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Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 09 Jul 2008, 14:01
by Marquee_Mark
Here's a thread with a list of things that might help people across the board.
I'm also gonna start a suggestions thread for others to add any contributions, point out errors, chat about stuff etc and that way we can keep this thread clutter free.
SO, get those contributions to the thread rolling we'll see how we get on.
I'll have a menu I'll keep updating on this page so that you can skip to the correct page to find the post you want.
(In flashing neon lights)
POST ALL SUGGESTIONS ON THE CHAT THREAD PLEASE
I'll re-order them all in to something sensible & searchable here
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 09 Jul 2008, 14:08
by Marquee_Mark
MENU
Basic Universal Shortcuts & Tips Page 1
Internet Explorer/Firefox Shortcuts & Tips Page 1
PC Maintenance Page 1
ALT ASCII Chart Page 1
Mac Shortcuts Pending
Office Shortcuts Pending
Photoship Tips Pending
Photoshop Shortcuts Pending
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 09 Jul 2008, 14:30
by Marquee_Mark
BASIC UNIVERSAL SHORTCUTS
These are some basic shortcuts that even regular users can be unfamiliar with. I was unfamiliar with some myself until I looked for a link to help me or read some of the stuff on the chat thread. SO - for those who just about know how to turn a PC on:
PC
F5
Refresh your page
CTRL F5
Reload page & refresh. AKA Super duper refresh
CTRL + N
New
CTRL + O
Open
CTRL + W
Close
CTRL + S
Save
CTRL + F
Find
CTRL + A
Select all
CTRL + X or SHIFT + Delete
Cut selection
CTRL + C or CTRL + Insert
Copy selection
CTRL + V or SHIFT + Insert
Paste
CTRL + Z
Undo
CTRL + Z
Redo
F1
Help (almost always)
Home
Go to beginning of current line
End
Goes to end of current line
CTRL + Home
Go to beginning of document
CTRL + End
Goes to end of document
SHIFT + Home
Highlight to start of line
SHIFT + End
Highlight to end of line
CTRL + Left Arrow
Moves one word to the left at a time
CTRL + Right Arrow
Moves one word to the right at a time.
CTRL SHIFT + Left Arrow
Highlight to start of last word
CTRL SHIFT + Right Arrow
Highlight to end of next word
CTRL SHIFT + Up Arrow
Highlight to start of paragraph
CTRL SHIFT + Down Arrow
Highlight to end of paragraph
CTRL + Print Screen
Complete screen capture
ALT + Print Screen
Screen Captre of your current window/tab
CTRL + Backspace
Delete one word back
CTRL + Delete
Delete one word forward
For Vista:
Holding down the SHIFT key when putting in a CD/DVD will stop autoplay from popping up
Windows Key + 1
Launches the first program on your Quick Launch toolbar
Windows Key + 2
Launches the second program on your Quick Launch
Shift + F10
Displays the shortcut menu for the selected item
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 10 Jul 2008, 12:11
by Marquee_Mark
INTERNET EXPLORER/FIREFOX SHORTCUTS
Shift + F10
Displays the shortcut menu for the selected item
General Shortcuts
F11
Turn Full Screen Mode on or off
TAB
Cycle through the Address Bar, Refresh button, Search Box, and items on a web page
CTRL + F
Find
CTRL + N
Open the current webpage in a new window
CTRL + P
Print the page
CTRL + A
Select All
CTRL + or CTRL + Scroll Forward
Zoom in
CTRL - or CTRL + Scroll Backward
Zoom out
CTRL + 0
Zoom to 100%
• You can set the exact zoom by using the Change Zoom Level options drop down arrow bottom right of the screen
Navigation Shortcuts
ALT + HOME
Home page
ALT + LEFT
Go back
ALT + RIGHT
Go forward
F5
Refresh page
CTRL + F5
Refresh page & cache
ESC
Cancel downloading page
Favourites Shortcuts
CTRL + I
Open Favorites
CTRL + B
Organize Favourites
CTRL + D
Add to Favorites
CTRL + J
Open Feeds
CTRL + H
Open History
Tab Shortcuts
CTRL + T
Open new tab
CTRL + left click
Open link in new tab
CTRL+W
Close tab/window
CTRL + Q
View open tabs - button view
CTRL + SHIFT + Q
View open tabs - list view
CTRL + TAB
View next tab
CTRL + SHIFT + TAB
View previous tab
Address Bar Shortcuts
ALT + D
View address bar
CTRL + ENTER
Add "
http://www." and ".com" to your highlighted text
ALT + ENTER
Open typed address in new tab
F4
View previously typed addresses
Search Bar Shortcuts
CTRL + E
Select the Search Bar
CTRL + DOWN
View list of search providers
ALT + ENTER
Open search results in new tab
Thanks to Sorbiegunner for this link on further shortcuts - well worth checking out:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/keyboard.aspx
FIREFOX TIP BY ROMYN
Instructions to Speed Up FireFox:
1.Type about:config into the address bar and hit return.
