Generations of Cellular Network Technologies

4G, LTE, VOLTE, EVDO, GPRS, 2G, 3G, HSPA, EDGE EXPLAINED: MOBILE INTERNET STANDARDS DECODED

We usually come across these network standard terms as 3G, 4G, WiMAX, LTE, VoLTE, EDGE, GPRS, EvDO, RTT, etc. on the specifications sheet of various gadgets supporting wireless internet. While geeks understand the meaning of these cellular/mobile network technologies, the normal people simply just take them for what the retailers tell them about it.

Your trusted retailer might be right for most of the times, but he has a business to run. So, might try to sell you gadgets with outdated wireless connectivity sometime or the other. That’s why it is very important that you understand what these technologies offer you in terms of speed and connectivity. We don’t want to get too deep into the technicalities or you will just get bored with the technical jargon.

This article will explain the meaning and the significance of these standards in a very simple language.

GENERATIONS OF CELLULAR NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

You know that each successor to the mobile network technology has one numeric number followed by the alphabet ‘G’. This is of the form ‘xG’. So, 2G means 2nd generation, 3G means 3rd generation, 4G means 4thgeneration and so on. Each generation is more advanced than the previous standard. Which is but obvious, isn’t it?

Currently, 4G is the latest standard but many big organizations have already started their work on the upcoming 5G wireless technology.

GSM NETWORK VS. CDMA NETWORK

GSM and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) are the two most popular radio standards used in the mobile world. Both technologies offer similar features but CDMA is more popular in the U.S. than the rest of the world. Most of the European and Asian countries use GSM networks. Some might tell you CDMA is better than the GSM or vice-versa but it is not exactly true.

The U.S. operators moved to the CDMA technology when GSM technology was in a nascent stage but now that GSM technology has caught up with CDMA, the U.S. operators don’t feel the need to shift to GSM technologies. Most of the telecom companies in the rest of the world utilize the GSM technology for rolling out their networks, and they also don’t feel the need to migrate to CDMA technology.

So, when you go out in the market for buying a new phone, you will see that the available GSM phone models are much more in number than the CDMA models.You know the reason behind this.

Now, let’s discuss each generation of network in detail along with its associated network standards:

2G

2G is the first digital mobile network technology. 1G was analog technology and was very inefficient. 2G brought support for SMS and mobile internet.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) uses GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technology for internet access, while the CDMA technology uses RTT (Radio Transmission Technology) for providing 2G internet access.

3G

It is the first mobile network technology to provide access to high-speed broadband like internet. Live video streaming, video chatting were first made possible by the 3G network technologies.

GSM networks use WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service), HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), and HSPA+ technologies for rolling out 3G networks. The CDMA networks on the other hand, use EvDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology for deploying 3G networks.

4G

It is the latest generation of mobile wireless technology and offers the best data speed. It is made for providing mobile broadband access and can be used for data intensive applications like watching high-definition TV on mobile, cloud computing etc.

4G network is currently deployed using LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technologies. As per the ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union-Radio Communication Sector), any network having a peak download rate of 100 Mbps for high mobility and up to 1 Gbps for stationary wireless access will be termed as a 4G network.

LTE, LTE-A (LTE Advanced), WiMAX Rel 1, and WiMAX Rel 2 are some of the popular 4G network standards.

WHAT’S VOLTE?

VoLTE is short for Voice-over-LTE and allows the 4G network (based on packet switching) to convert voice into packets. These packets are then transmitted over the network and converted back into voice at the other hand. Also due to the fact that an LTE network has higher bandwidth than the traditional 2G and 3G networks, the voice calls made over LTE (using VoLTE) tend to be a lot more clearer and crisper. This VoLTE calling is also marketed as “HD Voice“.

4G networks are based on neither GSM nor CDMA technology, but are instead based on OFDMA, SC-FDMAtechnologies. That’s why the basic 4G networks can’t make voice calls and a new standard called VoLTE is being deployed to make that possible.

The following table lists down the speed ratings of each of these network technologies.

