Fireworks might be illegal down under, but that makes getting pictures of the big public events where they are permitted even more important enough. But photographing fireworks is tricky. You'll either wind up with immensely rewarding photos or frustration that makes you wish you'd left your camera at home and just enjoyed the show. The outcome has everything to do with the preparation and knowledge you take to the event. Before you go, arm yourself with a few tips and tricks that will prepare you to capture fireworks in all their brilliant glory. Photo by jonrawlinson.

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If you use multiple computer systems throughout the day and want an easy way to share your clipboard between them, you've got several options. The Web Worker Daily blog runs down seven applications and webapps that range from free to $US35, across operating systems, too. One of our favourites which didn't make the list is cl1p.net, which is now iPhone and iPod touch-ready. For more clipboard shenanigans, check out our Top 10 Clipboard Tricks.

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We've shown you how to stream DivX/XviD video to your Xbox 360, but here's a hack for dealing with a much simpler problem - the 360's noisy fan. ExtremeTech likens the sound of the Xbox 360 fan to that of a Cessna revving for takeoff, and gives a walkthrough for replacing the fan with a quieter one. The article does note that opening the console does void the warranty, and also that you'll still get noise from the DVD-ROM. However you should have a quieter time when playing Xbox Live Arcade games or watching downloaded or streamed movies or music, since they don't trigger the optical drive.
You can buy a fan which is customised for the Xbox 360's fan mount - for this exercise they use a green Whisper Fan. If you're DIY minded and have the proper tools, you can unlock and open the console case yourself, but Extreme Tech says they opted for a Team Xecuter 360 Unlock V2 kit which cost $12.
The article goes on to give a full walkthrough with pictures, and sums up by saying the new fan is "startlingly" quiet. It's up to you to decide if the risk of voiding the warranty is worth it for quieter performance.

Hacking your Xbox 360 fan [ExtremeTech]

Here are two photography hacks which use a simple white tshirt to improve the lighting of your photos. They come from Darren Rowse of Digital Photography School.

In situations where you can't use a reflector (and for minimising the set up needed) you can wear a white tshirt to reflect light onto the subject. You'll need to ensure you're standing close enough for the light to reflect.

And the other tip? When shooting with a flash you can diffuse its impact by bouncing the flash off yourself. This way the subject is lit indirectly, but with a white natural light.

Thanks for the tips, Darren!

DIY Reflector - Wear a White T-Shirt [Digital Photography School]

Are you constantly finding yourself unable to get away from the computer because of your Internet addiction? You're not alone. If you're looking to reclaim your life, start slowly. Zen Habits shares three discipline techniques to regain that independence. First, time yourself. You likely have no idea how long you're really sitting in front of that screen. Previously mentioned application Rescue Time is a great way to get started if a traditional clock isn't feasible.

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Looking for a job? Your cover letter, which is typically the first letter that any prospective employer reads, must be well-written. Ensure that your cover letter reflects that proper research was conducted into the job or industry. Boost your chances by writing about the company and detailing the value you can add to the available position based on your background or interests. Look at the qualifications listed on the job description and write check marks next to those requirements you meet. When writing the letter, make sure the letter is written professionally with the right heading elements. Briefly (in three to four paragraphs) explain how you meet the criteria for the job based on your research.

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With work and school back in session and a cold draft in many parts of the country, you're more likely than ever to catch cold or flu this season. If you're looking to stay healthy, Reader's Digest recommends that you avoid touching your face with your fingertips. Instead, use your knuckles; they don't have as many germs. Carry hand sanitiser with you at all times. Change your toothbrush often, especially after you're sick. You can also sterilise your toothbrush in a microwave (on high for 10 seconds) or store it in hydrogen peroxide (ensuring that you rinse well before using). Keep the windows open, if only a bit, to encourage the flow of fresh air.

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Remember the Milk users, to keep your task list in the sidebar while you surf, bookmark the skinny, sidebar friendly RTM iGoogle module. Bookmark it (link below), and then from Firefox's Organize Bookmarks dialog, select the new bookmark, open its Properties, and check off "Load bookmark in sidebar." When it's loaded in your sidebar, you can edit, complete, and schedule tasks on a reverse chronological list. Remember the Milk newbies, here's how to get organised with RTM. Thanks, Cork!

If you don't want to drop cash on a pricey laptop stand like the Elevator, snap together your very own with some PVC pipe and joints. Instructables user alceste shows you how. The result isn't adjustable like commercial ones (boo), but it does let you hide cables inside the pipe (neat!).

Users of Microsoft Office 2003 who upgraded to Service Pack 3 (released in September) will strike compatibility problems with certain office documents, according to information that surfaced just last week. The service pack makes a range of older Word, Excel,PowerPoint and Corel Draw documents inaccessible. These include Word 6.0, Word 97 for Windows and Word 2004 for Macintosh.
According to a CNET report, users were given no warning of the effects when they downloaded SP3, and the changes were revealed in a Microsoft support document which was published on its website in December.
Microsoft released a workaround, KB 938810, for the problem. This document also has a full list of the blocked file formats, so you can check to see if your older files will be affected. The workaround (described by one slashdotter as "mindbogglingly complex") involves modifying the registry, so ensure you backup the registry before proceeding!