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  • Tour the Cosmos with 100,000 Stars

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    The newest Google Chrome Experiment, 100,000 Stars, combines web technologies to serve up a 3D star map you can manually zoom about or sit back and enjoy a star tour. From the automated tour that explores the Milky Way with an ever increasing scale to manually moving about the cloud of stars using the zoom and pan feature, the interactive map makes it easy to explore the 100,000 closest stars to our Sun in style. Hit up the link to take it for a spin. 100,000 Stars [Google Chrome Experiments] Why Your Android Phone Isn’t Getting Operating System Updates and What You Can Do About It How To Delete, Move, or Rename Locked Files in Windows HTG Explains: Why Screen Savers Are No Longer Necessary

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  • Improvements to Joshua Bloch's Builder Design Pattern?

    - by Jason Fotinatos
    Back in 2007, I read an article about Joshua Blochs take on the "builder pattern" and how it could be modified to improve the overuse of constructors and setters, especially when an object has a large number of properties, most of which are optional. A brief summary of this design pattern is articled here [http://rwhansen.blogspot.com/2007/07/theres-builder-pattern-that-joshua.html]. I liked the idea, and have been using it since. The problem with it, while it is very clean and nice to use from the client perspective, implementing it can be a pain in the bum! There are so many different places in the object where a single property is reference, and thus creating the object, and adding a new property takes a lot of time. So...I had an idea. First, an example object in Joshua Bloch's style: Josh Bloch Style: public class OptionsJoshBlochStyle { private final String option1; private final int option2; // ...other options here <<<< public String getOption1() { return option1; } public int getOption2() { return option2; } public static class Builder { private String option1; private int option2; // other options here <<<<< public Builder option1(String option1) { this.option1 = option1; return this; } public Builder option2(int option2) { this.option2 = option2; return this; } public OptionsJoshBlochStyle build() { return new OptionsJoshBlochStyle(this); } } private OptionsJoshBlochStyle(Builder builder) { this.option1 = builder.option1; this.option2 = builder.option2; // other options here <<<<<< } public static void main(String[] args) { OptionsJoshBlochStyle optionsVariation1 = new OptionsJoshBlochStyle.Builder().option1("firefox").option2(1).build(); OptionsJoshBlochStyle optionsVariation2 = new OptionsJoshBlochStyle.Builder().option1("chrome").option2(2).build(); } } Now my "improved" version: public class Options { // note that these are not final private String option1; private int option2; // ...other options here public String getOption1() { return option1; } public int getOption2() { return option2; } public static class Builder { private final Options options = new Options(); public Builder option1(String option1) { this.options.option1 = option1; return this; } public Builder option2(int option2) { this.options.option2 = option2; return this; } public Options build() { return options; } } private Options() { } public static void main(String[] args) { Options optionsVariation1 = new Options.Builder().option1("firefox").option2(1).build(); Options optionsVariation2 = new Options.Builder().option1("chrome").option2(2).build(); } } As you can see in my "improved version", there are 2 less places in which we need to add code about any addition properties (or options, in this case)! The only negative that I can see is that the instance variables of the outer class are not able to be final. But, the class is still immutable without this. Is there really any downside to this improvement in maintainability? There has to be a reason which he repeated the properties within the nested class that I'm not seeing?

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  • Full-Scale Star Trek Props Recreated in LEGO

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Is there a finer way to immortalize your love for one geeky thing than building it with another geeky thing? Flickr user Geeky Tom lives up to his name with these well done 1:1 Star Trek props crafted from LEGO bricks. Hit up the link below to check out the full gallery of phasers, tricorders, and more. LEGO Star Trek TOS [via Neatorama] How to Play Classic Arcade Games On Your PC How to Use an Xbox 360 Controller On Your Windows PC Download the Official How-To Geek Trivia App for Windows 8

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  • The (Totally) Phantom Menace Takes a Hard Look at Star Wars Saber Duels [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you feel like the light saber duels in Star Wars are long on choreography and short on actual brutal combat, you’re sure to get a chuckle out of this “training” guide highlighting how not to kill your opponent. [via Neatorama] What’s the Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate in Windows? Screenshot Tour: XBMC 11 Eden Rocks Improved iOS Support, AirPlay, and Even a Custom XBMC OS How To Be Your Own Personal Clone Army (With a Little Photoshop)

