Linux users: On your next system freeze, when CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE leaves you high and dry, don't reach for the power button. Rather than forcing the system to shut down (which can do quite a bit of damage to your system—especially if data is being written to the hard drive), the FOSSwire web site explains a safer technique for restarting your system.
1. Hold down the Alt and SysRq (Print Screen) keys.
2. While holding those down, type the following in order. Nothing will appear to happen until the last letter is pressed: REISUB
3. Watch your computer reboot magically.
This sequence of keystrokes will kill all programs, unmount your drives and restart. FOSSwire recommends remembering this key sequence with the phrase "Raising Elephants Is So Utterly Boring."
Impress the boss when he comes over for dinner with professional napkin folds. The Napkin Folding Guide web site has 27 step-by-step tutorials that demonstrate how to create steakhouse-style folded napkins. Each step of the tutorial is accompanied with a picture and instructions that will have you folding your way to a promotion in no time. Martha Stewart would be proud.
Perfectly aim your satellite dish or antenna using Google maps mashup, Satellite Alignment Calculator (SAC). With SAC you choose your satellite provider (DirectTV, XM, Sirius, etc.), enter your address and SAC will show you the exact direction you need to position your satellite for the best signal. Since I'm dish-less I can't test SAC's accuracy. Can anyone out there confirm SAC's usefulness? Share in the comments.
You can quickly change the size of the Firefox window by clicking a bookmarklet. Reader Domen writes in and explains how to set up the bookmarklet, which is perfect for users with extra screen estate. Create an empty bookmark in your Bookmarks Toolbar and enter the following as the location:
javascript:window.resizeTo(1280,1050);
Substitute
1280 and
1050 with values appropriate for your monitor size. Clicking the bookmark will instantly resize your window. You will need to make sure JavaScript is enabled in the Firefox preferences.
Thanks, Domen!
The desktop environment for many Linux users, Gnome, is fast, organized and very easy to learn. But Gnome is also very powerful and highly customizable. Today's top 10 lists the various ways you can tweak Nautilus and the Gnome desktop to turn Linux into a productivity powerhouse.
Sometimes, 10 is just barely enough. A couple of items from the Top 10 Gnome desktop tweaks list's cutting room floor include:
What is your favorite Gnome tweak? What did I miss? Tell all in the comments.
10. Re-theme Root Applications
9. Disable Trackpad While Typing
8. Copy and Paste Without Using the Gnome Clipboard
7. Hide KDE Apps From the Gnome Menus
6. Smooth your fonts (Ubuntu Feisty specific)
5. Embed the Terminal in the Desktop
4. Change Gnome Menus to use PCMan File Manager
3. Supercharge Your Right-Click Menu
2. Do Even More with Nautilus
1. Speed up Gnome Menus