In this article, I show some of my favorite and useful USB devices.
Some of my favorite devices run through USB ports. Here are just a few:
Flash Drives:
Probably the most popular of all USB devices. They are great for storage, boot disks, etc., but have an average life of around 10,000 reads/writes.
Wired / Wireless Keyboards and Mice:
The second most popular USB device has to be the wired and wireless keyboard and mouse. Everybody needs a keyboard and mouse.
Hard Drives & DVD/CD Drives:
I use a multi-functional converter. It's a great way to mount a hard drive from a computer that has failed. Or use it with a hard drive for storage, boot drive, etc. The best one is to connect it to a standard 5.25" DVD burner and use it to create Recovery Disks on laptops/netbooks.
COM & LPT Ports:
Yes, there are still devices that require COM ports and printers that use LPT ports. And you can get USB converters to support them.
There are a ton of USB devices out there. These are but a few of my favorites.
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I little while back, I wrote an article on using Dual Monitors. In it, I wrote how a person with a visual impairment could use two monitors. Here's a snippet:
"This scenario also works well for those with visual impairments that require a magnification utility. You can use a larger monitor as the ‘main’ display and a smaller monitor as the ‘secondary’ display. Using the main display for all standard functions, the secondary display shows a magnified view of the main display. And without the need for matching monitors, you could pick up a cheap used one to run as secondary. Try your local Goodwill, Savers, thrift shop, etc."
Here's a video showing how to use dual monitors in Windows for users who have impaired vision.
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A little while back, I wrote an article on using Dual Monitors. Here's a snippet:
"With newer computers having the ability to run multiple displays, here is a ‘Geek Tip’ for those of you thinking about using two monitors on one computer. There are various scenarios, and I am going to describe just a few. I currently have two systems here with dual monitor setups."
Here's a video showing the two different computer scenarios I have that use dual monitors in Windows.
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One of the software tools I use quite often client systems is SpaceMonger. SpaceMonger is a tool for keeping track of the free space on your computer. It shows graphically the size of each folder and file on your computer.

Each file or folder on a given drive is displayed in a box in the main window whose size is a relative comparison to all the other files in your system. So, for example, if the "Windows" box takes up 90% of the screen, the "C:\Windows" folder and all its sub-folders and files are taking up 90% of your "C:" drive.
SpaceMonger runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Click here to download the latest version
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Windows File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Press |
To |
END |
Display the bottom of the active window. |
HOME |
Display the top of the active window. |
NUM LOCK + ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*) |
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. |
NUM LOCK + PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+) |
Display the contents of the selected folder. |
NUM LOCK + MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-) |
Collapse the selected folder. |
LEFT ARROW |
Collapse the current selection if it's expanded, or select the parent folder. |
RIGHT ARROW |
Display current selection if it's collapsed or select the first subfolder. |
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