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  • Red Dot Scope Makes Sighting In Long Lenses a Snap

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you’ve ever used a high power lens, you know how tricky it can be to sight a distant subject as the field of view through the lens is so tiny. This hack takes care of that problem by using a zero-magnification red dot rifle scope. Chris Malcolm enjoys photographing birds and other wildlife with high power lenses. The problem, when shooting with huge 500mm lens and other high power lenses, is that they’re practically telescopes and acquiring a fast moving target like a bird using a through-the-lens technique is very tricky. Malcolm’s solution hinges on mounting a zero-magnification red dot rifle scope in parallel with the lens. His mock up is a bit unpolished (although we can understand not wanting to run out and buy a brand new black scope just for the experiment) but works great to get him on target. Hit up the link below to read more about his build, how be created the rail mount for the scope, and why he opted to mount it to the barrel of the lens and not the hot shoe mount on the camera. 500mm Reflex Lens with Red Dot Sight [via DIY Photography] Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos HTG Explains: What Can You Find in an Email Header?

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  • DIY Internet Radio Maintains Controls and Interface of Vintage Case

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Updating an old radio for modern inputs/streaming audio isn’t a new trick but this DIY mod stands out by maintaining the original controls and interface style. Rather than replace the needle-style selector window with a modern text-readout or cover-flow style interface, modder Florian Amrhein opted to replace the old rectangular station selector with an LCD screen that emulates the same red-needle layout. Using the same knob that previously moved the needle on the analog interface, you can slide the digital selector back and forth to select Internet radio stations. Watch the video above to see it in action and hit up the link below for the build guide. 1930s Internet Radio [via Hack A Day] HTG Explains: Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus? How To Use USB Drives With the Nexus 7 and Other Android Devices Why Does 64-Bit Windows Need a Separate “Program Files (x86)” Folder?

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  • Motion Sensing Fog Machine Increases Savings and Spook Factor

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    This DIY add-on switches a standard fog machine from always-on to motion-activated–increase your savings and spook factor at the same time. Courtesy of tinker Greg, this modification involves a new relay and motion sensor mounted onto the existing switch of a store-bought fog machine. When the motion-sensor detects motion the fog machine releases a burst of fog for 5 seconds and then disarms itself for 10 seconds–long enough for the startled victim to move on and for the machine to recharge for the next passerby. Check out the video above to see it in action and then hit up the link below to see the project’s build guide. Motion Sensing Fog Machine Trigger [via Hack A Day] How Hackers Can Disguise Malicious Programs With Fake File Extensions Can Dust Actually Damage My Computer? What To Do If You Get a Virus on Your Computer

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  • Distinction between API and frontend-backend

    - by Jason
    I'm trying to write a "standard" business web site. By "standard", I mean this site runs the usual HTML5, CSS and Javascript for the front-end, a back-end (to process stuff), and runs MySQL for the database. It's a basic CRUD site: the front-end just makes pretty whatever the database has in store; the backend writes to the database whatever the user enters and does some processing. Just like most sites out there. In creating my Github repositories to begin coding, I've realized I don't understand the distinction between the front-end back-end, and the API. Another way of phrasing my question is: where does the API come into this picture? I'm going to list some more details and then questions I have - hopefully this gives you guys a better idea of what my actual question is, because I'm so confused that I don't know the specific question to ask. Some more details: I'd like to try the Model-View-Controller pattern. I don't know if this changes the question/answer. The API will be RESTful I'd like my back-end to use my own API instead of allowing the back-end to cheat and call special queries. I think this style is more consistent. My questions: Does the front-end call the back-end which calls the API? Or does the front-end just call the API instead of calling the back-end? Does the back-end just execute an API and the API returns control to the back-end (where the back-end acts as the ultimate controller, delegating tasks)? Long and detailed answers explaining the role of the API alongside the front-end back-end are encouraged. If the answer depends on the model of programming (models other than the Model-View-Controller pattern), please describe these other ways of thinking of the API. Thanks. I'm very confused.

