Bits and Bytes September 2013 Page 15
This book contains an abundance of useful step-by-steps for making Windows 8 more efficient
for you. Even more important, there are great explanations of how the particular
subject of the hack works. For example, Hack 70: Hack DNS to Speed up Web browsing (a way
to speed up your web browsing using any type of connection). This hack has a succinct
explanation of the Domain Name System and how to implement the free OpenDNS service on
your computer and/or entire network. It’s simply a matter of changing the DNS addresses in
Internet Protocols on your PC or router. Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts are listed nicely in a
table in Hack 38.
This is really handy for us non-touchscreen users. Using the keyboard for direct access to
features is so much more efficient than pointing at corners of the screen and then click-click-
click. Hack 39 is a table of Windows 8 Gestures. Hack 44 is all about SkyDrive, what it is, how to
use it, and why you should download SkyDrive for Windows (not the one preinstalled) to gain full
functionality.
I surely miss the Start Menu. I hear I am far from alone in this complaint. Hack 8 explains how to
create a folder that contains a complete listing of all your installed applications, including the
system apps and Win8 apps. Pin it to the start menu and drag it into an accessible spot. Double-
click the folder to see the complete list and use the new File Explorer search bar to find anything
quickly. Hack 85 contains instructions for accessing the Win8 secret administrator account. This
account is not subject to the UAC controls. Think super-user or root on Linux systems.
So once you figure out how to get past your start screen, you’ll find Preston Gralla’s book a
great asset in modifying or optimizing everything Windows 8. From startup and desktop to
networking and security to e-mail, hardware and the registry, every aspect of the OS is touched
upon.
While the title uses the term Hacks, I consider them 121 gems of hidden keys to opening up the
potential of Win 8.
About: Windows 8 Hacks: Tips & Tools for Unlocking the Power of Tablets and Desktops
Author: Preston Gralla
Publisher: O’Reilly Media
http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920024958.do
ISBN-13: 978-1449325756
Price: $24.99, $14.45 @ Amazon
Windows Lab – Avoiding Web Ads and Cookies
by Penny Cano, a member of the Cajun Clickers Computer Club and Instructor for the Dumb & Dumber Workshops,
November 2012 issue, Cajun Clickers Computer News
www.cccc.org, ccnewsletter (at) cox.net
Web advertisements often take up half of the real estate on a webpage. Supposedly, they entice
the viewer into buying the products. In actuality, they help to financially support the host website.
Cookies, on the other hand, are outwardly invisible. They are put on your computer by websites
to identify you. There are good cookies and bad cookies. A secure website (bank, credit card,
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