Useful Computer Keyboard Shortcuts

Level: Beginner

A good set of skills to have when working with computers are keyboard shortcuts. Using keyboard shortcuts can rapidly improve your performance level when doing tasks, by shortening time and clicks of the mouse. While there are ALOT of Windows keyboard shortcuts which vary from operating system to operating system, many of them are the same across the board.

Here I've compiled a list of useful keyboard commands which may prove to help you work faster. It may take some time to memorize all the commands but trust me, you'll be glad you did when you have to work between 3 different Excel sheets and a browser all on one screen.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of these commands work in Windows, Microsoft Office, and most other software. Some software has its own keyboard shortcuts, so you would need to explore the menus of that program and learn its unique shortcuts.

Simple commands:

Ctrl + Click: This is an extremely useful feature. If you want to select certain documents in a folder but not all of them, simply click on one and then hold down the Ctrl key while you click on the others you want. Magic!

-Ctrl + S: Save

-Ctrl + A: Select All: This is useful if you are in a folder and want to select all the documents.

-Ctrl + C: Copy: Way faster than going to the edit menu.

-Ctrl + V: Paste: Again, faster than the edit menu.

-Ctrl + X: Cut

-Ctrl + Z: Undo: This is usually associated with working with Word or other office programs. However, it even works in Windows explorer. If you accidentally sent a file to the recycle bin or moved a file, before doing anything else use this command. The files magically reverse to where they were before.

-Ctrl + Y: Redo

-Ctrl + N: New: Opens a new window.

-Ctrl + B: Bold Text (Shorter than clicking, right!?)

-Ctrl + U: Underline

-Ctrl + I: Italicize

-Ctrl + T: New Tab in Browser

More Advanced Commands:

-Alt + Tab: Most useful keyboard shortcut I know. This cycles between your open windows so you don't have to. Try it...

How it works is if you have two windows open, when you hit Alt + Tab once, it flips to the 2nd window. If you hit the command again it goes back to the 1st window. If you have more than 2 windows, it will swap between your 2 most recently used windows. So, if you want to work with 2 of 5 windows say, just open one window and then switch to your other window you want to work with. Then use the command. It will now swap between those 2 windows. 

Another way to do it is hold the Alt key and tap Tab several times. You can cycle through each open window and pick the one you want. Very nifty.

-Ctrl + Tab (In Browser): Cycles through each of your open tabs. Ctrl + Shift + Tab cycles backwards.

-Windows Logo + L: Lock Computer

-Ctrl + Escape: Open Start Menu

-Shift + Delete: Permanently Delete Item (Without Going to Recycle Bin)

-Backspace (in Windows Explorer): Return to previous folder

If you want to see the entire list of keyboard commands, feel free to check out Microsoft's site!

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/126449

Exploiting Spotify Free Again... How to Enable High Quality Streaming

Level: Intermediate

A few days ago I posted on how to block all ads on the music app Spotify. 

Today I'll write about a trick I found online to enable the high-quality streaming of music on Spotify Free. If you have ever noticed the setting menu, you will remember it has the option to enable high quality streaming. It is disabled for free users, however. High quality streaming basically means instead of standard 160 kbps streaming, you get 320 kbps. According to online sources, the difference isn't really heard unless you have good headphones. I have average headphones and I thought I could tell a little difference after trying this... a little crisper treble, a tad deeper bass. Or maybe it was just my imagination. Give it a try and leave me a comment! :)

So, to do this, follow these steps.

1. Close Spotify completely

2. Click start and type %appdata%/Spotify and press enter 

3. Open "prefs" file with text editor (Notepad, Wordpad)

4. After core.flash_version=0 --ADD THESE LINES--

    audio.sync_bitrate=320000

    audio.play_bitrate=320000

5. If your file doesn't have "core.flash_version=0", then add these 3 lines of code at the bottom of the file.

    core.flash_version=0

    audio.sync_bitrate=320000

    audio.play_bitrate=320000

6. Save and close

7. Open "prefs" properties, and check the "read only" box.

8. Restart Spotify.

Disclaimer: I don't know if this is technically hacking or illegal to implement. I tried this only for educational purposes and do not encourage someone to regularly use this.

Also, I can't verify if this works in the latest Spotify version. I tried it and it seemed to help a little bit, but there is no way that I know of to actually verify it. This method might be obsolete now.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWqk-ieG6fI

Fix 50% Of All Computer Problems With This Technique

Level: Beginner

In the course of working with PC repair, there is a standard procedure that I learned which often times fixes basic computer issues. For instance, if a computer freezes up a lot, doesn't boot, or crashes, the first thing  you should always try is this one thing.

Turn off the computer. If it's a laptop, remove the battery. If it's a desktop, remove the power cord. Once the power source is removed, press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds. This discharges any power on the computer's motherboard and resets it. After holding the button for 30 seconds, plug the power source back in or load the battery and reboot. The computer should perform much better and the problem should be eradicated.

Disclaimer: This won't fix everything. But many times I tried this technique and it fixed the immediate issue. Bear in mind this won't fix hardware issues.Generally, try this if the computer is:

-Unresponsive
-Won't boot
-Freezes
-Crashes
-Acts really "weird" (you define weird!)

Best of luck!

Spotify Ad Blocking

Level: Intermediate

If anyone is familiar with the app Spotify, you will know that it loves to play long and irritating ads during the course of playing music. Granted, the app is very useful and handy because it plays whatever songs you want, similar to iTunes. The only catch is you get quite a bit of ad play, including picture, audio, and video ads.

So, one day I was getting really really tired of listening to Spotify ads. I decided once and for all I'd figure out how to exploit this app and remove the ads. After extensive searching, I discovered a way to completely block all the ads on Spotify, without removing any quality from the music. It basically played music like iTunes, but with 0 ads.

First of all, I DO NOT endorse using this method for regular use. Repeat, do NOT ENDORSE. I don't know if blocking ads on this app is specifically illegal, because the ads are still trying to be delivered to your computer. You just don't see them. Personally, Spotify doesn't make any money with their ads on me, because I am not interested in new underwear, snacks, or auto parts while I'm studying. Anyway, I only post this because it is educational and useful for learning about the benefits of working with the hosts file.

So, down to the dirty nuts and bolts. This method really is very simple, with only a couple steps.

It all boils down to your hosts file. If you are unfamiliar with this file, it is located in

"C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc" on most computers.

The hosts file basically acts as name resolution. Your computer always references this file before going out to the internet. Usually this file has no entries, but in this case all you need to do is open the file with notepad and insert these 2 lines of code at the bottom:

0.0.0.0 pubads.g.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 securepubads.g.doubleclick.net

The links are what Spotify uses to download ads onto your computer. By adding the 0.0.0.0 in front of each one, it makes Spotify attempt to go to that IP of 0.0.0.0 instead of a legitimate address.

Save the file and restart Spotify.

BAM.

NO MORE ADS.

It really is that simple. I never thought exploiting this app would be so easy. I also figured out a way to enable high quality streaming, but that is for another post. Again though, I don't support using this method and I only tried it for educational purposes. Have fun and happy listening!

Source: https://github.com/Xeroday/Spotify-Ad-Blocker/