Remove unwanted white space in excel data

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Sometimes when you import or cut paste a list of data into excel, you may find that extra / unwanted spacing appear before or after the text or numbers. This can sometime be quite irritating especially when you want to use these data to do some calculations or display it properly in the cell.

Below is one of the method to quickly get rid of these unwanted spacing.

A1 = "(space)test(space)(space)"

B1 = trim(A1)

Copy B1 & Paste Special using Paste Value to C1

C1 = "test"


You can either hide the column A & B or just delete them. :)

Useful everyday DIY Sites / Videos / Help / Guide

Below are some DIY sites that are very interesting at times.... and not too complicated and practical to Do-It-Yourself for some. Check them out when you are too boring. :)

Read the reviews by PC Magazine on DIY Sites. Below are a the sites listed and additional sites that I have. :)





All-in-one site for How-To

• Instructables
  http://www.instructables.com/
• eHow
  http://www.ehow.com/videos.html
• wikiHow
  http://www.wikihow.com/
• Howcast
  http://www.howcast.com/
• 5min
  http://www.5min.com/
• WonderHowTo
  http://www.wonderhowto.com/

Home Improvement & Repair

• HowToCleanStuff.net (Very useful!)
  http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/
• DoItYourself.com
  http://www.doityourself.com/
• Curbly
  http://www.curbly.com/

Enjoy and get your hands dirty and save some $$$.

Need to type chinese character (汉字/华文字体) ?

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Assuming you urgently need to type a few chinese character 汉字(such as your chinese name, places, etc) and the PC is not setup with applications to do so... maybe you are using someone's PC or the PC is using an unfamiliar OS... how?

Very simple, provided you know your Han Yu Pin Yin (汉语拼音) and have internet access. Just simply access http://www.baidu.com/ (one of the biggest chinese search engine) and key in the Pin Yin you want to find and it will suggest the word for you. Cut and paste the characters to form the word you need. :)

Alternatively, if you are not too good at Pin Yin, then you can try this site:
http://www.tigernt.com/dict.shtml

It allows you to key in a English word or even a simple sentence and it will suggest for you the chinese equivalent. So by mixing and matching the characters, you probably can get the words you wanted. :)

Still missed the Good Old Yahoo! Auction

Auctioning has become quite tough these days without Yahoo! Auction. You will be able to do a search easily in Yahoo! Auction to see what is the historical selling price for an item, or check the popularity of an item.

Although there is still eBay... you are unable to do that and what is being sold cannot be found when you do a search. But it still does the basic job for auctioning the item.

Next will be the pHing Classified. A very simple classified to put up your Ads on the items you want to sell. Simple and easy to use, but without auctioning feature. One good thing is that it that whatever you placed in pHing, it will be shown in Hardwarezone's Marketplace as well. This is especially good for IT related products.

Other auction sites which I have yet really tried out are:

• Gmarket - Supposely replacement of Yahoo! Auction? But tried doing a simple search... it looks more for commerical products than for individual auction hangout.
• 99auction.com - Crowd not there?
• Cannla - Good design, high potential. Probably may try out one of these days
• ChupR - Pretty new

Let me know if you have tired any or there are more. But at the end of the day, the crowds is the most important, like in Yahoo! Auction. The more crowded the place, the higher chances you get to sell your items. There is no point to put the items everywhere but nobody visit, or worst, 1 item but 2 different person won at different site.

So for now, my choices are still:

• eBay
• pHing

Do hope that one of these site be able to re-ignite the popularity of Yahoo! Auction!!!

Need to do a backup or sync your files automatically

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Recently I have helped someone to setup their PC and was asked see if they can better safeguard their important data in case their hard disk crashed or data corrupted. Things that you never expected may happen...

I always believe that doing routine backup is a very important step to secure your data, although a hassle at times, but it can save you hours or even months of re-doing the lost data. In the worst case, the data can never be recovered, such as your photos taken during your recent trip.

Doing backup is like buying an assurance plan, if you do not need to use it, then call it a blessing. :) There are plans that cost more and provide a comprehensive protection, such as getting specialised backup devices, remote backup to website, etc. or cheaper ones... and ever FREE ones. FREE doesn't mean it's no good, but it can only protect up to certain level.

OK, to cut it short. FREE ones are usually software that can be download legally for personal usage. They usually will just helps you automate the task of copying a certain pre-set files or folder to another drive, usually the network drive or a USB drive for better protection. It will protect you in case the PC hard drive crashed. However, if your PC is infected by viruses, then it may infect the copied data as well depending on the type of viruses.

One of the software I am using is Allway Sync ( http://allwaysync.com/) - happen to be the top of the list when I do a Google search. It is quite powerful and easy to use. It can do 1-way copy or 2-way sync (copy or sync only updates rather then all the files - this can save you time if the files are huge) and easily auto-schedule when you want to do the sync. There is also one option for it to do auto file versioning if the file is to be over-written in the sync process, ie create different verions of a same file. There are a lot of options to play with, so that it suits your need.

