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| www.itsvirtuallydone.com |
An ezine of invaluable business tips for independent business professionals.
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In This Issue: Welcome |
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Thanks for taking the time to subscribe to The Virtual Edge. This is the first issue being distributed through your e-mail, so if you have any problems, please let me know.
Spring is here in the Pacific Northwest and I can't wait to plant stuff. I'm going to find the biggest sunflower variety that I can. We have a sunny deck, and I hope to grow herbs (dill & basil), and cherry tomatoes. Are there any gardeners out there?
This article discusses the routine that I do to keep
my computer in tip top shape.
Daily
- Antivirus - These days you have to have this. Double-check yours to make sure that it checks your incoming and outgoing emails.
- Software Firewall - I use Zone Alarm, and it's freeware.
- Hardware Firewall - For added protection from hackers, I use a cable router, which also enables me to have 2 computers hooked up to one cable access.
- Windows Update - Make sure that you have this automated, and when updates are available for your operating system, download them immediately.
Weekly
- Backup - I use imaging software that automatically copies my entire hard drive to an external drive. If you are using CDs as backups, keep multiple copies for extra security.
- Error Checking - This used to be called Scan Disk. I set aside a few hours for my computer to be busy for this.
- Spyware - I use Spybot Search & Destroy. This freeware searches your hard disk and registry for spying/advertisement robots.
- Disk Cleanup - Use this to free up space on your hard disk, remove temporary Internet files, and empty your Recycle Bin.
Monthly
- Defrag - This tool optimizes your hard disk by consolidating files.
- Clean out email - Your email client may behave more efficiently if you empty out your inbox. Delete emails or move them to folders. I keep just 2 months' worth of my sent mail, and delete the rest.
- Microsoft Office Updates - This makes critical updates to your Microsoft Office programs -- not to be confused with the Windows operating system update above. See next month's quick tip for more information on this.
This advice doesn't supersede what your own technical advisor recommends.
I'm your assistant, and I'm not here to help you
That's what makes me virtual: I'm not right in front of you, but I'm working behind the scenes quietly getting the work done. If you hear yourself or someone you know saying something like the following:
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I need help
- Some important things are starting to fall through the cracks
- I don't get to spend time on what matters most
you or they might need a VA (virtual assistant). For as few as 3 hours a week as a VA, I make my client's admin tasks disappear! For more information, contact me at: kristy@itsvirtuallydone.com
Do you find yourself typing the same thing over and over, and sometimes making a typo? Someone once sent me their Web site address and misspelled it, preventing me from accessing it.
Try a free utility called Shortkeys (www.shortkeys.com). After downloading the free lite version from their Webpage, and taking their 5 minute tutorial, you can save time and reduce typos. It enabled me to create "ivd" as a shortkey for my Web address so that every time I type "ivd," Shortkeys types http://www.itsvirtuallydone.com. Nifty huh?
Note: Remember to create a system restore point to memorize your system settings before downloading and installing any software.
Next month, look for the following topics:
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Is Customer Service Dead?
- Quick Tip: Updating your Windows software programs.