6 Computer Shortcuts

Computers are a big part of everyday life, and they can’t really be avoided — especially in school or the workplace. This post is being written on a computer, and you might be reading it on a monitor or laptop as well. With these machines being so impactful in our day to day functions, we need to make sure that the technology doesn’t run away from us; so here are six basic keyboard shortcuts for nearly any computer:

1.) Ctrl + Alt + a.

Press these keys on your keyboard all relatively at the same time, and this will highlight all of the text in the window that’s open, whether it be in a word processor or a web page. If you are using an Apple product, such as an iMac or MacBook, then the shortcut is simply “command + a”.

2.) Ctrl + Alt + c.

This will copy the text that you previously selected. It’s usually more convenient for quick quote transfers, or when using a track pad on a laptop, since they are touchy. On the macOS (Apple laptop or desktop hardware), “command + c” will get you the same result. These shortcuts copy the text, rather than take the original from its source.

3.) Ctrl + alt + v.

This is the “paste” option, which allows you to place a duplicate of the text you have either copied or cut from another window. The original formatting is usually the same, meaning it will most likely look exactly like the other, but sometimes programs don’t support that. “command + v” for Mac.

4.) Ctrl + shift + n.

This shortcut works on both Windows and Mac (“command” instead of “ctrl”) users, and will take you to something called an “incognito” window. The purpose of the incognito window is essentially privacy; it won’t save search history, won’t save cookies (which are pieces of information stored in your web browser from certain websites, which, in turn, help generate ads and suggested websites based on your past visits), and it won’t remember information entered on private forms, such as applications of profile information.

5.) Ctrl/Cmd + plus/minus keys.

This will make for a more comfortable reading or inspection of a photo on any website! You have the ability to go up to 500% magnification, which is just like looking at the logo of a website, but blown up by a lot. If you want to go back to the default setting (100%), then just hit ctrl/cmd + 0, and it’ll take you right there.

6.) Ctrl + alt + t.

This open a new tab in your web browser; command + t on macOS. If you want to alternate between one or more tabs in a window without using a mouse or track pad, then Ctrl/Cmd + number (1-9) will take you to the first, second, third, and so on tabs. The number nine will always take you to the last tab, though, no matter how many you may have open.

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8 Careers for Coding Skills

Coding is everything in the 21st century. From the Instagram app on your phone to the intricacies of your work laptop, it all uses a string of code. Numbers and letters all piled into a specific order can run an entire interface of computers. It is a wild thought. But knowing coding can prove to be a career unlike any other. There are jobs popping up at every new company for coders. There is a need for them in nearly every field from medicine to gaming. If you have the skills to be a coder, these careers are surely right up your alley.

Software/Web Developer

This is probably the field with the vastest array of jobs for coders. You can make anywhere from $50,000 a year to north of $100,000 to create software for companies.

Engineering

Knowing coding is not the easiest thing. So engineering new computers can be for you. With a little extra training, your skills could go a long way.

Database Administrators

Database administrator tend to a large set of information on many different levels. If you can analyze an issue and be a fast problem solver while still using your coding ability, this job is for you.

Computer Analyst

Analysts of computer systems usually merge the gap between the business side of a company and the IT side of the company so that people can understand it. Breaking down the coding from IT and transforming into something a business man understands.

Software Quality Engineer

This is an important job at technology based companies. Someone has to assure that everything is running smoothly. Continuing the effort of the software developer you tend to that software and make it the best it can be.

Business Intelligence

This can be military based or company based. The business intelligence analyst would dissect all the inner workings of the company’s technology and grab information that can help the technology move forward.

Computer Programming

This is the most obvious for a skilled coder. Someone has to do the dirty work and create the programs behind the technology. If you are creative and intelligent, this field may be for you.

Networking Administrator

Coding is loosely needed in this field, but will always help. Networking is huge in today’s online world. Knowing the way around the web and its inner workings can give you the upper hand.

No matter what field you choose, coding is a huge need in our world. Use it to your advantage, and lock up a career that pays well, and keeps you doing what you enjoy.

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What Does a Front End Developer Do?

Computers, coding, and how the internet works can seem like confusing concepts for many people. There is much to learn about the roles each person has in creating code — but what a front rnd developer does is a good place to start. We sometimes think of the internet as this overwhelmingly complicated place, but it can be simplified. With a basis of knowledge, it is possible to understand what is going on behind the scenes every time you go online.

