Basic Computer Knowledge

taken from
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/tech-tips-for-the-basic-computer-user/#more-553

. In Firefox, you can do a quick-search of a webpage by hitting the “/” key, followed by whatever you’re searching for.

alt+d = takes you to the address bar of most modern web browsers and Windows (file) explorer (some people think of it as My Computer window). This way you can easily type in the next address or drive letter you want to jump to instead of using the mouse to highlight it.

* You can use Google to do math for you. Just type the equation, like 23*7+15/3=, and hit Enter.


* Google is also a units-of-measurement and currency converter. Type “teaspoons in 1.3 gallons,” for example, or “euros in 17 dollars.” Click Search to see the answer.


* When you’re searching for something on the Web using, say, Google, put quotes around phrases that must be searched together. For example, if you put quotes around “electric curtains,” Google won’t waste your time finding one set of Web pages containing the word “electric” and another set containing the word “curtains.”

* When you’re filling in the boxes on a Web page (like City, State, Zip), you can press the Tab key to jump from box to box, rather than clicking. Add the Shift key to jump through the boxes backwards.


* The number of megapixels does not determine a camera’s picture quality; that’s a marketing myth. The sensor size is far more important. (Use Google to find it. For example, search for “sensor size Nikon D90.”)

* You can enlarge the text on any Web page. In Windows, press Ctrl and the plus or minus keys (for bigger or smaller fonts); on the Mac, it’s the Command key and plus or minus.

* You can tap the Space bar to scroll down on a Web page one screenful. Add the Shift key to scroll back up.