Tip One: Let your design apps do the math for you.

For example, many palettes and dialog boxes in InDesign, Illustrator, FreeHand and QuarkXPress recognize simple math. Use + and - to add and subtract, * and / to multiple and divide.

Want more? Try mixing different measurement systems. Want to add 6 points to a 3.25 inch rectangle? Try typing "0p6 + 3.25in."

Spend a little time experimenting in your favorite software. It might save you a hunt later:

3.25 + .875	6.125 - .75
3.5 * 3	16.25 / 5
11in - 4p0	2p3 + 1.25in

[Source: Consultant Craig Swanson who never was very good at his multiplication tables anyway.]

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Tip Two: Sync a BlackBerry PDA with your Mac.

Recently we've been fielding a number of questions from clients who are interested in using BlackBerry devices to check their email remotely. In case you don't know, a BlackBerry is a small PDA that features a full keyboard and typically includes wireless capabilities to retrieve email and text messages.

Mac users interested in using a BlackBerry should check out PocketMac. This $29.95 software package lets you sync your Blackberry with Entourage, iCal, Now Contact/Now Up-To-Date, and others.

http://www.pocketmac.net/products/pmblackberry

Why is this a big deal? Until PocketMac, you had to use a Windows PC to sync your Blackberry, a rather inconvenient way to accomplish the task.

[Source: Consultant Eric Williams.]

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Bonus: Backup/Archive Notes.

Last week's Backup and Archive seminars had a good turn-out. Thank you for everyone who attended. Below are links to some of the materials we discussed in this program:

http://creativetechs.com/tips/SVC-backup/

Also, for independent designers looking for a simple strategy to protect their computers, we recommend reading our December 27th tip "Set up a Backup System for 2005!" [See Tip #20]

[Source: SVC Archive & Backup Seminar.]

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QuickTips is a free weekly e-newsletter from CreativeTechs, Inc. Each week we publish a fresh mix of left-brain and right-brain tips based on our real world experience supporting hundreds of creative teams in the greater Seattle area. For a complete archive of previous tips, visit www.creativetechs.com/tips

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