Now, in the simplest terms, a front end developer deals with the beginning of a person’s experience on a browser. For example, say you open up Google Chrome on your laptop, everything visually that you can see is made by a front end developer. The Google logo, the tabs for image search, the coding that delivers you through the internet to a different website, etc.; this is all the handy work of the front end. They are responsible for the look and feel of every site you click on. The main task of a front end developer is to create interaction and a user experience that will keep them intrigued. Most browsers or individual sites are not boring. This is on purpose. It catches the users’ senses. Don’t get confused though, a web designer is the person that orchestrates how a website looks to our eye. However, without the front end coding, there would be no website. From the top; a front end developer creates coding that enables the website designer to create a beautiful, but usable site.

Some companies are now beginning to use “responsive” front end developers. So, the original use for the developer was fixed, meaning that the site would get developed and that was all the user would ever see. But in today’s world, people want more. Companies began tailoring browsers to the users. By adding extra coding, the user can adapt their own way of using it, making it easier for them to understand. The developer wants to create a website where there is a mix of functionality and speed. It should be easy to use for anyone but also fast so that the user experience is as pleasurable as possible.

The job of a front end developer is not an easy one. Since they are coding, the developer has to be extremely tech savvy. But they can’t only be good technically, as the developer has to be creative as well. They are helping the web designer create a website that keeps users coming back time and time again.

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How to Stay Motivated

Staying motivated can be hard, especially for someone living a multitask life between school, sports, work, volunteering, or any other resume-builder. The truth is, life sort of requires you to live chaotically if you want to achieve your goals and dreams. It’s understandable that there are days when all you really want to do is lay in bed with a family size bag of chips and binge watch something that isn’t even good; everyone’s been there. The problem starts when you can’t pull yourself out of that comfortable spot and get everything you need done. When projects fall behind, so does your mental and physical health.

So, how does one stay motivated?

Write yourself inspirational messages on colorful sticky notes, and place them around the areas that you visit every day — your refrigerator in your kitchen, your bathroom mirror, on the wall above your bed, on doors, etc. The colors will draw your attention, and the notes themselves will give you the right boost for the right moments.

Meditation is also a good way to gather your thoughts after a lazy day, or even when you’re just not feeling up to doing what needs done that day.

It might sound cheesy, but meditation will help you organize your mind and realize what emotions might be tying you to your bed. The mind is a wondrous thing, and taking a second to just get lost in it, alone in a quiet room, is one of the healthiest things you can do when you’re not motivated to work or read or write.

Create a playlist that amps you up!

Are there songs that really speak to you, or get your blood flowing? Then those should be in that playlist. Don’t pick songs that are too emotional or slow — you need your brain to tell you to get up and go. Music has a crazy way of effecting people, so give it a try! You might be surprised.

Be open about how you’re feeling with one or two people.

Lack of motivation is often times associated with other feelings, like not wanting to write a paper because, deep down, you have no confidence in your chosen topic, or not wanting to clean your room because you know you’re going to find things in there that will make you nostalgic — stuff like that. Getting deep into the root of the no motivation crisis will help change a lot of attitudes towards certain tasks; it’s usually not just “being lazy”, but rather feeling some type of way about something related to the task that keeps you from being your best, motivated you.

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4 Skills All Coders Must Have

Coding is both a science and an art – and it takes an incredible amount of focus and dedication to be able to learn it, hone it and apply it. Of course, coding requires skills in mathematics and logic; however, on a personal level, there are additional skills that are essential. Read on for the top 4 skills all coders must have.

Confidence.

The code you write is the basis for something amazing – that, alone, should inspire confidence. But what comes first? The final result or the confidence? That’s an easy answer: the confidence! You must believe in yourself and your ability to create and program – as this is what will propel you forward toward success.

Patience.

Phenomenal websites and video games aren’t created in one day. Or two. Or three… Creating anything takes time – and patience. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and give yourself plenty of time to focus before a deadline. Once you have it down, coding may feel like a breeze – but it will always require some element of patience.

Adaptability.

Inevitably, along the way, you’ll encounter errors or challenges, and you have to be able to inhale, exhale and keep moving forward. Whether you’re working on a homework assignment or a massive project for your biggest client, the ability to adapt to situations and changes is key in any realm of technology. As technology advances and evolves, so must you.

Memory.

Having a good memory can serve you well when trying to remember where you parked the car or left your phone last, but it’s essential – not just useful – for a coder. The foundation for all actions you take when creating code lies within your ability to remember computer languages and techniques.

Confidence, patience, adaptability and memory are key components of a fantastic coder. However, not every coding expert was born with an innate ability in all 4 of these skills. You know the phrase “practice makes perfect?” It’s not only for multiplication tables and hobbies – it’s also for self-improvement and personal growth. Take time to hone these 4 soft skills – there’s no better moment to start than now.

