TTT2 -- Defrag!

"Defragulation" is not a word (I just like the way it sounds). However, putting into action the somewhat abstract concept of scanning one's hard drive regularly for scattered files and parts of files and scooping them all together to live in harmony with their little data friends can help speed up your computer's operations significantly. Do it. At least once a month.

This show is available for listening here. Or, contrariwise, subscribe to the feed by clicking on the feed link in the sidebar to the right.

Music for TTT2 was again created by moi on my wee Casio keyboard. Look for some really great new independent music from Podshow Podsafe Music Network in next week's show!

TTT1--Disk Maintenance

Yippeeeee! The first episode of TTT can be downloaded here. Also, there'll always be a revised tip card link in the shownotes for your download/printing convenience. I'm going to toy with the posting format over the next few shows so that it can be optimized for ease of access, but for now, here's the first one in the text body of this posting:

Regular Computer Maintenance
If you want your computer to run faster and more reliably, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep everything running smoothly.

1. Update virus protection. Set your computer to update protection when you logon to it in the morning. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Security Center to do so. Shut your computer down when you leave and restart it when you arrive daily.
2. Backup. Backup your files weekly to another storage device, daily if you're working with very sensitive or irreplaceable data.
3. Get rid of Spyware. Run Spybot Search & Destroy and Immunize your computer from future downloads. Do this weekly.
4. Scan Your Disks. Double-click My computer on the Desktop, select C: drive, File, Properties, Tools, Check Now, Select Automatically Correct…, Start. This is a monthly task.
5. Defragment your drives. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter, select a drive, and click Start. Do this monthly.
6. Cleanup Unneeded Files. Choose Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup, choose a drive, select OK, and you'll see a list of various files that you can delete. Check the file types you want to remove (Temporary Internet Files, Temporary Files, Download Program Files) and click OK. Do this monthly.

Complete each task at the suggested intervals unless your computer is behaving badly. If your computer is running slowly or freezing, run through the whole list of tasks.

Music for this episode was created on the fly by moi on my little Casio keyboard. I have recently registered as both podcaster and musician at Podshow Music and I promise some great independent music, both as backgrounds and whole songs for your listening pleasure in future shows!!!

The following is just to post to my Odeo Channel.

Episode 1

My Odeo Channel (odeo/f1d460e56e820821)

TechTipTuesday Podcast Launches!

Welcome and Happy Holidays. TTT will be posting weekly on Tuesdays once the routine is, well, routine. We're still noodling with format and concept, but the basic idea is to make use of the "Wired Wednesday" tech tips created by Page McMullen, Omari Lewis, Penny Phillips, Kathy Wierczerza, David Maclean, and Scott Merrick (moi) at University School of Nashville back in the academic years 2003-5 and originally published as hard-copy printed cards with a single corner perforation that allowed them to be added weekly to a little ring that in turn could be hung on a hook stuck onto the side of a teacher's computer monitor. I dare say some of these things are hanging there as I type.

Now, with the miracle of podcasting (a bit pretentious, I understand, but I'm just making a point here) we can get these out to the world--THE WORLD, I SAY--and perhaps help more folks keep their tools sharpened and their wheels greased. Enjoy TTT by subscribing to the podcast feed (soon, when it becomes available) and listening, then check out this page for the shownotes that will contain links to relevant resources.

Cheers!