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10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

I originally posted this list in January 2007. However, through my keen observation skills, I discovered that all computer users have not yet read and digested this information. For this reason, I’m posting it again because I won’t stop working to educate computer users until every computer user knows these 10 skills.

Computers have become almost a main stream household appliance. Whether you have been using a computer for fifteen years or one, these skills should be second nature:

  1. Cut, Copy, Paste
  2. Print just what you want (word processing, email, web)
  3. Backup your address book
  4. Select (highlight) text or files
  5. Properly uninstall unwanted programs
  6. Burn a CD
  7. Download files from the Internet
  8. Use MSCONFIG ; Another MSCONFIG tip
  9. Search the Internet
  10. Attach Files to an email

If you already know how to do these skills, please pass this article along to someone who doesn’t…help me help other computer users.

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24 thoughts on “10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)”

  1. Good tip to repeat, now how about a list of some basic and some not-so-basic terminal commands for us Linux users?

    1. Yo Jason,
      I plan to put Ubuntu one of my old pcs. If you succeed in finding a good guy for a list of “not-so-basic terminal commands”, would you please post the info here so I can avail myself of it.
      Best,
      John

  2. Great set of tips Rick… very essential to computer proficiency….

    Might even suggest an article on how to create shortcuts on your desktop (and how to manage the desktop clutter!)

    Another commenter mentioned Linux commands, and I can help you out with those, if you’re interested in that… I became a professional Unix programmer after I left RuralNet, and Unix/Linux commands are second nature because of that.

    1. You are ON Matt! If you want to put together a keyboard shortcuts for Linux guest post, go for it. Would love to post it up. Thanks.

  3. In uninstall or change progams I can’t uninstall advanced registry optimizer, publishe by sammsoft, size 11.3mb. It says does not exist cannot uninstall. File”c:\program file\ advanced registry optimizer\unins 000. dat” Any ideas?

  4. Pingback: Sit. Fetch. Copy. Paste. Save the World. | Salvaged on All Sides

  5. Rick,

    I am a tech blogger currently maintaining two sites. I just featured your site at Bookmarks4techs.com (which is my newest site). The second site I maintain, which has become quite popular is What’s on My PC (whatsonmypc.wordpress.com)… Is there any possibility we could do a link exchange on our blogrolls! Love what you are doing there and is very similar thinking to mine.

    Thank You,

    Rick

  6. Hello there, I found your web site by means of Google whilst looking for a similar topic, your site got here up, it seems to be great. I have added to favourites|added to bookmarks.

  7. I am 46 and just now learning the computer.
    I bought this house in the woods 20yrs ago and satellite internet was the only thing avaliabel to us. It was WAY to costly and now it is not.
    I am glad we found your sight. Thank You very much for your time and caring.
    God Bless You, Linda & Greg

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