==== What Users Need to Know ====
by Kathy Ivens, challenge@windowsitpro.com Useful Shortcuts
During a coffee break at a seminar, I was chatting with some IT pros about user productivity. Most of the participants expressed amazement, as well as dismay, about the extra work users go through to perform simple tasks. For example, to navigate to a data file or open software, users might frequently take multiple actions--opening dialog boxes or menus, expanding drive and folder trees, and so on. IT pros who understand the concepts of folders, files, and file associations find it hard to believe that users don’t "get it." Instead, users perform long series of memorized keystrokes and mouse clicks to get where they need to be.
The conversation moved to a lively debate about whether the problem arises because corporate training neglects conceptual instructions or because most users aren't capable of understanding the concepts. My own experience is that many users are capable of learning concepts so they can become more efficient—they just don't want to learn the concepts. I often hear, "Don’t explain it to me, just write down the steps." I don’t understand how anyone with reasonable intelligence can adopt that attitude, but I’m afraid it’s rather prevalent.
Putting shortcuts on the Quick Launch toolbar, or on the desktop, would save most users lots of work. Some of the IT pros said they spend a lot of time creating shortcuts for users. But why not teach users how to create their own shortcuts? As long as you provide specific instructions, complete with numbered steps, you can present such a lesson even to users who don’t want to tax their brains with conceptual information. Here are some sample instructions that use conceptual statements disguised as numbered steps to teach your users about shortcuts. You can adapt these instructions and conceptual statements to apply to Vista, XP, or any OS you happen to be working with.
1. The secret to creating shortcuts easily is to make sure some part of the desktop is accessible, which means keeping folder and application windows reduced in size (not maximized).
2. To create a shortcut to a folder, including a mapped drive, open the Computer folder, and drag the folder’s icon to the desktop. Release the mouse button and select Create Shortcuts Here.
3. To create a shortcut to a file, open the folder that contains the file and drag the file’s listing to the desktop while holding down the right mouse button. Release the mouse button and select Create Shortcuts Here. This also works for files that are in folders you see when you work in the Network folder and then double-click the listing for a remote computer to display its shared folders.
4. To create a shortcut to software, drag the program’s listing from the Programs menu to the desktop while holding down the right mouse button. Release the mouse button and select Create Shortcuts Here. (This is great for users who have been using multiple clicks to get to Freecell.)
5. To copy a useful desktop shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar, drag the desktop shortcut’s icon while holding down the left mouse button.
6. To personalize your shortcuts, right-click the shortcut icon, choose Properties, and select Change Icon. Select a graphic that pleases you and click OK twice.
7. To remove a shortcut you no longer need, select it and press the Delete key. You are deleting only the shortcut, not the folder, file, or program it represents.
==== Sponsor: XOsoft ====
DR Planning Checklist for Microsoft Exchange
Join Paul Robichaux as he presents a disaster recovery planning checklist that you can use to help guide your Exchange 2000/2003/2007 DR planning. Learn what you should do first, last, and in between to solidify your Exchange infrastructure and get the maximum degree of assurance for your disaster recovery operations. Live Event: February 27, 2007, at 12:00 P.M. Eastern time.
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==== NEWS & VIEWS: Microsoft Settles Suit ====
by Paul Thurrott, thurrott@windowsitpro.com
Microsoft on Wednesday reached a preliminary settlement in its Iowa class action antitrust lawsuit. Because the settlement is still awaiting court approval, however, the terms of the settlement will not be released until later this year. The plaintiffs had been seeking $330 million from Microsoft.
When the case was filed in 2000, plaintiffs in the Iowa antitrust case alleged that Microsoft had overcharged customers in that state for software purchased since 1994. Despite similarities with the nearly 100 other state-based antitrust cases that Microsoft has faced over the years, the Iowa case differs from all but one other case in a single key way: It actually went all the way to trial. A class action suit in Minnesota also went to trial, but was settled two months after the trial began. All of the other state-based suits against Microsoft were dismissed or settled prior to trial.
As has been the case in most other state-based cases Microsoft has settled, proceeds from the Iowa settlement will at least partially be used to purchase computers and software for underprivileged schools: Half of any unclaimed funds will be provided to the Iowa Department of Education for this purpose.
"One of the best aspects of resolving this case is that we can provide much needed resources to underprivileged schools," said Microsoft associate general counsel Rich Wallis. "We're happy to have this matter behind us so we can focus on the future and build the next generation of products and innovations that enrich the lives of people around the world."
Polk County District Court will hold a hearing in April for preliminary approval of the settlement. If approved, the settlement will be finalized in late August.
==== EVENTS AND RESOURCES ====
(A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events )
Are you planning to deploy or increase your use of Group Policy? Attend this free Web seminar and learn how to design a solid deployment plan, get tips on the best ways to set up delegation, discover the importance of good Group Policy change control, and learn how to optimize processing performance. Live event: February 28, 2007, at 12:00 PM Eastern time.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/seminars/netiq/grouppolicy/?partnerref=0212updates
Learn how to use consolidation and selected technology updates to build an infrastructure that handles change effectively.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/essential/hp/infrastructure/?code=0212updates
A secure mail and messaging infrastructure is fundamental to your business, and every organization should plan for the appropriate message hygiene, availability, and control services from the start. This eBook introduces three fundamental mail and messaging management services--security, availability, and control services--and explains how you can implement them in a Microsoft-centric email and messaging environment. Download now!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/ebook/symantec/messagingmanagement/?code=0212updates