2. Alter the following entries:
- Set
network.http.pipelining to
true
- Set
network.http.proxy.pipelining to
true
- Set
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to some number like
30.
This means it will make 30 requests at once. Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.
3. Lastly right-click anywhere and select
New > Integer. Name it
nglayout.initialpaint.delay and set its value to
0
(This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives)
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 18 Jul 2008, 10:06
by Marquee_Mark
PC MAINTENANCE
Basics
Set a password for your account
Amazing how many people don't do this, but have a password on your Windows account. Even if it's a rubbish one - altho a couple of numbers & a symbol is recommended.
Keep your computer on
The continual warming & cooling of turning on/off shortens the life of some parts & can corrupt others. Maybe not so significantly in some cases that you'd notice - but it does.
Worried about the cost? Make sure you have your monitor set to hibernate mode so it turns itself off. It's the monitor that costs money, your PC being left on is like having a light left on all the time.
Also, you can then have any scans set to run as you sleep so it doesn't affect your day to day running.
Clear Your Cache
I do this about once a week.
Tools > Internet Options > Delete Temporary Internet Files
These are files stored in your cache from visited web pages. Flash movies, images, etc. If you let the folder get too big it slows your PC down.
Running Processes
CTRL ALT Delete > Task Manager > Processes
This tells you what's running on your PC. You can do a Google on each process to find out what they do - and if it's a virus/spyware, you'll soon find out! Make sure you confirm that by visiting a few results tho, don't just take the word of the first couple you see.
Start Up Processes
When you install a piece of software, it often offers you the chance to start the program when you boot. Be strict on this - ask yourself if you
need this program to start or whether starting it manually makes more sense.
The more progs you have starting up on a boot, the more processing power is used & the slower your PC gets.
You can alter the settings in the program to turn 'Start On Boot' off, you can visit
Start > All Programs > Start Up, you can visit your registry Run keys or you can do a 'HijackThis scan (see below).
Keeping Clean
You can speak to 10 different people & get 10 different answers to this. None of them are likely to be wrong - some will just be better. My choices could be improved if I wanted to
really go for it, but I like what I use & it does me fine. SO I'll just list my set up rather than debate what's better or not:
Windows Firewall
Unintrusive & does its job.
If I couldn't use Windows Firewall I'd use Zone Alarm (
XP Download Vista Download)
AVG Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware
You'll see less complaints about this than any other anti-virus, altho Avast also causes minimal grief.
AVG 8.0 has anti-spyware encompassed in it so it doubles up on its jobs.
I have it set up to download updates & run a scan as I sleep, so I'm protected daily.
Download
HijackThis
This software displays your running & start up processes. It's particularly useful for those trying to help someone remotely with a computer problem as if they are sent a scan, they can normally identify the problem from it's findings.
The scan can also help someone wishing to delete start up processes on their own PC without entering the registry.
If you are asked to send someone a HijackThis scan, do the following:
Download HijackThis
here and save it somewhere
Create a folder called "HJT" on your Desktop or wherever you feel comfortable and when you install HijackThis select that folder when prompted.
After that install go to the HJT folder and dble click the
HijackThis file to run it
Click
Do A System Scan and Save a Logfile
This will then produce a scan & also a notepad logfile.
Now, either attach the logfile to an email - or copy the contents into a forum post/PM.
Your scan will then be analysed & you will be told to put checks against certain results then click
Fix Checked
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Aug 2008, 07:28
by Marquee_Mark
ALT ASCII Chart
Using the number pad (not your regular keys) if you hold down the ALT key and enter the codes below, you'll get the corresponding symbols. There are other short cuts as mentioned (CTRL + ALT + 4 = €), but generally you'll find that these are the codes you'll use:
ASCII1.gif
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Aug 2008, 07:34
by Marquee_Mark
MAC SHORTCUTS
Thanks to Christionion for taking the time to tell us that...
