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Using Your Computer to Make You More Effective
April 2006
We all know that computers are gaining more importance in our businesses
daily. There are many things you can do to make your computer easier and more
effective. This month, we've compiled a number of tips and Internet resources
that will help.
 | Did you know you can use Google, to watch for articles of interest,
using keywords in most media, including newspapers, magazines and of course
the web? Google will search for your key words and email you the results
daily. Try using your name, or LKQ, or auto recycling. There is information
every day! |
| As you know, I am an avid user of a PDA (personal digital assistant),
first using a Palm and later a Sony Clie. I have been told that I am a power
user having a dictionary, movie clips and numerous other tools on my Palm. I
recently purchased a “merged product”, so, now, my cell phone and PDA are in
one unit, the Treo 650. I really enjoy the freedom of only carrying one
device. This device will make you MUCH more productive, keeping your
schedule and contacts in it. |
| Tired of logging onto all those websites (including Copart and eBay)?
Are you finding your passwords are getting more numerous and difficult to
manage? Lots of forms to fill out when ordering on-line? I use a program
called Roboform. A limited version, which is likely all you need, is
available at
www.roboform.com. This utility
will automatically fill out all those forms for you and remember all your
passwords. You can visit a new website to order something and complete the
order in just a few seconds! It saves your personal and business identities
as well as credit cards, so you can choose how you want to register and/or
order. |
| Tired of waiting and waiting for the Microsoft search function to find
your files? And of course, as you may know, it doesn’t search emails.
Download Google’s desktop search tool. Just visit http://desktop.google.com,
and download their free search tool. It will search your computer the same
way it searches the Internet, doing it lightning fast! It will display
emails, documents and web sites containing the words you are searching for.
And, just like Google, you can choose exact phrases, plus words, etc. You
aren’t limited to just a file name or certain words like you are in the
Microsoft tool. |
| Check out the public records on your company or yourself at
www.searchsystems.net. |
| I have several different electronic devices that use memory cards, so I
utilize a 4-in-one card reader. This eliminates the need for cables for all
your devices and it’s just easier to use. Simply put the card from any of
your devices into the reader and it’s ready to read or write to. These are
very inexpensive; I paid $15.00 at Circuit City. Don’t bother buying a card
reader that only reads one type of card (if you only have one type today),
as the 4-in-one reader is just as inexpensive and you will likely get
another device in the future that uses a different type of memory card. |
| I created an email folder for “computer stuff and orders.” You know...
you ordered something but then can’t find where or when, to resolve a
dispute or non-receipt. When I am on the web site at the order page, I
simply send myself the page and put in the subject line the pertinent words.
If the page can’t be sent (sometimes it’s restricted), then I darken it for
a copy and paste it into the body of an email I send myself. Tired of
looking for those pesky registration numbers, etc., that you can’t seem to
find? Send them to yourself in an email. And, if you have to reload a
program (sorry), you’ll need that information. It’s easy to search the
folder for the keyword “Norton,” and get the registration key for a program
I paid for and downloaded over a year ago. |
Don’t forget to go the web site
for my new book,
www.greenweenies.com, to
learn all the backroom business terms. There are 1,200+ terms in over 300 pages,
with hilarious illustrations by world famous Gahan Wilson. You can register
there for your free weekly “green weenie.” If you want to know what a three
fingered booger is, or what’s in a train wreck envelope, it’s the only place to
go!
Please email if you would like me
to send previous articles.
AutoSalvageconsultant.com was formed in 2001 to help recyclers improve their
businesses. With over fifty years of experience in three staff members, the
group is THE definitive source for recyclers’ management and training needs. The
founder, Ron Sturgeon is past owner of AAA Small Car World. You can review his
resume, with skills and experience at our web site. In 2002, his book How to
Salvage Millions From Your Small Business was published to help small
business owners achieve significant success, and was recently reprinted in the
U.S., and published in China, Korea and the Czech Republic. You can learn more
about how to help your business at
www.autosalvageconsultant.com.
You can reach us at:
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Auto Salvage Consultant
5940 Eden
Haltom City, TX 76117 |
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Mike Gibson
817-925-8430 |
Tammy Sturgeon
817-999-1224 |
Contact one of our consultants by
email
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