Handy tips for efficient computer use

Today’s computers run much more efficiently than ever before in history. Innovative tech companies continually find new ways to speed up the processing time of computers and to increase their ability to easily perform multiple tasks at one time. As computers get faster we also want to speed up the way that we interact with them. This can be made possible by taking advantage of the many shortcuts that are built into the computers that we use.

The most common shortcuts on today’s computers can be done by using the keyboard, and also the mouse. This is true for computers running on Windows operating systems (OS) and with Macs.

Keyboard shortcuts:
Windows users:
The main keys used for making shortcuts on the keyboard are the Windows key (Command key), Ctrl key, the Alt key, Shift and Tab.
The Windows key is an important key for taking keyboard shortcuts. It can be used to open any item in the Start menu. By pressing the Windows key and the corresponding underlined letter in the start menu you can quickly open programs and directories. In the same way, the Alt key can be used to open menu items by pressing the Alt key along with the menu item’s underlined letter.
Below is a selection of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows users:

F1 = Help
Alt + Tab = Browse between open Windows
Alt + F = Open the File menu list
Alt + F4 = Quit program
Windows key + L = Lock computer
CTRL + C = Copy highlighted item
CTRL + X = Cut highlighted item
CTRL + V = Paste
CTRL + Z = Undo

Mac users:
The main keys that are used for keyboard shortcuts on Macs are similar to those used by computer users on Windows OS. The only difference with Macs is the addition of the Apple Key, which is also known as the Command Key. The Command key is essential in most Mac shortcuts.
Below is a selection of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Mac users:

Command + A = Select items on the screen
Option + Command + A = Deselect all items
Command + C = Copy highlighted item
Command + D = Duplicate highlighted item
Command + I = Get info
Command + M = Minimize window

Mouse short cuts
Windows users:
Right clicking items on your screen allows you to use mouse shortcuts on your computer. Mouse shortcuts on a Windows machine are done by right-clicking on different areas of your computer screen with the mouse. Some of the most common shortcuts performed by right-clicking are copy, paste and delete. By right clicking a highlighted word, image or item in most programs you at minimum have the option of performing these tasks.

Mac users:
Few people realize that Macs have their own version of right-clicking. This is because traditionally, MACs only have one button on their mouse. To achieve a right-click like the Windows OS, Mac users have to press the CTRL key and then the item that they want to see a ‘right-click’ menu for. A drop menu appears over the item, providing a few choices of action. A Mac mouse can also be used to drag and drop items to copy/paste them from one drive or folder to another.

Google Wave

There has been a lot of buzz in recent months about Google Wave and the large array of team-based tasks that can be completed with it. Google Wave is basically a collection of online tools that allow the members of a team/group to work together collaboratively on documents. The tool is web-based which provides team members the freedom to be located anywhere in the world. All types of preferences can be established, however, at it’s most basic level, no matter which member of a team comes up with an idea, all team members can be required to sign off on the idea as a condition for moving to the next level of development. Google Wave is often used by team leaders. They often set up a document and then invite people into the project, giving them the ability to ask every team member to input ideas. It is a great way to stimulate discussion. Google Wave makes teamwork via the Internet a reality.

Wave is a term that is used often in the Google Wave system. A Wave is defined as a discussion that has several participants in it. Wave participants are invited into a project, or added by a Wave admin and are given permission to participate in the development of documents or in whatever collaborative effort is taking place. There is no limit to the number of participants that can be added to a Wave. One particular feature that makes Google Wave especially exciting is the option for new participants to playback any interactions that took place among the team before they actually joined the project.

Google Wave functions are in real-time and therefore any communication at all, can be seen instantly by other team members. This allows team members on the same project to work together on a document while holding a real-time discussion at the same time. There are no limitations on the quality of documents that users work with. Google Wave allows for rich text formatting, uploading photos, video uploads and the placement of maps in documents as well. All of this eliminates the need for email messages being sent to the group and eliminates a need for attachments in those emails.

