Top 10 April Fools' Pranks for Nerds

Top 10 April Fools' Pranks for Nerds


Top 10 April Fools' Pranks for Nerds











__4. Optical Mouse Confusion__This is an update of the old mouse-ball-removal trick: A small piece of tape over the laser sensor on an optical mouse will cause it to go haywire. Just color the nonstick side of the tape with a Sharpie and then tape it over the lens.

A reader last year reported that someone at a major tech company (it rhymes with 'Frisco') was fooled by this trick four times in a single day. Sometimes the simplest pranks are the most enjoyable.

__5. Change the Language Settings on Google__When a co-worker leaves her computer unattended for a minute, quickly go to Google's home page and click on "Preferences." There, you can choose the interface language of the search engine. Klingon, Hacker and Yiddish are all excellent choices, but Elmer Fudd is our personal favorite. As Elmer, you can use the Google Diwectowy, perform a Google Seawch or find out if you're ‘feewing wucky.'

You'll be amazed how few people realize you can do this. The change-the-language trick also works well on cellphones.

__6. The BlueScreen of Death Screensaver__The BlueScreen of Death error in Windows has driven lots of users to the fringe of computer homicide. Tap into the river of pain by installing the BlueScreen of Death Screensaver on a friend's machine. It's available at Microsoft's IT website Technet, but there are several others out there. Just make sure it doesn’t have a real virus.

The Blue Screen of Death

What’s likely to happen? The victim will reboot his machine by hitting the restart button. Hopefully, they didn't save their work!

__7. Splitting Monitor Cables__This is one even software geeks won't easily figure out. Open up their monitor cable (don't worry, it's safe) and wire the RGB lines to different colors – this will totally warp the image on the screen. Everyone will assume it's a software problem. You're so clever. You can thank us later.

__8. The Old Screenshot-as-Desktop-Wallpaper Gag__This classic is as good as gold. Take a screenshot of your friend's desktop and make it their desktop wallpaper. You'll have to minimize applications, hide all of the desktop icons, and set the Windows task bar to auto hide. Pull up a comfortable chair and pretend to feel their pain while they click like mad and rail at the gods.

__9. Change Autocorrect in MS Office__People are too reliant on some common programs that help them cheat, such as the Autocorrect feature in MS Office. Capitalize on their laziness by adding a few of your favorite "alternative" spellings.

Common words like "about" or "together" work well. Even better, try subtly adjusting the spelling of your victim's name. It's so hard-wired into most people's fingers, they hardly look at it. Right, Mr. Dumass?

__10. Remotely Monitor a Friend's Webcam__Spy on your best buddy at work through his webcam (think American Pie), record the feed, then show a compilation of his brow-furrowing and nose-picking at the next staff meeting. This is why they like you.

You can do this through remote-monitoring programs, such as WebCam Monitor on Windows; and even do it through an iPhone using Telekinesis, an iPhone app that allows you to take pictures on a Mac laptop using its built-in iSight camera.

But wait, April Fools' doesn't end here. If you play tricks on friends or co-workers, take a picture and submit it using this Reddit widget. We'll feature the top picks in an upcoming gallery.