Force quit alt cmd esc
Restart/sleep/shutdown dialog box ctrl eject
Quit all applications and restart ctrl cmd eject
Log out Shift cmd Q
Move to trash cmd delete
Empty trash Shift cmd delete
Toggle between applications cmd tab
Move between files in same application cmd ~
Create alias cmd L
Copy to new location alt drag
Create alias in new location alt cmd drag
Connect to server: cmd K
Change filename return when a file is selected
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Aug 2008, 07:34
by Marquee_Mark
MICROSOFT OFFICE SHORTCUTS
Reserved
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Aug 2008, 07:35
by Marquee_Mark
PHOTOSHOP TIPS
Overview
Just some basics that those using Photoshop for the first time may find useful.
File Types
The first thing anyone needs to get their head around in Photoshop is the difference between a .psd & the output files.
When you save a document in PS it will be a Photoshop document (.psd). If you then try to the web somewhere, you'll get a red X - because it's the wrong type of outputs. In Photoshop if you click File > Save for Web you will get a pop up box which will allow you to save your file in a different format which will be suitable for the web, .gif .jpg .png and so on. I will refer to these as
Web Images - and if you would like more information on what is best for you, read these tutorials on
Understanding Image Formats and
The Save for Web Feature.
So, there are 2 types of save - regular Save (.psd) and Save for Web (.gif, .jpg, .png).
If you feel that in the future you will need to edit your picture, it is worth saving the .psd so that you can edit it. Otherwise, there is no need to save the .psd and when prompted to save you can say No.
Working On Saved Files
If you open a saved .psd in Photoshop it is ready to work on. You can make changes straight away.
If you attempt to work on a saved web image and open it in Photoshop, DO NOT attempt to work on it or resize it straight away. You will find that by resizing the pixels will blur, and working on it in this state is detrimental to your output. Most tools will be locked anyway.
What you need to do is copy the image and paste it into a .psd and then you will be ok to continue. For arguments sake try working on it/resizing the image without doing that and you'll see what I mean.
More to follow in due course...
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Aug 2008, 07:35
by Marquee_Mark
PHOTOSHOP SHORTCUTS
Reserved
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 06 Dec 2008, 17:13
by Wayward Lad
should have put this in here ....
an interesting snippet for broadband - if your connection isnt fantastic...take the broadband BT faceplate off (at the main socket)....plug your router into the engineer test socket (you will see this once you remove the faceplate....run some speed tests on your broadband connected in this way..
If they are significantly faster - all you need to do is remove the orange or orange and white wire (from position 3) from the faceplate and hey presto...significantly faster broadband..
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Dec 2008, 01:19
by Stick
Marquee_Mark wrote:
Quit all applications and restart ctrl cmd eject
where is eject?
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Dec 2008, 02:13
by Marquee_Mark
Stick wrote:Marquee_Mark wrote:
Quit all applications and restart ctrl cmd eject
where is eject?
I've just pasted that in from a christonion's post Stick. Don't ask me, I only do PCs
Haven't got a clue what keys you boys have on them nasty things
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Dec 2008, 02:17
by Stick
ah that would explain it then! I only use pc's as well so it must be Macs that have eject, i prob wasnt reading things properly! maybe time for bed!
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Dec 2008, 02:25
by DixieDean
Mac keyboards have an eject button because unlike most PCs there is no eject button on the box itself. I think it's F12 on a PC?
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 12 Dec 2008, 19:15
by Finsimbo
Marquee_Mark wrote:PC MAINTENANCE
Basics
Keep your computer on
The continual warming & cooling of turning on/off shortens the life of some parts & can corrupt others. Maybe not so significantly in some cases that you'd notice - but it does.
Worried about the cost? Make sure you have your monitor set to hibernate mode so it turns itself off. It's the monitor that costs money, your PC being left on is like having a light left on all the time. I shut genrally leave mine on for a few days then shut it down over night
Not entirely convinced that this is the case for laptops. We all use laptops in our dept and they are mostly kept on all the time and your looking at a lifetime of 2 yrs max.
