Computer Tips

There are many programs and techniques in common use for improving the speed of PC’s. The vast majority is compatible with Simple Accounting, however you should know that some are definitely not. It is difficult for us to give you any hard and fast rules regarding compatibility because there are so many new products hitting the market every day. Here are answers to the most common inquiries we receive:

MORE SPEED!

We all want it. We all need it! How do you get it? First, consult with your dealer or other PC professional before doing anything. They have the know-how to make these suggestions work best. Then, follow these tips for better performance with Simple Accounting:

Use A Disk Optimizer     

A very good type of software to consider investing in is one of the so-called disk-optimizer programs on the market today. These products can speed up hard disk speed dramatically on machines where lots of data files are constantly being modified (the way that Simple Accounting does). These programs do not actually make your computer run faster, but they do speed up disk access. The principal is basically this:

When Windows writes data onto a disk, it does not organize it into any physical order. It merely writes the data where it finds room and tells the disk directory where that data can be found. After using your hard disk for a while, you will find that it starts to run slower because as you use your disk more and more, the physical locations of each file become more and more scattered or fragmented. Your disk has to work harder to find information and the disk slows down.

A disk optimizer physically re-sorts all your files, making it easier for your disk to find data so that it can perform faster. Many people report speed increases of up to fifty percent by using these programs regularly.

Some of these programs can actually prolong the life of your computer. This is a very positive side-benefit of the optimization process.

By the way, a decent optimizer is included with Windows and it is called DEFRAG.

You cannot optimize some network drives while the server is running. If you are using a peer-to-peer network such as Windows 98 File Sharing or LANtastic, you make certain no users are running any shared application (like Simple Accounting!) periodically to maintain peak performance.

Swap File                  

The Swap File is a hidden file on your hard disk (or network server) which acts as virtual memory. Windows uses this disk as if it were RAM to store temporary information and the state of all running programs while you work. Generally speaking, a large swap file improves system performance. As a rule of thumb, the swap file should always be at least twice as large as the amount of RAM installed in your system. So if you have 16MB of RAM, you should set this field to at least 32MB.

Caution, Caution! Adjusting your Swap File is best left to a Windows professional, or your network administrator!

DISK ANALYZERS/DOCTORS

Another type of software that we consider to be essential is one of the so-called Disk Analysis programs on the market these days. The most common of these is SCANDISK that comes with Windows. These programs are able to detect and correct problems associated with daily wear and tear on hard disks, before it becomes a problem. They have been shown to dramatically increase the useful life and reliability of your hard disk. They are typically run every couple of months, taking only a couple of hours to do their work. Disk intensive programs like Simple Accounting really make heavy demands on your hard disk, and these programs are relatively inexpensive, so there really is no reason to do without them. In our opinion, not using one of these programs on a regular basis is only asking for trouble.

CLEAN POWER

Your computer runs on electricity. The better the juice going into your computer, the less likely that you’ll have problems getting data out of your computer. So we recommend two things:

• A really good surge suppressor. Not the cheap six-in ones sold in hardware stores. These can save your life, by protecting your system from sudden fluctuations in line current that can occur during storms or when a lot of equipment is overloading the circuits in your office. They’re not cheap compared with a simple multiple outlet extension cord, but compared to the time you would lose Re-Indexing your Data Files, re-keying lost information, or repairing your computer, they are a bargain. Trust us…

• A back up power supply, called an Uninterruptable Power Supply, or UPS. This basically is a battery operated power source that constantly monitors the juice going into your computer. The moment it senses an interruption in power, it kicks in within a few thousandths of a second, which your computer should not even notice. If your data is indispensable to your business, than you really should not be without a good UPS. And if your are running a multi-user system without a UPS than you really should seek professional therapy… Really, it’s that important.

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

In conclusion, you should not need to learn more than the material presented here to use Simple Accounting. However, the more you learn about these topics, the more productive you will become using your computer. We are not thrilled by the paltry booklet that comes with most copies of Windows 95. So we strongly suggest you invest in books such as ‘Windows XP for Dummies’ and the like to get a grasp of all the really neat things you can do with Windows.

We also recommend that you subscribe to one of the popular PC magazines around. It doesn’t matter which, so pick the one that seems to fit you. The thing is, there is so much new stuff going on in PC land everyday that just skimming through an issue once a month will often open one’s eyes to lots of informative ideas that really can help solve practical business problems.