Generation	Standard	Radio	Maximum Theoretical Download Speed	Maximum Theoretical Upload Speed
2G	GPRS	GSM	Up to 80 Kbps (Class 10)	Up to 20 Kbps
2G	EDGE	GSM	Up to 236.8 Kbps	Up to 59.2 Kbps
2G	1xRTT	CDMA	Up to 0.3 Mbps	Up to 0.15 Mbps
3G	UMTS (WCDMA)	GSM	Up to 384 Kbps	Up to 384 Kbps
3G	HSPA	GSM	Upto 14.4 Mbps	Up to 5.76 Mbps
3G	HSPA+	GSM	Upto 42 Mbps	Up to 11.5 Mbps
3G	EvDO Rev. A	CDMA	Up to 3.1 Mbps	Up to 1.8 Mbps
3G	EvDO Rev. B	CDMA	Up to 4.9xN MbpsN: number 1.25 MHz carriers	Up to 1.8xN Mbps
4G	LTE	OFDMA	Up to 100 Mbps (Cat3)	Up to 50 Mbps (Cat4)
4G	LTE-A	OFDMA, SC-FDMA	Up to 1 Gbps	Up to 500 Mbps
4G	WiMAX Rel. 1	OFDMA	Up to 30-40 Mbps	Up to 17 Mbps
4G	WiMAX Rel. 2	OFDMA	Up to 1 Gbps	Up to 376 Mbps

All of the above mentioned speeds are theoretical values derived for different standards for ideal scenarios. Nothing is ideal in real world. Furthermore connection throttling by the operator, network congestion, and quality of service also affect the actual speed that the user gets.

‘B’ IS NOT THE SAME AS ‘B’

This is one of the most common mistakes made by non-technical people while mentioning the speed of their internet connection.

For network configurations, ‘B’ is known as byte and ‘b’ is known as bit.

1 byte (B) = 8 bits (b)

ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and modem manufacturers specify the speed in bps (bits/second), whereas the internet download managers and other file sharing programs denote the speed in Bps (bytes/sec).

For S.I. system:

1 Mega = 1,000,000

But for Windows computer system (binary):

1 mega = 2^20= 1,048,576.

That’s why:

A download speed of 1 Mbps = 1024 Kbps = (1024/8) KBps = 128 KBps

Now, that you know what to expect from each network technology, there is one more thing that should be kept in mind while selecting a phone for international roaming. Different frequency bands are used for deploying these mobile networks across different parts of the world. So, a 4G phone launched for the U.S. market might not be able to latch onto Indian 4G networks.

That’s why it is always wise to take a look at the frequencies supported by the phone and your network operator before making a buying decision.

TechNews

SAMSUNG GALAXY A8(2018) PLUS IMAGES LEAK 

Samsung Galaxy A series of smartphone for 2018 have been doing the rounds of social networks for a while now. Back in November, we spotted the 2018 Galaxy A5 bearing the model number A530N listed by the FCC. New reports now reveal images of what is rumoured to be the Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus.

Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus. Image: Weibo

As per a report by Android Headlines, two real images of the Galaxy A8 Plus were shared by an unknown user on Chinese social media website, Weibo. As per the report, the smartphone revealed in the images is likely the official successor to the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017). While the reason behind Samsung's minor rebranding is unknown, the images give us a good look at the expected design of the smartphone.

The first of the two images gives us a clear look at the top of the smartphone which shows the use of Samsung's Infinity display panel. The bezel-less design revealed here reminds us of the Samsung Galaxy S8, though the edges here do not wrap around the display. The report also tells us that the aspect ratio of the screen could be 18.5:9. The second image, on the other hand, gives users a clearer look at the model number which reads SM-A730F.

Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus. Image: Weibo

Apart from the display, the first image also reveals what looks like a dual-selfie camera setup which is also vaguely noticeable in the second image.

Samsung is yet to mention anything about its mid-range smartphone line up for 2018. The Galaxy A7 is currently the top variant of the Galaxy A series.