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  • Tesla Coil Fights Combines Electricity and Choreography [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    We’ve seen quite a few Tesla-coil tricks over the years but never choreographed fighting between two guys balanced on Tesla coils. This definitely falls deeply into the don’t try this at home category–two guys in special suits are standing atop Tesla coils and directing the blasts of electricity at each other in a type of stylized combat. While their suits are clearly acting as Faraday cages to protect them from the electricity, we prefer our Faraday cages to be beefier and not attached directly to our skin. [via Obvious Winner] HTG Explains: Why It’s Good That Your Computer’s RAM Is Full 10 Awesome Improvements For Desktop Users in Windows 8 How To Play DVDs on Windows 8

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  • Apple II Teardown and Restoration Offers a Peek at Computing History [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    In this extended teardown video, we’re granted a peek at the guts of an Apple IIe and treated to quite a bit of Apple IIe history in the process. Todd Harrison, via his project blog ToddFun, shares videos of his Apple IIe restoration project. The videos are lengthy, but include close up examination of all the parts and lots of information about the history of the computer and its construction. You can check out the rest of his Apple II videos and posts at the link below. Apple II Plus from 1982 teardown, repair, cleanup and demonstration [via The Unofficial Apple Weblog] HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It HTG Explains: Learn How Websites Are Tracking You Online

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  • What You Said: Your Tech Spring Cleaning Routines

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Earlier this week we asked you to share your tech spring cleaning routine; now we’re back to highlight your tips, tricks, and techniques. What tools rule the spring cleaning roost? Compressed air and microfiber cloths are the tools of choice by a wide margin. D^Angelo highlights the software and physicals tools he uses: Backup all the important stuff just to be safe (c:/, my documents, desktop, drivers) Cleaning the dust with some office depot compressed air, avoiding spinning the fans. Use a brush for that small places (fans, memory, capacitors, etc). Use some dielectric spray on the motherboard. If the pc turned on without problems its time to use ccleaner, Check if there is a toolbar installed or another unusual software that I don’t want. Run my antivirus software or malwarebytes; some defraggler maybe. Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos HTG Explains: What Can You Find in an Email Header?

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  • Rasbperry Pi Mod Offers One Button Audiobook Playback

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    How do you design an audiobook player for an elderly book lover who doesn’t want to wrestle with new technology? Simple and with a single button interface is a great place to start. This clever and thoughtful build comes to us courtesy of tinker Michael Clemens. His wife’s grandmother, in her 90s, is visually impaired but still loves to take in books via audiobooks. In an effort to make modern MP3 audiobooks accessible to her, Michael built a dedicated audiobook reader based off Rasbperry Pi and programmed it to use a single button. The system boots, loads the audiobook it finds on the attached USB drive, and loads up its track position from memory. Press the button to resume play or, for a refresher, hold the button for four seconds to start the track over. While you may not be in the market for a one-button audiobook player for an elderly relative, the same simple design could be easily adopted, via new scripts, to another function. Hit up the link below to read more about the build. The One Button Audiobook Player [via Hack A Day] How To Play DVDs on Windows 8 6 Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8 What Is the Purpose of the “Do Not Cover This Hole” Hole on Hard Drives?

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  • What You Said: How You Track Your Time

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite time tracking tips, tricks, and tools. Now we’re back to highlight the techniques HTG readers use to keep tabs on their time. While more than one of you expressed confusion over the idea of tracking how you spend all your time, many of you were more than happy to share the reasons for and the methods you use to stay on top of your time expenditures. Scott uses a fluid and flexible project management tool: I use kanbanflow.com, with two boards to manage task prioritisation and backlog. One board called ‘Current Work’ has three columns ‘Do Today’, ‘In Progress’ and ‘Done’. The other is called ‘Backlog’, which splits tasks into priority groups – ‘Distractions (NU+NI)’, ‘Goals (NU+I)’, ‘Interruptions (U+NI)’, ‘Interruptions (U+NI)’ and ‘Critical (U+I)’, where U is Urgent and I is Important (and N is Not). At the end of each day, I move things from my Backlog to my ‘Current Work’ board, with the idea to keep complete Goals before they become Critical. That way I can focus on ‘Current Work’ Do Today so I don’t feel overwhelmed and can plan my day. As priorities change or interruptions pop up, it’s just a matter of moving tasks between boards. I have both tabs open in my browser all day – this is probably good for knowledge workers strapped to their desk, not so good for those in meetings all day. In that case, go with the calendar on your phone. While the above description might make it sound really technical, we took the cloud-based app for a spin and found the interface to be very flexible and easy to use. Can Dust Actually Damage My Computer? What To Do If You Get a Virus on Your Computer Why Enabling “Do Not Track” Doesn’t Stop You From Being Tracked

