by Lam Luu

Created on: February 12, 2009

Now, you are no longer beginners in computers, nor do you say stuffs like "Look at how amazing this interface is! Back in my days, blah blah blah." You now want to use the computer efficiently to finish what you want quickly. Let's discuss how to do that.

By the way, before starting, I want to distinguish between "skills" and "strategies." Skills are how to actually do something, like typing, surfing, clicking, etc. Strategies are how you approach the problems. Here, I will concentrate mostly on strategies. How to that, I entrust you to figure that out. With that said, let's start.

1. Searching

The biggest boost for efficiency is searching. You MUST master these techniques. They include Google search, file search, program search, etc. When you need to do something, SEARCH it, do not list all possible files/actions/links then find by eyes. That's slow. Always let the computers do the tedious parts (searching) for you.

2. Bookmarking

This is, more or less, a boost for searching. Bookmarking means leave a mark of what you have done earlier. This include web bookmarking (in IE, it's called "favorite"), programs bookmarking (shortcuts, favorite programs, quick launch, etc.), file bookmarking (recently used file lists, shortcuts, or explicit bookmarks), etc. Bookmarks allow you to return to important places faster. When you are surfing, and you think you may return to your current page, and that page is more than 3 clicks away from Google, bookmark it. When you use a program more than once each turning on, bookmark it (making shortcut, quick launch, or putting it into favorite list). Utilize the recently used files; also bookmark files and directories/folders. This saves you tons of time in looking for what you need later on.

3. Using the keyboard

Okay, when you are new, you think the mouse is great. You play with it, poking stuffs, etc. However, when you want something fast, precise, and accurate, mouse fails short. This is even a bigger problem for future "Surface" thingy. Keyboards, being the oldest input device, survive for a reason: they are fast, precise, and stable. Keyboards are even faster than you point things out by hands, leave alone the mouse. Thus, learn how to use it properly, where properly includes: correct typing techniques (30+ WPM, please); short cut keys; command keys; store things in order; etc. It will boost you considerably.

4. Using text

Graphic is pretty, I admit. However, that's all it is, pretty. You don't build bridge by flowers, do you? You don't

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