CyberCoyote — November 19, 2009

NEWS and NOTES
Windows 7 jump lists

Today we explored what's behind the Windows 7 Orb (Start button), and other features of the user interface. One of the best ones lets you "pin" program shortcuts to the Taskbar. Each of these shortcuts has its own "jump list", which you reach with a right-click. Update: Microsoft video covering much of what we explored.

After the meeting, Gail told me about pinning your favorite folders to a Windows Explorer shortcut that you've already pinned to the taskbar. It's dead simple to do, but it's not obvious that you can.

Here's how: Open Windows Explorer and find one of your favorite folders. Click and drag it down to the Windows Explorer shortcut on the taskbar. When you get close enough you'll see "Pin to Windows Explorer." Release the mouse button, and a shortcut to your favorite folder will now be pinned to the jump list.

TECH TOPICS
Dropbox

There are several good online backup/sync services available these days. Dropbox is about as simple to set up and use as these cloud services get. It's free for up to 2 GB of file storage.

You can also sync those same files with as many computers as you like, and you can share access to any specific files you choose. You can have Dropbox going in 10 minutes max. Never email a file again.

WEB PICK
Carve your turkey like a chef

I learned to carve turkey when I was in the Army. No, I wasn't a cook. My buddies and I lived off-post in a bachelor pad on Twin Peaks in San Francisco. Tough duty, but that's another story. We did have turkey with all the trimmings for Holidays though.

I carved those turkeys using what I could remember from how my Grandmother did it. She learned how as a ranch cook. I didn't do too badly myself, but a guide like this would have helped.

The safest way to thaw a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. You'll need about 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.

ODDS and ENDS
Pictures from Cuba

I'm not sure where they get all the great pictures, but The Boston Globe frequently has "stories in photographs" that are very informative. Scenes from Havana was a recent one that I found interesting. Here's the latest story. [feed]

You can scroll through the pictures with your mouse, but a much better way is to use the keyboard shortcuts that Google uses. First, click the "F11" function at the top of your keyboard to go to full screen mode. Then click "J" to move to the next picture and the "K" key to move up. Click "F11" again to return from full screen when you are done.

That's all, folks.