Over at DIY web site Instructables, user indestructable thoroughly describes the process of connecting an electrical device to your computer and controlling it with some simple programming. The set-up relies on a USB relay device such as USBmicro's U451, and you'll need some wire, wire cutters, crimpers, and nuts to hook it all up.
Control Pretty Much Any Electrical Device With Your Computer
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Control Pretty Much Any Electrical Device With Your Computer
Posted by Blacky at 8:30 am 0 comments
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2009
From the ABS, this publication presents national crime statistics relating to victims of a selected range of personal and household offences that have been recorded by police. These statistics provide indicators of the level and nature of recorded crime victimisation in Australia and a basis for measuring change over time.
Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2009
Posted by Blacky at 7:56 pm 0 comments
Monitor your Hard Drive’s Health with Acronis Drive Monitor
Are you worried that your computer’s hard drive could die without any warning? Here’s how you can keep tabs on it and get the first warning signs of potential problems before you actually lose your critical data.
Monitor your Hard Drive’s Health with Acronis Drive Monitor
Posted by Blacky at 7:10 am 0 comments
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Lifehacker’s Complete Office 2010 Guide
We first heard about Office 2010 back in April 2009, but that journey ends today with the retail version finally going on sale in Australia (and a few free copies being handed out in Sydney). Microsoft has long dominated the desktop software market with Office, but is a $209 product still relevant in an era where Google Docs and Microsoft’s own Office Web Apps appear to offer the same features for free?
Lifehacker’s Complete Office 2010 Guide
Posted by Blacky at 12:32 pm 0 comments
Monday, June 14, 2010
5 Great Sites for Exploring Cities Around the Globe
When Google launched its panoramic photomapping service back in 2007, it was the first time many netizens had the chance to explore a swathe of detailed street-level photos from their armchairs.
5 Great Sites for Exploring Cities Around the Globe
Posted by Blacky at 11:11 am 1 comments
100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Propaganda is most well known in the form of war posters. But at its core, it is a mode of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position, and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Posted by Blacky at 10:17 am 0 comments
How to Juggle Three Balls
An ancient performance art, juggling dates back four thousand years, with the first recorded evidence of juggling depicted by Egyptian tomb hieroglyphics. Always a pleasure to watch, juggling often appears so easy. Yet, as a beginner, it's all falling balls and less juggling. Nevertheless, with a little direction, and a lot of practice, you could be a great three ball juggler - just follow the steps outlined here to get started in the cascade method.
How to Juggle Three Balls
Posted by Blacky at 10:12 am 0 comments
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Skobbler Brings Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation to Your iPhone
If you've been stricken with Android-envy thanks to Google's fantastic and free turn-by-turn Maps Navigation—well, Skobbler isn't the cure. But it is a decent free option for directionally-challenged iPhone users.
Skobbler Brings Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation to Your iPhone
Posted by Blacky at 10:14 am 0 comments
Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Airports and Airplanes
You've packed your things and made it to the airport—now the real fun begins. Want a better way of protecting your stuff, getting online, and cutting through red tape? Try these 10 tips for a better air travel experience.
Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Airports and Airplanes
Posted by Blacky at 10:13 am 0 comments
How quickly can your password be cracked?
As more and more of us live more of our lives online with banking, shopping, photo galleries and social networking etc. a part of our daily lives, it becomes more and more important to have secure passwords. But there are problems in remembering complex passwords when there are so many websites you have accounts with.
How quickly can your password be cracked?
Posted by Blacky at 10:04 am 0 comments
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Lost in Translation
Going abroad is delightful, but culture clashes and language snafus can leave travelers shaking their heads. Have a laugh as we explore poorly translated signs, unusual bathroom plumbing, creative transportation options and particularly bizarre food.
Lost in Translation
Posted by Blacky at 10:23 am 0 comments
How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites
We all have an increasing number of sites and online services we’re members of, and sometimes it all gets a little overwhelming. At times, we just need to delete our memberships to some sites, either in an effort to simplify our lives or just because we’ve grown tired of a particular site or service.
How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites
Posted by Blacky at 10:20 am 0 comments
Friday, June 11, 2010
Australian Government Considers Logging All Web Activity
As if proposed mandatory censorship laws weren’t bad enough and unpopular enough, now the Federal Government is considering a proposal to require all ISPs to keep a detailed log of every site their customers visit. Yes, that’s every bit as unpleasant as it sounds.
Australian Government Considers Logging All Web Activity
Posted by Blacky at 10:29 pm 0 comments
Thursday, June 10, 2010
10 Tips for Living a Better Life, One Day at a Time--from Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII was pope from 1958-1963 and was known as “The Good Pope.” One aspect of the list that's worth noting is the emphasis on taking each day as it comes.
10 Tips for Living a Better Life, One Day at a Time--from Pope John XXIII
Posted by Blacky at 8:18 pm 0 comments
Microsoft Security Essentials Finds New Malware But Avoids False Positives, Still the Best Free Option
Microsoft's free Security Essentials package rates well at removing malware and running light, but what about dealing with brand-new, unidentified bad stuff? Turns out Security Essentials is still the best at figuring out what's bad—while also avoiding annoying false positives.
Microsoft Security Essentials Finds New Malware But Avoids False Positives, Still the Best Free Option
Posted by Blacky at 8:04 pm 0 comments
Autoruns For Windows 10 Released
Autoruns is the program to analyze the Windows startup. It is the most complete offering a huge feature set (which can be at times intimidating).
Autoruns For Windows 10 Released
Posted by Blacky at 7:08 am 0 comments
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Eat Breakfast First Thing in the Morning for Better Sleep
It's long-standing wisdom that you shouldn't eat too close to bed time, or eat the right kinds of foods. One sleep specialist suggests it's really about how and when you eat breakfast that matters most to your sleep cycle.
Eat Breakfast First Thing in the Morning for Better Sleep
Posted by Blacky at 11:59 pm 0 comments
Update Microsoft Security Essentials On Computers Without Internet
Microsoft Security Essentials is a security software for Windows operating systems
that is offered as a free download by Microsoft. The program provides additional protection against all sorts of malware from viruses over trojans to keyloggers and computer worms
.
Update Microsoft Security Essentials On Computers Without Internet
Posted by Blacky at 8:36 pm 0 comments
The Step-by-Step Guide to Digitizing Your Life
Your increasingly digital lifestyle has left your analog media collecting dust. Save it from obsolescence and digitize your life.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Digitizing Your Life
Posted by Blacky at 7:26 am 0 comments