The next time you have trouble with the quality of your printer's output be sure to take advantage of the maintenance utilities that come with most of today's models.

You likely have a folder under your "Programs" menu for your specific printer model that contains utilities for checking and correcting printer head alignment and/or proper nozzle functioning. Additionally, these features can often be accessed from the printer "dialog box" that pops up just before printing. For example, when I print to my Epson, there's a "Properties" button that leads to a host of printing utilities.

Other brands have similar options, but the names and locations may differ. Snoop around a bit and you will almost certainly find such features for your specific printer too. From my experience, I'd estimate that 80% to 90% of the printing problems that you will experience in the future can be corrected this way.

Sticky notes for your screen

If you like using "Post It" notes (and who doesn't?) in the physical world, then you'll love the "virtual" version available in a program called TurboNote.

This utility emulates the functionality of those colorful sticky notes, but puts them on the inside of your computer instead of on the surface.

Published: June 26, 2001

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