Samsung's upcoming flagship phones will make their debut this February, most likely at MWC 2018 (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain.

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S9 schematics. Slashleaks

According to a Bloomberg report, the upcoming devices will be teased in "late February" and will go on sale in "early March". The devices, expected to be the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, are going to be very similar to last year's S8 and S8 Plus (review). The major difference will be the upgraded camera hardware, say Bloomberg's sources.

This report flies in the face of expectations of a CES 2018 debut and an MWC 2018 launch.

In 2017, the launch of Samsung's flagship smartphones was delayed considerably owing to the difficulty in manufacturing enough Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chips. These chips are what powered most of the Android flagships in 2017.

A side effect of the production issues was that MWC 2017 was rather lacklustre, given that many of the smartphone manufacturers had to push their premium device launches by a few months. It's not clear if the upcoming Snapdragon 845 chips will also be delayed in 2018.

Various leaks do suggest that the new phones will come with a single-camera setup at the rear, as opposed to the dual-camera one seen on the Galaxy Note 8 (review). It's possible that the upcoming phones will use Qualcomm's and Google's single-camera portrait mode support to deliver a better quality single camera experience.

An earlier report also hinted at at an in-display fingerprint sensor on the front. However, Bloomberg's report hinting at a more traditional design and a Slashleaks report of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor say otherwise.

Swamy Vivekananda

Strength is Life,Weakness is Death

                                                 

                                    SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Date of Birth:  January 12 , 1863 

Place of Birth: Calcutta, Bengal Presidency (Now Kolkata in West Bengal)

Parents: Vishwanath Dutta (Father) and Bhuvaneshwari Devi (Mother)

Education: Calcutta Metropolitan School; Presidency College, Calcutta

Institutions: Ramakrishna Math; Ramakrishna Mission; Vedanta Society of New York

Religious Views: Hinduism

Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta

Publications: Karma Yoga (1896); Raja Yoga (1896); Lectures from Colombo to Almora (1897); My Master (1901)

Death: July 4, 1902

Place of Death: Belur Math, Belur, Bengal

Memorial: Belur Math, Belur, West Bengal

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.

In America Vivekananda's mission was the interpretation of India's spiritual culture, especially in its Vedantic setting. He also tried to enrich the religious consciousness of the Americans through the rational and humanistic teachings of the Vedanta philosophy. In America he became India's spiritual ambassador and pleaded eloquently for better understanding between India and the New World in order to create a healthy synthesis of East and West, of religion and science.

In his own motherland Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness, To the Hindus he preached the ideal of a strength-giving and man-making religion. Service to man as the visible manifestation of the Godhead was the special form of worship he advocated for the Indians, devoted as they were to the rituals and myths of their ancient faith. Many political leaders of India have publicly acknowledged their indebtedness to Swami Vivekananda.

The Swami's mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence. A mystic of the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soulstirring language of poetry.

The natural tendency of Vivekananda's mind, like that of his Master, Ramakrishna, was to soar above the world and forget itself in contemplation of the Absolute. But another part of his personality bled at the sight of human suffering in East and West alike. It might appear that his mind seldom found a point of rest in its oscillation between contemplation of God and service to man. Be that as it may, he chose, in obedience to a higher call, service to man as his mission on earth; and this choice has endeared him to people in the West, Americans in particular.

In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami's native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world.

Swami Vivekananda once spoke of himself as a "condensed India." His life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the "paragon of Vedantists." Max Muller and Paul Deussen, the famous Orientalists of the nineteenth century, held him in genuine respect and affection. "His words," writes Romain Rolland, "are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!''

