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Client Portfolio
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© Christopher Butson All Rights Reserved
Christopher Butson
Christopher's Digital Notes
Welcome to my personal notebook of reflections, encouragement, and everyday digital support.
As a Volunteer Digital Champion with over 13 years of experience, I’ve helped people build confidence with computers, tablets, mobile phones, and online services — always with patience, warmth, and clarity.
Each post is written to reassure, uplift, and guide — one small step at a time.
🔄 Updates
🔄 Updates Once your laptop is running, it may ask to install updates . Updates are small improvements sent by Microsoft to keep your computer safe, fix problems, and add new features. 🧭 Why Updates Matter Security — protects you from viruses and scams Performance — makes your laptop run more smoothly Features — adds new tools or improves existing ones ⚙️ How to Check for Updates Click the Start Menu (bottom‑left corner) Type Settings and open it Choose Windows Update
Christopher Butson
Jan 3
☁️LibreOffice Basics
☁️ LibreOffice Basics LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that’s a great alternative to Microsoft Office and Apache OpenOffice. It offers tools for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more, all regularly updated and trusted by users around the world. 🧭 What is LibreOffice? A free productivity suite available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Successor to OpenOffice, but updated more frequently. Compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX). Inc
Christopher Butson
Jan 3
📝 Apache OpenOffice
📝 Apache OpenOffice Writer (Word Alternative) ✨ Key Features Free to Download & Use → no license fees, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux Writer Word Processor → create letters, notes, reports, or even books Compatibility → can open and save in Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx) and export to PDF Other Tools Included → Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (diagrams), Base (databases), Math (equations) Community Support → backed by volunteers, with exte
Christopher Butson
Jan 3
📄 Microsoft Word Basics
📄 Microsoft Word Basics Microsoft Word is a program for creating documents — letters, notes, stories, or reports. It’s like a digital notebook with powerful tools to make your writing clear and neat. 🧭 Opening Word Click the Start Menu and type Word . Select Microsoft Word from the list. A blank document will open, ready for typing. ✨ What You Can Do in Word Type text → just start writing with the keyboard. Format text → change font, size, colour, or style (bold, italic
Christopher Butson
Jan 3
A Reflection for Switzerland
A Reflection for Switzerland Today was meant to mark a fresh beginning — a moment when people everywhere look forward with hope. Instead, the first day of this new year has been overshadowed by profound loss in Switzerland. It is difficult to find words that feel equal to a tragedy of this scale. Lives were cut short in a moment meant for joy. Families who gathered to celebrate now face unimaginable grief. A community that should have woken to light and laughter has instead b
Christopher Butson
Jan 1
Happy New Year
2025 was a year I’d happily sweep under the carpet. But 2026 will be different. My Digital Champion blog will continue as always — honest, practical, and grounded in real experience — but something new will be joining it later in the year: Christopher’s Digital Champion Guides. These guides already exist in blog form, but I want them to live in one accessible place instead of you having to scroll endlessly to find what you need. They’ll be organised properly, starting with Co
Christopher Butson
Dec 31, 2025
📝 Word Alternatives Guide
📝 Word Alternatives Guide Here’s a clear side‑by‑side comparison table , so you can instantly see what each word‑processing alternative offers. Feature Microsoft Word Apache OpenOffice Writer LibreOffice Writer Cost Paid (part of Microsoft 365 subscription) Free, open‑source Free, open‑source Updates Frequent, polished, professional support Less frequent, traditional interface Regular, modern updates, active community Compatibility Excellent with Office formats (.docx, .doc
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
Passwords and Accounts
🔑 Passwords and Accounts To use email, apps, and online services, you’ll often need an account . An account is like your personal key — it keeps your information safe and lets you access your services from any device. 🧭 What is an Account? An account is made up of your email address (username) and a password . It identifies you when you sign in to services like email, shopping, or banking. Accounts can be free (like Gmail or Outlook) or linked to services you pay for. 🔐 P
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
🔒 Security Basics
🔒 Security Basics Keeping your laptop safe is just as important as learning how to use it. Security protects your files, your personal information, and your confidence online. 🧭 Why Security Matters Prevents viruses and malware from damaging your computer Protects your personal details (like email and banking) Keeps your laptop running smoothly and reliably 🛡️ Built‑in Protection Windows 11 comes with Windows Security (also called Windows Defender). It runs in the backgro
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
Staying Safe Online
🌐 Staying Safe Online The internet is full of useful information and opportunities, but it’s important to stay safe while exploring. Good habits protect your privacy, your computer, and your confidence. 🛡️ Safe Browsing Only visit websites you trust (look for the padlock symbol in the address bar). Avoid clicking on pop‑ups or ads that seem suspicious. Stick to well‑known sites for shopping, news, and services. 📧 Email Safety Be cautious with emails from unknown senders.