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  • Repurpose a Wire Basket as a Game Controller Organizer

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you’re looking for an easy way to organize your console controllers, this simple repurposing hack turns an IKEA wire basket intended for managing cable clutter into a game controller stand. You won’t need a Dremel tool to install this hack; all you need to do to follow in the foot steps of IKEAHackers reader Leslie is to install a SIGNUM cable basket (or similar cable organizer) upside down so loom curves up instead of down. Instant wire cradle for your controllers (or possibly an open air charging station for your small electronics). Check out the link below for more details. Game Controller Management System [IKEAHackers] How To Make a Youtube Video Into an Animated GIFHTG Explains: What Are Character Encodings and How Do They Differ?How To Make Disposable Sleeves for Your In-Ear Monitors

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  • Poner aplicaci&oacute;n Asp.Net en modo OFFLINE

    - by Jason Ulloa
    Una de las opciones que todo aplicación debería tener es el poder ponerse en modo OFFLINE para evitar el acceso de usuarios. Esto es completamente necesario cuando queremos realizar cambios a nuestra aplicación (cambiar algo, poner una actualización, etc) o a nuestra base de datos y evitarnos problemas con los usuarios que se encuentren logueados dentro de la aplicación en ese momento. Muchos ejemplos a través de la Web exponen la forma de realizar esta tarea utilizando dos técnicas: 1. La primera de ellas es utilizar el archivo App_Offline.htm sin embargo, esta técnica tiene un inconveniente. Y es que, una vez que hemos subido el archivo a nuestra aplicación esta se bloquea completamente y no tenemos forma de volver a ponerla ONLINE a menos que eliminemos el archivo. Es decir no podemos controlarla. 2. La segunda de ellas es el utilizar la etiqueta httpRuntime, pero nuevamente tenemos el mismo problema. Al habilitar el modo OFFLINE mediante esta etiqueta, tampoco podremos acceder a un modo de administración para cambiarla. Un ejemplo de la etiqueta httpRuntime <configuration> <system.web> <httpRuntime enable="false" /> </system.web> </configuration>   Tomando en cuenta lo anterior, lo mas optimo seria que podamos por medio de alguna pagina de administración colocar nuestro sitio en modo OFFLINE, pero manteniendo el acceso a la pagina de administración para poder volver a cambiar el valor que pondrá nuestra aplicación nuevamente en modo ONLINE. Para ello, utilizaremos el web.config de nuestra aplicación y una pequeña clase que se encargara de Leer y escribir los valores. Lo primero será, abrir nuestro web.config y definir dentro del appSettings dos nuevas KEY que contendrán los valores para el modo OFFLINE de nuestra aplicación: <appSettings> <add key="IsOffline" value="false" /> <add key="IsOfflineMessage" value="Sistema temporalmente no disponible por tareas de mantenimiento." /> </appSettings>   En las KEY anteriores tenemos el IsOffLine con value de false, esto es para indicarle a nuestra aplicación que actualmente su modo de funcionamiento es ONLINE, este valor será el que posteriormente cambiemos a TRUE para volver al modo OFFLINE. Nuestra segunda KEY (IsOfflineMessage) posee el value (Sistema temporalmente….) que será mostrado al usuario como un mensaje cuando el sitio este en modo OFFLINE. Una vez definidas nuestras dos KEY en el web.config, escribiremos una clase personalizada para leer y escribir los valores. Así que, agregamos un nuevo elemento de tipo clase al proyecto llamado SettingsRules y la definimos como Public. Está clase contendrá dos métodos, el primero será para leer los valores: public string readIsOnlineSettings(string sectionToRead) { Configuration cfg = WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration(System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.ApplicationVirtualPath); KeyValueConfigurationElement isOnlineSettings = (KeyValueConfigurationElement)cfg.AppSettings.Settings[sectionToRead]; return isOnlineSettings.Value; }   El segundo método, será el encargado de escribir los nuevos valores al web.config public bool saveIsOnlineSettings(string sectionToWrite, string value) { bool succesFullySaved;   try { Configuration cfg = WebConfigurationManager.OpenWebConfiguration(System.Web.Hosting.HostingEnvironment.ApplicationVirtualPath); KeyValueConfigurationElement repositorySettings = (KeyValueConfigurationElement)cfg.AppSettings.Settings[sectionToWrite];   if (repositorySettings != null) { repositorySettings.Value = value; cfg.