Full Version: Improve Your Productivity
Message 2087.1 was deleted
From: logojohn [#2]
8 Oct 2005
To: Bill (BILL_S) [#1] 10 Oct 2005
I usually prepare the text for a stack of jobs by scanning or dictating. I can have the text file on one screen and XGW on the other to paste into.
I have corel draw on one screen and the Font Thing on another to search for a font used in a logo. You can even drag corel draw tool bars to the second monitor to free up viewing space.
You have to have an unused slot available for the second graphics card. I had some problems at first since a card would not work in one computer but would in another. I had better luck by using different brands so the computer wasn't as confused. Once installed, it is easy to set up in XP.
The new Fry's computer at home had a digital and regular monitor connection already installed which will work for dual monitors. I hooked up a regular flat screen to one and a 27" LCD TV to the dvi output that they had on sale for under $700. Talk about a big monitor!
EDITED: 8 Oct 2005 by LOGOJOHN
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
8 Oct 2005
To: logojohn [#2] 8 Oct 2005
I looked into it at one point for a different usage.
I wanted a monitor to show customers layouts without them coming over to the engraver, but not showing all of the setup work. Once setup, switching screens would have been great. I just got sidetracked by a year or so of other work.
From: Ralph (RHOUGHTON) [#4]
9 Oct 2005
To: Bill (BILL_S) [#1] 10 Oct 2005
Follow up tip for everyone using dual monitors - not everything works on the number two monitor. As an example if you have a screen capture utility it won't work on number two. You have to move the window back to #1 to get the capture.
There are a few other subtle things, but the benefits of using two workspaces more than outweights not having them. All our office staff in instruction and information technology have the duals - wouldn't live without them.
Cheers,
Ralph
From: Ralph (RHOUGHTON) [#5]
9 Oct 2005
To: ALL
You could try using a longer cable with your number two monitor - keep your PC well out of the view of your customer and the #2 monitor out on the counter. When it is not being used for displaying customer job details, you can use it to display kiosk type displays to generate customer impulse buying ideas. Powerpoint or similar software can be used for this easily.
Cheers,
Ralph
From: logojohn [#6]
9 Oct 2005
To: Ralph (RHOUGHTON) [#4] 9 Oct 2005
On one lower grade computer, some programs such as XGW will not display on the second monitor unless maximized and may need to be refreshed but most work ok.
But the [prt scr] key (print screen) will capture both monitor screens side by side. You just paste into a graphics program. You can then crop it down to what you want. I cropped all the way down to a single desktop icon and could still read the text under it without editing. If you are doing a lot that would be inconvient though.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#7]
19 Oct 2005
To: Bill (BILL_S) [#1] 19 Oct 2005
Another tip for efficiency - if you haven't networked all your computers, this is a real time saver. Many times the computer in the showroom area is the one we end up with the layout for a plaque. We simply save the job there, then open our network on our engraving computer and move the saved job to that computer and we're ready to engrave.
Yesterday I was looking for a border and ended up in Words clipart. I found a bunch of border designs that I didn't have, and ended up taking 6 of them into corel, which is on my desk computer. I then cut & pasted them in to my Xenetech program. Yesterday afternoon I had two jobs to do and both ended up being perfect layouts to use the new border designs. So I just opened the network window on my engraving computer, opened my desk computer files and dragged all the border designs to the xlg file on my engraving computer. And they were ready to go.
No more copying to disks, and going back & forth between computers. What is on one, is on all.
If you haven't networked your computers, it is a real timesaver.
Cindy M
From: basehorawards [#8]
25 Oct 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#7] 25 Oct 2005
Cindy,
How did you take these borders into Corel? I tried to import them but could not find a filter that would work.
I agree networking the computers is a must. Now if only could get Peachtree and Corel to work in the house I could work at night when I can't get to sleep without having to get dressed and walk out to the shop.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#9]
25 Oct 2005
To: basehorawards [#8] 25 Oct 2005
I simply decide what artwork I want from Corel or Corel on-line clip art and click on the box to select it. Then I download the choices. Once my choices are downloaded, they go into my clip art manager file.
I open Corel, and then go back to the clip art manager files and put the mouse cursor over the art I want. Holding down the left side of my mouse, I then slide the art over to my corel page. Or you can right click on the artwork, copy, and then paste the art into Corel.
Once the art is on the Corel page, I go up and ungroup it if that is possible (some will and some won't) and then take out whatever I don't want, make any changes and then regroup it. I then go to Edit, select copy and then go to my Xenetech screen and go to Edit and select paste. I choose a name for the clip art and then OK and there's my art on the Xenetech screen, ready to engrave.
Sometimes nothing is shown the first time after you name the artwork in Xenetech, but if you click on the D for cleanup, the art will show.
Hope this works for you -
Cindy