Practical Jokes on a Computer: Tricks and Pranks Explained

If you're looking for a way to play harmless pranks on the computer enthusiasts in your life, here are some fun, yet harmless, ways to make them scratch their heads. Whether you're looking to use the 'print screen' function, screen grabbing utilities, or craft more elaborate tricks, these tips can add a bit of humor and surprise to your tech interactions.

Simple Prank: Desktop Screen Capture

One of the easiest pranks involves using the 'print screen' function or any other screen grabbing utility to capture the entire desktop as a JPG file. Open this file and make it a full-screen display. The user will see the desktop as expected, but as they try to interact with the icons, they'll find that their mouse clicks are not recognized. This creates a frustrating scenario where the user assumes everything should work as usual but finds their expectations continually unmet.

More Clever Pranks

1. Screen Capture as Background and Hiding Icons

Take a screen capture of the entire desktop and set it as the desktop background, then right-click the desktop and hide all icons. This will make the icons appear to be part of the background, so even if the user clicks on the area where the icons would normally be, the clicks will not register. You can then watch their frustration grow as they realize the icons are not functional.

2. Tape Under the Mouse Sensor

Another effective prank is to place a piece of tape under the mouse to cover the sensor. When the user tries to move the mouse, they'll find that it's no longer responsive, leading to confusion and frustration. The discrepancy between what they see and what they can do will make for a fun and memorable moment.

3. Sound Bothering

Record yourself bellowing into the mic something like, "THAT'S NOT HOW YOU DO THAT!!!" and then replace the generic Windows error beep with this recording. It might not take long for a user to find the frustration-comedic situation amusing. This prank can be particularly effective in shared environments where the sound might be heard by others.

Technical Pranks: Reversing Keyboards and Keyboard Traps

For those who want to take it to the next level, here are some more technically advanced pranks:

Reversed Keyboards

On an IBM/PC DOS, you can reverse the programming of the keyboard's C and X keys. Then, remove the key caps and replace them so that it's ZCXVB instead of the normal ZXCVB. This will cause the user to type C and X correctly but their muscle memory will be disrupted when using the other keys. For example, typing "full speed" might result in "fulC speed," and it's hilarious to watch them try to figure out what's wrong.

Keyboard Traps

An IBM PC can detect both the 'make' and 'break' of a key on the keyboard when you press and release it. You can use this to create a 'finger trap' by displaying an error message instructing the person to 'press and hold the Esc key.' If they release the key, the message changes to 'press AND HOLD the Esc key.' Now, the user's mind is convinced that the system can detect when they let go of the key. Next, you can put up a message that threatens to erase the C disk if they release either the Esc or the key. The panic that ensues is usually quite entertaining, though it's important to note that no actual damage would be done to the hard disk.

These techniques can add a fun element to your interactions, while ensuring that all pranks remain harmless and playful. So go ahead, give them a challenge and a laugh with these clever computer pranks.