Monday, June 15, 2009

The Future Of GPS Traffic Monitoring In Australia

The Suna traffic-tracking service will cover most of Australia’s key cities within weeks, but what else can we expect from this handy GPS enhancing technology? Lifehacker chatted with Adam Game, CEO of Suna’s parent company Intelematics, to find out.
The Future Of GPS Traffic Monitoring In Australia

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Top 10 Social Media Stories of the Week

This week’s social media news was dominated by three stories: the launch of Facebook Usernames, the activation of Twitter Verified Accounts, and the announcement of Apple’s iPhone 3G S. Mashable brought you all this news, including live coverage of the Usernames launch from Facebook HQ.
Top 10 Social Media Stories of the Week

60 Rare and Unusual Vintage Signs

In the U.S., most outdoor signs made between 1890 and and 1950 were constructed of a base of heavy rolled iron, which was die cut into the desired shape, then coated with layers of colored powdered glass and fired in a kiln. This process made them durable and weather-resistant. Signs made this way were known as porcelain enamel signs or simply enamel signs.
60 Rare and Unusual Vintage Signs

Obvious Fail

Yeah, well !
Obvious Fail

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Save Time With Excel's Double-Click Tricks

The article runs down a list of double-click actions you can use to save time in Excel—for instance, if you want to resize a number of columns at once you can simply select them and double-click on the separator to make Excel automatically resize those columns to the width of the content.
Save Time With Excel's Double-Click Tricks

Q&A: Is it safe to buy meat when the "sell-by" date is about to expire?

How safe is it to buy beef or fish at a reduced price because the “sell by” date is about to expire? What are signs of bad steak? Does browning around the edges indicate it’s spoiled?
Q&A: Is it safe to buy meat when the "sell-by" date is about to expire?

How to Adjust a Front Bicycle Derailleur

On any bike with gears, the derailleurs need to adjusted periodically to ensure proper shifting. Follow these steps to ensure that your front derailleur is properly adjusted.
How to Adjust a Front Bicycle Derailleur

Friday, June 12, 2009

Oxford English Dictionary Adds New Words

The Oxford English Dictionary has added several new words to their publication. That complete list can be accessed online here.
Oxford English Dictionary Adds New Words

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Being Green: 11 Environmentally Friendly Habits

Sending kids outside, household chemicals explained, promiscuous boaters, and more.
Being Green: 11 Environmentally Friendly Habits

The Google Wave Highlight Reel

We haven't been invited to try out Google Wave, but based on the 80-minute demonstration video, we're jazzed about it. Don't have 80 minutes? These eight 30-60 second clips highlight the best parts of Google Wave.
The Google Wave Highlight Reel

Seven things that don't make sense about gravity

It's the force we all know about and think we understand. It keeps our feet firmly on the ground and our world circling the sun.
Yet look a little closer, and the certainties start to float away, revealing gravity as the most puzzling and least understood of the four fundamental forces of nature.
Seven things that don't make sense about gravity

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Car Accident Checklist Lessens Post

Even a minor fender bender can make your nerves run amuck. Having an accident checklist on hand can make the situation less stressful so you can get the important information you need.
Car Accident Checklist Lessens Post-Accident Stress

Fotopedia: An Online Encyclopedia for Photos

Fotopedia, a photo encyclopedia site that launches to the public today, hopes to become the Wikipedia (Wikipedia reviews) for photos by centralizing the photo experience around user-created topics and subject matters. The sleek web interface is coupled with a desktop application for a community experience on site or off.
Fotopedia: An Online Encyclopedia for Photos

CIA World Factbook Launches New Web Site

On Monday, June 8, the World Factbook team unveiled its thoroughly redesigned Web site. Presenting a cleaner look, improved navigation, and a host of added features, the new site provides visitors with a more user-friendly experience.
CIA World Factbook Launches New Web Site

Slang Words: Not What You Think

What do you think of when you think of slang? Maybe you think of a bunch of teenagers running around saying “OMG, like, LOL.” The truth is that everyone, not just young people, use slang –sometimes without even realizing it.
Slang Words: Not What You Think

