Yahoo dropped Google as the default search technology provider for its U.S.-based sites late Tuesday, signaling the beginning of the end for the Web's most high-profile marriage of convenience.
The change occurred at 9:30 p.m. PST Tuesday when Yahoo relaunched the search properties for its U.S.-based sites, including its Yahoo.com flagship home page. Yahoo replaced Google's results with its own Yahoo Search Technology, which combines an array of recently acquired search technologies, such as Inktomi and commercial search provider Overture Services. Yahoo also owns AltaVista and the Web search technology of Fast Search and Transfer.
Despite the publicity fanfare, Yahoo already started using its own search technology this week, as previously reported by CNET News.com.
The Web portal on Monday implemented a Yahoo-branded crawler, or robot, to scour the Web for documents. Called Yahoo Slurp, the robot "collects documents from the Web to build a searchable index for search services using the Yahoo search engine," according to Yahoo. The crawler is also keeping copies of those pages--what's known as "caching" pages.
It also started showing results from its own technology, which includes its paid inclusion program.
Paid inclusion is one of the key ways Yahoo plans to make money from its search platform. Under the program, Yahoo charges companies for more rapid and frequent inclusion in its index. But such programs have come under fire by industry watchers and federal regulators, which charge that their commercially oriented nature can taint results and mislead Web surfers without proper labeling.
Google does not offer a paid inclusion program.
Yahoo also plans to make money from licensing its search technology to third parties. It already has a jump on this business through the acquired contracts of Inktomi, which licenses to MSN in one example, as well as those of Fast Web search and Altavista.
Its third, and most valuable source of revenue will come from Overture's sponsored advertisements, which frame search results on the top, bottom and left-hand side. Overture also licenses its sponsored listings, which advertisers bid for, to third parties, including MSN.
Yahoo will transition the remainder of its international sites to its own technology over the next few weeks.
Industry watchers have criticized Yahoo for its delay in switching from Google technology, given that it bought Inktomi for $280 million in late 2002.
Google executives were not immediately available for comment.
The relaunch is part of Yahoo's overall strategy to regain its former distinction as the Web's dominant search engine. In the late 1990s, Yahoo began stepping away from its search roots to become an aggregator of the Web's chaotic array of content and services. During this period, technology start-up Google emerged from academic roots with intent of delivering faster, more relevant search results.
Yahoo soon became Google's biggest licensing partner, letting the start-up's results appear on all algorithmic search terms. This arrangement, first viewed as a placeholder for Yahoo, eventually gave Google more exposure to Web surfers around the world, helping it become a brand synonymous with search.
It wasn't until the discovery of commercial search that Yahoo began to refocus its attention to the technology. In the early 2000s, Yahoo struck a deal to host commercial search links with Overture, thus beginning a profitable relationship that would eventually account for 20 percent of Yahoo's quarterly revenues. Late last year, Yahoo closed its acquisition with Overture, valued at $1.63 billion when it announced the deal last July.
Yahoo's announcement comes amid Google's bid to be the most comprehensive search engine. On Tuesday, Google said it added more than 1 billion documents to its searchable Web database.
Taking on Google: Is Semantic Technology the Answer?
A growing number of entrepreneurs and investors promise a next-generation Internet that is organized, simple to use and makes it easy for people to find things.
The so-called semantic web will be based on search technology that will enable people to type in their questions using everyday language. Developers of next generation search engines say their technology will “understand” the language within those queries—much more precisely than Internet giant Google’s technology.
The new search engines will then scour databases that have already “read” documents from across the web to find the best matches. Specific answers can be found for queries such as “Which is the best oil company in the world?” or differentiate between “movies by women,” and “movies about women.”
That’s the goal of a handful of semantic search startups that hope to change the way people look for information online. But their greatest challenge will be taking on Google, which vaulted to the forefront of the Internet search market by creating the simple but sophisticated engine that now processes roughly half of all U.S. searches.
The challenge may be great, but the rewards are worth it because search results these days go hand in hand with advertising dollars. Don Dodge, who heads business development for Microsoft's emerging business team, estimates that 1 percent of the U.S. search market is worth more than $100 million in annual revenue and $1 billion in market cap.
New York-based hakia has already launched its semantic search engine, with positive reviews for its ability to quickly find very specific information. The company also released a browser plug-in that lets users find exact sections of documents that contain the answers to searchers’ queries.
