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Don't confuse a shortcut with the real thing.
 technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

B l o g
Mini-tips for Windows and Mac OS X users


July 16, 2006


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2006, Al Fasoldt

   Some folks bowl. Some watch reality TV shows. I like to hunt down tips for computer users. Here are my latest mini-tips for both Windows and Mac OS X.
   1. Never empty the trash the same day you've put anything into the trash can (officially called the Recycle Bin in Windows, the Trash on a Mac). Always wait a day. That way, you get a grace period in case you've trashed something you end up needing.
   2. Don't confuse a shortcut with the real thing. You can always delete, rename or move shortcuts (called aliases on a Mac), but moving the real thing -- a program or a folder, for example -- can get you in big trouble with Windows and maybe even Mac OS X. (It usually doesn't care where programs are moved to, but Microsoft's Office for the Mac can get cranky if it's moved.)
   Find out whether an icon represents a shortcut or the real thing by selecting it and (Windows) right clicking, then choosing Properties, or (Mac) pressing Cmd-I. Your computer will tell you if the item is a shortcut or an alias when you do that.
   3. Stop guessing at whether your screen display is adjusted properly. Get off your duff and adjust it. There's a secret to it, but I'll tell it to you (and explain a lot more) if you read my latest guide to adjusting your monitor. (C'mon, you spent a lot of money on a digital camera, and now you need to know what your pictures really look like.)
   4. Repeat after me: My desktop is not a filing cabinet. My desktop is not a fileing cabinet. My ... you get the point. The only things you should put on your desktop are folders and maybe a few shortcuts (or aliases, for Mac fans). I have a folder on my desktop called Stuff. It has hundreds of items. I stick stuff there when I want to save anything. My desktop stays uncluttered and I know exactly where I put that last text clipping or Web photo.
   A bonus: Your computer boots up faster when your desktop is clean and lean. when your desktop is cluttered, the operating system has to check every item for linkages, placement and icons. That can take significant time.
   5. Don't be a stranger to all your favorite programs. After you run each one, minimize it so that it's ready to pop up and serve you whenever you need it. Don't make the mistake of closing each program before you run the next one. That's not necessary in modern versions of Windows and OS X.
   More blog entries.