Alvin's Educational Technology Blog

It will last longer. 

Last year I was installing a new video card into my computer.  The instructions said that I should write down the serial number printed on the card before installing the card inside my computer because the number was needed during the software installation process.  There were three or four numbers and none was labeled as the serial number.  I hate to write down long strings of seemingly random numbers.  I always transpose a couple of the digits and then I’m stuck.

I had just uploaded some pictures to my computer and my camera was right in front of me. Why write something down when I can take a picture of it. My camera can take a very high resolution picture and I have a macro lens for getting in close.  Two seconds later I had a nice picture of all those numbers.

That gave me an idea.  Why not keep track of all my important “numbers” with pictures.  It’s like using a photocopy machine, but much more versatile.  Now I take pictures of anything more complicated than a phone number.  The insert is a UPS tracking sticker for my kid’s Nintendo DS.  I stuck it on the box and snapped a picture.  I’ve done the same with all my serial numbers and key codes.  I have a folder on my computer named “serial numbers” and all the pictures go in there.

TSPY=0.56

If you want Windows Explorer to open in a designated area of the screen, do the following.

1 – Position Windows Explorer in the exact location you desire.
2 – Re-size the window to the size you desire.
3 – Click the “X” in the top right corner while holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard.

This will force Explorer to open in that exact orientation from now on.

As you use Explorer it will sometimes “remember” the last orientation in which you left it.  This shortcut forces it to remember everything as it was when closed using the Ctrl-Close method.

TSPY=0.56

I have talked about using the Pin Area to gain quick access to programs used often.  If you find that certain programs are used more often, use the “letter” shortcut to open the program faster.

I use Eudora for my email.  Eudora (starting with the letter E) is in my pinned area.  To open Eudora, I press the Windows Key (don’t hold it down) and then E.  Eudora opens.

Eudora happens to be the only program in my Start menu that begins with the letter E.  If I press W instead of E, I high-light Word in the start menu, but Word does not open.  This is because WinSCP is another program in my start menu and it also starts with W.  You can still use this shortcut with multiple W’s in the Start menu.  Simply press Enter as soon as the correct program is high-lighted.  For me it works like this.

Windows Key, W, Enter – starts Word
Windows Key, W, W, Enter – starts WinSCP

If you find yourself using the mouse all the time on the pinned list, try the keyboard shortcut.  It will save you time.

TSPY=1.34

Yesterday I talked about using wired networks instead of wireless.  If your computer has a wireless card and you are not using it, turn it off.  A wireless card will use up your battery even if you are not connected to a wireless network.

My laptop has a switch that turns off the power to my built-in wireless card.  One of my kids has a laptop with a function key that does the same.  If you have an “add-on” PCMCIA wireless card, take it out of your machine when not in use.

Leaving your wireless card on can also cause some security problems.  Someone that “sees” your computer via a wireless adapter can mess with your machine.  There is already a “Free Public Wi-Fi” sort of virus going around.

There is a hard and fast rule you should follow regarding all computer software.  If you are not using it, turn it off.  Wireless should be treated the same way.