Whether you're new or an experienced marketer, you will learn a thing or two about finding your downloads, copying and pasting text and links, avoiding phishing scams and more.
Here are the 5 tips in this article:
PC Tip #1: Finding your downloads
PC Tip #2: How to copy/paste text and links
PC Tip #3: Use F1 to look up Windows commands
PC Tip #4: How to fix error messages
PC Tip #5: Protect your PC (and yourself!) for free.
PC Tip #1: Finding your downloads!
Have you ever downloaded a piece of software from the Internet and couldn't find it later? You're not alone. In fact, it happens to thousands of people all over the world every day!
When downloading, many people use the My Documents folder in Windows, but after downloading many files you may find it hard to find the latest file. One simple fix is to create a new folder on your desktop specifically for downloads. (The definition of your desktop is where you see icons of folders and files and you're able to see your favorite picture as the wallpaper for your desktop.)
Creating a new folder on your desktop is easy. First find an un-crowded portion of your desktop and then using your ring finger click the right mouse button to bring up the context menu for the desktop. There in the menu you will find a selection called "New" Then LEFT Click on "Folder".
This will create a new folder on your desktop. You can name it something that will help you find the downloaded files. The first time you create a new folder, you will notice that the folder naming text is highlighted. To name the folder, simply start typing and the highlighted text will be replaced with what you wish to type in. A good folder name would be "downloads" or "My Web Files" or even the month and year which will make it much easier to find those files in the future.
Once the folder is created, simply remember when you download the next file to save it in that folder on your desktop for easy and fast access. You do that by choosing the download location as "Desktop" then your folder name. It's that simple!
PC Tip #2: How to copy/paste text and links.
Copy and paste is one task that every computer user will find they are using many times per session for many useful tasks. Say you wish to copy a portion of text or a website link into a report or article. Copy/paste makes it simple, and once you know how, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
To copy something you must first highlight the text or link using your left mouse button with your index finger. To do this, start at the beginning point of the text you wish to copy and place your mouse cursor there by clicking your left mouse button. When you do this DO NOT let go of the mouse button which you are holding with your index finger. While holding that mouse button down simply move your mouse over the text until you reach your stop point then let go of your index finger.
Now simply move your mouse into the center of the highlighted text and then using your ring finger to press the right mouse button. This will bring up a menu with the copy selection. Use your index finger, otherwise called the left mouse button; click on "COPY" from the menu that comes up. You have now successfully copied the text into your computer's memory, and are ready to paste it into your document.
Place your mouse cursor in the blank notepad or project and then using your ring finger press the right mouse button to bring up the menu. From the menu select "Paste". If you successfully completed the copy process your text should appear in the current document. If not go back and try again. With practice you will find it becomes second nature to you and your speed will increase as you use it more and more.
PC Tip #3: Use F1 to look up Windows commands.
Did you know that you can look up most common Windows commands if you press the F1 key on your keyboard? This will bring up the help file for Windows allowing you to quickly search or browse for the answer or information you are seeking for almost everything you might want to do in windows as well as Windows programs.
Keep in mind that most all of the applications created for your Windows operating system have the same basic commands available from the menu system. Some variants may exist depending on the purpose of the software application but the basics are usually there.
Very few people take advantage of F1, even when they are stuck. Try it next time you have a question about the program you're using!
PC Tip #4: How to fix error messages.
When a new Windows error message appears on your screen, many people will simply ignore it and click "OK". This is an example of what NOT TO DO! Instead you should realize that the programmers did not spend the time creating that message for the fun of it. Instead at a minimum you should READ EVERY WORD. Then read it again slowly the second time so it sinks in. Once you read it you may recognize the program that is causing it and be able to solve the problem yourself.
Don't be afraid to research the error on any good search engine online. You may find free advice quickly although in most cases you may have to dig a bit to find it. As a last resort try making a call to a local computer tech that may just let you know how to solve it for free if it is not a serious issue. However if it is serious or mildly serious by all means ask for a qualified tech to come out and fix it.
PC Tip #5: Protect your PC (and yourself!) for free.
By now you probably realize that every PC should have an anti-virus program. But did you know that an anti-spyware program is just as important? If you computer gets infected with spyware, your personal data including every keystroke you make on your PC can be recorded and stolen by hackers.
While most PC's have anti-virus programs installed upon purchase, anti-spyware programs are not as commonly used.
If you do not have anti-spyware software loaded, Microsoft has a free program you can get at their website. It is called Windows Defender and is available for download. Grab it and take a few minutes each month to keep it up to date.
While we're on the subject of spyware, did you know that spyware is not the only evil you have to be wary of?
"Phishing" is even more dangerous and new victims fall prey to this scam at an alarming rate. Phishing works like this... Unsuspecting victims (you?) get an email message that "looks" like it is from a website such as eBay, Paypal or another banking or credit card service you use. The message looks just like a real email the company may have sent you in the past, and even contains an official logo. In fact, it looks so real that every day hundreds of unsuspecting victims click the link in the email message and go on to enter personal data such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Unfortunately, the data is not going to the real site, it is going to the hacker who sent the bogus email. Next thing the victim knows, their account is emptied! The experts define this illegal practice as a form of "social engineering" and it is very easy to fall prey to it if you are not careful.
Here's how to protect yourself...
If you ever get an email message asking you to log into your account for ANY reason, NEVER click any of the links in the email. If you have a genuine concern about your account, (those fake emails usually imply something is wrong) delete the email message then open your browser manually and type in the website address, such as www.paypal.com. This way you KNOW that when you log in you are at the appropriate site and not some hacker's copy of a site.
*Article used with permission from JDD Publishing's Internet marketing site. Their website marketing guide and internet marketing news help you grow a business on the Internet. To get similar marketing news, click here to subscribe*
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