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.

Gmail Tip -- Hitting the # key (using the Shift key and the 3 key) will move a message directly to trash. Also, to quickly delete many messages, select several of them and hit the # key. (HT: Web Worker Daily)

Firefox Tip -- Quickly update your homepage by dragging the site's favicon onto Firefox's "Home" button on the address bar. (HT: Lifehacker)

Google School -- To find the local time in any city, simply type 'what time is it' in the Google search box For example, searching for what time is it London will return the time in London. If you don't insert any city after the search phrase, Google will return the time in your local city and cities in the main North American time zones: Washington D.C., Denver, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Chicago, Phoenix and Anchorage. (HT: Lifehacker)

HowTo -- Use HTTP Headers to Find Flash-based Media

Online Tool -- Shopping service PriceAmbush tracks product prices and emails you about significant drops. Search for a product on PriceAmbush--like a Wii, or an iPod--and click the "Add Alert" button to enter your email address and target price. (Note for Gmail users: When using a service like this, it’s a good idea to set up a dummy account. For example, instead of using joepcarter(at)gmail.com I'd use joepcarter+priceambush(at)gmail.com (you can add anything after the plus sign and it will still come to your primary Gmail account).) (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.