| Greetings!
So, have all of your holiday shopping done yet??? Sorry, just wanted to get something added to your to-do list right now.
A few of my more observant subscribers noticed that I mentioned I would share some tips on shutting down that PC to save some time, and then I went ahead and didn't share the tips!! Blame the e-newsletter's editor (yours truly) for not catching that -- I did plan on sharing it, but then realized the issue was getting a bit long, and decided to share it in this issue instead. But my editor didn't do his job very well. So hopefully he'll do better this month. Here's the tip I promised but didn't deliver:
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"Why does it take so crazy long to shut down and restart my computer!?!" Maybe it doesn't have to take so long...
| This is ALWAYS the place to look for your Timely Tip!
For a few years now, I've been a "restarter" rather than a "rebooter" of my computer 90% of the time. Prior to that back in my "corporate" days, I'd end my work session (usually a work day) and shut down my computer, head home, get back to the office the next day, and REBOOT. And then I'd go wander the hallways for 5-10 minutes waiting for my PC to get "fully started" so I could get to work.
But over the last few years, and especially since I've gone "solo", I've realized that my work doesn't start at a specific normal time most days, nor does it end at a specific normal time, and even when it does start and end normally, that doesn't mean I'm in front of that PC the entire time (thank the Lord!!!) I have a very "start-stop-start again" work/life now, with a thriving business, small kids in the house, and a LOT of time sitting at airports and hotels! Thus, I need to be able to quickly get to (and leave!) productivity. The traditional "shut down and reboot" strategy simply doesn't work in this new work/life environment. Luckily, most PCs now acknowledge this, and now have multiple versions of "off" settings. These "off" settings vary in nature and intensity, and, with some skill and forethought, may allow you to move from nonproductive to productive states (and back again) more easily and elegantly.
Specifically, the newer Vista & 7 boxes have four different "off" settings: "Sleep", "Hibernate", "Shut Down", and "Restart".
Sleep (equivalent to "Stand By" in the XP & older PCs) is great if you are only going to be away for 10-minutes to an hour. When you are ready to get back to computer-based work (or play!), just hit the power button or even just open up your laptop, and in 30 seconds or less, a "sleeping" computer will be back up and running, with the same programs and screens open that were there when you put the computer into Sleep mode. This mode is SUPER handy if you are running out for just a bit, want to save some power and computer wear and tear, but you also want to get back to work QUICKLY.
Hibernate is a "deeper" version of Sleep. It is very close to a full Shut Down, but still keeps in memory the programs/screens you had open before you put the computer into Hibernate mode. It will usually boot back up in about a minute or so (it takes a bit longer than Sleep to shut down also), and will bring up a "Resuming Windows" screen while it brings back up your "hibernating" Windows session. I really like this one for when I'm traveling between client locations, going to the airport/doctor, etc. If your battery comes loose or drains of power, "Hibernate" still will keep your session in memory, while Sleep will lose the session (and possibly any data you had in open documents at the time you went "to sleep"). This is my favorite shut down mode when I'm mobile, giving me a nice mix of speed when restarting, but also security over my active session.
Shut Down is just that. It closes all open programs, and then has to do a full reboot and restart the next time you turn on the computer. It takes the longest, as the entire start up routine has to occur before you can get back to productive. But it is good to do a full Shut Down or Restart every now and then (I'd say at least every few days), especially if your computer seems to be "dogging it". This may indicate that your computer has too many programs or processes running in the background, causing your memory buffer to fill up and your computer to work slow or possibly even crash. Shut Down and Restart reset everything, including items in the cache/memory buffer, thus allowing the computer to run more efficiently and effectively. I try to do a hard shut down every 1-3 days, just so my computer has a chance to close "orphan" programs and processes and get a boost in processing capability and RAM memory.
