Working off a slow, disorganized computer can be frustrating—and it happens to the best of us. This article is designed to give you some easy-to-follow guidelines on how to keep your computer on the right track using tools in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

1. Organize your foldersWe all know how easy it is to dump files into the wrong folder when we’re in a hurry. But one way to make sure you’ll keep your files organized is to remove the clutter with a filing system that makes sense for the way you use your computer. Here are a few tips to get you started:

•Start clean

Begin by deciding which files you no longer need on your hard drive.

•Think it through

Take the time to plan the best way to organize your files. How do you spend your time on the computer and what do you create? Do you work with photos and image editing software, surf the Web, write short stories, research school projects, or play games? The folders you create in Documents (called “My Documents” in Windows XP) can be easily tailored to show you just the kind of data about your files that you need to track.

•Use subfolders

After you have an idea of the kinds of items you produce and want to save, create folders and subfolders to store your files. Be sure to use logical, easy-to-understand names. For example, within Documents, you might create additional folders called Projects, HR Benefits, and Career. Then, within the Projects folder, you could create subfolders for each different project.

•Clean your files periodically

After you have set up your file system, inspect and clean it regularly. Routine maintenance tasks such as deleting old or duplicate files and folders and making sure that important files are in the right folders can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Windows Tip

To create a new subfolder with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, simply right-click anywhere in the folder, select New, and then select Folder. Type the name for the new folder and press Enter. In Windows 7, you can also click New Folder at the top of any Documents Library folder to automatically create a new folder. For more tips about creating a well-organized filing system, see 7 tips to manage your files better.

Windows 7 screen with New Folder command circled and New Folder ready to be named
2. Clean up your hard diskNow that you’ve organized your files and folders, and cleaned up your desktop, you can organize the data itself. Windows includes two utilities—Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter—that help you free up more space on your hard drive and help your computer work more efficiently.

•Disk Cleanup compresses your old files so you can free up storage space.

•Disk Defragmenter scans your hard drive and consolidates files that may be scattered across the disk.

Not sure how often to run these utilities? It’s really up to you—some people like to run both weekly, others prefer monthly, and a few only run them every few months. It’s not a bad idea to do both at least once a month. Windows Vista users take note: Disk Defragmenter is automatically scheduled to run once a week (Sunday at 4 a.m.). You can change the scheduled time for this feature or turn it off, if you prefer.

•To find both programs in Windows Vista and Windows XP, click Start, point to All Programs, then point to Accessories, and then choose System Tools.

3. Use System Restore
System Restore is one of those programs that can be a life-saver when you’ve been the unfortunate recipient of unstable software, a badly timed power outage, or a damaging thunderstorm. System Restore records important documents, settings, and preferences on your computer. If the unthinkable happens and your computer files are damaged or inaccessible, you can use System Restore to restore your computer back the same state it was in before the data was lost.

System Restore creates restore points daily, and whenever you install device drivers, automatic updates, and some applications. Still, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of creating a system checkpoint (called a restore point) whether you’re about to install new software or take any action you suspect might make your computer unstable. That way, if there’s any conflict at all, you can restore your computer to the point just before you began the installation.

Windows 7
Click Start . In the search box, type system restore. Under Programs, click System Restore. Follow the directions in the wizard to restore your computer to the point you want.
First page of the Windows 7 System Restore Wizard
.
Windows Vista and Windows XP
Click Start, and choose All Programs.
Point to Accessories, then point to System Tools, and then choose System Restore.
When the program begins, choose Create a restore point and click Next.
Enter a description of the restore point and click Create. After a few seconds, the program will tell you the date, time, and description of the new restore point.
Click Close.
System Restore screen with a restore point created for a specific date before data was lost

4. Keep Windows and Office up-to-dateComputer programs are continually improved based on customer feedback and continuing product testing. As problems are resolved, you should benefit from those improvements. By checking Microsoft Update regularly, you can make sure you’ve got the most recent Windows and Office improvements available to you.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista users don’t need to sign up for Microsoft Update: an account is automatically created for you during the registration process and Windows Update is automatically installed on your computer with default settings that you can change later if you wish.

If you’re using Windows XP, you have to visit Microsoft Update to start the update process. If it’s your first time to visit Microsoft Update, you might need to sign up for the service.

