Questions tagged [technology]
Hacks related to using technology -- such as computers, phones, televisions, etc. -- safely and effectively.
252
questions
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How to type faster on a tablet computer?
I am fast at typing on keyboards and even phone screens but find it hard to keep pace on tablet computers. Could someone advice me for the same?
2
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8
answers
4k
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What do I do with a desk whose varnish has worn away, and doesn't allow my mouse to work smoothly?
I have an office desk that I've been using for years. The area where my computer mouse is used most seems to have become worn over the years, and so when the mouse moves over this area, the cursor ...
- 173
3
votes
3
answers
130
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Keep motion sensor on
Occasionally I need to work at a building with lights controlled by motion sensor. With the recent high energy prices, they have shortened the "lights on" period from 10 minutes to about 3 ...
- 159
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9
answers
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Finding primary keyboard keys in the dark - alternative to purchasing adhesive dots
In a dimly lit room, I find it challenging to find some commonly used computer keyboard keys, such as F1, F5, -, and *.
As such, I was considering purchasing some adhesive stickers with little dots/...
- 1,716
2
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6
answers
181
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How do I get a sound every 25 seconds
Unusual problem here… I need a cheap device that can emit a click or chirp every 25±5 seconds, for at least 26 hours.
Basically, I need a metronome but the $5 devices all begin at 30 beats per minute, ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
71
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Replacing a key on old keyboard
I have an old Dell SK-8135 keyboard. I love it because it has a volume knob instead of buttons. I've used it so many years that it's the only keyboard I can touch type on without tons of errors. But ...
- 131
0
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2
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231
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How to find out the percentage charge that's left in an AAA battery with a multimeter?
I came across this post that detailed how to find out the percentage charge that's left in a AA battery ( formula:(voltage-1)*200 ). What's the formula for a AAA battery, CR2023, or a 9V battery?
- 111
6
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9
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762
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What is the best way to give music as a gift?
In the old days, you could give someone a CD or a cassette and be pretty sure they'd listen to it. The CD might sit on the table for a day or two but eventually they will put it in their car CD player ...
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1
answer
114
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Is it safe to keep a plasma lighter in my bag? [closed]
So I have a bag where I store my laptop, headphones, swiss army knife and cables on the go, or just hang it around my door handle if I’m home and need something. I recently got a plasma lighter stick ...
- 19
0
votes
1
answer
533
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Charging pins stuck in AirPods case
One of my AirPods in my AirPods Pro wasn’t charging recently, so I decided to check out the charging pins in the case. I tried fiddling with them using a toothpick attempting to remove any dust in ...
- 1
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vote
6
answers
688
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How can I verify that I am talking to who he says he is?
If I am dealing with somebody remotely, via phone and email, how can I verify their identity?
The person has presented me credentials, such as copies of passport etc, but obviously just because ...
- 994
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vote
3
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383
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How can I stow my webcam behind my monitor?
This is my monitor with my webcam mounted:
Typical setup, nothing special. Now, I dislike keeping my webcam on top of my monitor - even if I cover it. It's distracting. So - I want to "stow it ...
- 398
2
votes
5
answers
298
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Gadget to find discharged phone in woods behind house, without using a computer?
My friend tends to lose his cell phone, for example in the woods behind his house. When the phone has little or no charge left.
I thought of getting him a Tile, but I'm not sure that will work, given ...
- 282
4
votes
5
answers
327
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Prevent accidental button presses on watch
I use a digital watch; at the moment, I have one that hangs down from the belt loop on a pair of jeans, but I have the same issue with wristwatches - buttons will accidentally get pressed as I move ...
- 141
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3
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1k
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Reduce Laptop Mouse Clicking Sound
How do I reduce the mouse clicking sound on my lap top?
Every time I click on something the neighbor can hear me.
- 11
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vote
0
answers
140
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How to make/find a program that parses a web page and texts me when it finds something [closed]
I want to make or find a program that does the following:
it logs into a webpage with username and password
it parses a page (I'm interested in a table, with changing number of rows) every 15 seconds ...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
121
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Can I fix a PS4 controller my 4yr old dropped in an aquarium?
My 4yr old dropped a PS4 controller it my 30 gallon tank and it was there for a minute before I could get it out. Is there any way to repair it?