Project managers, business owners and business planning departments can all benefit greatly from the features offered by Google Wave, as can companies that require the co-operation of multiple departments placed in different offices and cities. Often traditional businesses hesitate to adopt new technology and wait to see how things fair with other companies. Google Wave is one development in technology that definitely improves the way that things are done in the best of ways.

Dropbox Online Storage

Dropbox technology was developed by Dropbox Inc. Their online service allows people located anywhere in the world to store files and to sync data between their computer and the Dropbox servers, where the data is stored. Using the service is not difficult, users simply sign up for an account and then they are free to sync files as they need to. This can simply be either storing files from a single computer or syncing several computers with the data that they have stored on Dropbox.

In these days of widespread computer use, very few people use just a single computer all of the time. Most people have a computer that they use at work, one that they use at home and perhaps a mobile device as a laptop, iPhone or PDA. When this is the case, there is always an issue of trying to figure out how to share and access files and data between various devices. Flash drives and Bluetooth have helped somewhat in this arena, but as the world becomes more tech savvy, the demand for higher levels of flexibility and broader bandwidths of data transfer arises. The need for a central repository for files and data that can be accessed by all of your devices is very necessary. Dropbox solves this issue in a way that is easy and practical.

Since Dropbox is web-based, it can be used by computers operating on any platform. Therefore people running computers on Windows Operating System, Mac, Linux or even on an iPhone can take advantage of this service. Basically, once a file has been dropped into Dropbox, it is instantly available to be synced with any computer owned by the user. In addition to this, it can be either shared with other Dropbox users or it can be accessed via the Internet.

One of the first questions that arises when we talk about storing data online, is security. It is important for users to know that their files are safe, and that those files are for their eyes only. Dropbox has addressed this issue and have done an excellent job of ensuring that all files are securely uploaded and that they are accessed only by the correct parties.

Technically speaking, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is used to protect the transfer of data. This is the same technology that is used with shopping carts and online payment systems. Besides this, Dropbox has revision history. What this means in practical terms is that if a file is deleted either purposely or accidentally, it can be made available and recovered from any one of the other computers that are used on the account.

Dropbox offer a variety of packages to their users. Their initial package is free, but provides limited services. As with all businesses, the more features required by the user, the higher the related fees. They have an unlimited package, which is known and promoted as the ‘Pack Rat’. Check out dropbox.com to see this great new technology, and in the meantime, here is a video which provides a simple explanation on the Dropbox technology.

Online photo sharing

Online photo sharing websites such as Picasa, Flickr, Photobucket and Imgur allow people to display and share photos that they have taken, with other people. These photos can either be shared with a specific group of friends or publicly with anyone. Most photo sharing websites are free to join and use. People only need to set up a user account before they are free to upload photos. Most photo sharing websites have a variety of features. For the most part, these features are free, however, on some websites users may be required to pay a fee in order to use some of the more advanced site features.

With most photo sharing websites, users can begin to upload photos as soon as they open their account. Photos can then be organized into albums and can be dated to keep them organized. Online photo albums also allow users to organize their memories and they provide structure for others that will browse through their photos. Users do not necessarily have to share all of the albums with all of their friends. Albums can be privatised or the user may share the album’s link with a selected few, or open albums up for anyone to view.

Each photo sharing website has its own set of features. The most common features found on photo sharing websites are photo upload utilities, email notifications and varied storage limits. Image upload utilities often give users the ability to upload several photos simultaneously, saving them time. Email notification features are common on many sites. This allows users to send email notices to friends informing them of a newly created photo album or of new photos to be viewed. Some photo sharing websites provide unlimited storage, others limit the amount of storage space that can be used, often charging a fee for higher than standard storage space. Some websites allow photos to be uploaded at full resolution while others may reduce the quality and size of the file.

When looking for a photo sharing web site, the best way to decide on which site to use is by looking at the features that are being offered, and finding a site that suits your needs. A person that is very serious about photography will not want to place their photos on a website that reduces the quality of their images. A person that is very active in online social networks will most likely want to use a photo sharing site that allows them to notify others via email or social network sites that they have posted new photos. Not all photo sharing websites are equal, however, most users are sure to find a photo sharing website that will suit their particular needs.

