Clean Up Your Desktop - Speed Up Your Laptop

Here is an easy tip to speed up your Mac, and possibly reduce the frequency of the rainbow beach ball:

Reduce the icons on your Desktop!

Why? Mac OS X treats each desktop icon as its own little window. With only a few icons the result is minimal. But teachers with a habit of using their desktop for storage may be paying a price in speed and stability. This is especially true if your desktop is loaded with picture files.

So clean up the mess and speed up your computer. To do so, follow the folder scheme already established on your mac.  Drag documents to the documents folder, pictures to the pictures folder, music to the music folder, etc.  Add additional folders within those folders to organize your work by subject, year, or whatever makes sense to you.  Start dragging those files off your desktop in to the folders!  You'll notice a big difference in speed!

Back Up Your Data!

It is necessary that you periodically back up all your data files (lessons, plans, pictures, etc.- anything you don't want to lose.)  Two easy methods of backing up your data are: 

1. Copying your data to a flash drive.
2. Copying your data to the server.  
1. From the Finder --Go --Connect to Server --select or enter afp://shieldsmac.cape.k12.de.us --Connect.  You may have to enter your First and Last Name as it appears on your pay stub (no spaces or periods) - use your state ID without any preceding zeros for your password. Select your folder (with your name) then OK.   You will see a pretty close resemblance of the folders that you have on your computer. Drag the files that you want to back up from your computer to the appropriate server folders.  

• Tip: Place a folder on your desktop and call it Backup Folder.  COPY the files you want to back up (from your Desktop, Documents Folder, /Music/iTunes, etc) and PASTE them into the Backup Folder. Then just drag the Backup Folder to your server Desktop or Documents Folder.

• If you need help doing this, please let me know and I will show you how.
• Download "Backing Up Your Data" for a quick reference as to where your documents reside (or SHOULD reside!) on your Shields mac laptop.

How Many Applications Do You Have Open?

As you read this, look at your computer DOCK at the bottom of your screen (or on the side, if you chose to place it there.)  Do you see the little lights under some of the applications?  Those lights indicate that the program is open.  You may have closed the window, but the program is still open.  If you have several applications open, it is draining your resources and, possibly, the school's resources (if the application goes out to the server).

To close the application properly, you will need to click on the icon and either hit Command-Q, or go to the toolbar at the top of your screen, select the programs name and select Quit from the drop-down menu.  When the program is closed properly, you will no longer see the light under the icon in the DOCK.

So, the tip of the week is.....try to limit the number of programs that are open at one time.  You will find that your system will run faster!  An added benefit will be that as more resources are available building-wide, you will notice your students being able to log on to the laptops faster.  That's a great goal!

Cleaning Your Laptop Display

Use Water Only

Do not use cleaning products.  They may scratch or mar the display surface.

1. Turn off the computer or display.
2. Lightly dampen a clean soft, lint-free cloth with water only (the soft microfiber cloths work well).  Wring the cloth well so no water drips on the keyboard. * Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.
3. Wipe the screen with the damp cloth.
4. Dry the screen with a separate DRY, clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

Voila!  Fingerprints are gone!