Simple but useful

Some people might know this already, but I just found this out and thought that others may benefit from this.

I have often wanted to open several documents as the same time but didn’t know how.

I just figured it out and it’s really easy. Here’s how.

1. Go to the relevant folder – e.g. My Documents

2. Hold down either one of the Control buttons

3. While you are doing that, select any number of documents which will then become highlighted.

4. Put the cursor over one of them and right click (it won’t work if the cursor’s not over one of the highlighted documents)

5. Hit “open” from the menu

6. All the selected documents all open up

That’s it! Simple.

Jason

P.S. If you highlight a document in error just click on it again while holding down the Control key and it will un-highlight

You must hold down the control key for all selections or un-selections, otherwise the previously highlighted documents will un-highlight and you'll have to start again.

And just to state the obvious … you don’t have to hold down the control button if you’re not currently selecting a file only when (before and during) you are selecting files

Keeping up to date - Update Checker from FileHippo

How many times have you been in the midst of trying to do something trivial like open certain websites or use a program, or open a file only to be told that you don’t have the most recent version of whatever program is needed to do what you want to do?

True, you can usually find the relevant update and download and install it. But isn’t it better to be pro-active and do all this when you have time and patience, not in the middle of some important or enjoyable browsing session.

There is a solution …

I discovered a really useful application by Filehippo – a reliable site which links to the most recent (as well as older) versions of most worthwhile software. The application is called “Update Checker” and can be downloaded here.

Filehippo Update Checker runs in the system tray at startup and scans your hard drive to see if you have the most up-to-date versions of pretty much all your programs.

Here (below) is the list Update Checker generated for me last time it scanned my PC. (Gray arrows = programs I already downloaded – by clicking the arrow, Green means not yet downloaded)

(Click on the image to see a larger version)

As you can see below there are different configuration options (I recommend NOT showing Beta versions)

There image below shows the options for each program – I chose different options for different programs so you can see the choices.

(Click on the image to see a larger version)

When you’re done you see a pick canary

which means you can now enjoy hassle free browsing or whatever.

It also means that you have the most secure, bug free versions of all your great free programs.

Enjoy!

Jason

Keep your Gmail safe!

I have extolled the virtues of Gmail (more to come too) here

It’s a great example of a free service which can do pretty much all you need an email program to be able to do.

I suddenly had a thought though.  What would happen if I got locked out of my account, or some unforeseen disaster wiped everything out.  That would be really bad – obviously.

Well I just came across a free program which backs up your GMail and stores it on your hard drive.  It’s called Gmail Backup, surprisingly enough.  It’s free and it can be downloaded here and here.

Here’s a picture of the interface as it backs up my Gmail:

BuzzNet Tags: Backup Gmail free

43 Things Tags: Backup Gmail free

We don’t like to think about potential disasters, but we should – and what’s more, this is free, so it’s a no brainer.

Caution and contingency plans are always a good way to go – the Internet is not a place which disproves that rule – quite the opposite!

Jason