14th September 2001

We all make mistakes. Thankfully, Windows doesn't expect us to be perfect. Now, before you make some snide comment, remember that no operating system (in and of itself) is flawless. For the longest time, we've been taught to use the CTRL+Z keyboard shortcut whenever we wanna undo the most recent operation. Go ahead -- type something and then CTRL+Z it. Amazing, huh? Well, did you know that ALT+Backspace might also work? Try it in IE's Address bar; the key combo doesn't work in every application, though. What does? ALT+Space. Go ahead, tap it right now. Ah, you're one shortcut away from minimizing or maximizing the current window without touching the mouse. Depending on the mapping of the app, SHIFT+Delete will act like the Backspace key. And if one-character deletion isn't quick enough for you, there's always CTRL+Delete -- which devours whole words at a time. Oh, we're just full of alternatives today, aren't we? The next time you tap a key, try pressing ALT, CTRL, or SHIFT while you do it. Be careful though; you never know how that combo will be mapped.