Use Microsoft Update to install the update process for all Microsoft products on your XP-based computer

After you’ve visited the Microsoft Update site, you should also configure your Windows XP-based computer to receive critical updates automatically. This free service is called Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows Vista and Automatic Updates in Windows XP.

Learn how to turn automatic updating on in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP

Windows 7

Windows Vista

Windows XP

Important If you do not select the automatic updating option we recommend, you must download and install every critical update. If you download the updates, but forget to install them, your computer will not be protected with all the latest enhancements.

5. Run antivirus software AND a spyware detection and removal toolUpdating your Windows software is just the first step in keeping your computer safe. Next, you’ll want to download and install antivirus software and keep it up-to-date. Your computer may have come with a free trial of antivirus software, but if you don’t renew your subscription, you won’t be protected from all the latest threats.

If your computer seems sluggish or if you begin to see lots of pop-up advertisements, even when you’re not surfing the Web, your computer may be infected with spyware, adware, or other unwanted software. Learn more about spyware and what it can do to your computer.

For this article I used a photo of my real live home office. These tips are important one to me as I am constantly trying to find the balance between spending 14 hours a day in the office working without ever seeing another room in my home not to mention the shower or being totally distracted by home projects, cooking, laundry, etc. I hope you find it useful and find that balance in working from home.
~Cynthia

More and more companies and organizations not only allow but also encourage telecommuting. If your organization offers that option, you can use your mobile PC to be productive in the comfort of your home or another remote location. In this article, I discuss the tools of the trade and provide tips to ensure that the familiar home environment doesn’t prevent you from keeping your focus and achieving your goals.

Tools of the trade
To efficiently telecommute, you’ll need the following tools.
Internet access: Most teleworkers have access to the Internet at home so that they can connect to their corporate network. As a home user, you can choose from three Internet access options:

•DSL: DSL stands for digital subscriber line. It uses ordinary telephone lines and a special modem to provide an Internet connection that can transmit high-bandwidth information to a user’s computer. A DSL line can carry both data and voice signals. The data part of the line is a dedicated connection to the Internet and does not interfere with the use of the telephone. DSL is high speed and is always connected to the Internet.

•Cable Internet: Cable Internet uses your local cable TV line to receive broadband Internet content. This data rate far exceeds that of modems and is about the same as DSL. Your local TV cable company is typically the cable Internet service provider.

•Satellite Internet: If cable or DSL aren’t available in your area, or if the slow dial-up access speeds are not acceptable, consider using satellite internet. It’s available to you if you live in the northern hemisphere and have an unobstructed view of the southern sky. The service is expensive and the data rate is not as fast as a direct line, but it is a good connectivity alternative if you live in an isolated location.

Computer: Of course, you’ll need a computer! You can use a desktop computer or a mobile PC. If you can take your mobile PC home from the office, you won’t have to install the same programs on your desktop computer. If you do need to use a desktop computer to connect to your organization’s network remotely, you may need to install additional software to meet your company’s connectivity and security requirements.

Dedicated space with some privacy: I’ve heard more than one frustrated telecommuter state that they have a hard time focusing when they work at home. When I ask where their desktop computer or mobile PC is located, they usually say it’s on the dining room table. By setting up your workspace in a busy location, you almost guarantee distractions. Instead, set up a safe, healthy, and efficient workspace with easy access to your computer, a phone, reference materials, and supplies.

Communication tools: When telecommuting, make sure that your colleagues, customers, and manager can communicate with you at all times. Whether you’re in the office or working remotely, make it easy for people to contact you. Here are some suggestions:

•Share your phone number with people you work with regularly and leave your contact information with your manager and one or two additional contacts (such as your administrative assistant or receptionist). Also, consider using call forwarding to your home or cell phone so that you receive incoming calls wherever you’re working.

•Consider using instant messaging (IM). Similar to a chat room, IM is a fast means of communicating with one or more people in real time over the Internet. IM also gives you a way to show and update your communication status throughout the day. For example, when you need a couple of hours of undisturbed concentration, set your status as “Busy” and let everyone know that you’ll be slower than usual to reply to e-mail messages and phone calls.

Tips for staying focused
The tools of the trade don’t guarantee success—you’ll also need some strategies to help you stay focused.

