Tricks To Turn You Into A Computer Jedi
Even if you use a computer every day, there are some hidden functions that the books don't tell you. Karan Bajaj digs deep to present some lesser known tips and tricks that will help you do much more with your computer without the need of installing any extra programs
TIPS FOR WINDOWS
Enhanced Calculator By default, Windows 7 and Windows 8 shows you the basic version of the Calculator app. Click on View from the menu bar to access the enhanced version that can do unit conversions, data calculations and even worksheets for calculating vehicle leases and mileage.
Check System Reliability
In case your computer is acting up, a good place to start is the Reliability Monitor. In Control Panel > System and Security > Action Center, you can view the reliability history of your system it shows a graph with programs and services causing issues. Problem Steps Recorder Search for `Problem Steps Recorder' to access this tool. Instead of explaining a computer problem to a customer care person or friend, use this tool to record every action you perform on the desktop as screenshots with captions. The person on other end can then see the recording, making it easy to identify the issue.
The Secret `Send to' Menu
By default, when you right click on a file and go to the `Send To' menu, there are limited options. However, press and hold the shift key before you right click on a file this shows additional items in the Send To dialogue box including all the special folders (My Music, My Videos etc.)
Quick Access Menu
Windows 8 users can open a quick access menu to access system management services like Disk Management, Device Manager and Control Panel by taking the mouse pointer to left bottom corner in any screen and doing a right click.
Easily Select Multiple Files
Most of us know that you can press and hold the control key down to select certain files from a folder. However, there is simpler way open Folder Options > View and in the advanced settings enable `Use check boxes to select items'. Each file will now have a check box that you can click to select the file some may find it a lot easier than the Control button method
Limit Bandwidth Usage of Live Tiles
If you have multiple Live Tiles in Windows 8, chances are that they are eating up some bandwidth with constant updates. You can right click on your network connection name on the charms bar and select the `Set as metered connec tion' option. This will restrict the amount of data live tiles use great if you are on slow connection or one with limited data usage.
Use Compatibility Mode
There are a number of useful programs that may not work very well on Windows 7 or 8 (one of the main reasons is that development may have stopped). For such programs, open their properties, select the compatibility tab and from there you can set the program to run in Windows 98, XP or Vista mode so that it runs without any issues.
Opening A Program Multiple Times
If you are running a program and want to open another instance of it, hold the shift key and click on the icon in the taskbar. This will launch the app again quickly much easier than searching for the app shortcut on the desktop or the Start Menu and clicking that.
Take Selective Screenshots
For Windows users, the Print Screen button is the common way to take a screenshot. However, Microsoft has provided an easier way called the Snipping Tool. Search for SnippingTool to launch it, click on New Snip select the area of choice and it will take a screenshot of that area. The screenshot will open in a new window with tools like highlighter and pen for annotation. You can then save the screenshot directly on your computer.
TIPS FOR MAC
Eject a stuck CDDVD
If a CDDVD gets stuck in your MAC's internal drive, it will not eject by pressing the standard eject button on the keyboard. Instead restart your Mac, tap and hold the trackpad button or the connected mouse this will force eject the CDDVD.
Annotate PDFs
The Preview app on MAC does a great job when it comes to viewing images and PDF.However, you can also annotate PDF documents just enable the edit bar (the pencil mark right next to the search bar) to view options for selecting, highlighting and writing in a PDF.
Digital Signatures
You can add digital signatures to a PDF document using Preview. Open preferences and follow the instructions in the signature tab to create a signature. Once you have saved the signature, you can insert it in any PDF document from the edit menu.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
Head to Preferences > Keyboard > Application Shortcuts and click on the `+' button. In the pop-up box, you can select the app and the menu command to execute.Now, select a custom keyboard combination for the specific shortcut and save it.
Quickly type common used phrases
In the Language & Region section of Sys tem Preferences, click on Keyboard Preferences. in the box that opens up, select the Text to view the list of commonly used shortcuts for phrases. Click on the + icons to create you own quick type shortcuts. For e.g. Typing `psdm' can be set as shortcut for writing ` Please send details over mail'.
Quick Definitions
Take your mouse pointer over any word (on a website, in a document or in any app) and press Ctrl + Command + D. This opens up a pop-up box with the Dictionary definition of that word very helpful for quick references.
Do more with App Switcher
Much like windows, MAC also lets you switch form one running app to another by pressing Command + Tab. However, instead of just switching to any app, you can close an app by selecting it and pressing `Q' or minimise it by pressing `H'.
Hidden Menu Options
With built-in apps, you can access an alternative hidden file menu with additional functions by pressing the `option' key. In any app open the file menu from the menu bar and press the option key you will see standard options change for e.g.instead of `Save' you can see a `Save as' function when you press the option key.
Screen Recording
The pre-loaded QuickTime player in MAC OSX has a built-in screen recorder with an option to record the entire screen or just a selected area. Launch QuickTime player and in the File menu select the New screen recording option it's great for tutorials or for identifying problems.
Take screenshots
There is no need to install a third-party app to take screenshots in OS X as its a built-in feature. Press and hold `Command + Shift + 3' to take a screenshot of everything visible on your desktop. Alternatively, you can press `Command + Shift + 4“ and then select a particular area to take a screenshot.
