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November 2014

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Top Keyboard Shortcuts Every Computer User Should Know

While your mouse can do everything for you, keyboard shortcuts exist because they save time. If you use your computer every day, it is valuable for you to know the best time-saving shortcuts for PC. Here are the best ones that you can use to help make your experience faster and better:

Find

This is one of the most common yet useful keyboard shortcuts for your computer. CTRL+F is the universal shortcut for Find. You can use it on your browser or your word processor. Although many PC users know this shortcut, it is surprising that a study performed by a Google employee showed that 90% of users do not use this shortcut at all.

Navigation

You probably already know about ALT+Tab, which lets you switch from one window to another. Aside from this, you can also use CTRL+Tab to navigate, particularly in browsers. CTRL+Tab lets you go from one tab to the next. Another useful shortcut is CTRL+SHIFT+Tab, which lets you switch from one tab to another, but this time in reverse. So, if you want to go back to the tab you last went to, this is the shortcut to use.

Tabs

Browsers today are very easy to use. When opening a new tab, you can simply click on the plus (+) sign next to the other tabs. In other browsers, you can click on the button next to the current tab. However, there is one shortcut that lets you do this without needing your mouse. Press CTRL+T on your keyboard to open a new tab. The cursor will automatically go to the address bar, so if you need to search, you can immediately start typing on your keyboard.

If you have clicked inside the webpage, you can press CTRL+L or CTRL+D to go to the address bar again. You can close your current tab by using the shortcut CTRL+W.

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Here are popular keyboard shortcuts that you probably know already, especially if you use word processors frequently. CTRL+X is for cutting text, CTRL+C is for copying, and CTRL+V is for paste. Although these are basic keyboard shortcuts, many people use their mouse rather than these for cutting, copying, and pasting text.

If you make a mistake and you want to get rid of the text you have copied and pasted, you do not have to use the backspace button several times. Just press CTRL+Z to undo your last action.

Moving from One Word to Another

You can use your arrow keys to move around characters, but if you want to speed things up, you can turn to the CTRL button. Holding the CTRL button and an arrow key can move you to the next or previous word. For instance, CTRL+right arrow key lets you move to the next word. CTRL+left arrow key allows you to move to the previous word.

These keyboard shortcuts are often applicable to any type of software you want to use. In this case, learning about them as well as the other shortcuts can improve your knowledge in computing.

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Technology

How to Completely Wipe Your Computer Before Selling It

Many people make the mistake of being confident that their hard drives are completely wiped. To remove all your computer files, you should not just rely on the traditional “Send to Recycle Bin” routine. The problem with this is that it does not guarantee you have deleted all the sensitive files and data in your hard drive. As a matter of fact, anyone who has a data recovery program can recover the files you have removed, even if your Recycle Bin is empty. The good news is there are ways on how you can wipe your computer before you dispose it or sell it.

A Blank Slate State

When you bought your computer, the hard drive is brand new, without any file in it except for the applications that are pre-installed in it. To return to this state, you will need to first back up your data, especially if the files are really important to you. Next is to erase the drive. After deleting everything, you should reformat your drive and finally, reinstall your operating system.

If you have a computer that runs on Windows 7, you should have your copy of your operating system. You may have received this when you bought the computer. However, if you do not have a copy, you can download it online and activate it using your Windows Product Key, which is usually located on a sticker on your computer.

You will now have a bootable version of the operating system. The next step is to erase the hard drive using a third-party program. This is more useful if the program comes as a bootable tool as well. Restart your computer, but ensure the CD, DVD, or USB drive where you have your hard drive eraser is plugged into your PC. You will see some screen prompts, which you need to follow to wipe your computer completely. After the program has finished deleting everything, insert the Windows bootable CD and begin your OS’ installation.

Why You Need to Wipe Your Computer

You should not just leave your computer as is once you have decided you will sell it. Although you think you have deleted all the files in the drive, anyone can still recover those files and may use them against you. It is possible to remove all computer files with the right tool.

Laptops and desktop computers often have a magnetic hard drive. This makes it easy for other people to get data from it even though the files have been sent to the Recycle Bin, which have already been emptied. Note that even though you have deleted your files, reformatted your hard drive, and reinstalled your operating system, your files can still be retrieved. You can solve this issue if the tool you choose has the ability to delete all the sectors of the hard drive.

When you wipe your computer with a capable tool that deletes every sector of the disk, all files will be deleted and the recovery partition created by the manufacturer will be removed as well.

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Health and Fitness

How to Perform Squats Properly

Performing squats are highly recommended for anyone looking to build the lower body. When done correctly, it can evidently strengthen the quadriceps or thigh muscles. At first look, squats may seem easy; however, they are actually tricky. The key to doing squats properly is to maintain the form of the body while lifting weights in a rather uneasy manner.

1. Adjust the Weight of the Barbell

You need a barbell when performing squats. The extra weight increases strain, which enables the thigh muscles to gain strength and become toned. Put the weights in according to how much you can manage. As a beginner, you may start with five pounds on each side of the barbell. This amounts to a total of ten pounds. Hold the weights in place with the use of a barbell collar, which looks exactly like a nut that fits to a screw.