•Start working at the same time. Treat telework days like regular workdays: get up, get dressed, and be “at your desk” at the usual time.

•Establish a schedule. Keep work hours similar to the ones you would keep if you were working at your office. Your manager and your co-workers appreciate knowing when you are available.

•Limit distractions. Be careful not to replace office-based interruptions with home-based ones (such as children, neighbors, and friends).

•Plan ahead. Take the appropriate work home. Some work may be better suited for the home office than other work, so be sure to plan the telework a day ahead.

•Take breaks. Plan time to get up and move around. Consider going for a walk or a run during your lunch break to keep your mind fresh.

•Focus on objectives. Work with your manager and colleagues to define clear goals and objectives against which your performance can be objectively measured.

Telecommuting is not for everyone, but if your job lends itself to working remotely and you are self-disciplined and highly motivated, you can reap the rewards of working effectively at home or remotely. Using the information presented in this column, you can take advantage of the opportunity to work efficiently away from the office while remaining in touch with your colleagues and customers.

This article was written by Armelle O’Neal.

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST
Emergency The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other “remote” for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor’s Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!” (My hubby and I tried this. He went to the grocery store approx 3 miles away. He called me….I hit the button on my cell phone and his truck door opened! It was a hoot!!)

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone’s serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won’t get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can’t use/sell it either. And Finally..

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don’t have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Well, here we are two full months into 2010. This is usually right about the time of year when many people start to fall off the wagon and forget about those goals and resolutions that they set for themselves on January 1st. Hopefully you are still moving full speed ahead towards your goals, but if you need a little bit of extra motivation, I thought I would share some more of my favorite motivational quotes with you. I hope you enjoy them!

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to.” – George Allen

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” -Brian Tracy

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” – Calvin Coolidge

“Only by contending with challenges that seem to be beyond your strength to handle at the moment can you grow more surely toward the stars.” -Brian Tracy

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” -Earl Nightingale

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” -Henry Ford

“Become a ‘possibilitarian’. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities- Always see them, for they are always there.” -Norman Vincent Peale

“Your decision to be, have, and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.” -Brian Tracy

“Don’t waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you.” -Jim Rohn

“Do not think of today’s failures, but of success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will have a joy in overcoming obstacles—a delight in climbing rugged paths which you would perhaps never know if you did not sometimes slip backward. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.” -Helen Keller.

Hopefully these words of wisdom were able to give you some extra motivation- they always seem to do the trick for me!

When I work with people in my business productivity practice, the first question I ask them is, “What’s stopping you from being more productive?” The answers that keep coming up are pretty much the same from everyone.

In this article, we’ll take a look at these beliefs one by one, and see how you can turn them around.

1. There’s too much information coming at me too fast
Belief: My e-mail is overwhelming me. I can’t keep up with it.

Reality: The volume of e-mail isn’t the issue. How you process and organize the volume is the issue. Learning how to better manage your e-mail by using McGhee Productivity Solutions’ “Four D’s for Decision Making” will transform this belief.

Each year we receive more and more data from a growing array of devices, which can be accessed from an increasing number of locations. If you’re not careful, the quantity of data starts to drive you instead of the other way around. Learn 4 ways you can take control of your e-mail Inbox. And when you do, you can reduce the number of messages in your inbox by as much as 80 percent.

2. I have to keep everything
Belief: I have to keep everything. You just never know when you might need it!

Reality: Okay, prepare yourself. On average, the clients we work with throw away 50 percent of their stored information, with no ramifications. They feel lighter, happier, and have more time. So if you’re a “keeper,” and you know who you are, hold on to your hats! You “keepers” are a proud and experienced breed! There’s nothing quite like laying your hands on a file that no one else can find. It justifies all of your filing and keeping efforts. If you’re a keeper, you might recognize yourself in one of these statements:

•I got badly burned when I couldn’t lay my hands on an important document. Now, I’m afraid to let go of information.

•I want to be able to justify the decisions I make, so I keep everything.

•If my system crashes, I want backup information.

•I felt so good when no one else could find “that document.” As a result, I decided to keep everything so I could continue being useful.

At some point you made a decision about keeping all your information. That decision has been driving you ever since, but it may not be appropriate in your current situation.

