Taking effective notes is not necessarily a built-in skill. Productivity blog Lifehack.org has a nice write-up of exactly how to make your notes—whether they be for school, work, or whatever—the absolute most useful notes ever. Two things to remember: Write down what is new to you (there's no point in writing down stuff you already know, right?), and write down what is relevant (what's going to be of use to you later).
Monthly Archives: September 2007
Note Taking: How to Take Killer NotesLifehacker
Posted on September 15, 2007
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Linux Tip: Gently Restart a Frozen SystemLifehacker
Posted on September 12, 2007
Linux users: On your next system freeze, when CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE leaves you high and dry, don't reach for the power button. Rather than forcing the system to shut down (which can do quite a bit of damage to your system—especially if data is being written to the hard drive), the FOSSwire web site explains a safer technique for restarting your system.
1. Hold down the Alt and SysRq (Print Screen) keys.
2. While holding those down, type the following in order. Nothing will appear to happen until the last letter is pressed: REISUB
3. Watch your computer reboot magically.
This sequence of keystrokes will kill all programs, unmount your drives and restart. FOSSwire recommends remembering this key sequence with the phrase “Raising Elephants Is So Utterly Boring.”
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Outlook: Defer Sending Emails and Save EmbarrassmentLifehacker
Posted on September 11, 2007
Ever hit the Send button on an email and realize a few seconds later that rather than complaining to your coworker about your boss’s impossible dictates and ugly ties, you hit Reply All and complained to your entire company, boss included? If you’re using Outlook, the How-To Geek weblog details how to use Outlook rules to defer the delivery of emails so that you have time to fix those “Oh no!” moments without really interrupting your workflow. We’ve covered this idea before, but the How-To Geek compellingly emphasizes why you might want to defer emails. (Now if only Gmail would integrate a similar feature.) If you’re looking to remember your attachments, check out the Outlook Attachment Reminder.
Use Outlook Rules to Prevent “Oh No!” After Sending Emails [the How-To Geek]
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How To: Trick Out Your Dining Room Table with Fancy Napkin FoldsLifehacker
Posted on September 10, 2007
Impress the boss when he comes over for dinner with professional napkin folds. The Napkin Folding Guide web site has 27 step-by-step tutorials that demonstrate how to create steakhouse-style folded napkins. Each step of the tutorial is accompanied with a picture and instructions that will have you folding your way to a promotion in no time. Martha Stewart would be proud.
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ZFS saves the day
Posted on September 3, 2007
I just got this email1 from a user of my home server:
I have need of your rinky dinky back up system.
There is a file in My_DocumentsCorrespondence called “XXXXXX” which I have overwritten somehow in error. Can you get the orginal back? I created it last week (Monday I think) and have not updated it since, except to overwrite it today!!
Well it turns out I can:
# /home/cjg/bin/sh/zfs_versions 'XXXXXX.odt' /home/user/.zfs/snapshot/day_2007-08-27-01:01/My_Documents/Correspondence/XXXXXX.odt /home/user/.zfs/snapshot/hour_2007-09-03-12:00/My_Documents/Correspondence/XXXXXX.odt /home/user/.zfs/snapshot/minute_2007-09-03-12:30/My_Documents/Correspondence/XXXXXX.odt /home/user/.zfs/snapshot/minute_2007-09-03-12:50/My_Documents/Correspondence/XXXXXX.odt /home/user/.zfs/snapshot/hour_2007-09-03-13:00/My_Documents/Correspondence/XXXXXX.odt #
Choose your version.
1I’ve anonymized the email.
Real Estate: Make Your Home More Attractive to BuyersLifehacker
Posted on September 1, 2007
Give your home more appeal to possible buyers with just a few quick and simple improvement tips from real estate blogger Rod Thomas. None of these will break the bank, and in a competitive market, these little touches can really make the difference.
For instance, any realtor will tell you that getting rid of surplus furniture and knick-knacks in every room of your house will make the house feel more spacious. You’ll also get a lot of mileage out of a tidy yard, getting rid of personal photos and simply giving your home a thorough cleaning.
10 ways to sell your house quicker [Rod Thomas]
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