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 Tricks to Make Cyber-life Just a Bit Easier

When Was it Updated?

With as much Internet research as I do, it is quite annoying when I come across information on a web page and can't use it because I have no idea when the data was posted or updated.  So here is a little trick I use to find out how up-to-date that information really is.

To find out when a particular page was last updated, go to the page in question and type (or copy and paste) the following line into the address bar of your browser and then hit Enter:

javascript:alert(document.lastModified)

You'll get a dialog box that looks a little something like this:

Note - your browser must have javascript enabled in order for this to work.

For web pages with dynamic elements, like ones that show the current date for example, this isn't too helpful.  Even though the page has the current date, the information in it may not be as current.  Since the dynamic page is basically updated every time it is loaded, you will only get a box with the date and time you landed on the page.  So in those instances, this will not work.

Now, I realize you probably won't remember this little trick when you really want to use it, but there is something you can do.  Add it to your Favorites!  BUT, it's not as simple as just adding it to your Favorites like you would anything else.  Follow the steps below and you'll find it works great.  As far as I know, this may only work for Internet Explorer.  Here's what you do:

1. Add any web page to your Favorites. It doesn't matter what page it is just add any 'ole one.
2. When the Add to Favorites screen pops up, re-name the page Last Update or something similar.
3. Now, find the favorite you just added and right-click it.
4. Select Properties from the drop down menu
5. Replace the current URL with javascript:alert(document.lastModified) then click OK
6. If you get an error message or dialog box, just click Yes to save the target.

Now to use it, any time you're visiting a page and you want to know when it was last updated, just open your Favorites folder and click the Last Update script you created.  You'll get the same dialog box with the date and time it was updated.  Cool eh?

Quickly Attach Multiple Files For Email

If you need to attach several files for one email, don't attach them one at a time.  Take the shortcut.

1. Navigate to the files you want to attach via Explorer.
2. Select all the files you want and right click.
3. Select Send To from the drop down menu
4. Then select Mail Recipient

A new email will be created for you with all the files you want attached at once!  Just add your email recipient's address and you are good to go.

Surfing Shortcuts

To quickly cycle back and forth through a series of web pages you have visited, hold down the ALT key then hit your left or right arrow keys.  The left arrow takes you Back while the right arrow takes you Forward.

You can also use the Page Up and Page Down buttons to quickly move up and down any web page without struggling to find the scroll bar.

Adjust Web Page Font Size

Did you know that you can adjust the font size for web pages you browse?  Neither did I until I came across this useful little goodie.  Some sites have links and verbiage that are so small, I end up leaving the page.  Avoid eye strain or even increase your browser real estate by adjusting the font size.  This doesn't work for every page or site you visit, but it does come in handy for most pages.

Internet Explorer & Outlook Express Users

1. Click the View menu
2. Go to Text Size
3. Select the size you want

Netscape Users

1. Click the View menu
2. Select Increase Font or Decrease Font as desired

Opera Users

In the upper right hand corner of the toolbar there is a drop down menu for zooming in or out. You can also go to View and Zoom, then select the percentage you want. The one thing the Opera browser does in comparison to other browsers is that it doesn't just increase the text size, but the graphics too.

Keep in mind that when you adjust the font size, you will be overriding the designated text size of the page so if things look a little funny, this is why.  You can adjust these settings according to the page you're viewing at any time.

Cool Wheel Mouse Tricks

If you have a wheel mouse here are a couple little tricks you might not know about.

SHIFT & Spin

Navigate Back and Forward by holding down the SHIFT key and rolling that wheel. Explorer goes either back or forward, depending on which direction you spin. 

CTRL & Spin

For Internet Explorer, Opera, or Netscape, hold down the CTRL key and spin the wheel. It makes the text larger or smaller depending on which way you spin. This may work in other browsers as well, so give it a try.

This also works for reading email in Outlook and Outlook Express.

Disclaimer - The Micro 2000 Tech Tip is a free service providing information only. While we use reasonable care to see that this information is correct, we do not guarantee it for accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Micro 2000, Inc. shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the use or misuse of this information.