The truth is, most people use only 15 percent of what they file, and this makes the other 85 percent ineffective. You can read about one way to develop a functional filing system in my Create an Effective Reference System article. By clarifying what is useful and letting go of the rest, you can reduce your filing, make it easier to find what you do keep, and save valuable time and energy that you can direct to more meaningful tasks. Also, learn 7 tips to help you manage your files better.

3. Organization cramps my freedom and creativity
Belief: Being organized blocks my creativity, and there’s nothing spontaneous about it.

Reality: Organization actually fosters and supports creativity and spontaneity. You may find your creativity being disrupted by the non-stop flood of reminders spinning around your head, such as:

•Call Kevin for his birthday

•Review the P&L spreadsheet

•Review PowerPoint slide deck

•Decide on a Valentine’s Day present

Imagine if you could clear your mind of all these lists and transfer them to Microsoft Office Outlook. You can do this by putting them in the TaskPad. This will create space for new ideas and creative thinking. Being disorganized can also stifle your creativity. Imagine you’re an artist and decide to paint the Colorado autumn colors in Aspen. You drive for three and a half hours from Denver to Aspen to find the perfect spot. When you arrive, you realize you’ve forgotten to pack your paint brushes. That can make being creative really hard! Preparation does support your creativity.

When your calendar is booked and leaves no time to be spontaneous, this can be frustrating. However, if you pre-plan, you can block out large chunks of time with no organized events, giving you more freedom to do something on the spur of the moment.

To get control of all the “stuff” in your life, I recommend you set up an Integrated Management System (IMS). An IMS gives you a methodology for storing reference information, turning action information into tasks, and scheduling tasks on your calendar. After you’ve set up your IMS, you’ll find that it will support your creativity and spontaneity. The best result is being able to close your system, knowing that everything is taken care of so you can relax and let go!

4. There’s not enough time in the day!
Belief: I just don’t have the time to do all the things I want.

Reality: Time is not the issue. The issue is deciding what you can do given the time you have.

As you know, managing your time with Olympian skill doesn’t create more hours in the day. We all have the same 24 hours, so the issue isn’t managing time—it’s managing what you can do with the time you have. You can’t do everything, but you can do anything, as long as it fits into your calendar.

If you keep your to-do lists in multiple locations—in e-mail, on a calendar, on paper, in an Excel spreadsheet, a list in your head, and notepad paper—you might want to consider centralizing this list in the Outlook TaskPad. This will make it easier to centralize and prioritize this list. Then, you need to schedule your tasks on your Outlook Calendar so you will know what you can and can not do. To start, put your to-do items on your Outlook Task list. Learn how to create a Task.

Create a task list to see all the commitments you have.
.Then, drag your tasks onto your Outlook Calendar.

If you click on a task and drag it to the Calendar, you can choose to move or copy it to your Calendar as an attachment, with all of the details intact.

View all your tasks on your calendar.
.As you drop tasks into the available time on your Calendar you will immediately see if you are overcommitted and if you need to re-prioritize your tasks and, in some cases, reschedule your commitments.

5. It takes too much time to get productive
Belief: I don’t have the time to set up a system. I’ve got too much to do.

Reality: You can save one to two hours a day using an Integrated Management System, so the return on the investment is significant.

Here are some interesting statistics. On average, people we work with spend two to three hours a day working in e-mail and 60 minutes a day finding and filing information. After setting up an Integrated Management System, they spend one to two hours a day working in e-mail and 10 minutes a day finding and filing information. That’s a savings of nearly two hours a day, or almost 12 weeks a year! The bottom line is: You can’t afford not to create an effective Integrated Management System.

Take a moment and consider the time you spend:

•Finding and filing information;

•Writing a to-do list, and then rewriting it a week later on another list, and then another;

•Opening e-mail, reading the message, closing the e-mail and then coming back to the same e-mail to read it again tomorrow; and

•Going to the store and realizing you don’t know the model of the hardware you need to pick up.

These are just a few examples of how we waste time by not having an Integrated Management System to help us remember what, where, and when. Take the time to set up your system. You’re worth it, and you can’t afford not to.

