KobyTech

Monday's tip: Microsoft keyboard shortcuts.

2012-02-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

Multi-tasking is faster and easier with keyboard shortcuts to accomplish your tasks. The most commonly used are CTRL+ C to copy and CTRL+V to paste CTRL+Z to undo (erases previous action) ALT+F4 to immediately close out a program. Familiarize yourself with these shortcuts to make your computing session faster and more productive.

Windows system key combinations

F1: Help
CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
ALT+F4: Quit program
SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)
Windows program key combinations
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL+B: Bold
CTRL+U: Underline
CTRL+I: Italic

Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects

SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
ALT+double click: Displays properties
SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

General keyboard-only commands

F1: Starts Windows Help
F10: Activates menu bar options
SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object
CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager
ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
ALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu
ALT+F4: Closes the current window
CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the NotepadFind dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)
Shell objects and general folder/Windows Explorer shortcuts
For a selected object:
F2: Rename object
F3: Find all files
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+V: Paste
SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin
ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object
To copy a file
Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.
To create a shortcut
Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

General folder/shortcut control

F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
F5: Refreshes the current window.
F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
CTRL+Z: Undo the last command
CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folder

Windows Explorer tree control

Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selection
Numeric Keypad +: Expands the current selection
Numeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.
RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first child
LEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent
Properties control
CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs.

Accessibility shortcuts

Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and off
Press down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and off
Press down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off

Data compiled directly from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you found this article helpful please follow my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? please leave a comment and describe your problem. Any ad clicks or donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)

Koby

Internet Security: Antivirus, passwords, and Wi-Fi security.

2012-02-08T22:21:00.000-08:00

Antivirus:

I'm often asked "what's the best antivirus software I can buy" The answer is... never buy anti-virus software. AVG Free IMHO is the best anti-virus software you can install on your computer and it won't cost you any more than the time it takes you to download and install it. This is all I ever use on my PC's and the only one I recommend. Other vendors offer free anti-virus software but I find them too obtrusive and in your face like 'Norton' or ' McAfee'. I've used AVG for well over 10 years and have been virus free ever since. Don't be fooled by the checklist side by side offering 'AVG Internet Security 2012' The only real difference is it includes a firewall. While this is a good thing, most operating systems already have a sufficient firewall and your router or modem usually has it's own firewall as well. If you are concerned about being vulnerable click "proceed" then "All Service Ports" at Shields Up! If you are concerned about malware or spyware try Malwarebytes. However, with AVG protecting you, my bet is the scan will be clean.

Safer passwords:

Lets face it, most of our Internet security problems are self inflicted. Some of us use easy to remember passwords and use the same one for every site we frequently visit. The best passwords you can create are ones that do not contain words or names (pet names for example) but rather passwords with multiple characters and numbers, upper and lower case letters and even some punctuation thrown in for even stronger protection. Example: 'G900!esy#55EXCEaarq31' The longer and more complicated the better. Try for a password with at least 8 characters long and case sensitive letters. Include numbers and punctuation as you are able. (note, some websites prohibit the use of punctuation while others require it) Change your passwords regularly.

Wi-Fi security.

Setting up a Wi-Fi Hotspot in your home is a great way to share media, watch Netflix in every room in your home... and also enjoy a possible tour of D block at your local penitentiary.

Fact: If your Wi-Fi is unsecured and a pedophile parks outside your home and surfs child pornography, it's not traced to the perpetrator it's traced to your home network. If left unsecured you may have a policeman at your front door someday. You are responsible for any illegal activities that occur on your network. If left unsecured you could be held liable. Once a person has access to your network, your files, your passwords, and privacy are compromised. In the hands of the wrong person the possibilities are endless. From ID theft to... well use your imagination. Using WPA or WPA2 are your best options for securing your WiFi from unauthorized access. Never use WEP as any moron with youtube access can crack it in under 5 minutes. Again, change your passwords regularly

Surfing unsecured networks.

Motels, Libraries, Shopping Malls, and other places offer Wi-Fi for your convenience. The problem with these unsecured networks is if you login to a service (Facebook as example) your password and username can be observed and recorded by anyone with the malicious intent to do so. Some locations like motels offer a secured connection for a low daily price. Another option is to create a virtual private network. There is various software available to accomplish this such as Hotspot Shield Although I have no direct experience doing so, as I never have had the need.

Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you enjoyed this article please follow my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? please leave a comment and describe your problem. Any ad clicks or donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)

Koby

2012-01-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Before I fire up my blog, I wanted to share with everyone a common 'superfood' that has helped me immensely. Spirulina, and Chlorella. Rather than spell it all out here, my countless hours of research can be summed up here: http://www.chlorellafactor.com/ The writer is spot on with my research and pinpoints the benefits of adding this blu-green algae to your diet. This has changed my life and I notice particularly a difference in mental clarity. Adding Matcha seems to act like a catalyst firing up your metabolism (be careful it will really rev you up!) Results will likely vary from person to person. I'll let the article speak for itself. Enjoy,

Koby

2009-09-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Halfway Sunset

2009-07-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

3 frame pano. Taken from Halway, Oregon

2009-06-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

May was a killer month for thunderstorms! This is my favorite photo out of the many I was able to get this spring. This storm was intense! As I was shooting the battery in my Cannon G9 Died. This was the last shot I was able to get as the storm drew closer. And when it was right on top of us it packed a good wallop! Marble+ sized hail and sideways rain with heavy gusty wind. ...it was fun 8-)

4 frame panoramic. Taken Monday, May 18th

2009-05-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

A close call...

2009-05-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

Good thing it started to rain so hard. I folded up my tripod and switched over to video and shot this through the windshield. As you can see in frame 2 a small purple fork found it's way to the hood of my Jeep.

First Post

2009-04-29T19:07:00.001-07:00

Hello World! seems fitting. OK so this is my first blog... now what?

I thought I would start this blog to share my photography. I'm just an amateur but I get some nice shots on occasion. This was taken on June 10th 2008.