2. Position the Barbell to the Spot Below Your Nape

Lift the barbell and stand up straight. Raise it over your head so your can place it on your upper body. As an alternative, you may place the barbell on its rack before adding the weights. Once everything is in place, just position yourself under the barbell and be ready.

Whether relying on a rack or lifting on your own, the metal bar of the barbell must be placed at the lower part of the neck. This spot runs parallel to your shoulders. Continue adjusting the way you hold and lift the barbell until you feel comfortable with it. You have done this correctly if there is minimal or no strain on your neck, shoulders, and arms.

3. Bend Your Legs and Straighten Your Back

Now that you are lifting the barbell, bend your lower extremities to proceed with the squats. Carefully check how you place your feet. The distance between your left foot and right foot must be the same as the width between your shoulders. Your knees and toes should point forward and be aligned with one another.

Keep your back straight no matter what. Stretch out your chest and tuck your stomach in. After that, lean your head slightly forward. Now you are ready for some squats.

4. Lower Your Body

Inhale and stay focused as you move your body lower while carrying the barbell. Do not be ashamed to stretch out your buttocks in the process. This is part of squats. Your upper body should remain still and maintain composure as you bend the hips. While moving, your knees must stay at the same alignment as your toes. Continue until your thighs are parallel to the floor.

5. Raise Your Body

Maintain a firm footing when you reach the limit of your downward movement. Prepare to exhale as you slowly raise your body. Grip the barbell’s bar in a way that is neither too tight nor too loose. Eventually, you will assume the earlier position of your body.

Do squats for eight to twelve repetitions per set. Try to finish three sets but feel free to stop when there is too much strain. If you want well-toned legs, you may use the gym’s squat machine. Just follow the same proper techniques for squats. Increase the weights when they are too easy to lift.

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Gardening

Essential Tools for Gardening

Tending the garden does not just involve bare hands. You must have a trusty set of tools for making tasks easier. Otherwise, your fingers and palms would be full of cuts, bruises, and splinters. The essential tools for gardening become helpful when you want to enliven your lawn with flowers, ornamental shrubs, and other objects for decoration.

Lawn Sprinkler or Hose

You cannot maintain a garden if plants do not grow in it. They need a continuous supply of water so they do not wilt. The rains may provide that nourishment but they do not come every day. Either a lawn sprinkler or a hose would do that important job.

Place lawn sprinklers in the middle of the garden, positioning them in a way that every one of your precious plants will get its fair share of water. They water the area evenly to encourage growth. Lawn sprinklers are better suited for larger plots of land. The simple hose would give that much-needed stream of water once in a day. Be sure to use one can be adjusted for a fine spray or just partially cover its end with your finger. Do not hose too much water on your plants.

Watering Can

The use of lawn sprinklers and hoses may be too excessive, especially when your locality experiences a limited water supply. Opt for a watering can instead. Simply fill the can with water and position the spout with many holes over the garden plant. The smooth and scattered flow works like rain and does not result in damage. Better yet, you may collect rainwater for gardening rather than solely rely on a faucet.

Weeder

Pesky weeds compete with your garden plant for water and they must be removed from at all costs. No tool does this job better than the aptly-named weeder. This tool excels in digging up dandelions and other weeds with taproots. The metal end comes in a wide range of shapes so be sure to choose the one that is easiest for you to use.

Garden Spade

A spade allows you to dig up large patches of ground quickly. Garden spades vary in the length of handles so consider your height and the reach of your arms when choosing one. Additionally, find out whether you are most comfortable with a wooden, plastic, or metal handle.

Garden Fork

Using a garden fork might be better when breaking up clods of soil and stirring it. This tool penetrates the ground with ease. Coming into contact with rocks does not present a problem. However, you cannot lift soil from one spot to another with a garden fork. Stick to a spade if this is part of the task.

Trowel

Gardening calls for up-and-close work with ornamental plants. Newly-grown flowering shrubs must be handled gently, which is possible with the use of a trowel. It looks like a miniature version of the spade. The size also allows you to dig up roots with care and prevent damage when plants are clumped together.

Rake

A rake not only keeps soil at an even level but also makes it finer and more porous. In addition to that, you can also rake those fallen leaves and gather them into a pile for disposal. As with other gardening tool with long handles, make sure that you are comfortable with the length of your rake. Also consider the material for the handle.

Gardening Gloves

Wearing gardening gloves offers a number of advantages. This allows you to dig the ground with your hands without getting bits of soil stuck in your fingernails. Gloves also protect you from thorns, sharp branches, and anything that can cause a cut. Feeling more comfortable with tasks also means uninterrupted work. Elastic gloves are best suited for mud whereas heavy duty gloves would be useful when trimming shrubs.

Hand Pruner and Lopper

Twigs and branches might grow out of control in your garden. They do not just look unattractive. Sharp edges could brush against the skin and result in cuts. Trim those twigs and branches with the use of a hand pruner. Get one with incredibly sharp blades and long-lasting steel to make the job of trimming effortless. A hand pruner is used with one hand. The larger version, which is used for tough branches and requires two hands, is called a lopper.

A combination of watering, digging, weeding, and trimming tools would enable you to create and maintain a well-arranged garden. When tending the plants and soil, be sure to wear durable overalls if you have any. Otherwise, long dungarees and a pair of boots will do.

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