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.

#780 Keyboard Shorcut -- Ctrl-k on Windows (Cmd-k on Mac) selects the search box. Once you are in the search box you can use Ctrl-Up/Down Arrow (Cmd-Up/Down Arrow on Mac) to cycle through the search engines. (HT: TechJive)

#781 Google Calendar Tip -- To have a daily agenda emailed or text-messaged to you: Go to “Settings” > “Notifications” and request that a list of events for the day be emailed to you. Another easy way to access your daily agenda is via SMS. Once you’re set up to access GCal from your mobile phone, just text “day” to short code 48368 (GVENT). (HT: Web Worker Daily)

#782 Home Hack -- Undiluted vinegar will kill grass between bricks and sidewalk cracks. Simply spray where needed. (HT: Frugal Gardening)

#783 HowTo -- Add notes to archived Gmail messages

#784 Google Reader Shortcuts --

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.