In the wake of the recent Google Reader for iPhone update, web site Mozilla Links saw an opportunity to make good use of the new mobile interface by putting Google Reader iPhone into your Firefox sidebar. The setup is a snap, and when you're done the simple, mobile-friendly iPhone interface loads perfectly and looks great in the Firefox sidebar. Add this one to the growing list of mobile apps that fit perfectly in your sidebar.

Read More »

From blogs and online newspapers to calendars and social networking sites, the internet is a constant flow of information directed straight at your already full brain. Luckily, everything offers an RSS feed these days, which means that keeping up with all of that information is simply a matter of staying on top of your subscriptions. On Wednesday you nominated your favourite RSS newsreaders, and over 400 comments later, we're back with your favourites. Hit the jump to see if your newsreader of choice made the list, and then cast your ballot to choose the newsreader to rule them all.

Read More »

Windows with Office 2007 or Mac with Office 2008: Spruce up your presentations, spreadsheets, invoices, letterhead and business cards with a set of free office templates from Microsoft. Everyone knows the default template choice in Office can be limiting, so this selection widens your range. These templates aren't the most hip designs in the world, but they'll at least separate your stuff from the default looks that ship with the office suite. The templates are a free download, and work in Office 2007 (and some in Office 2008 for Mac).

Read More »

The latest version of the free, open-source email manager, Thunderbird, is in the wild—in an alpha release rough enough around the edges to earn the code-name "Shredder." It doesn't have all the features promised for Thunderbird 3 yet, but you can see where it's headed. I installed "Shredder" in Windows XP, and I'll show you what's there, and explain what's coming soon, after the jump.

Read More »

Windows only: Free computer-tracking application LocatePC is a lightweight application that can save you a hefty amount of money if your laptop, or even desktop, falls into the wrong hands. Running as a nondescript background app, LocatePC can quietly email you at regular intervals or, more helpfully, whenever your IP address changes. That could be a pain for those behind cable connections and the like, but with a simple email filter or a little router-tweaking, you'll only be bothered by those emails when you really need them. LocatePC is a free download for Windows systems only. For more laptop lock-down tips, check out Adam's quick guide to thief-proofing your laptop.

For many people, banks are large corporations which can be intimidating to deal with. But if they make a mistake or start giving you bad customer service, you'll need to speak up. Here are some tips from Lifehacker tipster Paul Fenwick, who recently got his mortgage provider to reverse a $400 charge they'd put on his loan without notice.

Paul's advice? Take notes, be unfailingly polite but persist in escalating your complaint, and be prepared to take your case to the ombudsman (BFSO) or appropriate body (such as VCAT in Victoria).

"As it happens, I've never had a case go to either the BFSO or VCAT, and that included our dispute with RHG. Why? Because it's much cheaper for the dispute department to roll over on a $400 dispute than it is to go through all the time and expense of a legal process. Even if they win, the time taken to bring a dispute through VCAT will end up costing them more than $400. This sort of process tends to be a very reliable way, albeit a somewhat time consuming one, to resolve a dispute with most large organisations."

Check out Paul's blog for the full story. And if you liked his hack, check out his previous Lifehacker tips - including how to declutter the web using Greasemonkey, and how to hack the best seat on an airplane. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Beating up banks - a tale of success [Paul Fenwick]

Back in February, we broke the news that the One Laptop Per Child charity was set to come down under - which was great news for people interested in helping with the development of its uber cool open source laptop, the XO.
OLPC Australia has just announced it will host its first OLPC Techfest in Sydney on Sunday, 1 June. It will include demonstrations, workshops about the OLPC hardware and software, and developer tutorials.
If you're at all interested in the OLPC, I strongly recommend you attend this event, as a lot of its very cool features are best demonstrated when you can network a bunch of the machines together, as will no doubt happen at this event.
For full details, check out the OLPC website. [via]

Phew, just in time for Melbourne's third annual Zombie Shuffle, comes Wired's handy guide for surviving a zombie apocalypse.
I can't say I'm a zombie fan, personally I prefer the old days when geeks were either into monkeys or ninjas. But if you're into bandages, horror movie makeup and mumbling "braaaains" then the Zombie Shuffle may be right up your alley. Enjoy! I mean, braaaains! :)