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Firefox 3.5 Preview

The Mozilla Firefox team has released a new version of the upcoming Firefox web browser. The version is called Firefox 3.5 Preview by the team and is listed as Firefox 3.5b99 on the Mozilla ftp site and about pages in the web browser. Users who are already working with the Firefox 3.5x branch can update the web browser by going to help > check for updates. This checks if a new version of Firefox is available with the option to download the new version right away.
Firefox 3.5 Preview

Monday, June 08, 2009

Blackstump Australia Issue 18 - June 9, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 18 - June 9, 2009

The Most Dangerous Web Search Terms

Which search terms would make it on the list if you would have to compile a list of the ten most dangerous web search terms? Most users would probably add search terms like warez, cracks and sex when asked to compile a top ten list. A recent McAfee study on the other hand came to a completely different conclusion.
The Most Dangerous Web Search Terms

Sunday, June 07, 2009

5 Advanced Bing Tips

5 advanced tips that showcase some interesting features that Bing is offering but also should make working with the search engine more comfortable.
5 Advanced Bing Tips

The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

Social media made big waves this week. We saw several new services released to the public, while Google Wave continued to generate buzz. China tried to shut down Internet chatter while on a lighter note, Google turned retro to celebrate Tetris’ birthday.
The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Fact or Fiction? You Must Drink 8 Glasses of Water Daily

Virtually every health-conscious person can quote the recommendation: Drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day.
Fact or Fiction? You Must Drink 8 Glasses of Water Daily

Sixteen Tips for Feeling Happier at Work

Being happy at work is, of course, quite related to how much you like your job, but there are small steps you can take to boost your mood. Maintaining the comfort of your body, sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day, using your time wisely – a little thought can mean a lot more happiness at work.
Sixteen Tips for Feeling Happier at Work

Google Flu Trends

Influenza is currently more active in the southern hemisphere, where flu season typically spans from May to September, the southern autumn and winter months.
Google Flu Trends

Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2008

This publication presents national statistics relating to victimisation incidents for a selected range of offences recorded by police during the 2008 calendar year. These offences may have been reported by a victim, witness or other person, or they may have been detected by police. They provide indicators of the level and nature of these offence incidents as well as changes over time.
Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2008

Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2008

Australia's population increased by 1.9% for the year ending December 2008 according to statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today. The last time Australia saw higher growth rates (above 2%) was in the 1950's and 1960's as a result of post war migration and high birth rates.
Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2008

Google Squared Is Live

Google Squared is live, and it’s a lot of fun... albeit the info presented is far from always being accurate. Here’s how you use it: just enter the name of a group of things, say, I entered comic book character. Google Squared then calculates for a bit, and presents you with a table of attributes. In the case of comic book characters, the automatically found columns were name, image, description, publisher, first appearance, and author.
Google Squared Is Live

Tour the homepages of your favorite celebrities

Have you ever wondered what celebrities do when they use the web? Today, we're announcing the new iGoogle Showcase, which allows you to see and share the homepages of some of your favorite icons. These 30 preeminent people, including Dave Matthews, Rachael Ray and Katie Couric, are sharing their iGoogle pages with you in full so you can get a glimpse into their interests and how they experience the web.
Tour the homepages of your favorite celebrities

How to Sustain Motivation when You're Struggling

After being motivated initially, there comes the second part - staying motivated when you don’t feel the same excitement as you did in the beginning. Perhaps something new has come into your life and your old goal isn’t as much of a priority anymore. Perhaps you skipped a day or two and now you can’t get back into it. Perhaps you screwed up and got discouraged.
How to Sustain Motivation when You're Struggling

Do ya got your El Niño on?

According to the National Climate Centre in Australia, there is a greater chance than normal of an El Niño event in 2009. The meteorologists there predict the odds of an El Niño are well above 50%, which is over double the normal percentage.
Do ya got your El Niño on?

