Share a random computer tip you know

[GOTO Fashion]

If you do a lot of work with image files, a great free program to use is Irfan. It readily converts files to/from numerous formats, crops, resizes, and converts images to grayscale. I have found it to be absolutely indispensable in my work.

[amyschiff]

I too love Irfan(view). There are a couple mac versions that are good to have around: Zonviewer and Imagewell are both free.

Though I am a mac convert, I'm going to share a PC tip: the glorious msconfig. Have you ever clicked the expand arrow on the system tray and seen a slew of programs running (some of which you don't even recognize)? THese are all items running at startup (which may cause your computer to startup slowly or just run slow in general). A lot of new software you install will automatically run at startup unless you uncheck a box during the install process.

I am completely anal about having the minimum programs running necessary. To conifgure startup items (you may not be able to do this if you're not an admin on your machine):

1. Click the Start button
2. Choose Run...
3. Type in msconfig and press enter
4. Click the Startup tab
5. Now this is where you need to be a little brave-- I would start off by only unchecking items you recognize. "AIM" "WeatherBug" and "AcrobatHelper" are some common ones, as well as MS Office.
6. A good rule of thumb is to look at the "Command" file path next to the name of the startup item. If it says C:\Program Files\SomeProgramname then it's not really essential. Stay away from ones that say C:\WINDOWS\ unless you know for sure what they are
7. Click Apply or OK
8. You will have the option to restart now or later.
9. Either way, the next time your computer boots up you will get a "System Configuration Utility" dialog box. Check the "Don't show this message..." box and click okay. If you don't check the box you will get that message each time your computer reboots.

Congrats, you just modified your startup items! You may see an improvement in performance. If nothing else, I usually feel better knowing that my computer isn't being over-encumbered :-P

[amyschiff]

I figured this would have been mentioned already, but I didn't see it. If you have ever had a program lock up, this little shortcut is a lifesaver.

Windows: Ctrl + Alt + Del (or Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
Mac: Command + Option + Esc (I call this Apple-Alt-Esc)

Just choose the one that's the problem and choose End Task (Windows) or Force Quit (Mac)

[Garacaius Mendalus]

Windows Key + M = Minimize All.

[yourbeginnings]

In Internet Explorer 7, I like to use Ctrl + Tab or Ctrl + Shift + Tab to scroll through the IE tabs. Also, Internet Explorer 8 is out if anyone is interested in the beta test version. It can be downloaded from the site below. I am not sure if I will use the beta version.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ss/Install.htm

[SrKen]

In a file folder collect JPGs for an album
Burn the JPGs to a CD
Insert CD into DVD player and it flips through the album
I guess the software is in the DVD player and the CD should run on other DVD players. On mine (5yrs old) I can also burn the File Folders and a menu will come up on the TV, tho it is awkward and I prefer images only.

[GOTO Fashion]

Anyone know the shortcut to tab from tab to tab in Firefox? I knew it at one time, but I forgot it since I could never get it to work. Thanks in advance!

[rstlne]

Originally Posted by GOTO Fashion

Anyone know the shortcut to tab from tab to tab in Firefox? I knew it at one time, but I forgot it since I could never get it to work. Thanks in advance!

You mean Ctrl-Tab?

[NaturallyCheap]

or ctrl + # for the tab number from 1-9. E.g for tab #1 prestt ctrl+ 1

However I still recommended opera.com for most people!

[GOTO Fashion]

Haha - ctrl+tab works. If you have SpeedDial installed, the ctrl+# combination will dial up whatever is stored at that # in your first group (also nice to know). Can you import Firefox bookmarks into Opera?