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Never forgot your parents because they are only the one who think about you in the world in all the situations good about you. No one can show love and affection as your mother and father because it is only the genuine love in the world shown by them. Respect elders.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Edgar A. Guest 

Types of Fire Extinguishers

	Water and Foam Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from the other elements. Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.
	Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat with a very cold discharge. Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.
	Dry Chemical Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished succesfully.
	Wet Chemical Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. Wet chemical of Class K extinguishers were developed for modern, high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.
	Clean Agent Halogenated or Clean Agent extinguishers include the halon agents as well as the newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Clean agent extinguishers are primarily for Class B & C fires. Some larger clean agent extinguishers can be used on Class A, B, and C fires.
	Dry Powder Dry Powder extinguishers are similar to dry chemical except that they extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by removing the heat element of the fire triangle. However, dry powder extinguishers are for Class D or combustible metal fires, only. They are ineffective on all other classes of fires.
	Water Mist Water Mist extinguishers are a recent development that extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. They are an alternative to the clean agent extinguishers where contamination is a concern. Water mist extinguishers are primarily for Class A fires, although they are safe for use on Class C fires as well.
	Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Like the stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers, the multipurpose dry chemical is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

Important Basic Computer shortcut keys to be known.

A-Z Shortcut Keys in Microsoft Word

• F1 key — Get help or use the Office assistant
• SHIFT and F1 Key — Context sensitive help
• F2 Key — Move text or image
• SHIFT + F2 Key — Copy text
• F3 Key — Insert an autotext entry
• SHIFT + F3 Key — Change the case of the selected text
• F4 Key — Perform last action again
• SHIFT + F4 Key — Perform a Find or Go to action again
• F5 Key — Displays the Go to dialogue box. You can also get to Find and Replace from here
• SHIFT + F5 Key — Move to a previous revision
• F6 Key — Go to the next frame or pane
• SHIFT + F6 Key — Go to the previous frame or pane
• F7 Key — Launch the Spell checker
• SHIFT + F7 Key — Launch the Thesaurus
• F8 Key — Extend the current selection
• SHIFT + F8 Key — Shrink the current selection
• F9 Key — Update the selected fields
• SHIFT + F9 Key — Switch between a field code and its result
• F10 Key — Activate the menu bar
• SHIFT + F10 Key — Display a Shortcut Menu (same as right-clicking)
• F11 Key — Go to the next field
• SHIFT + F11 Key — Go to the previous field
• F12 Key — Save file As, equivalent to tools menu
• SHIFT + F12 Key — Save document, equivalent to tools menu
• CTRL and A — Selects all in the current document
• CTRL and B — Bold text
• CTRL and C — Copies the item or text to the Clipboard and can be pasted using CTRL and V
• CTRL and D — Displays the Font dialogue box
• CTRL and E — Centre Alignment
• CTRL and F — Displays the Find dialog box, to search the current document
• CTRL and G — Displays the Go to dialog box, to go to a specific location in the current document
• CTRL and H — Displays the Replace dialogue box
• CTRL and I — Italic text
• CTRL and J — Full Justification
• CTRL and K — Create Hyperlink
• CTRL and L — Left Alignment
• CTRL and M — Tab
• CTRL and N — Creates a new document
• CTRL and O — Displays the Open File dialogue box
• CTRL and P — Displays the Print dialog box
• CTRL and R — Right Alignment
• CTRL and S — Displays the Save dialog box
• CTRL and U — Underline text
• CTRL and V — Pastes the copied item or text from the Clipboard into the current position in the document
• CTRL and X — Cuts the item or text selected to the Clipboard
• CTRL and Y — Redo the last undone action
• CTRL and Z — Undoes the last action
• CTRL and ENTER — Insert Page Break
• CTRL and F2 — Show Print preview
• CTRL and F4 — Closes the active document window
• CTRL and F6 — Opens the next document window

Windows Shortcut Keys

Windows key + R — Run menu

Windows key + E — Explorer

ALT + Tab — Switch between windows

ALT + Space + X — Maximize window

CTRL + Shift + Esc — Task Manager

Windows key + Break — System properties

Windows key + F — Search

Windows key + D — Hide/Display all windows

CTRL + C — Copy

CTRL + X — Cut

CTRL + V — Paste

Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

[Alt] + [Esc] — Switch between running applications

[Alt] + letter — Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] + [Esc] — Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] + [F4] — Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] + [F4] — Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] + [-] — Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft. + Rt. arrow — Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up + Down arrow — Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] — Open Help for active application

