While Mac and Linux users may be the most vocal (ahem), the overwhelming majority of Lifehacker readers get here using some version of Windows. Let’s review the most popular Windows tutorials we’ve ever published.
Whether or not you’re into New Year’s resolutions, the last week of the year is a natural time to look back at the past 12 months and think about what went well (and not so well). If you’re here we know you’re already a productivity maven, so tell us: what did you get done this year that you’re most proud of? Was it a DIY project, a personal goal, a professional accomplishment? Tell us all about it in the comments.
If you’re feeling guilty for all the holiday goodies you scarfed last week, take heart: Oxford researchers find that chocolate, wine and tea actually improve brain performance.
Linux only: The latest release of Google Gadgets for Linux offers speed and memory performance enhancements and a number of bug fixes, but, most importantly, support for newer gadgets like Gmail and Google Docs. Those last two gadgets on Linux run almost exactly the same as the Google Desktop versions we previously mentioned, which could be all kinds of convenient for Linux users looking for the convenience of on-desktop email and writing without the heft of a full Google Desktop package. Hit the link below to grab a binary package or repository link for your distribution. Google Gadgets for Linux [via The Linux Tutorial]
If you’ve ever had a Windows program crash because of a missing .DLL file, you know a tedious reinstall usually follows. Free file site DLL-Files, however, might just save the day. If you trust the site, which has a good deal of advertising and persistent pitches to try related software, you can grab any one of thousands of DLL files to replace and fix whatever your failing app wants to find, from deep-down system utilities to program-specific requirements. No registration or payment required, and the search and list-by-letter functions work as promised. For quick fixes of your suddenly malfunctioning apps—and getting older software to run on newer Windows versions—it seems worth a bookmark. DLL-files.com [via MakeUseOf.com]
A user at DIYPhotography.net was faced with a dilemma. He wanted to outfit his camera with an L-bracket to increase stability while doing portrait photography but he couldn’t find a mount for his camera he liked. The only mount he could find specifically for his camera was $US130 and obscured the camera’s battery compartment door which irked him. Faced with the prospect of paying over a hundred for a hunk of metal with a design he didn’t even like he looked into making one himself. He found a metal supply shop that would accept small orders, in this case speedymetal.com, and ordered a small piece of pre-bent aluminium. After receiving it he used some inexpensive tools like a power drill and a hole tapper to set up the mount holes. His total expenditure for a the project including the raw materials, a new drill bit, and a hole tapper was $US30, a substantial savings over $US130. For more simple DIY camera equipment, check out the DIY camera stabiliser. DIY L-Bracket [via Make]