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

64 Funny, Inspiring and Stupid Money Quotes From Famous People

People love quoting famous people. Whether the celebrity in question is a genius or not, we love a good sound byte. We've collected quotes from presidents, movie stars, philosophers, athletes, and even Paris Hilton on everybody's favorite topic: Money.
64 Funny, Inspiring and Stupid Money Quotes From Famous People

Free Spyware Removal Tools

There are hundreds if not thousands of free spyware removal tools for the Windows operating system. The choice ranges from to popular spyware removal tools such as Windows Defender, Spybot Search And Destroy or Spyware Terminator to lesser known anti spyware software programs and even so called rogue applications that look like spyware removal tools but are in fact malicious in nature.
Free Spyware Removal Tools

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Now you see it: Best visual illusions of 2009

Every visual illusion - from the way that simple lines drawn on paper seem to form a cube, to the logic-defying labyrinths of M. C. Escher - works exactly the same way: they expose discrepancies between physical reality and our perception of that reality.
Now you see it: Best visual illusions of 2009

Lifehacker Pack 2009: Our List of Essential Free Windows Downloads

All the best free downloads for new computer owners, re-installers, would-be geeks, or anyone who wants to save time installing the best stuff out there. This is the 2009 Lifehacker Pack for Windows computers.
Lifehacker Pack 2009: Our List of Essential Free Windows Downloads

Installing Vista SP2 Might Free Up Hard Drive Space

PC World reports that its forum users are, in some cases, seeing big chunks of their hard drives freed up after installing Vista Service Pack 2. It might be due to old Restore Points being wiped out, or because it runs a command-line cleaning tool, compcln.exe, but a good number of (successful) SP2 installers report tens of gigabytes opening up.
Installing Vista SP2 Might Free Up Hard Drive Space

Monday, June 01, 2009

How to Play Pinball Like a Pro

So you see that person putting completely inhuman scores on the local machine and you're wondering how he does it. Fear not! While there is definitely a fair amount of skill required to become a Pinball Wizard, with some basic instruction, you too can be racking up the replays in no time.
How to Play Pinball Like a Pro

Hand Luggage Only: The Big Lessons Learned

If there was a single aim to Hand Luggage Only, it was to see just how sustainable the “living from one bag” approach was in the medium term. Almost anyone who travels for work has done an overnighter with just one bag (or perhaps more realistically, one bag and a laptop case), but sustaining that approach over a longer period requires a more focused approach. While it’s unlikely anyone would directly replicate this particular challenge, these are all issues you should think about if you’re packing light for any kind of trip.
Hand Luggage Only: The Big Lessons Learned

Sunday, May 31, 2009

10 Brand New Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

Less than two weeks ago, we brought to your attention 10 unique and fun easter eggs within Wolfram Alpha, the new computational knowledge engine that calculates answers based on your queries. You the readers though did your own sleuthing and found ten even better Wolfram easter eggs.
10 Brand New Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

The Top 12 Social Media Stories This Week

From Google Wave to Susan Boyle, social media has been in full swing this week. Both Google and Microsoft decided to launch new products, while the social media starlet Boyle sang her heart out on the finale of Britain’s Got Talent. There has been no shortage of social media buzz.
The Top 12 Social Media Stories This Week

Top 10 Magnet Hacks

They were the coolest part of elementary school science, and they're still one of the neatest way to stick things together and stir up a little homespun magic. Check out our 10 favorite ways bloggers, Lifehacker readers, and other creative types use mother nature to make life better.
Top 10 Magnet Hacks

Blackstump Australia Issue 17 - June 1, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 17 - June 1, 2009

Straight from Google: What You Need to Know

Matt Cutts just gave a talk at WordCamp San Francisco 2009. There will be a video up soon, but if you want to browse the slides in the mean time, here they are.
Straight from Google: What You Need to Know

