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1. DON'T BERMIE-41PRIABO A computer is not a box never to be opened—open that box and you'll see that its been designed for the amateur. Connectors only fit in their given sockets, and then only the right way round. You can make major improvements simply by adding more memory and a faster processor.
2. FUTURE PROOF
If you do have to buy a new computer, try to plan for the unknown by thinking about future uses and expansion. Does the motherboard have spare slots for extra memory, or will it take a faster processor? Does the computer case take extra peripherals?
3. BONI BUY SOFTIPMF. UNNECESSARILY
Although it might be worth upgrading the hardware, don't forget to look at the software you use. Have a flick through the manual and look at the software you have to see if it can do any more for you. Most people utilise io% of their software's capabilities. You might find that your database comes with a sample accounts program which, with a little tinkering, will serve you well. What about that template function in your word processor that you can use to produce a newsletter for clients?
4. BUY ONUNE
With the advent of the Internet there are a host of web sites springing up that offer excellent service levels and prices for everything from hardware to consumables like printer toner. Try Simply Computers at www.simply.co.uk or Dabs.com at www.dabs.com.
6. URINE LAW
The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations z000 came into force on 31 October 2000. These cover most transactions where the seller and buyer have no physical contact, and where a purchase is made for use by you as a consumer rather
than as a business trading the item. However, there are exceptions including customised goods and computer software which was unsealed by the consumer. This legislation gives the buyer a sevenday cooling-off period to withdraw from the contract—and these seven days become three months if the seller does not follow the law.
B. MARTIAN YOUR COMPUTER
Computers need maintenance— they can be made to work faster and better by simply running three programs that Windows supplies free of charge.
• Assuming you're running Windows 95 or later, hit the start button, then go to the prog rams>accessories>system tools menu. First run Disk Cleanup. This removes any "dead" temporary files and empties the recycle bin, freeing valuable hard disk space. • Next run Scandisk. This checks the hard disk for any errors and has Windows mark any problem areas.
• Finally run Disk Defragmenter. This ensures that all the chunks of data that relate to each other are in one place. Remember that companies offer free patches and software enhancements via the Internet. These might include the latest driver to fix known bugs which might be causing problems.
7. MANACLE YOUR E-MAILANTEIMET
Unless you love the resources provided by CompuServe or AOL, why pay to go online? If you don't mind an e-mail address that doesn't feature your company name, try providers such as vvww.freeserve.com, www.waitrose.com or www.hotmail.com. They're free, and give Internet
and e-mail connections and free web space. You might also find it worthwhile to upgrade your email connection to A DS L. This new technology allows Internet connection up to to times faster than your standard phone line. ADS L is a permanent, unmetered connection—you pay a monthly standing charge rather than a persecond charge. E-mail arrives automatically rather than waiting for you to dial up to get it.
B. MAXIMISE. YOUR TELEPHONE ALLOWANCES
On a similar note, you can save on your business and Internet/email calls too. All of the mobile telecoms networks offer call packages where a monthly subscription includes some call time. On the first day of your billing month, zero the timers on your mobile and towards the end of the month see how you're doing and make use of those unused minutes. Also, use these minutes for e-mail calls if you have a laptop with an infrared port and a mobile with an infrared modem. You might also save money by changing telecoms providers, especially for Internet and e-mail access. Switch to one with no minimum charge—you can hop on and off the e-mail for rp rather than 5p. It doesn't sound much, but it will add up over a quarter.
9. BACKUP YOUR DATA
Data backup is so easy now and you can do several things to keep your information safe. For small files, you could simply e-mail the files to yourself—remembering to disconnect from your email provider after sending but before you download. That way, a copy of your work will exist in cyberspace until you next go online. There are even off-site electronic backup companies such as www.netstore.com. E-mail your backup files to them, and in the event of an emergency they can send them back to you on CDROM. You could also consider buying a CD-writer. These cost about o; each CD stores up to 65oM B of data.