Computer good practices
 

hey guys,

I decided that a thread about computer good practices should be started here on CD. I am no expert on computers and thought it would be helpful to everyone if we listed tips that would make computer use safer and increase productivity. List tips that should be practiced:

-when using a flash drive (jump drive, usb drive, etc.) always click that little safely remove hardware icon next to the time in the bottom righthand corner of the screen and safely uninstall it.

-when using firefox and IE 7: keep the number of tabs to a minimum. Usually: you have too many tabs if that little arrow that scrolls left to right pops up on the task bar.

-vivek

Re: Computer good practices
 

heres a few more

- make sure you have a firewall and antivirus software and that its up to date
(avast and avg are bot very good)

- make sure that your computer has been updated to the latest updates (automatic updates on windows)

- if you have any wireless networks at your house make sure they are secured. (WEP can be cracked in about 10-15 min if you know what your doing, WPA and WPA2 are much more secure)

ill ad more as i think of them
...Forest

Re: Computer good practices
 

Save your work in Microsoft's Office applications (word, excell etc.) every few minutes and every time you finish a paragraph. You don't want to write a 1000 idea of yours just to get it wasted for nothing because you accidently pressed at the final moment "No".

also, make a few copies of you files. Sometiems you forget what you wrote as a name for a file, and start a new file with the same name and accidently overwrite that old file. which happened to me once...:o

always take off your speakers and screen power off. Save energy and be green. Yes, it might be a little bit of electricity, but it's still something, right?
Same thing goes for light in your room.

I think that's enough for now, hope it counts.

Re: Computer good practices
 

Try to always keep a backup of your files on an external portable, or if they are smaller files, a flash drive.

Make sure you have AdAware SE as well as CCleaner and that you run both frequently.

Don't crowd your desktop with icons, it only decreases productivity. For files, simply stick them in folders within your My Documents and for programs, if you use them a lot, put them in your quick launch section on your startbar.

If your computer is running slow, don't put up with it, run AdAware, CCleaner, and run a virus scan using a reliable security program (I recommend AVG).

As far as hardware goes, try and open up your computer once every couple of months and clean out all the fans and vents with a can of compressed air.

Re: Computer good practices
 

Very important. Make sure its a good password to. Not like "apple" as that will be easy to crack with a dictionary attack.

Re: Computer good practices
 

If you share a computer with a bunch of other people, ALWAYS log off when you are done if you have individual accounts. It makes life easier on the next person, who otherwise would have to log you off and log themselves on. If it isn't obvious that you will be back soon, leave a note giving an estimate of when you will return. (The above are things I wish some of the people at college would do more often in one particular computer lab...:cool: )

Re: Computer good practices
 

When using Gmail, go to https://gmail.google.com instead of the default http://gmail.google.com to open a secure session.

In many cases, Norton and McAfee antivirus will actually slow down your computer.

Use a browser such as Firefox or Opera to increase security as well as capability while browsing the internet.

Adobe Reader too slow? Try Foxit PDF reader. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

If you're looking for more control over your computer, and don't mind a bit of extra work, try linux. You can dual-boot it with Windows so you don't have to give anything up.

Re: Computer good practices
 

-Make sure you have the latest drivers and updates for all hardware so that devices are secured and function properly.

-Make sure all computer devices are plugged into a surge protector. (actually, anything should use a surge protector)

Re: Computer good practices
 

Hibernate....especially with laptops. I've had trouble reconnecting to network drives while resuming from hibernate from domain computers, so if we're talking about computers on a domain with users that cant deal with problems very well, this might be a bad idea.(Trust me, I'm a systems administrator for a grade school.)

Keep the install files of utilities that you install in a specific directory(Team 910 usually makes it C:\Original Software and then have a subdirectory for categories of utilities, like backup software, task managers, etc.

Don't use Internet Explorer unless something won't work in Firefox(or whatever browser you use).

NEVER use Adobe Reader. I agree that foxit is far superior for reading pdfs.

Use the quicklaunch bar. Be sure to have show the desktop, your non-IE browser and any programs you find yourself using very often(usually Word, whatever media player you use, Email client, etc) showing on the task bar with any programs you use less frequently, but that are still important on the part that isn't showing.