Friday, May 29, 2009

How to Help an Elderly Person to Drive Less

Just as getting one's driver's license is often viewed as a ticket to freedom or independence, losing the ability to drive can be a real loss of independence. It's best to work with the person to preserve as much independence as possible. If somebody's driving is too unsafe, it may fall to a family member or friend to help get them out of the car entirely.
How to Help an Elderly Person to Drive Less

Decide to Be Happier NOW, Not Someday

Alex Fayle has a great blog, Someday Syndrome. There, he writes about the importance of not waiting until “someday” to pursue your dreams or make important changes, but to put these ideas into action now.
Decide to Be Happier NOW, Not Someday

Bargain Shopping 101

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Just look for a deal and make it your mission to come home with the item. It doesn't take long after making the switch from shopaholic to savvy spender to realize there is WAY more to it than that. How much to you buy at one time? How do you balance tying up your liquid cash on the front end to snag a deal with maintaining your monthly savings goals? How much is too much? Where will you store everything? How do you track your rebates and organize your coupons?
Bargain Shopping 101

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Windows Operating System Tweaker PowerPack

PowerPack 2009 is a very sophisticated Windows operating system tweaker and information tool that offers that many options that it might intimidate inexperienced users.
Windows Operating System Tweaker PowerPack

Map of the Internet by TLD

Created by the team at Bytelevel, the map illustrates the 245 country codes, each two-digit code is aligned over the country it represents and is color coded with the legend below for quick and easy reference.
Map of the Internet by TLD

Top 10 Social Media Stories You Missed this Weekend

Short list of the top social media stories from the weekend. Whether you want to learn more about Microsoft’s latest challenge to Google, discover how to create a killer Twitter background, or enjoy the top YouTube memes of all time, we have you covered. Here are the top 10 social media stories you missed.
Top 10 Social Media Stories You Missed this Weekend

Sunday, May 24, 2009

The 12 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

From the launch of the Twitter T-shirt store to the finale of American Idol, the social media sphere was buzzing with activity this week.
The 12 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Smart Defrag Free Disk Defragmenter

What’s the primary cause of slow/unstable PC performance? It’s disk fragmentation. Smart Defrag helps defragment your hard drives more efficiently than any other product on the market –– free or not.
Smart Defrag Free Disk Defragmenter

The Pope gets online

The new "Pope to You" website gives visitors a chance to hear from the pontiff directly and connect with him on social networks.
The Pope gets online

YouTube Comments Full of Links to Malware

It's official: Not only are YouTube comments generally worthless, but they're also the target of malware authors trying to make a quick buck from fake anti-virus software.
YouTube Comments Full of Links to Malware

How to Treat a Bee Sting

Ouch! Did you just get stung by a bee? It can hurt, but there are some ways to reduce the symptoms. This article will show you how to provide first aid for a bee sting, followed by a list of remedies and some notes on their effectiveness.
How to Treat a Bee Sting

Friday, May 22, 2009

How to Nail an Interview: 20 Job Interview Tips

What is it that certain people say or do during a job interview that makes them stand out? Why do some people struggle to find work, while others land a job in no time?
How to Nail an Interview: 20 Job Interview Tips

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Seven Tips for Making Good Conversation with a Stranger

While it might be fairly easy to avoid topics that are likely to bore someone, it's much harder to figure out what to say if you want to be interesting. Making polite conversation can be tough.
Seven Tips for Making Good Conversation with a Stranger

Living a Life of Weisure?

Do you find that you only plan vacations to places that have high-speed internet so you can check your email and make sure things at work are running smoothly? Is your cell phone or Blackberry always at your side while you’re spending so-called “quality time” with your spouse or kids? Do you make sure to include your laptop along with your bathing suit and sunglasses when you pack for trip? And, finally, do you go to these lengths even when you don’t have to?
Living a Life of Weisure?

