Topic: Managing your PCs

It's common to speak to end-users with PCs that are just 6 months old, who will tell you that their PCs seem to be running much more slowly than when they were brand new.  

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do an easy overhaul of the OS to such systems, to make them run like new again, with not too much effort?

The answer is in 3 parts:

-Make a disk image of the perfect setup - base OS, needed apps, configs, patches (topic of a post in itself)

-Have a scheme to keep Data Files in a few, logical places so it's easy to backup only the data, and to restore the data after a full disk restore.

-Keep app configs simple by having more of your stuff on the web (yes, there are security risks to this, but it's possible to manage this with sensible precautions).  For example, keep bookmarks on the web using Google Toolbar.  Consider using GMail, accessing it from an IMAP client so you can get reliable offline access.  Use Zoho or Docs for less critical documents that you don't mind storing on the web, or want to share with others.

Free Training - there are good resources on the web for free online training on using common productivity applications.  A good example is HP's online learning centre (www.hp.com/apac/onlinecourses)

System Cleanup - less drastic than doing an entire OS overhaul - would be running a few utilities on a regular basis to keep the OS in good shape.  I like Glary Utilities.  Disk Cleanup (with removal of old system restore points) is good.  I use the vista provided defragger, but there are supposed to be some good freeware alternatives around.  

PC Health Scans - for HP commercial PCs and Pavilon, there's Instant Support.  It's become very good in it's latest incarnation, and well worth making use of.  There's a local version of diagnostics called HP Health Check. It runs locally, and connects to the web to get info on the latest known issues and updates.  This is something end-users can run for themselves, and most of the time, the recommended actions are things end users can do for them selves. (though you man want to tell them not to accept BIOS updates as these could potentially cripple the PCs if not done correctly)

Take off unnecessary loads from the PC.

Driving with bricks in the boot, or with lead plates bolted onto the engine as going to degrate the performance of even the most powerful sports car.

Something similar happens with PCs.  It's generally the same OS, packed with lots of features for media sharing, serving out folders, files & printers, supporting smart cards - lots of things that are really excess baggage for the general PC user.  

Some of the things to remove are obvious.  (unused apps in Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs).  Some things are less so (like disabling Aero).