Of course, there are plenty of other FREE backup software available. So just pick and choose which one suit you most and use it on a regular basis for better file protection. ALWAYS FEEL HAPPY EVERYTIME YOU ARE DOING THE BACKUP AS YOU ARE REALLY LUCKY SINCE YOU HAVE YET NEED TO USE THEM. :)

Getting a new Camera? What to look out for?

Image by tamaki via Flickr

Getting a camera is quite tricky sometimes. Brands and price of camera does not mean they are good. Never trust the supplier's website advertisements and flyers as well. It is good to check out the camera you are interested in 1st base on the specifications, colour, shape, size, etc. After which, you should visit some sites to read up the reviews for these cameras. The more you read, the more you can understand about the camera before buying.



Review Sites:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/section/digital_cameras



Most cameras should perform reasonably well in a well lighted outdoor settings, however, when it comes to night time or indoor shots, only a handful of camera can do a good job.



TIPS:

1. Always half-press to focus before taking any shots. I know this is very basic but a lot of people I come across will just press all the way down to take a shot.
   


2. Try to zoom on the preview in order to see if the shot is good, ie. no blurry effect due to hand movement. Camera with image stabiliser will help in a way, or should I say, minimise the "shake", but will not stop the "shake".
   


3. 3MP images are good enough to develop 4R photos. Therefore, unless you need to develop bigger size photos, setting to higher MP will only take up more space, takes less shots on memory and ultimately need more storage (hard disk) to keep your photos.
   
4. Always remember higher mega-pixel camera does not mean the camera should cost more and takes better images.
   
5. If you are proceeding to stores or trade shows to get your camera (some may do it online), be sure to check only for its official list price and freebies, such as http://www.bargaincity.com.sg/ (for Singapore). This will ensure that you do not overpay your new camera. :)

Hope this guide helps. It's my own buying guide/bookmark/favourite as well.

Getting a new Mobile Phone? What to look out for?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Before getting a new mobile phone / handphone, it is always good to read up reviews and forums on how good or bad the model of phone is rated. Some phones may look attractive, but they may not be very "usable". While some may need to be tweak to provide a better performance.

Phone Reviews:

GSM Arena (http://www.gsmarena.com/)
Phone Arena (http://www.phonearena.com)
These sites contain very good and comprehensive review for almost all the models of the phone available, as well as up-coming models. Apart from their own review, there is also a huge fan base who will make their comments on the phone as well.

Phone Forums: Mobile Phone Forums
http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php
http://www.ppcsg.com/
http://www.howardforums.com/
Forums are another place which you can get genuine feedback on a phone. In addition, they will also post Tricks & Hacks which you can perform to enhance on the phone capability.

Lastly if you are like most people who would like to keep up with the new phones that are available in the market, you will also need to check on their trade-in value. Apart from the providers website (usually not the best price for trade-in), you can also check out the following retailers who have out up their pricing online.

Phone Retailers on web: (For Singapore Audience)
http://www.itechmobile.com.sg/
http://www.iposh.com.sg/
http://www.sgmobile.com.sg/
http://www.whymobile.com/

So all the best in choosing the phone of your choice! :)

What can Salt cure?

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Interestingly, SALT is more than just a cooking enhancer.

Source from http://www.hashmi.com/salt.html

CURES OF SALTS

INDIGESTION & STOMACH DISORDERS: -

Consuming 5 grams of black salt in hot water in the morning eliminates indigestion & improves appetite.
One or two teaspoon of onion juice along with Little Rock salt, after meals eliminate flatulence.
Massaging the stomach with salt mixed in hot ghee releases wind and cures stomachache.
Taking a little salt in hot water cures stomachache and also helps in easy movement of bowel.

HEADACHE: -

Keeping a pinch of salt on the tongue for minutes and then drinking cold water eliminates headache.
Rubbing little salt in pure ghee on the temples gives relief in headache due to cold.
Putting one or two drops of salt water in the nostrils eliminates headache.
Smelling salt water (in 1:20 proportion) also helps in curing headache.

DANDRUFF: -

Washing the hair with salted water helps in eliminating dandruff.

STOMACH WORMS: -

Taking a Banana springled with rock salt & lemon juice on empty stomach in the morning destroys stomach worms.

SKIN PROBLEMS: -

Rubbing the body with salted-mastered oil removes skin dryness.
Applying salted pure ghee cures cracked feet & hands.
Applying ginger juice mixed with rock salt removes pimples & ache.


VOMITING: -

Taking ginger & lemon juice with rock salt controls vomiting.

