Use your cell phone as a modem

Most phones have built-in data modems, and most of the major carriers support the feature. To dial up the Internet, all you need is a connection kit (usually a data cable and software available from your carrier) that connects your cell phone to your laptop, your ISP information (this varies from mobile to mobile, so contact your provider for details), and a data plan. For the most part, data speeds aren't much faster than a 56Kbps dial-up modem's, but carriers such as Verizon have introduced 3G services with broadband speeds ranging from 144Kbps to a possible 2MB per second.

Choosing between CDMA and GSM

GSM and CDMA are the two main digital technologies that cell phone carriers in the World use to transmit calls. Of the major operators, T-Mobile and Cingular use GSM, while Sprint and Verizon Wireless use CDMA. Nextel uses another technology called iDEN, but it will be phased out around 2010 due to Nextel's recent merger with Sprint. Since GSM and CDMA transmit calls using different methods, they are incompatible, so a phone used on one network cannot be used on another. And while there are some complex variations, on a more surface level, each technology offers distinct advantages to consumers.

GSM is the dominant cell phone technology globally. GSM is the standard in Europe, but it's also present in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean. So GSM is a much better choice for global travelers who want to take their phone when they go abroad. GSM phones also use SIM cards, which make it much easier to switch your phone number and contacts list between two handsets.

CDMA is used in fewer regions around the world, but it has a very strong footprint in the United States. In fact, its national coverage area here is larger than GSM when you take into account analog networks. Though they won't be around forever, analog networks provide better coverage in rural areas. Also, CDMA carriers have been quicker about rolling out 3G networks. Though the GSM players will catch up eventually, they lag behind as of now.

Microsoft Office shortcuts on your keyboard

Ctrl Z is the magic undo combo. It simply undoes your last action, say, the paragraph you accidentally erased (it works in other applications, too--try it on the Photoshop filter you really wish you hadn't applied, or after renaming a document or a folder in a Windows directory). Programs vary in the number of times you can undo something, but some will let you Ctrl Z all the way back to the beginning. (And, yes, there is a redo command, just hit Ctrl Y.)


Ctrl B, Ctrl I, or Ctrl U apply bold, italics, or underline to highlighted text, respectively.


Ctrl P prints whatever is in an active window.


Ctrl Backspace erases an entire word at a time, instead of a letter. Ctrl up or down arrows let you scroll an entire paragraph at a time, instead of one line, and Ctrl Shift up or down arrow will select an entire paragraph.


Ctrl Enter inserts a page break in Word.


Alt Ctrl C inserts the copyright symbol (Alt Ctrl R inserts the registered trademark symbol, and Alt Ctrl T makes the trademark symbol).


In Outlook, you can jump to the section you want: Ctrl 1 switches to the Mail window, Ctrl 2 switches to the Calender, Ctrl 3 to Contacts, Ctrl 4 to Tasks, and Ctrl 5 to Notes.


Ctrl Shift M starts a new message in Outlook. (Use Ctrl Shift C for a new contact.)


In Outlook e-mail, hit Ctrl N to compose a new message, Ctrl R to reply to a message.


The only Excel shortcut I've ever known, Ctrl , enters the date. (If you live in Excel, you should have the Excel Keyboard Shortcuts page in your Favorites!