Tip of the day

Post here with clever little tech related tips you have:

Need to cut up a credit card but don't have any scissors handy?

No problem! Just firmly fold in half, then reverse the fold pressing the crease down. Then repeat over and over again. Eventually it'll snap in half!

Don't lend anything to Rory. He'll sit on it.

Dont buy anything with a proprietary .

Headphones. USB cable. They all suck

Windows:

Here's a quick way to load up the task manager: Ctrl-Shift-Esc.

Sometimes when you hit Ctrl-Alt-Del while your CPU is maxed out, it can take a long time to call the task manager. The above key combination gets attention quicker, for some inane Windows reason.

Furthermore, if windows sucks, just download Linux and install it.

Many thanks for that tip, I can see that coming in handy on my overloaded work PC.

Great, Nick :-)

Today's tip is for Firefox:
If you ever wish you had a search plug-in for the website you're on, you might be able to get one quicker than you think.

Of course, you can try the main repository, roll your own or even hack Firefox's about:config page. Before you run off and do that, read on ...

Some websites have already made a search plug in available from their own site. Click the drop-down list of search engines in Firefox, if there's any available you'll see some entries at the bottom of your list, prefixed with the word "Add". See here

Get addicted to acquiring Xbox Live achievements.

It will make even a rubbish game worth playing.

Flicking between windows: Alt-Tab. Flicking between tabs in Firefox: Ctrl-Tab.

Flicking between applications on the Windows Task bar: Windows-Tab.

Nate made one for CNET.co.uk a while back...

I'm not sure how sites allow Firefox to automatically detect the search plug-in. If I find out, I'll post it on here and maybe the CNET web-boffins could use it for Nate's search engine?

If you want to try protecting your security on the web, I hope you know to look for the "https" in your address bar. This means that the data flowing between you and the server is SSL secured. (and it's a no-brainer that you should never perform a financial transaction without an SSL connection).

What you might not realise is that some sites have an SSL server that isn't presented to you by default. An easy way to find out is to simply edit the address line in your browser by inserting an "s" after the "http". If it works, you'll get a secure connection, if not you'll get an error, but at least you tried.

Want to use an instant messenger, but you're on some computer that doesn't belong to you and you can't install the right client software?

Then head over to Meebo.com. This is multi-protocol IM client that works on a web page in your browser. No need to install any software at all!

Also, from my tip yesterday about forcing a secure http connection, Meebo is one of the sites that offer this. So make sure you use https://www.meebo.com when you go there.

Use a mac but need to use BSD/Linux. Try Kju. It can run windows at near native speeds in OS X intel and even works on G4/G5 PC's, albeit at much slower speeds.

Make your own "Safely Remove Hardware" shortcut (Windows)

Hopefully you know that when you're using things like external drives that you should click the "Remove safely" icon from your system tray, before you unplug them. You do know that don't you?

Well, thanks for the immortal kookyness of Windows, sometimes that icon isn't available in the system tray. So what the heck are you meant to do in that case? Well, you do it yourself!

Create a shortcut, anywhere you like to the following DLL file:

A good place to put the shortcut is either in your QuickLaunch bar or somewhere off of the Start menu.

You can even choose your own icon. Here's the properties screen of mine: Clicky

Need a scanner but you're on the move?
Just use your digital camera, James Bond style! Digital cameras have such a high resolution these days that most documents you snap will be easily readable.

I actually do this all the time now for my document management. It's so much quicker than scanning.

If you're really fussed about not having any lens distortions, you can easily correct and crop in a photo editing package such as Photoshop or GIMP.

Ive been using this site for a while now and it always stands me in good stead.

RecipeMatcher

Me and my girlfriend find it helps keep a track on what we have in the cupboards also as you can build up an list and deduct stuff as you use it in the suggested recipes.

Windows key + 'D' switches between the desktop and whatever windows you have open.

I got this one from Tekzilla over the weekend:

Windows Key + Pause key gives you the System Properties box.

Try to balance out your caffeinated drinks with green tea to detox during the day!

...


Yeah right.

Need to convert a file you don't have the software for? Need to e-mail a large file to a friend with a small inbox?

Try these sites: Zamzar and YouConvertIt.

Both of these sites are able to convert a huge range of documents, images, audio, video and archive (e.g. zip) formats. Plus you can give them the URL of an online flash video and your desired format. They'll convert those too.

To get the converted file you need to supply an e-mail address so that they can e-mail a download link when the conversion is complete. So if the file is for you, use your own, or if you want the file to be sent to someone else, then use their address. YouConvertIt has a specific page for just sending a file to someone without conversion too.

YouConvertIt also has a unit conversion page. So no more need for those manky little diaries you get at christmas.

This is not really a tech tip, but it is a good way to remember large numbers.

Break up things into smaller things. For example, try and memorise this whole number without breaking it up

0800504030

Impossible isn't it.

Now how about this

08 00 50 40 30

See! Now you know the number to QVC. That can be applied to anything.

If you use PDF's a lot but are tired of the load times, and general resource hogging qualities of Adobe Acrobat reader, then try : Foxit Reader. Starts up very quickly, takes little resources and scrolls rich content PDF's as if you're on a super computer.

If you are on the move, chose your mouse very carefully. For example, the apple mighty mouse is a known battery drain. Other models might be less of a drain. You just need to look things up.

Why does the mighty mouse drain battery?

The sheer might of it.

Since we're talking about battery powered mice, my tip of the day is:

A wireless mouse which is charged from the mains is no wireless mouse! Although if you have a battery powered mouse you need one of those cumbersome battery chargers.

There is another way! Batteries which charge directly from a USB port!