一个小（视觉）基本历史
在1988年，VBScript或（Visual Basic脚本版）的第一次迭代出现，仍然是我们今天的一个非常原始的版本。 多年来，对于Microsoft的易于使用和轻量级脚本语言的需求增加。 正因为如此，该公司不断努力，并于1996年向公众发布。
它是一个简单的脚本，它使用COM（组件对象模型）在Microsoft操作系统中创建，读取，更新和删除文件。 自从Windows 98发布以来，它已经与每台计算机一起安装。 它是高度通用的，因为事实上VBScript主机环境可以嵌入使用Microsoft脚本控制的程序内。 它经常与Internet信息服务，Windows脚本宿主和Internet Explorer一起使用。
但是，这是足够的技术jibber jabber。 让我们来看看它，并学习如何让你的电脑说话！
单次使用VBScripts
让我们通过打开记事本开始这个过程。 打开记事本后，你需要做的就是键入下面的代码，或者直接复制并粘贴到记事本窗口。 为了改变你的脚本使计算机说，简单地替换任何你想听到的说，“怪人必须继承地球”的部分。
找到要保存图像的位置。 对于此示例，我将其保存到“下载”目录中的一个空文件夹。 你需要做的重要的事情是给它一个以.vbs结尾的名字。 这将告诉计算机您不保存纯文本文件; 相反，你是保存一个VBScript。 我们将这个样例命名为“Geek test.vbs”，如下所示。
现在您可以继续并关闭记事本，并导航到您保存VBScript的文件夹。 您会注意到该图标不是正常的TXT图标。 它是在一个白色背景的一个小蓝色纸卷。 双击此图标启动您的单一使用脚本并听取您的文本。 恭喜，您刚刚创建了第一个脚本。
现在，为了得到它的挂起，尝试创建一些更多的脚本与任何你想听到的文本。 或者，您可以右键单击VBScript并选择“使用. 打开”选项，然后选择记事本来编辑同一文件中的文本。
文本到语音脚本
输入代码后，只需将文件保存为“文本到Speech.vbs”，如前所示完成脚本。 一旦保存，导航到它的位置，并双击它。 你会注意到，窗口被称为“我为你说话”，并提示输入要发声的文本是“我该说什么，你的极客？”你可以随时改变这些说什么你想要的。
问候VBScript脚本
这是变得很有趣，但你的电脑仍然没有与你互动很多。 现在我们将尝试另一个简单的脚本，它考虑一天的时间以及一天中适当的响应。 此脚本将读取您的计算机的时间，并基于此，它会以某种方式迎接您。
现在可以将文本文档另存为VBS文件。 一旦你这样做，去到保存它的文件夹，双击它。 根据您的计算机显示的时间，它会说“早上好，下午好或晚上好Geekmeister”。
时间VBScript脚本
首先打开Microsoft记事本并将此代码复制到窗口中。 它只是一个两个代码的副本结合起来。 记住，你可以将问候语改为“怎么了伙计，你好大师，问候你的全能高度”，或任何你想让你的电脑对你说。
将完整的代码复制到记事本后，请将其保存为“Startup greeting.vbs”。 它也可以被称为任何你想要的，但为了演示的目的，如果我们都在同一页上，它是更容易。 现在它已被保存，你可以双击VBScript文件听到它迎接你，告诉你的时间。
如果由于某种原因，这对您不起作用，您还可以手动导航到启动文件夹。 您将首先转到保存“Startup greeting.vbs”的文件夹并复制它。
下一步是在任何资源管理器窗口的顶部键入以下路径，然后按“Enter”。 您只需要使用您用于计算机帐户的名称更改USERNAME。
C：\ Users \ USERNAME \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \
Windows \开始菜单\程序\启动
- 极客测试
- 问候
- 启动问候
- 告诉时间
- 文字转语音
Create a VBS script that will take a text input from a user
There is cool feature in Windows that allows you to make your computer talk or speak whatever you tell it! This method takes advantage of a built-in API installed on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 called SAPI (Speech Application Programming Interface).
The Microsoft Speech API is what is used for the text-to-speech accessibility feature built into Windows. You can also write programs that call the API, which would allow you to let your applications speak, but that’s for developers.
Just making your computer say what you want is pretty easy actually! In this article, I’ll show you how to create a VBS script that will take a text input from a user and then speak it. I’ll also mention how to hard code the text you want spoken and then schedule that script to run on specific events like starting Windows or logging off.
Input Text, Speak Message
Let’s start off with a simple script that will popup a dialog box where you can type in what you want Windows to speak. First, go ahead and open Notepad.
Step 1: Paste the following text into a new document:
Dim message, sapi
message=InputBox(“Enter the text you want spoken”,”Speak This”)
Set sapi=CreateObject(“sapi.spvoice”)
sapi.Speak message
Note that when you copy text from your web browser and paste it into Notepad, the quotes will cause problems. Before you save the file, you need to go through and delete each quote (“) and retype the quote. In the example below, there are six quotes. It should look something like the image below.
Now when you go to save the file, give it any name, but make sure you also type .VBS after the name. Next, for the Save as type box, choose All files instead of the default Text Documents.
Now double-click on the VBS file and you should see an input box where you can type in the text you want spoken! Type something and click OK.
If you did everything right, you should hear either a male or female voice speak out your sentence. If you get any kind of error message, make sure to copy and paste the text again and replace those quotes.