Author Bio: Sally McGhee
A recognized thought leader and innovator in the field of productivity management, Sally McGhee has trained thousands of people in the corporate environment. She has more than 25 years’ experience as a consultant and an executive coach, and is the founder and CEO of McGhee Productivity Solutions. Her book Take Back Your Life!: Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to Get Organized and Stay Organized is available online.

There is nothing like trying to work when your Internet connection is slow. It’s tougher to send e-mail, more difficult to send files to co-workers, and it’s frustrating wasting time while you wait for Web pages to appear. And even with the proliferation of broadband Internet connections, there are still times you may be working on a slow connection. You might be traveling, working out of your office, still using dial-up, or your broadband connection may be acting up. But there are things you can do.

This article will show you how to increase your productivity when your connection is slow. Many of these steps are also good tips for how to increase the speed of browsing and sending and receiving e-mail.

1. Send multiple files faster by compressing them
If you’re sending multiple files for example several files related to a project you can reduce their combined size by using a compression utility. Compressing your files can dramatically reduce the time needed to send files online, and won’t take up as much space in your (or the recipient’s) e-mail Inbox. WinZip is one of the more common compression tools.

2. Speed browsing by turning off graphics in Internet Explorer
Graphics are important to Web pages, but they also take time to download if you’re online. You can turn them off to speed your Internet browsing.

Disable graphics in Internet Explorer
1.On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2.In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.

3.In the Settings box, scroll down to the Multimedia section. Clear the following boxes.

◦a. Play animations in Web pages

◦b. Play sounds in Web pages

◦c. Play videos in Web pages

Note This option is not available in Internet Explorer 8

◦d. Show pictures

4.Click Apply.

Speed browsing by turning off the graphics

3. Send e-mail using distribution listsIf you’re sending an e-mail to multiple people, create a distribution list instead of listing each recipient separately. Messages are sent faster and more efficiently when you’re using a distribution list. Your company may have established procedures for creating mailing lists. If not, learn how to create a distribution list in Outlook.

4. Work offline using Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook
Even if you lose your network connection, you can continue to working in Outlook if you’re using Cached Exchange Mode. With Cached Exchange Mode, a copy of your mailbox is stored on your computer. This copy provides quick access to your data and is frequently updated with the mail server. If you work offline, whether by choice or due to a connection problem, your data is still available to you instantly wherever you are. Cached Exchange Mode does require you to work with a Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail account. Learn more about using Cached Exchange Mode.

5. Reduce e-mail size with simple e-mail signatures
E-mail signatures leave a professional stamp on your messages, but elaborate signatures that include multiple images take up a lot of unnecessary storage space in each e-mail. Ultimately, they can slow down the time needed to send each message. Instead create distinctive text signatures combining fonts, type sizes, and colors to make your e-mail signature smaller and quicker to transmit and receive. Learn how to create e-mail signatures in Outlook.

6. Browse offline by saving Web pages on your computer
If you use reference a Web page often, save it locally to your computer. If you lose your connection or are working on a slow connection, you’ll still be able to read and find the information you need.

Save a Web page on your computer:
1.In Internet Explorer, go to the Web page you want to save.

2.On the File menu, click Save As.

3.In the Save As type drop-down menu, select Web page, complete.

4.Click Save.

7. Open Web pages faster by increasing your cache
If you increase the size of the Temporary Internet files cache in Internet Explorer, your computer won’t have to work so hard when you revisit Web pages. Many of the images will already be downloaded on your computer, decreasing the amount of time it takes to open a page.

Increase the Temporary Internet Files cache in Internet Explorer

1.On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2.On the General tab, in the Browsing history section, click Settings.

3.In the Temporary Internet Files dialog box, under Check for newer versions of stored pages:, click the Automatically radio button. Then, set the Amount of disk space to use: to at least 250 megabytes (MB).

4.Click OK.

Increase the Temporary Internet Files cache to open Web pages faster

YOU ARE INVITED!

Cynthia Weber has invited you to join SikkU (seek-you), the most exciting home search tool on the market today! SikkU combines the benefits of an easy-to-use property search website with cutting-edge mobile tools to take your search toolset with you in the field!