Search engines like Google rank search results mainly based on popularity without much understanding of what is on each page, according to Melek Pulatkonak, hakia president and COO. At hakia, "a lot more analysis has been done offline to extract meaning of what each page is about," she said.
The company is also building a "chat box" that will allow users to ask a question in an instant message format that hakia believes is more in tune with young people. hakia currently uses Ask.com's advertising system, but it is expected to launch its own ad platform next year.
The most hyped of this emerging group is San Francisco-based PowerSet, even though it has not yet launched its search engine yet.
It is backed by prominent investors such as Esther Dyson and the Founders Fund, it has earned a reputation for poaching Google engineers, and it has licensed sophisticated language technology from Xerox. Still, getting a computer to understand natural language—and find the appropriate search result—is a difficult process.
Skeptics say most people are happy with the average search query of about two words. “Generally, users are extremely lazy,” said Jakob Nielsen, a consultant on Web site usability. “The less work they have to do, the more successful Web sites tend to be.”
Barney Pell, CEO of PowerSet, conceded that semantic search engines must convince people to change their search behavior. But web surfers have been trained to use keywords on Google, even though that is not the way people think. So that behavior can change, he argued.
PowerSet this week launched PowerLabs, an invite-only program for users to test a demo built to search online encyclopedia Wikipedia. In one example, the program extracts facts about people and things in Wikipedia, such as Hulk Hogan. It also compares PowerSet’s results side by side with competitors to show the company’s progress.
Some companies are taking a more pragmatic approach by creating semantic products for more specific tasks. Startup Radar Networks—backed by Paul Allen’s Vulcan Capital and Leapfrog Ventures—has developed an information sharing and collaboration service that allows people to find and share web sites, photos, products, and other information with others. It is expected to launch later this year.
And already-launched AdaptiveBlue, backed by Union Square Ventures, has a widget that automatically searches for books, movies or music related to any web page that a person is viewing. (See “Semantic Technology Now.”)
For its part, Google has a number of engineers working on natural language, including noted expert Ramanathan Guha. And Google’s technology is already savvy enough to answer simple questions like “What is the population of Japan?”
However, the company’s philosophy has been: the simpler the better. “For the majority of questions, that's not what people want,” Peter Norvig, Google's director of research, recently told Technology Review. “They don't want the burden of having to express it as a full sentence.”
The startups have one key advantage: Google is rapidly pushing into new markets such as word processing, online payment systems, and mobile devices. These new markets provide higher growth—and more satisfaction for Wall Street—than rebuilding its existing search engine would.
That leaves an opening for upstarts – if they can provide users with a good enough reason to switch from Google’s powerful simplicity, said Greg Sterling of Sterling Market Intelligence.
“These engines need to create incentives to change and reward people for their behavioral change,” he said. “If (semantic search engines) deliver, people will likely respond.”
The so-called semantic web will be based on search technology that will enable people to type in their questions using everyday language. Developers of next generation search engines say their technology will “understand” the language within those queries—much more precisely than Internet giant Google’s technology.
The new search engines will then scour databases that have already “read” documents from across the web to find the best matches. Specific answers can be found for queries such as “Which is the best oil company in the world?” or differentiate between “movies by women,” and “movies about women.”
That’s the goal of a handful of semantic search startups that hope to change the way people look for information online. But their greatest challenge will be taking on Google, which vaulted to the forefront of the Internet search market by creating the simple but sophisticated engine that now processes roughly half of all U.S. searches.
The challenge may be great, but the rewards are worth it because search results these days go hand in hand with advertising dollars. Don Dodge, who heads business development for Microsoft's emerging business team, estimates that 1 percent of the U.S. search market is worth more than $100 million in annual revenue and $1 billion in market cap.
New York-based hakia has already launched its semantic search engine, with positive reviews for its ability to quickly find very specific information. The company also released a browser plug-in that lets users find exact sections of documents that contain the answers to searchers’ queries.
Search engines like Google rank search results mainly based on popularity without much understanding of what is on each page, according to Melek Pulatkonak, hakia president and COO. At hakia, "a lot more analysis has been done offline to extract meaning of what each page is about," she said.
The company is also building a "chat box" that will allow users to ask a question in an instant message format that hakia believes is more in tune with young people. hakia currently uses Ask.com's advertising system, but it is expected to launch its own ad platform next year.
The most hyped of this emerging group is San Francisco-based PowerSet, even though it has not yet launched its search engine yet.
