LNCtips.com: 3 Secrets of a Computer Geek

It's no secret that I'm a bit of a computer geek.  But I wasn't always proficient with computers and neither are many new legal nurse consultants. When I first starting using computers, I learned three secrets from a real computer geek - someone who worked at  a Help Desk in information technology at a large healthcare system. Help Desk employees troubleshoot computer hardware and software problems.

These secrets are what the Help Desk people do when they don't know the answer to a computer problem. The secrets started my transformation from computer novice to semi-geek. And these incredibly simple secrets can help you become more comfortable with computers too.

When you're seeking a solution to a computer problem, the first secret is to use your software's Help section. Software is another name for your computer's programs, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and WordPerfect. Most software has either a question mark or the word "Help" on the top toolbar. If you can't find the Help section, F1 is the universal Windows key on your keyboard for Help. (On some keyboards, you may need to hit the Fn or F-Lock key for F1 to work). After accessing Help, type in keywords just like you do when you're searching for something on the internet. Many software programs, particularly those by Microsoft, have extensive Help sections. Others, like WordPerfect, aren't as comprehensive. But don't worry. If you can't find the answer to your problem, the next secret will surely find a solution.

The second secret is to do a Google search. The nice thing about the internet is that it's been around for a while.  If you're having a computer or software problem, chances are good that someone else had the same problem, solved it, and posted the solution on the internet. Type in your keywords and check out the results. For example, if you type in "problem tables wordperfect borders" (without the quotes), you'll get over 800,000 search results. Keep adding or deleting keywords if you need to further refine your search. You'll find the solution to your problem on the software manufacturer's website, a user forum, or a computer enthusiast's site.

The third secret is to make your own Help folder. My friend, the computer geek, said the biggest frustration of working at a Help Desk was that some people sought solutions to the same problem over and over. These people didn't remember the answer the Help Desk gave them. I've experienced the same type of memory problems and so may you. So once you find the solution to your computer problem, type it up or copy and paste it into a blank document. Then name the document with a descriptive file name and save it in your Help folder. For example, I transferred my Help folder when I upgraded to a new computer and used it to create Medical Symbols on my new computer. 

I told you these secrets were incredibly simple. But sometimes the simplest secrets are the best!

...Katy Jones