Keep a file called notes.txt on the root of C:\ to use for any miscellaneous things to remember. Don't try to really organize it at all. Use Ctrl-F to find things. Keep a shortcut to this on the quicklaunch bar and remember that if you go to start>Run> C:\notes.txt, this will open it too.

Don't close things until you are sure you are done with them(this will save you a lot of time).

Use keyboard shortcuts, the mouse is a pain. Its much faster to save using ctrl-s than file>save. It really helps with copy and paste.

regarding too many tabs: I think as long as you can find what you need, and the browser isn't slowing down, you can never have to many tabs. Just close them when you are done, or bookmark something you want to come back to(Ctrl-d, enter)

Keep your bookmarks organized(unlike me)

Use the bookmarks toolbar.

Have chief delphi on the bookmarks toolbar.

For Vista users: since Bill Gates decided to make things more "user friendly" he took a few things out that I think are kind of important, but you can work around them. First, add printers back to the start menu. Next, add a shortcut to network connections somewhere accessible. Mine is the desktop, but trust me, you'll probably wish it was there(especially if you have a laptop.)

Make control panel display as a menu on the start menu.

NEVER EVER use Adobe Reader.

usually Freeware > not Freeware

If you're not the most computer savvy person, remain calm when you have problems. Especially if it is with a computer that isnt yours, i.e. one at work or school. There arent many things IT guys hate more than a user screaming that its their fault the computer isnt working. Bribing IT guys with food is usually a good idea.

The more monitors you have, the better. Most people usually use one or two. This is easiest with laptops, but can be done with desktops.

Wide aspect ratio is not always better than standard. If you are going to be watching movies, wide is better, but if you are reading web pages all day, you may be wasting pixelage(yes, i made that word up), especially if you like to have things maximized.

I'm sure I'll think of more.....

Re: Computer good practices
 

These are all really good points that are being made but there is one thing that is missing... LINUX!! I started out just as a Linux enthusiast just last year. At first I was turned away because its true that you do have to be more technically oriented and there's more editing of text files to get certain items set up rather than GUI wizards but all I had to do was snoop around some forums to figure out how to set up my hardware and now its working great. I'm still not at the level of one of those guys who puts MPLAB into wine and program their robot on Linux. I keep windows dual booted on my machine for MPLAB, Inventor, and other programs including our team's software (scouting programs, etc). I use Linux just for day to day use. Browsing, homework, talking to friends, etc. And I don't have to worry so much about getting a virus that could cripple my pc or turn it into a zombie that sends out spam. If your interested, I strongly recommend Ubuntu. I can just about only say good things about their latest release. You don't even have to install, it can run from a CD if you want to try it( but it will be incredibly slow.:mad: ).

Re: Computer good practices
 

Keep your start up processes to a minimum.. you should only have around 35 when you start up.. over 40 and you should be looking to cut some out

sysinternals.com
look for autoruns

Re: Computer good practices
 

When I got my college laptop, they told us all NOT to use hibernate. I can't remember why, but this sounds like the reason they gave. I don't even have it enabled. (I prefer to use standby if I need to turn the computer off and have it return to where I left it.)

On that note: If you are using a school/business computer, follow any directions given (usually when you get the computer) and follow all rules/guidelines. It may make your life a lot easier. Around here, failure to follow the rules can result in severe penalties. (For example, there is a program that can de-activate all or part of your school-issued computer if you are not in class. Going around this program by any means may result in expulsion from the school. No, I'm not kidding.)

Re: Computer good practices
 

- When using office 2007, set your default save type as the 1997-2003 compatible versions since at many locations the 2007 viewer does not correctly install. Only save in the .doc/pptX file type IF you are using something that is not downwards compatible. This will help you a lot.

Re: Computer good practices
 

I agree with Don on the Linux thing. But if not, here's one thing to remember for Microsoft operating systems:

- ALWAYS wait until at least the first service pack before buying it.
- Try to legally buy any programs, no matter how enticing the alternatives are. Not only is it illegal, but if you don't know what you're doing it can ruin your machine
- Don't buy HP. Pure crap.
- When upgrading, don't skimp. That 1GB of RAM may have sounded like a great deal, but you're trying to play high-end games or edit videos. Might as well get at least 2, since most programs get more resource-intensive. Same with CPUs.


