Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

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 Acrobat Reader to open and print the PDF files. You can download the current version of Adobe Acrobat 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 (Spring 2005 CIT Information newsletter)
• 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)
• Changing the Look of Windows XP to the Classic Look (July 2002 CIT Information newsletter)
  
  

Internet Topics

• Browser Tips for Firefox and Internet Explorer
• Simple File Exchange with DropBox
• Manage UNL Listservs Easily and Quickly via the Web
• 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)
  • Creating PDF files with WordPerfect (PDF version, 2 page, 46KB)
  • 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)

• Web Authoring - Graphics
  • Guidelines for Effective Use of Photos in PowerPoint or on Web Pages
  • IANR & UNL Logos for Web and PowerPoint Use
    
    

Lotus Notes

• Keeping Your Lotus Notes Mail Database Size Smaller Helps You and the System (Spring 2006 CIT Information newsletter)
• Stopping Spam in Lotus Notes
• Manage Your Incoming E-mail with Lotus Notes Rules
• Lotus Notes Setting Change for Proper Web Browsing
• Lotus Notes: Quicker Access to Incoming Messages
  
  

PowerPoint

• Tips for Effective Presentations
  • Checklist for Creating Your Next PowerPoint Slide Show (Summer 2006 CIT Information newsletter)
  • Tips for Effective Presentations seminar
    video-streamed version of recorded June 2003 seminar (You will need the free RealPlayer to view the video.)
    • Part 1: Presenting your text information (17:56)
    • Part 2: Color and graphics tips (15:39)
    • Part 3: Explanation of digital images - picture resolution and size (11:59)
  • 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
  
  

WordPerfect

• Add Shortcuts to WordPerfect Toolbars
• Creating PDF files with WordPerfect (PDF version, 2 page, 46KB)
• 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

• 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
• Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements: Basic Image Editing (PDF version, 2 pages, 56KB)
• IrfanView: Basic Image Editing (PDF version, 3 pages, 55KB)
• 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

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 August 8, 2008