SOHO ICT Services

SOHO ICT Services We are a professional support team providing quality services in the following: Networking, Hardware, Operating Systems, Upgrades, Licensing and much more.

We are an IT Support company specialising in technical IT support, networking, disaster planning, Microsoft Office (2013) and other aspects of IT.

13/02/2017

Top 10 Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10
I’ve been using Windows 10 for over 6 months now and it’s way better than Windows 8. I use it on my main computer and have been fairly happy with it overall. Just having the Start Menu back was probably the best thing Microsoft did. Nowadays, I’m trying to become more of a power user, so I learned how to customize Windows 10 to my liking and how to use thenew snap features and multiple desktops.
In this post, I’ll go through the 10 keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10 that I think you should definitely learn. There are literally hundreds, most of which no one will ever use. I’ve already seen several bogs write posts like Top 30 Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts, but that’s way too many for the average user. I pretty much only use 5 to 10 shortcuts on a daily basis. Either way, you can speed things up a little using shortcuts, especially if you have a giant flat panel using a super high resolution.

Best Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows Key – Simply pressing the Windows key will bring up the Start Menu with its mix of Windows 7 and Windows 8 styles. I use this shortcut the most often because you can just start typing the name of an application or Store app or computer setting and then press Enter to open it.

Windows Key + D – Missing the desktop? This hotkey will hide all windows and show you the desktop. If you press it again, it will bring back the same windows that were active earlier.

Windows Key + L – This hotkey will lock the screen in Windows 10. You could also press CTRL + ALT + DEL and then press Enter to lock the screen, but this is also a good option.

Windows Key + E – Opens Windows Explorer. I’m pretty much always messing with files, so this is a very useful shortcut. You can also configure the default folder for Explorer to open to This PC or Quick Access.

Windows Key + R – Brings up the Run dialog box, which lets you quickly run commands. Also, it’s easy to open the command prompt by using this shortcut by simply typing in CMD.

Windows Key + Tab – This will show you a thumbnail of all open programs on the current desktop and also a small thumbnail of each desktop at the bottom. You can use the arrow keys to select a different program on the active desktop.

Windows Key + I – Opens the Windows 10 Settings dialog where you can configure the network, backups, WiFi, privacy, security and lots more.

CTRL + Windows Key + L/R Arrow – This is another shortcut I use often. It allows me to switch between desktops quickly using the right or left arrows in conjunction with CTRL + Windows Key. The order for the first two keys doesn’t matter either.

Ctrl + Shift + Esc – This will bring up the new Windows 10 Task Manager. The shortcut is the same as it was in previous versions of Windows.

Windows Key + C – This will bring up Cortana in listening mode, if you have Cortana enabled. I don’t use Cortana mostly over privacy concerns, but that’s just me. If you use it, this is a handy shortcut.

So those are the 10 shortcuts I have found to be the most useful in Windows 10 so far. A lot of them use the Windows Key, so that makes it a little easier to remember too. Tell us what you think! Enjoy!

The Easiest Way to Clean Install Windows 10. A step-by-step guide!
08/09/2016

The Easiest Way to Clean Install Windows 10. A step-by-step guide!

What makes a great IT leader? Being an effective leader is about balancing the needs of your team with the objectives th...
07/06/2016

What makes a great IT leader?

Being an effective leader is about balancing the needs of your team with the objectives that are to be achieved. While it is mostly concerned with people management, there are some key differences when it comes to being a leader in IT. This is because the IT industry evolves quickly and constantly which creates unique challenges for IT leaders.

While there a number of effective leadership styles, the best leaders share these seven traits.

1. Excellent Communication Skills
When dealing with people from other departments, it’s critical that you are able to clearly and simply articulate your message. You’re no use to anyone if you can only speak in IT code that no-one but you can understand.
On the other side of the same coin, an effective leader is also a great listener because you need to understand how you can assist the people in your team and in other departments.

2. Empathy
This trait goes hand-in-hand with being a good listener. An effective leader is able to foster excellent relationships with peers and clients because of an ability to understand the situation from another’s perspective. Those not gifted in IT can often find it an impossible task to deal with technology and this is where an empathetic leader will be most valuable.

3. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is about understanding yourself. To be aware of your strengths, weaknesses and your limitations will enable you to be a more effective leader as you surround yourself with the right team of people who can counter your weaknesses and build on your strengths.

