Advance Your Computer Skills

Learning how to use a computer is a must in our modern world. Anyone who doesn’t know how to operate one is considered way behind from the rest of the people who do. In order to catch up with modern trends, it is a must to know how to use this valuable tool, build up your computer skills, and advance your knowledge and skills as you go. The following are some suggestions on how to do it:

Step1

Have goals on what specific computer skills you want to learn better and put them down in writing. Then make an assessment how long you think you can able to accomplish them. Every person differs in how fast they learn a specific skill, so you know better what’s the ideal time for you. Put the estimated time frame beside every goal you wrote down. For example, typing using both hands is one computer skill you want to improve. You can type but you are very slow and don’t use all your 10 fingers on the keyboard. You can write as one of your goals, “Type with both hands at the speed of 30 words per minute” and put let’s say “3 days” to accomplish this. There are plenty of free typing tutor software online which you can download to your computer or you can simply access them and start practice typing. After every exercise, you will be given rating which you can compare as you progress along. Spend at least two hours a day doing typing exercises to improve your skill. Continue writing down the rest of your goals with a schedule next to it & work on them diligently.

Step2

Master the basics. One way to advance in your computer knowledge and skills is to be a master in the basic computer operations. Take the time to learn the necessary basic skills needed to use computer which includes safely turning on and off your computer, using the mouse and keyboard, creating folders to store your files, printing your work, opening and closing windows, backing up files, among others. It will be easier for you to advance to new skills if you have familiarized yourself first with the basic.

Step3

Spend more time working on your computer. The only way for you to be an advanced computer user is to spend time working on it to familiarize yourself with its parts (hardware and software) and how it works. It’s impossible to wish that your skills will improve just thinking about it. You must have hands-on experience in order to get better in it.

Step4

Don’t be afraid to explore and ask questions. Most users who just started learning the computer only stick to what they already know for fear that they might accidentally delete some files and programs or worse damage it. The best way to ease this fear is to make a back-up first before you start exploring your computer. This way you can revert to the old settings and files in case something goes wrong along the way. Remember, to learn and improve what you already know, it takes a lot of exploration. Each time you get to the computer, take time to experiment more of its features, test how each command or button functions, and figure out how other programs installed in your computer works. Most software comes with a Help feature that you can access to learn more information how it works. If you have other questions that you can’t able to find, you can search for it online or ask somebody who is knowledgeable about the subject.

Step5

Practice regularly the skills you already know. The best way to retain what you know is to keep practicing until you already mastered them. Advancing in your computer skills requires dedication, plenty of practice, interest, and willingness to learn. If you have these qualities, you are sure to get ahead faster than those who merely wish to be better in using the computer without doing much.

bump a forum thread

Step1

Forum threads are typically listed from top to bottom in reverse chronological order, based on the date of the most recent post in each thread. The more newly updated threads are at the top, and the older, stagnating ones gradually make their way lower and lower, eventually moving off the first page of threads and forgotten about.

While in many cases this is fine, there are times when a thread is very important, but no one has replied to it in a while, perhaps because the matter at hand is being worked on, and there is nothing new for anyone to say. In these situations, it is sometimes acceptable to BUMP the thread to the top of the list so that it is kept in prominent view, and so that the topic will not inadvertently be repeated in a new thread by someone who didn't see the original one.

Step2

A thread can be BUMPed by adding any new posting to it at all, but is most commonly done by way of a posting with nothing but the aforementioned acronym which stands for "Bring Up My Post." Sometimes the actual word "bump" is used, which is semantically correct in and of itself.

Step3

Before BUMPing a thread, it is important to know the culture, politics, and procedures of the forum in question. On some forums it is only acceptable for an administrator to BUMP a thread. On some it is considered acceptable for any experienced member to do so. On some it is completely unheard of, regardless of the BUMPer and/or circumstances, and even thinking about BUMPing will get you banned from the forum for life, but not before being called all sorts of bad names. On eHow, the worst you will probably run into is someone posting a message which says, "What does 'bump' mean?"

Step4

If nothing else, don't ever BUMP a thread unless you are a veteran of the forum in question and have some "clout." Even on the most forgiving of forums, people usually get upset if a total "newbie" BUMPs a thread, with the typical reaction being, "Who the heck is this guy/girl?" Also, in some cases the person who posted the message right above your BUMP may actually assume that your BUMP was in some way related to him/her (perhaps taking it as some sort of high-tech insult), and may not know what to make of it. It is possible that you will see a follow-up posting by that person to the effect of, "What did I do wrong? Why are you calling me a bump?"

