Channels 7 and 10 are both beginning High Definition TV broadcasts this week. Seven's new channel, 7HD, which launches today, will have up to 50 hours a week of unique programming which it won't show on its main standard definition channel. Ten-HD will begin broadcasting on Sunday, and will likewise show unique content. While some of this "unique content" is stuff considered too niche for the main channels (gridiron anyone?), Seven will also invest in making shows specifically for HD, according to a story in the SMH today.
So do you have an HD tuner or set top box? I'd be interested to know your thoughts on HD-TV so far.

Here are some study results which are right up Lifehacker's street. According to researchers at Stanford Uni, an automated computer message reminding people to get out and exercise is almost as effective as having a human counseller do the same job.
The study found that people called by the computer with an exercise reminder averaged 157 minutes of exercise per week, compared to 118 minutes for the people who didn't receive a reminder.
We've offered up a range of reminder apps in the past ranging from setting up email reminders for recurring activitites with HassleMe, text message alerts with iCal, or you can do what I do and set up SMS alerts through Google Calendar. Got a system for automated exercise reminders? Please share in comments.

The computer called, it said to get off the couch [MSNBC, via Techdirt]

My inner Nancy Drew sqee-ed with excitement when I saw MAKE's instructions on how to make your own secret compartment in a book. The Good Weekend magazine this past weekend had a story on former Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar which had a photo of such a book, hollowed out to conceal a gun. But we're geeks not drug lords, so let's hide something less violent and illegal - what would you suggest?

Google has rounded out the feature set of the Linux version of its photo suite, Picasa, with the release of the beta version of Picasa 2.7. Linux users will know that Picasa for Linux hadn't included a number of features available in later Windows versions (including Picasa web intregration). However the new version lets you upload to Picasa Web albums using the new "web album" button. Other new features include the ability to save edits to disk (including batch saving), folder hierarchy views and improvements to the import function and RAW support.
The preview version of 2.7 can be downloaded here.
It's not all good news though - the Google Operating System blog points out that the new version "still doesn't support videos, full-screen slideshows and it's still using WINE."

If you're an infrequent user of sites like ebay or paypal, you probably make more use of the "I forgot my password, please email it to me" function than you should. I decided to take the simple step of creating a "subscription management" folder in my email client so I'd always have those details to hand.
Now whenever I create an account on a website (which usually generates an email confirming my login details), I just drop the email into my subs management folder and it will be there next time I'm trying to remember my password. Requesting a new password usually generates a reminder email with your new login details - I keep those in my subs folder too.
My subs management folder has a long list of subscriptions, ranging from Remember the Milk, Ticketek, YouTube and Wikipedia. Now they're just a Thunderbird search away, which has been a real time saver. How do you remember all your online subscription details?

Wine is a great household cleaner since its acidity and alcohol can combat against popular dangerous kinds of bacteria. Wipe your kitchen counters with wine, or in the absence of (or in addition to) water, douse fruits and vegetables in... Read More »

Many of you might have already experienced your first snowfall of the season, and it's far from over. How do you prepare your automobile for winter? Weblog Dumb Little Man suggests ten tips, from ensuring that your windshield wipers give... Read More »

Stop procrastinating and improve your time management skills with free ebook Time Management for Creative People. Blogger and author Mark McGuinness rolled a series of time management articles into a short (32 page) ebook. Even if you don't consider yourself a creative person, the ebook is chocked full of useful tips.

I will offer some suggestions for keeping the tide of external demands at bay and helping you to develop a truly creative routine and rhythm to your working day. I won't offer you a rigid system or any 'best practice' nonsense - just some principles and suggestions for you to try out and adapt as you see fit.

Mac and Windows only: Spruce up the functionality and aesthetics of your screeensaver with Fliqlo. Fliqlo mimics an old school clock with flipping digits. The time can be customised to display in 12-hour or 24-hour formats. Additionally, you can customise the zoom using the up and down arrow keys. Fliqlo is a free screensaver that has been around for ages but never made an appearance on Lifehacker. Not into the clock? We've posted a few other screensavers you might like. Fliqlo is a free download for Mac and Windows only.

Make use of the space between the edge of your monitor and the screen with a miniature printable calendar. Similar to the Compact Calendar, the Monitor Strip Calendar is great for referencing dates at-a-glance. The Monitor Strip Calendar is available as a free PDF download and comes in vertical and horizontal versions. Additionally, the calendar comes in colour (pictured above) and black and white. Sometimes the simple ideas make all the difference!

Show off your creative spark by adding a bit of personality to your gift-wrapping talent. Real Simple suggests that you can supplement traditional gift paper and tape with six clever alternatives: calendar paper can replace traditional gift-wrap, jump ropes can spice up a child's gift, ponytail holders are a great way to seal up presents, wine bottles can be wrapped up with dish towels, newspaper works as gift-wrap when none is available, and photos cut from greeting cards can make your presents appear more attractive from far away. What other gift-wrapping ideas do you suggest to add flare to your presents? Let's hear them in the comments.