Windows + M — Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows + M — Undo minimize all open windows

Windows + F1 — Open Windows Help

Windows + Tab — Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows + Break — Open the System Properties dialog box

Accessability Shortcuts

• Right SHIFT for eight seconds — Switch FilterKeys on and off
• Left ALT + left SHIFT + PRINT SCREEN — Switch High Contrast on and off
• Left ALT + left SHIFT +NUM LOCK — Switch MouseKeys on and off
• SHIFT five times — Switch StickyKeys on and off
• NUM LOCK for five seconds — Switch ToggleKeys on and off

Explorer Shortcuts

• END — Display the bottom of the active window
• HOME — Display the top of the active window
• NUM LOCK + ASTERISK — on numeric keypad (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder
• NUM LOCK + PLUS SIGN — on numeric keypad (+) Display the contents of the selected folder
• NUM LOCK + MINUS SIGN — on numeric keypad (-) Collapse the selected folder
• LEFT ARROW — Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder
• RIGHT ARROW — Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder
• 

  System Commands

  Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

  • devmgmt.msc — Device Manager

  • msinfo32 — System Information
  • cleanmgr — Disk Cleanup
  • ntbackup — Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
  • mmc — Microsoft Management Console
  • excel — Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
  • msaccess — Microsoft Access (If Installed)
  • powerpnt — Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
  • winword — Microsoft Word (If Installed)
  • frontpg — Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
  • notepad — Notepad
  • wordpad — WordPad
  • calc — Calculator
  • msmsgs — Windows Messenger
  • mspaint — Microsoft Paint
  • wmplayer — Windows Media Player
  • rstrui — System Restore
  • netscp6 — Netscape 6.x
  • netscp — Netscape 7.x
  • netscape — Netscape 4.x
  • waol — America Online
  • control — Opens the Control Panel
  • control printers — Opens the Printers Dialog
  • cmd — Command Prompt
  • iexplore + "web address" — Internet Explorer
  • compmgmt.msc — Computer Management
  • dhcpmgmt.msc — DHCP Management
  • dnsmgmt.msc — DNS Management
  • services.msc — Services
  • eventvwr — Event Viewer
  • dsa.msc — Active Directory Users and Computers
  • dssite.msc — Active Directory Sites and Services
  

  Internet Explorer Shortcut Keys

  • Alt + Left Arrow — Back a page
  • Backspace — Back a page
  • Alt + Right Arrow — Forward a page
  • F5 — Refresh current page, frame, or tab
  • F11 — Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode
  • Esc — Stop page or download from loading
  • Ctrl + (- or +) — Increase or decrease the font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' will increase
  • Ctrl + Enter — Quickly complete an address. For example, type google in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.google.com
  • Ctrl + D — Add a Favorite for the page currently opened
  • Ctrl + I — Display available bookmarks
  • Ctrl + N — Open New browser window
  • Ctrl + P — Print current page / frame
  • Ctrl + T — Opens a new tab
  • Ctrl + F4 — Closes the currently selected tab
  • Ctrl + Tab — Moves through each of the open tabs
  • Spacebar — Moves down a page at a time
  • Shift + Spacebar — Moves up a page at a time
  • Alt + Down arrow — Display all previous text entered in a text box and/or available options on drop down menu
  

  Mozilla Firefox Shortcut Keys

  • Alt + Left Arrow — Back a page

  • Backspace — Back a page

  • Alt + Right Arrow — Forward a page

  • F5 — Refresh current page, frame, or tab

  • F11 — Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode

  • Esc — Stop page or download from loading

  • Ctrl + (- or +) — Increase or decrease the font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' will increase

  • Ctrl + Enter — Quickly complete an address. For example, type google in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.google.com

