# Neat useful tricks that you think most people are not aware of **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959 "2013-01-31T21:35:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/181 "2013-02-06T04:12:40Z")
n.m. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/182 "2013-02-06T04:19:57Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > If you’re running a MinGW msys shell on Windows, you can type “cmd” in the prompt and since cmd.exe is in your path, it will give you a Windows command prompt. But not just that, this command prompt still has the environment variables retained from the msys session. So if you’re doing development with MinGW gcc, and need to run a batch file (for Windows configuration of a library release or something), you can preserve the necessary variables of your dev environment, or just avoid opening a new window by navigating to the directory and typing “cmd”! > > Well… **I** certainly found it really useful recently, and I’d wager most of you didn’t know about it. In the words of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands: “I can’t understand it. I can’t even understand the people who understand it.” ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/183 "2013-02-06T04:21:30Z")
> [@Dancer\_Flight](#): > > Pull box cutter from back pocket, thumb blade open, slice band off, allow blade to retract, return knife, dispose of band. Takes 2 seconds and much less lifting. > > Where I work, everyone has a knife on their person. > > -DF Lots of people have no access to sharp blades where they work. I keep a snap-blade knife handy - those can be slid a couple of inches under a surface, but would require a couple of passes on the plastic band. While I’m here and talking about snap blades: To remove cake from bakery box without mess: Get a sharp blade (snap blades are wonderful) and cut the perimeter of the box - just above the bottom. Lift top of box straight up, revealing the cake ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/184 "2013-02-06T05:44:28Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I count this way all the time; ever since I saw it on Johnny Carson! :eek: I use binary. You can cover 0 to 31 with one hand that way, or all the way to 1023 with both. The numbers 4, 128, and 132 should probably be avoided in polite company, though. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/185 "2013-02-06T06:55:26Z")
If you’re having trouble sleeping, and it’s been over 30 min. Get out of bed and do something. Also, just focus on closing your eyes. I notice that when I’m having insomnia, my eyes twitch and are not completely shut. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/186 "2013-02-06T07:54:33Z")
This year, I’m trying to collect these “Life Hack” pictures: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks) Some seem promising, some don’t make sense. I’m trying to collect everything without discrimination. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/187 "2013-02-06T09:33:18Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > This year, I’m trying to collect these “Life Hack” pictures: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks) Some seem promising, some don’t make sense. I’m trying to collect everything without discrimination. There are some cool ones! I’m going to try the comb-as-nailholder and the squirtpiece-as-keyboard-vacuum, and the unpopped kernel trick. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/188 "2013-02-06T15:20:39Z")
a used dryer sheet can skim oil floating on water. oily substances will cling to plastic fibers. water won’t (in large amounts) cling to plastic fibers. dragging/floating plastic fibers lightly over the surface of the water will pickup the oil. this method is used for oil spills. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/189 "2013-02-06T15:33:28Z")
> [@Dancer\_Flight](#): > > Pull box cutter from back pocket, thumb blade open, slice band off, allow blade to retract, return knife, dispose of band. Takes 2 seconds and much less lifting. > > Where I work, everyone has a knife on their person. > > -DF Keys or a nail file work in a pinch, too. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/190 "2013-02-06T15:47:36Z")
Having Sex the night before will allow you to sleep longer, all night in some cases before being wakened by the urge to pee. I’m guessing it might have something to do with the prostate gland. ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/191 "2013-02-06T17:45:58Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > This year, I’m trying to collect these “Life Hack” pictures: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks) Some seem promising, some don’t make sense. I’m trying to collect everything without discrimination. The Finnish power-mixer at the end cracks me up. I guess there’s a reason no-one’s ever heard of a famous Finnish chef. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/192 "2013-02-06T19:11:20Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > The Finnish power-mixer at the end cracks me up. I guess there’s a reason no-one’s ever heard of a famous Finnish chef. Stefan Richter from Top Chef is Finnish. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/193 "2013-02-06T19:27:01Z")
I heard a good one on the radio last night. I’ll leave it up to the individual to decide the usefulness of this tip, if its useful at all: To fool somebody into thinking they are drinking a decently measured alcohol drink just use the mixer straight and use your finger to coat the rim of the lass with the alcohol. i.e. if you want to fool someone your serving them a proper vodka and orange, just give them pure orange and brush the rim of the glass with vodka. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/194 "2013-02-06T19:40:51Z")
Got morning mouth but can’t brush your teeth? Eat something starchy like a cracker or bit of bread. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/195 "2013-02-06T19:48:37Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Whenever I get an itch I like to slap it rather than scratch it. It provides relief without making the itch any worse, as can usually happen when you scratch something like a mosquito bite. Sometimes having someone slap the area for you can be even better, if that option is available. Running said itch under hot water (as hot as you can stand without risking a burn) can also give relief. I’ve also found that this works when my RLS manifests as a phantom itch (fortunately rare, but when it happens I can be clawing at my feet for hours and get no relief). I found that it did NOT work when I had itching caused by gallbladder / liver issues. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/196 "2013-02-06T20:22:43Z")
The lifehacker pics made me think of one: when you get ketchup at a restaurant, don’t bother with the tiny paper cups. Grab an extra soda cup lid, put it on your tray upside-down so it lays flat, and squirt your ketchup onto that. Holds WAY more ketchup than a tiny paper cup, and easier to dip. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/197 "2013-02-06T20:33:43Z")
Olive oil will unstick pine sap from your hand, after working in the yard. Also… when painting a room, paint the ceiling first and then tape the edge of the ceiling where it meets the wall, so that when you paint the wall you will get a nice ‘cut.’ Remove the tape immediately. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/198 "2013-02-06T20:50:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Or, do what I do and make the size you buy a single serving (regardless of its actual size)!😃 Aren’t all ice cream containers for home use single serving? I seem to remember sitting down with a gallon of vanilla as a pre meal snack during my teen years… No wonder my parents never bought the good stuff till I left the house. Use a blob of red nail polish on your shower handle (single handle styles work best) to indicate where you like the temperature; no fiddling with it before you jump in. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/199 "2013-02-06T21:08:12Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Got morning mouth but can’t brush your teeth? Eat something starchy like a cracker or bit of bread. Awwwwwwwww, man. Just brush your damn teeth. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Oukile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@Oukile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oukile)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/200 "2013-02-06T21:13:14Z")
Old drawing/notes on a dry erase board are hard to erase because the ink has dried. Just put some drops of water on a towel or tissue and rub the ink with the wet part. Don’t use too much water, though, or you’ll make a mess. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=11)