With everything that’s going on in 2020, the ’90s seem like paradise. With its weird trends and retro tech, the ‘90s bring out a bit of nostalgia in a lot of us who were kids or teens then. Just in case you’ve forgotten about what life was like in that era, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Bored Panda has a nostalgia trip waiting for you. We’ve collected a whole bunch of ‘90s life hacks that seem quirky when we read them from the 2020s. Like what to do if your Tamagotchi goes off to live on a ‘farm’ and what to do if your old school mouse is lagging. Upvote your fave ‘90s tips and tricks, dear Pandas, and share your own old school life hacks in the comments! When you're done enjoying this list, have a look through our post about outdated problems that no one today relates to anymore.
Technology and trends have changed a lot in the last few decades. Ramona Pringle, the Director of the Creative Innovation Studio and Associate Professor at the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, spoke to Bored Panda about the fast pace of changes in technology, what we can expect to see in the future, and how important entertainment that connects us is. Scroll down for our interview with her.
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If You Want To Download A Song, Start Downloading Before Bed. It Should Be At Like 99% By The Time You Wake Up
If Your Mouse Is Lagging, Take Out The Ball And Clean It. It's Probably Just Dusty
And make sure the egg yolk is hard boiled for at least 10 minutes!
And then you get to do the little bars with a q-tip or your finger! I used to get SO excited when they were extra fuzzy!
MEMO Re: Replacement of Mouse Balls. If a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field Replacement Units). Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel. Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.
I so remember reading this one back then, had me in histerics
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IT departments in the 90's always had hard boiled egg yolks in the office fridge for this kind of issue. There was a rota for making them. Nothing worse than going to the effort and then not cutting it out of the white carefully enough and it being wasted. egg-yolk-5...5b00bb.jpg 
That's the most important step, as I recall. I was so glad when optical mice became a thing, though. It made digital art-making and precision gaming possible, IMO.
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I used to clean all of the shop mice, the ones used to operate the CNC machines and dyno computers - they were absolutely packed full of greasy cat fur and everything else, it was disgusting.
I kind of used to like cleaning the lint gunk off the little rollers the ball fitted against.
This was not the kind of dust that was blown away. This was pure disgusting gunk on the egg yolk.
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Modern application of this idea: gently clean out debri from iphone/ipad charging port using a paperclip. I have many customers come in intending to purchase a brand new iphone simply because their phone won't charge. Most times it's just compacted debri in their charging port and so their lightning cable can't get proper connectivity
Actually, ball was the least offender. Tiny wheels inside mouse that were spun by the ball did catch most of the dirt.
I actually use a trackball mouse (it's really better for the wrist) and I have to clean the ball and sensors regullary, wich is really easy on these mouse (as if they knew :-)).
LOL...same, I used (many) an Optical Trackman for ages, I think I still have 3 of them in a box chock full of old tech...cables, adapters, floppy & CD drives, cable & case bling, fans, heatsinks...tons of stuff! I even have a homemade cleaner for the sensors in the trackman to get the crud from around the edges!
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Just remember, always keep a spare egg yolk in the drawer... If you rub it down with olive oil or fish oil, then it shouldn't get dusty, and won''t get stuck!
I had a mouse like that, and it was my favorite mouse for a long time. Occasional cleaning was worth it.
Optical mice can get dirty, too, actually. If you find your mouse skipping around, a little eyeglass cleaner and a Q-Tip can clear it right up. (Sometimes it's just a hair, which can make it bounce erratically, too.)
Use Sites Like Mapquest To Print Directions For Where You're Heading. Never Get Lost Again
I started with paper maps, then AAA Triptik booklets, then Mapquest printouts, then stand-alone GPS units, now I tell Google to take me there and I get turn-by-turn plus traffic delay updates. Innovation is a wonderful thing.
“We don’t know what the future holds, and anyone who says that they do is selling snake oil,” Pringle told Bored Panda. “But, there are certain things we can count on: we love stories, and we love to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Be it oral storytelling, books, blogs, movies, or video games, we’ve never lost our love of narrative.”
She continued: “Equally true, even when we can’t go into a concert hall or colosseum, we look for ways to be together, connected, and part of a communal experience. The tech might change, but these will continue to be the drivers of our entertainment experiences,” she explained what immovable values lie at the core of entertainment tech change.
According to the Director of the Creative Innovation Studio, there will be big changes happening in entertainment technology in the next decade. “Immersion and interactivity have long been goals for creators and media makers when it comes to how technology can influence entertainment,” she said.
Never Shut Down Your Computer Unless You See The "It's Now Okay To Shut Down Your Computer"
If The Game Isn't Working, Just Take It Out And Blow On It
Pretty much every time you go to play the games. I know they say you aren’t supposed to but it always worked.
