I don't think that's quite right. I believe those cracks are a circuit that detects the interference (probably not the right word) caused by large chunks of metal passing near or over it. I don't believe it's a weight trestle, so you only need to pass over it to trip the sensor, you don't have to rock back and forth on it. Occasionally bikes won't trip it because they aren't large enough, that's when the rocking can help.
On the computer shortcut topic, F11 will make the window you are in full screen, covering the task bar. This helps me greatly since I only have a netbook with a tiny screen.
<a class="postlink" href="http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/question234.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-drivi ... ion234.htm</a>
This is correct. If you're in a car you're not going to achieve anything by rocking the car back and forth except confuse and annoy the guy behind you.
ALT+TAB allows you to switch between your active programs. If you use spreadsheets frequently, these are a godsend, spoilered for length. Spoiler CTRL+( Unhides any hidden rows within the selection. CTRL+) Unhides any hidden columns within the selection. CTRL+& Applies the outline border to the selected cells. CTRL+_ Removes the outline border from the selected cells. CTRL+~ Applies the General number format. CTRL+$ Applies the Currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers in parentheses). CTRL+% Applies the Percentage format with no decimal places. CTRL+^ Applies the Exponential number format with two decimal places. CTRL+# Applies the Date format with the day, month, and year. CTRL+@ Applies the Time format with the hour and minute, and AM or PM. CTRL+! Applies the Number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign (-) for negative values. CTRL+- Displays the Delete dialog box to delete the selected cells. CTRL+* Selects the current region around the active cell (the data area enclosed by blank rows and blank columns). In a PivotTable, it selects the entire PivotTable report. CTRL+: Enters the current time. CTRL+; Enters the current date. CTRL+` Alternates between displaying cell values and displaying formulas in the worksheet. CTRL+' Copies a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar. CTRL+" Copies the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar. CTRL++ Displays the Insert dialog box to insert blank cells. CTRL+1 Displays the Format Cells dialog box. CTRL+2 Applies or removes bold formatting. CTRL+3 Applies or removes italic formatting. CTRL+4 Applies or removes underlining. CTRL+5 Applies or removes strikethrough. CTRL+6 Alternates between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects. CTRL+7 Displays or hides the Standard toolbar. CTRL+8 Displays or hides the outline symbols. CTRL+9 Hides the selected rows. CTRL+0 Hides the selected columns. CTRL+A Selects the entire worksheet. If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+A selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+A a second time selects the entire worksheet. When the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula, displays the Function Arguments dialog box. CTRL+SHIFT+A inserts the argument names and parentheses when the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula. CTRL+B Applies or removes bold formatting. CTRL+C Copies the selected cells. CTRL+C followed by another CTRL+C displays the Microsoft Office Clipboard. CTRL+D Uses the Fill Down command to copy the contents and format of the topmost cell of a selected range into the cells below. CTRL+F Displays the Find dialog box. SHIFT+F5 also displays this dialog box, while SHIFT+F4 repeats the last Find action. CTRL+G Displays the Go To dialog box. F5 also displays this dialog box. CTRL+H Displays the Find and Replace dialog box. CTRL+I Applies or removes italic formatting. CTRL+K Displays the Insert Hyperlink dialog box for new hyperlinks or the Edit Hyperlink dialog box for selected existing hyperlinks. CTRL+L Displays the Create List dialog box. CTRL+N Creates a new, blank file. CTRL+O Displays the Open dialog box to open or find a file. CTRL+SHIFT+O selects all cells that contain comments. CTRL+P Displays the Print dialog box. CTRL+R Uses the Fill Right command to copy the contents and format of the leftmost cell of a selected range into the cells to the right. CTRL+S Saves the active file with its current file name, location, and file format. CTRL+U Applies or removes underlining. CTRL+V Inserts the contents of the Clipboard at the insertion point and replaces any selection. Available only after you cut or copied an object, text, or cell contents. CTRL+W Closes the selected workbook window. CTRL+X Cuts the selected cells. CTRL+Y Repeats the last command or action, if possible. CTRL+Z Uses the Undo command to reverse the last command or to delete the last entry you typed. CTRL+SHIFT+Z uses the Undo or Redo command to reverse or restore the last automatic correction when AutoCorrect Smart Tags are displayed. Function keys Key Description F1 Displays the Help task pane. CTRL+F1 closes and reopens the current task pane. ALT+F1 creates a chart of the data in the current range. ALT+SHIFT+F1 inserts a new worksheet. F2 Edits the active cell and positions the insertion point at the end of the cell contents. It also moves the insertion point into the Formula Bar when editing in a cell is turned off. SHIFT+F2 edits a cell comment. F3 Pastes a defined name into a formula. SHIFT+F3 displays the Insert Function dialog box. F4 Repeats the last command or action, if possible. CTRL+F4 closes the selected workbook window. F5 Displays the Go To dialog box. CTRL+F5 restores the window size of the selected workbook window. F6 Switches to the next pane in a worksheet that has been split (Window menu, Split command). SHIFT+F6 switches to the previous pane in a worksheet that has been split. CTRL+F6 switches to the next workbook window when more than one workbook window is open. Note When the task pane is visible, F6 and SHIFT+F6 include that pane when switching between panes. F7 Displays the Spelling dialog box to check spelling in the active worksheet or selected range. CTRL+F7 performs the Move command on the workbook window when it is not maximized. Use the arrow keys to move the window, and when finished press