Bad autofill, initialisms

Clearing bad autofill entries

If you've ever mistyped an address in your browser's search box, like "amazpn" or "hitchingpsttheares," your browser will remember it. And you'll see it again, even when you type in the correct address.

This helpfulness is called autofill. You can remove the wrong entries in your autofill by deleting your entire browser history. Then, boom, they're gone. But now you'll have to re-authenticate on the websites you go to, which is a pain.

But if you're using Chrome or Firefox, there's an easier way to get rid of those incorrect autofill entries:

Google Chrome

Start by re-typing one of your wrong autofill addresses. When Chrome shows the wrong entry in the list of suggestions, highlight the incorrect entry. Next, hold down Shift and Function on a Mac-or hit Shift on Windows-and press the Delete key.

Mozilla Firefox

It's the same on Firefox. Start typing in one of your incorrect autofill addresses. When Firefox shows the wrong address in the address bar suggestion list, highlight it, and hit the Delete key for Windows or Shift + Delete for Mac.

If you're not using Chrome or Firefox, your only choice is to delete your entire browser history. Here's how:

Microsoft Edge

For Edge, you'll have to clear your browser history entirely. First, go to the triple-dot menu, choose Settings > Privacy & security. Then, click on "Choose what to clear" under "Clear Browsing Data," and select "Browsing history" to delete everything.

Apple Safari

Like Edge, Apple makes you clear your browser's entire history to clean up your autofill. Click "Safari" in the upper-left corner of your screen, then select "Clear History." Next, choose how much history to delete, then click "Clear History."

Come on, Microsoft and Apple-make it easier for us to clean up our mistyped website addresses.

Initialism

Did you know there are many types of abbreviations, including acronyms and initialisms? An acronym contains initials or parts of the phrase it stands for and is pronounced as a word. NASA, DOD, and SCUBA are acronyms. An initialism is an acronym pronounced as individual letters (HTTPS, AI, DVD).

Acronyms are the new guys here, with general usage dating from the 1940s, while initialisms have been around since the late 19th century.

Here are some initialisms to help you with your texting and messaging needs.

HBU: How 'bout you – HBU is a way of asking how someone is doing or how they feel about something.

You: "I enjoy macrame and competitive camping, HBU?"

IKR: I know, right? – An alternative to yes or I know, IKR probably came from Valley Girl-speak of the '90s or possibly the movie Mean Girls in the early 2000s. Use it rhetorically when you agree with an observation or opinion.

Them: I would never let a velociraptor eat at the dining room table.

You: IKR? That would make for a weirdly shaped chair.

LMK: Let me know – Used to ask someone a question or ask for information in the future. It can also be handy when the person you're asking is offline.

You: LMK when you're dropping off the thru-hikers.

Science Class

The earth sciences teacher was lecturing on map reading. After the section on latitude, longitude, degrees and minutes, the teacher gave the class a minute to think about it. Then asked, "Suppose I asked you to meet me for lunch at 23 degrees, 4 minutes north latitude and 45 degrees, 15 minutes east longitude...?"

After a confused silence, a voice volunteered, "I guess you'd be eating alone."

Do you have a computer or technology question? Greg Cunningham has been providing Tehachapi with on-site PC and network services since 2007. Email Greg at [email protected].