I bought a computer about six months ago and have been using it two or three times a week since then for sending e-mails and typing documents. Recently I've been getting a slight pain in the index finger of my right hand and in both wrists.

I know this is from typing, is there anything you can suggest that might help ease this? - Darinagh, via e-mail

First off, I would say that if these pains continue for any longer then you should see a doctor. It could be what is called repetitive strain injury (RSI). The pains you are feeling in your wrists and index finger may be caused by using the keyboard and mouse.

However, there are a great many keyboard shortcuts, that can ease your computer use. There are different shortcuts for different packages and email systems, but as most people use Word, that is the one I will deal with here.

The less you use the mouse, the less strain there will be on your index finger. Here is a list of shortcuts that should help:

To save: Press F12. This automatically takes you to "Save as," and saves doing two mouse clicks.

To print: Press Ctrl and then P. Saves two mouse clicks.

To open a new document: Ctrl and N will open up a blank page. Using the same shortcut when on the Internet will open a new window at the same web address. Ctrl and R will refresh the page on the Internet.

To copy a document: Press Ctrl and then A to highlight the document and then Ctrl and C to copy it. This saves three mouse clicks. You can also use Ctrl and X to cut a document and Ctrl V to paste it somewhere else.

To undo errors: Pressing Ctrl Z undoes your errors one by one. Ctrl Z is your friend. You will learn to love it as it saves the nightmare scenario of deleting a file you've spent the last three hours on. Saves any number of mouse clicks, every day.

AutoCorrect: A journalist's second best friend, after Ctrl Z. You access AutoCorrect through the Tools option and from there can have it automatically capitalise the first letter of sentences; correct the use of two initial capital letters; capitalise the names of days; and correct the accidental use of the Caps Lock key.

The AutoCorrect can also be used to correct common spelling errors such as replacing adn with and, and teh with the. It is also very handy for programming it to automatically insert fadas, so that Fianna Fail becomes Fianna Fail and Padraig becomes Padraig.

This function can also be used as a timesaving function by, for instance, having it automatically write your full name every time you type your initials. It might sound complicated, but it really is not.