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ABC ~ All
'Bout Computers What to Install on a
New Computer Many people write to me and ask "What's the best way to set up a new computer?". Well, this is different for everyone and based on your own individual needs, but I figured I'd ask the Fleet to tell us how they setup their new or formatted computers so you can see how some experts do it. So, this month's issue is mostly dedicated to that....Just in time for those new Christmas computers, eh? First, I'll give you a list of stuff I always do when I setup a new computer, then you can read the rest of the articles in this issue to see what others do. Remember that these are only guidelines and not set in stone ... Obviously if your needs are very unique, you would set up your own computer very differently. Before I started reading this, I read all the other articles by the Fleet members and realized that my setup is not that different from theirs. We may prefer different software and tweaks, but we all seem to be striving for the same thing ... an efficient computer that is secure. So, here's what I install on my new or newly formatted PCs: 1. After installing the operating system and before connecting to the Internet, I install Partition Magic and set up my partitions the way I want them, then I install all the most recent drivers for all my special hardware from a CD I have which includes them all. Since I use a lot of hardware that Windows XP doesn't really have drivers for, I prefer to install them manually, rather than let XP install its generic ones. Specifically, I install my Kodak digital camera drivers, my Logitech Extreme Pro 3D Joystick drivers, my Audio Technica Microphone drivers, my Zboard Custom Keyboard drivers, and my Wacom Graphire Pen Tablet drivers. 2. Next, I install all the security stuff I need so I can connect to the Internet. Since I have a good hardware firewall, I don't need much of a software one, so I just use Windows XP's built in firewall. However, I do need to protect myself from spyware and malware on the net, so I always install Zero Spyware (this baby has protected me more than once from keyloggers so I won't go on the Internet without it!) And, of course, I install my AV program of choice, which is currently Norton . 3. Next, I usually spend a couple hours trying to get my network setup and working (though I admit, the last time I did this, it actually, FINALLY went much faster with less hitches). 4. Then I install Microsoft Office and FrontPage and publish a current copy of my website from the Internet onto my hard drive. 5. Next, I go to Microsoft's website and download and install all the updates for both Windows and Office. 6. After Office and FrontPage are installed, I install all my must-have addins for these programs. Specifically Outlook and FrontPage:
7. Next, I install the rest of my favorite software, including Photoshop , Quickbooks, QuarkXpress , Nero Burning Rom, Alcohol 120% , UltraEdit, Trillian, WinZip, WinRAR, and FrontLook Screen Capture... any other software I need, I usually just install when I need it. 8. Then I go into my Display Properties and set up my favorite wallpaper and screensavers and custom mouse pointers (yep, I love eye candy!) I use Cursor XP for my pointers and get all of my wallpaper from Digital Blasphemy. I also use my own screensaver, which you can see and download from my Downloads page. 9. And, finally, I install WinBackup and create a copy of the whole install so I can restore to this point any time I want. Then I install WinTasksPro and turn off any unnecessary processes that were turned on by the software I installed. Then I install Erunt and make a backup of my registry. 10. And THEN I install all my games, using Alcohol 120% (mentioned above), so I can run them from my hard drive, instead of having to put the CDs in all the time ... and, of course, The Sims2 is the first one I install :-) 11. Then I usually have a drink LOL Linda Johnson is a college instructor of all of the Microsoft Office Programs, as well as Adobe PhotoShop and Windows. She also teaches online distance learning classes in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word at Eclectic Academy. She has worked helpdesk and teaches and lectures at many local businesses and tech schools in her area. Support this newsletter by checking out Linda's eBooks, MS Word MAGIC!, Book I: Fonts, Fun & Formats and Book II: Table Wizardry, How To Get Started As a Software Trainer, and her newest series of MSOffice eBook Tutorials and CD I |
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