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Tech Tips

Avoid Computer Crashes

Your computer's disk directory structure -- which manages the filing system within your computer -- can cause hard drive crashes. To limit these errors, run your computer's "disk utility" to scan and repair your disk.

Defrag Monthly

To keep your computer running at its optimal speed, remember to "defragment" your hard drive once a month. Most computers come with a defrag utility, or you can find one on the web.

Free 411

Instead of spending money on using directory assistance from your phone, look up numbers on the Internet. Try these free sites: switchboard, 1800free411, or Yahoo! Yellow Pages.

Password Protocol

Change your passwords every few months for the sites you visit most, such as your online bank.

Smart Power Supply

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) gives you better protection than a surge suppressor and can keep your computer running in the event of a power shortage.

User Manuals

If you want to cut down on clutter in your office, save the serial numbers on your electronic devices and toss the user manuals. Access user manuals online instead.

Photo File Size

Before posting photos to the web, make sure to save them as jpegs (.jpg) so the file sizes aren't too large and can be easily downloaded by others.

Password-Protect Files

To password-protect your important files created in Word or Excel, go to the Tools menu and select Protect Document or Protection. Enter a password that will then be used whenever you need to open the document in the future.

Tech Support

Keep a list of all tech support phone numbers in two places: 1. An electronic document on your computer, and 2. A paper print-out. This makes it easier when you need to call for tech help.

Webcam Privacy

Make sure to turn off your webcam when you step away from your computer or end a video chat session -- otherwise you might accidentally keep broadcasting.

Schedule Your DVR Online

You don't always need to use your remote control to schedule your digital video recorder (DVR) to record your favorite TV shows. Instead, visit your DVR manufacturer's web site to find out how to schedule recordings via the Internet while you're at work or on the road.

Portable Memory Stick

For a fast and portable way to copy data off your computer, get a key-chain sized USB memory drive to bring with you on the road. Often called a memory stick, they cost as little as $20 and can be purchased at a local drugstore.

Door-to-Door Tech Support

If your computer suddenly crashes and you don't know what to do, consider calling a tech support service that makes house calls.

Texting Fees

Avoid extra fees for text messaging. Ask your cell phone provider for a service plan with special rates for texting.

Print Color

If the color is fading or blurred in your print-outs, before you change the ink cartridge, select your printer's "head cleaning" option to try to clear up the problem.

Sidestep Spammers

If you're tired of getting spam, don't post your email address anywhere online. Or type it in a way that's hard for spammers to capture, like family [at] isp [dot] com.

Photo Quality

When printing photos, make sure to select "photo" from your printer settings box to ensure the best quality.

Sleep Mode

Put your computer to sleep or in hibernation mode each night, to conserve energy, prevent over-heating, and reduce wear-and-tear on your desktop's power system.

Charging Devices

Even if you don't use them all the time, make sure to charge your MP3 player or PDA to prevent the battery from going permanently dead.

Printer Power

Always shut down your printer using its power button, versus your power strip's on/off switch. Otherwise, its print heads might not line up and print properly when you turn it back on.

Mobile Calendar

If you're always missing appointments, check to see if your mobile phone has a built-in calendar that you can use to note events and get reminder alerts.

Service Packs

If your computer is suddenly crashing, check your operating system provider's web site (Microsoft, Apple, Linux, etc.) for any "service packs" or updates that you need to install to keep your operating system (OS) current and running smoothly.

Net Service Discounts

To lower your Internet service bill, check your provider's web site for specials and then call the company to ask to be converted to the new, lower-priced plan since you've been a loyal customer.

Stopping Pop-Ups

If you're tired of getting numerous pop-up windows every time you surf the web, install a browser like Firefox that blocks pop-ups for you.

Quiet PC

If your computer is making a lot of noise, put rubber stops on the bottom of the case to add more cushion and limit the reverberation sounds.

Quick Keys

To quickly switch between programs on your computer, try this: On PCs, hold down the Alt+Tab keys, and on Macs use the Apple+Tab keys.

