Friday, November 2, 2007
Google Notebook Adds Labels, Bookmarks
11:30PM Kevin Purdy | Web-clipping service Google Notebook now has two helpful organisation features, labels and bookmark integration, that should make life easier for those who store lots of ideas away for later. Labels make sorting through your clips easier, of course, and web links stored inside the “unfiled” notebook are automatically added to Google Bookmarks. The Google Notebook Firefox extension has also been updated to make adding text notes or bookmarks as easy as clicking on a star button. Looking to get started with Google Notebook? Check out Gina’s guide to getting things done with Google Notebook. Google Notebook [via Google Operating System] More »
Map Wikipedia Edits as They Happen at WikipediaVision
11:00PM Gina Trapani | Watch edits to the English Wikipedia happen almost real-time on a map with Wikipediavision, a neat dynamically-updating Google Maps mashup. As Wikipedia users make anonymous edits, Wikipediavision maps their location based on IP address and links the article and type of edit. But you better click fast, because edits stream by quickly, and the map updates while you watch. Want to get yourself on the map? Here’s how to contribute to the Wikipedia. WikipediaVision (beta) More »
Convert Vinyl Records into MP3s
10:30PM Gina Trapani | Considering digitising that crate of classic records you unearthed in the attic? Windows Vista Magazine has some pointers on how to do so. Here’s why it’s worth the trouble: There’s an unmistakable warmth in the sound a record produces that simply isn’t there on CDs. To get technical, this warmth is caused by the way the record is cut-louder sounds create deeper ridges, leading to light distortion. As the warmth is created through the turntable and not in the amplification stage, no matter what the turntable is connected to, you’ll still preserve that vinyl sound. The guide recommends purchasing a preamp to plug into your PC’s line in to preserve the sound equalisation used on vinyl records. Finally, if Windows sound recorder isn’t your thing, you can also digitise your cassette tapes with the free, open source LH favorite, Audacity. Photo by Spacepleb. How to convert your vinyl into mp3s [Windows Vista Magazine] More »Flashback
10:30PM Tamar Weinberg | One year ago, we scoured the globe beyond Google Maps to show you some pretty amazing map mashups. More »
What Didn’t You Have to Install with Leopard?
10:00PM Gina Trapani | Mac OS X only: When 300 new features get added to a new operating system revision, chances are it’s built in functionality that was only available in third party applications before. When it came to building a fresh Mac with Leopard, we left out quite a few installations in favour of the built-in enhanced versions, like iTerm (Terminal), SilverKeeper (Time Machine), VirtueDesktops (Spaces) and SharePoints (System Preferences’ Sharing panel). Macworld revisits their catalog of “Mac gems” software and lists the ones Leopard includes features from, too. What favourite Mac app of yours does Leopard make obsolete? Let us know in the comments. Leopard’s Gems replacements, Part 1 [Macworld]Leopard’s Gems replacements, Part 2 [Macworld] More »
Spend Less and Eat Healthy with the Microwave Diet
9:00AM Adam Pash | Yahoo Food suggests eight frozen dinner entrees you can buy at the local supermarket to scratch your take-out itch that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and won’t pack on the weight of an extra arm or leg. From pizza and enchiladas to ravioli and coconut chicken, the article promises these eight foods will motivate you to drive right past the fast food joint into the comfort of quick, tasty and healthy microwave cuisine (your definition of healthy may differ from the authors, but these meals are certainly healthier than most take-out or fast food you’re likely to get). Got a favourite healthy and tasty frozen entree? Share it in the comments. The Microwave Diet: 8 Great Frozen Entrees [Yahoo Food] More »
Stargaze from Your Mobile Phone or iPod Touch
8:00AM Adam Pash | If you’ve become a stargazing junky with either the open source Stellarium or the latest Google Earth, you can now take your stargazing on the road with your cell phone or iPod touch using mobile web site or application Starry Night. First, if you’ve got a sufficient mobile browser you can check out the iPhone and iPod touch-optimised mobile site (I wasn’t able to test it on other mobile browsers, but it relies on some Ajax). On the other hand, if you’re using a BlackBerry, Starry Night comes in the form of an installable application. And if you’ve already learned to navigate by the stars, you can polish all of your stargazing chops on the go while you figure out where you’re going. Starry Night iPhone-Optimized Web Site [Space.com via Webware] Starry Night for BlackBerry More »Myth
7:48AM Adam Pash | Mythbuntu, the Ubuntu version of the Linux-based DVR software MythTV, has just pushed out a new release. Fearful of Linux but want to roll your own DVR? Check out how to turn your Windows PC into a media >> centre on the cheap. More »
Start Financially Planning for the Holidays Now
7:00AM Adam Pash | It’s not the least bit uncommon to start your holiday shopping in November, but to avoid the jaw-dropping bills this holiday season, weblog I Will Teach You To Be Rich suggests you start saving now. Come the first week of January, people will start getting their bills from Christmas and will start wondering what the hell just happened. Did they really spend $907 — the average amount spent on Christmas gifts — this year? Don’t forget to factor in travel, food, etc. That’s why… on the first of every October, I start saving for the Christmas gifts I’m going to buy. While October has passed, it’s never to late to start saving. Then again, if money is tight this year, there’s no shame in going the inexpensive, DIY route this gift-giving season. Let’s hear how you handle your holiday budgeting in the comments. Here’s how I start planning for Christmas — in October [I Will Teach You To Be Rich] More »
