Laptop Survival Guide
Laptop Survival Guide
- General Laptop Use
- Laptop Service
- Ergonomics
- File Management
- Backing Up
General Laptop Use
- Name tag on caselaptop
- Don't touch your screen!
- Use dry, lint free cloth for screen or little bit of Isopropyl alcohol (ideal mix is 50% water and 50% rubbing alcohol) on lint free cloth
- Keep computer away from extreme temperatures
- Don't eat or drink over laptop
- Turn off laptop before transporting it
- Carry laptop in computer case (zipped!)
- Do not abuse your laptop, it is your friend! =)
- Put laptop on home owner's or rental insurance
- Secure laptop if leaving it unattended
- Do not just turn laptop off but shut it down properly via the Start Menu in Windows!
- Use a surge protector at home and in office!
- Backup your work, backup your work, backup your work, etc.
General Laptop Use: Travel
- Airport Security
- May require laptop onoff
- May require sending through X-Ray
- X-Ray shouldn't harm laptop hard drive
- Stay within view of laptop at all times
- Power
- Universal Power Adapter (should work overseas)
- Plug adapters (available at computer stores)
Laptop Service: Antivirus Updates
- What?
- Sophos Antivirus—will update automatically for campus issued computers
- Personal Computers? http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
- Why? Protect laptop from viruses
- How? Software Updates
- Where? Via Internet
- When? Whenever it prompts you
Laptop Service: Anti Spyware
- What?
- Ad-aware SE
- http://www.download.com/
- Why? Protect laptop from spyware http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Spyware&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
- Where? Via Internet
- When? Update whenever it prompts you. Run every week.
Laptop Service
- What to Bring?
- Laptop
- Power Adapter
- Login Information
- Labeled Case
- Note with described issues or problems
- Students — Info Commons x2324
- Where? Main floor of Library
- When?
- M-Th: 8am-11pm Summer
- F&S : 8am-6pm Summer
- M-Th: 7:30am-12am Fall & Spring
- F: 7:30am-6pm, S: 8am - 6pm
- FacultyAdmin — FIC x2300
- Hours 8am - 5:00pm
- Wilmore — Faculty Info Commons L102
- Orlando — FL Info Commons x7677
- Staff — Helpdesk x2200
- Hours 8am - 4:30pm
- Wilmore — Location BC327
- Orlando — FL Info Commons
Ergonomics: Defined
- Ergonomics is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use. -The Ergonomics Society
Ergonomics: stress related injuries
- Cumulative Trauma Disorders-musculoskeletal disorders involving tendons, tendon sheaths, nerves etc. that occur in the wrists, hands, shoulders, back. Most common CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
- Symptoms-back pain, shoulder pain, tingling in wrists, arm soreness
Ergonomics: Tips
- Position screen 15”—24” from eyes
- Top of screen level or slightly lower than forehead
- Adjust workstation so that angles of user's body are close to 90 degrees
- Straighten wrists when typing (no wrist angle)
- Seat back should support inward curve of spine, feet flat on floor or footrest
- Take breaks for wrists and eyes at least every 20 minutes
- Adjust lighting to reduce glare
Ergonomics: Helpful Devices
- Ergonomic Keyboard (split)
- Articulating keyboard arm with tilt and mouse wrest
- Gel pad for wrist support
- Ergonomic task chair that supports your back and has height adjustment
- Anti-glare guard for screen
- If bad enough, wrist braces
Ergonomics: For More Info
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/
http://ergonomics.org/
http://www.office-ergo.com/
Having stress related symptoms?
Faculty call x2300
Staff call x2200
Students x2324
Powerpoint Lectures
- Provide handouts to students so they can take notes during lecture
- Print 3-6 slides per page using the pure black and white option in the printer dialog box
- Don't cram everything on one slide
- Use at least 28pt font for body text and 40pt font for titles
File Management: Why?
- Reduces lost files
- Prevents duplicating files
- Easier backup process
- More efficient with logical structure
File Management: How?
- Do NOT store files on your windows desktop!
- Do NOT use extensions after the period in the file name
- For laptops, store all work in “My Documents”
- Create subdirectory categories within “My Documents” (File|New|Folder)
- Use cutcopypaste to move files around
- Clear recycle bin periodically
Backing Up!!!!
- Why? If your hard drive crashes you may lose all of your work!
- When? Depends on how much work your willing to lose!
- How? Using your CD-RW drive on your laptop (XP) or your U drive (2000)
- Mac OS X users drag files to CD-R image on Mac desktop
Backing Up!!!: The Process
- Insert a CD-R disc in your CD-RW drive
- Choose take no action if prompted
- Click on START buttonMy Documents
- Choose Edit|Select All from the menu
- Select Edit|Copy to copy the items
- Navigate to the DVDCD-RW drive
- Select Edit|Paste to paste the items
- Click on the “Write these files to CD”
- Type CD name and press Next button
- Click Finish and Label CD with marker
EXERCISES
- 1. Create a folder in “My Documents” and move some files into that folder.
- 2. Backup your “My Documents” folder contents onto the CD-R provided using the steps from the “Backing Up Process” slide.