Top 10 unknown Google tricks

Translate text, a full web page, or search by using the Google Language Tools.

Calculator

Use the Google Search engine as a calculator by typing a math problem in the search. For example, typing: 100 + 200 would display results as 300.

Track airline flight and packages

Enter the airline and flight number to display the status of an airline flight and it's arrival time. For example, type: delta 123 to display this flight information if available.

Google can also give a direct link to package tracking information if you enter a UPS, FedEx or USPS tracking number.

Phone number lookup

Enter a full phone number with area code to display the name and address associated with that phone number.

Definitions

Pull up the definition of the word by typing define followed by the word you want the definition for. For example, typing: define bravura would display the definition of that word.

Solution, Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage

What?  I was trying to access my bank’s web page but instead of the page I was presented with this message.  Is the web site down?  Nope, doesn’t seem to be.  It pings with no problem.  I’m firing up the Firefox, and voila – the web page appears before my eyes.  Is something wrong with the IE?  Did I unknowingly install a rogue browser extension, spyware or adware?  The fact that it’s a bank’s site made me suspicious.

Or is it just IE8?  I’m trying compatibility mode – nope, the same result.  Trying IE8 from another machine.  Works like a charm!  This is starting to look very troubling.  OK, it’s time for serious investigation.

Perhaps Autoruns can tell me what’s going on?  It’s a Sysinternals tool.  I’m looking through IE BHO’s, Winsock providers, other stuff that’s in there.  Nothing stands out.  Everything looks normal.

Perhaps it’s the anti-virus?  Or Vmware network services?  Shutting everything down.  Still nothing.

OK, let’s take a look at what happens at the network level.  Launching the Wireshark.  Capturing some network packets and what am I seeing?  IE8 sends a DNS query for the bank’s site.  The query resolves OK.  Then it establishes the connection: SYN, SYN+ACK, ACK – so far so good.  Then it sends HTTP GET.  And the very next packet it receives from the site is RST.  No wonder it can’t display the web page!  The site just drops the connection.

For Beginners, Ever Used A Computer Mouse Before?

This is a lesson for beginning computer mouse users.

Learn how to hold the computer mouse:

Hold the sides of the mouse with your thumb on one side and ring finger or pinkie, which ever feels more comfortable to you, on the other side. Your index finger goes on the left button and your middle finger on the right button. (Some computer mice only have one button, some have several, some have a wheel which you can use your middle finger to depress the wheel then turn it up or down to scroll pages very quickly or slow depending on how quickly you turn the wheel. Personally I love the wheel and would not have a mouse without it!) When you are told to 'click' use the button under your index finger, or the left button.

Learn how to move the computer mouse:

Slowly slide the mouse around on the mouse pad. See what happens to the arrow on the screen as you slide it around.

Do you need a mouse pad:

You should have a mouse pad under your mouse, (although the new optic mice do not require one). You will