Topic awaiting preservation: Handy tips for the clueless (Page 1 of 1)

From this thread:

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Anyone got a basic trick for first time computer users (I could probably bung them in the FAQ as people do find them useful and they tend to be so basic they drop off the radar).

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This seemed like it would deserve its own thread. So, let's toss some in, and no suggestion is too obvious! We're assuming Windows unless you state otherwise -- it is the OS of the clueless, after all (although one might argue that Macs are far more clueless-friendly). Here's mine:

The last time I got a "whoa, how did you do that" from an experienced computer user was when I hit "alt-spacebar, n" to bring up the window's options menu and minimize it.

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips

[This message has been edited by Perfect Thunder (edited 10-22-2003).]

but the clueless are clueless for a reason: they don't read big info-packed FAQs

winkey+e = Windows Explorer (need a whole other FAQ for the clueless on that subject)
winkey+f = Windows Find/Serach utility
winkey+d = minimize all/view desktop

you could go on forever now couldn't you?

Jason

Well yes we could list shortcut keys until they cows they come home (I think there is an FAQ for that) but stuff like:

Use tab

The tab button will cycle you through active elements of the web page - usually this is used for filling in forms but it will work for things like links on a page as well.

Webmaster tip: You have a lot of control over the tab with attributes like tabindex so use them to increase accessibility.

Use the address bar

You can enter address directly into the address bar and go to them by hitting return (or go).

A URL is broken down into these parts:

Domain: www.domain.com - this is the base

Folders/directories: /something/or/other/ - these are usual folders (like in My Computer) and by removing the folders from right to left you can drill down into site's contents e.g. /abba/pictures/ may be the folder for someone's Abba pictures and the quick way to see what other Abba-related goodies is to remove the 'pictures/' but from the address.

The file: file.htm or file.jpg - this tells you what the current file name is. Remember HTML pages can have the extension .htm and .html - something which catches many people out.

Playing around with the URL shouldn't break someone's site so don't be too worried about error pages being generated - they are just to let you know if a page can't be found or you aren't allowed to access a page.

Webmaster tip: Make your directory structure logical and clear and put index pages in all the directories.

___________________
Emps

The Emperor dot org

This applies to web pages, for sure, but also applies to many other applications.
If there is a form to be filled, simply typing the enter or return key will generally function as 'submit' for the form. There is no need to move the mouse, or even tab to highlight the submit button.

The best shortcut I know for WinXP is:
Ctrl-Escape U U

I thought there was already a thread on this, but I can't find it...

btw, try ALT+F4 for quick access to the desktop...


Code - CGI - links - DHTML - Javascript - Perl - programming - Magic - http://www.twistedport.com
ICQ: 67751342

OK I thought there was a shortcuts FAQ but there is one on PS shortcuts:

:FAQ: What are the PS keyboard shortcuts?

viol: And what does that do?

___________________
Emps

The Emperor dot org

I infer that the purpose of this thread is not to create another list of shortcuts for experienced users, but to create some explanations of how things work for inexperienced users.

...In answer to some of the difficult assisting positions experienced users get themselves into...

I think JKMabry said it:

quote:

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but the clueless are clueless for a reason: they don't read big info-packed FAQs

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They don't want to read something and find out the answer, they want someone just to tell them the answer...
If the general public read FAQ's, computer techs wouldn't get paid the way they do!


Cell 617

Try to organise your Start Menu by sorting out

C:\Documents and Settings\[insert user name here]\Start Menu\Programs

W2k / XP only.

It'll make life a lot easier

Viol - Oh great !! thanks... my curiosity got the better of me (

Emps - Switches the computer off without prompts

winkey + U + U does the same thing... use it all the time.

-Butcher-

In MSPaint (yes i use it sometimes) you can use + and - to change brush size!

yeah, i got impressed by that some months ago, even after being using corel photpaint for 3+ years and being slightly hardcore (okay, not so, but i think i know lots of the stuff doable in it) :P

i dont quite remember some of the other stuff that has impressed me, so here are some hotkey shortcuts

I usually browse on the web by mrely the keyboard, as my mouse has anotyher priorities.
alt+home -> take a guess
f5 - reload
ctrl + f5 - reloads everything in the page, overwriting cache. good at times if you dont feel like going and delte all your internet temp files.

ctrl+tab - switches between documents/etc thru a mdi program
ctrl+shift+tab - the samebu backwards



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Alevice's Media Library

I works in a small net cafe, everynight I gotta run around Start->U->S->Enter X12, its far more annoying in the mornings(pcs are in wee cupboards under desks).