Me I normally I leave mine off over night few times a week
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 12 Dec 2008, 19:24
by Marquee_Mark
Yeah laptops are a different ball game. They feast on the blood of virgins and are in direct contact with the devil. No need to leave your laptop on all the time.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 11 Jan 2009, 22:04
by Wayward Lad
Dunno if you mentioned it MM but also keep the Desktop clear - storing folders, pics, files etc. on the Desktop can slow things down a great deal..
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 11 Jan 2009, 22:57
by Marquee_Mark
No, not been mentioned yet Ian - but yeah, true. You'll generally find the more people know bout puters, the cleaner their desktop
It's like a sliding scale! But definitely good advice and something I always nag people about.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Jan 2009, 17:58
by totempaul
Think I may have dropped my keyboard last night while slighty worse for wear. Either that or I need to go to the opticians. How do I restore the size of text back to normal.
Thanks
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 25 Jan 2009, 23:48
by Pincher
Probably right-click on the desktop, change settings, and change the resolution - you need a higher resolution to make the writing smaller. Sorry, got Vista in Spanish, so don't know the exact terms, but pretty sure it is the resolution setting.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 26 Jan 2009, 04:16
by bloggie
Or if in firefox view>zoom>zoom in.If in ie either view>zoom>zoom in alternatively view>text size>medium or larger.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 26 Jan 2009, 07:21
by spoogehead
deleted
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Feb 2009, 21:15
by eagle224
Photoshop shortcuts pending....
Just how much spare time do you have Marquee_Mark?
Tip: In the keyboard shortcuts and menus dialog box (CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+K or CMD+OPTION+SHIFT+K) there is a button called "Summarize". Click this and choose a location for the list of current shortcuts, including any you have customised, to be saved in HTML format. Open this file with a browser and print it, but be warned, in Photoshop CS2 it is at least three columns wide by four pages long when printed at a very small (just about readable) size.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Feb 2009, 21:25
by eagle224
Here are three PC (Windows) shortcuts I use regularly that I believe have been available since Windows 2000 or earlier.
Windows Key + Pause/Break - Opens up System Properties dialog
Windows Key + E - Opens up File Explorer
Windows Key + D - Show desktop (minimise all open windows)
Excellent thread! Learned something new today with shortcut to Euro symbol.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 07 Feb 2009, 22:02
by forestfan
eagle224 wrote:Photoshop shortcuts pending....
Just how much spare time do you have Marquee_Mark?
Probably not so much these days. I doubt he will be updating this for a while anyway
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 26 Jul 2009, 23:22
by Oatfedgoat
Here's one for you.
Windows Key + M = Minimise all programs to desktop (not sure if there is any difference to Win + D)
Windows Key + Shift + M = Restore all programs to how they were previously displayed. (Great for dual monitors or carefully positioned multiple spreadsheets etc.
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC = Task manager processes tab
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 18 Dec 2009, 18:08
by fil16
Marquee_Mark wrote:PC MAINTENANCE
Start Up Processes
When you install a piece of software, it often offers you the chance to start the program when you boot. Be strict on this - ask yourself if you need this program to start or whether starting it manually makes more sense.
The more progs you have starting up on a boot, the more processing power is used & the slower your PC gets.
You can alter the settings in the program to turn 'Start On Boot' off, you can visit Start > All Programs > Start Up, you can visit your registry Run keys or you can do a 'HijackThis scan (see below).
You can run msconfig by clicking Start -> typing msconfig in the "search programs and files"
Under the start up tab you'll find a load of programs and processes, many of which never asked you if you wanted them to run at start up and will be slowing down the booting of windows.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 03 Sep 2010, 17:06
by cincirollers
My two favorite Vista enhancements are:
the addition of the "Snipping Tool" - an included app for capturing screen images, and
"Pin to Start Menu" - a "right click" option to allow you to always see a program in your Start Menu (where you can pin your Snipping Tool (and for me, notebook).
Regarding shortcut keys, my most commonly used one (behind Cntl-C) is:
Alt-E and then "S" (for Paste Special) and then "V" (for values). If you are copying web data into Excel, this short cut will allow you to copy & paste it without all the formatting (or the use of a mouse) back into another area in your workbook.
Re: Computer Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks
Posted: 04 Sep 2011, 20:38
by Trampas
Don't be logged into your machine as an admin unless required