No matter how experienced a person is in technology, there are a few things everyone who uses a computer needs to know, to work independently and to deal with the basic problems that can arise daily. In this blog we often talk about more technical things, maybe delicious tricks or programs useful only to the more experienced.
We often take certain concepts for granted because we start from a more advanced point of view.
In this case, instead, we speak to everyone, with the 10 things that everyone must learn to keep the computer fast, safe and easy to use .
This blog was created to share guides with friends so you don't have to repeat them out loud every time so even those who know everything can contribute by sharing this article to the less experienced who probably never happen around here.
1) Set up a simple backup system
Backup is still a mysterious word for many people and there are many who underestimate its importance.
Needless to think that your PC is eternal; all computers sooner or later break therefore, in order not to lose holiday photos and work documents it is important to plan an automatic and regular backup.
To do this it takes a few minutes and, after configuring it, it can be forgotten until the day when you have to recover everything.
To save all data in a backup copy, it is necessary to have a spare hard disk, be it external or internal.
As programs there are simple tools like Apple's Windows Backup or Time Machine for Macs.
You can use other free backup programs or configure an online backup.
More advanced is a service like CrashPlan to backup your computer to another pc via the internet.
2) Use keyboard shortcuts.
Let's say you want to find a specific word on a web page: instead of checking by eye, just press the key combination Ctrl + F and type the word to search.
This is just one of the examples to speed up the use of the computer and there are lots of other keyboard shortcuts to work without having to strain your eyesight or go miles with the mouse.
Ctrl + S to save the file you are working on, Ctrl + P to print, Ctrl + T to open a new tab in the web browser, Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste and so on.
In a basic article, there are the main combinations of keys and shortcuts for Windows 7 and XP .
3) Protect yourself from viruses
Those who use Windows have certainly known the pain of a virus or another malware.
First, it is advisable to learn the difference between viruses, Trojans and other types of attacks, including the myths that surround them.
So, install good antivirus software to protect your computer and there are excellent free antivirus.
As mentioned many times, in the end, the best way to avoid viruses is to use common sense, one of the three basic rules for computer security: do not open links that seem suspicious, do not install programs from untrusted sources and, if you open a window saying that your computer is infected, make sure it is not a fake web page.
4) Network configuration (and fix Wi-Fi problems )
Nobody claims to become a computer network technician and concepts such as routers, a modem and other terms of networks that do not translate into Italian are not easy to understand.
Suffice it to say that the modem is the object that brings the internet home while the router allows you to spread the signal to multiple computers.
If the router is wifi, the connection is wireless or wireless.
If the network signal is weak, maybe the router is in a bad way or there is interference.
In other articles we have seen:
- Some answers to frequently asked questions about internet connection and wireless
- Configure a Wireless Router to install a secure wifi network at home
- Solve network problems, connection between pc and internet sharing, files and printers
- Improve the wifi signal and avoid frequent disconnections.
5) Make laptop and cell phone batteries last as long as possible
Running out of cell phone or laptop battery quickly can be very frustrating, but there are ways to make it last longer.
In other articles:
- Increase the duration of the laptop battery charge
- 10 Apps to optimize the battery on Android and extend the charge
- Increase battery life and make it last longer on iPhones, smartphones and mobile phones.
6) Access your home computer from anywhere
Today it is really easy to connect to your home PC from your workplace or from other internet stations.
You can connect to use files, documents and photos saved on the computer or just connect to use the PC remotely (remotely).
A service like Dropbox makes files available on every PC or mobile phone.
A program such as Teamviewer can be used to remotely control any computer remotely via the internet.
Both of these programs are easy to use and require no technical skills.
7) Keep your computer fast with regular maintenance
When it comes to computer maintenance there is a lot of confusion around.
Between defragmentation, cleaning of temporary files, registry keys and other things it is rather complicated to find oneself.
Today we can say that two things are enough to keep a machine alive and with good performance: clean the hard disk and defragment.
In many articles of this blog you can find reviews of various free automatic programs to optimize your computer.
8) Share a file between two or more computers
If you have two computers at home, they can be linked together so that you can transfer files from one to the other directly.
To do this, a router, wifi or cable, is essential (see point 4) which keeps the PCs connected in the same network and then a small configuration.
You can still use a program like DropBox (see point 6) or use the Windows folder and printer sharing function.
Even the home printer can in fact be shared among multiple PCs and therefore there is no need to buy one for each.
9) Keep your personal information safe
The Internet isn't always a safe place; if you get distracted or make a mistake, your personal data may end up in foreign hands.
Be sure to use strong passwords, remove personal information from photos and other files, never use public and unprotected wifi networks.
If you are not sure, I strongly urge you to consult the pc's online security checklist and check if you are protected enough.
10) Know what's inside the computer
Again, it is not important to be an expert, but to have something to spend when you go to talk to a technician for a repair or when you go to buy a new PC.
Bonus) Read Navigaweb every day to stay up to date on news and the latest updates, to read practical computer guides and always stay informed about news (self-promotion)