#1 CTRL+SHIFT+ESC w2k (xp maybe) - Opens Processes list, like alt,ctrl+delete, but doesnt pause any programs and doesnt stall.

#2 Keeping shortcuts with small names in the windows directory can be handy. I.E you make a link to winamp called wa.lnk, just hit: Start,R,"wa",Enter. It can hide clutter in desktops and if you get used to it , its faster. you gotta remember your links tho. You could put a directory with a links in it under the PATH environment variables to do the same thing.

#3 "In MSPaint (yes i use it sometimes) you can use + and - to change brush size!"
In photoshop use [ and ], shift + [ / ] sets the hardness.

#4 "alt+home -> take a guess" <- Must be ALT on the left side, ALT GR doesn't cut it.

#5 CTRL+TAB cycles between menu tabs, ya know the ones.

#6 to see some menu tabs press Start+Pause (its a surprise)

#7 In Interent Explorer ALT+D selects the address bar <- UBER handy.
^^ also works in open folders etc.. about the place in win98+

Anyone know the best way to get to the display properties, I set my gamma VERY often. clicking on the desktop and then pressing the *other start button(beside CTRL on right side) + r gets to it.

Whats the name of that button ? the one that mimics a right click. And can anyone tell me about a good use it has ?

#8 CTRL+P then Enter straight after is cool, do it about forty times when viewing a long webpage, makes your internet go at least 100 times faster, if not 367 times faster.
(may have adverse effects on printer.)

i use backspace a lot to go back a page in IE

Two very basic tips to solve Mac wackiness...(it does happen
sometimes)

I use these functions on a regular basis, especially rebuilding the
desktop, using TechTool Pro...which deletes the old Desktop
files and creates new ones on reboot. Thus starting with fresh
uncorrupted DB and DF. Some settings will have to be re-entered in
control panels, mouse speed etc. Classic user (OS 9.1)...so these may or
maynot apply to Mac OS X?


How do I rebuild the desktop file?

Hold down the Command and Option keys when you start up the computer.
Continue holding until you get a prompt that asks if you want to rebuild
the desktop. Click OK. Another time when you may rebuild the desktop is
when you mount a non-startup volume such as another hard drive or
partition on the current hard drive. This is accomplished the same
way?by holding down the Com-mand and Option keys at mounting.

When should I rebuild the desktop file?

Rebuilding the desktop allows the computer to inventory all the current
files on the computer and determine information important to the Finder.
Things such as links between aliases and the files from which they were
created, special icons, and the links between programs and the documents
created in them. Since the Desktop keeps track of files even after they
were deleted, it can become large and cause sluggish operations. Special
icons may no longer appear, double clicking a docu-ment may not launch
it. Many of these issues are caused by a corrupt or bloated Desktop.
When you experience any of these problems, rebuilding the Desktop is
indicated.

What is PRAM?

The Parameter RAM is a special bit of RAM maintained on the motherboard
of the computer. It is where the information you set in the control
panels is stored so that you don?t need to set them each time you use
the computer. These include monitor, memory, and mouse settings as well
as exten-sions settings, date and time, your choice of the startup disk,
etc. These settings are maintained by batteries on the mother board or
by the regular battery in laptops (with the exception of the iBook).
They can be corrupted over time by improper shut downs, bombs, freezes,
etc. Some symptoms of PRAM corruption include not being able to print or
use a modem, date and time settings change on their own, random and
persistent Type 11 errors, color settings on your monitor change, etc.

What is zapping the PRAM?

Zapping the PRAM is a perfectly painless way to clear the Parameter RAM
memory so that the control panel settings can be reset. It clears out
any corruption in the PRAM.

How and when should I do it?