Doctor saves boy's life with power drill

A country doctor is being hailed as a life-saver after using a power drill to bore into a 12-year-old boy's skull.
Doctor saves boy's life with power drill

The YouTube Generation: Online Video Usage Up 53 Percent in ‘09

Nielsen released some interesting numbers today that show that Web and mobile video watching are experiencing skyrocketing growth. The bottom line: we seem to just love our YouTube and Hulu videos.
The YouTube Generation: Online Video Usage Up 53 Percent in ‘09

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

55 Ways to Get More Energy

If you’re tired all the time, a change in what you eat (diet) or what you do all day (activity pattern) may be all you need to turn things around 180°. You won’t be able to do everything on this list all the time — you’d tire yourself out trying to get more energy — but do try them all to see which ones work for you and your schedule. Add a few of these tips to your regular routine. Or mix them up to keep things interesting.
55 Ways to Get More Energy

Australia tests anti-speed devices in response to auto deaths

Over 40,000 people are killed on U.S. roads and about 2,000 on Australian roads each year. The Australian government has recognized its own country’s problem of ignoring driving laws and it is doing something proactive about it. Maybe the United States will follow along?
Australia tests anti-speed devices in response to auto deaths

Ten sports stars and their bizarre pre-game rituals

A number of sports stars have confessed to the odd habits that help them stay focused. Here are 10 famous examples compiled by psychiatrist Thomas Newmark of Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, and New Scientist staff.
Ten sports stars and their bizarre pre-game rituals

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Even to Save Cash, Don’t Try This Stuff at Home

Saving money never cost quite so much.
Even to Save Cash, Don’t Try This Stuff at Home

Life’s Cruel Truth: You Get More of What You Already Have

One of my happiness-project resolutions is to Meditate on koans. In Buddhist tradition, a Zen koan (rhymes with Ken Cohen) is a question or a statement that can’t be understood logically. Monks meditate on koans as a way to abandon dependence on reason in their pursuit of enlightenment. The most famous koan is probably: “Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?”
Life’s Cruel Truth: You Get More of What You Already Have

How to Save Money on Food: Great Tips from Three Years of Get Rich Slowly

Scoured three years of the GRS archives to find the best stories about saving money on food. First up is this survey: How much do you spend on food? There’s no info in the article itself, but there are over 180 comments that reveal families have radically different budgets for food. Some people are able to feed a family of six on $400 a month. But some single folks spend $400 a month just on themselves.
How to Save Money on Food: Great Tips from Three Years of Get Rich Slowly

Monday, May 18, 2009

10 Even Better Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

Earlier today, we brought you 10 of our favorite Wolfram Alpha easter eggs. The much-discussed computational engine seems to have a sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic, and while we thought we found most of them, Mashable readers did some investigating of their own.
10 Even Better Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

Top 10 Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

If you haven’t heard about it yet, the new computational search engine Wolfram Alpha launched this week to much fanfare and attention. The service can calculate integrals, tell you the flying time between San Francisco and London, or even the (lack of) nutritional content of your M&M’s.
Top 10 Wolfram Alpha Easter Eggs

Sunday, May 17, 2009

First Look At Wolfram Alpha’s Impressive (and Fun) Knowledge Computation

How many football fields would fit between the Earth and the sun? What’s the likelihood of getting 2 heads in 10 coin flips? One search engine calculates all that on the fly and more.
First Look At Wolfram Alpha’s Impressive (and Fun) Knowledge Computation

The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

This week in social media has seen everything from Twitter revolts to Facebook scams. Twitter made big news with a change to its @replies system, Saturday Night Live created another classic clip and we featured a particularly trippy YouTube mashup.
The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

Blackstump Australia Issue 16 - May 18, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 16 - May 18, 2009

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Free Video Cutter Cuts and Splits Your Videos

Windows only: If you've ever needed to extract a small section of a much longer video to share with friends or family, Free Video Cutter 1.1 is a dead-simple solution.
Free Video Cutter Cuts and Splits Your Videos

40 Most Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune

Traveling doesn't have to break the bank (in fact, you can travel for free), and there are plenty of places that'll help you find the best vacation for your budget. Get discounts and the insider scoop with these great resources. Don't forget to ask for free travel upgrades.
40 Most Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune

