Beating the ISO IT Blues:
As Murphy says “If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then.” Now that many of us are working from home we are relying on the home computer/laptop more and more to do more and more.
Here are a few tips to make sure you get the best out of your home office setup.
Physical Setup:
Your physical environment is very important for health, safety and ergonomics reasons:
- Get a comfy chair, grab a small pillow etc to make sure you are sitting right (feet on the ground, monitor at eye level and just lower and good posture)
- If you have a chance connect two monitors to a PC or have an external monitor connected to a laptop
- If you are using a laptop – attach a full size keyboard and regular mouse – they are much more convenient and ergonomic to use in the long run
Internet / Network Speed:
While I cannot change your internet speed (get the highest speed NBN connection you can) there are a few things to ty to improve the speed of your connection:
- Try to use a wired cable connection to your internet router
- If you need to use wireless:
- Make sure you have a strong and fast signal
- Use 5G wireless (for your internal wireless, if available) as 5G is faster but does have a smaller range
- Setup a wireless booster/mesh network if the wireless signal is too low
Updates:
Most software companies release updates and enhancements to their programs. It is generally a good idea to install these as many are very important safety and security updates.
- Windows Updates
- Program Updates (Firefox, Chrome, Acrobat, Java, etc)
NOTE: A recent update to Windows 10 (April/May 2020) has caused some wireless connectivity issues. These can be rectified by installing the latest driver for your wireless hardware. There is a large feature update coming to Windows 10 (late May 2020 onwards) so be prepared for a long download and some changes! Yeay!
Virus Scan:
It is a good idea to do regular virus scan on your PC to keep out unwanted software. Windows 10 has a built-in anti-virus software so there is no need to purchase a 3rd party product for basic functionality. In addition, look into programs like Malwarebytes & Super AntiSpyware. Both of these companies offer free versions of their programs. These programs compliment traditional anti-virus software and help keep your PC safe and secure.
PC Speed:
If your PC is running really slow (starting, opening programs, etc) then a simple hard drive upgrade might be the solution. Solid State Drive (SSD) have mostly replaced Hard Disk Drive (HDD) as they are much-MUCH faster, more reliable and use less power. Changing your existing HDD to an SSD will give an instant speed boost to your older PC without losing your data and programs. It is a very cost-effective way to turbo charge a PC.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to an IT professional about these or any other IT issues, please contact Pal at PCPals on 0437 734 565.
Thanks and Safe Travels (and ISO)