If You Have A Quick Message For Someone, And You Are Near A Payphone But Don't Have 25 Cents, Dial 1-800-Collect And When It Asks To Say Your Name, Say The Message Real Fast. ::ring Ring:: "Hello?" "You Have A Collect- Call From [ma-Practiceisovercomepickmeup], Will You Accept The Charges?
![If You Have A Quick Message For Someone, And You Are Near A Payphone But Don't Have 25 Cents, Dial 1-800-Collect And When It Asks To Say Your Name, Say The Message Real Fast. ::ring Ring:: "Hello?" "You Have A Collect- Call From [ma-Practiceisovercomepickmeup], Will You Accept The Charges?](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/18-5ed78eef83a2d__700.jpg "If You Have A Quick Message For Someone, And You Are Near A Payphone But Don't Have 25 Cents, Dial 1-800-Collect And When It Asks To Say Your Name, Say The Message Real Fast. ::ring Ring:: \"Hello?\" \"You Have A Collect- Call From [ma-Practiceisovercomepickmeup], Will You Accept The Charges?")
I remember all the late 90's B list celebrities promoting 1 800 collect call plans.
“For the last decade, we’ve leaned into virtual reality because of how it enables both of these. We can step inside a world and have influence over it, and the story or experience that unfolds. I think one of the things we can expect moving forward is, in a sense, the opposite of virtual reality. Instead, more of an enhanced reality or fictional reality, wherein the entertainment isn’t in a headset, but instead, all around us,” she said.
“A decade ago, we didn’t talk to robots. Today, many of us do. Siri and Alexa are some of the more common bots, but we already interface with non-human characters regularly. As technology advances, including augmented reality and mixed reality, I think we can expect that entertainment will be something we can engage with off of the screen, but out in the world, with characters and stories we can engage with throughout the day, or throughout our houses.”
When Burning Your Next Ripped Smashmouth, Nirvana Or Alanis Morisette Cd, Make Sure You Close All Open Programs To Avoid Buffer Underrun
When You Get A 2-Day Rental From Blockbuster In The Evening, You Actually Have Until The Morning Of The Third Day To Return It Without A Late Fee
Keep A Disposable Camera In Your Glove Compartment. If You Get Into A Car Accident You Can Use It To Take Photos For Insurance Purposes
I remember so many weddings having these for guesses to take pictures. So many blurry pictures.
Pringle added that she believes that the way that people engage one another will have a huge effect on entertainment. “Look at e-sports. Whoever would have thought that people would play money to watch other people play games? Media that engages us and gives us something to gather around, be it together, or virtually, is something that will always appeal to us,” she pointed out.
“I think we can expect to see the ebb and flow of experiences that bring people together offline and then on screen, or online, as well. In the last few years, we’ve seen the rise of interactive and immersive venues like the museum of ice cream or the Dr. Seuss experience,” Pringle told Bored Panda.
If You Get A Prank Call, Just Dial *69 To Call Those Bastards Back And Confront Them
And *67 will make your phone number come up as blocked on caller Id so if they *69'd you they wouldn't get a number
Can't Afford A Magic Eye Poster? Simply Take A Photo Of Some TV Static, Stick It To Your Wall And Tell Everyone It's A Dolphin
In Simcity, Press Ctrl+shift+c And Enter 'Motherlode' For An Extra 50,000 Simoleans
“These are places we can go, with friends and family, and have a shared experience. It feeds back into our online experiences because we can share photos or memories and these environments are designed to foster that. Certainly, as we find ourselves in a time of social distancing, we’re seeing new creative ways of “being together” even when we’re apart. So I think we can expect to see entertainment that helps us connect, be it online or off, and immerses us in an experience, story, or community.”
Grab The Free Aol Floppies At Comp USA Checkout Stands, Then Place A Piece Of Tape Over The Lock Hole. Reformat The Disk, And Use Them For Personal Files
When Leaving Your Car Hide Your Radio
If You Don't Have Any More Room In Your Packed Bags Before Flying Somewhere, Wear Cargo Pants And Cram A Bunch Of Stuff In The Pockets. To Avoid Getting Gouged On Drinks At The Airport, Stuff A Couple Bottlers Of Soda In Those Pockets, And A Plastic Flask
Waiting For A Phone Call Call And Don't Want Your Parents To Hear It Ring? Call The Movie Theater And Listen To Today's Listings Until Call Waiting Beeps
I am just learning about this now over 20 years later😭 Dang
Save Yourself A Lot Of Time And Invest In A Vhs Rewinder
When Playing Simon, Assign Each Color A Number. Count Them Out As They Light Up, It's Easier To Remember A Number Sequence Than Colors
Twist A Knotted Slinky Counter To The Knot, Then Twist Back The Opposite Direction To Quickly Fix A Messed Up Slinky
When You're Watching Scrambled Porn Around Midnight On The Playboy Or Spice Channels, Make Sure You Have Cartoon Network Or Espn On Your "Last Channel" Button Just In Case Mom Or Dad Check On You
If A Winged Tamagotchi Appears On Your Screen, It Means That Your Tamagotchi Decided To Go Back To It's Home Planet. But Don't Despair, Simply Press The (A) And (C) Buttons At The Same Time And Your New Egg Is Ready For Hatching
"If A Winged Tamagotchi Appears On Your Screen, It Means That Your Tamagotchi Decided To Go Back To It's Home Planet." Wow, cultural differences! When we were kids we thought normally that it just died, like real pets do. But, unlike real pets (because we were aware of the differences between toys and real life), this one comes with the instructions on how to revive it and start again.