Configure SAPI Voice Settings
This is fun, but we can also configure our little talking computer with different settings. We can change the volume, how fast or slow the voice talks and change the gender between male and female. Here is some example code where I added a couple of extra lines.
Dim message, sapi
message=InputBox(“Enter the text you want spoken”,”Speak This”)
Set sapi=CreateObject(“sapi.spvoice”)
Set sapi.Voice = sapi.GetVoices.Item(1)
sapi.Rate = 0
sapi.volume = 100
sapi.Speak message
The default rate is 0 and the range is -10 to 10. -10 will have the voice speak super slowly and 10 will speak super fast. The volume is defaulted at 100 and the range is 0 to 100. The line that starts with Set sapi.Voice will allow you to change to another voice, if installed on your system.
Note that the number of voices you can choose from depends on the operating system. In Windows 7, there is only one voice, Microsoft Anna.
In Windows 10, there are two voices: Microsoft David and Microsoft Zira as shown below.
If there is only one voice installed on your system, you have to change that says sapi.GetVoices.Item(1) to sapi.GetVoices.Item(0), otherwise you will get an error message when you try to run the script. You can also create another Notepad document and paste the code below in, which will tell you what voices are installed. Save it as a .VBS file like shown above and run it.
Set VObj = CreateObject(“SAPI.SpVoice”)
For Each Voice In VObj.getvoices
I = I + 1
msgbox “” & (I – 1) & ” – ” & Voice.GetDescription
Next
Up until now, we have been using this popup dialog to enter text, but you could also simply type your message into the script file. This would be useful if you wanted to then schedule the script to run automatically. Obviously, this can be used to prank your friends and family and it works really well.
Just imagine someone turning on their computer and hearing the computer tell them “Hello John, I’m very sleepy, please don’t bother me today!” when it boots up! I can promise you from experience, it’s hysterical and you should definitely try it.
In order to hardcode the message, simply change the last line to something like this:
sapi.Speak “Hello John, I am very tired today!”
Schedule Script File
Now that you have hardcoded your message for your intended target, you simply have to run it when you want. If you are tech-savvy, you could use a program like AutoIt, which will allow you to do extreme stuff like run your script file when a certain program is opened or when a windows is maximized or minimized.
I don’t have time to get into all that in this post, but luckily Microsoft has a built-in feature called the Task Scheduler that lets you do some pretty complicated stuff with scripts easily.
My previous post goes in depth on how to schedule a script file to run when certain events occur in Windows. If you have any trouble getting your script to work, feel free to post a comment and I’ll try to help. Enjoy!
Founder of Online Tech Tips and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem’s Full Bio
เครื่องอัจฉริยะที่สามารถพูดได้มักเป็นภาพยนตร์ไซไฟที่ล้ำสมัย แต่คุณสามารถเปลี่ยนคอมพิวเตอร์ให้เป็น Cathy ที่ช่างพูดได้ แม้ว่าเราจะยังไม่พร้อมกับคอมพิวเตอร์ที่พวกเขาสามารถโต้ตอบกับเราได้เหมือนคน แต่มีเครื่องมือและสคริปต์ง่าย ๆ ที่เราสามารถเขียนเพื่อทำให้คอมพิวเตอร์ทุกเครื่องที่ใช้ Windows พูดคุยกับเรา.
ประวัติพื้นฐานเล็กน้อย (ภาพ)
ในปี 1988 การทำซ้ำครั้งแรกของ VBScript หรือ (Visual Basic Scripting Edition) ปรากฏขึ้นและยังคงเป็นเวอร์ชันดั้งเดิมของสิ่งที่เรามีในปัจจุบัน ในช่วงหลายปีที่ผ่านมาความต้องการภาษาสคริปต์ที่ใช้งานง่ายและมีน้ำหนักเบาเพิ่มขึ้นสำหรับ Microsoft ด้วยเหตุนี้ บริษัท จึงยังคงทำงานต่อไปและในที่สุดก็ได้เผยแพร่สู่สาธารณะในปี 1996.
มันเป็นสคริปต์ง่าย ๆ ที่ใช้ COM (Component Object Model) เพื่อสร้างอ่านอัปเดตและลบไฟล์ภายในระบบปฏิบัติการ Microsoft ตั้งแต่เปิดตัว Windows 98 มันถูกติดตั้งพร้อมกับคอมพิวเตอร์ทุกเครื่อง มีความหลากหลายอย่างมากเนื่องจากความจริงที่ว่าสภาพแวดล้อมโฮสต์ VBScript สามารถฝังอยู่ในโปรแกรมโดยใช้ Microsoft Script Control มันถูกใช้บ่อย ๆ กับ Internet Information Services, Windows Script Host และ Internet Explorer.
VBScripts ใช้ครั้งเดียว
การสร้างสคริปต์พื้นฐานแบบวิชวลนั้นง่ายมากและไม่ต้องการโปรแกรมพิเศษใด ๆ แม้ว่าจะมีโปรแกรมที่คุณสามารถใช้ในการเขียนสคริปต์ขั้นสูงมากขึ้น แต่โปรแกรมเมอร์และคนส่วนใหญ่ที่ใช้ความสามารถในการเขียนสคริปต์เพียงใช้ Notepad ของ Microsoft.