It is backed by prominent investors such as Esther Dyson and the Founders Fund, it has earned a reputation for poaching Google engineers, and it has licensed sophisticated language technology from Xerox. Still, getting a computer to understand natural language—and find the appropriate search result—is a difficult process.
Skeptics say most people are happy with the average search query of about two words. “Generally, users are extremely lazy,” said Jakob Nielsen, a consultant on Web site usability. “The less work they have to do, the more successful Web sites tend to be.”
Barney Pell, CEO of PowerSet, conceded that semantic search engines must convince people to change their search behavior. But web surfers have been trained to use keywords on Google, even though that is not the way people think. So that behavior can change, he argued.
PowerSet this week launched PowerLabs, an invite-only program for users to test a demo built to search online encyclopedia Wikipedia. In one example, the program extracts facts about people and things in Wikipedia, such as Hulk Hogan. It also compares PowerSet’s results side by side with competitors to show the company’s progress.
Some companies are taking a more pragmatic approach by creating semantic products for more specific tasks. Startup Radar Networks—backed by Paul Allen’s Vulcan Capital and Leapfrog Ventures—has developed an information sharing and collaboration service that allows people to find and share web sites, photos, products, and other information with others. It is expected to launch later this year.
And already-launched AdaptiveBlue, backed by Union Square Ventures, has a widget that automatically searches for books, movies or music related to any web page that a person is viewing. (See “Semantic Technology Now.”)
For its part, Google has a number of engineers working on natural language, including noted expert Ramanathan Guha. And Google’s technology is already savvy enough to answer simple questions like “What is the population of Japan?”
However, the company’s philosophy has been: the simpler the better. “For the majority of questions, that's not what people want,” Peter Norvig, Google's director of research, recently told Technology Review. “They don't want the burden of having to express it as a full sentence.”
The startups have one key advantage: Google is rapidly pushing into new markets such as word processing, online payment systems, and mobile devices. These new markets provide higher growth—and more satisfaction for Wall Street—than rebuilding its existing search engine would.
That leaves an opening for upstarts – if they can provide users with a good enough reason to switch from Google’s powerful simplicity, said Greg Sterling of Sterling Market Intelligence.
“These engines need to create incentives to change and reward people for their behavioral change,” he said. “If (semantic search engines) deliver, people will likely respond.”
Microsoft to offer free anti-virus software
Microsoft has announced plans to offer free anti-virus software to PC users starting next year.
The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said the software, code-named "Morro," will "provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."
In a statement on Tuesday, Microsoft said Morro would be focused on "core anti-malware protection" and would be available in the second half of 2009.
"This new solution, to be offered at no charge to consumers, will be architected for a smaller footprint that will use fewer computing resources, making it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios or less powerful PCs," it said.
Microsoft said it will discontinue sales of its current software security program, Windows Live OneCare, from June 30, 2009.
"Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive, ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concern seriously," said Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management for the Online Services and Windows Division at Microsoft.
"This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware."
Microsoft said "Morro" will be available as a download and offer malware protection for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
A number of companies are in the business of selling software security programs and industry analysts said Microsoft's move to provide free security software could pose a challenge to such firms as McAfee and Symantec.
Making a backup of your registry
Here below you should two simple methods on how to make a backup and to restore your registry.
Export/ Import
Firstly open your registry editor: click on Start Menu /Run / type in the following command: regedit.
Click on File /Export. Enter File name and select a path. Ensure that the file extension is .reg and in the Export range field select All
Click on save to validate operation.
To restore the registry when using this method, simply click on File/ Import.
This method is quite simple and useful, but if one of the registry keys is modified or deleted, causing your system to fail and you can’t restart your PC, this backup shouldn’t be of any use.
The second method allows you to restore your registry base in case of system failure.
Making a backup and restoring your registry using the Windows Recovery Console
The Recovery Console is accessible from the Windows XP installation CD.
The aim is make a copy of certain files (SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, SAM, SECURITY and DEFAULT) found in the WINDOWS/System32/Config folder
The first step is to create a folder to store the copy of these files (E.g.: C:\ Backup).
Insert the XP installation CD; restart your PC, using your CD Drive as First Boot Device.
After the Installation Files are copied, Windows will ask you whether you want to Install Windows XP or Repair.
Type on the R key to select the repair option.
Go to the line ''on which installation of Windows''
Type 1 and enter your password.
After the command line: C:WINDOWS> enter the following command :
copy C:\Windows\system32\Config\SYSTEM C:\Backup
Type in Exitt to quit and restart your PC.