You zap the PRAM by holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys
during start-up. Hold down these keys until the Mac restarts the second
time. Some problems we have had in the office did not go away until we
held down the keys for ten or so restarts, although this is unusual.
Tech Tools by Micromat Computer Systems is an excellent maintenance tool
which includes a utility for zapping the PRAM superior to the key
holding procedure described above. If zapping the PRAM doesn?t seem to
help, you may need to replace the battery that maintains the PRAM. Refer
to your owners manual for your specific model for information on what
battery to use and where it is located. Zapping the PRAM and resetting
your control panel devices is the prescribed treatment for these
ailments. You may also wish to do it monthly, just as a maintenance
routine.

? credit for reprint...www.MacAcademy.com

If you happen to be using a windows box I recommend, CTRL+ALT+DELETE... t'is required.

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In photoshop use [ and ], shift + [ / ] sets the hardness.

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Thanks but me no uses PS. In photopaint to set the size you just hold both shift and mouse left button, then just scrolll your mouse up or down to resize. Incredibly practical, as i dont have to leave my mouse to press another key.

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Whats the name of that button ? the one that mimics a right click. And can anyone tell me about a good use it has ?

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When your mouse is broken (and dont have the cash to fix it/ get a new one) its quite handy. too bad i still dont know how to call progs in the systray through the keyboard.

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Alevice's Media Library

Quote: "In Interent Explorer ALT+D selects the address bar <- UBER handy."

or one could use F6

[This message has been edited by Archonian (edited 10-23-2003).]

quote:

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Quote: "In Interent Explorer ALT+D selects the address bar <- UBER handy."

or one could use F6

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Or use ctrl+o, my favorite. Opens the "Open" window with a blank input box and the address you type in does not appear in the list of recently visited pages like it will if you type in the address bar. It will however autocomplete.

Ctrl-Escape U U does not shut down WinXP without warning, unless you press this combination too quickly.
Ctrl-Escape is the same as pressing the Windows key, it will pop up the Start menu.
U calls the Stand by / Turn off / Restart menu
U again and then you turn the computer off.

I use this combination everytime I want to turn my computer off because my Windows key does not call the Start menu once pressed, I have to press it three times for the Start menu to popup (because I have StickyKeys on). So I prefer pressing Ctrl-Esc.

So, it's not a trap. It's just very useful for me. Well, useful once a day.

maaaaaaan

I pushed winKey+u and my computer started talking to me. I soiled m'self. butcher's got a whippin comin, after I change my pants of course.

Jason

A couple Quick Mac tips; command-tab to rotate between programs quickly.. option click another application and you will hide the program you just came from, in addition to switching to the other application. (I think in OS9 if you option click the finder, all applications besides it hide.. That is unconfirmed though, just off the top of my head.) Also, navigating through your hard disk can be a lot quicker if you simply type in the first few letters of the folders you're heading to, hitting command-o (oh) to open the window, command-w to close, etc. I've never used a faster way on any other system. *shrugs*

-Xel

Windows -
When I'm using file/windows explorer, I constantly use F5 to refresh (View > Refresh).
Alt + Enter to do something that I really like but can't remember right now
Alt + tab to cycle programs
To add to one Emps said, Shift + tab to go backwards (then cuss because I accidentally hit Caps Lock)

As long as it's general bits of computer knowledge that'll make people's lives easier, let's get the double-clicking thing out of the way: generally, the ONLY things you need to double-click are icons. If you know that single-clicking something will only select it, then double-click. Otherwise, click once and see what happens. It'll save you some RSI in the future!

Although people have mentioned Ctrl-Tab tricks, a beginner might want to try alt-tab. This switches back to the application you used most recently. If you're working in two things at once, hit alt-tab to toggle between them, or hold alt and hit tab to cycle through apps. This works on Macs, too, with slightly different keys.

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips

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maaaaaaan

I pushed winKey+u and my computer started talking to me. I soiled m'self. butcher's got a whippin comin, after I change my pants of course.

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Well he might be due a big kiss from me as my computer has taken to talking to me and now I find out that it is narrator and I have turned it off (before I tried to ignore it esp. if anyone else was in earshot or I'd whisper to it to stop talking to me)

___________________
Emps

The Emperor dot org