CLEAN COMPUTERS = HAPPY USERS

With the amount of information available for download on the internet, it's easy to quickly fill up your valuable hard drive space and turn your computer into a sluggish, unresponsive monster. Keeping your hard drive clean is essential to the high performance that the latest computers can achieve. Fortunately, it's a simple process; one that can easily be performed on a regular basis and, with some organization, keep your computer running like a well-oiled machine.

You can discover how much hard drive space is available on your computer by accessing the properties of your C: drive (STEPS: Start> My Computer> Right Click on C: Drive Icon and Click Properties from drop down menu). A pie graph will show you the amount of used and unused space for each of your drives. Check this often to keep an idea of how much space you are using.

There are six simple steps to clearing up your hard drive:

1. Uninstall unused programs. Many times a new program will come along that looks fun to have or play with, but after a week or two you simply stop using it. These programs clutter up your drive and take up valuable space. You might be tempted to delete these programs from your drive, but doing so will cause problems. You must use the uninstall function of Windows for the program to be removed safely and completely. (STEPS: Start> Control Panel> Add or Remove Programs)
   
   
2. Clean out temporary files. When your computer is not shut down properly, it will pass information from memory into fragmented files. Also, while you are running programs, your computer will write information that it does not immediately need into temporary files. Installation files will also expand themselves into the temporary folder and will not always clean up after themselves. You can delete these temporary files safely by using the Disk Cleanup option in your System Tools. (STEPS: Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Cleanup)
   
   
3. Empty your internet cache. As you surf the internet your computer stores web pages and images into a temporary internet cache so that it can quickly recall and access information when you move back and forth between pages. This backup information can quickly add up and eat hard drive space. (STEPS: Start> Control Panel> Internet Options> Delete Files)
   
   
4. Empty your mail programs of clutter. It's easy to browse through your email and leave old messages there, promising yourself you'll sort them out later. One or two messages don't take up much space, but hundreds certainly do. Take the time to sort through these old emails now and delete what is not important. Create folders and organize what is left. Make it a habit that when new emails come in, they are either filed immediately or thrown away. Set your email program to empty your deleted items folder each time you close your mail program.
   
   
5. Empty your recycle bin. Once you've emptied your drive of cluttering, unnecessary programs; empty your recycle bin to remove what has been placed there in the process.(STEPS: From Your Desktop, Right Click On The Recycle Bin Icon> Click On Empty Recycle Bin)
   
   
6. Scandisk and Defrag. When Windows installs programs, it will put the files it needs anywhere that it finds free space, and not directly after the last program installed. As a result, your hard drive has patches of empty space on it that are not big enough to fit a full program, and will result in a drive space error if you attempt to install something new. Scandisk your drive to check for lost file fragments and to fix any errors it finds, then Defrag to pack all of the program files together at the beginning of your drive. This will clear out those empty patches and move all of the free space you've just created to the end of your drive. (STEPS: Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defragmenter)
   

Remember that the cleaner your hard drive is, the better your machine will respond! In order for your computer to be user friendly, it must have a friendly user. Be your computer's best friend and clean out the cobwebs regularly.

What's in a name? Domain name that is.

So you've decided to get a website. That's good. Now it's time to decide upon a name. What should I call myself? What will people remember forever? Will it make a good impression? Well if this reminds you of naming a child or a pet, here are a few tips to take into consideration that should make the process easier.

Your Domain Name Needs To Reflect Your Web Site - Your domain name should reflect what your web site is about. For example, if your web site is about art supplies, you wouldn't want a domain name like 'yourbusinessname.com,' since this would have nothing to do with your web site's focus. You would want to select a domain name that tells what your web site is all about -- 'artsupplies.com.'

Make Sure Your Keywords Are In Your Domain Name - Try to select a domain name that contains your most relevant keyword phrase because some search engines place relevancy on them. A keyword phrase is two or more words that best describe your web page. If your web page is focusing on selling art supplies, your best keyword phrase will be "art supplies."

Make It Easy To Remember - It is also very important to select a domain name that will be easily remembered. As in the 'artsupplies.com' example above, 'artsupplies' is very easily remembered, contains the most relevant keyword phrase and describes the web site in explicit detail. It is the 'perfect' domain name for this particular web site.

No Numbers In Your Domain Name - Including a number within your domain name can cause problems. When you tell someone your web address, you will continually have to tell them it's a number and not the word.

No Dashes, No Underscores - Avoid using dashes, underscores or any other characters within your domain name that may cause confusion.

Don't Abbreviate - Although well-known companies, such as IBM, can get away with using abbreviations within their domain name, most companies can't. This might cause confusion and cause potential visitors to make spelling errors.

Don't Make It To Long - Although you may now register long domain names, it's really not a good idea. Try to keep your domain name as short as possible.

Ensure Your Domain Name is Not a Trademark Infringement - Prior to registering a domain name, you may want to consider searching the Trademark Electronic Search System, http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm to ensure your potential domain name isn't infringing on any trademarks.

When you're ready to begin, create a list of a ten or more potential domain names, as chances are, your first choice will already be taken. With any luck, one of the domain names on your list will be available.

A recent trend to counteract the unavailability of the dotcoms is to add the words "online" or "website" as part of your domain name. For example if www.artstore.com were not available, you might consider www.artstoreonline.com.

Take your time and select a quality domain name that will grow with your business. It will be well worth your time and effort in the long run.