Web site Printable Checklist is a stripped down checklist creator that makes building quick, printer-friendly custom checklists a breeze. To start off, I should point out that I created Printable Checklist a couple of nights ago after I got annoyed with my terrible handwriting. Printable Checklist is nothing special. It’s a single page that uses a little HTML and JavaScript to build simple printable checklists. So what’s the point? I, like many Lifehacker readers, prefer simple pen and paper for most of my to-do list management. I love web-based to-do managers, but if I’m being honest, most of my daily to-dos are written down on a fresh piece of paper when I start the day. I also have horrible handwriting and am unskilled at creating checklists that look and feel like something you’d actually want to consult. With Printable Checklist, I can quickly create and print out clean and simple disposable checklists that I can consult throughout the day, and I still get the satisfaction of checking off a large box whenever I complete a to-do. It’s also perfect for creating a quick paper checklist for someone else without requiring them to suffer through your horrible handwriting. The site doesn’t require any registration, but the downside to that is that the checklists are also very much disposable. If you wanted to save a checklist, I’d recommend printing your checklist as a PDF. I’ve given the site cursory tests on Firefox, IE7, and Safari, and so far all seems to work. If you give it a try, let’s hear what you think in the comments.
Printable ChecklistThe many versions of Windows Vista was the brunt of much criticism from confused users, but Microsoft has simplified things in Windows 7. ZDNet’s Ed Bott reports that Windows 7 has trimmed down to only 3 different versions for everyone in developed countries: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise. Windows 7 Home Basic and Starter editions are actually available in emerging markets, but they “will not legally be available for sale in the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and other developed countries.” More good news: Upgrading from one version to another is a “takes 5-10 minutes” and doesn’t require a reinstall like Vista did. Check out the ZDNet post for details on each version.
Microsoft simplifies the Windows 7 lineupThe first release candidate for Internet Explorer 8 may have just been released last week, but web site Softpedia reports that the still nascent browser from Microsoft is already making serious ground on Google Chrome, with both browsers claiming around 1% of the web’s user base. These results aren’t necessarily surprising, considering that web developers the world over are likely downloading IE8 to get their sites up to spec before users start switching from IE7 en masse. Likewise, Windows 7 comes with IE8 installed by default, so Microsoft’s recent Windows 7 Beta push can’t be hurting those numbers, either.
When Lifehacker recently discussed the pros and cons of Freeview, the still-nascent plan to promote digital TV via extra free-to-air channels, some commentators pointed out that accessing these channels won’t require a Freeview-branded set-top box — any digital TV or set-top box would do. While that’s true, it turns out Freeview will have one nasty brand-enhancing trick up its sleeve. Ty Pendlebury at CNET reports that the electronic program guide (EPG) for Freeview won’t be compatible with current TVs and boxes — you’ll need a Freeview box to access that, though some manufacturers may offer firmware upgrades to make it possible. The lack for many years of a decent and comprehensive free EPG was unquestionably one of the reasons why media centres haven’t been as successful in Australia as elsewhere, so it’s disturbing to say the least to see the industry perpetuating its small-minded view of sharing programming information with newer platforms. Freeview EPG won’t be compatible with current TVs [CNet]
Ever wished you could add a custom action to the Windows AutoPlay dialog? The Windows Vista for Beginners tutorial site has done the research and figured out the steps for you.
We’ve covered this topic before, with Adam’s guide to adding custom options to the Windows XP AutoPlay dialog, but unfortunately Windows Vista users have been left out in the cold since TweakUI doesn’t run on Vista. The Vista for Beginners tutorial takes you through the process of adding applications to the AutoPlay list using the free AutoPlay Repair utility. The process is a little tricky, so you’ll want to read the Vista for Beginners guide for all the steps. If you’re already using a simpler way to add new applications to the AutoPlay dialog, let’s hear about it in the comments.
How to add custom entries to Windows Vista’s AutoPlay [Windows Vista for Beginners]Making homemade vanilla extract might seem like overkill—why not just shell out the small ransom for a tiny bottle? But brewing your own is surprisingly simple, and yields customised, better-tasting results. Over at the culinary blog Chocolate and Zucchini, they have a detailed but simple guide to making your own extract. It’s not more complicated than putting sliced vanilla beans into a jar with a high-proof alcohol like vodka or rum. Using a sharp knife, slice the beans open lengthwise to expose the seeds. Tuck the beans in the jar and fill with liquor. Close the jar, shake it a few times, and place it in a cool, dark cabinet; you may have to whisper a few words of reassurance if the jar is, understandably, a little frightened.Let the jar rest in there for 8 weeks, shaking it again once or twice a week, or whenever you remember to. The mixture will get darker and darker over time.
