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Neat computer tricks

Discussion in 'Entertainment and Technology' started by Jeimuzu, May 9, 2008.

  1. Jeimuzu

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    Don't know how many of you know, but I'm flying to NY to be a counselor for a camp over there. I'm a specialist, doing computers. I'm wanting some neat tricks to peak their interest. I know a few, of course, but a few more will always be welcome.

    For example, one of mine is; hold Alt-Gr and tap left.
     
  2. TyraBanksIsFierce

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  3. Tim

    Tim
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    My thoughts exactly o.o
     
  4. Jeimuzu

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    On the left side of most modern keyboards here, there's an alt button. On the right side, there's alt-gr.
     
  5. joeyconnick

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    Not on US English keyboards, there isn't. We just have two Alt keys.
     
  6. Jeimuzu

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    Well, try the alt keys. :slight_smile: I wonder if it's only in Britain, then...
     
  7. joeyconnick

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    What is it supposed to do? I assume you mean on Windows, right?

    By "tap left" you mean "hit the left-hand mouse button?"

    Anyway, doesn't do anything for me.
     
  8. Jeimuzu

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    The left cursor key.
     
  9. otc877

    otc877 Guest

    Windows + D = desktop

    Firefox:
    Ctrl + t = new tab
    Middle mouse button (wheel button) on top of tab closes it
    on the address bar: type in emptyclosets and hit ctrl + Enter (return) and it will automatically add the http://www.*.com/ for you. Alt and shift enter will add a different ending (.org and .net) forgot which does which.

    Shift clicking a link will open in new window.
    Ctrl clicking a link will open in a new tab

    Backspace button = back button on browser (as long as it's not in a text field)


    That's all that's coming to mind right now.
     
  10. Miaplacidus

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    Windows + L = lock computer / fast user switching (depending on your configuration)
    Windows + R = run command
    double-click Control icon = close window (like Windows 3.1)
    Shift + Delete = delete file bypassing the recycle bin (Works on Linux too, use with care)
     
  11. Nitro

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    Open a Bash shell and type the following:

    It is an easter egg that shows an ASCII version of Star Wars Episode IV.
     
  12. Bryan90

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    Hey! That's such a cool trick! Anyone knows the shortcut for "home" on Modzilla or Internet Explorer?
     
  13. Tim

    Tim
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    Not a very unknown trick, but you can open a link into a new tab by clicking the middle mouse wheel on it =P
     
  14. Nerdtendo

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    Focus on the 'G' and 'H' keys with your eyes, and then cross your eyes. then, lift up the keyboard.

    After you've done it, this should have happened:

    http://xkcd.com/237/
     
  15. SlickyPants

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    Some people have too much time on their hands :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: That ones been around a lone time now but still good to see.

    One thing I use frequently is the "Run..." button under the Start Menu. You can type in any executable name located in the ..\Windows directory or any other directories that you have listed in the PATH environmental variable. For example, to launch the calculator I type "calc" into the run window and it launches the calculator. "mspaint" launches Paint. "charmap" launches the Character Map program. "wmplayer" launches Windows Media Player ("mplayer2" launches the old Windows Media Player). I have my Oblivion directory listed in the value for the PATH environmental variable so all I have to do to launch the game is type Oblivion into the run window.

    This may not be practical for everyone but for anyone who's seen my desktop or Start-->Programs, it is so much faster than trying to navigate the endless icons.
     
  16. Kenko

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    In addition to all the shortcuts already mentioned...
    You can actually copy the contents of most popups to clipboard by pressing CTRL+C. The computer may beep disapprovingly, but it actually copied. EG: from a "do you want to save" box in notepad:

    ---------------------------
    Notepad
    ---------------------------
    The text in the Untitled file has changed.

    Do you want to save the changes?
    ---------------------------
    Yes No Cancel
    ---------------------------


    Very handy if you want to copy an error box.

    To open a windows explorer box: Win+E
    Open the find box directly: Win+F

    In vista to load quick launch programs Win+1 will open the first, Win+2 the second, etc.

    To quickly open up "system properties" Win+pause
    Fred mentioned Win+L already, but another one is to directly open up task manager: Ctrl+shift+esc. This is especially handy at workplaces where CTRL+ALT+DEL gives you a "what do you want to do?" box.

    Most people know that printscreen will capture the entire screen and put it to the clipboard, ALT+print screen will capture the active window only. Saves cropping.

    In many Intel video cards, CTRL+ALT+arrows will change the rotation of the screen. People accidentally do this instead of pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL so it's handy to know how to fix it.

    To properly close explorer in XP: start->shutdown->hold CTRL+ALT+SHIFT while clicking cancel
    In Vista: In Windows Vista, open the Start Menu, hold Ctrl and Shift pressed down and right click on the empty surface in the menu. A contextual menu will be displayed containing two options: Properties and Exit Explorer.

    If explorer doesn't restart open back up, use task manager to close all other explorer tasks and use the task manager "run" box to load "explorer"

    The magic fix for "I'm locked out of my account": Windows includes an hidden account called "Administrator" that 99% of the time people don't set a password. If you have a text login screen just type "administrator". If you have a welcome screen, boot into safe mode and it will appear, or if no other users are logged in, press CTRL+ALT+DEL twice on the welcome screen and you'll get a text login box that you can use. From there you can reset forgotten passwords.

    nlite is very handy to make XP CDs for unattended installation, with service packs already built in, and slipstreaming in SATA drivers for newer computers: http://www.nliteos.com

    UBCD4Win is essentially a bootable CD that will load a limited version of Windows XP to allow you to run diagnostic / repair tools. It requires that you supply an XP installation disc, but it's invaluable in trying to repair computers, fix locked out users, etc. http://www.ubcd4win.com/

    Reiterating SlickyPants's love for the run menu (Win+R) other things to type: "mstsc" for remote desktop client, "MSConfig" for msconfig, "winword" (Word), "excel" (Excel), "compmgmt.msc" to bring up computer management, handy for disk management to partition drives, or relocate drive letters if they clash with network drives. "services.msc" to bring up the services control panel, "regedit" to bring up Regedit, "cmd" to bring up command prompt. Use extreme caution before mucking around with some of these system tools.

    I use launchy instead of a start menu because it allows quick searching of the start menu: http://www.launchy.net/

    If a computer runs a Norton / Symantec product the quickest way to double the speed of the computer, and improve stability is to remove it.

    Myzou: I didn't know the middle mouse click/ open new tab till a couple weeks ago. Use it all the time. CTRL+left click will work if you don't have access to a middle mouse button

    CTRL+SHIFT+DEL will bring up the clear history menu for firefox
    Home page: ALT+HOME
    Here's a bunch of firefox shortcuts: http://www.mouserunner.com/FF_Shortcuts1Printable.html
     
  17. zumbo

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    To Nitro: The ascii version is cool.
    To Jeimuzu: Ctrl+Esc brings up the Start menu.
     
    #17 zumbo, May 10, 2008
    Last edited: May 10, 2008
  18. redesigner

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    install a fancy screensaver. People love them.
     
  19. Kenko

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  20. Nitro

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    I don't know the extent of this one but ...

    On EC immediately attempts to post whatever you have written in the quick reply as a response.

    Details: only checked on EC; using Safari 3.1.1