If you are running Mac OS X then you are probably aware that double-clicking an image file will normally open that image with the Preview application. Multiple image files (such as several photos) may be viewed by selecting multiple images in the Finder and then double-clicking (or right-clicking and selecting “Open”) on the selection. You can then use the “Previous” and “Next” buttons within Preview to navigate between the selected photos, allowing you to easily view a selection of photos without the need to manually double-click on each photo.

Long-time users of Windows may not be familiar with some handy shortcuts which can be used to close windows and also maximise or restore windows. Double-clicking on the icon in the menu bar of a window (in the top left-hand corner of the window) will close the window, making for a very quick and easy way to exit programs. Alternatively, double-clicking on the title bar of a window will maximise the window and double-clicking on the maximised title bar of a window will restore that window to a smaller size.

A common question which I have been asked about Windows XP is why the Autoplay feature (for example, when you insert CDs) stops working. This is quite a common issue in Windows XP, but there is an easy way to resolve the problem. Microsoft has released a small utility called the Autoplay repair wizard which can fix these Autoplay problems in Windows XP. To download the utility, go to www.microsoft.com/downloads and search for “Autoplay repair wizard”.

In Windows 7 you can easily configure which icons should appear in the notification area (next to the clock, in the bottom right-hand corner of the task bar). To configure these settings, click on the arrow in the notification area and a small menu will appear, where you can click “Customize”. In the window that appears, you can customise the icons and notifications which should appear on the task bar.

Those who use the excellent Mozilla Firefox (www.mozilla.com) as their web browser may be unaware that this browser offers several useful mouse shortcuts which may make your browsing life a bit easier. Middle-clicking on a website link will open that page in a new tab. Conversely, middle-clicking on a tab will close that tab. Double-clicking on the tab bar will open a brand new tab. There are also other mouse and keyboard shortcuts (which are freely available if you search Google) but these are the ones I have found to be most useful.