of this would be http://www.evilexample.com/tranquility.net. Notice that the text www.evilexample.com is located before the first single slash. This means you are connecting to the EvilExample.com website instead of the Tranquility.Net website you intended.
2. The web reads URLs from right to left. Some scammers create websites like http://www.tranquility.net———-evilexample.com/.  This URL directs you to EvilExample.com. Tranquility.Net is only a sub-domain or nickname of EvilExample.com.
3. If you are logged into an account or sending personal data, you should see https:// (rather than http://) at the beginning of the URL. This is important when you are shopping online, using social media, using your email account, etc. If you don’t see https://, it means the data you are sending from your computer to the website is unencrypted and other people can access it.
4. Watch for typos. Sometimes, scammers will use typo-squatting (or cybersquatting) to direct you to a false site. For example, if you are trying to connect to www.tranquility.net, a scammer may use the URLs www.tranquiilty.net, www.tranguility.net, or www.traquility.net.

Listen to your web browser

Regardless of whether you are using Firefox or Internet Explorer, your Internet browser has some helpful tools for identifying sketchy websites:

• Both Firefox and Internet Explorer highlight the the website domain when its URL is entered into the location bar. This will help you identify false websites if a scammer has tried to deceive you with one of the URL tricks explained above.
• When using Internet Explorer, a Padlock will appear if your connection to the website is encrypted. An encrypted connection is essential if you are logged into an account or sending important data over the web. It ensures that others cannot access that information while it is being sent to the website.
• Similarly, Firefox has a Site Identity Button that shows up in the location bar, to the left of the web address. It will either be grey, blue or green.

If it is grey, there is no identity information for the site, and the connection to the website is either unencrypted or partially encrypted. Don’t send personal information, but you can still use the site if you aren’t giving it your data.

If it is blue, there is basic identity information, the connection is encrypted, and the people running the sight bought a certificate proving they own the domain. Most sites will appear blue or grey.

If it is green, there is complete identity information, the connection is encrypted, and you can be sure the people running the domain are who they say they are. Green sites are the safest.

Using these methods is important to protect yourself from information theft, hacking or viruses. For more information on staying safe while browsing the web, view our blog posts about how to Keep your banking info safe or Protecting your computer from viruses!.

ADSL

ADSL provides Internet connection over the phone line without crowding out your phone services like dial-up used to. Consider ADSL if:

• You don’t want to give up your voice services…and never will! You simply love your telephone that mu ch. Or you have other services that wi ll not function without voice services, including fax machines, vending machines, monitored alarms, dial security cameras, digital pay TV, EFTPOS machines for processing payments or back to base VPN dialers.
• You want to graduate from dial-up (finally).ADSL splits your phone line into two different channels. This lets you use the phone and the Internet at the same time. Dial-up is less expe nsive, but it’s slower and less convenient.

Naked DSL

If you no longer have a need for voice services, then it may be time to go naked. Naked DSL provides connection over the phone lines, but no phone services are provided (except 911). Consider Naked DSL if:

• You have a phone line, but no longer need voice services. Naked DSL operates on your old phone line, but voice services are no longer available. This type of DSL is perfect for residential locations looking to get rid of their home phone.
• You want to save some money. When you switch to naked DSL, you stop paying the monthly rental fee on your phone line. Because you are just using the line for Internet, not voice services, you’re wallet will feel a little heavier every month.
• You’re in the right location. Our service area for naked DSL is expanding, but can’t be accessed everywhere. Fill out our services e-mail form to see if you’re in the right location.

Flex Wireless Broadband

Flex Wireless Broadband is the newest wireless Internet service provided by Tranquility. It transmits the Internet over the airwaves. You read that right, the airwaves. Consider Flex Wireless Broadband if:

• You don’t yet have a phone line, and would rather not get one. Perhaps you’re new to the area. Maybe you have commitment issues. Either way, Flex Wireless Broadband allows you some flexibility if you decide to relocate within Columbia or don’t want to invest in the phone line associate with regular DSL.
• You want more bang for your buck. And you want that buck to be smaller. With Flex Wireless Broadband, you won’t need cable or a phone line to access the Internet. That means less bills and more money in the bank.
• You’re a mover and shaker, but mostly a mover. If your days lead you all over Columbia or Ashland, Flex Wireless Broadband will travel with you. Go ahead and frolic in the park with your electronic device of choice. We know you want to, and you can access the Internet while you do so.
• You’re in the right location. Unfortunately, Flex Wireless Broadband can’t be accessed everywhere. We currently have three towers in Columbia and Ashland. Look at our service map or fill out our services e-mail form to see if you’re in the right location.

