Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2022 April 20

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April 20

Periodically clean web history

Hello! Is there any way to periodically auto-clean web history for Chrome? (Linux and Windows) What I've been able to find around have usually been solutions which fully remove everything periodically. I'd like to have the ability to choose what does and doesn't, maybe by domains or in any other way. - Klein Muçi (talk) 11:46, 20 April 2022 (UTC)

Google Chrome stores its history in an SQLite database, as do a lot of browsers. This is an SQL database, which means you can perform SQL queries on it using SQLite. This is the way to automate it. You need to know SQL. Web searches like "google chrome history file" and "sqlite command line" will get you started. You're aware that Chrome will let you selectively delete saved data for given domains through the browser settings, correct? This isn't automated, but depending on what you want to do this might be sufficient. P.S., back up your browser data first before fiddling with it in case something gets messed up. (You should set up regular backups of any data you care about, anyway.) --47.147.118.55 (talk) 08:07, 22 April 2022 (UTC)

To be honest, that's as far as I've been able to go myself. I downloaded an SQL editor (that's the name?) and after a bit of experimentation was able to delete a single YouTube entry from its history. But I don't know SQL so I wasn't able to build something to automatize it. - Klein Muçi (talk) 10:19, 22 April 2022 (UTC)

Disappearing search window

I have a large 80-page manuscript under Microsoft Word. I've been developing it for months. This morning I cannot find the search window. Why did it happen and how can I get it back?

Thanks, AboutFace 22 (talk) 12:10, 20 April 2022 (UTC)

I found it. Thanks, AboutFace 22 (talk) 17:16, 20 April 2022 (UTC)

Make sure to make regular backups.  --Lambiam 10:20, 21 April 2022 (UTC)

At the least, e-mail the file to yourself at the end of each day or major editing session. A series of e-mails can also be handy if you want to undo some of your changes — GhostInTheMachine ^{talk to me} 12:36, 24 April 2022 (UTC)

Calendar Jigsaws revisited

In Jigsaw Algorithm I asked about an algorithm to solve these. The program I wrote used elements of the reply and works, taking around 10 minutes to run. One feature I had not realised would be necessary was to account for GRAVITY! There are several instances, of which an upright "i" piece above a space is the simplest, where the vertical jigsaw will alter due to gravity with the "i" falling down one square. Various mods were required to declare such a piece as "did not fit". Thank you for your help. RESOLVED. -- SGBailey (talk) 16:29, 20 April 2022 (UTC)