Life at Your Computer

Lesson 4: Customize Settings

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Customizing Your Computer Settings

  1. Changing Display Settings:

    • Adjusting your display settings can make your screen easier to read and more comfortable for your eyes.

    • PC: Go to Settings > System > Display. From here, you can adjust the brightness, resolution, and text size.

    • Mac: Go to System Preferences > Displays to adjust your screen resolution and brightness.

    • Tip: If you often work at night, turn on Night Light (PC) or Night Shift (Mac) to reduce blue light.

    • Visual Example: How to Adjust Display Settings on PC and Mac.

  2. Customizing Keyboard and Mouse Settings:

    • You can customize your keyboard and mouse for better ergonomics and efficiency.

    • PC: Go to Settings > Devices > Mouse or Keyboard to change how they respond to clicks and key presses.

    • Mac: Go to System Preferences > Keyboard or Mouse to change tracking speed, key repeat rate, and more.

    • Tip: If you're left-handed, you can reverse the mouse buttons to make it easier to use.

    • Visual Example: How to Customize Keyboard and Mouse Settings on PC.

  3. Changing Power and Sleep Settings:

    • Adjusting your computer's power settings can help extend battery life or improve performance.

    • PC: Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep. You can choose when the display turns off and when the computer goes to sleep.

    • Mac: Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver to control sleep settings and display dimming.

    • Tip: For maximum battery life, set the screen to dim after a short period of inactivity.

    • Visual Example: How to Manage Power Settings on Windows.

  4. Setting Up Accessibility Features:

    • Most computers come with built-in accessibility features, like screen readers or high-contrast modes, to assist users with different needs.

    • PC: Go to Settings > Ease of Access to adjust features like text size, magnifier, or narrator.

    • Mac: Go to System Preferences > Accessibility to turn on features like VoiceOver, Zoom, or Display contrast.

    • Tip: These features can also be useful for anyone who needs larger text or voice commands for easier computer navigation.

    • Visual Example: Using Accessibility Features on Windows and Mac.

SIDE BOX: What to Do When Your Display Is Too Small or Too Bright

Scenario: Your screen is either too bright or text is too small to read comfortably.

Solution:

  1. PC: Go to Settings > System > Display and adjust the brightness and text size sliders.

  2. Mac: Go to System Preferences > Displays and adjust the brightness or resolution settings.

  3. If brightness is a recurring issue, turn on Night Light (PC) or Night Shift (Mac) to automatically reduce blue light in the evenings.

  • This NYT article provides suggestions on blue light cancellation, which can encourage better sleep if you are looking at screens at night.

  • This video shows a few software tools that enable dictation, so you can just speak the words you want written.