Runner Leo Babauta offers his advice on how to go from sedentary to running in five steps. The key is slowly graduating from walking to running in intervals, similar to the Couch-to-5k running program.

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The Daily Gyan blog adds to the list of work-arounds to access Gmail at places where it's normally blocked—this time, by using the fully-functional gadget available in the "new" iGoogle. If you're willing to sign up as a "developer" to get an early preview of Google's reworked start page, as Adam explained how to do, you simply add the Gmail gadget, click the "maximize" button on it, and you've got a nearly complete inbox view. And since iGoogle comes from a Google.com URL, it's less likely to be blocked, unless, of course, the IT overlords in question are reading this right now.

Choosing a file format for screenshots isn't just a guessing game, as tech blogger Amit Agarwal knows all too well. Luckily, he's decided to share his well-tested knowledge on which file types fit which types of shots. If you're trying to grab still shots of a video, Flash animation, or high-resolution wallpaper:

... Always go with JPG instead of PNG because the image file size would be smaller without much degradation in the quality ... To give you example, this Wall Strip video on YouTube would take around 92kb when saved in PNG format but that would fall to 20kb if we changed the format from PNG to JPG. Surprisingly, there isn't any remarkable difference in quality.

Hit the link below for more tips on choosing a space-efficient, quality-conscious format for your screens.

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All platforms with Firefox: You already know how to Google a word's definition, but to find out what a term means without having to switch tabs you need WikiLook. The WikiLook Firefox extension adds very useful functionality to the browser: With Wikilook installed, when you come across a word you don't know, press and hold the Shift key and move your mouse pointer over it. WikiLook will load the definition (pulled from Wiktionary) in a green tooltip on the spot (as shown). WikiLook is a free download for Firefox, and should be #11 on our top 10 online language tools for word nerds.

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Globex Designs releases version 2.0 of their Gmail Redesigned skin which fixes over 40 bugs and is speedier than ever. Expect an update to the Better Gmail 2 extension with the new Redesigned 2.0 version to hit your browser sometime tomorrow.

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If there's an ageing notebook sitting in your garage waiting to get shifted, this week might be as good a time as any. eBay Australia is offering a 25% discount off the listing fee and (more significantly) a 25% discount on the final value fee for items listed in the computers category between July 26 and 29. Gives you some time to photograph it and write a listing before the weekend kick-off. [eBay Australia]

We predicted yesterday that it wouldn't be long before a Windows-centric means of adding iPhone 2.0 to a jailbroken iPhone would emerge, and we were right. The team at iPhone Hacks has worked out a way of getting iPhone 2.0 installed that doesn't require a Mac. On the other hand, it's not a simple process; the technically inept might want to wait until someone codes a less convoluted approach. [iPhone Hacks via Gizmodo]

While it isn't actually the first provider to offer untimed mobile calls (goTalk's VOIP plans have a similar feature), Optus' new Timeless bundles do offer a cheap option if you make lots of calls to mobile numbers. Of particular note given the ongoing debate over iPhone plans is the $129 bundle, which includes 2GB of data and an all-you-can-call policy for $129 -- a much better deal than the iPhone's $149 1GB launch plan on Optus. If nothing else, this is yet another reminder that signing up early for the iPhone was always like to be a costly decision.

Social networking site Moko, originally developed for mobile phones, has now launched a full-blown PC version of its site. While the primary emphasis appears to be on romantic hookups, there's also general chat rooms and picture sharing. Moko is free to sign up and use on the Web version; charges for mobile use vary depending on your mobile network and plan. [Moko]

Looking for some warm food ideas for the colder months? Download Coles Winter Magazine as a free PDF for 40 recipe ideas. (Don't stress about the Coles branding, all the ingredients are standard pantry fare.) Some of the ideas are a tad basic (omelette, anyone?), but there should be something here to get you stimulated -- I especially like the sound of the lazy man's chicken and corn soup. [Coles Winter Magazine]

Chris "because I'm a teenage girl" Hardwick has a neat way to remember the music that defines certain times in his life: he makes a playlist (entitled his current age) of his favourite songs every year on his birthday. Along these lines, would love to see Last.FM send out a yearly "your most listened to tracks" email on your birthday.

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Web site Light Doodles teaches you how to draw in a photograph using light. What the heck's a light doodle? See an example in the included image, and hit the site for a video of how that was drawn.

Light doodling or light drawing can be described as the simple act of capturing the trace of a narrow moving source of light using long exposure photography, long being defined as seconds or minutes. The moving light source will then appear in the finished picture as more then what actually exists and is truely a representation of time as well as space and movement.

This tutorial covers what equipment you need, your camera's settings, good light sources, and advice on what to draw and how to draw it. If you give it a try, show off your light drawings in the comments.

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You're almost out the door on a no-shower, rush-rush morning when you spot your reflection—and you totally look like you haven't showered. The quick fix? Take about a teaspoon of baby powder, rub it into your hands or onto a trusted comb, and run it through your hair. This is one of those life hacks I don't love admitting to thoroughly testing, but it's saved my hair from looking like I woke up at a frat house on a number of frantic mornings. Good stuff to have around, too, as it can also quiet squeaky floors and shoes and even control ants. Got any other triage tips for no-shower hair? Post 'em up in the comments. Photo by Abulic Monkey.

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