User Checklists

Windows Users

Have you...

Updated to the latest Service Pack for Windows?
Keeping your operating system up-to-date helps maintain stability and ensures that you have the latest security patches installed.
Turned on Automatic Updates?
Turning on auto-update will help your computer stay protected from hackers. Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System. Under the Automatic Updates tab, select either "Automatic" and pick a time when you're not using the computer, or pick "Download updates for me but let me choose when to install them" for finer control of updates. Remember to keep your computer updated - it's important for its health.
Updated to the latest version of Internet Explorer?
The latest version of the classic browser from Microsoft. It may be their best effort yet, with new features such as a powerful new search bar, tabs and windows running independently to avoid crashing the entire browser and the ability to reopen a site you accidentally closed. If you haven't updated yet, you should strongly consider it. You can find it here.
Tried out the Firefox browser?
If you're really not enjoying the way IE is working for you, have you tried Firefox? Firefox is an alternative browser to Windows. And it's completely free. No kidding. It also has a variety of useful add-ons designed by users as well as themes to let you control the look and style of your browser, all readily available on the Mozilla Firefox website. You can download it here.
Tried out the Google Chrome browser?
It is the new web browser from Google. Another alternative to Internet Explorer, Chrome has a cleaner, more lightweight design than IE and Firefox by hiding various buttons and menus away until you need them. With those out of your way you have much more viewing area available when viewing a site. Also, each tab or window runs independently so if your browser locks up you simply close the tab or window and keep right on browsing without shutting down the entire program. Best of all it's free! You can download it here.
Taken steps to make your system secure?
You should be running a virus scanner, a spybot scanner, and a firewall of some kind. We recommend AVG Anti-Virus, Spybot - Search and Destroy, and running a good router with a firewall built into it. If you don't have access to a good router, an ok substitute is Zone Alarm, but it's not nearly as user friendly. We offer all of these (and decent routers) in a bundle here in the shop.
Cleaned out your temporary internet folders?
Cleaning out your temporary internet files will help keep your computer running fast and save on hard drive space. In Internet Explorer, click Tools -> Internet Options, then select the option to delete your temporary internet files.

Linux Users

Have you...

Enabled journaling?
Journaling will help your computer recover in the event of a loss of power.
Started using SSH instead of telnet?
SSH will help protect your passwords from being exposed to eavesdroppers, and most system support it nowadays.
Installed Wine?
I know, we installed Linux to get away from Windows. But a lot of programs are still only coded for the Windows platform. WINE lets you have your cake and eat it too. Here's some common myths about Wine.

If you would like to return to the Tools & Tips page, click here.