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified); } succesFullySaved = true; } catch (Exception) { succesFullySaved = false; } return succesFullySaved; }   Por último, definiremos en nuestra clase una región llamada instance, que contendrá un método encargado de devolver una instancia de la clase (esto para no tener que hacerlo luego) #region instance   private static SettingsRules m_instance;   // Properties public static SettingsRules Instance { get { if (m_instance == null) { m_instance = new SettingsRules(); } return m_instance; } }   #endregion instance   Con esto, nuestra clase principal esta completa. Así que pasaremos a la implementación de las páginas y el resto de código que completará la funcionalidad.   Para complementar la tarea del web.config utilizaremos el fabuloso GLOBAL.ASAX, este contendrá el código encargado de detectar si nuestra aplicación tiene el valor de ONLINE o OFFLINE y además de bloquear todas las paginas y directorios excepto el que le hayamos definido como administrador, esto para luego poder volver a configurar el sitio.   El evento del Global.Asax que utilizaremos será el Application_BeginRequest   protected void Application_BeginRequest(Object sender, EventArgs e) {   if (Convert.ToBoolean(SettingsRules.Instance.readIsOnlineSettings("IsOffline"))) {   string Virtual = Request.Path.Substring(0, Request.Path.LastIndexOf("/") + 1);   if (Virtual.ToLower().IndexOf("/admin/") == -1) { //We don't makes action, is admin section Server.Transfer("~/TemporarilyOfflineMessage.aspx"); }   } } La primer Línea del IF, verifica si el atributo del web.config es True o False, si es true toma la dirección WEB que se ha solicitado y la incluimos en un IF para verificar si corresponde a la Sección admin (está sección no es mas que un folder en nuestra aplicación llamado admin y puede ser cambiado a cualquier otro). Si el resultado de ese if es –1 quiere decir que no coincide, entonces, esa será la bandera que nos permitirá bloquear inmediatamente la pagina actual, transfiriendo al usuario a una pagina de mantenimiento. Ahora, en nuestra carpeta Admin crearemos una nueva pagina asp.net llamada OnlineSettings.aspx para actualizar y leer los datos del web.config y una pagina Default.aspx para pruebas. Nuestra página OnlineSettings tendrá dos pasos importantes: 1. Leer los datos actuales de configuración protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { if (!IsPostBack) { IsOffline.Checked = Convert.ToBoolean(mySettings.readIsOnlineSettings("IsOffline")); OfflineMessage.Text = mySettings.readIsOnlineSettings("IsOfflineMessage"); } }   2. Actualizar los datos con los nuevos valores. protected void UpdateButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { string htmlMessage = OfflineMessage.Text.Replace(Environment.NewLine, "<br />");   // Update the Application variables Application.Lock(); if (IsOffline.Checked) { mySettings.saveIsOnlineSettings("IsOffline", "True"); mySettings.saveIsOnlineSettings("IsOfflineMessage", htmlMessage); } else { mySettings.saveIsOnlineSettings("IsOffline", "false"); mySettings.saveIsOnlineSettings("IsOfflineMessage", htmlMessage); }   Application.UnLock(); }   Por último en la raíz de la aplicación, crearemos una nueva página aspx llamada TemporarilyOfflineMessage.aspx que será la que se muestre cuando se bloquee la aplicación. Al final nuestra aplicación se vería algo así Página bloqueada Configuración del Bloqueo Y para terminar la aplicación de ejemplo

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  • How to Use Your Android Phone as a Modem; No Rooting Required