ESC. F8 Turns extend mode on or off. In extend mode, EXT appears in the status line, and the arrow keys extend the selection. SHIFT+F8 enables you to add a non-adjacent cell or range to a selection of cells by using the arrow keys. CTRL+F8 performs the Size command (on the Control menu for the workbook window) when a workbook is not maximized. ALT+F8 displays the Macro dialog box to run, edit, or delete a macro. F9 Calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks. F9 followed by ENTER (or followed by CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER for array formulas) calculates the selected a portion of a formula and replaces the selected portion with the calculated value. SHIFT+F9 calculates the active worksheet. CTRL+ALT+F9 calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F9 rechecks dependent formulas, and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated. CTRL+F9 minimizes a workbook window to an icon. F10 Selects the menu bar or closes an open menu and submenu at the same time. SHIFT+F10 displays the shortcut menu for a selected item. ALT+SHIFT+F10 displays the menu or message for a smart tag. If more than one smart tag is present, it switches to the next smart tag and displays its menu or message. CTRL+F10 maximizes or restores the selected workbook window. F11 Creates a chart of the data in the current range. SHIFT+F11 inserts a new worksheet. ALT+F11 opens the Visual Basic Editor, in which you can create a macro by using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). ALT+SHIFT+F11 opens the Microsoft Script Editor, where you can add text, edit HTML tags, and modify any script code. F12 Displays the Save As dialog box. Other useful shortcut keys Key Description ARROW KEYS Move one cell up, down, left, or right in a worksheet. CTRL+ARROW KEY moves to the edge of the current data region (data region: A range of cells that contains data and that is bounded by empty cells or datasheet borders.) in a worksheet. SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells by one cell. CTRL+SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW selects the menu to the left or right when a menu is visible. When a submenu is open, these arrow keys switch between the main menu and the submenu. DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW selects the next or previous command when a menu or submenu is open. In a dialog box, arrow keys move between options in an open drop-down list, or between options in a group of options. ALT+DOWN ARROW opens a selected drop-down list. BACKSPACE Deletes one character to the left in the Formula Bar. Also clears the content of the active cell. DELETE Removes the cell contents (data and formulas) from selected cells without affecting cell formats or comments. In cell editing mode, it deletes the character to the right of the insertion point. END Moves to the cell in the lower-right corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on. Also selects the last command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible. CTRL+END moves to the last cell on a worksheet, in the lowest used row of the rightmost used column. CTRL+SHIFT+END extends the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner). ENTER Completes a cell entry from the cell or the Formula Bar, and selects the cell below (by default). In a data form, it moves to the first field in the next record. Opens a selected menu (press F10 to activate the menu bar) or performs the action for a selected command. In a dialog box, it performs the action for the default command button in the dialog box (the button with the bold outline, often the OK button). ALT+ENTER starts a new line in the same cell. CTRL+ENTER fills the selected cell range with the current entry. SHIFT+ENTER completes a cell entry and selects the cell above. ESC Cancels an entry in the cell or Formula Bar. It also closes an open menu or submenu, dialog box, or message window. HOME Moves to the beginning of a row in a worksheet. Moves to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on. Selects the first command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible. CTRL+HOME moves to the beginning of a worksheet. CTRL+SHIFT+HOME extends the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet. PAGE DOWN Moves one screen down in a worksheet. ALT+PAGE DOWN moves one screen to the right in a worksheet. CTRL+PAGE DOWN moves to the next sheet in a workbook. CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN selects the current and next sheet in a workbook. PAGE UP Moves one screen up in a worksheet. ALT+PAGE UP moves one screen to the left in a worksheet. CTRL+PAGE UP moves to the previous sheet in a workbook. CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP selects the current and previous sheet in a workbook. SPACEBAR In a dialog box, performs the action for the selected button, or selects or clears a check box. CTRL+SPACEBAR selects an entire column in a worksheet. SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects an entire row in a worksheet. CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the entire worksheet. If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR a second time selects the entire worksheet. When an object is selected, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects all objects on a worksheet. ALT+SPACEBAR displays the Control menu for the Excel window. TAB Moves one cell to the right in a worksheet. Moves between unlocked cells in a protected worksheet. Moves to the next option or option group in a dialog box. SHIFT+TAB moves to the previous cell in a worksheet or the previous option in a dialog box. CTRL+TAB switches to the next tab in dialog box. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB switches to the previous tab in a dialog box. Kind of on topic: For cheap homemade butter, buy heavy cream and just whip it. For a cheap, all purpose cleaner with no chemicals, put vinegar in a spray bottle, the smell disappears surprisingly quick. For cheap dishwasher detergent mix baking soda, borax and citric acid. You can use kits to make homemade wine for less than $3/bottle that will taste as good as the $20 bottles in the store (that's variable cost, you need to do it a couple times to make up for the fixed costs). It's easier than brewing beer.