Windows 7 Preview

We have seen many version and transformations of the Windows operating system over the years. Some computer users have faithfully upgraded their computers with every version Microsoft operating system. Others users have been more conservative and have skipped a release or two. In the opinion of many, Windows Vista was an operating system to skip completely. Many users were dissatisfied with Vista. This makes Windows 7 an important release because it is important for Microsoft to release an operating system that is an improvement upon Vista.

Already Windows 7 has begun to receive positive reviews. It is naturally being compared to Windows Vista and in most reviews is coming out on top. There are many changes in Windows 7 that will require a learning curve even since Vista. They will at least require an adjustment in the way that you interact with Windows operating system.

Many changes have been made in Windows 7. The taskbar and the start menu is where traditional Windows users will need to get used to. The changes are not complicated but you will have to know where to look for the features that you may have always found in the same place in the past. One feature that no longer exists is the Quick Launch menu. Personally, I will miss this feature dearly as it has been the staple of my own computer use throughout the years.

The Desktop is much easier to access with Windows 7. You will find to the right of the Taskbar a short nub that when hovered over causes all open windows to become transparent. The desktop can then be seen through the open windows. Alternatively, you can click on the nub and all of the open windows will be moved aside, allowing you quick access to the Desktop and its contents.

Windows 7 eliminates the frustrating balloon notifications that were prevalent in older versions of Windows. Alerts related to unused icons on the desktop, notifications that your computer might be at risk and any other issues are all banished to an area called the Action Center. This is a notification area that you can go to at your convenience to review the alerts that have been raised. Issues that Windows 7 has identified are placed in a queue that you can review at your convenience.

All in all, Windows 7 seems to be a step in the write direction for Windows. I did not like Windows Vista and it seems that I am not alone in that sentiment. Microsoft quickly recognized how disgruntled many loyal Windows users felt about Vista and quickly provided an improved offering. For all intents and purposes, Windows 7 is a marked improvement over Windows Vista. Now it is for the public to give offer their vote of approval.

Top 5 Open Source Alternatives

Open source computer programs are software solutions that are developed by programmers without profit in mind. Instead, open source developers write programs and then give them away for free. Open source software poses a huge challenge to developers of commercial software packages. When consumers are faced with the option of paying a high price for software and a similar product for free many people would choose the free software. Offering a free version of a program that functions almost the same as an expensively priced commercial program provides an extremely tempting option for computer users.

Below are 5 of the most popular open source computer applications currently available along with the commercial software packages that they compete with:

1. Dia Vs Microsoft Visio
Dia is an open source drawing package that rivals the commercial Microsoft Visio package. Just as with Visio, Dia helps users develop and put together a host of charts, drawing and graphics presentations. If you need to put together flowcharts, UML diagrams, relationship diagrams or any other types of graphs or charts on a regular basis, Dia is an excellent open source alternative to the commercially priced Visio.

2. Clonezilla Vs Symantec Norton Ghost
Clonezilla is the open source solution for backing up files and important data on your computer. In fact, Clonezilla software can be used for backing up data, restoring data or for ghosting. Clonezilla is the open source rival of programs like Norton’s Ghost. It is capable of backing up everything on your hard disk, even including the operating system itself.

3. OpenOffice Draw Vs Microsoft Visio
OpenOffice Draw is a popular open source application that allows users to develop flowcharts, graphs and other illustrations. It is one of several open source software packages that rival Microsoft Visio. OpenOffice Draw can be used to create professional visual presentations of data which is extremely beneficial in the business environment.

4. Quanta Plus Vs Adobe Dreamweaver
Quanta Plus is a software package that provides an open source alternative to web design software packages such as Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft Frontpage. Quanta Plus is quickly becoming a viable alternative to other well-known software packages and includes a host of features that match those found in commercial packages and therefore is growing in popularity among web designers.

