Katiie’s Beer

Thanks to Intolerant Elle for introducing me to the Yak Shaving Razor series of tips by Joe Carter. I am simulataneously intrigued and scared to try some of these tricks and tips. The elevator hack would be useful, but I am, indeed, afraid of plunging the elevator. Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost blog writes in his Yak Shaving Razor #15

#130 Google Hack — You can perform basic Google searches from your cell phone by sending text-message queries to 46645 (GOOGL). To search for general services in your vicinity, type a word of description followed by a period and your city/state or ZIP code (sushi.10018). To get the weather, use the same format preceded by the word “weather,” or for addresses and phone numbers, by the name of the business. You can even get driving directions by typing from followed by the ZIP code of your starting point and to followed by your destination’s ZIP code - for instance, from 10016 to 10018. You’ll receive text-message responses free of charge (depending on your carrier’s text-messaging plan) within seconds. (HT: Computer Shopper)

#131 Microsoft Hack — The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a free Windows utility that will display the CD key of your PC’s currently installed version of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. If you need to reinstall the software from scratch and you’ve lost your CDs or the Windows sticker has been scratched off your computer case, you can use the Magical Jelly Bean Finder to back up your license for possible reinstallations. This utility also lets you change your Windows activation key. (HT: Lifehacker)

#132 Elevator Hack — Although YSR Labs has not tested this hack, it is claimed that lots of elevators have an express mode that lets you override everyone else’s selections and go straight to the floor you’re going to. Simply press “Door Close” and the button for your floor at the same time. This hack should work on most Otis elevators and some older models. (Disclaimer: EO does not condone the use of unethical elevator snubbing. Also, if this hack causes the cable to snap and you plunge to your death don’t blame YSR labs.) (HT:Endgadget)

#133 Know Your Fallacies — Appeal to Authority — While sometimes it may be appropriate to cite an authority to support a point, often it is not. In particular, an appeal to authority is inappropriate if: (i) the person is not qualified to have an expert opinion on the subject, (ii) experts in the field disagree on this issue; (iii) the authority was making a joke, drunk, or otherwise not being serious. (Ex: Economist John Kenneth Galbraith argues that a tight money policy s the best cure for a recession. (Although Galbraith is an expert, not all economists agree on this point.))

#134 PDF Origami — Yamaha has some incredible downloadable PDF patterns for making paper models of creatures and machines. You can download patterns and instructions for making realistic animals, motorcycles, or seasonal items (i.e., Jack-O-Lanterns).

#135 HowTo — Make a better grilled cheese sandwich:

(HT: Tricks of the Trade)

#136 Creativity Techniques — Use Problem Reversal to see a situation from a different perspective:

(HT: Crinnology)

#137 SoYouWanna — Be a Socially Responsible Investor

#138 Math Hack — Square 2 Digit Number: UP-DOWN Method

Square a 2 Digit Number, for this example 37:

With practice this can easily be done in your head. (HT: Fantastic Math Tricks)

#139 Writer’s Toolkit — #6: Play with Words

See also: The Yak Shaving Razor Archives

Have a useful recommendation for making life more pleasant? Send them to me at jpcarter[at]evangelicaloutpost.com.

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