The Technological Edge for the Savvy Independent Consultant

As an independent consultant working in any field it which you have competition, you need to get and maintain an edge over them. To continue to learn about your best friend, your personal computer would help you keep that edge.

To this end, always look to pick up a few new computer skills instead of just knowing how to use your computer.

To begin with, learn the meaning of some technical acronyms. There are at least eight essential acronyms that are important to know. Here I will describe just four: central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), universal serial bus (USB), and hypertext markup language (HTML).

CPU refers to the most important component of a computer. It is responsible for executing programs, performing calculations, and moving data between memory and long-term storage media. The significance of the CPU is two-fold: it determines which software product can be run on your computer and also how fast the software will run. Each motherboard will support only a specific type or range of CPU.

GPU refers to processes necessary for graphics rendering. The GPU translates the data from the CPU into images--a picture you can see. Unless a computer has a graphics capability built into the motherboard, that translation takes place on the graphic card. The CPU working in conjunction with software applications, sends information about the image to the graphic card, the graphic card then processes that information and sends it through a cable to the monitor.

The graphic card and the GPU is really one in the same. The graphic card houses the GPU. They control all the visuals that you see on your computer screen which includes everything from your desktop background to chatting with your friends.

USB referred to relatively fast serial communication architecture for attaching peripheral devices to avoid the configuration that used to plague personal computers in the past. Until recently, USB operated at 12 Mbps, but still supports up to 127 devices including keyboards, monitors, mice, and printers using a USB hub. High speed USB now operates at 480 Mbps. For faster devices such as cameras or camcorders, fire wire is more suitable. The speed of the fire wire interface is also good for devices such as portable hard drives.

And, finally, hypertext markup language (HTML) is a language used to describe documents that are to be published over the World Wide Web (www). HTML description of the document defines the placement of text and images on the page, and also the hypertext links that lead visitors from this page to other pages on the web. The term "markup" refers to the special instructions called tags which are distinguished in the document using the keyboard symbols which are called "angle brackets."

Even More Things the Computer Savvy Independent Consultant Must Know

As an independent consultant, the personal computer should be your friend or perhaps even one of your best friends. If it helps you to become more productive, make more money, and make your life easier, it can certainly merit the description.

However, to keep it friendly, you have to be a friend to it. You have to consistently take the steps to keep it running fast and efficiently, keep it free for us from viruses and spyware, and then use shortcuts in your frequently used programs to enhance your personal productivity and efficiency.

Here are some more steps to keeping your computer running fast and efficiently.

a. If you are using Windows Vista, disable the Welcome Center that always pops up when Windows opens

b. At least once a month, run the built-in Windows disk cleanup utility.

c. Upgrade your drivers. Check the web site of your PC, motherboard, or graphic card manufacturer to see if a newer driver exists.

To keep your computer free from viruses and spyware make sure you do the following:

a. Perform a virus scan on your computer regularly. Use one of the free online virus scanners if you don't want to install virus protection on your computer.

b. Spyware must be removed from your computer before it causes damage to your operating system and applications, and as a result brings your system to a complete halt. Use one of the spyware/adware removal tools that are freely available.

e. Turn off Windows Defender, if you have anti-spyware installed.

As an independent consultant, you're probably using Microsoft Word 10 as your workhorse for your writing and related tasks. Since you are now keeping your computer working fast, efficiently and free from viruses and spyware, apply this mindset to your most frequently used application.

The menus in Microsoft Word 10 can be wonderful, but all that clicking might not be the best way of getting something done. Here are some useful shortcuts for Microsoft Word 10:

CTRL + C Copy

CTRL + X Cut

CTRL + V Paste

CTRL + Z Undo

CTRL + Home To top of document

CTRL + End To bottom of document

CTRL + B Bold

CTRL + I Italic, and

CTRL + S Save

CTRL + U Underline

These are just a few of the shortcuts Microsoft Word 10 has to help you get things done faster and more efficiently.

All independent consultants depend on personal productivity and efficiency to get more income-producing work done. I am certain that you will find each one of these strategies to be helpful.

Three Things Every Computer Savvy Independent Consultant Must Know

I write from the perspective of an independent consultant. However, what I say here is applicable to any one who actively uses his or her computer in making a living. As an independent consultant, I have to be constantly concerned about personal development and continuous growth. If I'm not, then I can't expect any one to hire me. 

In this mission, the personal computer remains an essential tool in my tool box. If you were actively working in this occupation as I was during the 70's and 80's, you realize how arduous it was in maintaining contacts with your clients, preparing individual proposals, letters, and articles as well carrying out other related activities. The effective use of technology has made my work a lot easier and allowed me to become more productive. However, if you are new to this occupation, be thankful that you didn't have to experience that state of affairs.

In becoming more productive, three things are essential in using your personal computer: 

1. learn to use the keyboard effectively and cease being a slave to the mouse; 
2. learn to keep your computer fast and clean, and therefore minimize the possibility of instability and crashes; 
3. and, learn shortcuts for your commonly used programs and operating system.

For your operating system, here are three keyboard shortcuts for the Windows key:

Winkey + F - To search for a file            

Winkey + R - To open the Run window

Winkey + E - To open the computer

Keeping your computer fast and clean is also a necessity. Here are five strategies for doing so:

Uninstall Unneeded Software. RevoUninstall is one of the best programs for doing so. I highly recommend it.

Declutter and organize your desktop. Set up an Icon labeled "Extra Icons" on your Desktop and sweep all your little used icons into it.

Reduce the number of Auto Starting Programs. Go to "Run" type in msconfig, go to Startup and uncheck all the program you don't want to be loaded during Startup.

Update your Programs regularly. Go to Control Panel. Look for Update and click to see what programs need to be updated.

Clean up your Registry. CCleaner is one of the best programs for cleaning up your registry and is another one I highly recommend.

Both RevoUninstall and CCleaner are free programs.