Note that when making changes in the registry it’s important to:
Make a backup of the registry before making any modifications.
Make changes sequentially (one after the other).
Export/ Import
Firstly open your registry editor: click on Start Menu /Run / type in the following command: regedit.
Click on File /Export. Enter File name and select a path. Ensure that the file extension is .reg and in the Export range field select All
Click on save to validate operation.
To restore the registry when using this method, simply click on File/ Import.
This method is quite simple and useful, but if one of the registry keys is modified or deleted, causing your system to fail and you can’t restart your PC, this backup shouldn’t be of any use.
The second method allows you to restore your registry base in case of system failure.
Making a backup and restoring your registry using the Windows Recovery Console
The Recovery Console is accessible from the Windows XP installation CD.
The aim is make a copy of certain files (SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, SAM, SECURITY and DEFAULT) found in the WINDOWS/System32/Config folder
The first step is to create a folder to store the copy of these files (E.g.: C:\ Backup).
Insert the XP installation CD; restart your PC, using your CD Drive as First Boot Device.
After the Installation Files are copied, Windows will ask you whether you want to Install Windows XP or Repair.
Type on the R key to select the repair option.
Go to the line ''on which installation of Windows''
Type 1 and enter your password.
After the command line: C:WINDOWS> enter the following command :
copy C:\Windows\system32\Config\SYSTEM C:\Backup
Type in Exitt to quit and restart your PC.
Note that when making changes in the registry it’s important to:
Make a backup of the registry before making any modifications.
Make changes sequentially (one after the other).
[Windows XP] Repairing the network connection using command lines
Under Windows XP there is a small feature allowing you to repair a network connection. Go to the Network Connections options in Control panel (Control Panel / Network Connections), right click on the network connection you want and choose the repair option.
It is possible to run the same command by using the Netsh utility, within the following command line:
netsh int ip reset c:\ network-connection.log
c:\network-connection.log represents the address of the file in which the reporting will be stored
The netsh int ip ...command allows you to reset the TCP/IP.
When Windows XP Service Pack 2, you can use:
netsh winsock reset catalog
Resetting the socket which manages the TCP/IP. This can be used to handle network problems (browser problem, IP address related problems, etc ...)
It is possible to run the same command by using the Netsh utility, within the following command line:
netsh int ip reset c:\ network-connection.log
c:\network-connection.log represents the address of the file in which the reporting will be stored
The netsh int ip ...command allows you to reset the TCP/IP.
When Windows XP Service Pack 2, you can use:
netsh winsock reset catalog
Resetting the socket which manages the TCP/IP. This can be used to handle network problems (browser problem, IP address related problems, etc ...)
Restrict display user name on login screen
Under Windows XP, if you log on classic session without the welcome screen, the open window will request the username and password. As default, the name of the last user of the computer will appear on the screen and you just have to put the password to login.
If you wish to disable this function for security purpose, below is a small configuration which will disable this application.
Open the registry and select the command
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
Scroll to the Key dontdisplaylastusername.
Right click on it and number the value as 1.
To save this setting, restart your computer.
By disabling this function, neither the username and password will be displayed on the screen.
If you wish to disable this function for security purpose, below is a small configuration which will disable this application.
Open the registry and select the command
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system
Scroll to the Key dontdisplaylastusername.
Right click on it and number the value as 1.
To save this setting, restart your computer.
By disabling this function, neither the username and password will be displayed on the screen.
Google Web Accelerator
Google Web Accelerator is a web accelerator produced by Google. It uses client software installed on the user's computer, as well as data caching on Google's servers, to speed up page load times by means of data compression, prefetching of content, and sharing cached data between users. The beta, released on May 4, 2005, works with Mozilla Firefox 1.0+ and Internet Explorer 5.5+ on Windows 2000 SP3+, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista machines.Google Web Accelerator sends requests for web pages, except for secure web pages (HTTPS), to Google, which logs these requests. Some web pages may embed personal information in these page requests.
Google receives and temporarily caches cookie data that your computer sends with webpage requests in order to improve performance.
In order to speed up delivery of content, Google Web Accelerator may retrieve webpage content that you did not request, and store it in your Google Web Accelerator cache.
Bugs and problems
It has been discovered that Google Web Accelerator has a tendency to prevent YouTube videos from playing, with the message in the YouTube video player, "We're sorry, this video is no longer available." By simply turning off Google Web Accelerator, the user should be able to play YouTube videos again without a problem. Users can also add .cache.googlevideo.com into the "Don't Accelerate These Sites" section in the preferences panel.
