Archive for automation
Never retype
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or, type once, use often
You can copy and paste text and graphics from one program to another (including from the Internet to a word processor for example). Or, you can export and import data among applications (for example, from a database to a spreadsheet). If you have a long company name, phrase, or other text you use often, make it an autotext entry. While it’s hard to know what you don’t know, this is one way to figure out where there’s probably a tool or process that will help you work smarter. Just find where you’re retyping the same information and then figure out how to have the computer store/re-enter it. I scored a –3 on a typing test so this is definitely a big one for me. If you ever find yourself retyping, contact me and I’ll find a way around it.
How have you saved time/frustration letting the computer enter?
Have It Your Way
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the frustrations I often see is caused when people assume they have to adapt to the computer rather than adapting the computer to them. While it is true you have to keep learning new things with the computer, you can make it work in ways that make sense to you and take advantage of the things you already know.
There is no one correct way to do things, no one right solution. I can figure out at least 3 ways of doing something without trying, 5 with a little thought. Sometimes I can easily find as many as 7. So, the correct way to do things, or the right solution, is the one that makes the most sense for you and your skills and needs.
One of my rules of thumb is if something only needs to be done once, or so infrequently you can’t remember from one time to the next, let someone else do it. Or, set it up so you need to do (and learn) as little as possible.
If it’s something you’re going to do repeatedly, find a way to do it so the new skills you learn will have multiple uses.
How have you adapted the computer to suit your needs?
Do more with technology
Posted by: | CommentsWhat are some other things you can do with technology that you’re not doing now? One idea is to learn more of the features of a program you use every day. Research done by Microsoft shows the average person only uses a small percentage of the features available. Even if you’re using twice the average, that’s still a lot of features you’re not using. Find a few that would save you time or let you do things you’re not doing now and learn them.
Not sure what to learn? Keep a log of your tasks and activities. If you’re doing something more than 3 times, that’s a good candidate for letting the computer help. Even if you only automate a portion of the activity, it will save you time and effort.
What are some ways you’ve let the computer do it?