Free Audio and Video Clips of Debbie Mayo-Smith, Motivational Speaker
Debbie on Youtube
More Video Clips
- Computer Burnout
Watch the Video
- Debbie on CloseUp
Watch the Video
- Taking the "You" out
Watch the Video
Clever Computing With Debbie (Audio)
- Outlook or Outlook Express. That is the question.
Listen to the tip
Outlook Express is a dumbed down program free with Internet explorer. It’s useful if you only want to send and receive emails. Outlook is vastly superior with time saving features like junk mail filtering, calendar, archiving, tasks, contact management. If you own Microsoft office, you have Outlook. So switch.
- Stay Private
Listen to the tip
Working on your computer and need to leave it for several hours? Put it on standby. This keeps your programs open, saves electricity, time and keeps your work from prying eyes. Start logging off as normal but select standby instead of shut down. Standby might be hidden in a drop down menu.
- Google not just searching
Listen to the tip
Have you followed Google’s offspring? If you peek behind their white façade, you’ll find downloadable programs such as:
Picassa photo editor
Google toolbar for instant searching
Google desktop search for your personal files and email
Google earth – searchable 3D mapping of the world.
- Folders
Listen to the tip
Be organised in your computer work. Don’t have all your documents loose under MY DOCUMENTS, or all your emails in one gigantic inbox folder. Instead build computer filing cabinets using FOLDERS. You’ll find what you’re looking for quickly and become tidy. Just select new and folder on the file menu.
- Be an elephant. Never forget again
Listen to the tip
How’s your memory? Many email programs have an automatic to do or Task feature. Use it to remind yourself to follow up or take action. The current reminders pop up when you open your email program.
- Sign Your Emails
Listen to the tip
When emailing, make it easy for people to get back to you with signatures. Have each new email you create open automatically with your name, phone, address, position and website included (Add a marketing message if you like). You find signature creation under the TOOLS MENU of email programs. Simply follow the instructions.
- Two ways to kill junk mail (44)
Listen to the tip
First switch to outlook from outlook express because express has no junk mail filtering. Second if possible upgrade to newer software. Good junk mail filtering developed after Outlook 2002 when spam became a problem.
- Arrange Folders Your Way
Listen to the tip
Why be constrained by the normal A through Z? The default alphabetical listing of your folders. List them your way by putting a number or letter before the name. 1 work in progress as a folder name will move it above your folders beginning with the letter A.
- Keep it secret
Listen to the tip
When emailing more than one person keep your distribution secret. Use blind carbon copy (BCC). Click the “To” button on the email to open your address book. BCC is one of your three options of sending.
- Want to move or copy documents
Listen to the tip
For all programs: To move a document, click it with your mouse, then while holding the button, drag and release the document (dropping it) to your desired location. To copy instead of moving, hold down the control key simultaneously.
- Become a video star
Listen to the tip
Microsoft has two free programs to put your digital pictures to music. Movie maker comes with Windows XP and you can precisely edit the timing of your slides to music. Photo story, downloadable from the Microsoft website is easier to use and does transitions, captions, music tracks and voice-overs. To burn your final result to DVD, just follow the instructions that come with your DVD software.
- Want to email a document quickly?
Listen to the tip
With windows explorer open, click on the document, then drag it to your yellow inbox folder. Release the mouse. A new email will open with the document attached.
- Email etiquette
Listen to the tip
Don’t add to overload. When you’re responding to an email where you are 1 of many recipients, be sure to hit the Reply button. Reply will only go to the sender. Do not hit Reply to all which sends an email to everyone.
- Keyboard shortcuts
Listen to the tip
Ever wondered why all menu functions had an underlined letter like F on file, H on help? They’re keyboard shortcuts to use with the ALT key. This helps you work faster because you don’t have to use your mouse.
- Laptop battery running low?
Listen to the tip
If you have wireless Internet installed, turn the wireless switch off. Even if you’re not logged onto the internet it drains an enormous amount of power.
- Google Your Dinner
Listen to the tip
Are you craving a certain taste for dinner? Don't bother combing through your recipe books. Instead go to the search engine Google.com and type in a few of the ingredients you feel like eating, with the word recipe. You'll get spot on results.
- Easy Back Ups
Listen to the tip
Your computer crashes. All your records, files and digital photos are lost. Don’t let this tragedy happen. Install a DVD writer and initially copy everything to DVD. Then back up regularly. Copy all new files since your last back up to a new DVD.
- Need to split first and last names apart? Use Excel!
Listen to the tip
If done one by one, hours are wasted. Instead select Text To Columns from the Data menu and do it instantly with a 3 step wizard. That’s text to columns on the Excel data menu.
- Your automatic email secretary
Listen to the tip
Email programs have a rules function that will read each email you receive or send, then perform an action based on the criteria you set. For example route all incoming newsletters directly into your newsletter folder, automatically delete ones with the word Viagra. You’ll find the rules wizard in your tools menu.
- Need pictures?
Listen to the tip
For your childs party? A clients logo? Use Google Images to get pictures for your invitations and company logos. On the google home page, select images. Simply type the name of the character or company you require like Harry Potter, narnia, king kong. Right click to copy.
- Delete doesn’t mean gone
Listen to the tip
When you delete a file or an email, it doesn’t get permanently deleted. It is simply moved to the deleted items folder or recycle bin. You must empty these folders to permanently delete files.
- Your top website problem
Listen to the tip
Most websites are designed to look nice. I bet you’ll find your company name and navigation links are graphics rather than typeface. The problem is that search engines can’t read pictures. Only words. Your site will be hard for new customers to find. So use more words to help search engines find and deliver your website.
- Egads. What your kids looking at on the internet?
Listen to the tip
You can check because Internet Explorer keeps a record of all web pages visited during the last three week period. Simply click the History button on the toolbar (the world with a backwards arrow). P.S. Don’t forget your trench coat and glasses.
- Do your emails get messed up?
Listen to the tip
Be aware there are three types of email formatting:
Plain Text – What a typewriter can do.
Rich Text – adds on formatting of text meaning colour, size, fonts, lists, bullets.
HTML – actually a single webpage. It enables the use of pictures, background colour and columns.
- Going away and can’t answer emails?
Listen to the tip
Create an out of office/away from home automatic response from your webmail account. Use the rule function which most internet service providers have in their webmail programs. Simply create an automatic email reply to respond to all your incoming emails.
- Storing old emails
Listen to the tip
It’s important to keep records of your correspondence. Yet your Outlook builds in size over time, creating clutter and dragging your computer speed. Don’t delete emails. Instead archive. Note archiving is normally not in free email programs like Outlook Express. Check your help menu.
- Five easy to remember computer shortcuts
Listen to the tip
Hit the control key and the following letters if you want to speed up your work.
Control and A select all.
Control and P print.
Control and C copy.
Control and Z undo last action.
Control and V paste.
- Have no need for your program?
Listen to the tip
Think again. Use it to prompt you for occasions like anniversaries, children’s parties, committee meetings. Also customise your calendar prompt. Options are between 5 minutes to 2 weeks before the occasion. Calendar options are found in the tools menu under options.
Call Debbie Now!
64 (9) 575-5359 NZ
64 27 575-5359 Mob
Free Quick Tips Newsletter
You'll love this succinct monthly tip newsletter focused on improving your business results and productivity.
View and sign up now!!!
Andrew Gardner; Investors Edge
"Get on her email list mate! She sends brilliant tips every month. It’s the one newsletter I love to get!"
Don't miss these top viewed pages



