Audio/Video, Switched Video, Back to School
btsadvice posts
Computers, MySpace, Back to School
What Not to Say on Facebook Status Updates
What specific faux pas, you ask? Well, you probably shouldn't ask "Quick! Does anyone know the age of consent in Kentucky?" or advertise that you're "Rubbing cream on that thing I noticed last week." Hit up the read link for the rest of the list. [Source: Wired]
Car Tech, Advice, Editor's Picks, Holiday Gift Guide 2008
Five Things to Consider Before Buying a GPS System
GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation devices -- those talking screens with maps that give you real-time directions to wherever you're going (as you're going there) -- used to be the province of the well-to-do with high-end cars. But nowadays, real-time navigation technology is available for all budgets in all sorts of shapes, sizes and feature packages. So which type of GPS is for you? Should you spend a mere $2.99 to get directions on your cell phone or splurge up to $500 for a high-end portable? Are factory-installed navigation systems you get with a new car better than a standalone portable? Do you really need an MP3 player with your traffic directions? For answers to these questions and more, check out the five things to consider before you buy a GPS, which we've organized by the most commonly asked questions on the following pages (click below to get to tip number 1).
Cell Phones, Computers, Back to School
Worst Web Threats of 2008 (So Far)
Web security firm Sophos just published its study of security threats for the first six months of 2008, and you'd be wise to take heed of its findings. The Internet is a dangerous place, and every year it becomes more and more perilous for you and your personal data. The study is long and dull, so we put together some quick bullet points to save you some time and head scratching:
- 2008 has seen an explosion in malicious software, three times more than in 2007.
- Google-owned Blogger (which helps create those blogs with 'blogspot' in the address bar) is the most common host for malicious software.
- Hackers and spammers use social sites like Facebook and MySpace with increasing frequency to spread spyware and viruses.
- Attacks against Macs, iPhones and Linux machines have increased dramatically.
- SMS spam messages (text messages) are an emerging front and is of particular concern in China.
- Although still common, attacks via e-mail have decreased in the first half of 2008.
It's a dangerous world out there on the Web, but with a little smarts and the right tools you and your data will be safe. [Source: Business Wire]
Audio/Video, Cameras, Summer Fun, Back to School
Rubber Band Trick for Smooth Camcorder Operation
In what may be the single most useful free tip for budding and/or professional videographers ever to make its way onto the sprawling mass of collective consciousness known as "l'internet" (that's French), StumbleUpon is hosting a video that shows you how to get smooth pans out of your cheap tripod for the price of a free rubber band.
Essentially, the elastic of the rubber band (the thick kind, like old men wear on their wrists) serves as a gyro of sorts, bringing your pan the smoothness that even the steadiest hands lack. Even if you don't have any videographical aspirations, we recommend a watch just in case you're ever asked to be a makeshift cameraman on someone's home video.
Oh, and FYI: a good Steadicam will set you back roughly $800 more than said rubber band. [Source: StumbleUpon]
Seven Lazy Ways to Go Green
If "going green" sounds great but not quite groovy enough to "get off the sofa," Unplggd has compiled seven ways for you to do some good without doing too much ... anything. The tips range from recycling your obsolete gadgets to swapping out your incandescent bulbs for energy-saving CFL alternatives (which use 80 percent less energy).
Some tips are a bit obvious ("wash your clothes on lower heat settings!"), but they're all practical and you should really be following them.
Oh, and there's water-saving option in there as well. If you've got an old toilet, you can save water every time you pee: simply put a water bottle filled with water into your cistern to bring it up to date. Pottytime! [Source: Unplggd]
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