One of the biggest advantages of laptops is mobility. So if you are always on the move, it is important for you that your laptop is prepared to run at all times and in any location. Although you can find a lot of electrical outlets almost everywhere but sometimes you don’t have any other option but to resort to battery. Although batteries are becoming more and more efficient with time but still there are severe limits to their usage and most laptop models have the three to four hours of battery life. Now the crucial question before you is how can you keep your battery running for as long as possible? Here are 9 tips to improve the functionality of your laptop battery and extend its life.

Optimize your laptop’s power usage

You can optimize power usage of your laptop. For Windows XP, this option can be found in Control Panel under “Power Options” and by selecting “Max Battery” option.

Go to Start > Control Panel > Power Options and then select “Max Battery”

Switch to Hibernate or Standby modes

You can set your laptop to either Hibernate or Standby mode while on battery. It can save on power consumption. Hibernated mode fully shuts the computer down but still saves the state of everything open where you left off and Standby mode puts the computer into a low-power state instead of shutting it down.

Don’t expose your laptop to extreme temperatures

Extreme temperatures are not suitable for your laptop battery and can drain the battery quickly. For example when you leave your laptop in your car where it may be exposed to extreme heat or cold.

Gaming or playing a DVD can consume more power

Don’t play games or play CD or DVD on your laptop while it is on battery. These two use up all the power quickly.

Power down all external devices

Remove or turn off all USB and WiFi devices because they use energy and drain down your laptop battery even while they are not in use.

Dim the graphics of your laptop

Dim your laptop screen (display’s brightness) and  lower the screen resolution to save power.

Avoid multitask

Close down all non essential programs or documents when you’re on battery.

Recharge the battery properly

Most laptops come with lithium-ion batteries today. Don’t allow a Li-On battery to completely discharge as it can negatively impact the performance and life of the battery. Recharging procedure vary for different types of batteries so read the user manual that came with your laptop .

Lower operating temperature

Laptops work more efficiently on lower temperatures. Lower operating temperature can also help to retain battery for extra time.

Although the performance of battery  declines over time but these  tips can help prolong the life of your laptop battery and above all save it from going dry at an inappropriate time.

Today Instant Messaging (IM) has become so widespread that nobody can imagine an internet without IM. Instant messaging has become a new line of communication and many business people are preferring IM over telephone and e-mail. No doubt, it’s a cool way to manage relationships and to get a quick response on something. But if you don’t use it in a right manner, you can’t get most out of this exciting tool. So whether you are a business person or an addictive IM user, here are tips which can help you communicate more effectively.

Your screen name/icon/avatar matters a lot

Humorous screen name or avatar may be cool with your friends and buddies but does not seem good in a business environment. So be careful when creating a screen name or avatar. You can use separate screen names and avatar for your business contacts.

Don’t intrude like an unwanted guest

Knock before you enter the house. You can’t guess what’s happening on the other end at that point of time. So inquire if the person on other side is free or available for chat.

Introduction is essential

The person on the other end may not remember you if he/ she has a long list of contacts. So introduce yourself by name especially for the first few conversations.

Don’t write an essay

Your messages should be brief, relevant and to the point. There is nothing worse than sending very long, irrelevant messages.

Don’t interrogate

Don’t make your conversation one sided as it gives the other person a feel of an interrogation rather than a conversation. Give the other person enough time to respond. Try to understand that the person at the other end may not be a fast typist or may have other distractions also.

Don’t overuse abbreviations

You may use abbreviations and slang with your close friends but just don’t use them with everyone. If the person on the other end isn’t familiar with that language it may totally confuse him/her.

Be professional but polite

Don’t be rude or over familiar. Use the terms “please” and “thank you” even if the person on the other end seems to be abrupt. Try not to match their rudeness.

Don’t confuse people with a misleading status

Instant Messaging allow you to set your status. So use it in a proper manner. For instance if you are away from the computer and you are showing your status as “available”, then person on the other end will wait for your response.

Be careful about confidential information

Instant messaging tools are not very secure so be careful with any confidential or sensitive personal information, such as your credit card numbers or passwords etc.

End the conversation in a proper manner

Don’t end your conversation abruptly. Ask if the other person is done or have any more questions if not, thank the person for his/her time.

Try to remember that you are actually speaking to a real person so behave in a proper manner.