Readers offer their best tips for getting extra buttons in Swype, getting mail delivered to PO boxes, and moving icons in the Windows 7 System Tray.
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About the Tips Box: Every day we receive boatloads of great reader tips in our inbox, but for various reasons—maybe they're a bit too niche, maybe we couldn't find a good way to present it, or maybe we just couldn't fit it in—the tip didn't make the front page. From the Tips Box is where we round up some of our favorites for your buffet-style consumption. Got a tip of your own to share? Add it in the comments, share it here, or email it to tips at lifehacker.com.
Learn Swype Shortcuts for Extra Buttons
Kz shares some helpful shortcuts in the Swype Android keyboard:
In Swype, slide from the tips button to the SYM button, or from tips to F and you get extra keyboard shortcuts, to select/edit text.
This is a Godsend for phones without a trackball—the first shortcut gives you some arrow keys, that let you move the cursor instead of trying to aim with your finger.
Make Web Sites Accept PO Boxes
Photo by Jeremy Burgin.
Dalembecker lets us know how he gets mail delivered to his PO box:
Being a college student, I only have a PO Box to have mail delivered to.
Sometimes I come across websites that demand that you give them an address that is not a PO Box. You can trick the filters by putting the box number first:
Denied: PO Box 6458
Accepted: 6458 PO BoxThis allows the form to be submitted and for the mail to still be delivered to you.
Depending on the reason a site rejects PO boxes, this could work really well and you could still get your mail just fine.
Drag Icons in and out of the Windows 7 System Tray
Dschroeter shows us an easier way to move icons in and out of Windows 7's expanded system tray:
In Windows 7, I always clicked the arrow next to the notification/clock area and then 'Customize...' to change which icons are hidden. Today I found you can simply drag the icons to and from the expanded window and the change is made in one motion.
Buy Costco Food at Other Counters to Avoid Long Lines
Photo by Guybo.
Fajita lets us know how to get through Costco's food line faster:
I was hungry and wanted a slice of pizza first at Costco (before going inside and pre-paying at check-out). I didn't have cash, and after waiting in the long line, the cashier said they took cash only. Then she told me I could go around the corner to the tire center and pay there with my card. No one was in line at the tire center, so that was quick. Then I just walked back to the pickup line and got my food. Next time, I just went straight to the tire center and bought my pizza there.