I use a LOT of files in my work so my project folders get full fast.  I also have a bad habit of giving files names that make sense at the time but are soon forgotten.  As a result I do a lot of scrolling and searching for files i worked on even a few days ago.  Then I “discovered” that I could sort files by Last Modified Date.

It changed my life.

Now when I open a folder on Mac or PC I immediately change the sort and …  there’s my file.  Better late than never.

One thing I ask people to do often (before I try to help with most problems) is make sure they have the latest updates installed.  Sounds simple; both Mac and Windows let you know when there are new updates.  But if you missed them or didn’t install them when they showed up you may be a little behind in the update department – I worked on a computer this summer that was almost two years behind.  It happens.

Staying updated is the best way to keep your computer running smoothly.  here’s how:

Click on the apple icon () in the upper left-hand corner of your screen and choose “Software Updates” from the drop-down list. If there are available updates they’ll be displayed.  Click “Install” to update your Mac

Click “Start” in the lower left-hand corner and choose “All Programs”.  At the top of the list you should see “Windows Update”.  Choosing this will open Internet Explorer and take you to the Windows Update site. Once that window opens you should be able to choose “Express Install” to get everything your computer needs.

Staying current with you Mac or Windows system won’t solve every issue you may have, but it’s a great place to start.

• You get an email and just want to glance at the sender and subject.
• You started downloading something and want to know when it’s done.
• Your random song mix changed and you want to know the artist.

Let “Growl” give you a heads up.  Once it’s installed other programs on your computer (that support Growl) can send notifications message to your screen.  If it’s something you want to ignore you can; if it’s important you know.

Growl is a simple way to know what’s going on. Download it now and get the message.

Click here to download Growl for your Mac.

Click here to dowload Grown for Windows.

The Apple Airport Express isn’t much larger than a stack of note cards but it’s a fully functioning portable wireless access point; a FAST one.  And it works with PC or Mac. If you travel a lot, or just wanna make sure you have wireless wherever you may roam (…) you outta get one.

Configure it at home, throw it in the laptop bag, connect it at your destination.  You’re all set.

Rather than close what I’m doing I hit Command+n (+n) and get a new browser window, an empty document, a blank email.

I can do the same thing on my PC; use Control+n (CTRL+n). It works in most applications

• In a web browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) it opens a new one
• In Microsoft Outlook or Mac Mail  it opens a new email, calendar item or task (depending on what’s on your screen)
• In Microsoft Word, Excel or Powerpoint it creates a new document, spreadsheet or presentation

Command / Control n is a simple way to start something else without interrupting your work.

On the PC you can use the Windows+D to minimize everything that’s open.  You’ll get a clear view of everything on your desktop and all your open programs will be lined up along the bottom of your screen in the “Taskbar”. Hit Windows+D again to get everything back the way it was or click on one of your applications on the bottom of the screen to jump directly to that one.

Hit the F11 key on the Mac to move all your programs off to the sides of the screen.  Hit F11 or click on one of your application on the side to get them back the way they were,

Windows+D / F11 offer a simple way to get that next file from your favorite new workspace!

I’ve wanted to write about Google Reader for quite some time – it’s one of my favorite tools and I use it constantly -  but I could never come up with a simple way to talk about it; thankfully Google’s done the heavy lifting.

“Have trouble keeping up with the sites you visit? Read them in one place with Google Reader, where keeping up with your favorite websites is as easy as checking your email … Google Reader constantly checks your favorite news sites and blogs for new content.”

If you visit a few web sites or hundreds; let Google Reader gather all the new stuff for you!

It’s a Simple Way to keep up with Digital Simple… and other blogs too! You’ll need a google account to get started; once you have one make sure and click here

Start by clicking one item in the folder that you want, then hit CTRL+A. It’s that simple.  You should see all of your files highlighted.

This works exactly the same way on the mac, but choose Command ()+A instead

“Select All” isn’t limited to files either.  It works almost everywhere in your computer

√ In a word or excel document to choose everything
√ In your email to get all your email messages
√ In your music and photo manager to select all your media

The list goes on.

So if you want it “all”, now you know a simple way to get it.

On your PC, select all the files you want to “zip” (archive) and click on them with your right mouse button.  Choose “Send To” then “Compressed (zipped) folder”.  This will create an archive next to all the files you’ve selected.  You can attach that to an email or drop it off at drop.io to send it on.

“Zipping” files on the mac is just as simple: Select the files you want and choose “Compress (n) Items” with your right mouse button (or from the File menu if you use a one-button mouse).  This will create a file called “Archive.zip” that you can pass along.

“Zipping” is a simple way to pack a lot of files into an easy to move archive.  Give it a shot!

Fixing that is not simple.

Passwords are tricky; they need to be simple enough to remember and complicated enough to be secure.  Luckily most password systems give you some help – a password hint.

Like your password, your hints should be clever enough to remind you what your password is but complicated enough to prevent others from guessing. Like a personal crossword clue

“not see through this Mess!”

Above all; you should ALWAYS enter a hint when it’s offered. Treat your password like a key to your stuff and keep it safe, and make sure and give yourself a way to find your “key” when it gets lots.

Have a great weekend!