Optimize Your Workstation
When you look at your screens do you know exactly where everything is and why it’s there? Your computer and device screens should be tools of control.
The ideal situation is to be able to sit at your computer or look at your phone or tablet and have all the controls and applications (apps) set up where you want them and adjusted to the way you want to work.
Let’s take a moment and make a few quick adjustments to improve your primary computer’s workstation. We will:
- Optimize your internet dashboard (browser)
- Organize your digital desktop
Optimize Your Internet Dashboard (Browser)
Before you begin to optimize your browser you need to identify it. Which browser do you use most as you navigate the internet? Do you like it? Currently, the common options are Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox. Decide which one you like the best and optimize it according to the instructions below. If you are not sure which one to choose I recommend Chrome first, then Edge, these will give you the most options and flexibility.
First we will set up your favorites bar, also known as your bookmark bar on your primary browser program. Getting comfortable with this feature will allow you to quickly access the things you use every day and have a place you can store the webpages you will need to access in the future.
Bookmarks/Favorites
- Turn on your bookmark/favorites bar. (Look in your browser settings/menus.)
- Create top-level category folders in your bookmark bar. Creating folders will give you more room to organize your favorites so they don’t fall off the bar.
- Here are a few folder ideas (“Rt. Click” on the bar for the option to add a folder):
- !IN-PROCESS – for pages you are working on temporarily (you can delete them or move them to another folder when you are done)
- BUSINESS – Sites you use to run your business
- TRAINING – Sites with educational material
- PERSONAL – Sites not related to your business
- REFERENCE – Sites you may need to reference later
- Organize your current favorites into their appropriate folders
- Add important websites to your favorites list. (click the “Star” or find “add Bookmark/Favorite” in your browser settings/menus.)
A USEFUL FEATURE: Right Click (Rt. Click)
A USEFUL FEATURE: Browser Settings/Menus
Optimize Your Computer Desktop
What should and should not be on your desktop? (the main screen of your computer)
Your desktop consists of the main screen on your computer, it is what you see when all your programs and windows are closed. Across the bottom* of your Desktop is your Dock (MAC) or Taskbar (PC).
For those of you who prefer a minimalistic screen you can access all your files in the Windows Explorer (PC) or Finder (MAC) app on your Taskbar/Dock.
For those of you who like to see all your files visually, you can keep them on your desktop. Your challenge will be to set up a system so that you don’t have so many things on your screen that your important things get lost in the clutter. Your visual space is limited.
* Your Dock/Taskbar can be moved. Some people like to position it vertically along the left side or right side of their screen.
Organize your Dock/Taskbar
- Add your important programs and remove unimportant programs (apps) on your Toolbar (PC) or Dock (Mac).
The programs across the bottom of your screen should be the programs you use regularly. You can safely remove them from your Taskbar/Dock and they will still be accessible in your computer’s regular program list if you need them.
Be sure to keep at least Finder (Blue smiley face thing) on your Dock if you are using a MAC and Windows Explorer (Yellow folder looking thing) on Taskbar if you are using a PC.
Here is the list of important programs I recommend keeping on your Dock/Taskbar (You may have more or less)
- Finder (MAC) or Windows Explorer (PC)
- Your preferred browser
- Any program you use daily
Specifically for the MAC
- LaunchPad (Rocketship – This is your application/program list)
When you use an app (program), it will appear in your Taskbar/Dock. Sometimes it stays when you close the program and sometimes it vanishes. If you want to keep a program in your Dock/Taskbar “Rt. Click” the app and “Click” the option to “Keep on Dock”, or “Pin to Taskbar”. You can do the same thing if you want to get rid of an app on your Taskbar/Dock.
Organize the icons that are covering your screen. (Get to under 25 icons)
Keeping files on your desktop can be a great way to have everything you need where you can see it, but it can get overwhelming. If you have too many files and icons on your desktop you can organize them into folders and eigher keep the folders on your desktop where you can see them or move them into the “Documents” folder in your computer.
Here are a few folders that may be useful to have on your Desktop or organized in your main Documents folder.
- !IN-PROCESS – for pages I am working on temporarily (I may delete them or move them to another folder when I am done)
- BUSINESS – Sites I use to run my business
- TRAINING – Sites with educational material
- PERSONAL – Sites not related to my business
- REFERENCE – Sites I may need to reference later
You can “Rt. Click” in an empty space on your desktop and choose the option to create a folder.
Once you have folders on your desktop you can Drag and Drop your files “into” them to keep things orderly.
A USEFUL FEATURE: Drag and Drop
For files and program icons you no longer need, “Rt. Click” on them and look for “delete” or “move to trash” from the menu of options.
Once you have your icons neatly organized into folders you can keep those folders on your desktop or move them into the Documents folder in your computer. To do this, open Windows Explorer or Finder from you Dock/Taskbar.
Once open look for the folder labeled “Documents” and open it.
You can use your Drag and Drop skills to drag things “off” your Desktop and “into” your “Documents” folder.
Resources Associated with This Game Space:
For guidance on how to set up your child’s browser dashboard so that you can monitor their progress in online school check out:
BLOG POST: Organize Your Child’s Computer for Online School
The Next Game Space:
When you are ready for the next game space check-out: Set up a Password Manager
Nicole Lux-Ritchie - Founder of Luxcentric
Nicole's mission is to help feminine professionals gain the technical
skills they need to grow their business and focus on their missions.
The focus of Luxcentric is on training practical strategies in the area of the core technologies.
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