You probably have at least one PC in your home, maybe two or three. They are incredibly useful machines that have outstanding versatility and seemingly limitless capability. But are you really getting the most out of yours? Some of us like to surf the net, listen to some cool tracks and possibly send a few emails. It is a fact that most of us do not take advantage of most of the PC’s potential uses. Here we take a peek at some of the best ways to really make your PC know that you are the boss!
Automation Is The Key
The PC is capable of doing many tasks without your manual intervention, although we seldom use these facilities. You should try to obtain a better understanding of the ways in which you can harness these capabilities before attempting to unleash them. If you approach your PC with an open and slightly enquiring mind, you are already halfway there!
[Read also: 5 Computer Tricks to Use Your Computer More Efficiently]
Get Sorted!
If you ever find it difficult to locate a particular file or application, you will understand how frustrating this can be. It wastes time and can really drain your creative juices, but by the time you have found the pesky item you no longer want to continue your task. You should figure out a naming convention system and stick to it religiously. Think of something simple and easy to remember and go from there. It is all well and good devising a really sophisticated filing system, but it’s of no use if you forget how to use it correctly. A good rule of thumb when it comes to naming files is to use the date first and the subject matter last. Of course you can devise your own system, just don’t make it too complicated.
[Read also: How to Manage Mountains of Computer Files]
Get Connected!
If your family has more than one computer, why not set up a small network system? It can be incredibly useful for storage and access issues, plus you get to spy on your kids’ activities! You can also use one printer to service all of your machines simultaneously, instead of having to move the printer around your home. To achieve this environment, you should treat one PC as the main server. Pick the most powerful machine, or otherwise you could have problems when all machines are busy. You can download an application such as XAMPP to create the local area network for this setup.
[Read also: Wireless Printing Options Comparison]
Cloud
Some files really take up our valuable disc space, but what happens when you simply have to store them somewhere? You can get external disc drives for this purpose, but they are not that cheap. How about an absolutely free place to use as your friendly storage facility? The ‘Cloud’ will allow you to securely save many files, including your precious photos, without using your hard drive. You can also use your favorite application on any internet connected computer. Instead of waiting to get home before you are able to compile a routine or check your database, you can do this from any browser on any computer. It will not be long before most computers and laptops have the same specifications and all of the extra applications and memory capability is stored up in the cyber sky.
[Image credit: weimin liu, Flickr]
spy on your kids’ activities, oh, that’s pathetic. Come on, home network is good for many other reasons))
LOL
That’s true, naming files with the date first is a great help to find files much faster. There are many great free storage alternatives online like dropbox and so on, but I am a real geek and must own my storage units so I always use exteranl hard drives.
Yeah external hdds are always my preferred choice for storage 🙂
Great way to keep your machine under our thumb I guess 😀
I absolutely love cloud service and how it has changed the way we store files and document without apprehension.
Great Share Alex like always!!!
Cloud is convenient. But I still prefer to store my sensitive data offline.
HAHA
Still apprehensive about “Fire sale” or something?
I like the title of this post Peter. I still have a hard time sorting and finding files. I know something I am looking for is on my computer, but finding where I put it can be tough. Then, there are times that I find files months down the road and I go: so that’s where I put that thing. Years ago I it seemed easier to find files. I don’t know if I am saving more, or if I just did a better job before.
Yeah that reminds me it’s time to clean up my hdd too. I have saved quite a lot of files recently on my hdd, and most of them are actually unnecessary. The title of the post sounds cool isn’t it? 🙂
Computer is great invention but unfortunately most of us just use it for the sake of entertainment or communication purpose. Thanks for the information I am still reading but it already helped.
Glad the article helps!
I have to admit I really find it hard to learn how my PC works. I still have to ask for hubby’s help and it is sometimes frustrating especially when hubby is not around. But right now, I am starting to learn a few things.
Not everyone knows everything. Even a computer expert might not be knowing everything about computers. We need to keep on learning 🙂
Well Said Peter, No one is master of computer. there are so many fields to learn on.
I am just tired of humans being so over dependent on there PCs. Can’t we go back to the good old times 😀
Go back to the good old times? I don’t think tech geeks these days would survive another day without their gadgets 😉
Seriously brother, life has become too much complex now. Wit hall the benefits these technologies have brought to us, they haven’t brought one thing. And that is peace of mind.
Even today I shut off all my gadgets and go for a stroll to a nearby park to get peace.
Try that someday 😉
Good idea! I really need a break too thanks for the advice 🙂
Yes, brother. I too have been working pretty hardly, it seems all us bloggers should go to some holiday or something 😀
yes you are right about the use of computer many of them simply use computer for listening music, surfing on internet, checking mails, playing games, watch videos, etc. i have read all your links that you share with us and that a good informative for us.
finding a file may be irritating. i have faced the same issue many times and believe me i was so irritated by this. it is a small thing yet it can be quite irritating but yes sorting can solve many problems
Make a habit of naming computer files properly so that searching for them in the future would be an ease 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Prabhat!
One can also use ‘hot spot’ software for connecting family computers.It is easy to use and work good.One can simply download it from its official site and love the power of WiFi technology.Nice article Peter.
Glad you enjoyed reading the article, Mahendra! 🙂