Lunch Fail

Pass!
Lunch Fail

Friday, May 15, 2009

Device Remover is an Absurdly Powerful Device Manager

Windows only: Standing next to Device Remover, the built-in Windows device manager looks like a 90 pound weakling next to the Hulk—it's just that powerful.
Device Remover is an Absurdly Powerful Device Manager

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Some Thoughts on Haggling

A very kind reader recently sent me a link to a fascinating article at Salon.com entitled How I Learned to Haggle. The article outlines a woman’s experience with haggling, culminating with the author actually requesting a discount at a dollar store.
Some Thoughts on Haggling

Spy-junk

Dark Roasted Blend's roundup of civilian-accessible spy gizmos from the hollow coins to the pens that turn into deadly! stabby! knives!
Spy-junk

Sealing the Deal: What You Need to Know Before Going under the Knife

Every operation starts with a cut and ends when the incision is closed. And though the closing act that follows a complicated surgery may seem almost incidental, a surgeon's choice of needles, sutures or adhesives to do the job plays a big part in how well and how quickly the patient heals.
Sealing the Deal: What You Need to Know Before Going under the Knife

You've heard of Sudoku. But what about Sudokill?

Sukokill is a two-person game in which players try to force each other to violate the Sudoku rules.
You've heard of Sudoku. But what about Sudokill?

Dell launches shopping site for women

Called "Della," Dell's new female-oriented website features attractive models, cute computers, and nonthreatening tech tips.
Dell launches shopping site for women

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Google slices and dices Australian searches

Google has added a wide range of new search capabilities to its Australian search engine, which enables users downunder to slice and dice results in ways previously not possible. At least some of the new features were developed in Google's Australian office.
Google slices and dices Australian searches

Test Your Internet Speed With Down Tester

It is sometimes advisable to test the Internet speed either to test if the advertised speeds that the IPS lured you in with are reachable or to download speeds from various parts of the world.
Test Your Internet Speed With Down Tester

Screenshots of Google Squared

One of the most interesting announcements at today’s Google Searchology event was Google Squared, which Google says will be appearing in their Labs later this month (apparently at www.google.com/squared).
Screenshots of Google Squared

Tweet Street: 7 Extraordinary Twitter Uses in the Home

Chances are that your tweets aren’t as colorful as these seven extraordinary ways people are using Twitter in their homes.
7 Extraordinary Twitter Uses in the Home

When to buy new car tyres based on tyre age

Some automobile and tyre manufactures say unused tyres six years or older should not be put into service.
When to buy new car tyres based on tyre age

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Defraggler 1.10.143

From Piriform, the company that brought you CCleaner and Recuva... they now bring you a file defragmentation tool... Defraggler! It differs from other defrag tools on the market, by enabling you to quickly and simply defrag the files you want to, without having to process the whole drive. Simply run it, select the file and defragment in seconds. No more struggling with the Windows defragmentation tool!
Defraggler 1.10.143

Adobe Photoshop Speedup

Adobe Photoshop, among with other products created by Adobe including the notorious Adobe Reader, are known to start slowly. This is one of the main reasons why computer users install and use alternative products which might not offer the full feature set but make up for that in speed and performance. The price of the products might play a role as well. Not everyone can or wants to change the product on the other hand. That’s where a product like Adobe Photoshop Speedup comes in handy.
Adobe Photoshop Speedup

Sunday, May 10, 2009

4 Internet Explorer 8 Annoyances

Internet Explorer 8 is most likely the best web browser that Microsoft has developed in a very long time. It beats its predecessors Internet Explorer 6 and 7 fair and square and comes closer to the other popular web browsers than ever before. While it still lacks behind in comparison against Internet browsers like Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Opera or Google Chrome it closed the gap to these other web browsers and it is likely that the next Microsoft browser - that will most likely go under the name Internet Explorer 9 - will close it further.
4 Internet Explorer 8 Annoyances

Blackstump Australia Issue 15 - May 11, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 15 - May 11, 2009

