Luke Hubbard

Did you know you can access Gmail even when you don’t have an Internet connection? Google Gears is a program that allows users to access applications such as Gmail while they are offline. Here’s Google’s official blog post on Offline Gmail.

Without an Internet connection, Gmail can’t access Google servers according to the official Google video on offline Gmail above. Google Gears allows Gmail to “store the information it needs to run all on your computer.”

Here are some simple instructions on how to get offline Gmail on your computer:
1. Click Settings in the top right of your Gmail
2. Click on Labs. (This may appear as a little beaker icon)
3. Choose “Enable” for Offline Gmail
4. Save changes
5. You should arrive back to your Gmail inbox. Select “Offline 0.1″ or “Offline 0.2″ in the top right.
6. Set-up for offline Gmail via Google Gears should begin. Follow the steps and I do recommend allowing Gears to place a shortcut icon on your desktop for easy access.

-Luke Hubbard

For anyone new to a blogging with Wordpress, using the widget function can be slightly confusing. I’ve had several friends figure out how to install Wordpress, upload a new theme, create blog posts, but not figure out how to work the widgets function. Here’s a short tutorial with a few tips…

1. Login to your wordpress account.

2. Click on “Widgets.” It’s under “Appearance” in the left navigation bar.

3. Look in the top right corner. This is where you can choose the location to put stuff on your homepage.

4. To add text (like exactly what you’re reading at this moment), then look on the left for “Text” and click “Add.”

5. Now, a blue bar appeared on the right. Click “edit” on this blue bar.

6. You have a blank box. Notice you can add a title if you want, or simply start writing in the main box. Either is fine.

7. To put text on other parts of your homepage… use the drop down menu in the top right again.

8. Notice you can add all kinds of cool stuff to your homepage like links, tag clouds, an RSS feed, or a search box.

Here’s the most important thing to remember: you absolutely must hit “save changes” on the right hand side for your widget to publish.

Wondering how to Blog? The easiest way to set up a blog is to use Wordpress. If you want to own your own domain (such as LukeHubbard.com), then you need to buy a hosting service and your customized URL. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry! Simply follow these easy steps, which I have divided into two parts, and you’ll be started in no time…

Part 1: How to Create a BlueVoda Account
1. Goto BlueVoda
2. Follow the steps to buy the hosting package you want. I recommend doing the annual billing so you wave the set-up fee.
3. Choose your domain name (URL). It’s important to choose a name relevant to the theme of your blog. I used my name, LukeHubbard.com, because I write about Internet stuff that I like.
4. Once you pay for the service, you’ll get a very important email confirmation with your login information including the login URL. Make sure to save this email for eternity!

Part 2: How to Install WordPress onto Your Domain
5. Login to your VodaHost control panel, which is commonly called a c-panel.” You’ll need the email that VodaHost sent you with your login information and IP address (Choose the IP address that VodaHost notes in the email).
6. Ignore the help screen pop-up box if it shows up. Just cancel and make it go away.
7. Click the blue smiley face near the bottom of the c-panel that is labeled Fantastico de Luxe. (It’s under the “Software/Services” section)
8. Select WordPress from the blog list on the left.
9. Click new Installation.
10. Select your domain name, your directory, and create a username/password, and fill out everything else. It’s easy set-up information.
11. Click on “Install WordPress”
12. You’ll get a screen with your blog administrative login information. Make sure to copy this info or select to have a copy emailed to you.

Now you’re ready to login to your WordPress blog and begin blogging! It’s all very easy and will probably take you less than 30 minutes to set-up.

Once you’re inside the WordPress application, you can play around with different header colors, create posts, and make new pages. It’s all very easy so don’t worry if you have absolutely no idea how to create a blog. You can do it!

Note that BlueVoda has some great WordPress video blog tutorials. They’ve made it extremely easy to understand how to set up and maintain a spiffy looking blog.