Linux.conf.au is done and dusted for another year, and being the caring and sharing open source types that they are, they've kindly recorded all the talks and tutorials which were given to share with the world wide web.
You can browse the topics and download them here - OGG is the video, SPX is the audio. If you're in a Windows environment, you can use the open source app VLC to view the OGG files.

Of particular interest to the Lifehacker crowd would be:

An Introduction to Open Source Animation by Elizabeth Garbee (video file, audio file)

Create your own open source dance mat by Tamara Olliver(video file, audio file)

Joining Second Life to the Real World by Jonathan Oxer (video file part 1, video file part 2)

I was really bummed to have missed Jonathan Oxer's Second Life tutorial because of a scheduling clash. I'm so glad it's online! Basically he shows you how to spend around $55 on some hardware which will let you use control objects in Second Life and use Second Life to make changes in the real world! Here's the synposis to tell you more about how it works:

"This tutorial will show specific techniques and examples for linking real-world objects into the Second Life environment so that changes in the real world can be reflected in SL and vice versa. Examples will include a virtual letterbox in SL that shows whether your physical letterbox contains mail and a virtual thermostat in SL that controls a real air conditioner. Participants will have the option of either providing their own parts or purchasing a bundled kit for about $55 which will include an Arduino microcontroller that will be used during the tutorial to create a custom hardware interface to control objects in SL, and allow SL objects to control devices and appliances in the real world."

If you're trying to live within a budget - especially if you're trying to pay off debt or save up for a big purchase, it can feel like you're scrimping all the time.

If you've ever fallen off the diet wagon you know that depriving yourself of something for long enough can cause you to splurge. Like dieting, when you budget you need to find ways to treat yourself while still sticking to the rules - otherwise you'll splurge and ruin all your hard work.
The Get Rich Slowly blog has some good suggestions for how to avoid frugality burnout:

• Cut yourself some slack. "If your budget is so tight that you feel deprived, you run the risk of giving up altogether. As long as your remain focused on you goal, it’s okay to take a break from time-to-time. Just don’t overdo it. (Buying a DVD is a good way to blow off steam; buying a new HDTV is not.)"
• Treat it like a game. "This is one of my favorites. I find that it’s so much easier to practice frugality when I make a game of it." This was an awesome suggestion - here's a couple of tricks I use:  How much fruit and veg can I buy at the local farmer's market for $20? How many unnecessary purchases can I weed out of my shopping basket?
  

Another one that works for me is finding ways to replace buying with borrowing. The obvious example is borrowing books from the library rather than buying them. I used to love requesting new releases from the library - sometimes there would be a queue of people waiting for the book, but getting a card from the library telling me my loan had arrived really was just as exciting as getting a note from Amazon saying my book had arrived.

Got any tips for enjoying life on a budget? Please share in comments.

Whether you're mingling with people at a birthday party, or attending a professional networking event, you rely on similar social networking skills. It's definitely a learned skill, and you'll get better with practise.

The Global Nerdy blog had some nice pointers - the main one being "Be more of a host and less of a guest" - you'll find it's much easier to get along at social events if you make the social effort rather than waiting for someone to come up and talk to you. Here are some tips I've picked up along the way:

Read More »

If your kid is playing football this winter, go buy them some boots NOW!

The new 2008 edition boots haven't made it onto sports store shelves yet, which means they still have 2007 boots in stock and they're selling them cheap to make space for this year’s footy fashions, according to our favourite geek dad and sometime Lifehacker reader, Simon:

"You’ll save a lot. I bought a pair for $21 last weekend!

And I get the satisfaction of knowing my kid will start training in boots that fit and do not deform his feet, which, let’s face it, old boots would do if he started under 7’s in his under 6 boots!"

Thanks for the tip, Simon!

Craft your eBay or Craigslist advertisements for people who are likely to misspell words or find great deals on expensive items by capitalising on sellers' misspellings. TypoBuddy is a website that performs a variety of searches on both eBay and Craigslist based on all possible spelling combinations and makes it easy for you to dig for great discounts. The simple search will show nearly every misspelling in the alphabet, but if you drill down to the Advanced search, you'll be able to fine-tune your searches to include typos with numbers and/or to exclude search terms of your choosing. You can also narrow down your search to specific price ranges or view listings on Craigslist that have pictures only (or Buy it Now! items on eBay). If you're in desperate need for a product and are looking to save big, TypoBuddy should be your first stop.

Read More »

Blogger Tim Ferriss has spent over a decade studying sleep optimisation and has discovered five effective means of getting the sleep you need when you need it. Right before you go to sleep, you should consume 150-250 calories of low-glycemic index foods (e.g. lowfat yogurt or an orange). Treat your meal schedule just as you'd treat your sleep schedule: keep it regular. Ferriss also suggests that ice baths can bring upon sleep, but beware of the consequences.

The result: it's like getting hit with an elephant tranquilizer. Don't expect it to be pleasant at first.

If you have difficulty falling asleep at night, avoid reading non-fiction right before bed. Also, plan your to-do list early in the afternoon so that you're not preparing late at night and adding to stress right before sleep. How do you prepare for that much-needed rest? Thanks, James!

Read More »

While computer manufacturers are now coming out with "media servers" to sell to consumers, Popular Mechanics claims that it's not necessary to buy a brand new machine. Instead, use cheap (or salvaged) parts to build your own box, as media server hardware doesn't have to be top-notch. The biggest hurdle is choosing what operating system to use. For free and fully functional, the article suggest Ubuntu. The catch: it's not that easy to configure. The other option would be to go with the expensive, albeit easy OS (Windows Media Server).

Read More »

We've already seen many different ways to use Twitter for recreational or informational use, but weblog academhack has shown how Twitter can be extended to academic use. When assigning his students to learn how to use Twitter, Professor Dave Parry observed that class chatter went well beyond the classroom and built stronger student communities. He also mentions that since Twitter forces you to express your thoughts within 140 characters, it can improve one's grammar skills. Based on this character limit, Twitter also helps establish rules for effective communication. It's also a great way to follow someone famous (presidential candidates come to mind) or a professional whose interests align with yours. Have you used Twitter for your coursework and academic well-being? What are your findings? Share your secrets in the comments.

Read More »

How do you deal with morning grogginess without relying on caffeine? Productivity blogger Scott H. Young, who wakes up everyday at 5:30, offers his tips to achieve alertness in the morning. One suggestion he proposes is to turn on the lights in your room so that your body is tricked into thinking it's time to get up. It's also helpful to start your day with work that actively engages you. It's better to write, for example, than to read. Also, don't skip breakfast. It will throw your metabolism out of balance, so keep an eating schedule consistent.

Read More »

If you've ever interviewed someone on camera, in a podcast, or in-person for an article or project and felt that it wasn't your best interview, blogger Tom Clifford suggests questions that will keep the interview interesting and ideas that should keep the conversation going. Some questions you can ask include, "How did you get involved in this business?" or "What do you think your story tells our audience?" Keep your questions brief. Don't interrupt. Listen to your interviewee 100%. If your "hero" says something surprising, follow their lead and ask questions based on the discovery. Ask open-ended questions that keep the person talking. Also, most importantly, if you're meeting with the interviewee in person, create an environment that is comfortable for them and be sure to have a smile on your face.

Read More »