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(Continued from page 5) tion and work-flow (the process you follow as
outline view in the left panel that these now you use the program or device). A complex pro-
extend over several pages. I modify these gram may require several of these. They need
notes again with every new installation. not be polished, after all no one but you will ev-
er see them, but they should be complete
enough to guide you days or weeks in the fu-
ture.
Every time you use the software or device,
open the notes, as you will want to revise and
augment them as you correct early misinterpre-
tations and learn more. This is especially im-
portant for things you use infrequently.
Your notes should contain everything you need;
that is, you shouldn't have to rely on any other
material to use the program or device they cov-
er. This should include: the URLs of any on-line
material, such as manuals, reviews, tutorials,
and newsletters, the supplier's Website URL,
configuration data at install time, work-flows,
contents of configuration and profile files, and
annotated screen-shots.
Screen 2. CherryTree Notes on Ubuntu Place a copy of these notes on all the PCs with
Linux. which you will use the program or device. For
example, if you take a laptop on vacation, it
Now you're ready to begin. Open the manu- should have the notes for your camera. Consid-
al, or equivalently open its file or URL on er making such notes for your operating sys-
your desktop, and open your notes program. tem, your complex applications, and your hard-
As a result, you may have three open win- ware, including peripherals. Without them, such
dows on your desktop, the manual, the notes jobs as reinstalling an operating system will
program, and the new software. You may take far too long and may require several at-
have less if you have a full printed manual or tempts. You will find that they make using and
if you are working with new hardware. Follow maintaining complex products much easier and
the instructions to install the program or set maintaining them far less frustrating, especially
up the hardware, making notes as needed. for those you don't use every day.
(Do this as soon as you perform the action.
Don't wait until the end of the session.) Work
your way through the manual, making notes
about what you do, especially if something (Continued from page 3)
surprises you or works differently than you will be another loss for users unless President
expect. On the first pass, cover only the ba- Trump vetoes the bill. Google, Amazon, Fa-
sics and skip over those features that don't cebook and others are only able to track and
interest you. At this point you're looking for sell information gained from activities you en-
only the features that you are likely to use gage in while using their services. But ISPs
initially. Take screen shots as appropriate can track everything you do online. Unlike
and include them in the notes (although I sel- services like Facebook – which you can avoid
dom find this necessary). Note especially if you believe they will undermine your privacy
any configuration changes and the locations – you must use the services of an ISP to ac-
of the files used. Repeat this until you don't cess the Internet.
have to refer to the manual, but only your
notes. We’ll talk more about this at our April meeting,
including ways in which we can enhance our
By now, you should have captured the fea- privacy.
tures that are important to you. I often find
that my notes fall into two areas, configura- See you there!
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