Do We Really Need 500+ Tips for Computing Better? Heck Yeah!

Okay, I’m a little late on the draw with this one, but I picked up the June 2008 issue of PC Magazine yesterday at Chapters because that’s what was on their shelves. However, I didn’t even notice how “outdated” my purchase was because all I could focus on was the bright yellow cover screaming “501 Tips for Better Computing.” (The online version of this article actually boasts 529 tips, but hey, after about 100 it’s all gravy.)

Why do we like lists so much? Especially tip lists and product lists. And how about the doubly drool-worthy free download lists?

Well, even if you’re not the type to salivate over greatness in geekery, you will thank me for pointing you to this comprehensive, easy-to-skim resource of tips and tricks to help you do just about ANYTHING better in the office. So wise up to the latest and greatest in technology will ya? You can get started with these juicy bits I pulled from the list myself:

Tip #179: If you’re wireless, a WEP key is not enough to protect your data. One computer geek told me that a WEP key is akin to keeping your office door closed instead of open. A hacker may pass on by the closed door looking for open ones. Or he may decide to ignore your implied Do Not Disurb sign and break in anyway. Quite easily. Something called WPA2 is better.

Tip #288: A lot of people think PDFs will protect content from being copied and abused by the unscrupulous among us. Not true. And now it’s easier than ever according to PC Mag. Just email your PDF file to your Gmail address which allows you to view the PDF’s content in HTML. The raw text is just a copy and paste away. (But please don’t use this tip to steal someone’s content. Not that I have any readers that would ever do that!)

Tip #352: I don’t know about you, but I have a tick (no, not a tick in my skin, silly). It would seem that I have an insatiable need to purge information from my computer screen, thus causing me to delete files and close browsing tabs with nary a thought. Damned trigger finger has brought me a lot of strife, I must admit. And while I still don’t know what to do about my propensity for file deletion (yes, I even empty my Recycle Bin EVERY day), I do now have a solution for my careless browsing habits. If you have ever spent a zillion hours (okay a few minutes) filling out an online form only to close the tab like a compulsive idiot one second later, now you have a way back to nirvana. Just type Ctrl-Shift-T. Phew, eh?

In addition to all the great tips in this list, there is some really fun trivia. For example, did you know that “using a larger monitor could save the average worker 2.5 hours per day?” (Tip #124) If that’s not justification to run out and spend a few hun, I don’t know what is.

Has your kid ever thrown your cell phone into the toilet? Mine hasn’t. Yet. When yours finally goes overboard, “try taking the battery out and packaging the whole thing in dry white rice overnight” (Tip #156).

All this and the entire piece is also sprinkled with numerous tips and tricks to help you make the move to Vista. (What’s this “Vista” thing everyone keeps talking about anyway? He he.)

Go on. Discover the dork within. Check out PC Mag’s (now slightly old) 529 Tips for Computer Better online. Good times on an unproductive Friday night, no?