As described in the Technology Tip of the Week Visual CASEL series, the computer screens are a changin'. Another element that will be different is the closing Log Off screen. In this week's tip, we will show you how properly reset your workstation.

Tip #14: Visual CASEL Part IV - That was then... this is now...

Definitions: Visual CASEL: A security-type software program designed to run in the Windows environment background.

Log Off: In computereze, the term Log Off means to terminate your connection to the network allowing another user to use that workstation to Log In (Tip of the Week #13).  

Shut Down: In computereze, this term means to terminate your connection to the network AND reset or reboot the computer, clearing all memory.

When you go to shut down your workstation, the following screen appears as shown below. The key choices are to Log Off <UserName> and Shut Down...

Although the faster cycle of Logging Off and then Logging On a network computer is by way of the Log Off choice, it is not the preferred method.

The Shut Down... method has numerous advantages in that all memory is cleared. The machine has a fresh start and any possible errors, glitches (pick your poison) will be cleared so that the next user will have an error-free environment from which to work.

Therefore, choose the Shut Down... (Figure 1) method whenever logging off the network, followed by Restart! (See figure 2 above).

This will ensure that the next user will be working with the most optimum machine environment possible.

End of the day? If you are logging off at the end of the day and do not expect anyone to use the workstation after you, select Shut Down from the screen in figure 2 above.  

Special Thanks to Mrs. Barbara Capralos for this week's tip suggestion and screen dumps.