Laptop Batteries

If your laptop battery barely lasts an hour or so, check out your laptop maker's web site to see if you can replace it with one that holds a longer charge.

Sidestep Spam

Always register for web sites with a free web mail account so you don't get tons of spam sent to your main email account.

Backup Reminders

So you never forget to back up important content or files, put a reoccurring reminder in your computer's calendar program for the same date each month.

Clean Keyboard

You can clean the crumbs and dirt out of your computer keyboard with your thinnest vacuum attachment or a can of compressed air that will blow out the debris.

Better View

To enlarge the view of documents in your word processing program, in the main menu go to View > Zoom and increase the percentage to magnify your view.

Web Site Shortcut

There's a quicker way to access a web site. Most web browsers now allow you to type a site's name in the address window without the "http" or "www" or even the ".com."

Arrow Keys

To limit repetitive injury, use the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard instead of always scrolling with your mouse.

Bookmark Smarts

Sort and purge your web site bookmarks every month so your favorites list doesn't become disorganized and unhelpful.

CD Binder

Create a binder with special inserts to organize all your software CDs so they don't take up space or get scratched.

Protect Your Pics

Don't turn off your digital camera just after you've taken a picture or you could lose it. View the photo on your camera first to make sure it's saved.

Conserve Energy

To save electricity, turn off your computer monitor each night, even if you don't shut down your computer.

Power Supply

Label the AC and other power supply cords for your computers and tech devices. Plugging the wrong cords into your electronics can cause serious damage.

Wireless Mouse

To make it easier to scroll through web sites or documents, get a wireless mouse for your computer -- most are powered AA batteries instead of a cord.

Protect Files

You can password protect any Word or Excel document. In the program's main menu, go to Tools, select Protect Document or Protection and designate a password that will be needed to open the file.

Clean Copying

When copying and pasting text between documents, in your word processing program select Format > Style > Clear Formatting to easily convert the pasted text into your default font and size settings.

Improved Printing

If your printer is delivering faded or blurry prints, try using higher-quality paper such as photo paper or heavier paper stock.

Staying Charged

Don't leave your battery charging in your laptop once it's fully charged -- it might burn out or stop holding a charge.

Easy Storage

You can use your portable digital music player as a storage device for documents, too. Just save a file to your player the same way you would transfer it to a floppy disc or CD.

Driver Downloads

If your printer or another accessory connected to your computer isn't responding, you might need the latest driver, which enables your computer to work with such devices. To get the latest free driver for a device, go to the manufacturer's web site and follow the steps to download.

Browser Refresh

If you visit web sites that get updated frequently, like blogs, be sure to click your browser's Refresh or Reload button to make sure you're seeing the most recent content.

Power Protection

To protect your computer from being damaged by a sudden spike in voltage, always plug your computer into an electrical power strip with a surge protector.

Map Site Settings

Save your home address as the start point in your favorite online mapping program, such as Google or Yahoo Maps, so you can get driving directions faster.

Smartphone Data Usage

To conserve data usage for your smartphone, change your email list memberships to "digest" mode, and you'll get fewer individual emails.

Web Page Refresh

To quickly refresh a web page to make sure you're seeing the latest version, add a question mark (?) to the end of the web address, and it will automatically refresh the page.

Easy Folder Access

Try keeping "aliases" of folders on your desktop to get access to the data you use most. To create an alias, click on the folder and go to File > Make Alias. Drag the alias folder to your desktop.

Email Erasing

In your email program preferences, select a time to automatically purge emails in your trash, such as weekly or monthly, to keep your computer better organized.

Inspiring Screensaver

Choose a screensaver, such as a picture of your kids or favorite vacation spot, that will motivate you to work hard when your energy is dipping during the day. Go to System Preferences > Desktop or Screensaver.

Edit Digital Photos on the Go

As you take digital photos, immediately delete the bad or unfocused shots right on your camera so you don't have to spend so much time uploading them to your computer and sorting them later.

