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Category: Handy Tips

Keyboard letters wearing out

I’m sure like me you’ve worked your way through a load of keyboards over time. I think I’m currently on my fifth or sixth keyboard since I started working full-time from home. My latest is the wireless version of the Microsoft split ergonomic keyboard. Problem is the quality of the letters that are printed on each key leaves a lot to be desired as several are already rubbing off.

I guess, though, I use my keyboard for many more hours than they are design to for the average user. But I don’t want to replace the whole keyboard just because of a few missing letters.

My solution is two-fold. I have an old split Microsoft keyboard. I’m going to try and pull the keys I need off that keyboard and fit them to my current version. Failing that I think stick on letters are the easiest and most cost effective solution. Never used these before, so not sure if they are any good. I’ll let you know which solution works.

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Acrobat in one place

Acrobat in one place

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Last year I tested a number of online word processors. One that really stood out for me was Buzzword. It’s superb Flash based interface was very seductive, but this didn’t mean that the application was all gloss and no substance. Now Adobe have moved this word processor on a stage further and combined this with their online services.

You now have the option of creating your documents online, share them with colleagues and now create PDF’s. With more applications moving online including Adobe’s Photoshop – of you haven’t tried this out yet give it a go as it’s fantastic – we are seeing our trusted apps with a Web 2.0 makeover.

With more applications moving online we may be approaching a time when we don’t need install desktop apps any longer. The link between the desktop and the webtop is blurring. For homeworkers looking to save time and money, services like acrobat.com enable us all to pick and choose the apps we need and use cost effective platforms without breaking the bank. For micro businesses or enterprises on very tight budgets, these packages mean you don’t have to sacrifice function and usability because of cost. And of course, if you want to work remotely, all your apps and associated documents are all online. All you need is access to a PC with an Internet connection.

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Home Working Essentials

There’s a great post over at HomeOffice Warrior that offer a great list of tips and tricks that all homeworkers can use to improve their businesses. Time management seems to be high on everyone’s list of things to improve. Take a look at the list. You might find a tip that revolutionises how you work.

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Free Business Stationery Templates

I’m always looking for ways to save time. As I produce a lot of printed material templates are always of great interest to me. I came across a load of great templates on the Hewlett Packard site. Most are in Word format so you shouldn’t have any problems opening them once you’ve downloaded your favourites.

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Clean Air Office

I recently got a new colour laser printer. I was looking for an all-in-one device to reduce the amount of hardware I have cluttering my office. I now have two lasers, as I’ve kept the old black and white device for general printing.

It struck me that I’d need to ensure that my office is well ventilated when these printers are operating. These days the ozone and toner that escapes from laser printers is very low, but your breathing air can still become contaminated. Luckily, my printers are positioned away from my desk and near a window I can open. But if you do work in a very confined space, think about the quality of the air you’re breathing.

One solution to improve the air quality in your office is to get some plants. They can in effect act as a filter and not only do their job well, but also bring some greenery into what can be a very sterile environment to work.

This reminded me of a blog post over at Shedworking, where Alex Johnson recommends some plant varieties to try in your home office. There is also a great post on Eco Street including a list of plants that can help purify your office environment. There’s also some interesting products if you’re looking to green up your office on the Breathing Space website.

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Keeping Fit

Working form home can be a very sedentary affair as long hours at the keyboard aren’t that great for your health. Over the last year or so I have been taking an early morning walk before diving into the days work.

Where my house is means that I climb a fairly steep hill on the first leg of my walk. The whole thing only takes 20 minutes at a brisk pace, but I do feel fitter and above all else, it gives me some fresh air and a chance to get in the right mindset for the day’s work.

It’s odd as I’m taking my walk to see everyone else coming out of their houses, get into their cars and start their commute to work. Whereas I’m heading home to get my day started. How different my working experience has been over the last 6 years. I know which one I prefer!

If you can’t get out and about regularly, then some kind of exercise at your desk is a good idea. I came across some desk exercises on wikiHow the other day. Sometimes I catch myself hunching my back, or sitting at an odd angle. At the time it feels OK, but when you try and stand up, you really feel those muscles complaining. All homeworkers need to protect their health. What’s your exercise regime like?

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Visualise Your Year

I don’t know about you, but I have used a year planner for well, years. I had used ordinary bound desk diaries, but I found it hard to visualise the year as a whole. A friend suggested a wall planner as the obvious solution, and a superb piece of advice that was.

The year planner enables me to relate time to the work I have to do. I place holidays and other events on the planner each December for the following year. I can then at a glance instantly see any clashes or issues I may have if a client commissions some work.

I had used flimsy poster type wall planners as they were cheap. But after stumping up the £20 for a mounted Sasco planner I’ve never looked back. The rigid board that these planners use is ideal. The surface takes stick-on dots and other visual aids and comes with a write on wipe off pen for quick notes.

Also, I had used to attach the planner to the wall with massive blobs of Blue Tack until I discovered that it was leaving unsightly grease marks on my walls. After some investigation I found a new 3M product called Poster Strips. They’re basically Velcro with a sticky backing. But they come in various sizes to attach posters and heavier objects. I’m using them to secure my year planner and my magnetic message board to my wall. I tested removing the strips. They came off easily and without any grease marks. If you need to attach anything to your walls, Poster Strips are perfect.

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HomeWorker Handy Tips No: 1

Cable Tidy


Cables Box – video powered by Metacafe

Take a look under your desk. If it’s anything like mine you’ll see a bird’s net of cables, USB hubs, power blocks and extension cables. Many of you will already read the Likehacker blog, but in this category of my blog I hope to offer some well-chosen handy tips that all homeworkers can benefit from.

This first tips seems to me to be the perfect solution for my cable overload problem. Every time I need to unplug something I can never remember which cable belongs to which device. I’ve experimented with sticking labels on plugs and also attaching tie-on parcel labels to cables, but nothing really worked.

So using empty CD-RW cases seems ideal as I can attach a label to each case that won’t peel or rub off. Only problem I can see is getting hold of enough CD-RW cases, as I don’t burn that many disks. Also, you may have a heat problem and potential data drop off if some of your cables aren’t shielded properly. If anyone has actually using this system, let me know if it works, especially if you’re mixing power and data cables in the same case.

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