Tech Talk: Shortcuts

Not all shortcuts are created equal. One should probably be wary of, for instance, construction shortcuts. I’m no expert, but my guess is creating long-lasting, safe buildings is not the ideal time to start cutting corners.

Technology shortcuts, however, can be lifesavers. One of the more generalized tech shortcuts might even fall under the term “life hacks” and applies to any device.

For example, it’s a good idea to avoid saving files directly to a device’s hard drive. That way, you never reach the point of “full” and have to play the what-gets-deleted game. Instead, opt for external storage. Use a mix of cloud-based and static external storage.

While you’re at it, use that external storage drive to back up all hard drives. In the event of a computer catastrophe, a complete recovery can be made in no time.

Another good tech habit is to organize. Better if you can do it when the device is new, but there’s no wrong time to start. What’s in your digital junk drawer? How many loose files are currently saved on your desktop, crowding up the place? How many tabs are open in your browser? Do you side scroll endlessly looking for apps you know you downloaded? These are personal questions, I know. If you’re someone who scrambles to find where that missing file got off to, this may be the right time to make a change.

Keyboard shortcuts enhance workflow, which is something worth looking into if you use a computer for your livelihood. Still, workflow enhancement should be a priority even if you only use your device for fun. With both hands remaining on the keyboard, using shortcuts to perform tasks is often faster than using a mouse.

Use a shortcut to zoom into that Waitsburg Times article you’re reading online. Save your eyesight and time.

Keyboard shortcuts vary from operating system to operating system and keyboard to keyboard. The common thread is you, the user. Deep dive into your options menus and assign the “hotkeys” or keyboard shortcuts that best suit your workflow.

Here are the common ones you should know for both Mac and PC. Windows shortcuts tend to use the Control and Alt keys, while Mac OS uses a mix of Command, Shift, and Control. I’m challenging you to memorize these, using the idle brain space that was once reserved for phone numbers.

The first one, which works the same on both operating systems and is imperative for switching between applications, is to hit and hold Command while lightly tapping the tab key. With each tap, a menu of all the open programs appears, highlighting the selected option. When the keys are released, the selected app is live. Command + tab over to find windows that get lost on the desktop. It’s also incredibly handy for the quick copy and pasting of text.

Shortcut command Mac OS PC

Switch between apps Command + tab Command + tab

Emoji & Symbols menu Command + space Windows + ; (Semicolon)

Create a new file Command + shift + N Control + shift + N

Em dash Command + shift + hyphen Alt + 0151

Degrees symbol Option + shift + 8 Alt + 0176

Universal bullet point Option + 8 Control + shift + L

Targeted screenshot Command + shift + 4 Windows + shift + S

If you don’t have a shortcut, or can’t make one work, a quick and easy way to get access to symbols and special characters is through Google Docs. Inside Google Docs’ word processor, click Insert > Special Characters. A repositionable window appears with a search bar where you can type keywords or descriptions of the symbol want. Simply copy from the Google Doc and paste elsewhere. Voila!