answer “how do I…?” one last time

Write it down once. They can do it themselves.

Step Cards turns "how do I...?" into a numbered card: what to do, what they will see, and what to do if it goes wrong. We check the words are plain, print it in big type, and walk them through it one step at a time.

Make your first card See the starter cards

Card Pass $1.95 a month or $19.50 a year, or a Week Pass for $1.00: free during preview. Free for 5 cards.

Windows PC

Take a picture of part of the screen

Step 1: Hold down the Windows key and the Shift key. While you hold them, press S.

You will see The screen goes a little darker and a small bar shows at the top.
Step 2: Hold the left mouse button down and move the mouse across the part you want.

You will see A box shows what will be in the picture.

If it goes wrong Wrong part? Press the Esc key and start again.
Step 3: Let go of the mouse button.

You will see The picture is copied. A small notice may show in the corner.

You have explained it four times. Here is the fifth, for good.

1
Write the steps
One action a line. For each: Do this, You will see, and If it goes wrong. Add a screenshot where it helps.
2
Check the words
The plain-language check marks computer words with a highlighter, flags long steps and two-things-at-once steps, and gives a reading grade.
3
Hand it over
Print it big for the fridge or the desk, a pocket card for the wallet, or open Walk me through it: one step a screen, in very large type.

the plain-language check

First drafts are full of computer words.

This is an example first draft of the screenshot card, run through the same check every card gets. The highlighter shows what may be unfamiliar; the notes say why.

Reading grade: 3.2 (very easy to read). The finished starter card reads at grade 1.8.

Check your own steps, free

Windows PC

Example first draft: screenshot

1
Step 1: Launch the Snipping Tool from the taskbar and select New, then drag over the area.
- Two things to do in one step. Split it into two steps.
- "launch" may be unfamiliar. Plainer: open.
- "taskbar" may be unfamiliar. Plainer: the bar along the bottom of the screen.
- "select" may be unfamiliar. Plainer: click on it (or tap it).
- Add what they will see, so they know it worked.
Step 2: Hold the Ctrl key and press V in the email.

You will see The picture appears.

walk me through it

One step a screen. Nothing else to look at.

The person you help opens the card on their own phone or computer and moves through it with two big buttons. It works without apps or sign-ins, and the last screen shows your own note, like "Still stuck? Call Sam."

With the Card Pass you get a separate walk link to give them: they can read, walk and print, but not change anything. Turn it off or replace it any time.

Start from a card that is already written.

Ten starter cards, each following the help page of the company or agency it names. Copy one into your deck and change anything.

All ten starter cards

Prices, plainly.

Free

5 cards, 12 steps each
5 pictures
Plain-language check on every card
Big-print and pocket-card printing
Walk me through it, on your own screen

Card Pass

$1.95 a month or $19.50 a year

200 cards, 30 steps each
300 pictures
A walk link to give the person you help: they can read and walk, not change
Download every card as text

Free during preview

Week Pass

$1.00 for 7 days

Everything in the Card Pass for one week
For a visit, a move or a new computer
Does not renew by itself

Free during preview

Card Pass $1.95 a month or $19.50 a year, or a Week Pass for $1.00: free during preview.

Rather someone just fixed it?

Step Cards is for things a person can learn to do. For a broken computer, a virus scare or a new setup, the people who make this site do hands-on help.

Get help from WeldonPC.com