Well, we’re in the new premises I mentioned last time – just about!
Still a few things to sort but we’re getting there!
The joy of clumsy fumbling…
Although I’ve been using computers for (pauses to add it up) 32 years now (I started young!) can be a bit of a clumsy typist. Fast, but clumsy. (And noisy – as anyone who’s shared an office with me will say.)
Normally this is a bit of the pain in the neck as I have to go back and change all my msitokes. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
But the other day it actually turned to my advantage as I discovered something I didn’t know by clumsily fumbling and accidentally pressing the wrong keys. And eventually, I managed to work out how I’d done it.
If you’re using Internet Explorer or Google Chrome, you can hold down ctrl and tap T to get a new, blank tab. I use it quite a lot when I’m doing one thing and need to look something up.
But if you hold down ctrl and shift and press T, it doesn’t open a blank tab – it reopens the last tab you closed.
For example if I’m writing this in one tab (I use a program you access through the web browser to write these emails) and I look up something in Wikipedia in another tab, then close that Wikipedia tab and then realise I wanted to check something else in Wikipedia as well, I can just press Ctrl and shift and T and bingo – the tab reappears, on exactly the same page it was on when I foolishly closed it.
I find this really useful as I quite often close a tab only to think (seconds later) “Oh, I wanted to check something else on that webpage.”
Of course, if you think further ahead than me, it might not be any use to you! But I’m sure there’ll be someone out there who’ll also find it useful!
One more tip about backing up
I’ve been talking a bit recently about backing up your work or other important files in case your PC fails, is stolen or just decides not to work any more.
And one way I mentioned is to email your things to a Gmail accounts (or other online email, like Hotmail or Yahoo).
I should also mention that in theory, if you don’t use these accounts for more than 9 months, they can be closed. Now often, they only get closed if they’ve never really been used. But it’s best not to take any risks.
So if you’re using this method, I’d recommend logging in to check your emails at least every 8 months, to be on the safe side.
You probably would anyway, to check your emails are there, see any emails from anyone else or even to access the backups you’re making.
But best to make sure.
Newly updated 3rd edition videos
We’ve just moved the Tame Your PC (3rd Edition) videos I mentioned recently over to the new premises – lots have already gone but we still have plenty if you have Windows 8 and ever struggle with it (or you know someone who does and need a Christmas present idea for them!). In fact if you have an older version of Windows, they’re covered too. Read more here.