มาเริ่มกระบวนการด้วยการเปิด Notepad หลังจากที่คุณเปิด Notepad สิ่งที่คุณต้องทำคือพิมพ์รหัสต่อไปนี้หรือเพียงแค่คัดลอกและวางลงในหน้าต่าง notepad เพื่อเปลี่ยนสิ่งที่สคริปต์ของคุณทำให้คอมพิวเตอร์พูดเพียงแค่แทนที่ส่วนที่ระบุว่า “ผู้ที่จะต้องได้รับมรดกโลก” ด้วยสิ่งที่คุณต้องการจะได้ยิน.
หลังจากที่คุณป้อนข้อความที่คุณต้องการฟังสำเร็จให้กด “ไฟล์” และคลิกที่ตัวเลือก “บันทึกเป็น . “.
ค้นหาสถานที่ที่คุณต้องการบันทึกภาพ สำหรับตัวอย่างนี้ฉันกำลังบันทึกลงในโฟลเดอร์ว่างในไดเรกทอรีดาวน์โหลด สิ่งสำคัญที่คุณต้องทำคือตั้งชื่อที่ลงท้ายด้วย. vbs สิ่งนี้จะบอกคอมพิวเตอร์ว่าคุณไม่ได้บันทึกไฟล์ข้อความธรรมดา ค่อนข้างคุณกำลังบันทึก VBScript เราจะตั้งชื่อตัวอย่างนี้“ Geek test.vbs” ดังที่แสดงด้านล่าง.
ตอนนี้คุณสามารถไปข้างหน้าและปิดแผ่นจดบันทึกและนำทางไปยังโฟลเดอร์ที่คุณบันทึก VBScript คุณจะสังเกตเห็นว่าไอคอนไม่ใช่ไอคอน TXT ปกติ มันคือการเลื่อนสีน้ำเงินเล็ก ๆ บนฉากหลังสีขาว ดับเบิ้ลคลิกที่ไอคอนนี้เพื่อเรียกใช้สคริปต์ใช้งานครั้งเดียวและฟังข้อความของคุณ ขอแสดงความยินดีคุณเพิ่งสร้างสคริปต์แรกของคุณ.
ตอนนี้เพื่อให้ได้รับความพยายามลองสร้างอีกสองสามบทพร้อมกับข้อความที่คุณต้องการฟัง หรือคุณสามารถคลิกขวาที่ VBScript และเลือกตัวเลือก“ เปิดด้วย…” แล้วเลือกแผ่นจดบันทึกเพื่อแก้ไขข้อความภายในไฟล์เดียวกัน.
ข้อความเป็นคำพูดสคริปต์
หลังจากป้อนรหัสแล้วให้บันทึกไฟล์เป็น“ Text to Speech.vbs” ดังที่แสดงไว้ก่อนหน้านี้เพื่อทำให้สคริปต์สมบูรณ์ เมื่อได้รับการบันทึกแล้วให้นำทางไปยังตำแหน่งที่อยู่และดับเบิลคลิกที่มัน คุณจะสังเกตเห็นหน้าต่างที่เรียกว่า“ ฉันพูดเพื่อคุณ” และข้อความแจ้งเตือนที่จะเปล่งออกมาคือ“ ฉันจะพูดอะไรความสุภาพของคุณ” คุณสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงสิ่งเหล่านี้เพื่อพูดอะไรก็ได้ที่คุณต้องการ.
สำหรับตอนนี้ให้เราเข้าสู่ “The geeks จะได้รับมรดกโลก” จากนั้นกดปุ่ม “ตกลง” เพื่อเรียกใช้สคริปต์และได้ยินข้อความของคุณดัง.
ทักทายสคริปต์ VBScript
นี่เป็นเรื่องสนุกมาก แต่คอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณยังไม่ได้โต้ตอบกับคุณมากนัก ตอนนี้เราจะลองใช้สคริปต์แบบง่าย ๆ ที่คำนึงถึงเวลาของวันและการตอบสนองที่เหมาะสมสำหรับช่วงเวลาของวัน สคริปต์นี้จะอ่านเวลาของคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณและตามนั้นมันจะทักทายคุณในบางวิธี.
เริ่มต้นด้วยการเปิดแผ่นจดบันทึกและแทรกสคริปต์สั้น ๆ นี้ คุณสามารถแทนที่ส่วนที่มีคำทักทายประจำวันด้วยวลีใด ๆ ที่คุณต้องการฟังและแทนที่ Geekmeister ด้วยชื่อของคุณเอง.
ตอนนี้คุณสามารถบันทึกเอกสารข้อความเป็นไฟล์ VBS เมื่อคุณทำเสร็จแล้วไปที่โฟลเดอร์ที่บันทึกไว้และดับเบิลคลิกที่มัน ตามเวลาที่คอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณแสดงมันจะพูดว่า “สวัสดีตอนเช้าสวัสดีหรือสวัสดีตอนเย็น”
สคริปต์บอกว่าถ้านาฬิกาอ่านอะไรก่อน 12 มันเป็นตอนเช้าและทุกอย่างหลังจาก 12 คือตอนบ่าย แม้กระนั้นมันก็มีประโยคที่บอกว่าแม้ว่าจะเป็นหลัง 12 ตราบใดที่เวลาที่ผ่านมา 16:00 (4:00) มันจะกลายเป็นตอนเย็น.