[via Richard Watts]

Want to get more than just behind on your work from idly browsing the web? The Simple Dollar weblog shares a few tips for getting both personal and professional value from your "wasted" web time. The post suggests several different methods for getting more from your browsing, most of which revolve around participating on the web rather than just consuming—whether that involves social bookmarking, commenting and sharing your knowledge, or befriending others with similar interests. If you're a pro at squeezing value out of your web surfing (hey, you read Lifehacker, right?), let's hear your tips in the comments.

Read More »

When you absolutely have to commit your presentation notes, interview points, or other words to memory, a Tachistoscope, which rotates images at varying speeds, can be the next best thing to a neural FireWire port. Free Windows utility Swiftscope puts that subliminal power on your desktop. Create a simple text file with the lines you need to know, open it in Swiftscope, and set the background and font colours, the timing of the slide changes, and set the app to full-screen mode for total text immersion. Swiftscope is a free download for Windows XP and Vista, and requires Microsoft .NET 2.0 to run.

Read More »

Mac users with multiple Finder windows littering your desktop: hold down the Option key when you click on the close button on one to close them all in one shot. This works for any multi-window Mac app (though normally you'd just hit Cmd+Q to quit entirely). Here are a few more things you didn't know you can do on your Mac.

Read More »

Keep your tools, craft supplies, or the kids' toys out of the way but within reach on a simple rack made of plywood and chicken wire. The Do Design DIY web site offers detailed instructions on how to put it together. The result is much more utilitarian than good-looking, so it's probably a better fit for your garage or the playroom closet—that is, out of sight but within reach. How do you keep the workshop clean but your tools accessible? Let us know in the comments.

Read More »

Windows only: Freeware application Newsgator, voted one of the best RSS newsreaders in our recent Hive Five, has released a new update with significant performance enhancements and new features. Aside from under-the-hood improvements that should improve overall performance, the new FeedDemon implements enhanced feed subscriptions, improved synchronisation with NewsGator online, and even an improvement to one of my favourite FD features, the Panic Button. FeedDemon is freeware, Windows only.

Read More »

The Pen Drive Linux weblog details how to install the Ultimate Boot CD, a popular system recovery tool, directly to your thumb drive so you can carry your emergency recovery toolbox in your pocket. We mentioned Ultimate Boot CD's thumb drive-ability when we highlighted UBCD as one of the top 10 free system recovery tools, but Pen Drive Linux steps through the process and includes links to all the files you'll need to download to set it up. The guide is clear and easy to follow, so repurposing that extra thumb drive as a system recovery drive should be a snap.

Read More »

The good news? Visual Basic scripting, which took a much-lamented leave from Office 2008 for Macs, is coming back in the next Office release. The bad news? That's probably two or three years away. [via]

Read More »

Google's new web site Doctype rounds up web development tips, tricks, and best practices in an editable format à la Wikipedia. Whether you dabble in HTML on your blog or you're a full-on web professional, this one's worth adding to your reference toolbox. [via]

Read More »

The Tombuntu blog points out that the latest Hardy Heron release of Ubuntu Linux doesn't play nice with multi-platform video/DVD converter HandBrake—at least not the version with a nice graphical interface. For those syncing their iPhone or iPod touch with Linux, or just wanting to get the job done, the author runs through using the command-line-controlled HandBrake CLI. There's one very simple command to modify and paste that should work for most systems, with options to scale the quality and add markers. Still want a GUI for this job? Try WinFF, which is also available for Windows.

Read More »

You never have to decline 17 zombie bites again: Facebook finally offers long-overdue opt-out capabilities for applications and by sender. When you receive an application request, you can now click the "Block This Application" link to never see that application again, or if you have a friend who's particularly aggressive with the invites, you can also hit the "Ignore All Invites From This Friend." Can I get a Hallelujah! Update: A reader informs us that this has been in place since February. Apologies for the old news! We've been avoiding Facebook for awhile now because of all the, uh, application spam.

Read More »