23
votes
What do I do with a desk whose varnish has worn away, and doesn't allow my mouse to work smoothly?
A mousepad may be an option :)
Alternatively, in one case, I just took a single sheet of 8x12" white paper, and taped it to the desk... It worked perfectly. Every few months or so (depending on ...
- 331
16
votes
Accepted
Listening to music in cubicle without headphones
To have speakers audible by you, and not others implies either that you have the volume turned down so that due to sound volume diminishing with distance it blends in before reaching others, or use ...
- 6,984
14
votes
What do I do with a desk whose varnish has worn away, and doesn't allow my mouse to work smoothly?
If you don't mind your desk being covered, and you want to keep the large useful mouse area (so that a mouse pad is not enough), a large desk mat sounds like an option. These are essentially ultra-...
- 2,065
12
votes
Accepted
How to prevent people accidentally turning the lights off from leaning on the switches?
You can use one of these light-switch guards designed to cover the switch while still allowing deliberate access:
Ironically, these are commonly called "child-proof switches"… although I'll ...
- 6,655
10
votes
How can I keep a USB mini 2.0 (or other) cable from tearing?
The connection between the wire and the connector is a very high-stress area, so the degree of flex the wire experiences at that point is substantial. Better-quality cables will typically include a ...
- 6,655
10
votes
Accepted
Prevent rubber bands from ageing?
Rubber-band get sticky because they oxidize. A similar question was asked on physics:
Is there any way to increase a rubber-bands lifetime?
It has a very good answer, but to summarize it: "Keep them ...
- 461
9
votes
Listening to music in cubicle without headphones
Might want to take a look at Bone Conducting Headphones They're basically what you're looking for. I'm very tempted to get a pair for myself.
- 1,188
8
votes
Prevent rubber bands from ageing?
Rubber bands become brittle with age due not so much to oxidation but rather to evaporation of volatiles in the rubber/plastic material they are made of. These volatile parts of their plastic/rubber ...
- 564
7
votes
Accepted
How to prevent static electricity/static current
If you have any non-rubber soled shoes, that's going to be an easy place to start. You don't want to be insulating yourself from the ground if you can help it.
As far as clothing, try not to wear ...
- 691
6
votes
Accepted
How can I keep an office chair cool enough to avoid causing perspiration?
You can see if you can get a seat mat made from bamboo, like this one
They work well for keeping your body cool.
- 906
6
votes
Accepted
Safety pin of fire extinguisher broke, how to make it active in terms of need?
If you're in the middle of a fire, you shouldn't be posting on Lifehacks SE, you should be evacuating the building. (joke)
The general rule is, only fight a fire if it's either quite small, or you ...
- 9,790
6
votes
How to prevent plugged-in vacuum cleaner cord from getting tangled?
If a non-accessible power outlet is the only option you have, I recommend you invest in a short extension cord, just long enough to reach from the original outlet to the floor (to allow the plugged ...
- 3,195
5
votes
How to get out of a tag-back scenario
Just don't pick him next time. Pick someone else, and perhaps even point out to the person you pick that it would be good to see the duties rotate throughout the group.
Yes, you run the risk that if ...
- 1,419
5
votes
How to compensate for sinking / uneven floor in office
When I was renting my old house I wanted to use one of the guest bedrooms as an office. I didn't want to use one of those plastic mats for my office chair and the floor was a bit unlevel at the wall ...
- 71
5
votes
How to stop static shocks on the office?
To discharge your static potential without shocking yourself, take a coin from your pocket and touch it to a metal doorframe or other ground.
- 61
4
votes
How can I keep an awning window open?
I use a wooden spoon that I cut down to suit my window - see picture. The hole in the end of the spoon goes over the window handle so it can't fall out. For your window it probably wouldn't need to ...
- 41
4
votes
Prevent rubber bands from ageing?
Keep them under water in a sealed container.
Water will retard the outgassing of volatile solvents in the rubber and help keep them supple for a longer period of time.
- 994
4
votes
An alternative (cheaper) option than offering towel service at the gym
You can give every employee 2 or 3 towels for free. The catch is that they have to wash them themselves, and they have to remember to bring them to the gym. Most employees will see the gift as ...
- 11.6k
4
votes
How to prevent static electricity/static current
I have for many years carried a Cross pen in one pocket or another. During dry seasons I've learned to pull it out and carry it in my hand along with mugs, papers and anything else. One zap is all I ...
- 41
4
votes
Any Hacks to control Central Cooling System at workplace /office?
The cooling system is there for the general benefit of all the people you share an office space with; shutting it off, reducing the flow, or altering the temperature of the flow will cause your work ...
- 2,749
4
votes
Any Hacks to control Central Cooling System at workplace /office?
Is it one specific area or the whole office? If whole office, you are at the whim of your colleagues, boss or HR.
If localized ...
The office thermostats are often thought of as placebo devices or "...
- 334
4
votes
Prevent phone base from being dragged by cord
You could put non-slip rubber "feet"/tape on the bottom of the console/base of the telephone to help it hold its position when sitting on its support.
A small square pad of non-slip shelf drawer ...
- 14.1k
4
votes
Prevent phone base from being dragged by cord
I had this problem many years ago and my solution was good old blu-tack. In my experience, most offices have it in stationery - or it's very cheap to buy if you get it yourself.
I would recommend ...
- 3,137
3
votes
Accepted
How to repel ants invading my bottled water?
You could always keep your bottle on a small brick inside a bowl with water in it. Think of it like a moat for a castle. The would drown in the bowl's water before they get to your bottle.
This isn't ...
3
votes
How to help an office coffee 'club' succeed?
If someone wants to make coffee, they use their own K cup.
They can keep a box of their favorite in their desk or bring in a K cup in their pocket every day. If they forget to bring one in, they can ...
- 1,884
3
votes
Accepted
How to help an office coffee 'club' succeed?
I have a coffee machine that uses "pods" and we have an honesty box for the cost of each pod. This may not be able to be done in other workplaces as we have a company culture that makes honesty boxes ...
- 418
3
votes
How to prevent being startled by co-workers while listening to music at your desk?
You could try bone conduction headphones instead of usual ones. Those conduct the sound not by air but through the bones of your skull, thus leaving your ears free to hear your surroundings. I ...
- 31
3
votes
How to prevent people accidentally turning the lights off from leaning on the switches?
The long term solution would be to have building maintenance move the switches. I've seen that done, but how long it takes probably depends heavily on how much rent your employer pays and how ...
- 9,790
3
votes
Listening to music in cubicle without headphones
It is possible to focus ultrasound so that non-linear effects make audible sound at the focal point. These speakers are used in retail advertisement, museums, libraries etc. where limiting the range ...
- 5,993
3
votes
How to stop static shocks on the office?
Ground yourself as frequently as possible to release the built-up static electricity:
If your desk has metal legs, touch one of the legs whenever you get up from or sit down at your desk.
The ...
- 11.6k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible