 |
» |
|
|
|
It’s all too easy to put off tasks such as cleaning up your computer’s desktop and protecting your computer from viruses. But is it worth the time wasted searching for files or the hassle of dealing with a power surge that wipes out your system files? We’ve created a checklist of some simple things you can do right now to improve your productivity and the performance of your desktop or notebook PC.
1. Streamline your filing system
Do you waste minutes hunting down an important file? Does it seem like key documents keep disappearing into a black hole? Finding files doesn’t have to be a chore – if you create and stick to a consistent filing system. Remember to separate finished work from current projects. Shortcuts are helpful when you need one file in multiple locations. To create, right-click on the file then click 'Create Shortcut'. Now just drag-and-drop the shortcut to any folder or location, while only retaining one copy of the original.
2. Bring order to your inbox
If your inbox is overflowing, then organising your e-mail correspondence into subfolders is essential. Group e-mails by action required, projects, clients, or whatever makes sense for you. Once your inbox is unclogged, tracking down specific e-mails is a snap with powerful search tools now used by many email programs. In Outlook, go to Tools/Find/Advanced Find to search for e-mails by sender, key words, and other search criteria.
3. Look at the big picture
Again, a good filing system is the key to organising and finding photographs. When downloading pictures, delete the bad and blurry immediately – don’t bother naming or filing them. Then name the keepers with consistent and descriptive titles. Now store your pictures in logically named folders. For example, a master folder for each year, with subfolders such as “Italy Trip”, or “Holiday Party”.
4.Give your PC a tune-up
Like your car, your computer needs regular tune-ups to run at peak condition. Giving your PC a tune-up is easy, just select Start/Accessories/System Tools/Maintenance Wizard, and follow the instructions. The Maintenance Wizard performs maintenance tasks such as scanning and defragmenting, which ensures your files are stored logically. This speeds up your PC and saves you time. Regularly cleaning up disk errors and removing temporary files (from the 'Properties' box for your hard drive) also reduce the clutter slowing down your PC.
5. Be prepared
Don’t be caught off guard if your PC is hit by a disruptive event such as a power surge. Use System Restore to create snapshots in time of your PC’s system files and settings. Then if disaster does strike, rolling back the clock is easy. To start, go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Get into the habit of creating restore points before potentially risky activity like downloading software from the Internet.
6. Protect your PC
Viruses and software bugs can make your PC sick, dramatically reducing its performance and seriously slowing down your productivity. Why take the risk? Use the latest virus protection programs. And don’t put off downloading updates when your antivirus vendor notifies you that they are available.
7. Give yourself a break
Extended time in front of your PC is more physically demanding than you might think. In order to stay productive and prevent injuries and bodily stress, be sure to support your back, and take regular breaks to stretch your limbs or go for a walk. To prevent eye strain, give your eyes a 30-second break every 15 minutes. Give your eyes a longer break to relax and refocus every hour.
|
|
|
|
Printable version