The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

There was a ton of buzz in social media this week. Twitter’s co-founder squashed acquisition rumors (for now), while Facebook relented under pressure to bring back some old features. Twitterrific 2.0 came storming onto the scene this week, and Seesmic added Facebook to Seesmic Desktop.
The 11 Essential Social Media Stories This Week

Mystery Beatles Lyric

A previously unseen George Harrison lyric, found by author and collector Hunter Davies, goes on display at the British Library today (8 May 2009). Written in early 1967 when George was aged 23 or 24, the untitled song was penned at a time when The Beatles had stopped touring to spend more time in the studio to work on what would arguably become their most famous record, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Beatles are still one of the world's greatest bands, almost 40 years after their split.
Mystery Beatles Lyric

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC to see if it's ready for Windows 7, and tells you about any known compatibility issues.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta

OpenOffice.org 3.1 Final

OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers....and it's free! Best of all, OpenOffice.org 3 can be downloaded and used entirely free of any licence fees.
OpenOffice.org 3.1 Final

XP mode? You may need a new PC

It's been my experience that when Microsoft announces something, one always has to read the fine print. That hasn't changed in the 20 years since I bought my first PC.
XP mode? You may need a new PC

How to Jump Start a Car

Whether it's because you left the lights on, the keys in the ignition, or your battery is old, most car owners will be faced with a dead battery sooner or later. Fortunately, if there's another functional car nearby, or if you have a manual transmission, you can jump start the car and be on the move again soon.
How to Jump Start a Car

Friday, May 08, 2009

Vista Shutdown Timer Turns Off Your PC For You

Windows only: Tiny utility Vista Shutdown Timer turns your computer off at the time you specify—and even fades the volume out so you can stay asleep.
Vista Shutdown Timer Turns Off Your PC For You

Avoid toxic people

There is a test to determine whether someone is toxic or nourishing in your relationship with them. Here is the test:
Avoid toxic people

Best Free Data Recovery Tool: Recuva

Discovering your files are missing is never a good time. Last week we asked you to share your favorite data recovery tools, then we rounded up the top five for your perusal. The result?
Best Free Data Recovery Tool: Recuva

Why Would You Choose to Earn Less?

In our modern world, what would possess someone to make this unorthodox choice? Why are there millions of stay-at-home parents out there? Why do people walk away from jobs that pay well and take jobs that pay less? It’s simple. Money isn’t everything.
Why Would You Choose to Earn Less?

Log Into Multiple Accounts At The Same Site With Internet Explorer 8

There was not a way for Internet Explorer 7 users to log into two different Gmail (or Hotmail, Yahoo Mail…) accounts at the same time. Gmail can be replaced with any other cookie based web service that asks the user to login. The problem here is that the cookie storing the information about the login will be overwritten when the second login attempt is made. Internet Explorer 8 changes this behavior by introducing so called session cookies. A user wanting to log into an account a second time (or third, fourth..) could therefor start a new session in Internet Explorer 8 to do so. The new session would write a new cookie that would not interfere with the old cookies that have been written in other sessions.
Log Into Multiple Accounts At The Same Site With Internet Explorer 8

Five quick and simple scams that could happen to you today

Any long-time readers of Wise Bread know that I like to keep up-to-date on hustles, scams and con jobs. They change all the time, and new ones are invented daily. A US version of the UK show The Real Hustle has been trying out some very simple but effective cons on the American public, and they’re getting away with some serious money.
Five quick and simple scams that could happen to you today

Microwaving Beats Boiling For Veggies

Foodies have already learned that microwaves work better than stove tops for steaming vegetables, but now it looks like microwaving vegetables is also healthier, according to a recent study.
Microwaving Beats Boiling For Veggies

Thursday, May 07, 2009

How to Make Mother's Day Gifts

Is there a mother in your life who you'd like to treat, but you're strapped for cash? Or maybe you want to do something more personal, more creative for her, rather than just pick something up at the store or the florist. Consider the following ideas, and make her something from the heart.
How to Make Mother's Day Gifts