Think about all the ways that technology has improved our lives over the last decade. It’s tough to imagine how modern technology and so many
But it can. There might be a few simple tech tricks you don’t know about that could
Whether you’re browsing the web, or doing work on your computer, or trying to be more mobile-savvy, here are some great tech tricks that you never knew you needed.
Tech Tricks
Use Windows 10 Snap Assist
If you have the Windows 10 operating system, you might enjoy the Snap Assist feature when have multiple windows open. Snap Assist will automatically position the windows to occupy halves or quarters of your computer display. No more manually dragging the corners of the windows to re-size them.
All you’ve got to do to use Snap Assist is drag the window to the far right of the screen. Snap Assist will re-size it and give you the option to readjust the position of the other windows, as well.
Use Dual Monitors
If you think your computer display is too small, use a dual monitor setup and double the size of your computer interface. There are plenty of benefits to having dual monitors, especially if you regularly have multiple windows open.
With two monitors, you’re able to view all of your windows simultaneously without having to minimize one and maximize the other. This’ll help you boost your productivity.
Setting up dual monitors is far easier than you think. All you need is a second monitor and a video cable that’s compatible with your computer (HDMI, VGA, etc.). Most computers are smart enough to immediately recognize the second monitor and will automatically expand the interface for you.
Here’s the best part: you can use a TV as your second monitor. Read how to connect a laptop to a TV for more details.
Computer Voice Commands
Many modern laptops come with voice command features. Voice command enables you to direct your computer to perform tasks simply by using your voice. Windows 10 uses Cortana to perform voice commands, while Macs use a program called Dictation.
Explore either of these voice command systems and see what kinds of things you can control just by talking to your computer.
Have Fun During an Internet Outage
The Google Chrome Operating System has a fun feature that you can access if your Internet temporarily loses connection. When you receive the “Webpage is not available” error, press the “Space Bar” or “Up Arrow” to automatically begin an arcade game.
The arcade game is a side-scroller where you control a T-Rex, and you have to leap over cactus and prehistoric birds. It alleviates some of the frustration that you may have when your Internet goes down.
Create a Wi-Fi hotspot
A Wi-Fi hotspot can be incredibly useful when you’re travelling, especially if you have a laptop that you want to connect to the Internet. Typically, you’d have to find a public Wi-Fi network for your laptop, but this might be difficult to find in some areas (not to mention the fact that public networks are relatively unsafe. This is where a Wi-Fi hotspot comes in handy. You’ll need one to become a true digital nomad.
To create a hotspot, you’ve only got to have a cell phone with Wi-Fi roaming. Roaming allows your smartphone to connect to the Internet wherever you go.
When you create a Wi-Fi hotspot via your cell phone, you’re basically creating an Internet connection that’s run through your phone’s Internet connection.
You can create a custom password so that only you or your friends can connect to it. It’s a fast and easy way to share your smartphone’s Internet with your other devices that don’t have roaming.
Learn how to setup a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Improve Your Phone’s Battery Life
It’s easier than you think to boost your cell phone’s battery life. All you’ve got to do is lower the brightness of the screen. Your display drains a huge amount of battery life from your phone, and most people keep their display at a consistently high brightness all day long. Just turn it down!
It’s better for your eyes, anyway–digital screens are bad for your eyes when you stare at them for too long, especially when they’re bright.
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity questions in keeping with our theme.
Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
I have accepted that it is impossible to please everyone. I struggled for years to fit in with what I thought were the “cool kids,” but in the end I was unhappy because I felt I could never be my true self.
I now accept that to be my true self, as an individual, means that not everyone will like me, and that I can’t please everyone. But I now understand that being myself brings to me the most fulfilling relationships.
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I have learned to appreciate my family more, flaws and all. When I was young, my parents had a very busy life, and struggled to just make ends meet in our family. As a result, I became resentful that they never spent enough time with my siblings and I.
Now I appreciate them more, because they worked so hard for our family, and I am grateful now that I can have a stronger relationship with them as an adult and have a truly fulfilling relationship with them.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
The most rewarding thing I have ever done was when I decided to study abroad in Barcelona for a semester. I really felt like I broke out of my shell.
Being in an unfamiliar place where you can’t speak the language is difficult, but I gained so much confidence in myself that I can achieve my dreams in life. I still have a passion for travel. I would love to become a travel writer one day and circle the globe!
Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash
