To Mouse or Not To Mouse

By Laura Noble

Are you scared of a little mouse?

A mouse can be scary to touch and will often runaway from you just when you finally think that you have it positioned.

SOLUTION: USE KEYSTROKES!! Now, did you think I was referring to a little tiny rodent? No, I am referring to a computer mouse. Some people are actually as intimidated and frightened by a computer mouse as they are by the four-legged version.

If you are one of those "mousephobics," why not try using keystroke shortcuts instead of that dastardly mouse? Not only are keystrokes better for you ergonomically but they allow you to have full control of your actions. No more of that mouse taking a leap across the page and you wondering where the heck it went to.

This is not to say that you should toss your mouse out the window. The mouse, in many instances, is still the most expedient method to complete many functions. For once, be in control of your computer. You have choices! Use them!

Here are some common keystroke shortcuts that work in most Windows packages!

ACTION	SHORTCUT
Editing
Undo Action	Ctrl + Z
Bold Text	Ctrl + B
Copy text to Clipboard	Ctrl + C
Cut or move text to Clipboard	Ctrl + X
Find Display Box	Ctrl + F
Italics Text	Ctrl + I
Paste text from Clipboard	Ctrl + V
Redo Action	Ctrl + Y
Spell Check	F7
Thesaurus	Shift + F7
Underline Text	Ctrl + U
Undo	Ctrl + Z
Delete Next Word	Ctrl + DEL
Selecting Text
Entire Document	Ctrl + A
Extend Selection	Shift + Arrow
From Insertion Point to End of Document	Ctrl + Shift + End
From Insertion Point to End of Line	Shift + End
Moving Around
Beginning of Document	Ctrl + Home
Beginning of Line	Home
End of Document	Ctrl + End
End of Line	End
Go To	Ctrl + G
Next Line	Down Arrow
Next Word	Right Arrow
Filing
Open	Ctrl + O
Print	Ctrl + P
Save	Ctrl + S
Toggle Between 2 Open Documents	Ctrl + F6 or Ctrl + TAB
Toggle Between 2 Open Software Programs	ALT + TAB
Display "Start" Menu	Ctrl + Esc
Display Shortcut Menu	Shift + F10
Help	F1

If these "actions" are foreign to you, keep using that mouse or consider software training to help expand your computer knowledge.

Remember that computing success is only a few mouse clicks or keystrokes away.

Laura Noble is the owner of Noble Software Solutions. She can be contacted at 519-680-2689 or by e-mail at lnoble@noblesoftwaresolutions.com. www.noblesoftwaresolutions.com

Published in Networking Today, October 1999.

Choosing a Good Financial Advisor...the most important investment you'll ever make

By J.D. MacRae, CFP

Many people spend more time planning for a vacation or buying a sofa than they do planning for their financial future. When they finally decide it’s time to put their financial house in order, they don’t know where to start.

Start by getting professional help. You shouldn’t hesitate seeking professional financial advice any more than you would avoid seeking a doctor when you're sick. A professional financial advisor can help you set up a financial plan. He or she can help determine which investments are best suited to achieve your financial goals, establish a savings program to build your assets, and explain potential risks and rewards of different investments.

Probably the most important contribution an independent financial advisor can make is to help you stick to your plan. Research conducted by Dalbar Financial Services found that during an 11-year period ending June 1995, U.S. investors with a financial advisor held their funds longer and earned almost 17 percent more in total cumulative return on their investments than those who purchased their funds directly.

Finding a financial advisor is no different from finding a doctor. People are willing to give a good reference. Ask your friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about the advisor’s experience, track record, services, investment approach, and fees. And don’t be afraid to request credentials. Remember, it’s your money and your future. If the person you’re considering makes you feel like you’re wasting his or her time, chances are, you’re wasting your money.

Interview any financial advisor you’re interested in to be sure he or she fits your style and risk tolerance. The candidate must understand your investment needs. He or she must be someone you trust and who can tailor a portfolio to meet your personal requirements. A conscientious planner will use the initial meeting to discuss your financial situation, objectives and risk tolerance level.

Consider asking your prospective financial advisor the following specific questions:

• What are your qualifications?
• Do you understand my attitude towards risk?
• May I see a sample of a completed financial plan?
• What services will you provide and how often?
• What fees or commissions do you charge?
• Can you provide references?
  

If you’ve decided to invest in mutual funds, be sure to ask these additional questions:

• How much will it cost to buy into the fund after commissions and fees?
• Will I receive an annual review of the fund and the fund manager’s strategy?
• How often will I receive detailed information about the fund?
• Will my investments be compared periodically with competing funds?
• Will you check with me on a regular basis to see if my investment needs have changed?
  

If you’re ready to get your finances in order, start by investing in professional financial help. Ultimately, seeking out a financial advisor is the most important investment you’ll make.

J.D. MacRae is a Certified Financial Planner with Investment Planning Counsel of Canada, London, Ontario. (519) 663-9662 E-mail: jdmacrae@jpccherryhill.com

Published in Networking Today, October 1999.