Firefox: Transfer your Bookmarks

1. Open the Firefox browser on your old computer.
2. Click on the “Bookmarks” tab in the top, right corner of the browser.
3. In the scroll-down menu, select “Show all Bookmarks.”
4. A new window will appear. Click the “Import and Backup” button.
5. From the scroll-down menu, select “Backup.”
6. In the new window, “Save” the JSON file to a location of your choosing.
7. Transfer the JSON file to your new computer, using a CD, a flash drive or the Internet.
8. Open the Firefox browser on your new computer.
9. Click on the “Bookmarks” tab again.
10. In the scroll-down menu, select “Show all Bookmarks.”
11. Click the “Import and Backup” button in the new window.
12. This time, select “Restore” from the scroll-down menu.
13. From the expanded menu, click “Choose File.”
14. Locate the JSON file you transferred to the new computer, and click “Open.”
15. Click “OK,” and the bookmarks on your new computer will be replaced by the bookmarks on your old computer.

Internet Explorer: Transfer your Favorites

1. Open the Internet Explorer browser on your old computer.
2. Click on the “Favorites” button in the top, left corner of the browser.
3. Click the down arrow next to the “Add to Favorites” button.
4. A drop down menu will appear. Click “Import and Export.”
5. In the new window, select “Export to a file,” and click “Next.”
6. Then, select “Favorites” and click “Next” again.
7. To transfer all of your favorites, click “Next” again. Otherwise, choose the favorites you would like to transfer to your new computer.
8. Click “Browse” to select a location in which to save your favorites. Once you have chosen a location in the pop-up window, click “Save.”
9. Click “Export” and then “Finish” when you return to the previous window.
10. Transfer the HTML file to the other computer, using a CD, a flash drive or the Internet.
11. Open Internet Explorer on your new computer.
12. Click on the “Favorites” button again.
13. Click the down arrow next to the “Add to Favorites” button.
14. Click “Import and Export.”
15. In the new window, select “Import from a file.” Then, click “Next.”
16. Select “Favorites” and click “Next.”
17. Click “Browse” in the next prompt and locate the HTML file you transferred to the new computer. Once you have selected it, click “Open.”
18. When you return to the previous window, click “Next.”
19. Click “Import” after you select a location in which to transfer your favorites.
20. Click “Finish,” and the favorites from your old computer will appear on your new computer.

Our goals for the new site are:

• A streamlined help section, allowing you to search for answers and find them faster
• Video tutorials to replace the older step by step versions
• A cleaner, sleeker look
• Easier to understand service listings
• More prominent reminders about our awesome blog topics

We’ll keep you up-to-date on our progress.  We hope to launch our new site in January!

Trick 1: Preview your emails

The first and easiest way to make your Tnetmail or Gmail account look more like Outlook is by activating the email preview option.

1. Click on “Settings” in the upper, right corner or your window.
2. Then, click “Labs” in the menu across the top.
3. Find the lab entitled “Preview Pane”, and check “Enable.”
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the lab options and click “Save Changes.”
5. Your Tnetmail or Gmail account will then take you to your inbox, where you will see a new button in the upper, right corner of your window (next to the settings wheel). When you click on the button, you can choose either a “Vertical Split” or “Horizontal Split” to make your inbox better resemble Outlook.

Trick 2: Create a calendar panel

To make your Tnetmail or Gmail look even more like home, you can add a calendar panel to the side of your account.

1. Again, find the “Labs” option under “Settings”.
2. Enable the “Google Calendar gadget” lab and save your changes.
3. If your calendar panel doesn’t show up immediately on the left side of your screen, then look down at the bottom, left corner of your window. Next to the chat symbol, you will see three dots. Click on the dots, and your calendar will appear.
4. If you want a miniature view of the full calendar above the events, click on “Options” below the panel and check “Show mini calendar”.

Trick 3: Change your shortcuts

The last trick for modifying your Tnetmail or Gmail is changing the shortcuts.

1. Again, start out by going to “Settings” and “Labs”.
   

2. Select “Custom keyboard shortcuts” from the list of labs, and enable it. Save your cha nges.
3. You will be directed to your inbox, but go back to settings. This time, though, select “Keyboard Shortcuts” from the menu across the top.
4. From there, you can switch out the Tnetmail or Gmail shortcuts with your own. Just don’t forget to save your changes again when you are done.