I have to tell you that I am a "Computer Tip Junkie" -- I subscribe to many newsletters that send daily or weekly tips. I get up at 5:00 a.m. on the days that I'm teaching so I can be sure to check out all the tips that have arrived in my e-mail and copy-and-paste the ones I want to keep into my own Tip Documents.

My excitement when I discover something "new" about a program that I've used forever borders on the ridiculous, but what can I tell you? I LOVE computers and I LOVE discovering all those hidden tricks and treasures within those complex programs.

I have noticed that most of the people who research and distribute these tips are "Keyboard People" and seem to focus on multiple keyboard-stroke shortcuts in their tips.

Since I am a definite "Mouse Person" -- I prefer to keep my hand on the mouse to do things whenever possible, NOT on the keyboard!

I have focused more on mouse tips rather than keyboard tips. However, there are some definite exceptions: keyboard shortcuts that I use every day and couldn't live without!.

Windows Tips

I'll never forget the night, shortly after Windows 95 was released, when I upgraded my PC to it! There were SO many things that were a million times better than old Windows 3.X and I was delighted with them. The GUI (Graphical User Interface, pronounced "gooey") is much more intuitive and user-friendly. I hope these tips will make Windows even more friendly to you.

Word Tips

If I were stranded someplace, for a long period of time, with a computer and a printer and could choose only ONE PROGRAM...Yes! It would be Word 97, hands down. You can do almost ANYTHING in Word -- from business cards to manuscripts. This application is unbelievably versatile and it is so much fun discovering its hidden talents, so dig in and make the most of this workhorse.

Excel Tips

Ahhh, spreadsheets! What would we do without them? Excel is so complex and so powerful, yet I am amazed that many people who use it every day are unaware of some of its most useful features. I use Excel to keep track of all kinds of things in my business and personal life and I hope you will discover a few tricks to make it alleviate some of your "busy work".