Nov
12
2016
Tips and Tricks | Windows 10

Fixing the slow-loading Downloads folder in Windows 10

Have you noticed in Windows 10 when you click on the Downloads quick access link in Windows Explorer that its contents don’t immediately load, rather the progress bar acts like it is processing something? This can leave you waiting for 10 seconds or more depending upon the number of items in the folder.

May
25
2016
Compellent | Dell | PowerShell | Scripting | Tips and Tricks

Dell Storage Volume Cleanup with PowerShell

If you’re new to PowerShell with Dell Storage, be sure to take a look at this post. Depending upon the size of system that your managing, over the course of time, you might have experienced some challenges in managing disk resources, especially if you’re using an array in a lab-type environment. Here’s an easy way to inventory volume objects on your SC Series array which are not currently mapped, and also find out how much actual space they’re consuming.

Sep
28
2015
Tips and Tricks | Windows

Stupid Windows Tricks – Taskbar Labels

I actually stumbled across this setting recently, and it reminded me of a Windows “throwback”. It seems to simple, but I forgot that things actually used to be like this. Somewhere along the way, probably with Windows 7, Microsoft started to try to utilize the taskbar space more efficiently. With that, you saw the use of combined taskbar icons, meaning that if you had three separate documents opened in Word, you’d see a single Word icon in the taskbar, but see that there were icons/instances “combined” underneath it and also the text label for the icon was hidden or collapsed. This saves screen real estate, but can make it harder to know what is open at a glance.

Oct
08
2012
Dell | Tips and Tricks

Stupid Mouse Tricks with the Dell XPS13

I love my Dell XPS13.  It’s by far my favorite machine ?that Dell has created.  Prior to the acquisition of Compellent by Dell, I regularly used a MacBook Pro as my primary machine for both home and work.  I like using the Mac OS, but I found the hardware to be my favorite.  Battery life was better than most PC notebooks I had used, and "things just worked."  Although I used a Mac, most of my work was with Windows applications so I either made use of Parallels or VMware Fusion.  I had gotten used to the MacBook Pro trackpad and the use of gestures.  Being able to scroll with two fingers, click with one finger, or right-click with a two finger tap.  It made the trackpad much more enjoyable to use. ?When I got my XPS13, the hardware was such a change from what I had been accustomed to…

Oct
31
2009
Tips and Tricks

Cleaning Your Dirty Keyboard

I have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro that is probably close to 10 years old and really until last night was starting to show it’s age.  Dust, dirt, and grime (and probably several strains of H1N1) had gathered on the majority of the keys and the wrist rest.  Things were so grimy that no level of computer cleaner would take it off; no matter how hard I would scrub. I had read online all the different options for cleaning keyboards including popping all the keys off (take a picture of it before you start) and wash them in the silverware basket, to using harsh straight alcohol and a toothbrush.  The other method I had seen quite a bit was throwing it in the dishwasher.  A little scary, but I figured it was worth a try. I put the keyboard in the top rack.  It seems like the temperature and proximity…

About JB

I’ve been a technologist for over 20 years, getting my start in IT with a large Fortune 100 international retailer in the 1990s. I love to talk about new technology, mobile devices, software development, photography, and the weather. The opinions expressed on this website are my own.

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