As of September 2008, the Google Web Accelerator is not compatible with Firefox 3.0.
Google Web Accelerator is currently (as of early November 2008) not available for download directly from the Google site, but it is still availible on download.com
External Link
http://webaccelerator.google.com/index.html
Skin-tenna: Antenna That Uses Skin To Transmit Signals
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed a wireless antenna that channels signals along human skin could broadcast signals over your body to connect up medical implants or portable gadgets. The new power-efficient approach could make more of established medical devices like pacemakers or help future implants distributed around the body work together.Skin-tenna works by taking advantage of the creeping wave effect that allows waves to travel along a surface, due to mismatches between the air and the surface, and allows wireless devices (like pacemakers) to communicate more efficiently with devices anywhere on the body. Signals are channeled out sideways along the skin by this reflection and the conducting plate. That makes the antenna more efficient, which could double the battery life of body-worn gadgets.
The future may be filled with wearable device are powered by body heat or water or bacteria and communicate by sending signals along the surface of our skin. Now that’s a future that sounds exciting.
Keyboard Shortcuts
When speed counts, the keyboard is still king. Almost all the actions and commands you can perform with a mouse you can perform faster using combinations of keys on your keyboard. These simple keyboard shortcuts can get you where you want to go faster than several clicks of a mouse. You'll work faster on spreadsheets and similar documents, too, because you won't lose your place switching back and forth between mouse and keys.
Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:
Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE
If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:
Display or hide the Start menu.
Display the System Properties dialog box. +BREAK
Show the desktop. +D
Minimize all windows. +M
Restores minimized windows. +Shift+M
Open My Computer. +E
Search for a file or folder. +F
Search for computers. CTRL+ +F
Display Windows Help. +F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. + L
Open the Run dialog box. +R
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Open Utility Manager. +U
Helpful accessibility keyboard shortcuts:
Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. +U
Keyboard shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:
Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW
Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:
Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE
If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:
Display or hide the Start menu.
Display the System Properties dialog box. +BREAK
Show the desktop. +D
Minimize all windows. +M
Restores minimized windows. +Shift+M
Open My Computer. +E
Search for a file or folder. +F
Search for computers. CTRL+ +F
Display Windows Help. +F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. + L
Open the Run dialog box. +R
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Open Utility Manager. +U
Helpful accessibility keyboard shortcuts:
Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. +U
Keyboard shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:
Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW
Slow Shutdown
Some people have noticed that they are experiencing a really slow shutdown after installing Windows XP Home or Professional. Although this can be caused a number of ways, the most clear cut one so far is happening on systems with an NVidia card installed with the latest set of drivers. A service called NVIDIA Driver Helper Service is loading up on start up and for whatever reason doesn't shut itself down properly. The service isn't needed and can also increase the amount of memory available to your system. Here is how to disable it.
1: Go into your Control Panel
2: Select Administrative Tools and then click on Services
3: Right click on the file "NVIDIA Driver Helper Service" and then select STOP.
4: To stop this loading up every time you boot up your PC Right click it again and select properties - then where the option "Startup Type" is shown - make sure it is set at Manual like we have shown in the image below.
1: Go into your Control Panel
2: Select Administrative Tools and then click on Services
3: Right click on the file "NVIDIA Driver Helper Service" and then select STOP.
4: To stop this loading up every time you boot up your PC Right click it again and select properties - then where the option "Startup Type" is shown - make sure it is set at Manual like we have shown in the image below.
How to Convert a FAT Partition to NTFS
To convert a FAT partition to NTFS, perform the following steps.
Click Start, click Programs, and then click Command Prompt.
In Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run.
At the command prompt, type CONVERT [driveletter]: /FS:NTFS.
Convert.exe will attempt to convert the partition to NTFS.
NOTE: Although the chance of corruption or data loss during the conversion from FAT to NTFS is minimal, it is best to perform a full backup of the data on the drive that it is to be converted prior to executing the convert command. It is also recommended to verify the integrity of the backup before proceeding, as well as to run RDISK and update the emergency repair disk (ERD).
Convert.exe will attempt to convert the partition to NTFS.
Click Start, click Programs, and then click Command Prompt.
In Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run.
At the command prompt, type CONVERT [driveletter]: /FS:NTFS.
Convert.exe will attempt to convert the partition to NTFS.
