Thursday 23 May 2013

Common functions of the Function Keys F1 through F12

Below is a short-listing of some of the common functions of the functions keys. Not all programs support function keys and may perform different tasks then those mentioned below.



F1
  • Almost always used as the help key, almost every program will open the help screen when this key is pressed.
  • Enter CMOS Setup.
  • Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
  • Open the Task Pane.
F2
  • In Windows renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
  • Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
  • Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
  • Quickly rename a selected file or folder.
  • Enter CMOS Setup.
F3
  • Opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows when at the Windows Desktop..
  • In MS-DOS or Windows command line F3 will repeat the last command.
  • Shift + F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
  • Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
  • Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running Mac OS X.
F4
  • Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
  • Highlights address bar for input in Windows Explorer , Internet Explorer , Chrome
  • Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+)
  • Alt + F4 will close the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
  • Ctrl + F4 will close the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows.
F5
  • In all modern Internet browsers pressing F5 will refresh or reload the page or document window.
  • Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
  • Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
F6
  • Move the cursor to the Address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
  • Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
F7
  • Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
  • Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
  • Turns on Caret browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
F8
  • Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
F9
  • Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
  • With Mac OS 10.3 or later shows all open Windows.
  • Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time will open Mission Control on an Apple computer running Mac OS X.
F10
  • In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
  • Shift + F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
  • Access the hidden recovery partition on HP and Sony computers.
  • Enter CMOS Setup.
  • With Mac OS 10.3 or later shows all open Windows for active program.
F11
  • Full-screen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
  • Ctrl + F11 as computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
  • Access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
  • With Mac OS 10.4 or later hides all open windows and shows the Desktop.
F12
  • Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
  • Shift + F12 save the Microsoft Word document.
  • Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
  • Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web
  • Open Firebug.
  • With an Apple running Mac OS 10.4 or later F12 will show or hides the Dashboard.

What is a POTS Filter and why do i need them?

 Post Office Telecommunications (POTS) Filter



The ADSL POTS Filter in-line filter/splitter maximizes the performance of your ADSL 
service, It allows you to connect an ADSL modem and telephone device to the same ADSL port.
It creates clearer voice communications and prevents interference by separating high frequency ADSL transmissions from phone signals. The filter isolates low-frequency voice signals to ensure
the cleanest network performance with fast, error-free data transfers.

The POTS filter must be connected to every secondary phone in your house hold or business, this includes alarm systems and fax machines that are on the same ADSL line. A POTS filter must not 
be connected to the router. A POTS splitter would be used in this case.

The benefit of an ADSL Splitter over an ADSL POTS filter is that a splitter can ac
commodate both an ADSL modem as well as a standard telephone device whereas a POTS filter 
only accommodates standard telephone devices and can complicate a setup when you want to
connect your ADSL modem as well as a telephone device at a single location.

Below: A typical POTS filter
 Below: A typical POTS filter/splitter

 POTS filter/splitters can be purchased from your nearest Telkom Shop
Telkom Direct Shop Finder


Free Windows 8 update to address confusion

A planned Windows 8 update to address complaints and confusion with Microsoft's new operating system will be made available for free this year, the company says.
Not charging extra for Windows 8.1, previously code named "Windows Blue", is consistent with the company's practice of offering "decimal point" updates to operating systems for free. But when Microsoft announced the update last week, it didn't say that it would be free.