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Mac Finder & Cloud Storage Class Summary 6.11.2026

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Mac Finder & Cloud Storage Class Summary 6.11.2026 Last Week's Recap Covered decluttering, stacks, creating/moving folders, changing views, font size, thumbnails, and sorting Color coding, moving items to Trash, multi-select with Shift (range) or Command (individual) Aliases/Shortcuts : A link to an original file; deleting an alias does not delete the original; identified by a small black arrow on the icon Finder: Path Bar & Go Menu Path Bar : Shows file hierarchy at the bottom of the Finder window; enabled via View > Show Path Bar Displays the full folder path of any selected file Files can be dragged directly from the Path Bar to move them to a new location Go Menu : Lists all main locations on the Mac (Recents, Home, Desktop, Downloads, Documents, etc.) Recents is useful for locating recently opened files regardless of where they were saved Home Folder Structure The Home folder (named after the user, shown with a house icon) contains all main ...

Digital Decluttering Class Summary 6.4.2026

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Digital Decluttering Class Summary 6.4.2026 Files and Folders Basics Files are individual documents; folders are containers used to organize files  Folders can contain both files and other folders for hierarchical organization   Desktop clutter is common issue when files accumulate without organization Using Stacks on Mac Stacks feature automatically groups desktop files by type Access via View menu > Use Stacks  Groups include Screenshots, Documents, PDFs, Images Click on stack to expand and view all files within  Creating New Folders On Mac: File > New Folder or Control + Click > New Folder On PC: Right-click > New > Folder  Folders can be renamed by clicking on name, then clicking again to edit Shortcut: Command + N can also create new folder  Moving and Organizing Files Move files by clicking, holding, and dragging to destination folder Folder highlights when arrow hovers over it indicating drop zone  Can mov...

Apple Watch Features and Customization Class 5.28.2026

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Apple Watch Features and Customization Class Watch Accessories and Protection Screen protectors available in plastic film or glass varieties to prevent scratching Glass protectors recommended for better tactile feel and protection Installation straightforward with included step-by-step directions and mounting tools Screen protectors inexpensive relative to watch replacement cost Metal watch bands can corrode in water; plastic/silicone bands better for swimming and water activities Changing bands simple using release button on back of watch Apple Watch screens exposed and prone to cracking, especially older models Finding Your Watch Model Navigate to Settings > General > About to find model information and model number Model number ensures correct accessory compatibility when shopping Important to specify exact model when purchasing bands or cases, especially for larger Ultra model Customizing Watch Faces Watch face displays when picking up watch and provides qui...

Apple Watch Setup Tutorial 5/21/2026

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Apple Watch Setup Tutorial Overview Jason demonstrated the complete setup process for a new Apple Watch Ultra, walking through unboxing, pairing, and initial configuration. The session covered basic features, customization options, and troubleshooting tips, with participants who already own Apple Watches sharing their experiences. Device Selection and Purchase Considerations Jason chose the Apple Watch Ultra because it has waterproof capabilities down to 130 feet for scuba diving Participants can compare different Apple Watch models on the Apple website to determine which best suits their needs The Ultra is the most expensive model but offers premium features including cellular capability Key differences between models include water resistance ratings (water resistant vs waterproof) and battery life Initial Setup Process Turn on the watch by pressing the button The watch automatically detects a nearby iPhone and prompts to begin pairing Phone must be updated to latest ...

Apple Watch Research and Selection Class 5/14/26

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Apple Watch Research and Selection Class Research Methods for Choosing an Apple Watch Multiple research approaches were discussed for evaluating Apple Watch options Gemini AI : Can ask simple questions like "I want an Apple Watch. Which one should I get?" and receive recommendations for Series 9 (most people), Ultra (best durability), and SE (best on budget) with comparison charts Google Search : Now shows ads first (a recent change due to advertiser complaints), followed by AI overview, then traditional search results Sponsored results appear at the top of Google searches, which are paid placements and can be expensive Reddit was mentioned as a community messaging platform where users post questions and receive user-generated responses Apple.com : Offers detailed comparison tools to compare multiple watch models side-by-side, including older models like Series 6 versus Series 11 Current Apple Watch Models and Key Differences Three current models are available: Se...

System Maintenance and Apple Watch Overview 5.7.26

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System Maintenance and Apple Watch Overview Operating System Updates vs Upgrades Updates are changes to the current system, typically security enhancements or bug fixes Upgrades involve moving to a completely new operating system with potential design changes, new features, and functionality improvements Most updates and upgrades cannot be rolled back once installed The instructor's philosophy: "If it's not broken right now, why fix it" — be cautious about upgrading unless necessary Checking Your Operating System On Mac : Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac to see current OS version The instructor is currently on macOS Sequoia (15.7), one version behind the newest Tahoe release On Windows : Windows stopped supporting systems older than Windows 11 as of late last year Users with older systems must upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new computers to receive security updates On iPhone/iPad : Go to Settings > General > Software Update How to...

Technology Class Session Summary 4.30.2026

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  Technology Class Session Summary AI Tools and Recommendations Download AI engines directly ( Gemini , ChatGPT , Claude ) rather than third-party AI apps with subscriptions All major AI engines (Gemini, ChatGPT/OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek ) offer free versions DeepSeek provides inline citations/references showing source websites, allowing users to verify information Safari Autofill Settings To change autofill address: Go to Safari Settings > Autofill Autofill can pull from " My Card " in Contacts or from manually entered information To set up "My Card": Create new contact with your information, then go to Card menu > "Make this my card" Important: Always separate first name and last name in contacts for proper alphabetical sorting Safari autofill also supports Google passwords, 1Password , and other password manager extensions Managing Contacts and Lists "My Card" appears at top of contacts with a unique circle/profile picture ico...

Smartphone Search, Settings and AI Tools Class 4.16.2026

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 Smartphone Search, Settings and AI Tools Class 4.16.2026 Class Resources and Schedule Class notes and AI-generated images available at sfct.net Class schedule shows April focus on searching topics Previous week covered family history research Today's Focus: Searching on Mobile Devices Session focused on searching using smartphones rather than computers, as most people spend more time on their phones Covered Google and AI searching capabilities on mobile devices Explored various apps and settings to improve mobile search experience Siri Search Capabilities and Settings Basic Siri Functions Siri can be activated by voice ("Hey Siri") or side button Good for quick facts, weather, conversions, and calculations Can perform tasks like adding calendar events, making calls, and sending texts Answers disappear quickly with no way to extend display time Key Siri Settings (accessed via Settings > Siri) Language selection available "Talk to Siri...

Genealogy Research Tools and Resources 4.9.26

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Genealogy Research Tools and Resources This session focused on using various tools and resources for family history research, with particular emphasis on AI-assisted research , online databases, and physical archives. The instructor demonstrated practical approaches to genealogy research and shared personal examples of document discovery. AI Tools for Genealogy Research AI can serve as a research assistant or librarian, helping navigate genealogy research through natural conversation and follow-up questions Particularly useful for discovering resources and getting guidance on where to find specific types of records (e.g., Canadian naturalization documents ) AI can help interpret historical documents by explaining terminology and providing historical context (e.g., explaining what the Chinese Six Companies were) Important caveat : AI can generate incorrect information by linking unrelated facts together, so results must be verified Ancestry.com Offers both free and paid vers...