Top 10 Keyboard shortcuts everyone must know

In our previous articles we talked about how to be more productive and efficient using your IT gadgets and equipment. To talk more about efficiency, this week we will show you how to work faster and do more using your keyboard.

Using keyboard shortcuts can greatly increase your productivity and help keep you focused. Instead of shifting your right hand between your keyboard and your mouse to do some basic tasks like copying texts from one document to the other, keeping both your hands on the keyboard and using the equivalent shortcut command eliminates both the time spent positioning your hand and unnecessary wrist movement.

Here are the top 10 keyboard shortcuts we recommend everyone must memorize and use when working on your PC.

Shift + Arrow keys

This shortcut allows you to highlight texts from the current cursor position. Another variation for this shortcut is Shift + Ctrl + Arrow keys which will enable you to highlight whole words or paragraphs. On this note, try pressing the Ctrl + Arrow keys and see what happens.

Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert

Copies the highlighted text or selected item.

Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert

Pastes the recent text or object that is in the clipboard.

Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y

Undo and Redo changes. You can also press this combination several times to undo or redo multiple changes.

Ctrl + Backspace

Deletes a full word at a time instead of a single character. No need to highlight the word.

Ctrl + F

Opens the Find window in any program to find a specific text on the current page.

Alt + Tab

Quickly switch between open programs. Another variation for this shortcut is Alt + Shift + Tab which has the same effect except that the options move backwards. For Windows Vista and 7 users, you can also use the Windows key + Tab to switch between open programs using full screenshots.

Ctrl + S

While working on a file in almost any application, this shortcut will save that file. You must use this shortcut frequently anytime you are working on anything important.

Ctrl + Home or Ctrl + End

Moves the cursor to the beginning or end of a document.

Ctrl + P

Opens the Print window in almost any application allowing you to print the current file or page being viewed.

We hope this week’s article will help you be more efficient and maximize the use of your keyboard. If you have other insights that you may want to share, feel free to post them.

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3 Tips on How to Use Multiple Computers to Increase Productivity

An average human brain isn’t really wired for multitasking. Nonetheless, there are times where we can benefit more by joggling multiple tasks at once. The question is, is there a way to do it properly?

During our previous article, we made mention that most professionals are no longer contented with owning just 2-3 smart gadgets. Studies show that a great deal of professionals own more than one computer. To some it may seem excessive to own several machines however, if correctly used, it may be worth the extra cash. Here’s a look at how working with more than one computer at a time can make you more productive and efficient.

Offload heavy tasks to a desktop

Most users are now enjoying high-speed multi-core processors in their desktops or laptops. However, this doesn’t guarantee that multiple tasks will be processed quickly since other resources (like RAM) will be shared to all running processes. Most modern applications are also resource-hungry that multitasking them would likely lead to a system hang-up. For those who are still using single core processors, multitasking is even worst.

Since most of us work on our laptops, it is wise to offload all those heavy tasks to a desktop for two reasons: One, desktops are relatively faster, and two, laptops tend to get super hot when doing heavy processing. The only challenge in this setup is that one will be doing a lot of file transfers from one machine to the other. A normal approach will be to use a portable external storage. This drive must be relatively fast and since you will be accessing the drive frequently, you have to be careful. For smaller files, you can use applications like Dropbox or Sugarsync that will allow you to access those files from virtually any computer.

Work on any file from any machine anywhere

In the last section we discussed about the advantages of synching your files. Its primary advantage is being able to work on your files from anywhere (even in internet cafes) without bringing any flash drive. On a private network setup, setting a NAS or a shared file folder would also be wise. The only challenge when working on different machines is to ensure that all machines must have the same software to read your files. Let’s say you’re using Photoshop in your laptop and decided to continue what you’re editing in your desktop, the only way it will work is if you have Photoshop installed in your desktop.

Get rid of those distractions in your primary machine

When you are fixed on finishing most of your tasks in your primary machine, it would be wise if you log out from your email, IM, Facebook, Twitter or other feeds that pushes pop-up notifications. You can set them all up in your tablet or any secondary machine and look at them during free time or when you are stretching your arms. This will allow you to focus on your current task and not be distracted by all those beeps and pop-ups. On the downside, you might think that it can become pretty annoying when dealing with multiple keyboards. These can be answered by using tools like KVM or Synergy which allows you to manipulate multiple machines using a single keyboard and mouse. Call your local technical experts to help you set this up.