Computer Frozen? Hold Ctrl+alt+delete To Close The Application Or Restart
Your Computer Game Running Too Fast Or Too Slow? Switch The Turbo Button On Your Computer Case On/Off
Convince Your Friends That You're A Supercool Raver By Sticking Strips Of Coloured Tin Foil To Your Trousers
Frost Your Tips For 100% Success With The Ladies
Hold Your Slammer Between Two Fingers, And Throw It Down Hard While Spinning It. This Will Cause Most Of The Pogs To Flip! If You're Playing For Keeps, Jackpot!
Pad All Important Files To 1.45mb So They're Too Big To Be Stolen On A Floppy Disk
You could just multipart zip it across several disks. That was how I copied the original Doom. At a whopping 5mb it was the biggest game I had ever seen.
Tired Of Paying The Outrageous 3$ For A Pop At The Movies? Wear Cargo Pants And Sneak Snacks In That Way
Don't Want People To Read Your Diary? Simply Hide It Inside An Empty Sliding Doors Vhs Case
back then there were no vagina smelling candles or weird inside person stones
Use A Safety Pin To Securely Attach The Ty Tag To Your Beanie Baby And Ensure It Won't Lose Value
Fool Friends Into Thinking You're Wearing A Global Hypercolour Shirt By Dipping Your Hands In Bleach And Touching Your Clothes
That cargo pants one just got me yanked aside by airport security a lot.
Who else remembers: YOUR COMPUTER HAS PERFORMED AN ILLEGAL OPERATION AND MUST BE SHUT DOWN? I downloaded a song on Napster and this message came up and I just about had a heart attack and thought the police were going to come to my house and arrest me.
Yeah I remember the rumors that a friend of a friend got arrested by cops after they found burned CDs at his place
Load More Replies... And here I thought getting our 1st TV was a big deal...then colour TV's came out and rocked our World, but programming a computer as big as my bedroom with 10,000 punch cards, REALLY was the height of technology!!
I was born literally 3 weeks after the 90s ended, did not get most of these jokes.
Most of these things I never did or had very slight idea they existed. Either I'm too young or it could be just the fact I'm not an American. Like, Blockbuster didn't even exist, I remember one crappy VHS rental in next town where renting was too expensive to do it regularly let alone waiting impatiently to the newest movie, we have never fly anywhere, we just took a bus or train, calling from booth was too expensive even for quick message and too few people had radio in their car, if they even had a car. The only things I can relate to are PC or videogame ones. I feel like I missed some important part of life :D
I'm pretty sure I'm offended by this because all these amazing heck's are not useless. Now granite I don't use them every day but they're not useless
That cargo pants one just got me yanked aside by airport security a lot.
Who else remembers: YOUR COMPUTER HAS PERFORMED AN ILLEGAL OPERATION AND MUST BE SHUT DOWN? I downloaded a song on Napster and this message came up and I just about had a heart attack and thought the police were going to come to my house and arrest me.
Yeah I remember the rumors that a friend of a friend got arrested by cops after they found burned CDs at his place
Load More Replies... And here I thought getting our 1st TV was a big deal...then colour TV's came out and rocked our World, but programming a computer as big as my bedroom with 10,000 punch cards, REALLY was the height of technology!!
I was born literally 3 weeks after the 90s ended, did not get most of these jokes.
Most of these things I never did or had very slight idea they existed. Either I'm too young or it could be just the fact I'm not an American. Like, Blockbuster didn't even exist, I remember one crappy VHS rental in next town where renting was too expensive to do it regularly let alone waiting impatiently to the newest movie, we have never fly anywhere, we just took a bus or train, calling from booth was too expensive even for quick message and too few people had radio in their car, if they even had a car. The only things I can relate to are PC or videogame ones. I feel like I missed some important part of life :D
I'm pretty sure I'm offended by this because all these amazing heck's are not useless. Now granite I don't use them every day but they're not useless
