Cool Tools: Convert DVDs to MPEGs and Take Your Movies with You September 30, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Internet, Linux, Mac, Technology, Windows.Tags: DVD, Fletch, Handbrake, MPEG, Netflix, Technology
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A year ago my brother came out for a visit packing a copy of our favorite movie: the 1985 classic, Fletch. We saw that movie dozens of times when we were younger, and memorized every line of it. He also had a copy of it on his Zune (yeah, I know).
He had found a nifty little program called, Handbrake, that converts DVDs to MPEG4 file format that can then be viewed on a Mac, PC, iPod, and yes even a Zune. The open-source Handbrake works with OS X, Windows, and Linux.
The program is very easy to use and comes with pre-defined settings that optimize the video for the iPod, for example, or for viewing on a PC. You can create and save your own settings, as well. When converting a movie on DVD, the file size can be rather large. My intention is to convert DVDs for viewing mainly on my computer or mobile device, so I don’t need very high-quality video. I created a preset that gets the file size of movies down to about 1GB to 1.3GB. It’s not quite DVD quality on my 13-inch MacBook, but it’s definitely watchable, even at full screen.
Now kids, I’m compelled to tell you: Handbrake is only for making backup copies of DVDs you own. Don’t go using your Netflix subscription to create a well-stocked library of movies for your iPod. But don’t take a dozen DVDs on your next vacation ,either.
Technorati Tags Netflix,Technology,DVD,Fletch,Handbrake,MPEG
Cool Tool: Thumbnail Bookmarks on Firefox Blank Tabs September 30, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Firefox, Internet, Reviews, Technology.Tags: Add-ons, Fast Dial, Firefox, Internet, Technology
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I discovered this little gem of a Firefox add-on last week and have found it quite useful. It’s an add-on called, Fast Dial, and it adds thumbnails of your bookmarked pages to the blank tab in Firefox. You select which bookmarks you want on the blank tab.
One of the features I like best about the add-on is that you can add a new thumbnail by right clicking a page and selecting Add to Fast Dial. The add-on lets you customize the layout of the blank tab. The default layout is a 3×3 configuration.
When you add a bookmark to the tab, the thumbnail is a snapshot of the web page you are bookmarking. So the thumbnail might not look that great. The Fast Dial website has logos of various websites that you can use for the thumbnail. For example, there are thumbnails for all of the Google apps. You can also use your own pics.
One word of caution: A few users have commented that the latest version of Fast Dial has scrambled their bookmarks. I haven’t seen that, myself, but thought I’d pass it on any way.
Technorati Tags: Fast Dial, Add-ons, Firefox, Technology, Internet
Cool Tools to Help You Get Things Done September 26, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Internet, Mobility, Smartphone, Technology.Tags: Jott, Outlook, Remember the Milk, Technology, Twitter, Web 2.0
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My first job out of college was with a department store chain in Nashville, TN. That experience has left me scared for life; I still can’t go into a department store during December. Thank goodness for Amazon, eh?
One of the biggest problems I had while working there was always forgetting tasks. My manager would tell me some things I needed to do each day. Invariably I would forget one or two of those. Perhaps it was more about the loathing I had for my job than simple forgetfulness, but eventually, I started carrying around a steno pad to write down my to-do’s. But alas, that was no good, either, because I would lay the steno down somewhere and forget where I put it. Needless to say, I had a short career in retail.
Since forgetfulness is a weaknesses of mine, I’ve worked diligently over the years to improve my ability to remember my tasks, be better organized, and thus, get things done. Outlook was huge in helping me track what I needed to do and to remind me of when things needed to be done.
Now that we’re in the mobile era, though, I’ve discovered other tools that allow me to access my tasks from anywhere. Sure I can sync my Moto Q9c with tasks in Outlook, but Outlook is so 1990’s – to be cliche about a cliche. It’s all about Web 2.0 now.
Nowadays, I’m using a combination of services to keep all of my to-do’s organized. I keep my trusty Q with me all the time, because I hate when I have a good idea, only to forget to follow up with it because I didn’t write it down.
Remember the Milk is my primary task organizing tool. I have the RTM gadget on my iGoogle page, where I can quickly enter tasks when I’m at my desk. When I’m away from my desk, I use Twitter to add tasks to RTM.
Sometimes I’ll be in my car and think of something I need to remember. It’s difficult to send a quick Tweet while driving, even while stopped at intersections. So for cases when texting isn’t the
best method of recording a thought, I use Jott, the speech to text service that lets you record short notes to yourself and to others. There’s also a Google Gadget for Jott.
Both RTM and Jott let you set up notifications. Reminders can be sent via email and SMS. And RTM, Jott, and Twitter are free services. Jott recently exited beta, and it now has paid service levels with enhanced features, but you can still get the basic service for free.
Web 2.0 is making me more informed and better organized. The tools are plentiful, easy to use, and mobile. Let me know what you’re doing to stay on top of your things to do.
Technorati Tags: Jott, Outlook, Remember the Milk, Technology, Twitter, Web 2.0