ET3jun15
Even if you use a computer every day, there are some hidden functions that the books don't tell you. Karan Bajaj digs deep to present some lesser known tips and tricks that will help you do much more with your computer without the need of installing any extra programs
TIPS FOR WINDOWS
Enhanced Calculator By default, Windows 7 and Windows 8 shows you the basic version of the Calculator app. Click on View from the menu bar to access the enhanced version that can do unit conversions, data calculations and even worksheets for calculating vehicle leases and mileage.
Check System Reliability
In case your computer is acting up, a good place to start is the Reliability Monitor. In Control Panel > System and Security > Action Center, you can view the reliability history of your system it shows a graph with programs and services causing issues. Problem Steps Recorder Search for `Problem Steps Recorder' to access this tool. Instead of explaining a computer problem to a customer care person or friend, use this tool to record every action you perform on the desktop as screenshots with captions. The person on other end can then see the recording, making it easy to identify the issue.
The Secret `Send to' Menu
By default, when you right click on a file and go to the `Send To' menu, there are limited options. However, press and hold the shift key before you right click on a file this shows additional items in the Send To dialogue box including all the special folders (My Music, My Videos etc.)
Quick Access Menu
Windows 8 users can open a quick access menu to access system management services like Disk Management, Device Manager and Control Panel by taking the mouse pointer to left bottom corner in any screen and doing a right click.
Easily Select Multiple Files
Most of us know that you can press and hold the control key down to select certain files from a folder. However, there is simpler way open Folder Options > View and in the advanced settings enable `Use check boxes to select items'. Each file will now have a check box that you can click to select the file some may find it a lot easier than the Control button method
Limit Bandwidth Usage of Live Tiles
If you have multiple Live Tiles in Windows 8, chances are that they are eating up some bandwidth with constant updates. You can right click on your network connection name on the charms bar and select the `Set as metered connec tion' option. This will restrict the amount of data live tiles use great if you are on slow connection or one with limited data usage.
Use Compatibility Mode
There are a number of useful programs that may not work very well on Windows 7 or 8 (one of the main reasons is that development may have stopped). For such programs, open their properties, select the compatibility tab and from there you can set the program to run in Windows 98, XP or Vista mode so that it runs without any issues.
Opening A Program Multiple Times
If you are running a program and want to open another instance of it, hold the shift key and click on the icon in the taskbar. This will launch the app again quickly much easier than searching for the app shortcut on the desktop or the Start Menu and clicking that.
Take Selective Screenshots
For Windows users, the Print Screen button is the common way to take a screenshot. However, Microsoft has provided an easier way called the Snipping Tool. Search for SnippingTool to launch it, click on New Snip select the area of choice and it will take a screenshot of that area. The screenshot will open in a new window with tools like highlighter and pen for annotation. You can then save the screenshot directly on your computer.
TIPS FOR MAC
Eject a stuck CDDVD
If a CDDVD gets stuck in your MAC's internal drive, it will not eject by pressing the standard eject button on the keyboard. Instead restart your Mac, tap and hold the trackpad button or the connected mouse this will force eject the CDDVD.
Annotate PDFs
The Preview app on MAC does a great job when it comes to viewing images and PDF.However, you can also annotate PDF documents just enable the edit bar (the pencil mark right next to the search bar) to view options for selecting, highlighting and writing in a PDF.
Digital Signatures
You can add digital signatures to a PDF document using Preview. Open preferences and follow the instructions in the signature tab to create a signature. Once you have saved the signature, you can insert it in any PDF document from the edit menu.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
Head to Preferences > Keyboard > Application Shortcuts and click on the `+' button. In the pop-up box, you can select the app and the menu command to execute.Now, select a custom keyboard combination for the specific shortcut and save it.
Quickly type common used phrases
In the Language & Region section of Sys tem Preferences, click on Keyboard Preferences. in the box that opens up, select the Text to view the list of commonly used shortcuts for phrases. Click on the + icons to create you own quick type shortcuts. For e.g. Typing `psdm' can be set as shortcut for writing ` Please send details over mail'.
Quick Definitions
Take your mouse pointer over any word (on a website, in a document or in any app) and press Ctrl + Command + D. This opens up a pop-up box with the Dictionary definition of that word very helpful for quick references.
Do more with App Switcher
Much like windows, MAC also lets you switch form one running app to another by pressing Command + Tab. However, instead of just switching to any app, you can close an app by selecting it and pressing `Q' or minimise it by pressing `H'.
Hidden Menu Options
With built-in apps, you can access an alternative hidden file menu with additional functions by pressing the `option' key. In any app open the file menu from the menu bar and press the option key you will see standard options change for e.g.instead of `Save' you can see a `Save as' function when you press the option key.
Screen Recording
The pre-loaded QuickTime player in MAC OSX has a built-in screen recorder with an option to record the entire screen or just a selected area. Launch QuickTime player and in the File menu select the New screen recording option it's great for tutorials or for identifying problems.
Take screenshots
There is no need to install a third-party app to take screenshots in OS X as its a built-in feature. Press and hold `Command + Shift + 3' to take a screenshot of everything visible on your desktop. Alternatively, you can press `Command + Shift + 4“ and then select a particular area to take a screenshot.
ET3jun15
No comments:
Post a Comment