The best part about the entire process is, so long as you throw a few more beans in occasionally and top off the alcohol as needed, you’ve got a perpetual source of rich and fresh vanilla extract. For a more extensive take on customising the brew and getting the best results, check out VanillaReview.com’s picture-packed guide. Photo by Bill HR. Homemade Vanilla Extract [Chocolate and Zucchini]
Today Gmail will begin rolling out a new feature to improve your email labelling workflow and mitigate folder-vs.-label confusion with two new drop-down menus: Move to and Labels. Even better: Keyboard shortcuts and autocomplete are baked in. We’re not seeing the updates in our accounts yet, but the new features are pretty simple. If you want to label an email, just click the Labels drop-down or hit ‘L’ on your keyboard and start typing; Gmail will autocomplete the label as you type. The Move to menu works the same but uses ‘V’ as the quick keyboard shortcut. When you apply a new label via the Move to menu, Gmail will apply the new label and automatically archive the email—mimicking folder behaviour while still sticking with Gmail’s label structure. You’ve been able to access Gmail’s More actions menu for quite some time using the period (‘.’) shortcut, but the label and move to shortcuts are a godsend for keyboard lovers and folder lovers alike. The Better Gmail extension has always included the very cool Gmail Macros script, which itself added new labels by pressing ‘L’ and then autocompleting labels, so this functionality will be easy to adopt for Gmail Macros users. (Though autocomplete for navigating to a new label from the keyboard with the ‘G’ shortcut would be nice, Google.) Is your account enabled yet? Let’s hear how you like the changes in the comments.
New ways to label with “Move to” and auto-complete [Official Gmail Blog]Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Ever wish you could quickly grab every pic on a web site you’re visiting? Firefox extension Save Images saves all linked images to a folder, with support for saving images from multiple tabs. Once installed, using the extension is easy—just right-click anywhere on the page and choose Save Images from the context menu. As you can see, Save Images can save every pic from the current tab or only from the tabs to the left or right of your current tag—very useful when opening image galleries in multiple tabs. Unlike DownThemAll, Save Images can also filter images by more specific criteria such as size or dimensions. Save Images is a free download, works anywhere Firefox runs.
Save Images [Mozilla Add-ons via Of Zen and Computing]If you’ve gotten into Gmail’s new Task manager now that it’s available on your mobile device and iGoogle, there’s one more convenient place you may be keen on placing it: your browser’s sidebar. Every time a cool, stripped down widget becomes available, we love bookmarking it and loading said bookmark in our Firefox sidebar. We’ve done it with Google Talk, your Google Calendar agenda, and Facebook chat, for example. Luckily, as we’ve noted before, you can load any site in your Firefox sidebar in just a few simple steps:
Drag Gmail Tasks to your Bookmarks toolbar. Right-click the new bookmark and select Properties. Tick the box labelled Load this bookmark in the sidebar, then click Save Changes.And that’s all it takes. Now every time you click on that bookmark, you’ll see your Gmail Tasks in your sidebar, from which you can view, create, edit, delete, and complete tasks. (As noted in the Google Operating System post, both Firefox and Opera support loading bookmarks in the sidebar. These instructions are for Firefox.) Gmail Tasks [via Google Operating System]
Windows only: Taskbar status application BatteryBar adds a battery life meter to the Windows taskbar with detailed battery life information and eye candy in a mouseover dialog. Once installed, activating BatteryBar is as simple as right-clicking on the taskbar and choosing Toolbars -> BatteryBar from the menu. The meter button changes from blue to green when you are on battery power, and clicking on the meter button switches the display between actual time remaining or a percentage view. The percentage meter is calculated using a statistical prediction that keeps a history of how quickly your battery usually drains to more accurately predict battery life—so the time remaining may seem a little odd at first.BatteryBar is a free download for Windows only. If you would rather put your battery meter on your desktop, check out previously mentioned Power Meter Plus.
BatteryBar [via Download Squad]
