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Simple Advice to Protect Your Computer and Your Sanity

This tip, if followed, could substantially limit the number of phone calls we get on the radio show and put a dent in my computer troubleshooting and training business. I can sum up the entire tip in one phrase you have heard me utter many times on the radio show:

"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."

 

I know ain’t isn’t a word, but if AOL can say "You’ve got mail", please allow me a little latitude.

Computers present the largest potential money and time pit ever created. Because the computer age is still very much in its infancy, the myriad of new upgrades and gadgets make it difficult too leave our machines alone. My advice to computer users every where is to take a step back and look at what you do with your computer, what you would like to do and how does it all fit.

Keep an eye on the kids

One common question I get from parents is how to keep kids safe while using the Internet.  Here are some apps and sites to help answer questions about kids and the Internet:

Cyber Patrol 

Get Net Wise

However, if you use Internet Explorer, then you have a great tool already built into the browser itself.  Here’s how to use it:

  1. Click on Start
  2. Click on Settings
  3. Click on Control Panel
  4. Double Click on Internet Options (or Internet)
  5. Click on the Content tab
  6. Click on the Enable button next to the "Content Advisor"
  7. Use the tools provided to restrict access to web sites that you approve (make sure that you remember and protect the password you set for this feature)

Give this tool a try and I think you will find it useful.

How to Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows

WARNING:  I have done my best to outline the steps in this somewhat arduous task, but undertake this procedure at your own risk. Because of the vast differences in hardware and software, I cannot possibly cover every nuance. Please use this Tip as a guide and not the end all. AND BE SURE TO BACKUP ANYTHING YOU DON"T WANT TO LOSE PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE TASK!

Since many of the sites that I used to refer listeners to regarding this subject have either disappeared or no longer have the information, I am starting a multi-part tip outlining the steps to reformat your computer. In this week’s tip, I’ll explain the what, why’s, and when’s?

What does it mean ‘format my hard drive’? Formatting a hard drive erases all current information (for all practical purposes) and let’s your computer start with a clean slate. Formatting deletes all applications AND data from your computer. The process itself requires very little technical know how. What comes after the format involves the techy knowledge.

Why would I need to format my hard drive? If your computer uses Windows 95/98 or Me, I recommend formatting and reinstalling Windows at least every two years as a maintenance routine. Performing this routine purges your computer of any little errors and irritations that have cropped up and thus makes your computer feel and run like ‘new’ again. You also would need to format and reinstall if you have encountered innumerable error messages or encounter a runaway virus.

When should you perform this purging and restoration of your computer? I answered that question along with the ‘why’ above….at least every two years for any Windows version but Windows XP. Windows XP appeared almost two and a half years ago and has proved to be quite stable and resilient so I’m reserving judgment as to how often it should be done for XP.

If you use a name brand computer like HP, Compaq, E-Machines or even some Gateway systems, they come with a disk or disk set (on CD’s) called "Restore Disks". These disks make the process very easy. Put the disk in, shut your computer off, turn it back on and follow the on-screen instructions. REMEMBER, this will erase all data on your computer, so backup anything you don’t want to lose.

Font management

Fonts are the different typefaces that we can choose when we create word processing documents, newsletters and other computer-generated documents. 

I am willing to wager that most computer users only use about a dozen different fonts.  However, there are over 400 different fonts installed on many computers today.

These fonts utilize precious computer memory resources and also increase computer boot time.  In this week’s tip, I will share with you how to better manage your fonts so that you can release some of your computer resources and decrease the time your computer takes to boot up.

Do you have kids or grandchildren?

If so, don’t throw out your old computer when you upgrade to a newer one.

Clean up your old computer and install:

  • a simple word processor
  • drawing program (like Broderbund’s Kid Pix)
  • educational games (there are many good free ones available at download sites on the Web)
  • web browser with filter software

This allows your children to learn, use and be responsible for a computer without compromising your computer or data if a small hand gets too anxious.  And if you both need to get a project out, there is no need to rush each other!

Daily Diary…or at least important notes

If you have the need to jot down a few notes and have them automatically dated for you, then using Notepad may be a simple answer for you.

Notepad is included in all versions of Microsoft Windows and contains a nifty little feature of being able to "time stamp" your entries. Here’s how it works.

  1. Click on Start –> Programs–>Accessories –> Notepad (or RIGHT click on your desktop and choose New Text document)
  2. Push F5 on your keyboard
  3. The current time and date are displayed, now simply press Enter and type in your note.

Save this file some where easy to find (or better yet, on the desktop). Each time you need to create a new entry, just open the file and push F5 on your keyboard before entering in the new text.

Search the Internet Quicker

Many Internet surfers have discovered and benefited from a great search engine called Google. Doing basic searches with this engine can reduce the time it takes to find relevant information. 

Most good web sites will have a search engine that just searches its own site (see ours on the bottom of most of our pages). As helpful as these can be, they sometimes fall short in finding the precise information you are looking for. Using a feature of Google called ‘site searching’, you can have Google’s search engine do the work that the site’s engine cannot. 

Our Top Internet Information Sites 2005

We started publishing this list about three years ago. I fully admit that I am an information junkie and enjoy finding the answers to questions as soon as they come up. I tend to use a core group of sites to find my information. In this list you will see some perennial favorites and some new ones that I started using over the past year.

In no particular order, my favorite information gathering web sites are:

  • Google – Hands down the best place to start when you are searching the Internet

Learn To Identify Search Engine Ads

A search engine is a website or part of a website that allows you to search either the entire Internet, or a given website for specific information.
Google, Yahoo, Excite and Dogpile are just a few of the common search engines that search the entire Internet for information on any word or topic you type into their search box.

As you may well imagine, it is not an easy thing to create software that searches the entire Internet with accuracy. Rest assured, it is even tougher to find people to design such software for free.

Google, Yahoo, AskJeeves, Excite, and every other search engine requires money to stay afloat.

Get Home and Back Quickly!

No, the Internet has not found a way to "beam" us hither and yonder…yet!  

I’m referring to navigating around your word processing, email or other text related documents quickly.

Don’t underestimate the power of the keyboard as you create your written masterpieces.  Moving quickly from one part of your document to another saves loads of time and the keyboard can help.  Try these keyboard shortcuts:

  • Home – pressing this key will move your cursor to the beginning of a line