A Faster Way To Compute
Ask anyone whose sun rises and sets on the keyboard of a laptop, and they'll tell you that the electronic age is both a blessing and curse. Automation a wonderful thing — a huge time-saver and a great tool for simple-living. But become neglectful or complacent about your technology and it will turn against you — causing your systems to crash, your data to disappear, and your life to be full of virtual woes. Any gadget is only as good as the systems you set up for using it — cell phones, computers, email, the internet, even iPods and DVDs. The trick to successfully managing your various electronics and media is not allowing yourself to become overwhelmed by it all — breaking routine maintenance responsibilities down into bite-sized chunks.
- back up your computer files to either CD-Rom or an external drive
- set up folders in your email program for each type of to-do or topic
- set up filters in your email program that instantly sort each email into the appropriate folder
- download the latest virus protection updates
- clean the junk spam out of your email in-box
- create a set of electronic folders on your hard drive that mirror your paper filing system
- relocate any electronic files that are in the wrong location to the correct folders on your hard drive
- rename any confusingly-labeled document to make more sense and be easily located
- move any miscellaneous items dumped in “my documents” to the correct folders on your hard drive
- remove unused and outdated programs from your computers
- run a virus check and firewall update on your system
- start a spreadsheet keeping track of the logins and passwords you use for your favorite websites
- empty your recycle bin on your hard drive and in your email program
- put the contacts in your address book into an electronic database
- return all CDs, DVDs, and software discs to their cases
- place an internet order for something you've needed but haven't had time to pick up at the store
- post to your Twitter account or Facebook fan page
- write a short blog
- send an email you've been putting off
- update your cell phone contacts to match your electronic database
See how easy that was? 