  • Shift + Enter — Complete a .net instead of a .com address

  • Ctrl + Shift + Enter — Complete a .org address

  • Ctrl + Shift + Del — Open the Clear Data window to quickly clear private data

  • Ctrl + D — Add a bookmark for the page currently opened

  • Ctrl + I — Display available bookmarks

  • Ctrl + J — Display the download window

  • Ctrl + N — Open New browser window

  • Ctrl + P — Print current page / frame

  • Ctrl + T — Opens a new tab

  • Ctrl + F4 — Closes the currently selected tab

  • Ctrl + Shift + T — Undo the close of a window

  • Ctrl + Tab — Moves through each of the open tabs

  • Spacebar — Moves down a page at a time

  • Shift + Spacebar — Moves up a page at a time

  • Alt + Down arrow — Display all previous text entered in a text box and/or available options on drop down menu
  

  Microsoft Excel Shortcut Keys

  • F2 — Edit the selected cell
  • F5 — Go to a specific cell. For example, C6
  • F7 — Spell check selected text and/or document
  • F11 — Create chart
  • Ctrl + Shift + — Enter the current time
  • Ctrl + — Enter the current date
  • Alt + Shift + F1 — Insert New Worksheet
  • Shift + F3 — Open the Excel formula window
  • Shift + F5 — Bring up search box
  • Ctrl + A — Select all contents of the worksheet
  • Ctrl + B — Bold highlighted selection
  • Ctrl + I — Italic highlighted selection
  • Ctrl + K — Insert link
  • Ctrl + U — Underline highlighted selection
  • Ctrl + 5 — Strikethrough highlighted selection
  • Ctrl + P — Bring up the print dialog box to begin printing
  • Ctrl + Z — Undo last action
  • Ctrl + F9 — Minimize current window
  • Ctrl + F10 — Maximize currently selected window
  • Ctrl + F6 — Switch between open workbooks / windows
  • Ctrl + Page up — Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document
  • Ctrl + Page down — Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document
  • Ctrl + Tab — Move between Two or more open Excel files
  • Alt + = — Create a formula to add all of the above cells
  • Ctrl + ' — Insert the value of the above cell into cell currently selected
  • Ctrl + Shift + ! — Format number in comma format
  • Ctrl + Shift + $ — Format number in currency format
  • Ctrl + Shift + # — Format number in date format
  • Ctrl + Shift + % — Format number in percentage format
  • Ctrl + Shift + ^ — Format number in scientific format
  • Ctrl + Shift + @ — Format number in time format
  • Ctrl + Arrow key — Move to next section of text
  • Ctrl + Space — Select entire column
  • Shift + Space — Select entire row

  Background: What Is a Shortcut?

  In computing, a keyboard shortcut is a finite set of one or more keys that invoke a software or operating system operation when triggered by the user.

  Keyboard shortcuts are typically an alternate means for invoking one or more commands that would otherwise be accessible only through a menu, a pointing device, different levels of a user interface, or via a command console. Keyboard shortcuts generally expedite common operations by reducing input sequences to a few keystrokes, hence the term "shortcut".

  Shortcut keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating and using computer software programs. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Alt (on IBM compatible computers), command key (on Apple computers), Ctrl, and/or Shift in conjunction with a single letter.

  How to Create a Windows Shortcut Key

  CREATE A SHORTCUT

  1. Open the folder or directory that contains the program you wish to create a shortcut for.
  2. Right-click on the program and click "Create Shortcut".
  3. This will create a shortcut named "Shortcut to <your program>" in the directory you are in. If you wish to rename this shortcut, right-click the file and click rename.
  4. Once the above steps have been completed, you can copy or cut this shortcut and paste it anywhere to execute this program.

  ASSIGN SHORTCUT KEY TO THAT WINDOWS SHORTCUT

  Once the shortcut has been created to assign a shortcut key to that Windows shortcut follow the below steps.

  1. Right-click the shortcut and click Properties.
  2. Click the Shortcut tab.
  3. Click in the Shortcut key box and press a letter. For example, if you press "p" the shortcut key will automatically be made Ctrl + Alt + P. Which means if saved when pressing Ctrl and Alt and "P" all at the same time will run that shortcut.