NOTE: Although the chance of corruption or data loss during the conversion from FAT to NTFS is minimal, it is best to perform a full backup of the data on the drive that it is to be converted prior to executing the convert command. It is also recommended to verify the integrity of the backup before proceeding, as well as to run RDISK and update the emergency repair disk (ERD).
Convert.exe will attempt to convert the partition to NTFS.
Sudden closure of the window or ipconfig ping
Whenever you run a command from the menu start/Run, the command window opens and immediately close without giving the time to consult the screen.
Solutions
Below is a tips to stop this pattern.
To unable windows closure:
ping -t adresse_ip
cmd /k ping adresse_ip
cmd /k ipconfig /all
To edit result in a text file:
cmd /k ping adresse_ip > c:\ping.txt
cmd /k ipconfig /all > c:\ipconfig.txt
Solutions
Below is a tips to stop this pattern.
To unable windows closure:
ping -t adresse_ip
cmd /k ping adresse_ip
cmd /k ipconfig /all
To edit result in a text file:
cmd /k ping adresse_ip > c:\ping.txt
cmd /k ipconfig /all > c:\ipconfig.txt
What is WebFldrs?
It may happen that you came across an application called Webfldrs XP in your control panel.
Do not panic, this is only the functionality of 2000/XP Web Folders, consider it as an implementation of the WebDAV protocol for Microsoft Windows systems.
Learn more on WebDAV protocol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebDAV
Webfldrs is an update to Windows XP:
Software Update for Web Folders (KB907306)
Webfldrs-KB907306-ENU.exe
This download enables you to update the Web Folders component in Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/...
However, to uninstall it, just go to Start Menu/Run, then type:
msiexec /x C:\Windows\System32\webfldrs.msi
To reinstall it just type:
msiexec /i C:\Windows\System32\webfldrs.msi
Do not panic, this is only the functionality of 2000/XP Web Folders, consider it as an implementation of the WebDAV protocol for Microsoft Windows systems.
Learn more on WebDAV protocol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebDAV
Webfldrs is an update to Windows XP:
Software Update for Web Folders (KB907306)
Webfldrs-KB907306-ENU.exe
This download enables you to update the Web Folders component in Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/...
However, to uninstall it, just go to Start Menu/Run, then type:
msiexec /x C:\Windows\System32\webfldrs.msi
To reinstall it just type:
msiexec /i C:\Windows\System32\webfldrs.msi
Create PDF From MS Word Or Any Windows Application
We have already seen online alternatives like PdfonFly to convert any text or URL content into PDF format on the fly for free. In case you are looking for an offline alternative, then checkout doPDF.
It is a free application that allows you to save any document into PDF format. Besides being free, it is very easy to use and effective in creating PDF files. Here is simple procedure to use do PDF.
* Open any document in MS Word or any Windows application.
* Goto ‘File’ and then click on ‘print’ option.
* Then select ‘dopdf’ from drop down box on print window.
* Click OK, select location to save the file & its all done.
Watch this video for better understanding of the above procedure. Resultant PDF files can be large in size, however you can ZIP them to minimize its size. Some file may lose formatting here and there.
Overall it produce neat results and allows you to convert just about anything into PDF format for free. Download doPDF and ease out with PDF conversion blues!
It is a free application that allows you to save any document into PDF format. Besides being free, it is very easy to use and effective in creating PDF files. Here is simple procedure to use do PDF.* Open any document in MS Word or any Windows application.
* Goto ‘File’ and then click on ‘print’ option.
* Then select ‘dopdf’ from drop down box on print window.
* Click OK, select location to save the file & its all done.
Watch this video for better understanding of the above procedure. Resultant PDF files can be large in size, however you can ZIP them to minimize its size. Some file may lose formatting here and there.
Overall it produce neat results and allows you to convert just about anything into PDF format for free. Download doPDF and ease out with PDF conversion blues!
No folder options in Windows Explorer
File corruption and virus infection may lead to absence of the folder option in Windows Explorer.
To recover “Folder Options", go to Menu Start and select “Run” .
Type “regedit” to open the registry.
Select the Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
In the NofolderOptions, right click on the file and select “Modify”.
Put the value as 0 and click on « OK » to reactivate Folder Options.
Close the registry and restart your computer to save all settings.
This setting can be simplified using a notepad.
Copy the following in a notepad by: Start> All Programs > Accessories > Notepad
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoFolderOptions"=dword:1
Save this file type as “All files”
Put the name as name.req (The bold part cannot be modified)
Save the file to enable the process.
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