Sunday, January 27, 2008
Better Gmail 2 Extension Fixes Posted
8:18AM Gina Trapani | Google rolled out some code changes to Gmail this week which unexpectedly broke several user scripts included in the Better Gmail 2 Firefox extension. Thanks to several quick-on-their-feet developers, I just released a new version of the extension that fixes (and in some cases, removes) problematic scripts. Get your Folders4Gmail, Google Reader Integration, and Gmail Macros working again. Download the new version after the jump, or simply choose update from Firefox’s Add-ons dialogue. Better Gmail 2 Firefox Extension for New Gmail More »
Make Your Diet Greener in Only Five Days
8:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Commit to healthy eating and better the environment at the same time by dedicating five days to improving the quality of food that you buy and store in your home. On the first day, clean out your refrigerator of any highly-processed foods (or better yet, donate them to a local food bank). After your clean-up is complete, go on a shopping spree for locally-grown and organic fruits and vegetables. When you are shopping, seek out labels that indicate that the food is either organic, fair trade, or certified naturally grown. Look into establishing a routine of eating two locally-sourced meals per week. Finally, on the last day, commit to one meal without meat. It’s not too difficult to get started on a healthy eating path that will also benefit the environment. It can be a really rewarding and exciting experience. 5 Days to a Greener Diet [The Daily Green] More »
Discover New Territory Without Leaving Your Home
7:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Why do people like to travel? Often, it’s because they want to broaden their horizons, escape from the boring monotony of everyday life, and to experience new cultures. Who says, though, that you have to do that by hopping on a plane and going to a new place? Ririan Project proposes that you can experience these travel benefits without even leaving your home. For something fun and exciting, start a new hobby. Your town likely is populated by people from many different cultural backgrounds, so grab a bite of foreign cuisine at a new restaurant. Visit the historic monuments or tourist attractions that you’ve been meaning to see in your hometown. In preparation for a big trip, learn a language. To get more information about any city (and to psych yourself up for a real trip), just go online. Blogs and forums allow you to surf the world from your home computer. How else can you experience the benefits of travelling without actually going too far? Let’s hear your suggestions in the comments. 5 Ways to Experience the Benefits of Traveling Without Leaving Town [Ririan Project] More »
Enable Faux-GPS Feature in Jailbroken 1.1.3 iPhone
6:00AM Adam Pash | If you recently upgraded to a jailbroken version of the 1.1.3 iPhone firmware, the first thing you probably noticed when testing out the new features was that the faux-GPS feature in Google Maps wasn’t working. You tap the current location button, but all you get is a never-ending spinning throbber. Luckily, enabling this feature is a snap. Just open up Installer and either re-install or install for the first time the Navizon GPS application. Once it’s installed, run it and find the switch labelled Invisible. If GMaps GPS hasn’t been working for you, you’ll notice that the switch is in the On position. Flip it to off, then let Navizon locate you once. After it does, try the current location button again. It should now be working perfectly (at least it does for me). Thanks Zan! More »Protect Your Privacy on Public Computers
5:30AM Adam Pash | Browsing the web on public computers can be daunting, with threats of potential keyloggers and spyware watching your every move, so the Download Squad weblog has rounded up a few best practices for keeping your personal info private and safe on public computers. A former systems librarian, the author has seen a lot, and suggests one simple and obvious cardinal rule: Don’t put private information on a public computer. This means, despite the fact that the IRS encourages electronic filing, don’t file your taxes online at the library. If you have no other access to a computer, file the old fashioned way. The post does offers several other worthwhile tips, but nothing rings more true than the cardinal rule. If you really need to type in passwords and other sensitive data at a public computer, we’ve covered how to keep your passwords safe from keyloggers once before. Got your own tips? Let’s hear ‘em in the comments. More »
DIY Razor and Shaving Brush Stand
4:30AM Adam Pash | You were introduced to wet shaving and decided that was the route for you but your razor and brush remain strewn about your bathroom sink? DIY web site Instructables posts a simple guide to creating an old-timey razor and shaving brush stand with nothing more than a wire hanger and a pair of pliers. Between the wet shaving, your new razor and brush stand, and recently discovering how to drastically increase the life of your razor blades, keeping your skin baby soft has never been better. Make Your Own Razor and Shaving Brush Stand [Instructables] More »
Relax with Deep-Breathing Exercises
4:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Let your anxiety melt away with deep breathing exercises that are often associated with Kundalini Yoga. If you need to relax, set aside a few moments a day to practice deep-breathing to calm you down. Begin by increasing your awareness of how your breath is naturally flowing. Notice where the breath moves in your body and listen to the sound of your inhalation and exhalation. After a few breaths, begin to deepen and expand the breath and make sure you are breathing through your nose. As you inhale, draw the breath into the belly- allow the belly to expand with the breath. Continuing this inhalation, expand through the rib cage and upper chest. For a more focused breathing exercise to get you out of your sleepiness, practice the “breath of fire.” The exercise involves contracting your diaphragm and pulling your navel area toward your spine. You should end up feeling a lot more energetic. More »
Succeed Socially
3:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Shy? Lonely? You’re not alone. If you feel that social situations put you in an awkward position and you are looking to break out of your shell, the Succeed Socially website features articles on everything to turn from geek to social butterfly: advice on meeting new people, getting along with others, starting conversations, being funny (or seeming less weird), making eye contact, overcoming laziness, coping with nervousness, and more. Guys might also appreciate the articles on how to dance, beat shyness, and conquer the video game habit. Other social issues, such as drinking, are addressed. Even if you have some good social skills but feel they need a little brushing up on, the articles contained on the Succeed Socially site should give you some good direction and boost your confidence in any social situation. How to Have More Social Success More »
