Computer basics - learn simple ways to get more done (and improve your writing)

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Are you a computer wizard? You don’t need to be a techy person to make money freelance writing, but the more expert you are at using all the tools you have, the more you’ll get done.

This applies especially to learning how to use your computer efficiently… and learning how to use WORDS more effectively.

David Pogue at the NYT has an excellent article on computer shortcuts.

From the Desk of David Pogue - Tech Tips for the Basic Computer User - NYTimes.com suggests:

“* When you’re searching for something on the Web using, say, Google, put quotes around phrases that must be searched together. For example, if you put quotes around ‘electric curtains,’ Google won’t waste your time finding one set of Web pages containing the word ‘electric’ and another set containing the word ‘curtains.’”

My computer tips for writers

* A file with a “zip” file extension is compressed; it’s an archive. Learn how zips work; they’re useful whenever you want to squash files and make them smaller.

* Learn how to create PDFs. Here’s an easy tool for you if you’re on Windows. If you’re a Mac person, you can print any file to PDF. On the File menu, choose Print, then click the PDF button on the left.

* Learn how to use a simple graphic design program, and a simple HTML editor. Writers write, they don’t design, but you should be able to create a simple Web page and stick a banner on it.

This helps you in all kinds of ways: you can create a sales page for clients, for example, so they can order your writing services at a click. Yes, you can hire it done. But hiring a designer every time you want a simple Web page is both a waste of money and of time. That’s assuming you can find a reliable designer willing to do small tasks for you.

* When writing an email message, never copy and paste directly from MS Word. (This applies when you’re sending someone a collection of articles too, if they want them in plain text.) The file will look messy with weird artifacts which take time to remove if you paste directly from Word - your clients will hate you.
Paste into a text editor first, and then into the email, or save the file as plain text.

* (This one isn’t really a computer tip, it’s a tip for your writing.) Learn to punctuate. Use a spell checker. Capitalize all proper nouns - use “I”, rather than “i”. As a writer, words are your tools, and your aim is always clear communication. Your writing should never call attention to itself: your writing should be TRANSPARENT.

* Once a week, do a Google search for “computer productivity tips” or “Windows productivity tips” or “Mac productivity tips”. Save these tips, and learn a new one each day. For extra credit, buy a book on using whatever operating system you’re on - MS XP, MS Vista or Mac OS X - and read it.

Make the most of your computer. If you learn a new tip a day, you can save hours of time each month. Spend those hours writing.

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