Organized Folders

To better organize folders on your computer, number them so they are always sorted in a consistent order. For example: 01_Homework, 02_Recipes, or 03_Finances.

Version Control

If you want to make sure you're modifying the most recent version of a document, select File > Properties > General to see when the file was created and last modified.

Safe Trash

When emptying the trash on your computer, make sure to use the "secure" empty trash feature to make sure items are permanently removed from your computer.

Easy Faxing

If you need to receive a fax in a pinch, you don't need a dedicated fax machine or line. Instead, sign up for a web service like eFax to get faxes delivered to your email inbox for free.

Windows Updates

If you're a PC user, make sure your system is set to receive automatic Windows updates when they are available. To check your settings, go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Automatic Update.

Mac vs. PC Files

If you're a PC user and you're having a hard time opening a file sent to you by a Mac user, try adding the proper extension to the file name -- such as ".doc" for a Word file or ".xls" for an Excel spreadsheet.

Tidy Your Desktop

If your desktop is cluttered with documents, folders, and downloads, go to your main File menu, select View > Arrange > By Kind or By Name. Now your files will be easier to identify and organize.

Finding Photos

To more easily browse through photos on your PC, go to File and change the file View to thumbnail so you don't have to double click on the file name to see the full picture.

Software Patches

If you see a message from a trusted software program that you have installed on your computer that asks if you want to check for updates or install a security patch, click OK and follow the instructions.

Application Updates

Check for updates to your other applications on a regular basis (e.g., on the first day of every quarter).

Fast Word Search

To quickly find a word within a web page, hold down the Control or Apple key and the F key. A box will pop up that allows you to enter the term and find any mention of it throughout the web page.

Virus Removal

If your computer gets a virus, disconnect it right away and then restart, using software to remove the malicious code.

Limit Spam

If you publish a web site or blog, don't put an actual web link to your email address, or you will get a lot of spam.

Wi-Fi Detector

Not sure how to find wireless Internet access when you're on the road? Get a Wi-Fi detector like the ThinkGeek web site, which can steer you in the right direction.

Cable Check

If your monitor, printer or another computer accessory isn't responding to your computer, check to make sure all the cables are attached properly and restart your computer.

Software CD Care

Your software and other CDs that come with your computer are fragile -- so only hold them from the sides or hole in the center. If they get dirty, clean them with glass cleaner and a very soft cloth.

Email Auto Response

Even when you're not on vacation, you can use the email auto-responder feature to let people know on certain days that it's best to call instead of emailing you.

Smart Searches

Not finding what you want during an online search? Try this: Put the topic you're looking for in "quotes" or add a + sign in front of the search term.

Account "Issue" Spam

Never respond to an email regarding an "urgent account problem." These are never legitimate.

MeetingWizard

To save time, use the web site MeetingWizard to coordinate meetings -- people can vote for the time that works best for them instead of debating back and forth via email.

Shortcut Smarts

To avoid repetitive strain on your body, skip the mouse and use more keyboard shortcuts, such as Apple key/Control-C for copying. Scroll through your file menu for more shortcut tips.

Shared Web Calendar

Create a shared Google Calendar to invite friends and family to events and to track their RSVPs.

Social Network Search

Use search engines to find the range of social networking sites available online or those that appeal to your specific interests.

Laptop Care

Always avoid touching your laptop's screen. Applying any pressure to the screen can damage the surface and reduce the visual quality.

Power Down

To make sure your portable devices (zip drive, digital music player, PDA) don't lose data, eject them before shutting down your computer by dragging their desktop icon into the trash.

Toll-free Numbers

Be suspicious of any email or voicemail that instructs you to call a toll-free number to confirm your account details or resolve a problem.

Check Your Cyber Trail

Google yourself periodically to check your cyber trail; you may be surprised at what you find.

Travel Safe

To prevent damaging the moving parts of your laptop's hardware, always travel with it completely turned off.

Customize Mapping Sites

On your favorite online maps site, save your home and work address as a starting point so you can get driving directions more quickly.

