Author Archives: Jeanne Boyarsky

Printing an Amazon Return QR code on a Chromebook via Staples

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Continuing my instructional series for a less technically inclined relative of how to do activities on a Chromebook, this one is a walkthru of how to print an Amazon return QR code. The catch is there is no printer so the QR code will be emailed to Staples and printed there. Luckily, it is a “simple” three step procedure. (Well, I think it is simple)

Step 1 – Initiate the Amazon Return

  • Log into amazon.com
  • Click on “Returns and Orders” on top
  • Scroll down to the item you don’t want and choose “Return or replace items”
  • Select a reason for return from the pull down
  • Enter a comment/reason why
  • Click “Continue”
  • Choose how you want your return credited – Amazon credit or Credit card return
  • Click “Continue”
  • Choose how you want to return ex: UPS store. Note that some choices are hidden and you can expand to see them
  • Click “Confirm your return”

Step 2 – Download the QR code

There are three ways to download the QR code to a file. Listing all three here in case Amazon moves things around. Also note that if you don’t do this right away, you can go back to orders and click “View return label and instructions”. Option 2 and 3 both work with that approach as well.

Option 1: Click “Download Return Code” – this automatically downloads to a file

Option 2: Click “View return code”. Then under the QR code, click “Download Return Code”

Option 3: Click “View return code”. Right click the image and choose “Save images as”. Then type in a file name and click “Save”

Step 3 – Email the QR code

Regardless of which option you chose for step 2, you now have a file in your downloads folder with the QR code. Here’s how to send it in gmail.

  • Send an email to staples@printme.com
  • Click the paper clip (attachment icon) at the bottom of gmail
  • Click on the image you downloaded (it will probably have a bunch of numbers in it)
  • Click “Open” (this will attach it to your message)
  • Send the email
  • Click ok that you are sending the email without a subject or body

Optional Step 4: Deleting the QR code

  • On the Chromebook, go to the bottom left circle and click
  • Click on files
  • Double click “Downloads”
  • Right click the QR code file
  • Choose “Move to Trash”

Using Google Meet to screenshare for seniors not comfortable with technology

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I have to describe how to use Google Meet to someone not comfortable with it. Writing it down as a reference here. This is *a* simple way, it’s not the only way. I find that giving too many choices makes it harder to remember a way.

Step 1 – receive a Google Meet link from someone you trust

Yes, one can start a Google Meet on their own (go to https://meet.google.com and click “new meeting”). But the person who starts the meeting, has to add people. And since odds are the other person is more comfortable with this, better to receive.

Important: Make sure the link is from a trusted party. This isn’t the computer repair scam here.

For example, a link might be sent from a trusted relative. If you aren’t sure, check using a way you normally you normally communicate with that person.

Step 2 – click on the link

You will get a screen with a lot of choices. “Click as to join”. The person who started the meeting will get a prompt and let you in.

Step 3 – audio/video

Make sure your speaker/mic is on. This button controls whether you are on video. (For example, maybe you want to show a broken flashlight or something)

Step 4 – screenshare time

Click this picture to “present now”

You will then get asked what you want to share. Choose “entire screen”. (It essentially the same thing as sharing a window if you stay in Chrome. And doesn’t have an extra question!)

Click the picture of a screen and then the blue “share” button”. If the share button is not visible due to screen resolution, you can just press enter for this step.

When you are done, hang up

Take control

Note there is a Chrome Remote Desktop plugin if you need to take control. This is not a feature of Google Meet

Chromebook and low vision accessibility

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There are a few things one can do on a Chromebook to help compensate for vision problems.

Browser settings

Zoom in using the browser. Yes, I know this one is obvious so getting it out of the way.

Chromebook settings

Note: the exact steps may have changed. My Chromebook is expired and no longer gets updates

In the Settings app, expand Advanced and choose Accessibility. Then choose “manage accessibility features”. Here you have a number of options

  • ChromeVox – will read screen to you. This screenreader is meant for people who can see but with a vision impairment. (It’s not as powerful as Jaws which is intended for blind people)
  • Enable select o speak – highlight what want to hear and press search – s. I’m not sure if this is useful. It could be if you can see the area. But then you could zoom in a lot and read that part? Maybe if you can see sections of things but not read even giant letters?
  • High contrast mode – I found this harder to read. But my vision is fine.
  • Built in full screen magnifier – Press ctrl+search+m to turn off and ctrl+alt+arrow keys to move around. Interesting. I think the magnifying glass extension is better. It feels more intuitive to move the magnifying glass than the screen.
  • Enable docked magnifier. It takes the top third of your screen and shows whatever part of the screen you have your mouse over. I like this better than the full screen one because you get to move your mouse and still keep context.
  • Customize resolution on the whole computer or just text
  • Make the cursor larger – this one is neat. Avoids the game of cursor hide and seek.
  • Change the color of the cursor – if easier to see with a different color
  • Have a visual effect when moving the cursor or going to a form field

Magnifying glass extension

There are two similarly named MagnifyingGlass. On from HoverZoom and one from PDFWork. I like. Both work the same way. You have to click the little extension blob in the toolbar to activate it for a site and then it stays activate until you press escape. I wish there was a keyboard shortcut. PDFWork says alt-s works on an old doc page. It didn’t work for me, but isn’t in the current doc anyway.