Splice together YouTube clips without downloading a single one using Omnisio, a free video compilation website with all the standard share/embed/reply features of modern web apps. The editing interface is decidedly simple—move the sliders to the start and ending parts of the clip you want, then choose the next video and do the same. For presentations with online access and web projects, it's a pretty handy tool, but having the entirety of YouTube, Google Video and Blip.TV as your stock material might inspire more than a few would-be film splicers. Omnisio is free to use, and a sign-up lets you save and embed videos.

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Whenever Windows XP or Vista run across a file type the system doesn't recognise (regardless of whether you do or not), the user is prompted with either selecting a program to open it or to "Use the Web service to find the correct program"—which has yet to work even once, at least for me. The How-To Geek shows how to disable this prompt and head straight to the program selector, using a quick registry hack.

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If you're not naturally gregarious or 'charming', people skills can seem like things that other people have, not you. The Lifehack.org blog had an interesting article which talked about the things you can do to get better at building rapport with people.
Some of them might seem quite obvious - smile at people, listen to them, use eye contact. But if you're naturally shy or introverted, even these things might seem difficult to you. I guess the thing to remember is that people (yourself included!) are very tuned in to body language - we can spot a fraud, or a fake smile, a mile away.
So if you're trying to get over a habit like looking at your shoes instead of the person you're talking to, by all means try some of the tactics mentioned, but remember that *a little goes a long way*.
A lot of this boils down to how relaxed you are around other people. As you relax, you'll be able to trust your own instincts more, and you won't need to remind yourself to do things like smile or make eye contact. As a bonus, your relaxed body language will be apparent to other people and they'll relax around you too.

How to improve your rapport development [Lifehack.org]

The Password Meter web utility tests the strength of your passwords as you type it, scoring your password strength based on a number of positive and negative password attributes. The test measures your password's number of characters, type of characters used, and the order of your characters. (Sequential letters or numbers, for example, equals weak passwords). Toss your favourite high-security password into this tool—you may be surprised at how you did.

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Google has launched some cool metrics tools for YouTube which are available to anyone with a YouTube account. YouTube Insight will give you information about how often a video is viewed in different geographic locations, and compare its popularity to all videos in that region over a given period of time.
You can also track video performance over time - for example how long it takes for a video to become popular.
You can find currently available metrics by clicking under the "About this Video" button under My account > Videos, Favorites, Playlists > Manage my Videos.

Insight into YouTube videos [Official Google Blog]

Evan Meagher's written an interesting overview of the "advanced desktop effects" built into Ubuntu 7.10. He talks through virtual desktops, ADD Helper, Scale and Focus Desktop, but saves the biggest kudos for Gnome-Do.
Gnome-Do is for Gnome/Ubuntu what Quicksilver is for OS X - an app which lets you do a large number of things such as open apps, URLs, bookmarks or folders just by typing their name and hitting enter:

"With the right set of plugins, you can start chats in Pidgin by typing in contact’s names, play music without having to actually interact with your media player, search the web, or put your computer to sleep, just to name a few. You can tie Compiz Animation to it too, just to make it even more cool-looking."

We've previously walked you through how to import old emails from other clients to Gmail using IMAP, or you can do it using POP. However you imported your old mail,
Olivier Beyssac at the Official Google blog suggests a few tweaks to give you more options for searching or creating email from your old accounts.
The Google support page runs you through how to set up Mail Fetcher. The last step is "Add Account". At this point:

• * label incoming mail "imported" so it's easier to search for later if you need to

• * once you've validated the new account, select "Yes, I want to be able to send mail as yourname@gmail.com."

• * go to Settings > Accounts > Send mail as: > Add another email address.
•  * Click on "Next Step" and then "Send Verification." You'll receive an email with instructions on how to validate your old address.
  
• * Once it's set up, you can select this address in the "From" field when creating a message or reply by clicking "change" next to your address in the From field.
  

Sick of dealing with wallets that get a bit, well, funky when they're wet? Looking for something a bit sturdier but still stylish? Instructables has an easy-to-follow guide to turning a sturdy plastic shopping bag into a wallet, using only a few needles stitches and a piece of double-sided tape. For those who get nylon wallet envy but don't want to swing the cash for one, it's a pretty unique solution, and a guaranteed conversation-starter.

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Faced with an array of not-so-good-for-you goodies on the train home from his last business trip (pictured), reader Kelly writes in:

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US-centric: Editor: When you're out and about and think of something you want to remember, you can leave yourself a voicemail you have to transcribe later, or you can use the excellent voice transcription service Jott. We've covered many... Read More »

Windows only: RegScanner, a free Windows utility, makes it easier to find registry keys and make quick edits to them. We've offered up a fair share of registry hacks over the years, and many of them, if you used Windows' built-in regedit tool, require browsing through a lot of directory trees to get to the right key. RegScanner offers more advanced search features (inside strings, by date modified, and more), but the real value is in a menu function—"Open Clipboard Text in Regedit." Simply copy the long key name from a how-to site or elsewhere, open RegScanner, and this function will lead you right to the key. That alone is pretty helpful, but the additional tweaks and settings you might find make it a nifty tool. RegScanner is a free download for Windows systems only.

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DIY web site Instructables goes step-by-step on how to shave with old-timey style using a straight razor—you know, like Sweeney Todd but without the blood. The tutorial includes lots of photos and several videos (including the one above) demonstrating the straight razor methods. The video makes it seem daunting and a bit expensive, but you may be saving money in the long-run on disposable razors. Then again, my disposable razor turnover has slowed significantly ever since we highlighted how to extend the live of your razor blades. That said, if you've ever wanted to learn the art of straight razor shaving, this tutorial should have everything you need.

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