Archive Emails

To free up valuable disk space, use a CD to archive your email program's "Sent Mail" that is dated more than a year old.

Laptop Backup

Before extended business trips, make sure to back up your laptop to an external hard drive.

Laptop Backup

Before extended business trips, make sure to back up your laptop to an external hard drive.

Think About Ink

To save ink when printing items that don't need to be high quality, select "economy" or "fast drafts" within your printer settings.

Print Preview

Before printing a web page, select Preview from your printer window to verify how many actual pages it will generate.

Conserve Computer Energy

If you want to conserve energy, change your computer's "sleep" time to 5 minutes or less. On a PC, go to: Start > Control Panel > Power Options. On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver.

Email Digests

To reduce the volume of incoming emails, sign up for weekly or daily "digest" versions of your favorite email groups or listservs.

Wireless Mouse Batteries

Make sure to turn off your wireless mouse each night so you don't drain the batteries.

Free Wi-Fi at Caf

Before you head to a coffee shop to work on your laptop, make sure it has Wi-Fi by searching the Cybercaptive caf

Color Coding Calendars

To stay organized, color code appointments in your computer-based calendar, such as blue for "work," green for "kids" and red for "social."

Cables and Cords

When traveling, store your tech cables and power supplies in a small zipper pouch so you don't forget them.

Online Shopping Receipts

Instead of printing out online shopping receipts, save them as PDFs in a folder on your computer.

Handheld Viruses

To protect handheld devices from viruses, install antivirus software just as you would with a laptop or computer.

Refurbished Computers

If you buy a refurbished computer or electronic gadget, check that it has been restored to its factory settings, thereby removing all old files, viruses, spyware and unlicensed software.

Desktop Storage

Make sure not to store large files, folders or PDFs directly on your desktop -- they can slow down the performance of your computer.

VoIP Security

If you use a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone service, make sure your computer or the handsets that connect to your computer are running the latest security software and patches from your service provider.

Favorite Blogs

When you find a blog you like, explore the site's "blog roll" to find similar or related blogs.

Select Wi-Fi

If your wireless card is set to automatically join the nearest Wi-Fi network, for added security, change your settings so you're required to manually select networks.

Back Up Photos

Protect your digital family photos forever by storing them at an online photo storage service.

Shield Your Social Security Number

Never send your social security number over the Internet if it's requested by email. If you get a request from a company you have a relationship with, first verify by phone the authenticity of the requestor.

ISP Security

Check out your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) web site to see which security tools they offer that could help protect your computer from spammers or hackers.

Safe Payments

When shopping online from a merchant you are not completely familiar with, instead of giving your credit card numbers, use a payment service such as PayPal.

Tested Freeware

Before you download freeware, find out if it has been thoroughly tested.

Privacy Agreements

When downloading programs for your computer, be sure to read licensing agreements carefully. Look for language pertaining to how the company will use or collect your personal data.

Spyware and Adware Browser Updates

Because browser security holes are a common pathway for spyware and adware downloads, it's important to apply all security patches that become available for your browser.

Hold Email Subscriptions

Before you go out of town, unsubscribe from your favorite email lists to avoid email overload upon your return. You can re-subscribe when you get back.

Digital Doc Storage

To protect important documents, use your scanner to create digital copies of important documents such as financial records, family medical history, insurance policies, mortgage paperwork, deeds, titles, receipts, birth certificates and passports.

Block Email Attachments

For added security, set your email preference to block or remove email that contains attachments with file extensions that are commonly used to spread viruses. Suspect file extensions include .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif or .scr.

Purge Programs

Many operating systems install services on your computer that are not critical, such as an FTP server, which can be avenues for computer virus attacks. Turn these programs off or remove them if you don't need them.

Router Security

Change the default password settings that come with your router and leverage your router's built-in encryption to protect against hackers and Internet access "piggy-backers."

Banking Passwords

Be sure to create a different password for an online banking site than you've used for any other sites. Also, remember to sign out of banking sites when you've finished your session.