4. The ability to grow
You can always learn something new and great leaders understand this, even more so in the world of technology. As technology continues to shift and change, professional development and continued growth will be the only ways to ensure your company doesn’t get left behind. Never assume that you know all there is to know and never stop learning. Take a lesson from nature- the only way to survive is to evolve.

5. Teamwork
A great leader knows that he/she cannot do everything. This is particularly true in the world of IT where certain people are better equipped to deal with particular challenges. Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and weaknesses and learn to delegate. The scope and depth of IT means that attempting to handle everything yourself will not only hamper your team but the rest of the organisation.

6. A Sense of Humour
This one may surprise you but a sense of humour is a valuable trait when it comes to leadership in IT. IT can be a stressful environment to work in and a joke from the department head can go a long way towards making a tense situation more bearable. It’s important to work hard but it is also necessary to have fun and you set the example for your team. Motivate your colleagues by reminding them that you are in it together and give them the tools they need to be effective.

7. Problem-solving
IT goes hand-in-hand with problem-solving. In fact, it’s pretty much what you do from nine to five. However, some of us are better at it than others and if you recognise that you are lacking in this department, half the battle is won. Find the problem-solver in your team and play to his/her strength. An effective leader is one who maximises the strengths of the team to achieve the goals of the company.

We are not all natural born leaders but it is something that can be worked at. The key is to recognize your strengths and shortcomings and how you can use both to help yourself and others to achieve their objectives.

5 Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Department!IT can be a major pain in the proverbial side of small businesses, where si...
18/05/2016

5 Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT Department!

IT can be a major pain in the proverbial side of small businesses, where significant funds and expensive technology are needed to carry out the simplest of tasks. Many SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) also struggle to find IT staff with the necessary level of experience and qualifications. As a result, local outsourcing has become a preference for a number of SMEs frustrated with technical limitations.

Here are five benefits of outsourcing your IT requirements to a professional.

1. You can hire the best
When you outsource to a professional vendor, you can ensure that the individual has the qualifications and experience to do the job efficiently. Rather than spending time and money in an attempt to train support staff, outsourcing to an IT service provider means you can get the best talent at a price that suits your pocket.

Financially, it can be difficult for an SME to justify paying more than one full-time support person, but outsourced partners mean that you have access to a team of experienced consultants for a reasonable price.

Outsourced providers usually require their employees to participate in ongoing training to stay up to speed on technological advancements, which ensures that you get the best possible service for all your IT woes.

2. You get top quality technology
An efficient IT department requires top level technology to carry out system updates and basic functionality or an SME can quickly fall behind in the industry. However, without the necessary finances and personnel, acquiring and utilising new technology can be problematic. This is when outsourcing becomes ideal because you can pay a service provider to keep your systems up to date while maintaining your competitive advantage.

3. You save money
Instead of buying expensive equipment and paying for in house labour, outsourcing your IT needs allows you to find a solution that suits your business and your budget. An in house IT department means money spent on servers, computers, and telecommunications equipment as well as hidden costs incurred in the ongoing maintenance of these items.

In addition, you will need to pay the salaries of your IT staff - another expense that can drain your budget. By outsourcing to a vendor, you can find an IT solution tailored to your requirements and your cash flow because you are only paying for what you need and not for training, sick leave, or holidays.

4. You save time
Time - a precious commodity that can mean the difference between a sale and a lost opportunity. By outsourcing your IT tasks to a professional, the skills of your employees can be better spent on more important areas of your business, allowing you to serve your customers more efficiently. Your employees’ workload will also be reduced because they don’t have to deal with the added distraction of handling an entire IT department.

5. You are more protected
The nature of IT is that information is stored and shared electronically which can translate into a large security risk for your business. Keeping sensitive information out of the wrong hands is critical or you can end up with a major security breach. By outsourcing IT to a professional, you can protect yourself from cyber attacks and ensure your information is adequately safeguarded through securing applications, performing vulnerability assessments, setting access controls, or installing physical security. Companies with an IT department are unlikely to have the level of security equal to a professional provider.

Whether you’re looking to reduce overall IT costs, remove the need for expensive in house resources or simply benefit from the latest technologies to improve operational efficiencies, outsourcing your IT needs to a local professional makes perfect business sense.

26/04/2016

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