For those GCal users among us, this nice little tech tip popped up from GoogleTutor. This quick little article notes how to include event name, date, time, and place all in one line to add the event without going to the details.
Quick Google Calendar Tip: Say It All In One Line!
Have you ever gotten a new PC that included trial programs that continually issue registration prompts until you visit their website and bribe them not to(pay for the program). Most of us prefer to make our own decisions concerning which programs we install on our PCs, especially for $$$. If you can excuse the crude name, this handy little program will allow you to remove these pre-installed programs with minimal direction and oversight. Freeware for Windows.
Pre-installed Software Removal Program
Put your money in a savings account with a good rate and it can make all the difference. Get excited about seeing your money grow. First, check out this list of online banks with really good savings rates, then pick one and get started. Put your tax return to good use. Let us know about your experiences.
Looking for some do-it-yourself help? I didn't think so, but just in case someone annoying keeps pestering you with questions, you can send them to these sights that have videos that even stupid people can understand.
Solid Sites that Provide DIY and How-To Videos
Looking for some creative ways to put that USB drive to good use? Check out these tips from lifehacker. Some of their ideas include a portable programs that run off your drive, encryption, and using it for backup.
Top 10 USB Thumb Drive Tricks
Yes, I did remove the case on my 2 gig jump-drive. It makes the unit about a quarter of the original volume and can easily fit in the little hip change pocket in your pants. Makes it a lot easier to take anywhere. Grab some Plasti-dip at Home Depot and you can seal it so that it is water and dust proof.
Have any tips or hints of your own? Post them in the comments.
I love Thunderbird. I don't know if I like the actual program half as much as I enjoy the ability to make the e-mail client do whatever I want through extensions. I figured I would write a series of posts to expound on why I love Thunderbird and let you all know some of my favorite extensions and tips that make my life easier. Feel free to click on the images for higher resolution screen shots.
First, here is what my Thunderbird 2.0 looks like most of the time.
When I am sorting through my inbox, I like to hide the sidebar with "L" and it looks a little cleaner"
And yes, I actually do keep my inbox clean despite receiving quite a bit of e-mail every day.
Here is a screen shot of the list of my extensions that I have installed at this point:
In the next post I will go over some of the extensions and their functions.
I hope we all know what the "TO:" field in our e-mail is for, but lifehack.org has a short article about the use of the lesser used fields. This article will give you a quick check-up in e-mail etiquette and maybe even teach you something you don't already know.
To BCC or Not To BCC
Want to get smarter without having to work at it? Don't we all. If you don't find eating to be too much work, these brain foods could put you on the fast track to becoming the next Albert Einstein.
The Top 5:
So it's "Turn off your TV Week." Do you know of any nonconformists? If you don't feel right reporting them to Big Brother, take matters into your own hands with long-distance and undercover ways to turn off televisions without a remote. No rifles either.
Turn Off The TV
from Make.com.
The tools used in this article sound like a bomb recipe: Super glue, aluminum foil, toothpaste... I'm sure that none of us ever place our beloved vehicles into compromising situations that cause them to be scratched, but let's say you bought a used car that had some scratches. This articles has a few different ways to get rid of those scratches. If one of them works, it could save you serious money considering body shop rates these days. Videos and pics at the link.
Removing Car Scratches
from WiseBread
Sorry Dad, but I guess we can learn something from Lincoln. I guess you could call these methods of manipulating people. Lifehack.org has a list of hints for writing a speech that are drawn from Abraham Lincoln. Some of these should be helpful.
10 Tips from Lincoln On Writing a Speech
Fill out PDF forms online, convert docs to PDF, print to PDF, merge PDF files, and find some great, lightweight readers. Check out this list of programs and services for dealing with PDFs.
Cool PDF Tools from MakeUseOf.com
This list has some helpful information that can keep small business owners out of trouble. It also provides some advice on issues such as legal setups, using credit reports, retirement plans. See if you can find anything useful.
13 Government Resources for Small Business
Trying to find someone to take care of those mundane tasks that are eating up your schedule. Enter your personal concierge: DoMyStuff.com. The site is just getting started and the ratio of tasks to assistants is miniscule, but it has spectacular possibilities. This site matches those people looking to have their tasks done and those looking to do the tasks(obviously for pay). The people looking for work, bid on the tasks that you put up. Tune your kid into this site and have him earn his spending money. D0MyStuff takes a cut of all money that passes through the site. See if you can make it useful.
DoMyStuff
Frucall allready has an 800 number that offers similar features, but still uses airtime minutes. With their new texting service can get the same info by sending an SMS message with a product’s UPC or ISBN number.
While the service is still in beta, text messages must have the prefix: “FRU” and be sent to: "32075". Frucall says they will be offering a dedicated number and dropping the prefix once the service moves out of beta.
Frucall can also bookmark items and save your inquire history. You’ll have to register for a free account.
Frucall
If you are like me, you wouldn't use anything but Firefox, but there are small issues with our favorite browser. The new Windows Media Plugin can cross one off the list. This plugin makes it much easier for Firefox to play windows media videos in your browser. Nothing fancy, just something to make life easier.
Window Media Plugin download page
Are you lusting after that new phone, but it is only available through another carrier, and you have another year left in your contract? Are you moving to an area where your provider has awful service, but you are stuck till the end of your contract? Apparently, you are not the only one in said situation. Celltrade.com is a service designed to match up people looking for shorter-term contracts and those looking to get out of their contracts. This provides a unique way to get around those exorbitant Early Termination Fees.
Celltrade
"You will be the same in five years time as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." -Charles T. Jones. Don't forget the audio books and online video clips:
Free Audio Books from SimplyAudioBooks
Free How To Video from 5Min Life Videopedia
Haven't figured out what to do with the tax money? Check out this list from The Simple Dollar. Even if you have already decided where your money is headed, maybe you should check it against this list to see where it fits in.
Ten Great Things To Do With That Tax Return - And Five Things Not To Do With It
This vehicle is not your everyday electric car! Stats like 0-60 in 3.07 seconds(117 feet) and equivalent 170 mpg are not often mentioned in the same sentence. The Wrightspeed X1 is indeed and unusual car. With a completely reworked drivetrain, the X1 is based on the ultra lightweight Ariel Atom.
Wrightspeed
Ariel Atom
