1. Tips for backing up files to CD’s
Having a backup of your key files is an essential part of any business strategy. For many small to medium sized businesses, backing up to a CD has become a great way to take care of this necessary task. There are many programs to copy files to a CD and all of them work quite well. Here are a couple of tips when using CD backups. First, make sure you label the CD after it is finished being created. I have found that the best instrument for writing on a CD is a Sharpie brand marker. They are permanent even on a CD and you can find them in almost any office supply store. Second, make sure you back up your e-mail files or folders. Check with your e-mail program on how to do this. Third, close all other applications and disconnect from the Internet when writing data to a CD, it increases the chances of a successful writing session. Lastly, if you are using a CD-RW disc that can be written to more than once and want to put multiple backups on the same disc, create a directory on the disc first, then put all of the files in that directory. This way, you won’t overwrite files the next time you backup.
2. Use of addressing fields in e-mails
Two tips when using the address fields in e-mails. For productivity, in most e-mail programs you can type the first part of someone’s name and the program will complete the address from your address book. Of course, if the person is not in your address book, it won’t complete the name, but it will usually warn you if this happens. The second tip involves using the BCC: address field. The BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy and anyone you enter in this address field will get a copy of your message, but will not be able to see who else is getting a copy of the message. If you have a large number of people to send the same e-mail to, using the BCC field is much better than the TO or CC fields because those two fields show everyone’s address at the top of the e- mail. This is also useful if you are sending the same message to a number of people and you don’t want them to see who else is getting the message.
3. Useful Resource – General PC information (Part 2)
This is part 2 of my series on web sites that can be useful for general PC information. Last time we looked at two sites for Windows based PC’s and this time we look at a Mac site and two general computing sites. The Mac site is http://www.macworld.com. It is the online presence of the MacWorld magazine and covers the Macintosh world very well. The first general computing site is http://www.zdnet.com, which is more Windows focused but also includes lots of info on other technology such as phones, fax, printers, etc. The second general computing site is http://www.cnet.com. This is a huge site that has many sub-sites (zdnet.com being one of them). It has a great download area for software, reviews and help for all sorts of technology (PC, audio, video, etc.). It is always good to have a few sites to go to when checking out a new technology or looking for help and I hope the five sites in this two- part series will point you in the right direction.