Time again for some New Year’s Resolutions, computer-style.
- Keep your computer safe. Buy and keep updated your internet security programs, including antivirus (search for and download AVG FREE 2011 from www.download.com) and firewall (download the free version of ZONEALARM at www.download.com).
- Backup your data to an external hard drive, CDs or DVDs. (We’ll discuss cd burning in a few weeks.) Keep the backups in a safe place, preferably away from your computer. I make three copies of my records: one I keep at home for quick access, one I give to a friend who does not live in my neighborhood for semi easy access but safe if my home copy becomes unusable, and one I place in a bank safe deposit box. Always check each cd by opening random files. Nowadays you can also backup online to a remote computer storage, but it takes a LONG time to upload the data. You can also convert your paper records (bank statements, etc.) to digital format by using a scanner. Software that comes with your scanner varies but is usually fairly easy to figure out. Backup instructions for Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/backup.mspx. Backup instructions for Mac: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553
- Practice Netiquette (Internet Etiquette). As discussed last year, remember to use BCC when you send emails to multiple people. If you are forwarding something, tell your recipient why you think he/she will want to read it. Read the messages you receive carefully and fully to be sure you understand what the person is saying. Read your own emails after you finish typing them. Look for typos, but also read with your readers’ eyes, to be sure they’ll understand what you’re wanting to say. Humor and sarcasm are easily misunderstood; so, use an emoticon to let your reader know you are smiling: ;-) But avoid overusing emoticons and chat acronyms. When replying to a message, quote the relevant part, but only the relevant part. Use correct grammar and punctuation regardless of who you communicate with. Write subject lines that are a short but detailed summary of the email. The key is to get your message read, not to be clever. Keep emails short.
- Go Green to help our environment. If you can’t find a buyer or recycler for your used electronic items, email me, and I’ll try to help. Don’t just throw them into the trash. Unplug appliances, including chargers, when you’re not using them. Use power saving settings on your computer. For Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/russel_02march25.mspx. For Macs: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2412
- Learn something new. Have you tried Facebook (www.facebook.com)? Have you searched Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) or eBay (www.ebay.com) when you want to buy something? Have you tried finding new software to download and try for free from www.download.com? Check out some free eBooks at Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org), Feedbooks (www.feedbooks.com), Munsey’s (www.munseys.com), and Google Books (www.books.google.com). Try Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) or www.encyclopedia.com when researching something, or merely peruse the websites until you find something interesting. These few ideas can help you use your computer better in 2011.
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