With SikkU.com, you can:
• Search the complete list of homes available in your area via our direct feed of your local Real Estate MLS Board’s database.
• Access detailed information, images, and virtual tours for each property.
• Schedule home showings and tours.
• Save your searches for easy access later and bookmark your favorite listings.
• Receive automated emails when there are new or updated properties that match your search critera.

And what’s more SikkU Mobile Services empowers you while you are actually out looking at homes. Accessible anywhere, anytime from your mobile phone, SikkU Mobile Services enables you to:
• Access listed property information including sales prices, property images and more directly from your phone.
• Get home values for any home.
• Any properties you view on you phone will automatically be tracked on SikkU.com for your review when you get back home!

Access SikkU mobile services via text message by texting keywords to the short code 74558 (You will receive a complete list of keyword commands when you complete your registration). Or you can access SikkU’s mobile website from your phone’s web browser by going to www.sikku.mobi.

SikkU is always FREE to use on the web. Sign up for SikkU Mobile Services on a 72 HR TRIAL period. If you want to continue using SikkU Mobile Services after the TRIAL period, you pay only $1.99/month (charged directly to your phone bill) allowing you unlimited access with no contractual obligation! Otherwise, you will not be billed and you will still be able to search for homes on the web with www.sikku.com.
Sign up now for FREE!
or
Visit SikkU.com to learn more.
If for some reason the signup link above does not work, you can also enter the Invitation Code: 266247 when you sign up.
Want to know more about Cynthia Weber? Click here to see their professional biography.

Do you find yourself fighting the urge to press your nose against the screen because you can’t see text and images clearly?

If so, it might be time to check out some of the features in Windows and Internet Explorer that can improve your view.

Magnify your screen
Windows has a built in Magnifier that lets you magnify your computer screen. Magnifier is a lot like built-in bifocals you can adjust. You see two screens, one the way you’ve customized it, and one that shows the larger font.

You can move your mouse pointer anywhere on the non-magnified part of the page, and then type your changes in the magnified section. This is especially helpful when you have your font set to a smaller size to see everything on one screen but need to have an enlarged view for specific areas.

Here’s how to use Magnifier in Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

1.Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click Ease of Access, and then click Magnifier.

2.Move the pointer to the part of the screen that you want to magnify.

3.The Magnifier dialog box appears on the task bar. To close the magnifier, enlarge the dialog box, and click Close

Here’s how to use Magnifier in Windows XP:

1.Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.

2.Move the pointer to the part of the screen that you want to magnify.

3.The Magnifier dialog box appears on the screen. You can minimize it so it’s on the taskbar. When you want to close the Magnifier, restore the dialog box, and click Exit

About Magnifier in Windows 7
Magnifier in Windows 7 includes full-screen and lens modes. Full-screen mode lets you magnify your entire screen and follow your mouse pointer. In lens mode, the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the area of the screen that is magnified moves along with it. Learn more about Magnifier in Windows 7.

Zoom in and see the Web more clearly
Internet Explorer Zoom lets you enlarge or reduce the view of a Web page. Unlike just changing the font size, Zoom enlarges or reduces everything on the page, including text and images. You can zoom from 10% to 1,000%.

1.Click the Start button, and then click Internet Explorer.

2.On the lower-right of the Internet Explorer screen, click the arrow next to the Change Zoom Level button .

3.To go to a predefined zoom level, click the percentage of enlargement or reduction you want.

4.To specify a custom level, click Custom. In the Percentage zoom box, type a zoom value, and then click OK.

Mice and keyboards with Zoom and Magnifier
Many Microsoft mice and keyboards come with built in Zoom and Magnifier features, making zooming and magnifying as easy as clicking a button.

The Zoom feature makes it a breeze to read small print in documents and spreadsheets and tiny text in e-mail and Web pages, such as disclaimers. The Zoom feature is as intuitive as adjusting the lighting in a room by using a dimmer. All you do is slide a lever on the keyboard to zoom in and zoom out. To learn more details, visit Microsoft keyboard products with Zoom.

The Microsoft mouse products that contain the Magnifier are like a magnifying glass that is held up to your computer screen. With a simple press and hold motion, the Magnifier enlarges the area of your screen that fits inside the lens. To learn more, visit Microsoft mouse products with Magnifier.

If your computer crashed right this moment, how much data would you loose? Would your business survive? How much downtime would you suffer?

