Yak Shaving -- [MIT AI Lab, after 2000: orig. probably from a Ren & Stimpy episode.] Any seemingly pointless activity which is actually necessary to solve a problem which solves a problem which, several levels of recursion later, solves the real problem you're working on.

#745 Keyboard Hack -- Use the Ctrl key plus either the Left Arrow key or the Right Arrow key to move to the beginning of the previous or next word. (HT: Lifehack)

#746 Kidware -- KidsDomain has put together a massive list of freeware for kids, sorted by subjects such as Art, Science, Math, Creativity, etc. A lot of stuff to choose from -- and all free. (HT: Lifehacker)

#747 Excel Keystrokes -- When you're typing text into a cell, by default hitting Enter takes you to the next cell. However, to wrap your text in the current cell as you type, use Alt-Enter. (HT: Lifehacker)

#748 HowTo -- Attend church service 52 weeks in a row.

#749 Download of the Week -- Texter is a free text substitution app which, unlike software-specific text replacement features, runs in the Windows system tray and works in any application you're typing in. Texter can also set return-to markers for your cursor and insert clipboard contents into your replacement text, in addition to more advanced keyboard macros. saves you countless keystrokes by replacing abbreviations with commonly used phrases you define.

See also: The Yak Shaving Razor Archives

Have a useful recommendation for making life more pleasant? Send them to me at jpcarter[at]evangelicaloutpost.com.