I also agree with the following statements from above:

- Don't use Internet Explorer unless something won't work in Firefox(or whatever browser you use).
- When using Gmail, go to https://gmail.google.com instead of the default [Also works when your school blocks the default]
- If you have any wireless networks at your house make sure they are secured. (WEP can be cracked in about 10-15 min if you know what your doing, WPA and WPA2 are much more secure)
- Make sure all computer devices are plugged into a surge protector. (actually, anything should use a surge protector)

Re: Computer good practices
 

I understand a lot of these, but a lot are also just personal preference. For example:

- Use Linux IF you think it will increase your productivity, or if you are concerned about viruses.
- Don't choose a free anti-virus just because it's free. Eset and Kaspersky are easily two of the best anti-virus programs I have used, costing only $30-40 a year.

As far as "good practice" is concerned, there is something that hasn't been mentioned yet:

- Change your passwords, especially after discovering any viruses, Trojans, etc.
- Don't keep your passwords in an unencrypted text file on your computer, or any unencrypted file for that matter. If you must keep them on your computer, encrypt. Otherwise, either keep them in your head or on paper in a safe place.

Re: Computer good practices
 

Hmm

1) Learn Excel
2) Vim (most people don't have the 17 fingers required for the OS that is emacs)
3) If not Linux as a desktop, have a Linux server. =)
4) Dvorak. The reason Qwerty exists to slow people from typing on the -original- type writer. Dvorak makes sure both your hands do equal work.
5) Desk space. Arm support is your friend.
6) https when available (as said before, gmail doesn't default to it. There's a nice greasemonkey script to do it though)
7) Learn perl.
8) Firefox over IE. IE's layout engine (Trident) does not follow any standards. Whereas Firefox's (Gecko) almost passes Acid2. Also, Firefox's engine supports xhtml (and IE's can't. =\)
9) Keep your data secure. Truecrypt is a nice way to do this (and hide it)
10) More than one password. The best are at least 8 characters alphanumeric (mixed case is great too)
11) WPA > WEP, for sure. (Though a lot of embedded devices don't have the processing power for WPA). MAC filtering is also a nice idea.

A GPG key is always nice =p (see signature) Most people don't care about privacy enough to use anything (passwords over plaintext over smtp makes me cringe) SMTP isn't exactly great anymore, but it's too widely used.

Re: Computer good practices
 

DO significant beta testing. Someone is bound to find a way to foul up your code.

Re: Computer good practices
 

When naming a file, be as descriptive as possible in as few words as possible.

When naming a file that doesn't have a good description, include the date.

When you have files that you want to have previous versions of, do a "Save As" immediately and append the current date to the name.

Save all your work every 5 minutes, minimum. Computers, all OSs, will crash at some point.

Dvorak over Qwerty if you are looking to increase your typing speed and are not forced to use Qwerty at another computer. (I recall having some trouble going back to Qwerty after using Dvorak for a bit.) Dvorak provides all of the common letters on the middle row. Left hand is all the vowels, right hand is R S T L N (not necessarily in that order).

Learn to type without looking at the keyboard. (Blindfold yourself if you have to.)

Learn to use a 10-key. (Just as important as the alpha characters.)

Back any (iTunes) music up onto a CD or DVD. Bad crashes can result in the loss of data.

Turn off your monitor at a decent hour and go to sleep. Whatever you're working on will be there the following morning.

indieFan

Re: Computer good practices
 

Another thing about Dvorak. It increases your typing speed by have all the keys you use most common right near your fingers. So your fingers don't need to move as much to get to the keys. Since it reduces finger movement, it tends to help reduce the risk of RSI. Veeery good if you tend to type a lot. This goes along with having plenty of desk space. If the keyboard is right up against the side of the desk (like it is in all the computer labs at my school =[) then you are supporting your hands with your wrists.

As indieFan said, touch typing is also great.

Also, don't just turn off your monitor when going to sleep. =p Turn off your monitor whenever you aren't going to come back for awhile. Monitors tend to eat electricity.

