Listen to this Tip
When some part of your computer hardware is suddenly not working right, what should you do? Before you call the repairman for service, you might want to use the process of elimination to find the problem. Here’s an example: Let’s say your printer stops working. The cause of your problem could be the printer, your computer, or the cable, so try this: First, change only the printer and see what happens. Second, change only the cable and test the results. Finally, use different computer with the same cable and printer. Good problem solving techniques involve identifying the different components of a problem, then swapping out each component, one at a time, to identify which one is failing. You can apply this basic technique to almost any situation and after a while, you’ll get pretty good at it. Next time, you might fix the problem yourself and save some money.
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Replace the home page on your Web browser
/in Heard on the RadioWhen you fire up your favorite Web browser, what’s default home page? Is it your favorite site? No? Did you know you could change it? It’s really easy and here’s how: Hit the F1 key for online help and do a search for “home page”, follow the instructions, and from then on you’ll get the home page you want to see every time you start your browser. I’ve seen some people create a simple Web page consisting of links to their favorite sites and then make that their default. You can actually use something like Word to create this file, save it on your hard drive, and then make it your default home page. A business can set the default home page in all the company browsers to show the latest announcements. This little trick will amaze your friends, inspire your coworkers, and change your life forever (well, not exactly but it sure is cool).
Use the process of elimination to fix computer problems
/in Heard on the RadioWhen some part of your computer hardware is suddenly not working right, what should you do? Before you call the repairman for service, you might want to use the process of elimination to find the problem. Here’s an example: Let’s say your printer stops working. The cause of your problem could be the printer, your computer, or the cable, so try this: First, change only the printer and see what happens. Second, change only the cable and test the results. Finally, use different computer with the same cable and printer. Good problem solving techniques involve identifying the different components of a problem, then swapping out each component, one at a time, to identify which one is failing. You can apply this basic technique to almost any situation and after a while, you’ll get pretty good at it. Next time, you might fix the problem yourself and save some money.
Use Outlook tasks instead of postits
/in Heard on the RadioDo you use software like Microsoft Outlook or an equivalent? Do you also have post-it notes taped all over your desk? Well shame on you! The next time you grab for that postit pad, type the note into your electronic task list instead. Use this task list to jot down everything including followup calls, little reminders, major projects, and even cues to buy flowers for your significant other. Then review your e-task list each morning to organize your day. I’ve been doing this for about 3 years and now you can’t find a single sheet or scrap of paper on my desk and I gotta tell ya, it feels great. You can do the same; it just takes a little discipline and I guarantee you’ll love the results. No more postits!
Why do kids learn how to use their computers so quickly while we adults seem to have a hard time?
/in Heard on the RadioDid you ever wonder why kids learn about computers so quickly while we adults seem to have a hard time? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because our brains are too full of knowledge and have no more room to learn while children’s minds have lots of space. The real reason is attitude. When a child looks at a computer, they see a toy that they can’t wait to play with. When an adult sees a computer, they see more work ahead and are faced with feeling inadequate while learning new software. I can almost guarantee you that if you too saw your computer as a toy, you’d learn it just as fast as the kids do. Now, how can you do this? Go out, buy some games, install them on your PC, and start playing with it! In no time at all, you too will be a kid and you’ll see your computer in a whole new way.
Paper Rash
/in Heard on the RadioWould you like to eliminate the use of paper from your daily job? Here’s a simple and highly effective tip for you. Develop a paper rash. The next time someone says, “let me give you a printout”, you say, “oh, I’m sorry, paper gives me a rash, can you email me that document instead?”. People will give you a funny look, but that’s alright, just tell them that Peter Kay made you do it. The point is to get everyone around you in the habit of sending you electronic documents instead of printed ones. You should train yourself so that every time you touch a piece of paper, it should feel like ooh aah yuck! Get that thing away from me! Now this may all sound silly, but believe me it works, primarily because you are constantly reminded to think paperless. It worked for me!
Online help is a keystroke away
/in Heard on the RadioDid you know that you have a computer expert that knows your software inside and out, waiting by your side with the answers and guidance you need to get your job done? Did you also know that this assistance is completely free and is one keystroke away? Folks, I’m talking about online help. Any time you have a question on how to use your software, just hit the F1 key and you’ll access the most in-depth and complete reference to available. Now, I’ve presented seminars to thousands of people and I’m amazed of how few of you actually use this simple yet powerful feature. Today’s online help software is extremely sophisticated and complete with not only documentation, but tutorials and demonstrations. The next time you need help with your software, instead of getting frustrated, hit the F1 key and you’ll be amazed at what you can learn.
Nix Repetition
/in Heard on the RadioIf you find yourself working on repetitive or time consuming tasks on your computer, listen closely, because that is something you can definitely change and improve. You see, computers are designed specifically to eliminate monotonous, time-intensive, “no brainer” situations, so if you find yourself working that way on your computer, you need to stop right there and take a deep breath (ahhh) and think to yourself, “How can this be automated? There must be a better way”. The logical place to look is the online help where these days you can find awesome answers to just about everything. After that, think about how you might use a macro (macros are small, easy to create programs that automate small tasks). You must be willing to invest time and effort, but I guarantee that by doing so you will come out way ahead in no time.
Making links to your site count
/in Heard on the RadioIf you’ve been successful in getting other Web sites to link to yours, how do you know if those links are generating traffic? If you’re not really sure, I’ve got a simple, easy technique for you. When you ask people to link to your site, you typically give them the address of your home page. A better approach is to create a duplicate home page under a different file name. The next time you ask someone to link to your site, give the address of that duplicate home page instead of your real one. Then when you review your Web stat reports the performance of this duplicate page will very accurately tell you how well that link is doing for you. If you create a different duplicate home page for all the sites that link to yours, you’ll have a very powerful and informative linking system. I’m
Best way to learn something
/in Heard on the RadioWhat’s the magic secret to learning new software as fast as possible? I’ll bet you’re like most people in that you install the software and just start using it, right? The only problem with that approach is that you end up learning the least amount possible to just barely get the job done and then you don’t pursue learning any more. This usually means that you’re not really getting your money’s worth. The best way to learn fast is to still “just do it”, but assume that everything you want to accomplish can be done automatically by the software, and dig through the online help to find out how. Then, most importantly, take the time to learn it well. Although it might seem you are spending lots of effort in the beginning, you’ll save thousands of hours in the long run. Follow this simple advice and you’ll be the office expert in no time.
Parents: if your kids have their own computer at home here’s a way to make you the family hero by customizing their PC
/in Heard on the RadioAloha, I’m Peter Kay with your computer minute. Parents if your kids have their own computer at home here’s a way to make you the family hero by customizing their PC, in a really cool way, just for them. You see, Windows has this concept called Themes which allows you to completely tailor just about all aspects of look and feel, including, colors, sounds, cursors, wallpaper and backgrounds. Now what’s cool about these Themes is that there is a lot them on the Net that you can download and install for free. Now when you combine that with specialty mouse pads, mice and stickers you can turn that boring looking PC into a Pokemon PC, or a Barbie computer. Check out the “Websites for kids” links I’ve posted on www.yourcomputerminute.com to get you started. Your kids will love it and you’ll be the hero, at least for a day. I’m