Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archive

More Time-Saving Tweaks, and Daylight Saving Time

By Cate Eales

Appeared Mar 30, 2006 on castanet.net

We just scratched the surface last time with ways to make your Windows desktop more suited to the way you work.

Windows XP users can "Show common tasks in folders" saving time…and mouse clicks. To do this:

Click on Start | Control Panel
Click on Appearance and Themes
Click on Folder Options
On the General tab, click on "Show common tasks in folders"
Click on OK

Now, on the left side of the folders you look at, you'll have choices like, "Make a new folder" and "Move this file" and "Copy this file". These actions can all be accomplished without displaying the common tasks, but it's much easier this way!

When I download a file, I do that to a folder called "Downloads" so I can find it easily. I have a shortcut to that folder right on my desktop. After I download and install a program, I open the Downloads folder, and use the common tasks list to move the program to a folder called "Installed." Every so often I copy the contents of the Installed folder to a CD-ROM and then delete the file from my computer. That way, if something happens and I need to reinstall something I've downloaded, I have the file nearby, but not taking up space on my hard drive.

If you have a lot of folders on your hard drive, as most of us do, finding the right one can be a daunting task. I use a really clever utility called Rainbow Folders to change the colour of the icons representing certain key folders so I can find them quickly.

In the graphic, you'll see that I am using the Common Tasks list to Move a file from my Downloads folder to my Installed folder. The Installed folder is blue, because I used Rainbow Folders to do that. It's easy and more-or-less-free. The software's author wants you to send him a postcard --- you don't need to register or pay. You can download Rainbow Folders here: http://www.rainbowfolders.k7.pl/


Spring forward!
At last! The days are getting longer. This Sunday, April 2, marks the start of Daylight Saving Time. Unlike the rest of the clocks in the house (especially the ones I always forget, like the oven and the coffee-maker) Windows should know to adjust automagically.

When you turn on your computer Sunday morning, you should see a message from Windows advising you that it's made a change for Daylight Saving Time, and asking you to confirm that the correct time now shows. Whew. THAT was easy!

If Windows didn't do this on it's own, it probably doesn't know you want it to. To fix that (or to check on it before 2:00am Sunday):

Click on Start | Control Panel
Click on Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options
Click on Date and Time
On the Time Zone tab, make sure to check the box that says "Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Saving Time"
Click on OK

Don't you wish setting the clock on the VCR was that easy?

Links:
Create a shortcut http://rlis.com/columns/column11.htm
Rainbow Folders http://www.rainbowfolders.k7.pl/
Subscribe by email: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=20618

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Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric, and her dog, Sandy

Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions, helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management. Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit the Real Life Internet Solutions website at www.rlis.com.