Internet-Taskbar Shortcut to the Web

There are certain Websites I refer to often, especially mine when it comes to my attention that a reader drops me an email with a question about something I’ve posted. I find that shortcuts to Websites save me time and effort. Here are a few that I’d like to share with you.

One way to reach a Website quickly is to hold down the Windows key and then press the |R| key on your keyboard (to invoke the Run dialog box).

Example: In the Open: text box, type: http://davebrooks.net

Press the |Enter| key (to accept the command).

This little shortcut fires up my browser and takes me directly to my Home page, even when I’m not on the Internet and working on another project.

Another way…

To invoke the Run: dialog box…

Press the Windows key, and then press the letter |R| on your keyboard. NOTE! Pressing the |Ctrl| and |Esc| keys are the same as pressing the Windows key, and then finally press the |R| key on your keyboard.

You can also create a Taskbar shortcut to any Website, albeit obscure. it’s interesting… Once again, for the sake of this example, I’ll use my Website…

1. Right click on any open space on the Taskbar.
2. Select Toolbars (from the context menu).
3. Select New Toolbar… (from the submenu).
4. In the New Folder (dialog box), down at the bottom to the left of folder: type in the Website address, e.g. http://davebrooks.net
5. To access the Website, right click on the shortcut and then select Open in Window (from the context menu).

Start Your Browser In a Blank Page

As a general rule, most of us select a “Home Page” that Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Opera opens to every time we log-in to the Internet. Whether it be Google, Yahoo, MSN or whatever. But, what if you don’t always want to go the same page every time you open your browser? Use the “Blank Page” option available to you all of the three browsers mentioned here. Especially helpful when you’re do “straight research” on a specific topic. This way, you can open your browser to any page your want, depending on your wants, needs, and criteria. In this example, we’ll use Internet Explorer (the other two browsers use the same concept). No matter what browser you prefer to use, the secret is in the Tool or Tools (menu). Here’s the rest of the drill, using Internet Explorer as our example, from within Internet Explorer (or from another browser):

1. Click on Tools (menu).
2. Select Internet Options (from the context menu).
3. Under the heading “Home page section,” click on the “Use Blank” option.

At first, this may seem a little weird, but trust me on this one. The straight reasoning that the three most popular browser not only support this feature (but actually have a place for it in their set-up) is because power users demand this support and functionality feature.

Finally, if you decide the “Use Blank” option is not to your liking just go back in and restore your default web site setting.

Put Your Name on Internet Explorers Title Bar

You can customize Internet Explorers Title Bar with your name, your company name, moto, slogan or whatever message you want to appear. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Hold down the Windows key, and then press the R key on your keyboard (to invoke the Run: dialog box).

2. In the Open: text field, type: regedit

3. Press the Enter key (to accept the command), which brings you to the Registry Editor.

4. Click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ and follow down the tree, clicking on each of the folders as follows:

\Software

\Microsoft

\Internet Explorer

\Main

Now, you’ll see two panes; on the left the navigation pane and on the right side is the Attributes pane. We’re going to be working in the Attributes pane to make the changes to Internet Explorers Title Bar.

1. Right click in the Attributes pane (right side).

2. Select New (from the context menu).

3. Click String Value (from the sub-menu).

4. Name the new String Value: WindowTitle (no space between window and title, type exactly as shown).

5. Double click the newly created WindowTitle attribute to invoke the Edit String dialog box. In the Edit Sring dialog box at the top you’ll see Value name and directly underneath it WindowTitle. Underneath this, you’ll see Value data and below this you’ll find the Open: box where you’ll type in the new name for Internet Explorers Title Bar.

6. Type any name you’d like to see displayed in the Value data text field. For example, I chose “Gyzmo Dave on Computers!”

7. Click OK and back out of the Registry Editor and return to the Desktop.

8. Now, restrat your computer (for the change you made to take affect).

Once you’re back up and running, launch Internet Explorer to see the changes you made in its title bar.

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Internet-Checking Your Connections

Hold down the Windows key, and then press the R key on your keyboard to invoke the Run dialog box. In the Open: box, type: cmd, and then press the Enter key. You are now into a DOS (Disk Operating System) mode. A typical DOS prompt would be the name of your hard drive, usually [C:] followed by a folder name and a right-arrow and would look like this:

C:\Windows>

From the DOS prompt, type: ping followed by a Website URL, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard to find out how quickly you get a response back from that particular URL.

Type: tracert, followed by a space and a URL, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard to view all the computers your traffic travels through in order to reach the destination URL you typed, and how long it takes at each step.

Type: ipconfig, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard. The command displays your local IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway.

Type: ipconfig/release, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard to release your Internet connection; while typing ipconfig/renew will restore your Internet connection.

Type: Exit, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard to exit DOS and return to Windows when finished.

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For more information… drop me a line at dave@gyzmodave.com