I was forced to live thru the computer crash nightmare recently when her trusty HP laptop computer crashed. It failed to boot up. All indications where that the hard drive crashed. She took the laptop over to Laptop Exhchange.

James and Nick at the Spring Mountain location was very helpful. They looked up the serial number with HP to inform me that it was still under warranty. They suggested that I purchase a hard drive cradle from them for $40 that would allow me to take the hard drive from the laptop and connect it to my desktop computer to see if my data was recoverable.

I contacted HP and 24 hours later I had a brand new hard drive delivered to my first porch. Of course it was it blank leaving me to try to track down my original operating system disks to format the hard drive myself.

I was thrilled to find that handy dandy cradle held all of my data. This considerable minimized my downtime due to my computer crash.

The morale to this story, BACK YOUR DATA UP EVERY WEEK. Therefore should you have a crash, you are only out a week of work rather than months.

Thanks and gratitude to Laptop Exchange for their over and above customer service and to HP for having a great three year warranty on HP Laptops.

Now, go back up your data~!!!!

The average person has the same fear of public speaking. Actually I feel that it is not the fear of speaking, it is the fear of making a complete ass of yourself in front of a room full of people. THAT is the fear. I was on the Speech and Debate team in high school and even won a few competitions. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have no trouble speaking my mind. So what is it that makes public speaking so difficult. For me on this night, it was the microphone. I can count on one hand how many times I have held a microphone. Furthermore, not one of those times was a pleasant experience.

Therefore, It is not the fear of public speaking I have – rather the fear of the microphone~!!!!
I invite your comments on this subject.

Top 7 Practical Tips For Overcoming Stage Fright
By Chris Widener

As one who does some speech coaching, I have heard all of the crazy ideas on how to conquer stage fright, but I think in more basic ideas. Actually, just a few. Here they are:

Know your stuff! The best thing you can do is to be overwhelmingly, thoroughly, and completely prepared and in mastery of your material. Much of the fear comes from wondering if you will make a mistake, or if the audience will know more than you. There is one sure way to beat that and that is by knowing your material inside and out.

Focus on getting through the first five minutes. That is where the problem lies. Rarely do you see someone who seems fearful all the way through his or her presentation, do you? No, they settle in and get comfortable after a while. Don’t look at it as a fifty-minute speech. Look at it as a five-minute speech.

Breathe! Fear is a bodily reflex and one that you can overcome. When you get afraid, you start to breathe in short, fast breaths. Before you speak, or while you are being introduced, you should sit quietly and breathe slow, deep breaths.

Tell yourself that the world won’t fall apart if you do a rotten job. Face it; unless you are delivering the State of the Union Address, the world will keep right on revolving if you don’t do well. Even as a professional speaker there are times when I don’t do as well as I want to (Very, very rarely though – keep those bookings coming!). People usually appreciate it anyway and you’ll keep right on going.

Understand that you are your own worst critic. I had some friends who used to play in all the hot clubs in New York City and I would occasionally go with them to watch them perform. Afterwards they would say, “Oh man, we were terrible tonight!” I hadn’t thought so. The audience hadn’t thought so either. Most people aren’t going to come to your presentation with the goal of picking you apart. So you shouldn’t pick yourself apart either. Obviously, this is mainly for the one giving the occasional talk, not the professional speaker.

Understand that most of the people in the audience would be scared to death to give a speech too, and are glad that it is you and not them! For the occasional speaker, it is okay to say, “Excuse my nerves, I am not used to this.” When I hear that, I root for the guy, not cut him apart (Unless I paid big bucks to be there.)

Make ‘em laugh. That is the best way to start with a crowd. I have a joke that I start 95% of all of my speeches with. It is a guaranteed laugh and always settles the crowd in. Sometimes it has nothing to do with my topic and I just say, “What does that have to do with my topic? Nothing, but I just love that joke!” Then I go into my speech, and we are all a little more relaxed because we have laughed together.
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Get Chris’ FREE Made for Success Ezine by sending a blank email to success-on@mail-list.com or visit his website at http://www.madeforsuccess.com.
You can contact Chris for speaking engagements or any other reason at chris@madeforsuccess.com or by phone at 425-444-GOAL (4625).

Source: http://Top7Business.com/?expert=Chris-Widener