เวลาของวันสคริปต์ VBScript
สคริปต์อาจดูซับซ้อน แต่ส่วนใหญ่จะบอกคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณว่าจะพูดอย่างไรและจะพูดอย่างไรตามเวลาที่ปรากฏบนนาฬิกาของคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ คุณสามารถแทนที่ “เวลาปัจจุบัน” ด้วยการแนะนำใด ๆ สำหรับเวลาที่คุณต้องการ.
ตอนนี้คุณเพียงแค่ต้องบันทึกไฟล์เป็น VBScript เช่นเดียวกับที่คุณทำในขั้นตอนก่อนหน้าจากนั้นไปที่โฟลเดอร์นั้น หากทุกอย่างเป็นไปด้วยดีคุณควรคลิกสองครั้งและได้ยินเสียงคอมพิวเตอร์บอกเวลา.
อวยพรเริ่มต้น
เริ่มต้นด้วยการเปิดแผ่นจดบันทึก Microsoft และคัดลอกรหัสนี้ลงในหน้าต่าง มันเป็นเพียงสำเนาของรหัสทั้งสองรวมกันสำหรับคุณ โปรดจำไว้ว่าคุณสามารถเปลี่ยนคำทักทายเป็น“ อะไรคือเพื่อนของคุณสวัสดีคุณอาจารย์ทักทายคุณสูงยิ่ง” หรืออะไรก็ตามที่คุณต้องการให้คอมพิวเตอร์พูดกับคุณ.
เมื่อคุณคัดลอกรหัสทั้งหมดนี้ตามที่เป็นอยู่ใน notepad ไปข้างหน้าและบันทึกเป็น“ Startup greeting.vbs” มันสามารถเรียกได้ว่าอะไรก็ได้ที่คุณต้องการ แต่สำหรับจุดประสงค์ของการสาธิตนี้มันง่ายกว่าถ้าเราทุกคนอยู่ในหน้าเดียวกัน ตอนนี้มันได้รับการบันทึกแล้วคุณสามารถดับเบิลคลิกที่ไฟล์ VBScript เพื่อฟังมันทักทายคุณและบอกเวลา.
หากคุณต้องการให้มันเล่นเมื่อคุณเปิดเครื่องคอมพิวเตอร์เช่น Jarvis จาก Iron Man เพียงแค่เลือกไฟล์และลากมันด้วยเมาส์ของคุณลงไปที่ปุ่ม “Start” โดยไม่ต้องปล่อยเม้าส์เลื่อนไปที่“ All Programs” โฟลเดอร์“ Startup” และปล่อยปุ่มเมาส์ของคุณ.
หากด้วยเหตุผลบางอย่างสิ่งนี้ไม่ได้ผลสำหรับคุณคุณสามารถนำทางไปยังโฟลเดอร์เริ่มต้นด้วยตนเอง คุณจะไปที่โฟลเดอร์ที่“ Startup greeting.vbs” ของคุณถูกบันทึกและคัดลอก.
ขั้นตอนต่อไปคือการพิมพ์พา ธ ต่อไปนี้ไปยังด้านบนของหน้าต่าง Explorer และกด“ Enter” คุณจะต้องเปลี่ยน USERNAME ด้วยชื่อที่คุณใช้สำหรับบัญชีคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ.
C: \ Users \ ชื่อผู้ใช้ \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \
Menu \ Programs \ Startup ของ Windows \ Start
เมื่อคุณอยู่ในโฟลเดอร์เริ่มต้นให้วางไฟล์ vbs แล้วไปได้เลย ตอนนี้ในครั้งต่อไปที่คุณเริ่มคอมพิวเตอร์และเข้าสู่ระบบมันควรทักทายคุณโดยอัตโนมัติและแจ้งให้คุณทราบว่ามันคือเวลาใด.
หากคุณมีปัญหาในการสร้างสคริปต์ใด ๆ พวกเขาสามารถดาวน์โหลดได้ฟรีโดยใช้ลิงก์เหล่านี้.
- ทดสอบ Geek
- คำอวยพร
- อวยพรเริ่มต้น
- บอกเวลา
- ข้อความเป็นคำพูด
Everything Google Related News – One Stop Shop For Your Google News
Do you prefer Google Chrome to Microsoft’s Windows 8 apps? Well, you’re in luck, even if you have a Windows 8 PC. You can swap the entire “Modern” environment for the Chrome OS desktop, hiding the Windows 8 interface entirely.
You can also use the Chrome desktop as just another app on Windows 8, swapping back and forth between other Windows 8 apps and the traditional desktop. That’s more practical, but where’s the fun in that?
Make Chrome Your Default Browser
The Chrome desktop is now available in the stable version of Chrome, so you don’t have to seek out anything special — just install Google Chrome. This still requires a full Windows 8 PC, not a Windows RT device like a Surface RT or Surface 2 — you can’t install Chrome on Windows RT.
If Chrome is set as your default browser, you can make it appear in Windows 8 mode by opening its menu and selecting Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 mode. In the latest version of Chrome, this now gives you a full Chrome OS-style desktop environment where you can run Chrome browser windows and use Chrome apps from the Chrome web store.
Note: Google Chrome’s “Windows 8 mode” does not currently work on devices with high-DPI displays, such as Microsoft’s Surface Pro. It also requires hardware graphics acceleration. If your PC isn’t supported, this option won’t be available in the menu.
