Questions tagged [technology]
Hacks related to using technology -- such as computers, phones, televisions, etc. -- safely and effectively.
252
questions
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2
answers
156
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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?
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214
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14
answers
40k
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How can I keep my cat off my keyboard?
This is a common scenario when typing:
When the family assembled for Sunday dinner,
With their minds made up that they wouldn't get thinner
On Argentine joint, potato^DR&FTGYB`...
6
votes
9
answers
761
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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 ...
- 196
12
votes
9
answers
8k
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How do I prop up a laptop screen with a broken hinge?
I have a laptop with a broken hinge. The broken hinge is cracked and exhibits no friction whatsoever when opening/closing the lid.
For now, the remaining hinge holds the screen in place. My concern ...
2
votes
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 ...
- 780
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 ...
- 181
1
vote
3
answers
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 ...
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 ...
CommunityBot
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6
votes
6
answers
7k
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How would one digitize a thick book into a PDF version in the most time-efficient way, using only a camera and a computer?
I have a:
DSLR camera (Canon EOS) + no tripod
Latest commercial version of Adobe Acrobat
A computer with Internet connection
Frugal character
I also own a physically printed and bound book of over ...
- 1,040
8
votes
9
answers
2k
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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/...
- 111
1
vote
3
answers
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.
- 2,640
2
votes
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, ...
- 14.1k
2
votes
2
answers
71
views
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
1
vote
6
answers
688
views
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 ...
- 21
12
votes
11
answers
41k
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How can I remove sticky residue left by a vinyl sticker from the back of my iPad?
The Stack Exchange sticker on the back of my iPad had been there for over a year and a half, and it was time to retire it (for a new one, of course). I carefully peeled it up, and put it in a sticker ...
0
votes
2
answers
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?
- 138
7
votes
4
answers
7k
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How to Avert / Deflect refrigerator heat in room?
I am living in a tropical country right now, it gets pretty hot (~45 °C) in here.
Now, I have single room home which has my desktop & a refrigerator. As obvious, in order to make ice in high ...
- 1,040
0
votes
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 ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
643
views
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’...
4
votes
5
answers
327
views
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 ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
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 ...
- 241
9
votes
20
answers
102k
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How to cure "stickiness" on walkie-talkie rubber components
I have just retrieved my walkie-talkies from the big storage box where they lived for the last couple of years. The rubber/rubberized components (grip coating, dials, etc.) have gone very sticky to ...
- 1
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 ...
14
votes
4
answers
85k
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How can I reduce the sound of clicking my mouse
I have a wonderful mouse except... I'd like it to click more silently (left and right buttons). Probably it was that loud, probably it is the work of Time, but the current sound doesn't suit me now, ...
4
votes
4
answers
244
views
Prop up tablet computer angling display downwards
I like watching videos on my tablet computer while lying down on my sofa. In order to see the display without being forced to watch sideways or getting a kink in my neck, I have to hold the tablet in ...
- 2,976
1
vote
9
answers
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!). ...
- 101
2
votes
2
answers
5k
views
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 ...
- 127
6
votes
7
answers
5k
views
How to turn on the motion sensor controlled light when you're in the toilet?
It might have happened that when you are in a public or work toilet the light turns off because of the motion sensor, and as much as you wave your hands you cannot make it on again.
Is there an easy ...
0
votes
4
answers
7k
views
How do I remind someone of my birthday?
How do you remind someone its your birthday with out telling them? Today is my birthday and I know we all forget birthdays so how do I remind them indirectly?
2
votes
5
answers
298
views
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 ...
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5
votes
3
answers
17k
views
How to prevent plugs from falling out of a wall socket?
Despite carefully securing a plug in an outlet, many times I find that the plug falls out minutes after the fact (it happens all the time with things like phone chargers). I have been careful in ...
- 14.1k
1
vote
3
answers
245
views
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 ...
- 11
1
vote
4
answers
315
views
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 ...
- 101
4
votes
6
answers
7k
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How do I childproof the power button on my computer without making it hard for me to get to?
I have toddlers and would like to childproof the power button on my desktop computer which sits on the floor. Unfortunately I don’t have the option of moving it out of reach and I can’t really put any ...
1
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?
- 2,749
0
votes
2
answers
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?
- 1,040
1
vote
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 ...
- 572
10
votes
4
answers
6k
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Is there any way to restore faded receipts?
Many stores are using receipts that, intentionally or not, fade over time.
I bought something about a year ago that I never used and I want to return it. But the receipt is faded to the point of ...
- 11
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
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 ...
17
votes
6
answers
24k
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Cleaning MicroUSB socket on mobile phone
I have a Motorola Nexus 6, and recently I noticed the charging cable wasn't staying in place as well as it did when the phone was bought - my phone is charging, but if I picked it up whilst plugged in,...
4
votes
9
answers
9k
views
Something to keep the fizz of cola bottle
I am looking for some trick or gazzette to keep a bigger bottle of coke longer so that it doesn't lose all the fizz everytime it's opened again! Something which could keep the CO2 longer so that a ...
CommunityBot
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0
votes
0
answers
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.
- 1,040
4
votes
2
answers
3k
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How can I make my mouse clicks louder?
My old mouse was pretty loud so bought a new one, now it is too quiet. Any hacks to make it louder?
- 1
26
votes
11
answers
41k
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How to avoid background reflection Computer display
At work I am sitting in front of a conference room which has lots of glass wall. It is always very bright and it makes my computer display look like a mirror. I tried playing with my display setting ...
2
votes
2
answers
168
views
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 ...
- 14.1k
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 ...
- 6,284
2
votes
4
answers
714
views
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 ...
- 1,716
9
votes
4
answers
17k
views
How to stabilize a loose/failing USB connection?
I always end up having a 'USB device not recognised' error while I fix my external harddisk to my laptop. Even a slight disturbance causes this error due to the weight of the disk, and I find it ...
2
votes
7
answers
2k
views
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 ...
- 4,495