We hope these tips will help you be able to maximize your machines and be more productive. If you have other insights that you may want to share, feel free to post them. Together, we can make a better workplace.

For questions about this article, contact us by leaving a message below or by visiting our Facebook page.

5 Must-Know Tips to Maximize your Netbooks, Tablets and Smart Phones

For most professionals nowadays, having a single “smart gadget” is not enough. A common scenario would be to have a desktop in the office, a laptop at home, plus a smartphone or a tablet for mobility and easy access to internet while on the road. Chances are, you are one of them!

This article will show you 5 basic yet powerful tips to maximize these gadgets. If you find some of them to be more complicated than you think, never hesitate to call us so that we may be able to assist you get the most out of your IT Resources.

Know your gadgets

If you’re a tech addict, you are probably familiar with the different operating systems running your gadgets. Most common devices would either be running on Windows, iOS or Android. Although these are different platforms, they are not that entirely different from each other. Their single most basic purpose is to run those devices and provide an interface for the user to be able to manipulate the device. Since connectivity is now a basic requirement, these operating systems have evolved into platforms that can communicate with each other through the use of applications. Fire up those gadgets now and see what operating systems they are using.

Load them up with great apps

There are tons of great applications that you can download for free. All you need is a little patience and know-how on what applications can be installed in your device and how to use them. For multiple platforms, a smarter way would be to look for applications that can run or communicate across different devices. Simply put, if you want to read your Microsoft documents in your Android or iOS device, you can visit its online store and look for the best free app that is capable of recognizing Microsoft files. Be careful when downloading from unsecured sites as this may do you more harm. If you find a great app, share it with others. After all, it’s the essence of “connectivity”.

Synchronize your gadgets

You work on your Windows desktop or laptop most of the time. This means a great deal of your important documents is stored in these huge devices. You bring along your tablet or smartphones when travelling or going to a meeting and using these smaller mobile devices, you access the file that you were working on in your desktop earlier. No need for external USB storage.

That is the whole point of synchronicity. You can spend most of your time working with your Windows devices and let another application automatically synchronize these files to your other devices. No more need to manually create duplicate copies or use bulky external storage. Of course, this means relying heavily on internet and WiFi connections in order to sync those devices. Think of it this way, it doesn’t matter what device you carry, you will still be able to access the same documents.

Ride the Cloud fever

Ever heard of cloud computing? There are a lot of sites in the internet talking about this trend. In simple words, it means trusting the internet to take care of some of your IT needs. I find this particularly useful for storage. Imagine having a 10Gb space in the internet that is always accessible with just a few taps on your 3G or Wifi devices. It’s like having access your files from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to internet. Cloud computing has taken mobility to a higher level. Sign up for an account now.

Don’t pamper your gadgets, use them to the fullest

For most people, these gadgets are never really maximized to their fullest potential. Know that they are called “smart gadgets” for a reason. Do not be afraid to try those productivity tools that are wildly available. For more complex setup, we would gladly help you come up with something that will suit your IT needs. Experiment but be careful.

We hope these tips will help you get more juice out of your current gadgets. If you have other insights that you may want to share, feel free to post them. Together, we can make a better workplace.

Gear up your PC – 5 Tips to be more efficient at work

For most professionals, a PC has changed the environment of an average workplace. Tables became less cluttered, filing cabinets became fewer, and anyone can work virtually anywhere.

Are you one of those professionals who are totally dependent on your PC? This article will give you tips on how to work efficiently with the help of your PC.

Make sure you are free from any malware

If you use your computer for normal stuff and not for gaming, chances are you don’t always need more RAM to make your PC run faster. A malware usually consumes your resources making your PC run terribly slow. Make sure you have a decent antivirus and update it regularly. Schedule a full system scan to run regularly especially on lean days to keep your system clean.

