How to Send Files Without the Internet

Now, rarely am I in a situation where I'm not online, but every so often it happens. Yesterday I needed to send a file from a friend's laptop to my desktop but we were without wireless. Since I wrote the other day about converting word docs into PDF - I thought I'd share another handy and often forgotten feature, bluetooth. No, bluetooth isn't some horrible dental affliction, it is actually a handy way for devices to talk to each other. In some cases, you can use bluetooth to send files without the web.

If you are using a mac, your bluetooth icon will be in the upper right corner of your screen, it is the "B" like symbol in the picture above. Click on this and choose "send file." You'll then get the option to choose a file to send. Once your file is chosen you'll have to find the device to send it to (the other computer has to have bluetooth enabled for this to work) and your bluetooth screen will show you all bluetooth enabeled devices within range (the other computer or device really needs to be in the same room).
Tip: If names of specific computers don't show up right away (sometimes it'll just say "laptop computer") give it a few seconds, usually it is just reading for a name.

You may then need someone (or yourself) at the other computer to accept the file you are sending (this prevents people from sending you malicious things via bluetooth).

File transfer is pretty quick depending on the computer - so within a minute or two you should be all set.

How to Convert a Word Doc into a PDF

I've been told that it is possible to convert a word doc into a PDF on a mac, but somehow whenever I need to do that I forget and end up using indesign or something fancy instead.

Today I re-discovered this PDF conversion trick taught to me by many a co-worker and friend over my mac lifetime, so I'd like to share it.

To convert your word doc into PDF open the document in word. Hit "file>print" and you'll see the printing options screen. On the lower left of that screen is a "PDF" button drop down. Choose "save as PDF" and then pick a name.

It is so easy I feel foolish always forgetting this option - I even almost used a paid online pdf converter - yikes!.