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Lifehacker
Microsoft stripped its calendar and photo gallery apps from Windows 7, but one extra it did bundle into the Windows 7 Preview is PowerShell, a souped-up command line and scripting GUI that frees you, finally, from the limits of DOS batch scripts. PowerShell is available as a free download for XP and Vista users, too. What are your favourite scripts and uses for PowerShell? Post them in the comments.
Linux only: QuickStart, a free automation utility for Ubuntu Linux systems, makes it easy to perform partial or full system backups of any partition, synchronise folders and update them on a schedule, and take care of other tasks a beginner would normally need to spend serious time researching. The tiny app opens a simple interface listing your choices, although dialog prompts guide you through any steps requiring input. The tools for installing DVD playing codecs, backing up your Master Boot Record, and creating synchronized backups seem particularly helpful, and while I haven't tested every function, a handful of them completed without any problems. QuickStart is a free download for Ubuntu systems only; both links below carry non-terminal installation instructions for the script.
I get bored with my desktop wallpaper pretty easily, especially in Ubuntu Linux, where it's nearly the only thing on my desktop. Until recently, that meant scouring theming sites for great artwork, opening the Appearance tab and re-scaling and choosing background colours for each picture, and just general unproductive knob-twiddling. Digging through the Ubuntu Forums, however, I came across a few tools that can rotate customised background images with a shortcut, on a timer, or based on the time of day. Let's take a look at how any GNOME-based Linux user can use rotating backgrounds to keep better track of time, keep your desktop looking fresh, and inspire all kinds of coffee shop conversations.
As per several readers' requests, I just updated the Gmail Always Show CC: user script (and its BCC sibling.) Now the scripts can show the CC or BCC fields using a key combination; and they work when replying to messages, too. Go download the updated version of your choice.
Gmail users with Firefox and Greasemonkey: If you often use the CC or BCC field in Gmail but you're sick of clicking on the "Add CC" and "Add BCC" link to do so, we've got a pair of user scripts for you. Bypass the click step automatically by installing the:
Windows only: Need to pull an email address from a file you can't open, or a message folder from an ancient mail client? Point Email Address Extract, a free Windows utility, at the folder or specific files, and let it do its text-parsing thing. The old-school-looking app comes with some basic file filters enabled (like HTML pages and .dat files), but you can direct it to pull any type of file you'd like from any folder. The app dumps any found addresses into an ordered text file, which makes exporting them elsewhere a bit easier. It's the kind of tool you're glad to find, but hope you don't have to use too often. Email Address Extract is a free download for Windows systems only.
US-centric: Now you can truly see why our commenters dubbed Python the programming language that "can do anything." One intrepid (and hungry) hacker, possibly named Nick Jensen, put together a small script that tracks Domino's Pizza orders from phone... Read More »
Readers are submitting their best life hack for a chance to win an autographed copy of our new book, Upgrade Your Life. Here's our latest winner.
When reader Jim steps away from his PC at the office, he likes to let everyone know where he is—and he uses his screensaver to do just that. But digging through the settings every time he has to change the status message is tedious, so Jim streamlines the process with a handy script that he invokes with a simple key combination. After the jump, download Jim's fabulous script and learn how to set it up for yourself.
Frequently using Google Maps for directions? Reader Pham writes in with a simple but interesting way to save time when looking up directions.
Basically, the multi-step process of going to Google [Maps], typing in an address, clicking submit, etc., can be avoided by just putting all your info directly into the URL. For example typing this works:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1683 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
Linux only: Automate frequent tasks and avoid unnecessary program hunting with Nautilus-actions, a free extension that adds file-specific options to the right-click menu. Those with a little script know-how can easily hack together their own automators, but some of the freely available actions include resizing and emailing pictures, file conversion and renaming and even a helpful "shredder"—the kind that erases and overwrites a file 10 times to make it unrecoverable.