Run utility programs

In our last article, we have emphasized the need to run utility programs to speed up your PC. These tools are necessary to keep your registry fit, your cache clean, your disks defragmented, your startup managed, and your system in top performance. Some utility applications are a bit tricky to handle and may need someone more competent. Don’t be afraid to call your trusted computer experts to handle anything that is beyond your skill.

Use those shortcuts

Windows 7 has incorporated new (and not so new) features that simplify the lives of an everyday-user. A very handy feature of the new OS is the ability to “pin“ not just the common applications in the taskbar but virtually any file. This lessens the “search time” needed to open the files that one uses every day. Literally, any file can be just two clicks away. For those who prefer to stick on their keyboards, there are also a lot of keyboard shortcuts that will help you work around your PC. Google can provide you a list of sites that will teach you these shortcuts.

Organize your files

Your computer is like your desk or your filing cabinet. The more organized it is, the easier to find something. Using filenames that are relevant would also help when searching for those long-forgotten files. Unnecessary files can be archived into one folder and saved in an external storage for future reference. This will free up your disk space to give way for more current files.

Maximize your network

If your office uses a LAN, this simplifies communication within departments. A shared folder that is accessible to some key people will make report-sharing easier. You can send huge reports to a colleague in a matter of seconds rather than attaching them in emails or printing them and delivering the hard copy personally to their desk. LAN can be good for a lot of things other than sharing internet connection. An experienced network administrator can provide you good tips on how to maximize the use of your LAN.

We hope these tips will help you be more productive in your workplace. If you have other efficient practices that you may want to share, feel free to post them. Together, we can make a better workplace.

4 EASY TIPS to Revitalize Your Old PCs

When I bought my Core i3 laptop last year, I was amazed at its speed (at least when compared to my old dual core laptop). It was a more superior laptop. Unfortunately, like any other PC, initial performance never last.

It is a common fact that any new Windows PC can become sluggish and less responsive over time. Since more powerful PCs and applications come out in the market every year, we are always tempted to replace our old dwindling PC to satisfy our need for speed and capacity.

But wait! Don’t give in to that buying impulse yet. Trying to revive your PC to its prime condition might be worth your time and money after all. Here are some practical tips to revitalize your PC.

Upgrade your hardware

Summer is here and you might be thinking of trying out those new games or start a new hobby on digital editing. Usually, new applications can be demanding in terms of hardware requirements. Simple hardware upgrades can help improve your system performance at a fraction of the cost of a new PC. Adding RAM (a.k.a. “memory”) is still the most cost-effective and easiest way to get a speed boost. However, know that only 64bit versions of Windows can recognize memories 4Gb and up. Other common hardware upgrades may include higher capacity disk drives for storage of bigger files, and video cards for applications demanding higher graphics resolutions.

Run utility programs

Like your hardware, Windows could also use some TLC. Tweaking your OS by using either its built-in utility tools or third-party programs can be tricky but essential in maintaining top performance. Frequent saving and deleting of files creates substantial fragmentation which eventually slows down disk access. Using a Defrag utility regularly can easily fix this problem. Cleaning your registry and configuring your startup with more efficient settings will also speed up your OS.  Furthermore, updating your applications and drivers will help avoid bugs and improve performance.

Free up your disk space

Disk drive capacities are growing rapidly, and so are file sizes. If you fancy downloading and uploading, you might have noticed that most modern applications and multimedia files consume bigger space in your disk. Migrating to higher capacity disks might not be practical if one does not manage space efficiently. Uninstalling old applications that you rarely use, expired trial software, and games you don’t play anymore will help save space. There are utility programs that will also help you empty browser cache and get rid of other unnecessary files. Also, make sure that you don’t keep duplicate copies of files unless they are backup copies of very important files. Always remember that a more organized filing system will help both you and Windows work more efficiently.

Clean your PC

Cleaning your PC will not only make it look nice but will also improve its performance particularly its cooling system. Over time, dust build-up inside the PC literally shortens its lifespan. Keyboards can also be a nest for dirt and other foreign materials. When cleaning your LCD monitors, make sure you use the right cleaning materials to avoid scratches.

Doing all of these, you can be assured that your old PC can still be useful in more ways. Tell us your thoughts about this by leaving a comment.