Force Close Unresponsive Applications - Windows

Applications tend to stop responding when they run into errors and carry out procedures for a long time. Some of us would like to close these applications and restart the execution (or not at all).

In this article, we will see how to force close such applications : (Even though, this can be done using multiple ways, we are using a method which is common for most of the computers)

01. Open Task Manager [Ctrl + Shift + Esc]
02. Go to the Processes Tab [Earlier version of Windows] or Details Tab [Windows 10].
03. Right-click on the process that you would like to close.
04. Select End Process
05. The application should be closed by now.

WARNING : Since this process mostly happens as an administrator, be careful not to close any process essential to system such as explorer.exe.

Xiaomi Announces Mi Mix

Xiaomi has been very successful of late thanks to its series of devices such as Redmi Note 3 and the Redmi 3S. Both the devices offer excellent value for money. Xiaomi also wants to capture the market for high end devices and has been continually releasing top notch devices. However, these devices do not have much to offer in the innovation department.

This seems to change now with the release of the Mi Mix. Announced today, along with the Mi Note 2, this device is so unique.

Xiaomi has completely removed the top bezels and has offered a device with 91.3 percent screen ratio. The earpiece and the sensors have been moved to support this new design. The specifications isn't something to laugh at:

Have a look at it

• Snapdragon 821
• 6.4" Screen
• 4GB/128GB or 6GB/256GB
• 4400 mAh Battery
• NFC
• 16MP Rear Camera
• 5MP Front Camera
• NFC
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging

It is really good that companies are striving to innovate. Let's see how the other tech giants respond to Mi Mix.

How to add Google.com to list of search engines in Linux Mint

I recently started using Linux Mint KDE after a long relationship with Xubuntu. I am using the KDE version since I wanted to change the basic visual aspects of my system. KDE was installed and all was well and good.

Until recently...

I didn't use it as my daily driver and so was baffled when I couldn't find Google as a search engine option in Firefox search. I did check the options and tried to add it. On searching further, I came across the following page in the LinuxMint site : Linux Mint Search Engines

The site as you can see DID NOT offer Google among its primary source of search-engines.

Mint suggests that a search engine should follow 3 main rules to allow it to be included in Linux Mint :

1. Funding - If using the particular search engine funds Linux Mint
2. Privacy - If the search engine is private and secure
3. Non-Commercial - It is non-commercial

To add search engines such as Google to Firefox, follow these steps:

1. Go to the bottom of the page
2. Click on the icon of Google under Commercial Engines
3. Click on the search icon in your toolbar
4. Select the Add Google Icon
5. Now, it is added as a search engine in your browser.

Google is not the most private browser, but still provides the best results in my opinion.

Guide to use WhatsApp Web

A desktop client for WhatsApp was long overdue and the team has today released a site that acts as a companion for the app.

To begin using the web client, just follow the following steps:

[ Note : The service is used only when you update to the latest version of WhatsApp. I got my update this morning ]

01.Open WhatsApp. Click the options menu at the top right.
02.Select WhatsApp Web from the options. [Highlighted in the Picture]

03.Now, you will open a QR code scanner on your mobile device as follows.

04.Go to web.whatsapp.com on your desktop.

05. You will see a QR code on your screen.

06. Scan the code using your mobile.

07. That's it! The messages will be synced automatically.

[ Note: If you have a lot of messages, be careful to use Wi-Fi as you may run out of data ]

That's all guys. Wish you happy chats.. :D

Using Chrome in Guest Mode

Chrome has a nifty feature called guest mode that can be used by guests without the fear that they may see your bookmarks(unless they want to). The mode also clears all traces of system usage of the computer like cookies,history once all tabs of the guest mode is closed or the mode is changed to primary user again.

To enable this feature:

1. Just paste this into the chrome address bar: "chrome://flags/#enable-new-profile-management" and press enter. 
2. Now enable the option and relaunch Chrome. 
3. Select Guest in the top left part of the app. (You will see a face with no features).
4. Revert back when you are done. Simple!

Spell Checking in Sublime text

It is not uncommon for people to misspell common words when they are typing. Many people see the keyboard when they are typing and this causes them to makes spelling errors. It is therefore good to have some spell check program in your text editor.

Sublime text has a built-in spell checker that can be automatically set to check for misspellings.

Just follow the following steps:

1. Go to Preferences -> Settings - User
2. In the settings file, type "spell_check": true, and save the file.
3. That's it

Notify you through a message when a special mail is received in GMail

I read a lot in general and today came across a tip that allows you to get notified by text message when you receive mail from a previously specified ID. The procedure makes use of the Google calendar's text message feature. The original post can be seen at 5 Useful Google Scripts to Automate your Email.

The script works as follows:

1. Go to google scripts: script.google.com
2. Create a blank project.
3. Script:
   function Gmail_send_sms(){
   var label = GmailApp.getUserLabelByName("Send Text");
   if(label == null){
   GmailApp.createLabel('Send Text');
   }
   else{
   var threads = label.getThreads();
   var now = new Date().getTime();
   for (var i = 0; i < threads.length; i++) { var message = threads[i].getMessages()[0]; var from = message.getFrom(); var subject = message.getSubject(); CalendarApp.createEvent(subject, new Date(now+60000), new Date(now+60000), {location: from}).addSmsReminder(0); } label.removeFromThreads(threads); } }


4. Save it and set a trigger for it to run every 5 minutes.


5. Lastly, you have to set a filter to add the “Send Text” label to all important incoming emails. The script will scan your inbox every 5 minutes and when it detects an email with the “Send Text” label, it will create an immediate event in Google Calender which will then trigger the SMS.

That's it. You will get a new text for every new mail. Thank You Google.