It might sound too much for some readers but if you use your PC for more than 1-2 hours a day consider installing a 2nd monitor. 2 monitors can boost productivity and increase efficiency.

The flaw with any Windows based operating system (Windows meaning many programs can be open and run in different windows at the same time) is what they call screen real estate. Simply put, the average sized monitor (17" - 19") doesn't offer enough work space. For example, open a Word document and an internet site at the same time - there's not enough room.

So my monthly tip on how to be more efficient when using your computer - is to consider using two monitors.

No new software is needed to run 2 monitors. However, if you want to get the best out of the 2nd screen then I'd advise you to buy the excellent Ultramon software costing $40 (£27.50). It comes with a free trial if you want to check it out.

Ultramon makes the overall management of 2 monitors easy and it adds a second, independent Taskbar to the 2nd monitor. A Taskbar is the strip along the bottom of a monitor where your open windows are located. So any programs open or minimized on the 2nd monitor won't interfere with those on the 1st.

Most if not all monitors these days are widescreen and personally I've always had good service from the basic models offered by some of the larger brands - Acer, Benq and even Dell.

An entry level 19" costs under £100 and Acer are currently selling a 23" for just £119 on Amazon's site. If you go above 22" check that the physical size of the monitor is not too large for where it's going to be located.

Personally I like my Widgets to be always on and located on the side of my second monitor. This means I don't have to minimise the current program on my screen to view them.

Microsoft's Vista operating system has a feature built in called Sidebar which is specifically designed to hold Widgets, or Gadgets as Microsoft calls them. Head over to Microsoft's Gadget website, pick what you want and then install, the process is usually flawless.

But Google, Yahoo and some other companies all offer their own Widgets, available on the following links -

As discussed above, if you work with only 1 monitor the screen real estate is only large enough to have one program running at a time. But with a 2nd monitor, widgets because really useful as they'll appear on your screen all the time.

If you don't have Vista installed on your PC then consider using the excellent (and free) Desktop Sidebar software. This is what I use and I find it invaluable, especially for following RSS feeds on many different websites.