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
📧 Email Basics
📧 Email Basics Email is one of the simplest ways to communicate online. It lets you send messages, share files, and stay connected with friends, family, or services. 🖥️ Opening Your Email Most laptops come with the Mail app already installed. Click the Start Menu Type Mail and open it You’ll be asked to sign in with your email address (Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.) ✍️ Writing Your First Email Click New Mail (usually at the top left) In the To box, type the recipient’s
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
🗂️ File Management
🗂️ File Management File management is simply the way you organise, save, and find your work on a computer. Think of it like keeping papers tidy in a filing cabinet — it helps you know where everything is when you need it. 📥 Saving Files When you create something (like a document), click File → Save As . Choose a folder (like Documents ) and give your file a clear name. Click Save — now your work is stored safely. 📂 Organising Files Create folders for different topics (e.
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
📂 File Explorer
📂 File Explorer File Explorer is like the filing cabinet of your computer. It shows you all your files and folders in one place, so you can open, move, or organise them easily. 🖥️ Opening File Explorer Look for the yellow folder icon on the taskbar (bottom of the screen). Or click the Start Menu and type File Explorer . When it opens, you’ll see a window with folders like Documents , Pictures , Music and Downloads . 🧭 What You’ll See Navigation Pane (left side) → list
Christopher Butson
Dec 30, 2025
🌐 Getting Online
🌐 Getting Online Once your laptop is set up and updated, it’s time to explore the internet. This is where you’ll find information, connect with people, and use services like email or online shopping. 🖥️ Opening a Web Browser Your laptop comes with Microsoft Edge , the default browser. Click the Start Menu Type Edge and select it The browser will open with a homepage 🔎 Searching the Web At the top of the browser is the address bar . You can: Type a website address (like bb
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
📂File Explorer Basics
📂 File Explorer Basics File Explorer is the program on your laptop that helps you find, open, and organise files . Think of it as your digital filing cabinet . 🧭 Opening File Explorer Click the yellow folder icon on the taskbar, or Press Windows key + E on your keyboard. ✨ What You Can Do Browse folders → Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Music. Open files → double‑click to open a document, photo, or video. Create folders → right‑click → New → Folder (great for organisin
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
📂 Files and Folders
📂 Files and Folders Your laptop stores everything you create or download as files . Files can be documents, pictures, music, or anything else. To keep them organised, you place them into folders — just like putting papers into a filing cabinet. 🧭 Files A file is one piece of work (like a letter, photo, or song). Each file has a name and a type (for example, holiday.jpg for a photo). Files live inside folders on your computer. 📁 Folders A folder is a container that hol
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
🛠️Installing Bitdefender Free Antivirus
🛡️ My No.1 Recommendation: Bitdefender Free Antivirus As a Digital Champion, I always encourage learners to protect their laptops with reliable security. While Windows 11 includes built‑in protection, I highly recommend adding Bitdefender Free Antivirus . ✨ Why Bitdefender Free? Strong Protection — guards against viruses, malware, and online threats Lightweight — runs quietly in the background without slowing your laptop Easy to Use — simple setup, no complicated settings
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
📧 Setting Up Email
📧 Setting Up Email Email is one of the first things most people want to use on a new laptop. Here’s how to get started: 🖥️ Using the Mail App (Windows 11) Click the Start Menu (bottom‑left corner). Type Mail and open the Mail app. When it opens, click Add account . Choose your email provider (Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). Enter your email address and password. Click Sign in — your inbox will appear. 🌍 Using a Web Browser If you prefer, you can check email through a brow
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
🖱️ Mouse Skills
🖱️ Mouse Skills Once you’re on the desktop, it’s time to get comfortable with your mouse. The mouse helps you move around your screen, click on things, and make choices. 🐭 Getting to Know Your Mouse Left Button — used for clicking and selecting Right Button — opens extra options (called a “menu”) Scroll Wheel — lets you move up and down pages Try gently moving the mouse — you’ll see a small arrow (called the cursor ) move across the screen. That’s your pointer. 🖱️ Pract
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
⌨️ Keyboard Basics
⌨️ Keyboard Basics The keyboard is your main tool for typing and giving commands. It may look full of keys, but don’t worry — you’ll only need a few to start. 🧭 Getting to Know the Keys Letters (A–Z) — type words, just like writing on paper Numbers (0–9) — useful for typing dates, passwords, or sums Space Bar — the long key at the bottom, adds a space between words Enter/Return — moves you to a new line or confirms a choice Backspace/Delete — erases the last letter or w
Christopher Butson
Dec 1, 2025
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