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What Skills Are Necessary for a Front-End Developer?

Front-end web development is also known as client-side development. It is the practice of converting data to a graphical interface for users to view and interact with through a digital platform.

A front-end developer develops and designs websites and applications using web tools and technologies (i.e. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript).

Here are some of the necessary skills:

HTML and CSS

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is one of the most essential components of web coding. It’s the standard markup language that’s used to create websites and applications. Basically, it indicates how text can be displayed as images, tables, links, and, of course, text.

Source: www.w3schools.com

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a stylesheet language used to describe how the HTML components are displayed. CSS creates the actual viewable design.

Source: www.w3schools.com

HTML = Content
CSS = How the content is displayed

Together HTML and CSS are the backbone of any website development process. Without these, a designed web page would not exist.

JavaScript

JavaScript is an event-based programming language that creates an interactive element on web pages and applications. It is used to transform a static HTML page into a dynamic interface. In other words, JavaScript allows the user to manipulate something on the webpage — without having to reload. Examples of JavaScript include calculators, animated graphics, interactive maps and content updates.

Source: www.w3schools.com

 

Utilizing HTML, CSS and JavaScript are essential for individuals who love coding — or who are seeking a career in web development.

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Tips for Computer-Centric Professionals

Working on the computer – particularly with coding – within technology-heavy fields can be enthralling and offer an array of incredible, revolutionary opportunities. Software engineers, web developers, video game designers and IT security specialists are several of the numerous careers that are becoming essential in modern society – and also happen to require extensive time spent using technology. Are you considering a career utilizing computers, coding and technology? Read on for our top tips for computer-centric professionals.

1. Take set, purposeful breaks.

In any career, it’s important that you take time to reflect and – honestly – relax! However, in a computer-centric career, it’s even more essential that you set time where you can give your mind and eyes a break. In addition to your lunch hour and inevitable few trips to the bathroom, take a few moments to stand up, stretch, look around and allow yourself to “reboot.” Plus, here’s a fun tip: If you have been sitting for a long period of time, stand up and work while standing for 15-30 minutes.

2. Purchase a pair of computer glasses.

Anyone who spends hours upon hours in front of a screen will swear by the incredibility of computer glasses – which protect your eyes from the harmful glow of your technology. Of course, a small amount of time won’t hurt your vision, but – eventually – staring at the computer will cause your eyes to strain, leading to headaches. Computer glasses help to curb this problem (with a stylish touch).

3. Place a stool under your feet to give your legs a rest.

This is an especially important tip if your feet don’t reach the ground or need to stretch a bit to rest flat. Placing a stool or bin for your feet helps take the strain off of your upper legs and improves circulation.

4. Line padding for your wrists on your desk or keyboard.

If you love computers, you’ve probably heard of the ailment “carpal tunnel.” It’s a painful condition characterized by an annoying tingling sensation, and typically occurs due too way too much typing without support. Padding can help make for a more comfortable workspace.

5. Invest in a high-quality chair with lumbar support.

While it’s great to stand up and stretch, it’s also expected that you’ll be frequently sitting. So, ensure that your chair is a perfect fit for you – and, no, we don’t just mean in its design! (Though, if you want some cool stripes up the side, go for it.) Find a chair that specifically has special lumbar support to keep your back and bottom healthy and strong.

Technology has offered immeasurable possibilities for businesses, gamers, shoppers, patients and the world overall. Despite our strides toward automation and orchestration, at the heart of it all, there is still a human at the other end making it all possible – which is why it’s important to remember to take care of yourself as you live out your dream in a computer-centric career.

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3 Reasons Why STEM Education is Important

The acronym “STEM” is very common in the world of education, and it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It’s an important part of every child’s education, but it doesn’t only matter to children – it should matter to everyone. The more you understand STEM education, the better prepared you’ll be to make the right decisions regarding your child’s education.

Here are some reasons why we should encourage enrollment and development in these topics:

Innovation supports the economy.

We’re all observing the technology boom happening before us. New gadgets are popping up every week and keeping up with the trends has proved challenging for many. However, these trends are important because they help boost the economy and create jobs. We need talented and skillful STEM experts to develop the next vaccine, disease cure, or antibiotic. We also need developers and engineers in order to come up with the next generation of phones, cars, and computers.

Introducing girls to explore tech in school will help bridge the gender gap.

There is a disparity among men and women in the STEM industries like tech, development, engineering, and medicine. According to Fortune, women only make up about 1/3 of the workforce in the biggest tech companies (like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook).

