Computer Tech Help

Mastering Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

2011-03-20T22:58:00.000-07:00

For all those of you with a Mac and yet to unleash some of the smarter features, here's a list of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. These are particularly useful on a Mac as there's some things you cannot do on a pc, like grabbing a image of a segment of the screen content [command-shift-4], and other stuff.

Have Fun!!! All the Best

Alan

File Menu:

Shift-Command+N : New Folder

Command+O : Open

Command+S : Save

Shift-Command+S : Save as

Command+P : Print

Command+W : Close Window

Option-Command+W : Close all Windows

Command+I : Get Info

Option-Command+I : Show Attributes Inspector

Command+D : Duplicate

Command+L : Make Alias

Command+R : Show original

Command+T : Add to Favorites (Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier)

Shift-Command+T : Add to Favorites (Mac OS X 10.3 or later)

Command+Delete : Move to Trash

Command+E : Eject

Command+F : Find

Edit Menu:

Command+Z : Undo

Command+X : Cut

Command+C : Copy

Command+V : Paste

Command+A : Select All

View Menu:

Command+1 : View as Icons

Command+2 : View as List

Command+3 : View as Columns

Command+B : Hide Toolbar

Command+J : Show View Options

Go Menu:

Command+[ : Back

Command+] : Forward

Shift-Command+C : Computer

Shift-Command+H : Home

Shift-Command+I : iDisk

Shift-Command+A : Applications

Shift-Command+F : Favorites

Shift-Command+G : Goto Folder

Command+K : Connect to Server

Window Menu:

Command+M : Minimize Window

Option-Command+M : Minimize All Windows

Help Menu:

Command+? : Open Mac Help

Command+Space Open Spotlight (Mac OS X 10.4 or later)

Command+esc

For the entire list click this link:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459

How do I know when I need to upgrade my computer?

2011-03-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

There's a few things to consider when deciding if you need upgrade you computer. One of the most important is the amount you are going to have to fork out for the expected benefits. Here's a few things to think about before making the decision. upgrade.

As well as the actual money spent on the new system, there's going to be time and energy required in migrating your information to your new machine. Hopefully without any problems, and hopefully secure in the knowledge that you have a good back up system in place should anything go wrong.

If you are finding that your once super-fast computer, is now chugging along and takes forever to do the simplest task, you may be able to get by with some upgrading and maintenance, before you decide on throwing it out.

You can add more RAM, or random access memory, which is the memory that allows your computer to perform its tasks, is a great way to speed up your system, and you can get the machine with a configuration calculators to tell you how much RAM your system needs. It's not hard to add more RAM, just a matter of opening the case and plugging it in. AS long as this does not void your manufacturer's warranty that is.

Other things to consider are adding additional devices, such as CD drives and burners and additional hard drives. You can try this yourself, but it is a little harder and you may be better off calling in a professional.

Alternatively, you could opt for a whole new motherboard, but this is definitely the domain of a professional and for the cost it may be easier and more cost-effective to buy a new computer altogether.

Go for the upgrade to a new machine when the cost of not upgrading exceeds the cost of upgrading. The new equipment should help you work faster and more efficiently. Perhaps you need to change your hardware to run new software applications to improve productivity. If so, upgrading is your best bet. Or you may have a damaged PC, that keeps crashing, or one that prevents you from doing the work you need to do. In each of these cases, it will cost you more to put off the upgrade than to persevere with the problems.

If you decide to buy a replacement computer, make sure that it meets all your business needs.Take a look, not only at your current computing needs, but also at what your future requirements might be. Doing a little planning ahead at this stage may just save you a lot of re-investment costs later on.

All the best.

Alan

What's the best password?

2011-03-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

What's the best password?

If you use personal information to choose your password, think again, it makes it easy to remember, but also makes it easier to hack. Yes, there are people out there who may try to hack into your online accounts, so why not make it a little harder for them.

If you use "proper words", this also makes it easier to work out as they have software tools that can check every dictionary word very quickly.
Why not get a little creative and try a mis-spelling on purpose, or use use the first letter of a memorable phrase. For example, "I Like MacDonanlds French Fries" becomes "ILMFF". Easy!

Here's some tips for feeling more secure with your online passwords:

Don't base them on personal information

Don't choose "proper words" from the dictionary

Use upper and lowercase in combination

Choose letters, numbers, & special characters mixed

Use the initial letters of a memorable phrase

Try different passwords on different logins

Above all, give it a little thought and you'll end up much more secure!

All the best, Alan