5. Gimpshop Vs Adobe Photoshop
Gimpshop is a software solution that not only provides an alternative to Photoshop but also rides on top of what has already been developed in Gimp. Gimpshop takes things further than Gimp to offer a graphics solution that is as similar as possible to Photoshop. Menus and tools have all been changed in Gimpshop to look as much as possible like Photoshop. This reduces the learning curve for people that want to use Gimpshop that are used to using Photoshop.

Light Peak Technology

Light Peak is the nickname, or codename for a new technology that will be used in the cables that we use to connect our electronic devices. Light Peak technology makes use of extremely high speed optical cables that will allow for the rapid transmittal of data between electronic devices. High bandwidth Light Peak cables will allow for extremely high speed file and data transfer at rapid speeds that we have not yet seen or experienced up to this point. If you compare Light Peak speeds to the file transfer speeds that the average cable these days allows, Light Peak technology is truly phenomenal.

The thing that makes Light Peak technology unique and of extreme interest to developers as a future technology, is the fact that it makes use of optical light technology. Optical technology makes use of light to transmit data rather than electricity which is what is used to using at the moment. The fact that data is transmitted using light rather than electricity eliminates the problem of electro-magnetic interference (EMI). EMI is responsible for much of the limitations in the speeds that we currently experience with the devices and cables that we currently use because of the EMI they emit. EMI causes a slow down in data transfer and puts a cap on how quickly data can be transferred between devices, and how far it can travel. Today’s cables have for the most part reached the maximum potential for speed and length. Light Peak technology does not create EMI and therefore has less issues with speed.

Light Peak technology is packed with potential for speed. As we further advance in technology, everyone is looking for faster and faster transmittal speeds. Light Peak It is capable of bandwidths of around 10 gigabytes per second. However it has the potential to reach around 100 gigabytes per second. Amazingly, at this speed you would be able to copy a full-length BluRay movie in as little as 30 seconds. Although it will be a while before we see Light Peak functioning at its fullest capacity, even the bandwidth that it will provide at launch will already begin to revolutionize the way that we do computing.

Intel is a major player in bringing about the rapid launch of Light Peak technology and making it available to the general public. If things go as currently planned, you should begin to see Light Peak technology offered on devices as soon as 2010. Another benefit of Light Peak technology is that it will be able to compliment other I/O technologies because it will allow everything to connect on one, single cable. Keep your open for this new level of cable that will soon be offered by Intel and other electronic device makers.

Back up Strategy – Drobo to the Rescue

The new age of technology that we are in has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for people of all age groups. Today’s technology allows us to communicate and entertain ourselves on a whim in a way that has never been possible before. In fact, the Internet alone provides us with more hours of intellectual stimulation, fun and conversation than was imaginable just a few short years ago… not to mention the many ways that we can use computers for work and personal tasks.

The shift to such a heavy reliance on technology means that many of our important documents and even personal information exist in electronic form only. Less and less are we relying on physical documents anymore. In fact, for some people, family photographs and diaries are all kept solely on the personal computer. With so much of our information stored electronically it is important for computer owners to have a back up strategy for their files. Ideally, your electronic data should be backed up in a secure way on a regular basis. This protects you in case your computer suffers damage or suffers a loss of data for some other reason.

Although most home computer users are aware that they need to back up their computer hard drives, they are rarely sure how they should go about this task nor which back up methods they should actually use. If you have a home computer user with a home network, you might find it much easier to back up important information if with a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device.
(Check out our “Home NAS” article)

One device that functions very much like a network-attached storage devices is Drobo. Drobo is a storage and back up device that was developed by Data Robotics, a California-based company. The device can be attached to most computers via USB 2.0 or FireWire and is for all intents and purposes completely self-contained. It is one of the simplest devices on the market for data protection.

Once the Drobo is connected to your computer it will automatically back up and provide protection for the files on your computer as well as on any other storage device connected to your computer. It contains its own operating system which will recognize any storage device attached to it on the fly. Drobo is easy to use and therefore even the most basic of computer users can use this device to keep their files safe and to preserve the important documents that are increasingly stored in electronic form on their computers.