That gap only gets wider if you evaluate the numbers regarding leadership positions. According to Deloitte, only about 25% of IT roles are led by women and only 17% of female college graduates are in IT-related fields. If we give girls more opportunities to explore STEM when they’re children, more will take interest and make careers out of their talents.

Studying STEM leads to the development of other important skills.

We’ve discussed the more long-term effects of STEM education initiatives, but we should talk about how this branch of education can directly help today’s youth. Mastering STEM skills will lead to the development of practical soft skills. For example, in STEM programming, students create their own research questions. They then follow an investigative process that encourages them to evaluate multiple perspectives and connect concepts in order to fix a problem.

There are many different processes kids can learn from studying STEM, and the best part is that they can learn to collaborate with their peers by comparing their in-class research and working together to solve problems presented to them.

While we do teach STEM in schools, taking initiatives to further encourage interest and passion will promote equality and innovation in our future. Plus, engaging in fun activities centered around STEM education is a great way to bond with your child.

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How Face Filters and Face Recognition Work

By Mira B., Age 14

Many people use social media apps such as Instagram or Snapchat, which have face filters for people to take and post pictures of themselves. But many people do not realize how these filters are created and the technology behind how they fit people’s faces almost perfectly. The mechanics behind face filters was originally created by a Ukrainian company called Looksery; they used the technology to photoshop faces during video chats. Snapchat bought their algorithm, called the Viola-Jones algorithm, and created the face filters seen in many social media apps today.

Creating face filters is more difficult than you may think, so I’ll break it down into five key steps:

The first step is face detection. The image is initially viewed in ones and zeros, so the algorithm scans the image, looking specifically for color patterns. This can include finding that the cheek is lighter than the eye or that the nose bridge is lighter than surrounding areas. After detecting these patterns, a face can be distinguished in the camera.

The second step is the landmark extraction. Using specific algorithms in a 2D image, facial features such as the chin, nose, forehead, etc are determined.

The third step is face alignment. The coordinates of landmarks on people’s faces are taken to properly fit the filter to a particular face.

The fourth step is 3D mesh. Using the 2D image, a 3D model of the user’s face is built to fit the filter animation to a specific face.

The last step is face tracking, which approximates and locates the 3D mask in real time. This allows the user to move their face without the filter disappearing or moving to an incorrect location.

Another way to think of these steps is to imagine a human body. The landmarks identified in a 2D image serve as the skeleton for the future mask. Similar to how bodies differ in shape, so do people’s face structures. Using face alignment, the filter matches with the coordinates of landmarks from a certain face. People’s skin makes them look the way they are and 3D mesh step is like aligning the skin to the skeleton. Similar to how bodies move while keeping the skeleton, skin and muscle together, face tracking follows the face to make sure the filter stays on the right coordinates.

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What is C++?

C++ was invented by Bjarne Stroustrup in the early 1980s as a general-purpose programming language. It is a similar language to C, which was invented by Dennis Ritchie in the early 1970s, but it is safer and includes modern programming techniques (like object-oriented programming).

The purpose of C++ is to precisely determine a sequence of operations that a computer can perform to accomplish an objective. Most of these involve manipulating text and numbers, but anything a computer can do physically can be programmed in C++.

We don’t think about this often, but computers have no intelligence – they have to be given instruction on how to perform a task. These instructions are defined by the programming language used. Once they are programmed, they can repeat the instructions very quickly as many times as the operator wishes.

Which computers have C++?

The better question is: “which computers don’t have C++?” The language is a widespread, almost universal tool and can be found on most computers, big and small alike. There are compilers for this language that are available to almost every type of operating system.

Use of C++

C++ is popular in software engineering, communications, and gaming, as well as other industries like finances, health care, and defense. The language is widely used across programming development and has been an influence on the creation of other programming languages like Java, C#, and PHP.

Learning C++

There are many places you can go to study C++. First, you’ll need a C++ compiler. There are a variety of these available, and many of them are free and include an IDE to make it easier for you to program, debug, and edit your applications.

Where does C++ stand in comparison to other programming languages?

While some code languages are written for a specific purpose, C++ is a great general-purpose language. It can work well for most programming tasks, but not for all. Other languages like Delphi, C#, and Visual Basic may work better in those situations.

Knowing how to use C++ is a foundational skill in learning how to program and code. Many jobs in a selection of fields require or prefer candidates with this skill, as there’s an immense amount of existing code that needs maintenance, updating, and (at times) rewriting. C++ also lends itself to the arts in its contributions to video game development. Needless to say, if you’re considering a job in our modern technological industry, knowing C++ will give you a leg up in your job search.

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