#22 Windows Keyboard Hack – To create your own keyboard shortcuts to applications: (1) Create a shortcut to an executable application (i.e., Microsoft Word), (2) right-click the shortcut and press “Properties”, and (3) type a letter in the "Shortcut key" box (i.e., W). This will create a CTRL-ALT-x shortcut. You can also make CTRL-SHIFT and CTRL-ALT-SHIFT shortcuts by holding them while pressing the letter. (HT: Ask Metafilter)
#23 Memory Hack -- To attain the rank of grand master of memory, you must be able to memorize (a) 1,000 digits in under an hour, (b) the precise order of 10 shuffled decks of playing cards in the same amount of time, and (c) one shuffled deck in less than two minutes. Domic O’Brien is one such grand master. The Englishman can not only perform such incredible feats of memory but has won the World Memory Championship eight times. You may not have a need to remember 1000 digits but with a little practice you can use the Dominic System to improve your own recall skill.
#24 Keyboard Shortcut -- Saving documents, folders, and applications to the Windows Desktop can make it convenient to find items in a hurry. But when your desktop is hidden beneath a half dozen open windows that have to be minimized, it is rarely worth the effort. One way around this is to press the Windows Key + D to toggle over to the desktop. Hit the combination again and all your windows pop back in place -- no minimization required.
#25 A Mini-Lesson in Critical Thinking - Part 2 -- The Concept of Validity
#26 How To: Record cassette tapes to MP3
#27 From Photos to Slide Shows: Windows XP users can download a free copy of Microsoft Photo Story 3 which can transform Create digital photos into slide shows. You can even add special effects, soundtracks, voice narration, and titles and captions, turning your static photos into a story. (HT: Two or Three)
#28 Shrink URLs -- One of the my favorite web application is TinyURL which allows you to turn a link like this:
Turn this URL:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?ovi=1&mqma p.x=300&mqmap.y=75&mapdata=%252bKZmeiIh6N%252bI gpXRP3bylMaN0O4z8OOUkZWYe7NRH6ldDN96YFTIUmSH3Q6 OzE5XVqcuc5zb%252fY5wy1MZwTnT2pu%252bNMjOjsHjvN lygTRMzqazPStrN%252f1YzA0oWEWLwkHdhVHeG9sG6cMrf XNJKHY6fML4o6Nb0SeQm75ET9jAjKelrmqBCNta%252bsKC 9n8jslz%252fo188N4g3BvAJYuzx8J8r%252f1fPFWkPYg% 252bT9Su5KoQ9YpNSj%252bmo0h0aEK%252bofj3f6vCP
into something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/6
The service is even more useful when added to your toolbar. IE users can simply drag the link located on the TinyURL website. Firefox users, though, will want to download this extension which makes it possible to simply click a button and have the URL from the page you are visiting transformed into a tinyurl that is saved to your clipboard and ready for pasting.
#29 Needlepoint Hack -- My knitting needles were collecting rust in the closets until I discovered KnitPro, a web application that translates digital images into knit, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch patterns. Now I’m working on stitching a pillow using a pattern of my favorite philosopher. Naturally, my method isn't overly skilled but I think I'm warranted in believing that when I’m done it will be a properly basic pillow.
See also: YSR #1, #2, and #3.
Have a useful recommendation for making life more pleasant? Send them to me at jpcarter[at]evangelicaloutpost.com.
1
Nice wink to the Plantinga readers out there. ;-)
I really enjoy these posts. One reason I keep getting dragged back here (and away from my own blog) is the sheer variety. I quite enjoy it.
Windows-key + D, eh? I hadn't paid attention to that, though I've been using right-click on taskbar, Show Desktop for aeons. The *reversibility* of the procedure is the cool thing, I think.
Cheers and kudos,
PGE
2
Other useful shortcuts:
Windows + E = Open Windows Explorer
Windows + R = Same as selecting Start->Run
Windows + F = Open Find Files tool
I've been using the other shortcut trick for years, since at least Windows 95. On any computer I use, Ctrl-Alt-C will open the calculator, Ctrl-Alt-D will open a DOS prompt ("command prompt" -- although this has trouble on some machines) and Ctrl-Alt-N will open the notepad.
posted on 05.18.2005 11:19 AM3
One of my favorite utilities is WinKey (http://www.download.com/3000-2344-913626.html?tag=lst-0-1), which lets you assign all the other Windows key combinations to things.
posted on 05.18.2005 3:28 PM4
The most obvious "shortcut" to all those Windows problems is ... get a Mac! Why do you continue to fuss with that conglomeration of patches, ad hoc programming features and sheer stupidty that is Microsoft Windows when you can work with something that is smooth, intuitive, virtually crash-proof and hacker-proof?
Mac OS 10.4 Tiger is the best yet.
posted on 05.19.2005 1:34 PM5
Six windows? Try sixteen! It's a common complaint with my boss that I have too many windows open. But that's what you get when you need to have 2 databases, Outlook, Word, AOL IM, Adobe, Office Imaging and IE explorer up to do your job competently in a "paperless office".
posted on 05.20.2005 5:37 PM6
Of course, there's also the useful, all-wonderful "Alt-F4" to close a window and "CTRL-N" to open a new window (especially useful when your doing some serious websurfing on a web browser).
Sorry if I'm belaboring the obvious. It was the longest time before I learned how to use these keys.
One innate advantage Windows has over Macs is that, from the begining, Windows was designed so that you wouldn't have to touch the mouse to use it. The Mac was designed with the opposite intention.
posted on 05.20.2005 5:55 PM