The Geek Weekly: Blog

From the Editors of The Geek Weekly

Ten terrific Windows key shortcuts

You look at it every day and probably never use it. No, not your treadmill. I'm referring to that Windows button on your computer keyboard that sits in between the ALT and CTRL buttons on the left-hand side of the spacebar. What's it for, you ask? OK, you know if you press it, it'll open your programs (as if you clicked the Start button on your screen) but there are many other uses for it.

Here are some shortcuts you can try:

+ D (displays the Windows desktop)

+ E (opens Explorer)

+ F (opens a search window)

+ R (opens the Run window)

+ T (cycles through tabs of the applications on the taskbar)

And some Windows Vista exclusives:

+ G (cycles through the Gadgets)

+ L (locks the computer)

+ U (activates the Ease of Access Center)

+ X (cycles through the Windows Mobility Center)

+ CTRL + Tab (opens Flip 3D interface)

Seven things you didn't know about your BlackBerry

It's not nicknamed the “CrackBerry” for nothing. Heck, we love our smartphones so much, we assume the prayer position when we type messages with two hands. They’re like an office for your pocket, with reliable push email, comfy keyboards, multimedia playback and integrated GPS for many models. Oh, and they make calls, too. But that's just the stuff you know...

I thought it would be fun to highlight seven things about the BlackBerry you likely didn’t know:

1. Breeze through messages Watch a BlackBerry novice check their email or text messages, and they’ll manually exit out of each message to scroll down and read the next one. Save yourself some time and aggravation by going from one message to another with the press of a button. Specifically, while in an email or text message, press the “N” key to show the next message or “P” for the previous message.

2. Carry an extra memory card or two Many BlackBerrys now support MicroSD memory cards that hold music, audiobooks, photos, videos and other files. You insert the memory card in a slot underneath the battery on the back. But these tiny Flash cards are small enough that you can keep an extra one or two between the battery and removable back cover, if you like. Try it, it works.

3. Use your favorite headphones Music lovers might not be aware that some BlackBerrys, like the Curve and Pearl, include a standard-sized 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use your favorite pair of earbuds or headphones. Whether it's for quality, comfort or habit, you can now stick with what you like -- including noise-canceling headphones for those long plane rides. Some BlackBerrys also support Stereo Bluetooth (“AD2P”), so you can buy a wireless pair of headphones and go cord-free.

4. Free GPS directions, points of interest Some people pay $10 a month for the TeleNav GPS service, but BlackBerry owners can download and use Google Maps for free. Press the “My Location” button to see where you are on the planet in an overhead view, and then select a destination (such as an address) or nearby point of interest (like Starbucks or McDonald’s). While it doesn't give audio turn-by-turn instructions, Google Maps is free, doesn't require a GPS chip (though it's much more accurate with one), and also includes a stunning satellite view.

5. Store your passwords Chances are you have to remember a bunch of passwords, be it for your computer login or online banking, credit and debit card PIN numbers or a numerical combination to get into the office door. Well, BlackBerry owners can keep them all safe and secure with the “Password Keeper” application on the main menu screen. So now you only have to remember one password to get into this program, and all others will be listed here for your convenience.

6. Facebook to go Can't live without Facebook? You're certainly not alone. Now you can download and use Facebook for BlackBerry, a free program that lets you stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues through the mega-popular social networking site. Receive messages, photo comments and even update your profile or upload new profile pics from your phone. The intuitive interface makes it a breeze to stay connected.

7. Call voice mail with one button Many BlackBerry users know you can program speed-dial numbers, so you can program a button, such as H, to call “Home” (so long as the number is in your address book). You can program up to 26 of these speed-dial numbers by simply holding a letter down until prompted to tie it to a phone number. But did you know you can also hold down the “1” key, and your BlackBerry will call your voice mail for you?

Get extra protection with this USB stick

I’ve been playing around with SanDisk's new 4GB Cruzer Titanium Plus USB Flash drive, which includes a little extra peace of mind for road warriors. All files copied to the thumb drive are automatically backed up online to a password-protected storage site.

Therefore, if this pinky-sized drive is lost or stolen or if files are accidentally deleted, you can always access those files through your 256-bit encrypted account. If your computer is offline when files are copied to the drive, the automated backup will take place the next time the PC has an Internet connection.

Similar to past products, the gold-colored Cruzer Titanium Plus offers a metal, crush-resistant body to further protect your data. It works well, but I have two beefs: There are no 8GB or 16GB models yet, and the free online storage only lasts six months. After that, it's $29.99 per year. This is a shame, as there are many free online backup services, such as MozyHome Free’s 2GB a month or Microsoft’s Windows Live SkyDrive’s 5GB a month.