Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

The Communications and Information Technology unit has been replaced by the ALEC Educational Media unit.

This website will soon be deactivated. Pertinent tips will be moved to the ianrhelp.unl.edu site.

These instruction sheets from CIT Computing provide tips or step-by-step guides for Computer Security, Windows, Internet Topics (browsers, email and Web), Lotus Notes, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and Other Topics (photo tips, image editing, and more). You will need the Adobe Reader to open and print the PDF files. You can download the current version of Adobe Reader from the Adobe website.

Computer Security

• Password Management Best Practices
• Personal computer security: avoiding viruses, spyware, and other attacks
• Don’t Get Caught by Phishing Scams
• Using proper e-mail etiquette can help prevent virus infections
• Verify that Sophos anti-virus software is correctly updating
  
  

Windows

• Use Windows’ Zip feature to speedup file sharing
• Protect Your Data: Organize Your Files and Make Backups
• Clean out unneeded files on your hard drive
• Keep your hard drive secure, error-free, and organized for maximum speed
• Use Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts to Work More Efficiently
• Easy File Management with Windows Explorer (PDF version, 4 pages, 114KB)
  
  

Internet Topics

• Browser Tips for Firefox and Internet Explorer
• Simple File Exchange with DropBox (information available at http://is.unl.edu/dropbox/)
• Manage UNL Listservs Easily and Quickly via the Web (information available at http://listserv.unl.edu/)
• Using proper e-mail etiquette can help prevent virus infections
• Work with Your E-mail More Quickly and More Effectively
  tips for both Lotus Notes software and Eudora

• Web Searching and Information Evaluation
  • Better Web Searching
    tips for using Google and other top-rated search engines
  • Go Beyond Search Engines
    information on subject directories and "Invisible" Web databases, plus links to some of the best available
  • Evaluating Web Pages
    includes information on citing Internet resources

• Web Authoring - Content
  • Writing for the Web (January 2001 CIT Information newsletter)
  • Design Your Web Pages for Everyone (May 2001 CIT Information newsletter)
  • Correct "Link Rot" Before It Destroys Your Web Page
  • Generate More Web Traffic
  • Stopping Spam -- don't display your e-mail address
  • Copyright and Fair Use learning resources (September 2002 CIT Information newsletter)
    
  • Please go to http://liferay.unl.edu/documentation for these documents
    • Create PDF files with WordPerfect
    • Create PDF files with Microsoft Office 2007
• Web Authoring - Graphics
  • Guidelines for Effective Use of Photos in PowerPoint or on Web Pages
  • IANR & UNL Logos for Web and PowerPoint Use (information available at http://edmedia.unl.edu/ianrlogos)
    
    

Lotus Notes

The University has switched to Microsoft Office 365. Please see the Email Migration How-to page for help documentation.

PowerPoint

• Tips for Effective Presentations
  • Checklist for Creating Your Next PowerPoint Slide Show (Summer 2006 CIT Information newsletter)
  • Graphic Tips for Presentations website (opens in new window)
    provides guidelines on layout; text usage; color; and data presentation in graphs, charts, & tables

• Basics
• Tips for Creating a Better PowerPoint Slide Show
• Mastering PowerPoint’s Master View
  The Master View is the place to control how your slide show looks.
• Guidelines for Effective Use of Photos in PowerPoint or on Web Pages
• Tips for effectively running a PowerPoint slide show during your presentation

• Advanced Topics
  • Using Video in PowerPoint (May 2003 CIT Information newsletter)
  • Adding Narration to PowerPoint 2000 and XP Presentations
  • Inserting Macromedia Flash Animations (*.swf) to play during a slide show
  • Instructions for playing music from a CD throughout your presentation
  • Link two or more presentations together for continuous playback
  • Taking Your PowerPoint Slideshow to the Web

• New IANR & Extension PowerPoint Templates (updated March 2008)
• IANR & UNL Logos for Web and PowerPoint Use (information available at http://edmedia.unl.edu/ianrlogos)
  
  

WordPerfect

• Add Shortcuts to WordPerfect Toolbars
• Do things "Quick-ly" in WordPerfect
  Use QuickCorrect for typing shortcuts, QuickFormat to quickly add “style” to your document, and more
• Tips for Fixing a Problem WordPerfect File
• Installing Corel WordPerfect Office 12 (PDF version, 1 page, 13KB)
  
  

Other Topics

• Microsoft Office 2007: Create shortcuts to your most used commands
• Tips for Taking Better Photos
• Digital Photo Management Tips
• Using images: Select the correct file format and use the proper size
  Bonus: Sources for free images
• Sharing documents between Word and WordPerfect (Fall 2006 CIT Information newsletter)
• Add Shortcuts to Microsoft Office and WordPerfect Toolbars
  applicable for all versions of WordPerfect and for Microsoft Office 2003 or earlier
  
• Please go to http://liferay.unl.edu/documentation for these documents
  • Create PDF files with WordPerfect
  • Create PDF files with Microsoft Office 2007
  • Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements: Basic Image Editing
  • IrfanView: Basic Image Editing

Questions or Comments: contact CIT Computing Staff
CIT Computing does not provide personal support to parties outside of UNL.

 Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR)
 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
 Last updated November 10, 2008