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4
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315
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How to minimize the sound of my laptop fans
I need to make sure to connect my monitor to my laptop, whilst it is quiet enough for me to work. I'm thinking of getting a 4 meter cable so that I can place the laptop under a nearby couch, whilst in ...
- 11
1
vote
3
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245
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How can I take a picture of something small and print it out so the item in the picture is the same size as the item actually is?
I am trying to print a picture of a product my company is selling. I want the product in the picture to be the same size as the product actually is. How can I accomplish this? The paper is going to be ...
- 133
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2
answers
391
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How to test health of rechargable batteries
I came across this answer How do I test rechargeable batteries? to the question of how to test rechargeable AA batteries and plan to try it. What I am wondering is how to apply this to other types of ...
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0
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2
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891
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Corroded iPhone Lightning connector
How do I fix the lightning connector (not the cable) of my iPhone which I believe is either corroded or covered with carbon?
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3
answers
256
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Is there any way to fix these keys?
I have 2 malfunctioning keys in my laptop's keyboard. First I tried to buy replacement keys online, but they are only available in foreign countries and charges are too high. Then I tried to buy a ...
- 131
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votes
2
answers
5k
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Hack to indicate a forward slash or backslash in a filename when those are reserved characters?
In some common operating systems, including Windows, both the forward slash and backslash are reserved characters that cannot be used in filenames.
Yet sometimes one has a good reason to want to ...
- 1,716
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9
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2k
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How to be alerted when someone enters my room
I sit in a room using my computer with my back to the door and headphones on. I'd like to be alerted when someone comes into the room by some visual indicator (or a noise in my headphones I guess!). ...
- 211
0
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0
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228
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Water marks on my TV
My TV, a 65" Samsung HD 7 series has dripping watermarks on it. How will I fix it? Please help. I tried cleaning with alcohol but the drops are still there.
2
votes
2
answers
168
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How to resolve rubber feet coming off a trackball pointing device?
I use a trackball as a computing pointing device (see this Lifehacks SE questions for the model and a couple photographs). The rubber feet on the bottom of the trackball frequently come off during ...
- 1,716
4
votes
3
answers
290
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Question on Increasing Longevity of Laptop Batteries
Is it possible to make my laptop charger only charge when the battery is almost dead? Then, once it is fully charged to not activate charging again until it becomes close to dead again?
Would that ...
1
vote
3
answers
141
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Cancelling echo in a recycled phone microphone-speaker set
The speaker and microphone of my Android phone have stopped working, but the headphone jack still works. I don't want to always use a headphone, so I removed everything from a discarded non-smart ...
1
vote
3
answers
246
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How to remove ear wax and other dirt that went into my pods without opening them?
I have these pods from Oppo for almost 5 months now and they are causing problems. Basically, after I use them for some time the audio from the left starts decreasing till I can barely hear it. But if ...
- 11
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votes
7
answers
1k
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I keep forgetting to take out my wireless mouse dongle -- how can I make it more conspicuous?
I have a wireless mouse and keyboard combination that uses a USB dongle like this:
This is at a desk that I share with other people, so it is important that when I (or others) leave and take my ...
- 190
3
votes
3
answers
99
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Physics laboratory setup for fluid dynamics experiments
I'm beginning research on how the Earth's Coriolis Effect affects solids suspended in moving liquids. I have run into a challenge that lifehackers may be able to help solve.
I would like to compare ...
- 14.1k
0
votes
1
answer
102
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What can I use for an easy iPhone speaker?
I love my music loud and I was wondering if there’s a hack for an easy iPhone speaker? I’ve tried putting my phone inside a cup but it’s still not loud enough.
- 698
2
votes
1
answer
555
views
A broken stylus stuck inside the phone
I have a Samsung Tablet A with S Pen. That tablet has a dedicated slot for an S Pen. The problem is, why
S Pen is broken into half, so when I inserted the S Pen into that slot, the S Pen is stuck and ...
- 121
5
votes
2
answers
329
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Could I remove the back-light from an LCD screen and let sunlight illuminate it from behind?