Monthly Checkups

At least once a month, update your operating system and virus protection, renew subscriptions services, and check for new versions of your favorite software.

Suspicious Links in an Email

If a suspicious email contains a link to a web page, don't click it. Instead, navigate to the web site by typing the purported company's URL into the address bar of your browser.

File-Sharing Safety

If you use a file-sharing program, set passwords for both "read and write" access to protect yourself from other online users who might gain access to unprotected folders on your computer.

IM Profile Protection

Make sure your family's IM profiles don't contain personal information -- especially phone numbers, addresses, photos, or anything that could connect you or your children with your IM identities.

Gamer Privacy

When your teens have finished playing games online, make sure they turn off ActiveX and JavaScript; otherwise, you can leave your computer wide open to hackers.

File-Sharing Safety

If you use a file-sharing program, be sure to turn it on only to update files.

Network Password

Protect your privacy on your wireless network by changing the default password settings that come with your router. Instructions for how to do this can be found in the router installation manual.

Better Wi-Fi

If your wireless Internet access is not reaching to all corners of your home, consider upgrading to a router based on the newer 802.11n standard. This can give twice the range of a standard wireless router.

Selective Printing

If you want to print a section of a document or web page, highlight a selection and in your Main Menu select File > Print Area to set the area that you want to print. Or highlight the area and select File > Print > Selection.

Color Code Emails

Use your email program to color code emails from specific people so you don't miss important messages. For example, in Outlook, go to Tools > Rules and Alerts > New and enter the email address and select Highlight with Color. With Mac Mail, go to Preferences > Rules > Add Rule > Select Color of Message.

Photo Upload

To quickly post photos from your digital camera or computer to the web, you can install Flickr Uploadr tool from the free photo-sharing web site. The tool lets you easily transfer photos in batches and automatically post them as labeled photo albums.

Add Memory

If your two- to three-year-old computer is sluggish, instead of getting a new model, you might just need to add more memory. You can do this yourself -- see your computer maker's web site for instructions about where to install additional memory once you purchase it.

Fight Spam

If you've set your email program's anti-spam settings to "high" but you're still being inundated with spam, try using third-party filtering software, such as SPAMfighter or MailWasher.

Hide Windows

To quickly minimize or hide an open window on your computer screen, hold down the Windows or Apple key + the M key.

Browser Updates

Download and install browser security patches as soon as they become available. Under your browser's Advance Preferences, you can select to have these updates automatically installed on your computer.

Browser Security

For added security, go to your web browser's Preferences and turn off scripting, Java, and ActiveX capabilities, which is how viruses and spyware often find their way on to your computer.

Screen Cleaning

Never clean your computer screen with household detergents. Instead, use a product specifically designed for this delicate surface.

Individual Logins

To keep the shared home computer organized, give each family member their own login account. On a PC, go to Control Panel > User Accounts. On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Account.

Desktop Search

To easily search your computer's files, including emails, documents, music tracks, photos, chat session transcripts, try installing Google Desktop so you can search your computer just like you search the web.

Tiny URL

Instead of emailing friends a long web site URL, shrink the size of the address by using the TinyURL service.

Saving Web Images

To save an image from a web site on a Mac, drag and drop onto your desktop. On a PC, right-click on it with your mouse to Save it.

Security for Handhelds

Protect private information that is stored on your mobile tech gadgets by setting strong password protections. If your gadget is accidentally misplaced, at least your data will not be lost as well.

Finding Web Sites

To quickly access the web site associated with an email address, enter the email address into your web browser's Location Bar and hit the Return key.

Web Favorites

If you have a favorite web site that you visit every day, create a shortcut to the site by dragging and dropping the web site address (URL) from your browser window onto your desktop.

Clear Cache

When submitting credit card or other personal information during a web shopping trip, always make sure to clear your browser's "cache" before shutting down for extra privacy protection. In Firefox, go to Preferences > Privacy. In Internet Explorer, go to Preferences > Web Browser > Advanced.

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