DeeDoo’s Digital Scrapbooking Blog

Dealing with computers can drive a person to the brink of madness. I know, since I peer over the edge into the abyss more frequently than I care to mention. Luckily blessed with a computer geek residing within this house, I have been able to just dump all computer-related issues in his lap (so to speak). Still, I haven’t gotten off scot-free. No-no-no. Don mutters a lot while he’s fixing the messes I find myself in, and try as I might NOT TO LISTEN, I have failed, and some of that techno-babble information has taken up residence in my brain. Someday I’ll write a long info article on the subject, but today I’ll just give you several quick tips.

Stuff you should do to or have running on your computer unless you love waiting forever and/or are a huge risk-taking thrill seeker…..

1. Have the most RAM you can afford. It’s cheap and it makes your life so much easier. Trust me. Do it.
2. Have the most hard drive storage you can afford. It’s like closets—you never have too many.
3. Install virus protection software. Don’t ask why—JUST DO IT.
4. Install anti-adware and anti-spyware software. See #3 above.
5. If you use the Internet, seriously consider ponying up the money for cable access (what we use) or DSL. Use dialup providers as a last resort.
6. Clean out your Internet cache frequently. It’s easy.
7. NEVER click and open emails that don’t have a name in the ‘From’ column in your email list!!!
8. NEVER open attachments in emails from people you don’t know.
9. ALWAYS follow #7 and #8, especially if you haven’t done #3 and #4!!!
10. ALWAYS check for the lock icon to the right of the URL window indicating that a website is protected by security software any time you plan to purchase something or share your credit card or financial information. We use PayPal and have included the PayPal security logo on our main page, as well. Other sites follow similar practices. You also can always check a site’s Policies page to learn how they protect your transactions.
11. Keep a list of your computer’s info: Operating System (Windows Vista, Windows, XP, Mac OSX, etc.); Amount of RAM; Hard Drive space; Processor and speed; Graphic card; video card. Prior to purchasing new software, be sure that your computer meets the Minimum Requirements for that software, usually listed on the outside of the packaging. Remember, once a new box of software has been opened it is usually non-returnable, so avoid costly mistakes by checking these details! Be sure you have enough Hard Drive space!!!
12. Minimum requirements required to run software are just that—minimum. Often to get optimal performance it is necessary to have way more than the program may require. I’m just sayin…..