Time and Money Saving Computer Tips Everyone Can Use
Wallace D. Wattles wote a lot about efficiency. As a matter of fact, he devoted an entire chapter to efficiency in The Science of Getting Rich (Chapter 12 - Efficient Action).
Part of acting efficiently is making the most of what you already have while you're moving toward what you want.
Recently, Jim Edwards, a well-known ebook author who I respect and have learned a lot from, wrote a great article with four powerful tips that'll help you make the most of the computer you have right now.
After Jim's article, I'll expand on his tips with a few of my own.
First, here's Jim's article...
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Time and Money Saving Computer Tips Everyone Can Use
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights Reserved
http://www.igottatellyou.com/blog
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As hard to believe as this may sound, sometimes the solution to a computer problem doesn't involve spending more money.
Sometimes, the solution to your problem lies in just knowing how to do something a little differently, or finding one of those "hidden" solutions that usually take a week to discover.
Based on that model, the following tips should save you at least $200 and 3 weeks work! :-)
** Free, Fast Anti-Virus **
Now I know some of the "purists" out there will barely contain themselves from emailing me to say how they disagree with what I'm about to write, but I know they'll control their urges.
I own seven computers of various levels of maturity (one is 5 years old and running strong).
My oldest laptop needed a virus update, but when I installed Norton 2005, the system just couldn't handle the weight of such a huge program.
Solution: log on to http://www.grisoft.com and download the Free edition of AVG Anti-Virus.
Much less processor intensive than the bigger anti-software players, this program gave my old laptop adequate protection and breathing room to perform other computing tasks besides keeping the anti-virus running.
** Use Keyboard Shortcuts **
Hit the "CTRL+Z" keys and you can almost always undo the last action taken in virtually any Windows program.
Knowing this keyboard combination has saved the life of my computer (by not throwing it into the street) and my sanity on numerous occasions.
"CTRL+D" in Internet Explorer will instantly create a "bookmark" in your favorites folder while "CTRL+B" enables you to organize those bookmarks into folders.
The problem, however, arises when you want to learn all these keyboard shortcuts, especially in Microsoft Office applications.
With Microsoft Word at least, you can set up the program to display the keyboard shortcuts whenever you hold the mouse over a button.
Got to "Tools" - "Customize" - "Options" and select the "Show Shortcut Keys In Screen Tips."
This will cause the shortcut key combination to appear whenever available for a certain function.
** Slow Surfing? **
If your Internet Explorer starts giving you problems, you might want to clean up your "Temporary Internet Files."
Most people don't realize it, but when you leave a web page, it doesn't leave you!
Most of the time you keep a copy of websites you visit on your hard drive and, over time, they build up.
Here's one way to clear out those old files. Click your "Start" button, then "All Programs," "Accessories," "System Tools" and "Disk Cleanup."
After an initial check of your hard drive (which can take quite some time if you've never used the utility), you can check the boxes of the files you wish to delete.
To speed up your surfing, at a minimum, make sure you delete the "Temporary Internet Files."
** Your House From Space **
Google.com's "lab" is cooking another nifty gadget for driving directions. Log on to http://maps.google.com and get directions to virtually any U.S. location.
What makes this tool "cool" is the "satellite" link at the top of the page which enables you to see your destination from satellite photos taken from outer space.
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Great article... Thanks Jim! :-)
Expanding on Jim's article...
1. On "Free, Fast Anti-Virus"
Quite frankly, I'm starting to think that anti-virus programs are far more trouble than their worth.
I have three different computers I use. Almost without fail, every time I've had trouble with any of them (crashes, freezes, hang-ups, etc.), I've traced it back to the McAfee anti-virus program I've been using for the last 7+ years. Friends have told me of similar experiences with Norton.
Last week, out of total frustration with the latest round of trouble (Internet Explorer freezes), after downloading and installing an anti-virus update, I uninstalled Mcafee Virus Scan from all but the newest computer and...
Wow...
What a difference...
Since uninstalling Mcafee Virus Scan, those two computers are running better than they have in years!
Hmmm...
Very interesting. :-)
So, needless to say, I'm looking for a new virus scanner, one that uses up less system resources.
I'm currently looking at, and planning to test, two virus scanners (the first one is the one Jim talks about in his article):
- AVG Anti-Virus:
=> http://www.grisoft.com - F-Prot Antivirus
=> http://www.f-prot.com
I'll let you know what happens.
By the way...
In the process of looking for a new, more efficient, virus scanner, I found two great resources:
I've applied many of the suggestions from those two resources and my computers are running better than they ever have!
Thanks Gord! :-)
2. On "Use Keyboard Shortcuts"
Many different keyboard shortcuts exist to accomplish tasks that would otherwise take many mouse clicks.
Some of them use the "Windows Logo" key...
For example, one of my favorites, when you have many windows open the little shortcut "Windows Logo + M" will save you a lot of time because it will minimize all of the open windows instead of you having to minimize all the individual windows separately.
In addition to this one and the ones Jim talks about in his article, there are many, many more time saving keyboard shortcuts.
Here's three resources I found where you'll find lists of the keyboard shortcuts that are available depending on the Windows operating system you have:
In my experience, some keyboard shortcuts are, at least for me, far more trouble than their worth, but others are absolutely invaluable to know.
3. On "Slow Surfing?"
In my experience, unnecessary programs and file "garbage" are the biggest reasons for a computer slowing down over time.
For some great ideas, that really work, on how to make your Windows based computer faster and more efficient, see the two resources I listed above (A Faster, Better Behaved Windows 98, A Faster, Better Behaved Windows XP).
4. On "Your House From Space"
Google Maps is my new tool of choice for driving directions and estimating drive times.
I'm not sure the satellite photos have any practical application as far as efficiency is concerned, but as my 7-year-old son says...
They are "way cool"! :-)
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