If in the 21st century you're still using notepad, I feel sorry for you. My favorite notepad replacement is the aptly named notepad++, which is fast, simple, and can highlight syntax for basically anything under the sun. Oh, and it's free. http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
If you press the Ctrl button and then roll the mouse roller backwards or forwards it will adjust the size of the text on your browser. If you press the Shift button and then roll the mouse roller you can jump backwards or forwards through the webpages you have been on. This could all very well be common knowledge, so please cut me some slack.
How about we get away from the computer-related keyboard shortcuts? Surely font-resizing on Firefox isn't a Life Hack. Instead of outlining the details of keyboard shortcuts, how about we just say to go look for the keyboard shortcut help page on any application you use a lot. They also have shortcut cards you can get (pdf, etc). Glance over it and make note of the shortcuts that you think you'd benefit from. Then try and force yourself to use them, and you'll learn them. Way faster than using a mouse.
But how many people don't know that Shift+Tab will make it tab up instead of down? Super convenient when filling out forms. Control+Alt+Arrow Key will change the orientation of a computer screen if the hotkeys for this are enabled. Great way to screw with a coworker. But, getting away from the computer stuff, Coke will clean the gunk off of your car battery, and is also (for me at least) the best way to fight nausea. The ticket line at the other end is always shorter. I don't know if they've fixed it yet, but at Express the discounts would often stack in ways typically prohibited by other stores, so you could do things like Buy 2 Get 1 Free + Save $10 on $50+ purchase. Barnes and Noble will also let you stack discounts with their Buy 2 Get 1 Free specials (I got the Battlestar Galactica DVDs super cheap that way). If you're mixing whisky and Coke, Evan Williams will do just fine. You can tear drier sheets in half if doing a small load. Ketchup and horseradish makes cocktail sauce. Mustard and grape jelly makes barbeque sauce. (Sounds gross, but it really is most of the ingredients in many BBQ sauces; it's like a fucking Horadric cube recipe.) When cooking, frozen spinach is often better than fresh. Whole grain goldfish crackers. Taste great, and one 140 calorie serving is 55 pieces. I usually get distracted and forget I was hungry around #30. Many bars charge the same for Wild Turkey 101 as they do for other call whiskeys. Many law firms publish hundreds or thousands of white papers, client alerts, etc on their websites, and have searchable databases. Reading enough opinions of experts makes you an expert. And finally, the most important life hack ever: In Desktop Tower Defense Pro Multiplayer, when you get to the Split Boss, sell a couple towers so that they can bypass your maze. You'll sacrifice two lives, but it's the hardest level in the game, and odds you'll lose more lives by killing them and letting them split. Also, they'll go through your level very fast, which will cause the Flying Boss to come quicker, you can easily kill that one, but your opponent can't, since his fire power is now divided between the fliers and the splitters still in the middle of his maze. Killing the fliers quickly summons the last level, and with a little luck your opponent will be very disoriented from the rapid level progression that late in the game.
Coke is an awesome degreaser. If I need to clean up oil spots in the garage, Coke's quicker and easier than anything else I've found. It's also good to clean showers with, and a whole bunch of other things that need an acidic treatment.
On older coke machines, like this: You can change the prices of the soda. Treat the soda buttons as a control panel. First you need to be able to access the coke debug menu. To do this, hit the 4th button, 2nd button, 3rd button, 1st button in that order. Then the first 4 buttons from top to bottom are treated as follows: Up Down Select Exit Hit the "down" button until you either see "Price" or "$Change" on the little LED readout. Then hit the "select" button and use the up/down keys to change the price (It should be in 0.25 increment). Hit select at the price you want, then exit. These machines are getting harder to find, and it doesn't work on every one, but it's worked for me on a few occasions. Good luck!
There's a similar hack you can do with phones now along the same lines as the Captain Crunch hack. The message data and command data (I don't know the technical terms) for phone calls are now transmitted separately, so you can't get free long distance phone calls the same way, but there's at least one signal you still can send: hanging up. I discovered this after having a few calls dropped while whistling as the phone rang. I haven't tried it on a call that's been answered, and haven't played around with it enough to pin point the exact tone, but if anyone is bored and curious enough they can figure it out. It should be possible to play the tone and end someone else's phone calls, useful for getting annoying Asians in the library to shut up.
When boiling an egg, if you put some bio-carbinate of soda in the boiling water and then boil the egg with it. Once the egg is done (9 minutes low heat), cool it down, peel of the tops of both ends, hold it in your hand and blow one end, it comes out the other. No need to fuck around trying to peel it. Make sure it's fully hardboiled though or else it explodes in your face. Tim Ferris never tells you that detail.