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If your cellular provider’s mobile hotspot/tethering plans are too pricey, skip them and tether your phone to your computer without inflating your monthly bill. Read on to see how you can score free mobile internet. We recently received a letter from a How-To Geek reader, requesting help linking their Android phone to their laptop to avoid the highway robbery their cellular provider was insisting upon: Dear How-To Geek, I recently found out that my cellphone company charges $30 a month to use your smartphone as a data modem. That’s an outrageous price when I already pay an extra $15 a month charge just because they insist that because I have a smartphone I need a data plan because I’ll be using so much more data than other users. They expect me to pay what amounts to a $45 a month premium just to do some occasional surfing and email checking from the comfort of my laptop instead of the much smaller smartphone screen! Surely there is a work around? I’m running Windows 7 on my laptop and I have an Android phone running Android OS 2.2. Help! Sincerely, No Double Dipping! Well Double Dipping, this is a sentiment we can strongly related to as many of us on staff are in a similar situation. It’s absurd that so many companies charge you to use the data connection on the phone you’re already paying for. There is no difference in bandwidth usage if you stream Pandora to your phone or to your laptop, for example. Fortunately we have a solution for you. It’s not free-as-in-beer but it only costs $16 which, over the first year of use alone, will save you $344. Let’s get started! Latest Features How-To Geek ETC What Can Super Mario Teach Us About Graphics Technology? Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is Released: But Should You Install It? How To Make Hundreds of Complex Photo Edits in Seconds With Photoshop Actions How to Enable User-Specific Wireless Networks in Windows 7 How to Use Google Chrome as Your Default PDF Reader (the Easy Way) How To Remove People and Objects From Photographs In Photoshop Make Efficient Use of Tab Bar Space by Customizing Tab Width in Firefox See the Geeky Work Done Behind the Scenes to Add Sounds to Movies [Video] Use a Crayon to Enhance Engraved Lettering on Electronics Adult Swim Brings Their Programming Lineup to iOS Devices Feel the Chill of the South Atlantic with the Antarctica Theme for Windows 7 Seas0nPass Now Offers Untethered Apple TV Jailbreaking

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  • Star Wars Roguelike Combines Star Wars and Old School ASCII Adventures

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Mashup ASCII-based adventuring, Star Wars, and some sweet light saber sound effects, and you’ve got this old-school in-browser adventure game: Star Wars Roguelike. Play a Jedi or Sith and move about the ASCII world with simple keyboard commands. You’re not going to be blow away by the photo-realistic graphics, but you are going to be able to play it on your aging work computer. Hit up the link below to take the game for a spin. Star Wars Roguelike [via Boing Boing] How To Boot Your Android Phone or Tablet Into Safe Mode HTG Explains: Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus? How To Use USB Drives With the Nexus 7 and Other Android Devices

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  • Google Rolls Out a New and Compact Navigation Bar

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    Earlier this spring Google introduced the black navigation bar; now they’ve updated the bar to take up less space and be more useful. Although the black bar is useful in-so-far as it gives you quick access to Google services (useful, of course, only if you use those services) the new navigation bar–seen in the video above–includes an improved layout. Rather than use the bar space to spread out links which the user may or may not use the service links are now tucked into a mouse-over menu accessed by hovering on the Google logo. The majority of the space previously just taken up by links and the black bar itself is now a a search box. If you don’t already see the new interface, look for it to appear in your Google account within the next few days. Hit up the link below to read the official announcement. The Next Stage In Our Redesign [The Official Google Blog] HTG Explains: Understanding Routers, Switches, and Network Hardware How to Use Offline Files in Windows to Cache Your Networked Files Offline How to See What Web Sites Your Computer is Secretly Connecting To

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  • Methods to Manage/Document "one-off" Reports

    - by Jason Holland
    I'm a programmer that also does database stuff and I get a lot of so-called one-time report requests and recurring report requests. I work at a company that has a SQL Server database that we integrate third-party data with and we also have some third-party vendors that we have to use their proprietary reporting system to extract data in flat file format from that we don't integrate into SQL Server for security reasons. To generate many of these reports I have to query data from various systems, write small scripts to combine data from the separate systems, cry, pull my hair, curse the last guy's name that made the report before me, etc. My question is, what are some good methods for documenting the steps taken to generate these reports so the next poor soul that has to do them won't curse my name? As of now I just have a folder with subfolders per project with the selects and scripts that generated the last report but that seems like a "poor man's" solution. :)

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  • Recycle Old Hardware into a Showcase Table

