Handling Your E-mail

I just received a great e-mail from Microsoft about handling e-mail.  They are four great points that stood out.  When we receive e-mail we can (1) delete it, (2) handle it right away, (3) pass it on for someone else to handle it or (4) handle it at a later time.  Bottom line is that you have to have a plan to handle your e-mail or it will overwhelm you. 

One thing I have done is create an e-mail folder to handle e-mails that I will pick away at throughout the day as I get a chance.  This is a great place to put e-mails that you are not sure what to do with yet. Whatever you choose to do, have a plan to deal with all the e-mails you are getting. Remember never reply to spam.  It will generate lots of unwanted e-mail.  By the way, here is the Microsoft E-mail article link.

I Don't Need Computer Training

I sometimes hear the comment: "I don't need computer training, what do I need a computer for?"  I ask them if they want to keep their job or advance in their employment or if they want to keep in touch with friends and family.  Then they start to get a glimpse of what computer training can do for them.

Computers are becoming a great part of what we do in our daily lives.  Try looking through the employment section of your local newspaper and see how many ads ask for basic computer skills.  If you are a senior, then you know your kids and grand children are literally plugged into their computers.  Getting a hold of them and staying in contact will involve using some sort of computer.

So a short and sweet answer to the question is this: technology is changing the way we work and communicate.  Neglecting to keep up will put you on the outside.  Time to rethink your view of the computer if you do not think it is important to you.

Princeton Premier Scam

We all want to be honored for our hard work which we believe goes unnoticed by most, but this honor is not one you want to accept.  The people from Blogpond.com reaffirm this honor as bogus.  They get your information and maybe even some cash from you, then you know how the story ends.  So save yourself some pain and trash the E-mail.  Better yet, check out my E-mail Phishing page to learn more on how to avoid this stuff.

Don't feel bad about not being honored.  Eventually your hard work, even unnoticed, will reap a reward. Keep on keeping on.

You can see the actual E-mail on my http://www.alphacomputer.ca/Alpha_Computer_Blog.htm page.

Remember, check things out before you put in your information.

Internet Marketing Workshop

I am attending a great workshop on Internet Marketing today.  As a business I am interested in improving my place on the Internet.  So far in the workshop we have looked at the evolution of marketing from radio to TV to the Internet.  We also talked about how the Internet is changing how we see advertising. 

As a group, we are watching less TV and going online more.  So advertising has to involve an Internet strategy also.  This media can not be ignored.  If you ignore this change, you will do it at your peril.

Staying Organized On Your Computer

Anyone can make a mess on their computer and misplace files.  But to stay organized so that you can find a file or folder quickly, now that takes effort.  You will save yourself a lot of time and effort if you create separate folders and name your files with descriptive names. 

Using folders allows you to group similar types of files together.  This makes finding files in folders much faster. Using descriptive files names will tell you what is in that file before you ever open it.  So take control of your computer and master it.  Don't let it run you.  Use files and folders to stay organized.

http://www.alphacomputer.ca

Hang On To That Laptop

You would think that this would never happen, but I have seen it happen twice this week.  People have dropped their laptop and have broken the screen.  In each case, the screen unit has to be replaced; and no, it's not covered under the warranty. 

So when you are moving your laptop, place it in a padded case and be careful.  When you place it some where, make sure it is secure and that it can not be bumped onto the floor.  Make sure you also have a good grip on it when you are moving it to.  It can run you $250.00 and up to have that screen replaced.

Windows 7 Beta Arrives

The Beta download for Windows 7 is now available from the Microsoft web site.  Only 2.5 million users will get registration keys, and the Beta version will last until August 2009.  So if you want to try Windows 7 Beta on a machine that is not your main computer, now is the time.  Betas are known for being buggy, so don't install it on your main computer.

It's looks from the reviews that Microsoft may have pulled a miracle out with Windows 7.  But only time will tell.  I have downloaded the Beta myself for a look to see what changes have been made.  So here's hoping that Microsoft has heard the people and put a product out that really will work for everyone.

http://www.alphacomputer.ca for more computer info.

Safe Online Banking Practice

After you have done your online banking, you need to clear the cache of your web browser.  Your web browser is the program you surf the Internet with.  Clearing the cache removes history, cookies, password date, form data and such.  You do not want to carry that with you when you go elsewhere on the Internet.

With Internet Explorer, select Tools, select Delete Browsing History and then select Delete All.  With Firefox, select Tools and then select Clear Private Data.  You can also use a program like CCleaner to clear your cache and remove all of your tracks.  Mark sure you clear your cache every time you finish your banking.

Set A Date On Your Computer Training

Like everything, unless you put a date on something, you will never get around to doing it.  2009 is upon us now and I hope it will be a great year.  You're thinking about that game membership and other things you want to start for 2009. Well as my friend Chuck Blakeman on Twitter says: "Put a date on it".  When are you going to do it. Tell others and stick to what you have planned.  This thinking works for everything.  Once others are aware that you have set a date, they will hold you to it.  You have been planning on getting some computer training.  Well put a date on when you are going to start and tell some one.  Best wishes for success this year to you and yours.

By the way, Alpha Computer was nominated for Twitter's Shorty Awards in the Education category.  What an honor to be nominated by others elsewhere in the world.  That is too cool.

For more computer training info, check out my web site at: http://www.alphacomputer.ca .  Have a Happy New Year all.