| Key to Instructions
To help readers follow the instructions in this article, we use two different typefaces. Boldface type is used to identify the names of icons, agendas and URLs. Sans serif type indicates either the names of files or commands and instructions that need to be typed into the computer. |
Q. To save memory I access my Outlook e-mail only occasionally. But that presents a problem because I need to view my Outlook calendar frequently. Is there a way to open the calendar without opening Outlook’s e-mail function?
A. I’m not aware of any way to do that. Unless there is some undocumented trick, you can’t open just one or some of Outlook’s functions—calendar, e-mail, contacts and tasks.
But your question raises a more important issue: If you feel you must ration your available memory, then your computer appears to be operating with a memory handicap. Not only is abundant memory critical to the efficient and effective operation of your computer, it’s cheap and easy to install. It pays to install as much as your computer will hold. Adding more memory not only will let your PC handle multiple applications simultaneously, it will increase its operating speed because your CPU (central processing unit) will not have to access the hard drive as frequently. Today’s PCs should have at least 512 megabytes of random access memory (RAM), and 1 gigabyte is even better. Adding memory is the least expensive way to upgrade your computer.
Now, if you want to be able to access Outlook’s
calendar quickly no matter what other application you happen to be in,
I’ll show you how to create a shortcut on your Quick Launch
bar—the toolbar on the bottom of your screen that’s visible
no matter what application is running (see screenshot above right).
To create the shortcut—the technical term for it is a URI (uniform resource identifier)—right-click on any blank space on your desktop and choose New, Shortcut , and in the Create Shortcut dialog box that appears, type outlook:calendar and click on Next . Name your shortcut Outlook (or whatever you like) and click on Finish . Now, with your mouse, drag the resulting icon into your Quick Launch bar. That will give you single-click access to Outlook and your calendar any time.
Using the same technique, you can create single-click access buttons to other applications as well.
