know your “plan b”

In computer use, just as in the rest of life, it is good to have "Plan B" in case "Plan A" doesn't work out.

• If your computer can't get on the internet, your smartphone probably can. Use it to get your email and get to the internet until your computer is working again.

• If your email doesn't work through your email program (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.), use your web browser to go directly to the email site itself (gmail.com, yahoo.com, xfinity.com, aol.com, etc.)

• If you need to email a hard copy of a document or picture and you can't scan it — or don't know how to scan it — use your smartphone to take a picture of it and email or text the picture.

• If your Smart TV isn't working, connect your laptop computer to the TV with an HDMI cable and watch your show on your TV from your computer.

• If your printer isn't working and you need a hard copy, email the document to your neighbor and ask him/her to print it for you. (I'm sure you will return the favor someday).

• If you can't send an email from your smartphone, you may still be able to communicate by text.

• If you don't have your phone, or can't access your smartphone voicemail, use any other phone to call your own cell number to retrieve your voice mail. Each phone carrier does this a little differently, check with them for specific instructions.

• If you have an internet connection but your browser (Edge, Safari, Firefox, Chrome) is behaving badly, jump to another browser and try it from there. Always good to have a backup browser.

I recommend that you practice the "Plan B" options before you need them.