Mr. Modem: Changing your Gmail identity and deleting messages
I know how to delete a Gmail message by pressing Shift + #, but not much else. (What is wrong with plain, old Delete?) I would like to edit the name that appears to recipients when I send email, but there is no Edit function for this on my Profile page. Can you help?
To delete a message, when viewing it, click the Trash icon to move the message to the Trash folder. From the Inbox, you can also click to select one or more messages, then click the Trash icon. After 30 days in the Trash folder, messages will be permanently deleted, unless you delete them from the Trash folder first.
To change your username in Gmail, click the little gear icon again and select Settings > Accounts tab. In the Send Mail As: section, locate the email address you would like to edit. Click Edit Info next to the address. In the Name: section, specify what you would like to appear in the From: field on recipients’ messages, then click Save Changes.
I am trying to receive some information and have been informed that in order to do this, my browser (Firefox) must have JavaScript and pop-ups enabled. I don’t know how to do this. Can you help?
Click Tools > Options > Content tab. You will see the items you mentioned that you can check to enable. The message you received probably asks you to disable (not enable) pop-up blocking in order to allow a pop-up required by the site, however.
Rather than remove the check mark beside “Block pop-up windows,” which would then allow pop-ups to appear on any and all websites, click the Exceptions button and add an exception by typing in the website address of the one site on which you want to permit pop-ups.
I have Windows 7. Can I download the Windows 8.1 upgrade for free?
Unfortunately, no. The Windows 8.1 upgrade is only free for those who already have Windows 8. It functions in the way a Service Pack would for previous versions of Windows. If you purchase a download of Windows 8 now, it will almost certainly be Version 8.1. If you do, however, purchase Windows 8, the upgrades to Windows 8.1 and subsequent updates will be free.
The best way to obtain Windows 8.1, however, remains via the purchase of a new computer with the operating system installed.
Mr. Modem publishes “Ask Mr. Modem!” each week, featuring PC tips, tricks and plain-English answers to your questions by email. For more information, visit www.MrModem.com.
Mr. Modem's Sites of the Week
MonkeySee
Free access to a large collection of professionally produced and user-generated how-to videos. Categories of videos range from Auto & Mechanical to Sports & Leisure. In the Beauty & Fashion section, I learned how to style my hair for the prom. Just my luck: 50 years and 250,000 follicles too late.
Ruined Photos
http://ruinedphotos.paulherron.com
A collection of photos that took an unfortunate turn just as the shutter was released. Sometimes it’s the result of the positioning of the subject(s), sometimes it’s somebody or something that wandered into the frame at the last second, or a less-than-civil gesture on the part of some inebriated guest. While some of the photos are hilarious, easily offended individuals would be well advised to avoid this site as some of the photos are a bit racy and thus potentially offensive.
Social Fixer
Social Fixer was created to help individuals regain control of their hideous Facebook feeds. The site’s FAQ will provide answers to most questions you may have. If you’re ready to take the plunge and give Social Fixer a try, you can either click the Download button and install from there, or you can click install on the main page. It’s available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and GreaseMonkey. It is not available for Internet Explorer at this time.
This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Mr. Modem: Changing your Gmail identity and deleting messages."