Archive for the ‘Useful’ Category


Master Install List – (Mostly) Work Laptop

Mike Lawton on September 21, 2008 in Geek, Tech, Useful, Work No Comments »

Major system issues on my work laptop… sadly, it’s time for the classic Windows Waltz: crash-1-2-3… backup-1-2-3… format-1-2-3… wait-1-2-3…

4-5-6…

install-1-2-3…

Install list:

  • 7-zip
  • AVG
  • CCleaner
  • Comical
  • Delicious
  • DivX
  • DOXBox
  • Flickr Uploader
  • Foxit PDF Reader
  • GameTap
  • GDocsUploader
  • GIMP
  • gnucash
  • Google Chrome
  • IEPro
  • Inkscape
  • ISO Recorder
  • ITunes
  • KeePass
  • Last.fm
  • Launchy
  • Thunderbird
  • Microsoft Office
  • Nestopia
  • Network Stumbler
  • Notepad++
  • OpenOffice.org
  • Picasa2
  • Scribus
  • SecondLife
  • Skype
  • TrueCrypt
  • VLC
  • Vuze
  • Mozilla Firefox:
    • Adblock Filterset.G Updater
    • Adblock Plus
    • Adblock Plus: Element Hiding Helper
    • Better Flickr
    • Better GCal
    • Better Gmail 2
    • Better GReader
    • Better YouTube
    • ColorfulTabs
    • ColorZilla
    • Del bookmarks
    • Download Statusbar
    • Download Helper
    • DownThemAll
    • FireFTP
    • GMail Notifier
    • Greasemonkey
      • Google Docs Download
      • Writing Room 4 Google Docs
      • Download YouTube Videos
      • Google Reader for wider screens
    • IE Tab
    • Password Exporter
    • PDF Download
    • Stealther
    • Tiny Menu
    • URL Fixer
  • Vista Sidebar Gadgets
    • Network Meter
    • All CPU Meter
    • Top Processes
    • Simple Date
    • Binary Clock
    • Battery Monitor
  • Various proprietary work stuff

A couple necessary evils, but looking at this list I’m pretty happy to see that I’ve managed to maintain an almost entirely FOSS work (and play) space.

I’m debating how to segment my “work” computer from my “home/personal” computer, since it’s the same machine.  I’d still like to include an Ubuntu (or maybe Mint) partition, so I could always keep all my “fun” stuff there.  Or a seperate Windows account.  Depends how easy/hard I want to make it for myself to get to the fun time-wastey stuff while I’m in work mode.

The curse of personal responsibility… Any advice?  Or any suggestions for other programs/addons that I might want to look at?  Leave me some love in the comments.

E-Mail Overload, What’s The Problem?

Mike Lawton on July 26, 2007 in Tech, Useful, Work No Comments »

I admit, I’ve become one of those “pile, then file” e-mail guys, with hundreds of messages in my inbox that I’ll go through and label/file in one huge blitz every couple months. It’s that dang GMail! Google search is just so convenient that I don’t need to bother organizing anything!

Bad form, I know. Anyway, check out this video from the guru of e-organization.

via Lifehacker by Gina Trapani on Jul 25, 2007



King of the empty inbox Merlin Mann did an hour-long presentation on dealing with the daily onslaught of email for Google employees this week, and the video’s now available to the rest of us. Hit the play button to see Merlin’s full presentation (slides available here) which is based on his excellent Inbox Zero series at 43 Folders. His system inspired most of the empty inbox proclamations here on Lifehacker, so this is your chance to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Thanks to Merlin and everyone at Google for making this one available to the public.

[via 43 Folders]

Boy, That Guy Sure Seems To Be Sending A Lot Of Pictures Of Unicorns These Days…

Mike Lawton on July 25, 2007 in Tech, Useful No Comments »

Interesting… I haven’t quite yet come across the need for such paranoia in my own communications, but it’s good to know my options.

If you’re dating a cryptography geek, you should totally embed a steamy love note inside a cutesy romantic picture and then get him/her to figure it out. They’d be totally impressed!

via Lifehacker by Gina Trapani on Jul 25, 2007



Blogger Jimmy R. demonstrates how you can embed hidden files into an innocent-looking JPEG image using the free 7-Zip and the Windows command line. See more on the art of file hiding inside files in our previously posted feature, Hide data in files with easy steganography tools.

I Still Like To Draw On The Wall, I Just Want To Be Able To Wipe It Off Now

Mike Lawton on July 18, 2007 in Useful, Work No Comments »

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for for one of my offices! All the office-supply-type stores charges huge for the size of whiteboard I want… if this thing works, I’m all over it!

via Lifehacker by Wendy Boswell on Jun 30, 2007


white_board.pngMake a ginormous white board on an itsy-bitsy budget with this simple how-to from chrismetcalf.net.

All you need is some showerboard, plywood, and some liquid nails – all available from your local hardware store. Other than allowing everything to harden up overnight, this project takes very little time and the finished project is just as good as the boards that sell for literally hundreds of dollars.

