🚶♀️ Take a walk with me! It’s toe-tally worth it: And you can catch up on my award-winning weekend radio show’s podcast. It’ll be fun, I promise!
Time-saving tricks using your keyboard
I spend hours and hours (and hours) online every week looking for the latest in tech for my national radio show, podcasts and, of course, newsletter.
I rounded up eight browser keyboard shortcuts I use so you can spend less time clicking around for the right button, too.
4 if you’re always in Word or Google Docs
These tricks make work (or writing the novel you always wanted to get to) so much faster and easier.
- Just the text: Drop in text from somewhere else — without all the formatting coming with it. Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste in whatever text you’ve copied, stripped completely of the source formatting.
- Swift selections: Make sure your cursor is before (or after) the text you’d like to select, then hold down Shift and use the left or right arrows to expand your selection, one character at a time. Ctrl + Shift + the left or right arrows will allow you to select the remainder of a line.
- Get in the mode: Need to track your changes? Switch between editing modes by holding down Ctrl + Shift + Alt, then tap X to suggest changes, Z to edit directly or C to just view the document, not edit it.
- Do it in style: Easily change your text formatting by holding down Ctrl + B for bold, Ctrl + I for italics and Ctrl + U for underlining. You already knew that? OK, but what about holding down Shift + X for strikethrough text, Shift + . (period) to superscript something and Shift + , (comma) for subscripting? I thought so!
3 tricks for tabs
These genuine timesavers work in most popular browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
- Closing time: Hit Ctrl + W (Windows) or Cmd + W (macOS) to shut down the browser tab you’re currently looking at. If you close a tab by accident, use Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + T (macOS) to bring it back.
- Tab cycling: On Windows and macOS, you can use Ctrl + Tab to scroll through open tabs (yeah, all 200 of them). Hold down Shift as well to go in the opposite direction.
- Turn over a new tab: Hit Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (macOS) on your keyboard to open a new tab and jump straight to it. If you want a new window, use Ctrl + N (Windows) or Cmd + N (macOS).
2 ways to stay in the flow
- Keep scrolling, scrolling, scrolling: Engrossed in something online? Tap the spacebar to scroll down the page and keep reading without looking away. Shift + spacebar takes you back in the other direction.
- Eyes on the prize: Follow an interesting link without losing focus while reading. Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (macOS) when you click on a web link to open it in a new tab while you stay on your current tab. Add the Shift key to open a link in a new tab and jump straight to it.
2 ways to re-trace your steps
- Follow the breadcrumbs: You know those “back” and “forward” buttons in your browser? You can do the same with your keyboard, no clicking required — hold down Alt (Windows) or Cmd (macOS), then tap the left or right arrow button to explore your browsing history in the current tab.
- Save your page: Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (macOS) to bookmark the current webpage so you can get back to it later. Your browser will throw up a dialog box you can use to sort the bookmark into a folder.
How to know if you’re being stalked or are just paranoid
Every week, I help people like you on my national radio show with their technology or digital life issues. Sometimes, the answer is simple. I recommend a great way to get something done online, give a shopping recommendation, or share my tech wisdom.
AI jobs with mind-blowing paychecks of $375K a year
There’s no question that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our lives. A bot that sounds almost human can author your emails, teach you a new language, book your trips or even be your friend. Check out direct links to try those out here.
Overnight success? Nope, but it was worth the work
Have a passion for homes and architecture? Rob Kallick did and ran with it. Now he runs a team of real estate agents that closed $200 million in deals last year. Whoa.
When I heard about Rob, I couldn’t wait to share it with you. If you know someone trying to make it in real estate, you need to share this story with them.
“My radio station used to carry your show, but this is a great replacement,” wrote Nancy in Miami, Florida. Now, friends, my free newsletter isn’t a replacement for my national award-winning radio show. The show is loaded with things you won’t find here, along with the best callers ever. Find my show on a radio station near you or as a podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Being stalked through your devices? Take these steps now
I’ve been answering tech and digital-lifestyle questions on my national radio show and podcast for many years. At this point, I’ve heard it all. I also notice trends. Sometimes, everyone wants to know about app privacy. Use these steps to stop companies and people from tracking your every move.
Merry Christmas from Kim! A look back at our Random Acts of Kindness
As I reflect upon the last year, there are two big standouts. I received one of the broadcast industry’s greatest honors and I also said goodbye to my best friend.
It was a thrill to be inducted into the 2021 National Radio Hall of Fame. It is really something to know my name is among the likes of Dick Clark, Bing Crosby, and Ryan Seacrest. I never could have imagined such an honor.
Before you die, decide who gets access to your online accounts and digital files
Have you given any thought as to what you want to happen to your accounts, files, photos, and the rest of your online life once you’re gone? If the number of calls and requests I am getting for help on my national radio show is any indication, do it now while you’re thinking about it.
Your Apple Watch can only save your life later if you turn on these features now
I’m not surprised anymore when I see stories of people who say the Apple Watch saved their lives. From fall detection to heart-rate monitoring, that little piece of tech can spotlight issues that could go unnoticed with fatal consequences.
Kim's success secrets: 5 lessons I've learned and where my passion for computers started
Every weekend, I talk tech and all things digital lifestyle on my national radio show. My team and I work hard all week long to make sure my show and Komando.com are packed with the news, tips, and trusted advice that makes a real difference in your life and the lives of others.
From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!
We were all reminded these past months just how instrumental technology is in all our lives. It has powered so much connection and togetherness in a time when we’re apart from those we love. Think about all the families and friends staying in touch via Zoom and the businesses, like mine, operating from home.
How to tell if someone is snooping on your computer or tablet
Our devices hold our digital lives. And all those photos, videos, documents, messages, and emails contain some highly personal information.
That’s why locking down your tech the right way is essential. Have you ever wondered whether a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID is the safest way to lock your smartphone? I reveal the answer here on Komando.com.
Live with snoops or just want privacy? Tech smarts for your smartphone
Your phone is your constant coronavirus companion. It’s there for news, entertainment, work, and communication.
It’s more important now than ever to make sure your phone doesn’t have a digital virus. Tap or click here for the tell-tale signs your phone is infected with malware, a keylogger, or worse.
Note from Kim: I'm here to help you
Hello from my home,
I can’t stop thinking that I am in the middle of a movie about a sinister virus that causes a global pandemic. But this is no made-for-Hollywood screenplay. It’s real and it’s our lives.
Cheap background checks, heart-rate monitoring, antivirus software for Mac, and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital. Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job. This week, I received questions about cheap background checks, antivirus software for Macs, heart-rate tracking and more.