The Chrome OS-style desktop functions as a Windows 8 app, so you can switch between it and other apps normally. You can even snap them — so you could have a Windows 8 app, Chrome desktop, and the traditional Windows desktop appear side-by-side with the snap feature.
This is more practical, but the environment you’re using is still Windows 8! There’s a way to hide most of the Windows 8 interface entirely.
Lock Windows 8 to the Chrome Desktop
Microsoft allows us to lock a Windows user account to only have access to a specific app, and the Chrome OS desktop is just a Chrome Windows 8 app. This means we can use the Windows 8.1 Assigned Access feature to lock a user account to the Chrome desktop. When the user logs in from the welcome screen, they’ll see the Chrome desktop. They won’t be able to switch to other Windows 8-style apps, use the Windwos desktop, access the charms, or do anything else — they might as well be using a Chromebook.
To do this, you’ll need to go through the Assigned Access setup process. You’ll probably want to create a separate Chrome OS user account, then log in as that account. While logged in as the other user account, be sure to make Chrome the account’s default web browser. If you don’t, Chrome won’t be available as an option on the Assigned Access screen.
Afterwards, you can log back in as your main user account and restrict the secondary user account to the Chrome app rom the Assigned Access screen.
When you log in as the “Chrome” user account, you’ll only be able to use the Chrome desktop. You won’t see the Start screen, charms, or other parts of the Windows 8 interface. Microsoft’s “kiosk mode” is perfect for hiding most of Windows 8.
Using The Chrome Desktop on Windows 8
Like on Chrome OS itself, the Chrome desktop can’t run Windows desktop apps or Windows 8 apps. All you have are Chrome browser windows, web apps that run in normal Chrome browser windows, and Chrome apps from the Chrome web store.
Only Pepper API plug-ins — like Chrome’s included Flash player, PDF viewer, and native client — will function in Windows 8 mode. You won’t be able to use Java or Silverlight in this environment, just as you can’t in the Windows 8-style version of Internet Explorer.
Unfortunately, it currently doesn’t appear possible to leave this environment without rebooting the computer. To leave Assigned Access mode, you have to press the Windows key five times quickly, but Chrome intercepts the Windows key to open the Chrome app launcher.
This can give you a taste on what it’s actually like to use Chrome OS, although part of the appeal of a Chromebook is that it’s simpler — you won’t have to install any Windows security updates on a Chromebook.
Is this practical? Not necessarily. But it’s an interesting trick that Microsoft can’t be too happy about.
This article was written by Chiara Corsaro. Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article’s instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed 3,288,234 times.
Is your computer slowing down, whizzing and whirring as it tries to keep up with you? Before you spend hundreds or even thousands on a new computer, you may find it only takes a few simple steps to make your Windows or Mac computer run faster.
Chiara Corsaro
Computer Specialist Expert Interview. 18 October 2019. The extra RAM gives your computer more memory to perform tasks with, which will make your computer faster. In order to install RAM on your computer, you’ll need to see what type of RAM your computer takes and purchase it. You’ll then need to open your computer and install it.
- To see if you need more RAM, initialize the Windows Task Manager by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Del” and click Task Manager. Under the Performance tab, find the area devoted to Physical Memory (MB). If the number next to “Available” is less than 25% of the Total MB, you may need to add RAM. [11] X Research source
- Adding more memory may not necessarily make your computer run faster. If your computer is slow to switch between windows or tasks, or if you often have many browser tabs open at once, additional RAM may help.
- You can take your computer to an expert to add RAM, like the Geek Squad at Best Buy, or you may decide to add more RAM yourself. Just be sure to do your research before attempting to do it on your own.
Everything Google Related News – One Stop Shop For Your Google News
Do you prefer Google Chrome to Microsoft’s Windows 8 apps? Well, you’re in luck, even if you have a Windows 8 PC. You can swap the entire “Modern” environment for the Chrome OS desktop, hiding the Windows 8 interface entirely.
You can also use the Chrome desktop as just another app on Windows 8, swapping back and forth between other Windows 8 apps and the traditional desktop. That’s more practical, but where’s the fun in that?
Make Chrome Your Default Browser
The Chrome desktop is now available in the stable version of Chrome, so you don’t have to seek out anything special — just install Google Chrome. This still requires a full Windows 8 PC, not a Windows RT device like a Surface RT or Surface 2 — you can’t install Chrome on Windows RT.
If Chrome is set as your default browser, you can make it appear in Windows 8 mode by opening its menu and selecting Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 mode. In the latest version of Chrome, this now gives you a full Chrome OS-style desktop environment where you can run Chrome browser windows and use Chrome apps from the Chrome web store.
Note: Google Chrome’s “Windows 8 mode” does not currently work on devices with high-DPI displays, such as Microsoft’s Surface Pro. It also requires hardware graphics acceleration. If your PC isn’t supported, this option won’t be available in the menu.
The Chrome OS-style desktop functions as a Windows 8 app, so you can switch between it and other apps normally. You can even snap them — so you could have a Windows 8 app, Chrome desktop, and the traditional Windows desktop appear side-by-side with the snap feature.
This is more practical, but the environment you’re using is still Windows 8! There’s a way to hide most of the Windows 8 interface entirely.
Lock Windows 8 to the Chrome Desktop
Microsoft allows us to lock a Windows user account to only have access to a specific app, and the Chrome OS desktop is just a Chrome Windows 8 app. This means we can use the Windows 8.1 Assigned Access feature to lock a user account to the Chrome desktop. When the user logs in from the welcome screen, they’ll see the Chrome desktop. They won’t be able to switch to other Windows 8-style apps, use the Windwos desktop, access the charms, or do anything else — they might as well be using a Chromebook.
