Google Documents is a free alternative to other office suites such as Microsoft Office. You can use it for word processing or spreadsheets. Your files are accessible from anywhere you have internet access.
Keep your computer equipment safe and running during power flickers or outages with a battery backup. A battery backup (or UPS) is not to be confused with our previous post about surge protectors. These are similar items in the fact that they protect your equipment from surges. A battery backup not only protects your equipment from surges but also drops in the power (or brown outs). A drop in power can be just as harmful to electronics as a power surge. A battery backup keeps the power flowing the same at all times. It will also keep your computer running for a few minutes to 30 minutes so you can get your open files saved and safely shut down your computer. The time your battery backup runs after loosing power all depends on the size of the battery backup and how much power your computer requires.
Keep the cables inside your computer and behind your desk neat and tidy to improve airflow and keep your computer from overheating.
One easy way to clean up those wires both inside your computer and behind your desk is to use zip ties, velcro straps, or twist ties which you can purchase at your local hardware store. Use these to tie groups of cables together.
If you are not comfortable opening your computer up to do this feel free to bring it in to the professionals at Computers On The Run.
Install Microsoft Windows Updates on a regular basis to ensure your computer has the latest security patches and updates.
You can either set your computer to automatically download and install updates for you or you can manually install updates whenever you like.
Automatic Updates for Windows XP:
Automatic Updates for Windows Vista:
To manually install updates in Windows XP or Windows Vista you can open Internet Explorer and then go to http://update.microsoft.com or click on the start button, then all programs, then click on Windows Update.
Are you tired of SPAM filling your inbox? Create a new e-mail account just for online shopping and sweepstakes…. Use your current e-mail just for e-mailing people you know. Companies sell e-mail addresses and then you will start to get a lot more mail then you were hoping for. Also check to see if those e-mails that keep coming have a unsubscribe option and take advantage of that. You will see a difference after trying this. There is a lot of free online e-mail account websites including the ones listed below.
http://www.hotmail.com
http://mail.yahoo.com
http://www.gmail.com
Do you want to create a movie of memories from this year’s holidays? Use Windows Movie Maker to add images, videos, music and then burn them onto a CD or DVD for your family to see. Most Newer PCs will have Windows Movie Maker preinstalled with them. If you don’t have Movie Maker currently installed… go to the website listed below for the download.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx
Have a new MP3 player from the holidays but just doesn’t work right? Make sure you are using the most current software for your device and songs will always transfer when using USB 2.0 ports.
Current iTunes Software
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
Beings it’s a new year and everyone is starting fresh… organize your PC files and put them into folders so they are easier to find as you continue to add more to your collection. You can also put your past years data on CDs for an archive.
Are you planning your next trip and getting out the old road map… use Google Maps and Google Earth to pinpoint more stops along the way to make your travel experience more exciting.
Here are the links to find these useful tools…
http://maps.google.com/
http://earth.google.com/