Sandy's Favorite Computer Tips (Part II)
First I want to thank all of you who posted positive comments on the Computer and Technology Message Boards, or who wrote to me, about my first Sandy's Favorite Tips article. I wanted to provide a follow-up article to that original one to give you a few more intricate tips that will still be easy to use. Again, these are little tips and tricks that I use everyday.
Change Icons
Your Windows desktop probably has a least a few shortcut icons that start various programs or open folders. Windows will use adefault icon for each shortcut, but you can customize these icons easily. Just right-click the shortcut, and choose Properties. On the Shortcut tab, click the Change Icon button, and choose a different icon.
Document Scrap
This is a simple, but little-used, function of Windows. When you have some text that you want to use over and over but you don't want to have to retype it, you can turn it into a document scrap. Just type the text into any document. Then run the mouse across it to select it. Copy it to the computer clipboard by choosing Edit, then Copy. Go to the Windows Desktop and right-click on any blank area. Choose Paste from the popup menu. A paper icon will appear which represents your text. Just double-click the document scrap to open it and you can copy and paste the text into any document or email without retyping. In many cases, you can also drag the document scrap into an open document without even having to open it.
Copy or Move?
Those of you who have been using the computer for awhile will notice that when you drag a file from one location to another, Windows sometimes moves it to the new location while deleting it from the old location. Sometimes, Windows moves the file to a new location while leaving a copy in the old location. Sometimes it creates a shortcut to the file.
There is a method to this madness, but you don't have to bother to learn the whys and wherefores. Whenever you want to drag a file from one location to another, just right-click on the file and drag it while you hold down the right mouse button. When you release the right mouse button, a small window will popup asking if you want to Copy, Move, or Create a Shortcut to the file. This will allow you to be in complete control of how the file is being handled. It will also force you to stop and think about whether you want to duplicate the file or move it. It has kept me from making file-dragging mistakes many times.
Desktop Wallpaper
You can use any picture that you see on the Internet or have on your computer as your desktop wallpaper. Just right-click the picture and choose "Set as Background." Every time my daughter sends me a new picture of the grandchildren, I set it as my wallpaper so I can see the kid's smiling faces everyday when I work on my computer.
Customize the Toolbars
Almost every program has toolbars that can be shown or hidden. Most often these toolbars can also be customized. After you use a program for a few weeks or months, you will have a good idea of which functions you use the most. Adding those functions to the toolbar can often save you time and trouble.
Access to the toolbar customization menu varies from program to program. In some programs like Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, the Toolbars can be shown, hidden, or customized by choosing Toolbars from the View menu. Sometimes the toolbar choice in under Preferences or Options. There is even a shortcut for accessing the Toolbar options — right-clicking on any blank portion of the toolbar will often take you right to the toolbar menu.
Full-Screen
Tired of having those toolbars take up so much precious screen space? Just press the F11 key and the document that you are viewing will appear full screen without (most) toolbars. Press F11 again to make the toolbars reappear.
Last, but Not Least
I'll end with the two most important computer tips that I can give. First, get a good surge protector to keep power surges from damaging your computer. Second, back up all your important files on a regular basis.
