25 Tips and Tricks to Make Your 'Computer Life' Easier
EMAIL
1. Use Thunderbird or Outlook express from the Desktop
Both allow users to organize, view and delete email.
2. Organize Your Email
Use Thunderbirds spam filter to filter out some “spam”. It’s very good and has a learning capability so over time you need to devote less and less time to ‘training’ it to recognise spam.
3. Organize Email in Personal Folders
Just right click on your inbox folder and add or reorganise folders. Create folders and drag messages from the inbox to the folders.
4. Don’t Respond to Spam
Replying to spammers only encourages them. It won’t get you off their list. In fact, by answering the mail you actually told them that your email address is active – and it’s now even more valuable
5. Read Email Once and Use Archive
Read a message and do something with it. If you must keep it, place it in a personal folder or archive it. Using the Archive feature allows you to save email without impacting your email limit. Didn’t know you had a limit?
6. Keep Your Mailbox Lean
Fewer messages means less time looking for them. Learn to check the size of your Inbox, Sent items and Deleted items.
7. Create an Internet Email Account
There are times when you have to give some organization or Web site your email. To keep from being added to yet another spammer’s list, create an Internet email account that you only look at when you are expecting some forum registration confirmation etc.
8. Use Thunderbird from Home
Thunderbird is the easiest way to access your personal mail from home. The set up is easy and the features are similar to most other email clients. INTERNET
9. Fewer is better. . . Install Only Programs You Need
A PC works better with fewer programs. Cute programs, clever screen savers can not only cause problems but also let people watch what you are doing because they often install spyware or cookies.
10. Learn to Control and Delete Cookies
Visiting certain Web sites can add small programs to your computer without you knowing about it. Download Ad-Aware to check for problems: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
11. Update virus definitions
Be sure to update the definitions when notified. And use competent lean and mean software (like NOD32).
12. Updates Windows
Occasionally you’ll be asked to update Windows on your PC. Follow the prompts to add the newest fixes for the newest problems. You can also go to Tools > Windows Update from Internet Explorer to requests updates.
PROTECTING DATA
13. Back up Back up and Back up
Back up essential data somewhere; Cds, DVDs, Flash drive and portable hard drives are all good options
14. Save in My Documents
To make backups easy, save to the My Documents folder. Now, when you go to backup your data, it is easy to find your data. Be sure you are not just copying you’re My Documents shortcut.
15. Organize Your Favourites
Saving a favourite Web page makes it easy to return to the page at another time. If you have more the 10-15 favourites, try going to Favourites > Organize Favourites and create subfolders.
COMPUTER DESKTOP
16. Use Desktop Shortcuts
Shortcuts are folders or icons that jump you directly to some other location on your computer, the network or the Internet. You can create a shortcut to your personal folder on the network. Other shortcuts can point to programs or folders on your computer.
17. Keyboard shortcuts
Speed up your computer usage by avoiding the mouse whenever possible. The Control Key + another key can copy (Ctrl + C), cut (Ctrl + X) or paste (Ctrl + V). You can also use the keyboard to print (Ctrl + P), select all (Ctrl + A), close windows (Ctrl + W… sometimes… or Alt + F4) and shut down the computer (Alt + F4).
18. Use the Right Mouse Button
The right mouse button brings up menus that provide more options. Try right clicking on the desktop background and selecting properties. Or right click on the Start Menu.
19. Clean up your desktop
Save to My Documents, not on your desktop. Throw away unwanted files and shortcuts.
20. Modify Your Desktop
Right mouse click the desktop picture and select Properties. Click on the tab to change screen resolution, background images, Windows style and more.
21. Use Windows Explore to Find and Organize
One of the most unsung heroes of Windows, Explore gives you a full view of everything on your computer. Take time to explore Explore!
22. Use Desktop Quick launch
Unclutter your desktop by using Quick Launch. Right click on the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen and select Toolbars > Quick Launch. Now you can drag and drop application and folder short cuts to the Taskbar.
23. Learn to Use and Modify Window Views
Open any window and go to the View menu. Try different choices to see which one works best for you.
WORD PROCESSING
24. Use Word Processing Templates
Save time by create templates for repetitive documents. OpenOffice Writer and MS Word allow you to Save As and then select Template. Templates contain all the common elements of a document that you might user over and over such as a parent letter, lesson plan (or letter of resignation)!
25. Take time to stretch!
If you sit at a computer for more than 30 minutes at a time, get up and stretch your arms and legs and loosen up your neck. Shake your hands and walk around. Be good to yourself by setting up your computer work area so that it is ergonomically sound.
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