Inside the brain of a Geek: 10 keyboard shortcuts to increase your productivity!

 

Keyboard shortcuts, or hotkeys, can make it easier to navigate your computer, saving you time and effort.  

Carlos and I have discussed making a short how to video of these shortcuts.  If you would find a video helpful please let us know and we will make it.

 

Windows 7 Users

Windows logo key +Spacebar

Preview the desktop.

 

Windows logo key +Up Arrow

Maximize the window.

 

Windows logo key +Left Arrow

Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.

 

Windows logo key +Right Arrow

Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.

 

Windows logo key +Down Arrow

Minimize the window.

 

Windows logo key +Tab

Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D.

 

Windows logo key +number

Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.

 

Windows logo key +L

Lock your computer or switch users.

 

Windows logo key +F

Search for a file or folder.

 

Windows logo key +M

Minimize all windows.

For a full list of all Windows 7 keyboard shorts go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Keyboard-shortcuts

 

Windows XP Users:

 

Windows Key

Display or hide the Start menu

 

Windows Key + M

Minimize all windows

 

Windows Key+Shift+M

Restores minimized windows.

 

Windows Key + D

Shows the desktop

 

Windows Key + F

Windows + F is used to start the Windows Search.

 

Windows Key + E

Open My Computer

 

Windows Key + L

Locks your computer if you are connected to a network domain.

 

Shift + Delete

Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.

 

Ctrl+Shift+Esc

Open Task Manager

 

Alt + Tab

Switch between the open programs

 

For a full list of all Windows XP keyboard shortcuts go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301583

Inside the toolbox of a Geek: The need for PDF speed!

 

I’m sure you have heard Geeks talk about the speed of processors, memory, hard drive rpm, boot times, internet downloads, but PDF readers?!?   If you are like us and have ever had to open a large pdf document with Adobe Reader then you understand the need for pdf speed.   We use and recommend Foxit Reader to our clients because it is feature rich, bloat free, and fast.

 

The Best PDF Reader – Foxit Reader

  • Fast - so you're not waiting forever to read files.
  • Lightweight - so it's easily deployable and doesn't exhaust system resources.
  • Secure - so you don't get infected with viruses and can keep sensitive information safe.

The Foxit Reader is a small, fast, and feature rich PDF viewer which allows you to open, view, and print any PDF file. Unlike other free PDF readers, Foxit Reader also includes easy to use collaboration features like the ability to add annotations, fill out forms, and share information with social networks. Foxit Reader has a small footprint that starts up instantly, renders PDF files quickly and uses very little memory, which is especially important with today's handheld devices. The Foxit Reader is packed full of convenient and easy to use viewing, commenting and printing features that make document collaboration simple. Foxit Reader's secure platform insures worry free operation against malicious virus and provides a secure and reliable digital signature verification platform for exchanging electronics documents without putting the user at risk from falsified documents.

Foxit Reader is part of your patching agreement.  Let me know if you would like to have it installed.  

Have a wonderful Christmas!

 

Inside the toolbox of a Geek: Logins, and Passwords, and Links! OH MY!

 

I did some rough calculations and we keep track of 800+ passwords.   Over the years, we have tried many ways to consolidate of all this information.  Many years ago Carlos found our current solution and we have been organized ever since.   How do we tame all our logins, and passwords, and Links?  KeePass Password Safe.   

“KeePass is a free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key file. So you only have to remember one single master password or select the key file to unlock the whole database. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish).  KeePass can generate strong random passwords for you.  You can define the possible output characters of the generator (number of characters and type).”

KeePass is part of your patching agreement.  Let me know if you would like to have it installed.  

KeePass Features:

  • Stong Security
  • Multiple User Keys
  • Portable and No Installation required (options)
  • Support of Password Group
  • Time Fields and Entry Attachments
  • Auto-Type, Global Auto-Type Hot Key and Drag & Drop
  • Intuitive and Secure Clipboard Handling
  • Searching and Sorting
  • Strong Random Password Generator
  • Open Source

 

 

Inside the toolbox of a Geek: Creating PDF documents

 

Our favorite application for converting documents into PDF is PDF Creator.  It is an open source project so it is free.  That is right you don't have to buy software to covert documents to PDFs. 

 

Features

  • Create PDFs from any program that is able to print
  • Send generated files via email
  • Digitally sign your PDFs to ensure that you are the author and the file has not been modified
  • Encrypt PDFs and protect them from being opened, printed etc
  • AutoSave files to folders and filenames based on Tags like Username, Computer name, Date, Time etc.

PDF Creator is covered by your Modern Office IT agreement so please let me know if you would like it installed.

 

Inside the brain of a Geek: 5 ways to avoid viruses and spyware

 

You should consider security software, anti-virus and anti-spyware, your last line of defense.  You, the user, are at the best protection against infections and here are some tips to help.

  1.  Keep all software programs that access the internet up to date.    These include web browsers, auto-updaters (Adobe & HP), Windows, IM software (Skype), etc..   The people who write these malicious programs prey on known vulnerabilities.
  2. Consider using an alternative web browser.   All web browsers have vulnerabilities.  When they are detected it then becomes a race against the clock.  Will it be fixed fast enough to minimize the risk to the user?  With Microsoft’s schedule of pushing updates only once a month it leaves a large window of opportunity for infections before any fix is available.  Carlos uses Google Chrome as his primary browser and I use Mozilla Firefox.
  3. Turn off auto-preview and reading panes in Outlook and all email programs.   Using these features is exactly the same as opening an email whither you want to or not.  
  4. Don’t click on links sent in emails.   Instead open your web browser and type in the website address.  Links can look innocent and safe but there are easy ways to hide malicious code.
  5. When in doubt don’t open, click or download.   Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are ever unsure about a pop-up, download, website, or email.