Re: Computer good practices
 

Learn Excel to the point of being proficient: Pivot Tables, most functions, macros/VB, charting. This will carry you rather far with this common tool in your tool belt as a productivity item when you are working (you will be able to perform analysis faster than your peers as you will be able to manipulate data very quickly and transform it into information).

Programming?
- Use version control
- Comments in code
- Well-named variables
- Remove unused code

Backup what needs to be backed up. Regularly backup all user data whether it music, game saves, pictures, etc. using full or incremental backup.

Keep a copy of backups offsite just in case you can no longer access the primary site.

Keep all of the software (purchased, shareware, freeware) patched at all times. Set the automatic update option where applicable.

Manage the accounts on the systems (servers, forums, etc.) for which you are responsible. Delete unused/idle accounts. Review access levels of accounts periodically for appropriate levels as the responsibilities or status of users change.

Check the ports on your firewall occasionally. Use an external service to perform port penetration tests.

Check the configuration on your wireless router occasionally. Make sure it is configured for high security. Ensure the firmware is current.

Ensure your Bluetooth is secure.

Encrypt what needs to be encrypted.

Use complex passwords: upper/lower case, numeric, at least 8 characters in length with only one character allowed to be repeating.

Do not send anything in email, post anything, PM anything, text/sms anything, etc...that you would not want the public to read. Once it leaves your PC you no longer own it nor should you have the expectation of privacy. There is a log of just about everything.

Save and save often (files and money).

Use two flat panel screens when working on projects or multitasking so as to increase the amount of screen real estate available for your eyes and brain.

Don't let the cat walk on your keyboard when working on something important.

Re: Computer good practices
 

I agree, but file names should describe the information in the file, not the file itself. Also, dates aren't always as good as revision numbers. Some times computers will mix up dates (3/5/90 comes after 10/1/05) while most computers will not mix up Rev 1, Rev 2... so "Good final chassis version 2/4/05" is not as good as "Chassis .125in box AL Rev 6"

Re: Computer good practices
 

Are there any good sites that any of you recommend about learning to use Excel? I had a computer literacy class in high school where the only thing I learned was some basic Excel stuff (everything else I knew. Not quite sutre why I had to take it :p). So I know a little about functions and graphs but I haven't used it in years.

Re: Computer good practices
 

Use a system for passwords, to ensure you have stong passwords that are trivial to remember even after several years.

Re: Computer good practices
 

http://mrexcel.com/

I would do four things:
a) Peruse the above site (it is loaded with free and not free materials)
b) Google for other sites (they abound)
c) establish a set of objectives you want to accomplish over time...meaning you need to have a reason (a task) to accomplish so you can immediately apply it. I learn much better and faster when I have a task I need to complete and I set aside the time to find a way to do it better than brute force.
d) Jump in

And finally, become a data junkie. That is all the reason you will ever need to learn many of the ins and outs of Excel.

Our team's programmer who has posted in this thread used Excel to graph the POT and PWM values...maybe he can expound on this.

I am sure that more than a few teams are using statistical analysis in scouting, competition and match analysis...not to mention engineering analysis of components (I think there are a few in the white papers section).

I have advised our team members that before they graduate high school to learn as much Excel as they can.

Hope this helps!

Re: Computer good practices
 

Thanks!

I am going to school for Software Engineering so I'm sure it will have plenty of applications. I think I will try to design a scouting spreadsheet for next years game or something. Our team used the spreadsheet of and worked with another team last year and the scouts loved it.

Re: Computer good practices
 

-Use a dating format that sorts well such as 2007_11_21 for today, it will always sort in the proper order

-Learn your OS of choice, whatever you use, make sure you know as much as you can abuot it

-High Resolutions or monitors, I use 3200x1200 on my desktop at home and absolutely love the space, I rarely have to minimize windows now

-Turn off monitors when not in use(I have 2 huge CRTs they eat power like no other)

-Backups get a server, external hard drive something just get a backup copy. even if they harddrive doesn't die on a computer it can still be a massive pain to get the data off the drive

-If you don't need it close it, you finished with mozilla close it down now. haven't touched word in 3 hours? close it. it will free up ram, screen space and taskbar space.

-If you use linux(say on your server) screen and ssh are your friends, use them because you can then access your computer from anywhere and run the applications you were using even on a computer that isn't yours(blockers may have problems with this though)