Clara Jackson We’ve all heard the old, “My mom said, a computer does two things: it makes copies, and it doesn’t recognize paper clips.’” While that may have been somewhat true in the early days of your computer, it’s now true that your computer can do pretty much everything you want it to do. But in order to make your computing experience as smooth and trouble-free as possible, you need to know some basic computer tips. Here are ten quick computer tips that will save you from calling the geek squad.
Be familiar with the technical terms.
If you’re new to computers and the Internet, you’re probably aware that you need to learn some tech terms to get by. After all, there are all kinds of technical jargon floating around in computer forums, and if you can’t figure out what all the text on your screen means, it’s tough to know what to do. So, what should you be aware of? For starters, know that a CPU is a computing device that carries out the instructions of computer programs. A CPU chip is the heart of your computer; without it, your computer wouldn’t be able to work. A computer’s hard drive, on the other hand, is the device that holds your computer’s operating system (OS), documents, and other information.
Have patience
Like a lot of people, you might be intimidated by computers and software. You may feel overwhelmed by all the choices or intimidated by the learning curve required to learn a new program. But fear not! Computer tips for beginners, like patience and perseverance, will help you use your computers more effectively and save you money in the long run.
Have a strong password
This article will help you create strong passwords for all of your accounts. Don’t use personal information or birthdays; create passwords that can’t be guessed. And don’t write down the passwords. Passwords are important. They protect our online banking, health care records, email accounts, social media, and much more. But it’s easy to let passwords fall by the wayside, and in this day and age, that can cost you big time. So keep your passwords safe, and defend against hackers who try to steal yours.
Practice
Learning how to use your computer can be a blast—except when you realize you can’t do something. If you’re stuck, it can help to remember this: practice makes perfect. It’s part of the process. So, the next time you sit down at your computer, take a deep breath and remind yourself that, even if you’re not 100% comfortable with it (yet!), you will eventually get there.
Backup data
Backing up data is very important for your files, photos, documents, and other important files. Whenever you delete a file from your computer, it gets stored in the Recycle Bin. You will not be able to recover the deleted files from the Recycle Bin, so you have to recover them from a backup instead. You can save your data to an external drive, CD, DVD, or the cloud.
Familiarize the Microsoft Office
Do you know Microsoft Office? Chances are that if you are reading this, then you probably know it pretty well. Sure, it’s probably time to update your skills, and Microsoft Office 2013 For Dummies is the perfect book to start with. Master all of the features of your Microsoft Office system, from Word and Excel to PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and others.
Microsoft Office (for PC and Mac) is the go-to software suite for virtually all businesses. If you’re looking to become a star employee, then it’s time you acquired the skills you need to master Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. Learning the basics isn’t difficult, and today’s tools make learning easier (and more fun) than ever.
Today, we use computers for much more than word-processing and spreadsheets. Computers have become a part of everyday life, so much so that we can barely imagine life without them. As technology advances, our reliance on computers will only increase, making it imperative that we learn how to use them successfully.
