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All About Networks Part 1 – The Basics

Networks 101We all know what networks are. They’re arrangements of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, or even groups of interconnected people or things. Right?

I hate to break it to you (not really) but there’s another definition, too.

Computer networks, or data networks, are a means by which multiple computers (or other devices such as printers, phones, tablets, etc.) are connected, so that they can exchange data, etc.

Computer network version 0.000001 (more-or-less) was called “The Sneakernet”. It was composed of people who transported data from one location to another by loading it onto portable media (probably a floppy drive!) and walking it from one computer to another while wearing their sneakers. Or not. Sneakers may even have been optional.

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File Management Principles & Shortcuts Part 3 of 3

File ManagementWelcome back to the third and final (for now) part of our series on file management.

If you missed the first part, we covered file properties, moving, deleting/restoring, and ordering, so go back and check that out.

If you missed the second part, we covered renaming, bulk renaming, and shortcuts, so go back and check that out.

In this part we will cover showing file extensions, changing file extensions, and how to change file associations, so let’s get to it!

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File Management Principles & Shortcuts Part 1 of 3

File ManagementSome methods of file manipulation are universal, and differ little — if any — from one file manager (or operating system) to the next.

You can move, edit, rename, view, order, copy, sort, group and otherwise change how files and folders act.

And there are usually multiple methods of accomplishing each action, allowing you to choose which ones work best for you.

In this three-part series we’ll cover some of the most basic aspects of file management.

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How To Organize Your Digital Data

Personal Data Filing SystemYou may, by this point in time, have some inkling of my proclivity for all things organization and order.

I’ve heard a saying that goes something like “Organization is for people too lazy to look for things”.

Yeah, I’m not buying that.

I like to know that everything has it’s own place to go, and exactly where that place is, so that I can find things in their proper places at any given time.

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How to Create a Backup Process, and Why You Should

Computer Hard Drive InsidesIt is my firm belief that everyone needs a good, solid backup plan.

Whether that plan involves backing up on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depends only on how much you want to lose.

Prior to developing good backup habits, the process can sound a bit daunting, but I can assure you that the result is worth the effort!

Anyone who has ever lost data, either due to the lack of a backup or a failed backup process, will know exactly what I mean.

Everyone else — well, allow me to spare you that particularly painful learning experience and the stroke that it can cause.

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A Byte-sized Lesson on Computer Storage Capacity

binary for computer storage capacity lessonThe subject is not mis-spelled.

Well, it might be a little, but I did that on purpose.

Allow me to explain: This lesson is not about food. It’s about data storage.

Data (preferably pronounced DAY-ta) is information.

In the context that we will be discussing it today, data is information that is stored in electronic memory.

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How to Configure Computer Mouse Settings

black and red-colored computer mouse with two un-defined buttons and a scroll wheelNot all mice are created equal, but their performance is primarily based on operating system settings rather than the hardware.

Not only do mouse settings provide useful options such as allowing a slower double-click speed, but many are fun to experiment with, too.

Mouse settings are also (and I probably shouldn’t be telling you this) a quick-and-easy way to play practical jokes on other people.

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