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you have a plethora of old hardware laying around, especially motherboard and expansion cards, this obsolete-hardware-to-table hack is just the ticket for your office or geek cave. The table’s design is simple. They took a regular coffee table, affixed old mother boards to it and then, over the motherboards and elevated by acrylic standoffs, they put a heavy sheet of acrylic to serve as the table top. You could replicate the design with any sort of old hardware that is interesting to look at: memory modules your company is sending off to be recycled, old digital cameras, mechanisms from peripherals headed for the scrap heap, etc. Hit up the link below to see more photos of the table. Circuit Table [Chris Harrison] How to Make and Install an Electric Outlet in a Cabinet or DeskHow To Recover After Your Email Password Is CompromisedHow to Clean Your Filthy Keyboard in the Dishwasher (Without Ruining it)

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  • Code Monster Helps Introduce Kids (and Curious Adults) to the Basics of Programming

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you’re looking for a fun way to introduce a kid to programming (or sate your own curiosity), Crunchzilla’s Code Monster is a real-time introduction to basic programming concepts. How does Code Monster work? Users are guided through the programming experience (using JavaScript) by a talkative blue monster that asks questions about the code and suggests courses of action. Play long enough and you travel from simple variables to more complex ideas like conditionals, expressions, and more. It’s not a comprehensive programming curriculum (nor does it claim to be) but it’s a great way to introduce people of all ages to programming. Hit up the link below to take it for a spin. Code Monster [via O'Reilly Radar] 8 Deadly Commands You Should Never Run on Linux 14 Special Google Searches That Show Instant Answers How To Create a Customized Windows 7 Installation Disc With Integrated Updates

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  • Soda Cans Exploding Under the Stress of High Voltage [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    In an effort to start your Monday off in true Mad Scientist style, we bring you soda cans being decimated by thousands of volts in a “Thumper”. What is a thumper, you ask? During office hours, it’s a high-voltage testing unit most often used to stress test electric cables. In the off hours, however, the electrical engineering geeks over at The Geek Group like to shove anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of volts through unsuspecting objects to see what happens. In this installation they’re shooting high voltage through a variety of soft drink cans with an end result that sounds and looks like a cannon loaded with Mountain Dew. [via Hacked Gadgets] HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It HTG Explains: Learn How Websites Are Tracking You Online

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  • The Inebriator: A DIY Arduino-powered Cocktail Machine [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    We’ve seen our fair share of geeky alcohol-related projects over the years but this, this, is something to see. The Inebriator is the slickest automated drink machine we’ve laid eyes on. Before we even start talking specs, check out the video above–don’t forget to first assure your liver that you don’t actually have access to such a magnificent device and it can remain calm. As dazzled as we were? The whole thing is powered by an Arduino Mega 2560, sports a cooler with nitrogen pressurization of drink mix bottles, and relies on a rather ingenious and elegantly simple 12v valve system. It even has an RFID security system to prevent party goers with a few drinks in them from messing up the custom drink menu. Hit up the link below for more information, including photos of the guts and technical specs. The Inebriator [via Hack A Day] Java is Insecure and Awful, It’s Time to Disable It, and Here’s How What Are the Windows A: and B: Drives Used For? HTG Explains: What is DNS?

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  • The Making of Middle Earth [Video]

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    The Lord of the Rings movie franchise was filmed in stunning New Zealand locations. The Hobbit continues that tradition; check out this mini-documentary to see the scouting process and take a sneak peek at the film. The Making of Middle Earth [via Mashable] How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone or Tablet When It Won’t Boot Our Geek Trivia App for Windows 8 is Now Available Everywhere How To Boot Your Android Phone or Tablet Into Safe Mode

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  • Repurpose an Old Android Phone as a Thermostat

    - by Jason Fitzpatrick
    If you’re interested in setting up a smart thermostat but put off by the high price of models like the Nest Learning Thermostat, this DIY project uses an old Android phone and a little DIY wiring to automate and network your home heating and cooling. What the project lacks for in terms of a polished off-the-shelf presentation, it certainly makes up for in versatility. Check out the above video to see Android Thermostat in action then hit up the link below for more information about the project–including the source code, build schematics, and more. Android Thermostat [via Hack A Day] Why Enabling “Do Not Track” Doesn’t Stop You From Being Tracked HTG Explains: What is the Windows Page File and Should You Disable It? How To Get a Better Wireless Signal and Reduce Wireless Network Interference

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