³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

It’s that time of year, we’re all looking ahead and I’ve already resolved to lose three stone throughout 2011 (pity about the weight that went on over Christmas, not a great start I admit).

There are of course more realistic resolutions people can take up for any New Year. Mastering a few basic computer skills is one of them. You can probably do more than you think already; if you’re reading this then let’s face it, you don’t need any help finding your way to a website.

There are other things you can do, though, and they’ll all make your life significantly easier. Here are just a few:

1. Find your way around

The AA, The RAC, Google and many others offer a route planning service free of charge. Just enter your postcode, the postcode of your destination and you’ll get a route planned for you, a map and an estimated arrival time (which never takes account of traffic so assume it’s underestimated). Also look at the train times - the National Rail site offers a real time link to train departures and arrivals, so if you’re expecting to meet someone at your local station you can check whether the train’s going to be late without leaving your desk.

2. Weather

There’s this rumour it’s been snowing over the last few weeks, I haven’t checked it out myself. But you can have a look at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ weather website and narrow your search down by postcode if you want to plan around what the weather is going to be doing.

3. Communication

Modern computers often have a microphone and many have a webcam. The addition of a bit of software can turn this into a free international video phone - great for keeping in touch with family across the world. NB: Make sure the light’s not behind you otherwise you can end up looking like one of those re-enacted witness interviews on Crimewatch.

4. Shopping

Yes of course there have been delays over Christmas in terms of deliveries because of the snow (which were actually quite useful: "You were hoping I’d buy you a what, darling? But I did, it just hasn’t arrived yet..." PLACES QUICK ORDER) but this is very rare. The internet offers a great opportunity to let people who’re being paid take the strain of getting items to you, while you focus on stuff that’s more important.

5. Join a social network

Twitter et al get a rough press sometimes but they’re honestly not packed with people wasting time telling you what they had for breakfast. If you need a local plumber try asking on a social network - someone will know someone and be able to recommend them. If there’s some information you’re looking for whilst writing your dissertation or if you have local information you think might be worth offering, join up and have a look around - you could get quite a reputation and before you know it people start helping you, too.

This is of course stuff you can do on the internet. Without connecting up there’s other stuff you can do:

• Organise your family photos - and please, please back up so if your computer goes wrong you won’t lose them!

• Organise your music collection - put CDs onto your computer, then they’re all available on your mobile music player if you have one.

• Get your household accounts in order - why not scan in those receipts and warranties so you always know where they are?

That’s all before you’ve started buying extra software, adding bits of hardware, mastering spreadsheets and databases or even opening up a word processor - that’s for another day. Meanwhile all the stuff I’ve listed is free of charge. Have a great new year - and make use of that device you’re looking at right now!

Guy Clapperton is a journalist specialising in writing about technology as well as small business for several major broadsheets. He broadcasts occasionally on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio stations and reviews the newspapers on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Channel.