Step5

There is then the question of when a BUMP is in order. Usually it is not a good idea to BUMP a thread unless it has moved to the very bottom of the first page, or better still, totally off the first page. No one wants to read a thread with dozens of bumps, just because you had to always have it at the very top. It is also not a good idea to BUMP a thread unless it is an important topic that truly benefits all or most of the members of the forum. It is in bad taste to BUMP a thread that contains a picture of your new puppy, or one that contains your list of Rachael Ray memorabilia for sale. Such threads are not likely to be more important than everything else being discussed on the forum.

Step6

Note that some forums contain threads which are known as "stickies," or pinned threads. These threads are essentially permanently BUMPed, and will always be the first listed. If a topic is important enough, the site administrator may choose to handle a particular thread in this manner.

Step7

That's all you need to know about BUMPed threads and being

Get Rid of an Old Computer

Do you have an old computer that you just don't know what to do with. Here are some ideas.


1 Part out your computer. Save the hard drive or CD/RW and keep it so you could use it in your new computer if that part breaks down.

Step2

Most thrift stores will not take old computers, but there are places that will. See if a nearby school would like it or offer it for free on craigslist.com.

Step3

Freecycle.com is a nonprofit website to give and get stuff entirely for free so it doesn't end up in a landfill. Membership is free.

Step4

Call your local computer store as some of them are offering to give a discount on a new purchase if you bring in your old computer for recycling. Also, Earth911.com will tell you a local place where they recycle old computers.

Clean an LCD Flat Screen tips

If you have a new LCD flat screen tv, you might be amazed by the crisp clarity of the screen. After a short period of time, you might start to notice a layer of dust is dulling that brilliant screen. When cleaning your LCD flat screen, you must be careful not to scratch the surface and ruin this expensive piece of equipment.


Turn off your LCD flat screen tv. It is easier to see dirt and smudges when the screen is black.

Step2

Mix one part isopropyl alcohol (or rubbing alcohol) with one part distilled water in a spray bottle. The mixture should not be more than 50% alcohol. You can use tap water, but it can contain salt that might streak the screen.

Step3

Spray the mixture onto a clean, soft cloth. The softer the cloth, the better. An old cotton t-shirt or a micro-fiber cleaning cloth are great choices. Some LCD tvs even come with a cleaning cloth.

Step4

Wipe the surface of the screen with the cloth until clean.

Step5

Allow the screen to air dry.

Choose Between a Desktop or a Laptop

First, decide how safe your environment is -- from thieves. If you live in an area that is constantly being robbed or in an area where the cat-burglars roam every week, then the desktop might be best for you. Most thieves are looking for that portable, lightweight laptop. They can pop into your place, pocket the computer right into their own backpack and walk out unnoticed.

The desktop, on the other hand, takes more muscle, and most thieves just won't bother. Why lug a stolen desktop around --when in the same space, you could carry three or four laptops.

So, if you live in a secure area or if you live in a home where there is someone "always at home", then a laptop is a good choice for you.

Step2

Laptops give you the advantage of easy set up after a "move" or change of scenery. Are you moving soon or do you move often? Laptop is the way to go.

So many times, our friends have said,"we just moved in and the computer is not connected yet". And that goes on for weeks or months sometimes, after they relocate.

Laptops are the best ways to save time. You move, just put the backpack into your bag and carry it out yourself. You are "set up" and connected immediately day as your move.

Step3

And now, for the myth that laptops can not do what desktop do. That is so not true. The only thing that a laptop cannot do is weigh in as much.

Laptops can do the same gaming, computing, net access, storage and surfing access, that any desktop can do. Years ago, desktop could hold more and do more. But come into this century, laptops are singing the song, "Anything you can do, I can do better"!

All you have to do is make sure that you get what you want when you order your laptop. If you order from Dell or from some other specific companies, they will make your laptop to order for you--at no extra cost.

And, best of all, your laptop is portable --anywhere. You can plug your laptop in anywhere and do your word processing or storage procedures. You can use your laptop to store pictures and videos and important files. And, you can even connect on the net anywhere if you have the proper wireless equipment or files.

There is not much that a desktop can do that a laptop cannot spin circles around. So, go for it. Choose the laptop.

Change the Size of Your Screen Image

To change the size of the screen pictures, icons, words, etc., you have to change the pixels. I will show you how in this article.

Step1

CHANGING THE PIXEL SIZE: To change the pixel size simply display your desktop. The desktop is the main screen, where icons are located. Right click out in an open area, away from the icons. A menu will appear, click on properties. In the properties box, click on the "settings" tab. At the bottom of the "settings" display you will see a box with a slider that says screen resolution. Move this bar back and forth to make the screen image smaller and larger.

Step2

LARGER SCREEN IMAGE: To make the screen image large slide the bar down, toward the less end.

Step3

SMALLER SCREEN IMAGE: To make the screen image smaller slide the bar up, toward the more end.

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