To do this, you’ll need to go through the Assigned Access setup process. You’ll probably want to create a separate Chrome OS user account, then log in as that account. While logged in as the other user account, be sure to make Chrome the account’s default web browser. If you don’t, Chrome won’t be available as an option on the Assigned Access screen.
Afterwards, you can log back in as your main user account and restrict the secondary user account to the Chrome app rom the Assigned Access screen.
When you log in as the “Chrome” user account, you’ll only be able to use the Chrome desktop. You won’t see the Start screen, charms, or other parts of the Windows 8 interface. Microsoft’s “kiosk mode” is perfect for hiding most of Windows 8.
Using The Chrome Desktop on Windows 8
Like on Chrome OS itself, the Chrome desktop can’t run Windows desktop apps or Windows 8 apps. All you have are Chrome browser windows, web apps that run in normal Chrome browser windows, and Chrome apps from the Chrome web store.
Only Pepper API plug-ins — like Chrome’s included Flash player, PDF viewer, and native client — will function in Windows 8 mode. You won’t be able to use Java or Silverlight in this environment, just as you can’t in the Windows 8-style version of Internet Explorer.
Unfortunately, it currently doesn’t appear possible to leave this environment without rebooting the computer. To leave Assigned Access mode, you have to press the Windows key five times quickly, but Chrome intercepts the Windows key to open the Chrome app launcher.
This can give you a taste on what it’s actually like to use Chrome OS, although part of the appeal of a Chromebook is that it’s simpler — you won’t have to install any Windows security updates on a Chromebook.
Is this practical? Not necessarily. But it’s an interesting trick that Microsoft can’t be too happy about.
Since the dawn of time, geeks have been playing harmless pranks on their beloved (but unsuspecting) associates, and it’s up to all of us to carry the torch forward. On the eve of April Fools’ Day, when you’ve got local network access to your coworkers’ and family systems, cubicles just crying out to be filled with packing peanuts, and webapps that can do all sorts of things automatically, there’s no better time to baffle, confuse, perplex, and just plain mess with your loved ones and associates. Hit the jump for our top 10 favorite harmless geek pranks, just in time to get your prankster pistons firing for tomorrow.
Update: Some of these tips are a bit outdated, or don’t work anymore, so we’ve written an all-new post with more great pranks here !
Celebrate April Fools’ Day with These Harmless Geek Pranks
Being a geek in a world of “non-tech-savvy” people can get frustrating, but it has its advantages…
10. Install the Blue Screen of Death Screensaver
Make your co-worker think their PC crashed when they get back from lunch. The BSOD (“Blue Screen of Death”) screensaver is a free download from Microsoft (ironically.) For other operating system “support,” check out the Linux BSOD ‘saver with support for Apple, Windows, and Linux crash screens .
9. Fake a Desktop with Screenshot Wallpaper
Freak out your co-worker or family member by faking out their Windows desktop with an unclickable facade: Take a screenshot of their current desktop, then set it as the desktop wallpaper. Hide the actual taskbar and disable desktop icons (right-click the desktop and choose “Arrange Icons By” and uncheck “Show Desktop Icons.”) When your victim returns to the computer, watch the futile clicking begin.
8. Schedule a Phone Call with a Text-to-Speech Message from Wakerupper.com
Wake up calls aren’t just for the a.m., you know. Pop your victim’s phone number, a time, and a custom message into Wakerupper.com , a free wakeup call service, and they’ll get a call with the message read Silicon Sally text-to-speech style back to them. ( original post )
Schedule Wake-up Calls and Reminders at Wakerupper
Schedule free wake-up calls and reminders online with web site Wakerupper. Just enter the time…
7. Fill an Office with Packing Peanuts (Or Make It Look That Way)
Actually filling your co-worker’s cubicle with packing peanuts can be a pain in the ass, but if there’s a glass wall involved, it’s easy to make it look like you did. Check out Hack N Mod’s nifty gallery of what looks like a glass room filled with packing material.
6. Remote Control Your Co-Workers’ Computer with VNC
How would it feel to have your mouse taken over by a ghost and do things on your computer you never intended while you watched? You can inflict this feeling of utter confusion on your victim using VNC, a computer remote control protocol. You’ll need to install the VNC server on your victim’s computer first, and have their IP address, so this one will work best in the office when you’re on the same network. Here’s how to remote control a computer with VNC . Mac users, here’s how to remote control Leopard with TightVNC .
Geek to Live: How to control your home computer from anywhere
by Gina Trapani
5. Message Co-Workers with NET SEND
Hidden in the depths of the Windows command line is a nifty little utility called Net Send, which pops up very official-looking alert messages on any computer you send them to. If you know your co-workers’ IP address, you can net send them goofy messages, like this person on the Geeknewz boards :
A good prank that I have played on some friends involves the net send command. What I did was I used the net send command to send a message that said “Microsoft has detected that you have a small penis. Please consider upgrading for better performance” to other people on my local network. When you use the net send command in the command prompt, you specify the computer you want it sent to by typing the computer name, it also says on the message which computer it came from, so I changed my computer name to Microsoft, so it appeared, to the technically challenged, that the message actually came from Microsoft. In case you were interested, the syntax for the net send is:
net send computername message
4. “Break” Your Victim’s LCD Screen with Wallpaper
Want to put a crack into that shiny new widescreen monitor? Download the broken LCD desktop wallpaper , set it as your victim’s desktop wallpaper and hide the taskbar and icons.
