Ampers & Dot

If you’re like me and you have a hustling bustle of a social life, filled with crazy parties, gallery openings, regatta galas, and aquarium christenings, then you likely don’t need any tips on weekend plans.  But on the off-chance you are looking for something to do this, or any other weekend, then today’s post will be especially relevant.

Just in case there are no special shows at the zoo this weekend, or no good cricket matches in your area, and you’re looking for something to do, I thought I’d list off a few of my personal favorite “completely nerdy weekend projects” to give you some ideas of what to do when you have some downtime and are feeling really geeky.  

So let’s jump into the list of “Completely Nerdy Weekend Projects”
(Preface note: I have done every single one of these things listed- so if you have any questions, let me know)

Speed up your Windows boot time
Being a Windows Mobile junky- I want my computer up and running immediately.  I want to press a button and have the digital world at my fingertips.  I don’t want to wait more than 30 seconds for it.  Unfortunately, one of Window’s built in “features” is the continual slowing down of all things processor related over time.  Thanks Bill.  But there are a lot of ways to fix your computer’s boot speed- likely to get it below 30-45 seconds. The best resources that I’ve used are: PC-Hell’s Guide, ExtremeTech’s (extra-nerdy) Guide, and a new one to me, but comes highly recommended- TweakXP.

Rewire your desk/entertainment center
As we’ve learned in the past, I’m a bit obsessive about organization.  Well there’s no better fix for me than nicely ordered electronics cabling.  And conversely there is nothing worse than disastrous cabling. The best tips I have for this are: keep your power strip somewhere easily accessible for easy adding/removing components (so you’re not climbing over a desk every day to plug in your laptop…) Unplug everything first, separate the cords, and start from scratch.  Then use pipecleaners to secure excess cable.  I also swear by cord clips

Cleanup your desktop(s)
First start with your physical desktop.  Ok good.  Now how about your computer’s desktop.  How many icons you got there?  Can you even see your desktop?  Oh come on, you still have the icon to Bonzai Buddy on there!?  And is that an AOL shortcut?  Use that link above and then just start deleting.  Then whatever’s left- start sorting and wait until next weekend when you can…:

Reorganize your digital media
This one is more daunting to me than any of the others… mainly because I’m a lot less talented at it.  But searching and digging for local files on your computer is just stupid, but probably happens almost daily.  Do you have eight versions of your resume saved in My Documents, all with the same title but different dates?  Archive if you want, but if it’s not relevant then there’s no reason to keep it.  And this brings us nicely into the last weekend project:

Backup your important files
This one is easily the most important and even more easily the most often overlooked.  Just do it.  Two easy ways: 1) This little puppy that continuously backs up your data automatically (or some of the cheaper alternatives from Western Digital are equally awesome) 2) Do it manually, for free, without any hardware.  Read about GmailSync and let it blow your mind.  Then once your mind is feeling better, download it and use it.

And that’s it.  That should keep you busy for the next month and a quarter. 

For me this especially rainy New England weekend, I’m heading up to Maine to avoid the big-city distractions of Boston and focus 100% of my attention on the Masters with some great golf friends (I’m assuming you read the post yesterday on how absolutely bonkers I am for this weekend and leaving my apartment and skipping town to watch TV makes sense to you).

This year I’m rooting for the defending champion: Augusta National, who kicked the ass of every golfer last year and made the best of them work for every stroke.  YOU DA MAN AUGUSTA!