Hard Drive? What’s A Hard Drive?

Mike Lawton on June 19, 2007 in Politics, Tech, Useful 2 Comments »

Won’t be long before we look back at the idea of storing files and applications on our own individual computers the way we look at having to get up off the couch to change the channel. Ubiquitous, ultra-high-speed, wireless connectivity combined with cheap, convenient dumb terminals of every shape and size, running everything off of web-based services and online data storage.

Could be sweet, if someone finally manages to light a fire under our buttheaded telco monopolies and get them to actually offer decent service instead of the global embaressment that is our current lot! Is it too much to ask for a pricing structure that is at least as fair as those in 3rd world dictatorships!?

Bah, I’d be happy if just ONE of our major carriers offered an unlimited data plan…

 

Web As Desktop: 20 Web operating systems reviewed

via Lifehacker by Kyle Pott on Jun 19, 2007


Web-As-Desktop.png

The Frantic Industries weblog has a two part series that reviews 20 web operating systems. A few weeks ago we introduced Desktoptwo and received bunches of comments and questions about other web operating systems. The review done by Frantic Industries does an excellent job of introducing each web OS and giving a rundown of the pros and cons. If you’ve been searching for a usable web OS, give the Frantic Industries articles a read and let us know which OS you prefer and why.

Who Needs Addresses?

Mike Lawton on June 13, 2007 in Tech, Useful No Comments »

I really really really want a GPS.

I want one of those watch-style ones for running, to track pace and heart rate and all that other good stuff.

I also one of those hand-held map units, for geocaching and hiking and roadtrips and all that other good stuff.

Garmin seems to be the best known brand, but I’m sure there are others out there worth considering. Ah well, maybe I’ll have to do a little research around Christmas time!

Google Maps: How to find latitude and longitude

via Lifehacker on Jun 09, 2007


latitude.png

The always helpful Tech-Recipes has come up with an ingenius way to find latitude and longitude values for any location using Google Maps.

You’ll first need to look up an address (duh), but this trick only works if the address is centered (it’s centered by default). So, moving the map around will not make this work. When the address you want to find latitude and longitude for is dead center, copy and paste this code into your browser bar:

javascript:void(prompt(”,gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));

You’ll get a popup with the coordinates. How cool is that, I ask you! – Wendy Boswell

OpenCola – Open Source Soft Drink

Mike Lawton on May 29, 2007 in Useful No Comments »

From a pure geek perspective, I gotta try this stuff. Not that I really need an excuse to drink more pop, but hey, now I can take a little pride in it!

HOWTO make OpenCola

via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow on May 24, 2007


Cory Doctorow: Wiki-How has a page up today on making OpenCola, a freely licensed soft-drink. I helped found the company that developed and released the OpenCola drink, and it was developed by Amanda Foubister in our kitchen. It tastes excellent, but it also highlighted for me just how much sugar there is in this stuff — a lot. When you make cola, you basically end up filling a glass with sugar and then adding just enough water and ancillary ingredients to get it to dissolve.

Flavoring

* 3.50 ml orange oil
* 1.00 ml lemon oil
* 1.00 ml nutmeg oil
* 1.25 ml cassia oil
* 0.25 ml coriander oil
* 0.25 ml neroli oil
* 2.75 ml lime oil
* 0.25 ml lavender oil
* 10.0 g gum arabic
* 3.00 ml water

Link (Thanks, Joe!)

Can’t Board, Gotta Bike

Mike Lawton on May 16, 2007 in Fun, Useful No Comments »

Winter is snowboarding, summer is mountain biking. Of course, my bike is currently in it’s “moving across the country” state, ie: no pedals, seat, or tires, covered in dust and tape. Time for a tune. I’ll get one of my buddies over at River Valley Cycle to give her a once-over before hitting the trails!

How To: Maintain your bicycle

via Lifehacker on May 16, 2007


bike.png

Web site WikiHow has a detailed guide for bicycle maintenance to help keep your bike in tip-top shape.

With summer just around the bend and gas prices creeping and crawling ever upwards, using a bicycle to get around has never been more attractive. Treat your bike well and it’ll keep you saving money, saving planets, and saving time at the gym for years to come. The guide focuses on maintaining a mountain bike, but almost every one of the detailed suggestions is applicable to whatever bike you’re sporting. — Adam Pash

A Little Boy Scout Refresher

Mike Lawton on May 9, 2007 in Useful No Comments »
 
 
 

Knots: The ten most useful knots and how to tie them

via Lifehacker on May 06, 2007


knots.png

Tying various kinds of knots is just one of those skills that comes in handy when you least expect it, and while we’ve definitely written up how to tie useful knots before here at Lifehacker, this picture tutorial from Mother Earth News on how to tie the ten most useful knots is also incredibly helpful.

Some of these knots left me going “huh?” until I studied the diagrams a bit more. Sure, you might not be able to think of a situation off the top of your head where you absolutely need a Sheepshank loop, but isn’t it good to be prepared? — Wendy Boswell