Using a new computer can be daunting, as there are so many things to learn about computers and how to use them. Here are ten top tips to help new computer users feel more comfortable using their computers.
Backup important data
Your computer or hard drive can fail at any time and without warning. When that happens, you will lose all your personal documents, letters, photos, music, and videos, and in many cases they cannot be recovered or cost a lot of money. So make sure you have backups of all your important data in case your computer fails.
computer protection
Make sure your computer is protected from electrical surges, blackouts, and power outages. At the very least, every computer user should have a decent surge protector on their computer and phone line if they use a modem. Surge protectors can help protect your computer during a power storm, and can save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs if it is damaged. It’s a good idea to have computers on a UPS, which can help prevent damage to the computer during a power surge or blackout.
Keep your computer and software up to date.
There is no such thing as a perfect program or device driver. After a developer releases their software, they may discover bugs and issue updates to fix those problems. In the case of major software and operating systems, there can be several hundred updates and service packs released during their lifetime. Making sure your computer and its software are up to date can help prevent problems.
Also, software that contains additional components may need updates; for example, updating browser plugins is important.
Stay safe from viruses, spyware, phishing and spam.
Every computer that connects to the Internet or other networks should be protected. If you are using Microsoft Windows, we recommend that you install and run some antivirus software on your computer. It is also a good idea to have a malware scanner running on your computer to catch any spyware or malware that your antivirus may not have detected. Finally, every computer user should be fully aware of other security risks such as chain letters, phishing, and spam while online.
Read, understand, and watch tricks.
One of the most common mistakes new computer users make is agreeing to text boxes, agreements, or other prompts without reading or understanding the dialog box. Before clicking any Agree or Install button, make sure you understand what you are doing. If you do not understand the prompt, click the Cancel button or close the box.
Also, while installing any software watch for any checkboxes. Free software, add-ons, and updates often have checkboxes asking if it is appropriate to install additional software on your computer. For example, when installing the Adobe Flash plugin, there may be a checkbox to install additional antivirus software, firewall, toolbar, or other software. If left checked (often checked by default), these programs are installed and may cause problems or frustration, because it is not something you want.
Keeping your computer clean
Keeping your computer physically clean can help keep it running smoothly, help prevent issues like overheating, and help protect you from getting sick. While cleaning your computer, it’s also a good idea to clean up the data on your computer. Microsoft Windows users can run ScanDisk to check your hard drive for errors and Defrag to keep the data on your hard drive organized. It’s also a good idea to go through your installed programs and uninstall anything you no longer use.
Be aware of free alternatives.
Learn about and learn about free alternatives to popular commercial software. For example, almost every computer user needs a word processing program installed on their computer. Instead of purchasing Microsoft Office, which costs several hundred dollars, use a free alternative like Open Office that can do just that.
Take full advantage of all mouse buttons and wheels.
Many new computer users only use the left mouse button. Use your mouse to its full potential by using the right mouse button to access the context menu. For example, if you highlight text and then right-click on that text, a menu will appear that allows you to copy, cut, or perform other functions on that text. Similar functions are available when you right-click on files.
Although most users already use the mouse wheel to scroll up and down on a web page, this wheel can also be used as a third button by pressing the wheel down. Some computer mice also allow you to push the wheel left and right to perform additional features, such as moving forward and backward on a web page.
Finally, many computer mice also have side buttons, sometimes called thumb buttons, that can be programmed to perform any number of features, such as going back to a previous web page.
Use the built-in help files and the Internet.
Each program has online help, which is usually accessed by pressing the F1 function key while in the program or through the file’s help menu. If the built-in help doesn’t answer your questions, searching the Internet or using online help services such as Computer Hope can answer them.
Learn and use shortcut keys.
Every computer user should know and use keyboard shortcuts. Knowing these shortcuts can greatly increase your productivity on the computer and make your overall computer experience more enjoyable.