Restart is effectively a combined Shut Down/Reboot process. It does a full system shut down (thus clearing the cache and ending all programs and processes), but then immediately restarts a new computing session upon completion of the shut down. This is to be used whenever you have a hard program crash, thus greatly locking up your computer, and/or when your computer seems to be really running slowly. Typically, a restart resets all programs and memory, allowing your computer to work again the way it is supposed to.
Test these four different settings, and let me know if they can save you some time and gain you some productivity. Mastering these is somewhat like having a "clicker" to change stop lights in your favor -- you won't have to sit idly at that intersection quite so long waiting for "green"! (Perhaps that would make a great future Timely Tip???)
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| Follow Up URL on Last Month's Traveler/Traffic Radio Tip |
Timely Tips reader J. Patrick Moore shared a link to the web site http://www.traffic.com after reading last month's Timely Tip. This web site, linked to by many leading News/Traffic/Weather radio stations, gives traffic updates in many of the major metro markets, as well as provides driving directions similar to those given MapQuest or Google Maps. Worth a look if a radio station isn't handy, or if you are walking to your car before you can even turn your radio on!
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Not Quite Done With 2010 Yet!!!
I've still got a few more events before year end, including a session for the Vermont Society of Association Executives coming up shortly, and a couple more things I'd like to share with you, my Timely Tips readers. Look for one more year-end bonus issue with a few useful "bonuses" (bonuses are handy things to have in a "bonus" issue!!") So I'll hold on my year-end thanks and year-end thoughts until that year-end issue, and for now, I'll just say, Happy Holidays!! Enjoy the season for all that it can offer, and Keep It Timely AND Timeless!!
Sincerely,
Randy Dean
Randall Dean Consulting & Training, LLC
or http://www.emailsanityexpert.com
PPS: Always feel free to use the "Forward E-mail" option below to share this info with your family, friends, & co-workers. |
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Great Looking New Book Out Today
| I'm a big believer in the concept that "less is more". I've been trying to live this concept for a number of years now -- trying to reduce unnecessary clutter in work, life, and a few people's e-mail accounts. The paradox of having less and doing less is that, of course, you can much more deeply enjoy what you do have right now.
There is a new book out today -- The Power of Slow -- by Christine Louise
Hohlbaum, that dives deeply into this concept. Her premise is that by doing less and purposefully slowing things down a bit you can actually lead a much more centered and enriching life, while also paradoxically being more successful, on your own terms.
The titles of the first two chapters give you a hint of what you can expect from this book:
1. Time Is Money ... And Other Lies
2. The Myth of Multitasking
And she finishes the book with an Epilogue called "Busy" is a Four-Letter Word.
I've scanned briefly, but will make this my targeted "down time" read over the holidays, as I very much believe more can be done and enjoyed by choicefully, specifically, and carefully doing less.
How's that for a New Year's Resolution: I resolve to do less in 2011, but whatever I do, I will do better! Seems like a GREAT plan to me.
Here's the link to more information on that book once again:
The Power of Slow
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I did a 30-minute Taming E-mail webinar YESTERDAY -- want to see the replay?
| I'll be speaking again next month at the big American Bus Association's Marketplace 2011 Annual Convention in Philadelphia. As part of their efforts to both promote the conference and "share good stuff", they asked me to do a little 30-minute webinar for their members and attendees yesterday.
I asked if I could share the replay with my Timely Tips readers, and they very nicely agreed. Now of course, this is a very abbreviated version of only 3-4 of my very best e-mail tips, but for some of you, this may be all you need to Tame Your E-mail Beast! Here's the replay registration link (there is no charge for viewing the replay).
Now, of course, my longer Taming E-mail programs go in much greater detail -- this only gives a few of my very best tips -- but perhaps you could share this with that key person on staff or your meeting committee so you can bring me to your next big staff development program, meeting, or conference!?! Once again, here's the registration link.
And let me know if you might be in Philly for American Bus -- would be great to run into you there (I'll be doing TWO Taming E-mail sessions plus an Optimizing Your Outlook session -- a great place to get those tips plus so much more!)
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