Protecting the health of your computer

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:33:09 +0000

If you use a computer you know how challenging it is to keep it running smoothly, avoiding crashes or loss of processing speed. Inevitably though, problems arise: systems develop bugs, software becomes corrupted – your computer may even come down with a virus! The following points will help you keep your computer and data in good condition and working smoothly:

Never cut off the power supply to your computer without shutting down the system first. If you shut your computer down properly every time, your software is less likely to become corrupted.
Install an anti-virus programme. Make sure it will automatically scan your files, and make sure it updates itself at least once a week. This is particularly important for Microsoft Windows users.
Back up your system at least once a week. It’s not a question of if you will have a system or hard-disk failure, but of when it will happen. If you aren’t prepared, then you are very likely to lose some or all of your valuable files.
Avoid software copies and pirated software.
If you have a broadband internet connection, update your software regularly, because developers are making improvements all the time. Most applications will alert you when updates become available on the internet and you can then choose to install them.
Remove software applications you no longer use. Uninstall and remove the programme files.
Don’t install too much software on your computer, as it can slow your system down and cause problems.
Don’t let your hard drive get more than 75% full or your computer will slow down.
Keep your desktop folder as clean and empty as possible. Desktop clutter contributes to slowing your computer down.
When in doubt, restart your computer. A simple restart can solve many problems. Always restart your computer before attempting any complicated trouble-shooting.
If you have more than one person using a computer regularly, consider setting up separate accounts for each user.

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FAQs: Software applications

katie — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:01:54 +0000

If I am using pirated software, are there any steps I can take to protect myself?

The short answer is no. If possible, you should only use legal software. Pirated software is not uncommon and in quite a few places it's easier to obtain than legal versions of proprietary software. Pirated software is often compromised and may include hacks, viruses and other malware; this makes your data extremely vulnerable to security breaches. With pirated software you do not have any access to support or updates. What's more, the authorities in a growing number of countries have begun to verify that organisations possess a valid license for each piece of software that they use. Police have confiscated computers and closed down organisations on the basis of 'software piracy'. The best way to make sure you are not at risk of data vulnerabilities or legal measures is to use Free and Open Source software.

Where can I find computer software products?

There is a lot of software out there and sometimes it can be hard to choose an application to suit the job at hand. You can learn more about proprietary software on websites such as Microsoft.com and Adobe.com. For Open Source software, there are the websites of the main software releases, such as OpenOffice.org, GIMP.org and Mozilla.com (for Firefox and Thunderbird). A repository of Open Source software can be found at Sourceforge.net. Tactical Tech has several toolkits available, which include Open Source Software tools selected by a team of international experts and designed to meet the needs of NGOs, human rights advocates, independent journalists and community organisations. See http://www.tacticaltech.org/toolkits

How can I set my application to automatically save the document I am working on?

Most office suites, such as Microsoft Office and OpenOffice, have an auto-save option which can be found in your preferences. This will save your document as you work, without your having to remember to do so or interrupt what you're doing. The auto-save function is not a default setting, it needs to be turned on after you install the software.

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Digital Survival - pirated

Protecting the health of your computer

FAQs: Software applications