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Tech NewsHow to Harness Solar Energy to Make Your Own Post-Apocalyptic Keys
We all know the world’s going to end at some point, and sure, maybe it’s not entirely “likely” to happen anytime soon—but better safe than sorry. So assuming you’ve already been working diligently on your underground, radiation-proof bunker, what’s going to happen when you need extra keys made with nary a (non-zombie) locksmith in sight? … Continued
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Tech NewsHow To Do an Absinthe Wash (And Why You Should)
If you’ve been to an even moderately progressive bar in the last five years you’ve undoubtedly seen a Sazarac on the menu. Rye whiskey, Peychaud’s Bitters, simple syrup, and an absinthe wash. Wait, what the hell is an absinthe wash? Trust us, you want to know. It’s Friday afternoon, you’ve made it through the long … Continued
By Brent Rose -
Tech NewsAn Amazingly Simple Way To Test If a Battery Is Dead
It turns out that when the alkaline in a battery wears down, it produces a gas that fills the inside. So if you’ve got a box of random batteries you want to test, and don’t have access to a voltmeter or any other device, you can simply drop them vertically a short distance onto a … Continued
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Tech News10 Tricks to Make Yourself a Google+ Master
Unless you happen to work for the search giant that created it, Google+ is probably not your social network of choice. Nevertheless, there’s a ton of functionality hidden behind its walls, covering everything from photos to local searches as the influence of Google+ stretches across the company’s multitude of other products. Here’s how to get … Continued
David Nield -
Tech NewsHow to Use a Light Meter to Improve Your Photography
Light meters might sound like one of those photography accessories that should remain the persevere of professionals—but actually they can make a dramatic difference to your pictures. In this video renowned cinematographer Mark Vargo explains how to use one properly. He knows what he’s talking about, too: he’s credited as a second unit director of … Continued
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Tech News
Make Coffee Without a Coffee Maker Using Crap Around Your House
With most people content to just pop in a cartridge, push a button, and accept the caffeinated lighter fluid that comes forth with open mouths, it’s easy to forget that coffee-making can be an art. Which is partially why Tonx’s fun and monstrously informative infographic on cofeee-makerless coffee-making is such a delight. Whether you’re a … Continued
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Tech News
The Ultimate (Free) Virus Protection Guide
So you got caught with your pants down on the Internet (figuratively, folks) and contracted a virus. That sucks. Or maybe you were wearing protection but still fell victim to some nasty bit of code that managed to slip by your antivirus software undetected. That sucks even more. Either way, it’s nothing to feel ashamed … Continued
Paul Lilly - Maximum PC -
Tech News
This Is the Most Beautiful Way to Learn How to Code
These days, the sentiment of anyone who doesn’t know how to code being destined to a life of homeless ineptitude has become a fairly common (if mildly exaggerated) one. But of all the ways out there to save yourself from a derelict fate, Jon Duckett’s HTML and CSS: Design and Buil Websites, is, perhaps, the … Continued
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Tech News
Five Simple Ways to Keep Your Android Malware-Free
While it’s true that Android is a little more susceptible to malware attacks than iOS, the situation isn’t nearly as bad as Apple would have you believe. With a little knowledge and a sprinkling of common sense, you can make your device impervious to even the most dastardly of digital assaults. Here’s how. 1. Set … Continued
Chris Mills - Gizmodo UK -
Tech News
How to Turn Your Shell-Prompt Into a Hamburger
Shell prompts are, by definition, pretty dull. So, if you spend a lot of time looking at one, why not make it more fun by… replacing it with a hamburger! Actually, you can replace the thing with any emoji character (as long as you have an emoji font installed—get a free one here), and Andre … Continued
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Tech NewsWhoever Wears This R2-D2 Bra Won’t Enjoy the Interactive Features
If you’ve been looking for a DIY project that combines your love of Star Wars with your ignorance of fashion trends, why not turn some papier-mâché and a hacked R2-D2 toy into a light-up brassiere complete with artoo sound effects? The hardest part of the build, as demonstrated by the mannequin in this video, is … Continued
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Tech News
How to Survive When the Power Goes Out
Power outages can be seriously obnoxious. No Internet, no TV, no lights. On top of that, they can be dangerous, especially in the cold. A prolonged outage is always a danger during a serious storm, no matter the kind. And while it might not happen, you always want to be prepared. Staying charged Obviously the … Continued
By Eric Limer -
Tech News
How to Jailbreak Your iPhone or iPad
Jailbreaking is not a crime, but the special legal exemptions that make it legal have to me made and re-made every couple of years. As the EFF notes, a deadline is fast approaching, and unless the Librarian of Congress makes a special explicit call that jailbreaking is still OK, it could fall into the realm … Continued
By Eric Limer -
Tech News
How To Fix iMessage If Someone Crashes You With That Vicious Text String
So the text string “File:SLASHSLASHSLASH” (with actual slashes) can inexplicably crash just about any app on Mountain Lion. Aside from being a curiosity, it can also be a weapon if you start hurling File:SLASHSLASHSLASH salvos at your friends through iMessage. If you get hit, or you hit someone and feel bad afterwards, here’s how you … Continued
By Eric Limer -
Tech News
How To Make an Ice Luge In a Hotel Room
Sometimes it’s fun to challenge ourselves. I’m in Aspen covering the Winter X Games, so I’ve got ice on the brain. I’ve never made an ice luge before, but I started thinking, “How could I make one in my hotel room with basically no tools?” Challenge accepted, brain. It’s Friday afternoon, you’ve made it through … Continued
By Brent Rose -
Tech News
Cheap, DIY Ice Chains for Your Boots Will Save Your Ass With Traction
There’s nothing quite like a nice hike through a snowy wonderland in the dead of winter. There’s also nothing quite like busting your ass on the ice when you do it. Boot chains can help keep you upright, but there’s no need to shell out for a pair when you can just whip up your … Continued
By Eric Limer -
Tech News
How To Ditch Your Cable Internet Provider Forever
You’ve had it up to here with being treated more like a revenue stream than a customer by your cable internet provider and are ready to jump ship. Fantastic, but if not to a competing telco, then to where? Here are four broadband alternatives that don’t require a visit from the cable guy. Fiber Fiber … Continued
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Tech NewsGizmodo’s Guide to Setting Drinks On Fire
“Fire is cool,” quoth Beavis, and yea verily, Butthead did agree. And, honestly, so do we. There’s a little bit of a pyro in most of us, and a flaming drink is certainly a spectacle. That said, there’s a right way, and a whole lot of wrong ways to do it. Here’s the red hot … Continued
By Brent Rose -
Tech News
How To Navigate an Insanely Massive Trade Show Like CES
The Consumer Electronics Show is one of the largest conventions on the planet. And as this infographic illustrates, CES veterans have figured out specific strategies to navigating the show’s 3,000+ booths and 1.87 million square feet of exhibits. Your first day is usually spent getting the lay of the land, and inevitably finding yourself completely … Continued
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Tech NewsHow To Weaponize the World’s Most Useful Tool: Duct Tape
Taking a small break from expanding his insane rubber band-based arsenal, slingshot master Joerg Sprave turns his attention to re-engineering duct tape, and other random accessories, into a trio of improvised weapons. He still can’t completely shake his slingshot roots—using the tape and a small collection of pens to recreate his weapon of choice—but Wolverine … Continued