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.

#775 Home Hack -- Pour a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and run the dishwasher while empty... The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains, so you don't have to. (HT: Real Simple)

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#776 Firefox Extension -- AutoPager enables "infinite scrolling" on Google search-results pages. Typically, when you get to the bottom of a search page, you have to click Next to view the next batch of results. Not so with AutoPager: It fetches and appends the next batch as you scroll down, creating the illusion of infinite scrolling. (HT: Lifehacker)

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#777 GMail Tool -- Gmail TinyURL is a Firefox extension that lets you highlight a URL inside a new Gmail message and hit the Ctrl+Shift+T key combination to instantly shrink it to a TinyURL. (HT: Lifehacker)

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#778 HowTo -- How to turn off annoying MS Word Features

°°°°°° #779 Online Tool -- Web app PDF Filler lets you upload and fill out PDF forms online. Just upload your PDF, then click and enter text anywhere on the form you need. . (HT: Lifehacker) °°°°°°

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.