COLD & COUGH: -


Boil a glass of water with rock salt black pepper & turmeric powder and ruduce it to half. Taking these cures cold & cough.
Putting some drops of basil juice mixed with rock salt in the nostrils cures cold.
Massaging the chest with warm ghee mixed with rock salt cures cold helps in extracting the traped phlegm.
Sucking a piece of salt gives relief in cough.


DENTAL PROBLEMS: -


Rinsing the mouth regularly with salted water eliminates pain due to tooth decay.
Applying strained salt mixed in mustard oil kept in sun for a whole day as toothpaste strengthens the gums and teeth & eliminates pyorrhoea.
Strained black salt mixed til oil applied as toothpaste. Strengthens the loose teeth at their base.
Finely powdered rock salt applied on the gums relieves pain in gums and teeth.


BLEEDING: -

Taking little salt gives instant relief to the bleeding.

INSECT BITE: -

Rubbing salt on the affected portion after pouring some water and taking some salted water eliminates irritation, pain and swelling caused by the bite of poisonous insect.

DOG-BITE: -

Rubbing the mixture of ground garlic and salt over the affected portion eliminates the effect of dog-bite.

Crawling Creature again? But cuter ones this time - Turtles :)

Bet with your friends to see who's the luck one. :)
1) Each choose one Turtle
2) Release a food
3) See whose turtle gets the food 1st

Simple? :)

Another Crawling Creature... A FROG!

Click to release lots of flies...

The Deadliest Spider in the World?

Beware! Don't get bitten or else you will be... haha. Watch it crawl around and follow your mouse. You might even be able to give some unsuspecting victim a little scare with this one :).

My new pet: A Lively Hamster

This lively pet hamster will keep you company throughout the day. Watch him run on his wheel, drink water, and eat the food you feed him by clicking your mouse. Click the center of the wheel to make him get back on it.

Method to get Blogspot's posting into Twitter & Facebook

Image by luc legay via Flickr

Many people have blogs, Twitter and Facebook account(s). As I am setting up this blog, I am thinking "How can I have my blog entries announced in Twitter and Facebook?". Not that I am lazy, but there must be someone who has this same idea and a solution must be already there. :)

Not as easy as I thought as there is not direct solution just by "googling". Nevertheless, below are the steps to do it.

1. Your blog provider must be able to support RSS Feeds. For blogspot, the RSS address will be http://YOUR_BLOG_NAME.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default. Mine here is http://thingsthatifound.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.
2. Create an account with http://twitterfeed.com/ and log in.
3. Click on the "Connect your feed to twitter account".
4. Give your feed a name and enter your feed (rss) address mention in step 1.
5. As for the rest of the settings, just try out yourself or leave it as per default.
6. ----Finish Part 1----
7. Log in to your Facebook account.
8. Under the search space on the top right hand corner, enter "Twitter".
9. Filter the search results to show only Applications.
10. Add the "Twitter" apps that has the most active users (you cannot go wrong if so many people subscribe to it).
11. Link the apps to your Twitter account (set this up quite sometime ago, so cannot remember the steps).
12. ------DONE---- :)

BINGO! In future, if you updated your blog, the Title+1st few words will be shown on your Twitter then Facebook as well. But I tried this may takes quite a while to sync, few hours maybe. So be patient and don't ask for too much since the services are all FREE.

What is this blog about?

Image via Wikipedia

This is not my 1st blog though. My 1st blog was 10 over years ago using self-written HTML, when there is no luxury all these automated blogging tools and add-ons. Internet connection then was at 56kps (kilo-bits/sec) - recap the connection sound <here>. How slow was that? I can still remember download a MP3 song about 4mb takes about 20mins!!! Compared to now which takes only few seconds. Tough time coding with little help from the web but that's how we people learn during those days. :)

Things are becoming much easier to find and troubleshoot with the advancement of web search engines and vast information on the World Wide Web. Trust me, "Google it!" is my best bet on things that I need.

This blog will be where I kept and share my bookmark a.k.a. favorite, and all the other THINGS THAT I FOUND. Being JACK of several trades, some may say that I am probably Kaypoh (busybody) or boliao (nothing better to do) in a way, but I find that life is more interesting this way. Knowing more things, you can help more people solve their problems. There will also be topics to chat which will enhance your relationship with others. Agree? :)

Things I am IN-terested are Technology, IT gadgets, web, mobile phones, TVs... (list goes on in that area) + DIY fixing of home stuffs such as plumbing, drilling, changing/modifying/fixing of lightings, locks, tap, etc. Definitely much more in the future...

Last but not the least, I have to thank you Ced from giving me this idea share the THINGS THAT I FOUND and to think where I can park my bookmarks. I don't think facebook or twitter are appropriate as the entries get updated too fast and make it difficult to search for things you posted days or months back.

Stay tune and will be starting to post my useful bookmarks and stuff. Let me know anything that interest you that you would like to see here as well. Ask me questions on my area of interest, I will definately try my best to find the answer or direct you to the answer.