Technology is all around you. Most of the gadgets that you use on a daily basis; at home, in the office, in the car, or in malls have various technological aspects.
For instance, digital TVs today have many features that can at times be confusing and challenging. For some of these challenges, you do not always have to contact the manufacturer or your IT guy. You can solve them on your own like a pro!
It is important to understand a few basic IT skills.
Follow me as I explain some of the basic IT skills that you ought to have.
- Using Search Engines
There are billions of websites on the World Wide Web (WWW). These websites contain almost all the information you can ever need in the world. With a smartphone or a laptop, the world is in your hands. Note that there are a number of popular search engines namely google, bing, youtube, and duckduckgo.
All the questions or problems you have are only a search away. So being able to use search engines correctly is very important.
When you search for something, be it an error code, a recipe, a location, or a historical fact, you will get search results from various websites. If what you are searching for is not among the websites that show at first, do not worry, instead, try different search terms or try out the search suggestions that come as you type. Search engines also have options such as news, images, videos, books, and maps.
When you have spotted a website that has the information you need from the ‘snippet’ that shows before you open a website, you are good to go. However, you ought to be vigilant because some websites are scams or fake sites that may ask for personal information such as emails and credit card information. In our next blog, we will discuss how to spot scams and fake websites since there are many of them these days.
- Know your Cables
There are numerous cables that come with various devices. The cables are used to connect one device with another. Each gadget uses different cable types. It is then crucial to know your cables.
For example, today, printers and copiers have increased functions, from printing, scanning to mobile print technology. This then translates to more cables. There is no need to always rely on a technician or an IT specialist to help you connect your devices.
Acquaint yourself with the most common cable types. They include an HDMI cable, ethernet cable, power cable, USB cable, and parallel cable.
Make use of the manuals that come with the devices. All the cable connections are well explained. Understand the connections well and you might even act as an IT guy to a friend who just bought a new device.
- Learn Basic IT Terms
Do not float in IT conversations. You do not have to be an information technology professional to know some of the terminologies used in IT. Imagine calling one of our Etech technicians to consult on something that you do not know how to explain. “Ati the nini is not niniing!!” Cmon, take a little of your time to learn just a bit. Use your newly acquired search skills to learn more.
For copiers, learn terminologies such as multifunction printer or multifunction device, drum, toner, consumables, images per minute (ipm), pages per minute (ppm), yield, and warm-up time.
- Be Safe Online
The internet is a great thing to have. It is filled with a lot of valuable information. However, there are many scammers and shady characters too. These cybercriminals are tech-savvy and swift.
Being safe does not mean that you stop using the internet. It simply means being vigilant and careful of what you click, share and read.
Some of the basics to staying safe online include:
- Using antivirus and antimalware software
- Keeping your devices updated
- Only visit sites that begin with “https” rather than “http”. The “s” is for secure meaning that your information will be encrypted before being sent to a server.
- Look for the ‘lock’ icon near the search bar. Different browsers place it in different places.
- Make use of your internet browser’s security features.
- Use your common sense. If a website looks strange or is asking for personal information. Run! If a website is asking you to click to win, why would you click on something you had not bet on?
There you have it. Become your own tech guru!
