…ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I had to think of some catchy title for this week’s Works for Me Wednesday (hosted by Rocks in My Dryer).
You know how annoying it is to spend hours many minutes typing out a very thought provoking blog comment, post, thread reply, message board post, or some other “fill in this box” space - then you hit send, and *POOF*, all of your wonderful insights suddenly dissappear into the depths of cyberspace, never to be seen again? Nothing is more frustrating than seeing an ominous “internet explorer cannot display…” page pop up! You hit the back key or refresh in desparation, hoping your words will reappear. But they don’t. And all of the time you spent typing everything out is a waste. It may be due to a sudden internet outage (dog unpluged your modem, anyone? *raises hand*), or you may have taken so long to respond that you were logged out (“session time out”).
But what can you do?
I spent years pounding my keys in frustration each time this happened until I learned the neatest little trick a few years back. In fact, it was so obvious that I pounded my keyboard once more in annoyance that I had never thought of this before.
Anytime you are typing more than a sentence on the web that you will eventually “send” somewhere, you should always perform the following proceedure -
Hit “CTRL + A” to highlight all of your text.
Hit “CTRL + C” to copy the highlighted text.
Then hit send.
Now, if something goes awry, you have a copy of what you just wrote on your computer’s clipboard in case the page cleared the text from the box. 
In the awful case that something does happen, just return to the blank box, position your cursor and hit “CTRL + V” to paste. All of the text you just lost magically reappears before your very eyes. (Ohhhh the wonders of modern technology).
And that’s my little secret to never ever losing what I have typed.
It works for me!
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Tags: Annoyance, Catchy Title, Clipboard, Cursor, Cyberspace, Exaggeration, Frustration, Insights, Internet Explorer, Internet Outage, Keyboard, Message Board Post, Modem, Modern Technology, Poof, Pop Up
Wow. That’s a great tip! Thank you.
I have to admit — I have been doing that for years. It’s just so frustrating when everything disappears. It seems that on the off time I don’t copy the text, then it is gone. (Though, admittedly, it has saved me many, many times when I *did* copy the text.)
Great tip!
Angie @ Many Little Blessingss last blog post..How to Boil Water Faster (WFMW # 53)
Over the years I have lost allot of data. Not if I am doing a long post I type it in word pad and save it. Then copy and past and add pictures. That way nothing is lost other than if I make changes on the blog. Blogger will not let you use word to copy and past from that is why I use the neutral word pad.
Have a great day.
Grammy
Grammys last blog post..My refrigerator make me happy.
I love love love this tip! It actually happens more often than you’d think, right? Smart idea!
Great idea/reminder. Now I just have to make it a habit!
Lisas last blog post..Apple Strudel Recipe and Sukkot
I’m embarrassed to admit how long I’ve known this and how often I still lose something I’ve typed! It always catches me off guard. Grrr!
Thanks for the reminder!
Danas last blog post..WFMW: Turn Down the Volume
Thank you so much for posting this! It has definitely been irritating to lose the info that I typed out. Ugh!
Sherrys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Pucker Up!
That is a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
A Frugal Housewife – Jodys last blog post..Works For Me Wednesday – Handle the Laundry Once!
Great tip! I have done that so many times–so aggravating having to try and type it all over again. And what if I was trying to be witty–I can’t recreate wittiness again. LOL
Tonyas last blog post..~What Works For Me Wednesday~
Great idea! I will definitely try this because losing my text has happened more times than I care to admit.
Jerris last blog post..Works For Me Wednesday-Cheap Moisturizer
Hah, this happened to me right now as I was writing this comment! (but I hadn’t copied it) Another trick I use is Ctrl + Z, which is Undo. Something weird about my keyboard sometimes selects and erases big chunks of text as I’m typing. Ctrl+z brings it back.
Kristys last blog post..Tweets for Today
That’s happened to me one too many times so I wised up and I do it before I click send/ publish or really ANYTHING on the internet!
Marcia, Organising Queens last blog post..I’m IT and I’m menu planning
Great tip, thanks! Congratulations on the number one spot. You have a fun blog!
Audra Krells last blog post..On the Menu- Taco Soup
Hey…I figured this out after many, many, many, many (okay enough with the manys) times of losing text.
BUTTT, I don’t always do it. So thanks for the reminder. Wait…I’m copying and pasting now just in case…my computer can’t take my abuse anymore.
Rena Gunther
Rena Gunthers last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
P.S.
I love JESUS ANNNDD the ocean, too!
REALLLY…I’m longing for the ocean now…with Jesus, of course!
Rena Gunthers last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
Simple and brilliant. Thanks…I needed that!
Sandwicheds last blog post..Trying day: classic Sandwich material
Oh that’s fantastic to know !!!!Thanks!
Thank you for this great idea : )!
Rebeckahs last blog post..Nice Things that Churches Do:
If you left click your mouse, you can highlight the text, and then right click to hit copy. Saves some typing