3. Hijack Firefox with the Total Confusion Pack Extension (Enabled on April 1st Only)
Your victim use Firefox? Install the “Total Confusion Pack” Firefox extension, which enables the following “features” on April 1st only:
- Two Steps Back: Make the back button go back twice—not every time, but only on random instances.
- Rick Rollr: Switch out 2% of the video clips your victim watches with the infamous Rick Astley video.
- The Devil’s Inbox: Make the number of unread email in your victim’s Gmail inbox exactly 666.
- Highs and Lows/Sarcarsm Enhancer/For real: Add LOL, *sigh*, “for real,” “Whatever” and various other commentary to web page text.
- Watch it: Make it look as if the page was loading forever. (Now this is just plain mean.)
Share:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
It’s tough living far from people you love, but telephones make that distance much more manageable. Unless you live very far away, then telephones can make that distance expensive.
Roaming and long-distance charges and using up tons of your allowed minutes can make phone calls really expensive. Click or tap here to learn how to make calls when you have terrible cell reception.
But, if you make a phone call through your computer, using Wi-Fi, those extra costs vanish. You can even make international calls, and save a ton! Read on to learn how to make calls from your computer, and keep your long-distance loved ones close by.
What you need
To make calls from your computer, you need a few things, like small pieces of equipment and software. Let’s go over the equipment first.
Understandably, you first need a computer. It can be a laptop or a desktop. You also need an internet connection, preferably one that’s reliable.
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Privacy, security, the latest trends and the info you need to live your best digital life.
Next, you need a headset or earbuds that can plug into your computer. Most laptops have built-in microphones, but they aren’t usually as good as using the microphone in a headset, or a set of earbuds, as those microphones can get closer to your mouth.
With a desktop computer, microphones aren’t usually built-in at all, so you’ll need the headset or earbuds to be heard on calls. The headset and buds can also help you hear better on calls than using computer speakers.
In terms of headsets, here’s an option that you will like. This Cyber Acoustics 3.55mm stereo headset with headphones and microphone works with PCs and tablets.
With a unidirectional noise-canceling microphone, this mic only picks up sound from a specific side or direction of the microphone. This helps minimize all ambient noise while speaking or recording.
For earbuds, we recommend Raycon. Raycon’s wireless earbuds are so comfortable — perfect for conference calls, video chats, or binging podcasts. And you can’t beat the cost.
Raycon earbuds start at about half the price of other premium brands on the market. You don’t need to worry about sacrificing quality, either. Unlike some of the other wireless options, Raycon earbuds are both stylish and discreet, with no dangling wires or stems.
Get 15% off your order at
Once you have this equipment, it’s time to decide on software. If you have a Mac computer, FaceTime will let you make calls over Wi-Fi, and it comes free with your device. You just need to have your computer and iPhone connected to each other.
If you have a Windows computer, Skype and Google Voice aregreat app/software choices, along with Keku. All are free to download, and likeFaceTime, allow free Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi calling. As in, if you call anothercomputer, it’s free.
Unlike FaceTime, however, if you call a phone number using these programs, you might be charged. Google Voice allows free calls within the U.S., and Keku includes unlimited U.S. calls for $5 a month, plus very cheap international calls.
But Skype charges by the minute and international calls almost always cost money. The rates are a lot less than most phone plans, at least, but it’s best to make sure whoever you call also has Wi-Fi calling to keep things cheap or free.
How to make the calls
With your equipment and software picked out, you’re ready to start making calls through your computer. Read on below to see how to make your first call.
To use the microphone in your headset or earbuds, first, plug them into your computer, or connect them via Bluetooth. Tap or click here for ways to fix Bluetooth pairing problems.
Once your headset or earbuds are in, go to your computer’ssystem settings, and find the Sound section. Find the “Input” tab; that’s theone that controls what microphone your computer picks up sound from.
Select the “external microphone” or headset/earbuds name option that should appear in the Input list. You can usually test the microphone and make sure your computer is picking it up on this screen once you’ve made your selection.
With your microphone working, log in to your call software. For FaceTime, that should just involve opening the app. For Skype, Google Voice, and Keku, you’ll have to input your username and password.
To call someone through your computer on FaceTime:
- Click on the “Audio” tab in the left menu once you open the FaceTime app.
- Type in the phone number, or name in your contacts, of who you want to call.
- Click on the phone icon next to the number or name. A menu will appear asking if you want to call with FaceTime Audio or Call Using iPhone. Click on FaceTime Audio.
- FaceTime will make the call over Wi-Fi, rather than through your phone plan!
To call someone through your computer on Skype:
- Open and log into Skype.
- Click on the “Calls” tab in the left menu, and click the “New Call” button.
- Type in a Skype contact name, or type in a number with the dial pad.
- Click “Call.”
To call someone through your computer on Google Voice:
- Once you’re logged in on voice.google.com, go to the “Calls” tab.
- Type in a name, if the person is in your contacts, or click on the “Dial” icon and type in a phone number you want to call.
- Confirm that the upper right “Call as” field has your Google Voice number in it, and click “Call.”