I like to use my laptop outdoors, but it's often so bright outside that I can barely see my screen - even with the brightness turned all the way up. I've often wondered: What if opened a LCD screen ...
- 181
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vote
1
answer
643
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How do I fix a broken stylus pen?
My baby brother chewed on the tip of my stylus pen, resulting in my iPad not responding to the touch of the pen anymore. It has chew marks on the sides, so I’m not sure how to fix that. I’m hoping it’...
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0
votes
2
answers
546
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How to fix a bent earphone jack
How can I fix this kind of bent earphone jack? It still works if I constantly push it in, but it won't work if I don't push it, because it doesn't really fit inside anymore...
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2
votes
4
answers
714
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Simple cheap solution to plug in one pair of headphones into two audio sources (two laptops)
I have a nice comfy pair of over the ear headphones which i would like to plug in to two audio sources (two laptops or one laptop and one phone).
Are there any cheap solutions for this, like a reverse ...
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2
votes
7
answers
2k
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I like my computer keyboard but the letters have nearly worn off
My computer keyboard look scruffy and old but works perfectly and is more comfortable to use than others I have owned. It's wireless and part of a set (keyboard, mouse and USB dongle) I don't want to ...
- 1,744
1
vote
3
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108
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Alternative way to have clear non wrinkle protection layer covering for these electronic devices?
So I’ve tried kitchen cling film and it’s neither easy to apply and keep clear and non wrinkly, nor feels thick/ strong protection enough to prevent scratches & impact damage.
It’s also a mess ...
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1
vote
1
answer
85
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How to correctly replace a key in my laptop keyboard?
Recently, a sibling accidentally took off the "W" key from my laptop.
I followed YouTube tutorials on taking out the 2 plastic pieces that surround the rubbery circle below the key and I removed ...
- 13
6
votes
3
answers
3k
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How can I mark micro SD cards in order to distinguish them?
I am aware of the question How can I organize Micro SD Cards?, but don't want to put them in pill box or other organizer.
I want to mark each permanently, so that I can distinguish them - even if a ...
2
votes
3
answers
628
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How to prevent an inket printer from clogging up from lack of use?
I tend to print, at most, 5 pages per month: usually 2-3 black and white pages, and 1-2 color pages.
In the past 3 years, I've gone through 4 inkjet printers because they all clog so fast. I've ...
- 1,716
1
vote
1
answer
703
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How to reduce accidentally pressing the right-button on a trackball?
Instead of a computer mouse, I use a trackball for a pointing device. I find that it is much healthier for my wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
The only downside I experience is that I often accidentally ...
- 1,716
-1
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3
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331
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How to cover hair for a barber to prevent cutting that particular hair?
I lengthen my hair to be gathered to a ponytail when the time comes.
I started that process about 3 months ago from starting point, that is, after totally shaving my head.
My problem
My problem is ...
user30701
0
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How can I convert a wireless mouse to USB mouse?
My family received 10 wireless mice in excellent condition for free, but must eschew the hassle and cost of batteries. How can I add a cable to them to plug them into USB ports like USB mice?
Please ...
user1869
4
votes
4
answers
2k
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How to stabilize a laptop power plug port?
I have previously had the power plug port on a laptop fail because of the continual stress of the power plug, and getting occasionally accidentally pulled, or touched in literally any way, or whatever....
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votes
2
answers
2k
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How do I block other people from viewing my desktop screen?
In my office my seat is located at a point where almost anyone can view what's going on my screen. At times its irritating and to make it worse some people ogle at my screen when I do something ...
- 147
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votes
2
answers
803
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How to prevent Kindle Paperwhite turning itself off?
The Kindle Paperwhite must a contender for worst designed product!
The on/off switch is at the bottom, like this:
so when I use it at a lunch counter and sit it on the counter, it constantly powers ...
3
votes
5
answers
844
views
What to do with old contacts on phone that aren't used anymore?
This question pertains to saved contacts on a smartphone (Android in my case). I find I have a lot I don't use but don't want to get rid of them because if I ever go through text messages it would be ...
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0
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1
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168
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Keeping a laptop screen clean
Is there any filter or privacy filter I could add to my laptop that would keep dust and marks off of it. I often have to keep cleaning my screen, and wondered if there is some way or hack around this?
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