Developer

Gallery: Time for the Easter egg hunt

By // April 9, 2009, 5:40 AM PST

Image 1 of 5

  • Google Earth flight sim
    It's less hidden than most Easter Eggs, given that there's full online documentation on how to use it, but casual users would probably miss Google Earth's flight simulator feature. You access it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows), and the user guide (with full instructions) is here. It's not Microsoft Flight Simulator, but it is diverting.

    Here are some Easter egg galleries from previous years:

    * Looking back at Microsoft Word Easter Eggs
    * Looking back at Microsoft Access Easter Eggs
    * Looking back at Microsoft Outlook Easter Eggs

  • The Book of Mozilla
    We know that programmers are apt to get religious about software, but this is a touch scary. Type 'about:mozilla' into Firefox and check out this faux-Biblical verse.

  • Backwards Google
    Ever had one of those days when everything seems esra tuoba ecaf? Type 'elgoog' into Google and click on the first search result, and everything will make (non)sense.

  • Teddy Bears' Picasa
    If you go down to the woods today, open up Google's Picasa photo-management app, and press Ctrl+Shift+Y, a cuddly teddy bear will appear. Repeated presses will deliver ever more of the critters. Those are the 'bear' facts of the matter.

  • Ambient XP music
    Ever wanted to relive the aural feast you enjoyed while installing Windows XP? Of course you have. Here's what to do: Click Tools in a folder window and select Folder Options; in Folder Options click View; In Avanced settings, check 'Show hidden files and folders' and uncheck 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)'; navigate to 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe\images' and open the file called 'title.wma'. Enjoy the Eno-ish ambient sounds. Actually, we're not convinced the piece is genuine Eno — too many clichés. If you know better, enlighten us!

Google Earth flight sim
It's less hidden than most Easter Eggs, given that there's full online documentation on how to use it, but casual users would probably miss Google Earth's flight simulator feature. You access it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows), and the user guide (with full instructions) is here. It's not Microsoft Flight Simulator, but it is diverting.

Here are some Easter egg galleries from previous years:

* Looking back at Microsoft Word Easter Eggs
* Looking back at Microsoft Access Easter Eggs
* Looking back at Microsoft Outlook Easter Eggs

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