To call someone through your computer on Keku:
- Go to Keku’s Call From Computer page, and log in.
- Dial the number you want to call or select it from your Contacts tab. Don’t forget the international code, if you’re calling outside the country!
- Click “Call,” and start talking to your loved one once they pick up.
And there you have it — you can keep in touch with faraway loved ones and save on international and long-distance phone fees while you do. We hope you enjoy calling people through your computer and stay in touch more than ever!
Y ou change your car’s oil every 5,000 miles. You go to the doctor for a physical once a year. Every six months you get your teeth cleaned. And every April 15, you make sure to file your taxes.
So if you’re so responsible in all these other aspects of your life, why aren’t you setting aside time to give your computer an annual once-over, too?
The way everything runs through our computers, smartphones, and tablets these days, unchecked electronic overgrowth can grind your life to a halt without a moment’s notice. “Digital clutter is insidious,” says Valeri Hall Little, owner of Intandem, a Toronto-based productivity consulting firm. “We can’t see it, and if we can’t see it, we don’t feel it, and we don’t know it’s there.”
Instead of turning a blind eye to your digital disarray, give your devices an annual checkup with these expert tips.
The Five-Minute Fix
If you’re overwhelmed (and who isn’t?) but only have a few minutes, start by tackling the easy-to-see spots on your computer. For starters clean off your system’s desktop. “Your desktop is not a storage area,” says Little.
By organizing (or deleting) those files, you may already begin to feel less overwhelmed. Move onto other easy-to-clean areas by emptying your trash or recycling bin and clearing out your documents and downloads folder.
Zap Your Apps
Our world has become overrun with apps. According to Little, the 80-20 rule applies nicely with these computer-stuffing programs. “We only use 20 percent of our apps 80 percent of the time,” she says. If you haven’t used a program within the last year, she recommends deleting them from your system.
Of course, you should assess each app individually, but don’t let unimportant programs bloat your machine. That photo editing software you never use that came with your expensive camera? It’s worthless unless you actually put it to use.
The same can be said for smartphones and tablets. Wall Street Journal columnist Christopher Mims removed every app from his iPhone that didn’t bring him joy. That may be an extreme, but if a tech writer can get by with just a handful of programs, cutting Shazam and Words With Friends might be beneficial to you, too.
Go Hardcore on Your Hardware
If you’ve got a drawer or a box full of old phones and cords, now is the time to unload them. “I’m a big proponent of recycling electronics,” says Little, who recommends wiping the devices clean, matching them to their cables, and bringing them to either a local electronics shop (many have drop boxes) or community recycling program.
As for the rat nest of cables that remains, “get out that label maker and label those cords,” says Little. Not only will this give you peace of mind when you’re looking for something, but labeling cords helps to make sure they don’t wander off, as they are prone to do.
Don’t Fear Your Photos
Since the advent of smartphones, digital photos have quickly become the number one thing choking your computer to death. Every selfie and every sunset take up at least 3.5 megabytes of space on your system, whether you store your pictures on your PC or in the cloud. And while there are many online services that will give you more storage space than you could ever use, the challenge comes in eventually finding that great snapshot once you finally need it.
Little recommends organizing your images on an ongoing basis, not once a year. And whether you use a desktop program like Apple’s iPhoto or a cloud-based service like Google Photo, be sure to use the tagging features like facial recognition and GPS location data. “That makes them very searchable,” says Little.
But if you need an annual reminder to keep your photos tidy, Little recommends making an end-of-the-year album of your best shots and favorite memories. Not only will the project force you to organize those photos into an easy-to-find album later, but you’ll have a great, physical keepsake.
Scrub Your Social Media
If there was ever an avenue crying out for periodic intervention, it’s the always-growing octopus of social media. Whittling down your friend list once a year is a good way to make sure you’re getting the most vital information in your news feed. Seventh grade locker buddy? Gone. Jamberry page run by your cousin’s friend? Bye bye. Meerkat Manor’s Facebook page? Unsubscribe. “Keep your circle tight and relevant to you,” says Little.
Also, use this opportunity to review your account’s privacy settings. If there are a bunch of old apps accessing your information, disconnect them from your account. Farewell, Farmville!
Don’t Detail Your Email
When it comes to battling information overload, Little subscribes to Graham Allcott’s Think Productive method, which promotes keeping your inbox as free from clutter as possible.
One way to achieve this “Inbox Zero” state, recommends Little, is to make a folder each year and stuff all your emails in it. So, name it 2015, select all your messages from last year, and file away.
How is this being organized? Well, its more about managing time than managing messages. “You are going to spend countless hours trying to organize it,” says Little. Instead, use your email program’s search functionality to find what you need, when you need it. These programs are always improving their search skills.
Tune It Up Before It Tunes Out
This last suggestion may seem old school, but its alternative — a total computer meltdown — is a timeless problem. “If you’ve noticed that your computer is glichy or is slowing down, it might be time to take it in for a little tune-up,” says Little.
While that might seem like a total time-killing, productivity drain, Staples guarantees next-day PC repair (or it’s free), and they can do everything from improve performance to backup and recover files. Likewise, Best Buy’s Geek Squad provides everything from virus and spyware removal to hardware repair. Whatever your specific issue is, it’s best to not let it linger, because it could suddenly break, says Little: “With computers, it’s either working or it’s corrupted and it’s done — get it checked out.”
