Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the software downloads and web sites that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live.
08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 | Gina Trapani | Featured Windows Download,Beta Beat,Downloads,Google Chrome,Themes,Top,Web browsers | Comments
Windows only: Less than a week since Google Chrome's release and hackers are already hard at work releasing tools to tweak the minimalistic browser, and the Automatic Theme Switcher is one of those ways. Install the beta theme switcher on your PC running Chrome to choose one of three skins for Chrome—black, blue (the default), or green—and activate it immediately, without having to manually muck around in Chrome's installation folders. Alternately, you can manually download Google Chrome themes here (the orange one isn't available in the Theme Switcher utility just yet). The Automatic Theme Switcher is a free download for Windows only.
Tatango, a free (but ad-supported) group SMS-messaging service, has opened its doors after private beta. The service is simple to use, and prevents spammers by requiring contacts to opt into receiving messages from you. That makes it ideal for sports teams and social groups, small businesses, and other small organizations. You can send group messages from the site or your phone, and open up message-sending privileges to other members in your group. Tatango is a free, ad-supported service, requires a sign-up to use.
The Photocritic blog posts a cheap and clever DIY project for digital SLR camera owners who want to take seriously crisp shots of tremendously tiny surfaces, using a Pringles potato chip can as the main component. By hollowing out the can, wrapping a standard lens in dark fabric, and putting the lens in backward, you've got a makeshift bellows with adjustable focus. The proof is in the photos, so check out the seriously up-close-and-personal shots the author pulled off at the link below.
Find out how much money you're wasting monthly with Quicken''s Spare Change Challenge. The detailed, 42-question quiz asks about your electricity consumption, purchasing habits, loan payments, leisure spending, and more. Then it estimates of how much money you could save with better habits in thirteen categories, from education to healthcare to pension. How much money are you wasting per month? Share your numbers in the comments.
Linux enthusiasts never stop hearing about how the open-source operating system lacks support for popular games. That's often true, but that doesn't mean there aren't good games to be found. Playdeb, a custom repository for Ubuntu systems, makes it easy to find and install up-to-date games, some with graphics rivaling those of commercial fare. If you don't want to add Playdeb to your sources, you can click to install individual game at the site's games list using the AptURL tool. That list doesn't (at the moment) include all the games, but you can see the full list in Synaptic Package Manager by choosing the Getdeb.net categories.
DIY weblog Make points out a very cool design idea: the Enter key doorbell. It's a no-brainer DIY project; a little glue and and old keyboard ought to do it. This simple DIY also has an unusually high geek quotient, but it's oh-so-fun.
07 Sep 2008 14:00:10 | Kelly Abbott | Ungeek to Live,Beverages,Drinks,Gawker,How To,Recipes,Top | Comments
The problem with Saturday night is Sunday morning. Yes, I'm talking about the hangover. I'm talking about fuzz in your mouth and ringing in your ears. I'm talking about that 'did I really say that?' feeling and that 'OMFG, I did' reaction. The solution to Sunday morning (or at least those Sunday mornings that start like this) is the perfect Bloody Mary. Photo by cote.
The Cup of Ice Part
First, get a large cup. A silo cup will suffice. Something tall. Give me 12 ounces or give me death.
Second, fill the glass with ice. You don't have to go all the way. 3/4 full is fine. Ice is a good thing. It soothes. It cures dragon breath. Photo by Brooks Elliott.
The Vodka Part
Third, fill your cup one-third of the way full with vodka. Any vodka will do. Allow me to elaborate. Vodka, like any fine liquor, has its connoisseurs. There is a time and a place for Kettle One and Belvedere. This is neither the time nor the place. Your vodka is about to mixed with all kinds of crazy stuff. You wouldn't want to waste the good stuff on a Bloody. Good vodka does not make a good Bloody. That said, there is an art to Bloody Mary vodka. Making homemade peppered vodka starts with Vitamin Water.
The Homemade Peppered Vodka Part
Fill an empty plastic Vitamin Water (Revive) container with Skyy or Monopolawa or any sub-standard imported vodka you can find.
Dump in a handful of whole peppercorns. Then seal the container and stick it in the freezer for two weeks. The vodka will become infused with the peppercorn and the result is an alarmingly drinkable spicy beverage. Alone, this concoction makes for good late night sipping vodka.
Early in the morning, self-peppered vodka simple serves as a reminder that you can spoil your vices. It's never a bad idea to class-up your morning routine. Photo by pgoyette.
The Tomato Part
Now that you've got the vodka, you need the tomato juice. Here I'm strict. Never use Bloody Mary mix. Never. A mix will suffice if your mother-in-law gets too demanding. But only in a pinch. For people you care about, presumably you, never use a mix. Instead walk on down to Rite-Aid and pick up a can or two of V8. Some people use spicy V8. I think that's fine too. I prefer V8 to regular tomato juice because it has a nicer, more drinkable flavor. As a last resort (if you can't find tomato juice or V8) then open up a can of whole peeled tomatoes and strain it for the juice. You don't need to blend the tomatoes. Chop them up for some salsa later in the day. Photo by xamesm.
Fill the cup nearly full with your tomato juice of choice.
The Tabasco Part
For a 12-oz. cup I'll do about 10-15 shakes of the tabasco bottle. Yes, even with the peppered-vodka. The thing is, peppered vodka gets in you in the back of the throat. It's more subtle and takes a while to have the heat show up. Tabasco, on the other hand, hits you right up front and clears those sinuses on contact. The sign of a good Bloody Mary is how it turns your clammy, hangover sweats into heat sweats on the first sip. We want to clear your pores with this stuff. Sweat is good.
The Black Stuff
Traditionally, you want Worcestershire sauce. Alternatively, soy sauce. I like the former because it's a bit tangier. Soy sauce is good in its own right but adds a little more salt content to the drink if you ask me. Salt ain't all bad though, so I'll leave that one up to you. (Incidentally, this is the step I leave out when I'm making Bloody's for my wife. She hates both.)
The Something to Chew On Part
Add a spoonful of horseradish. Take the creamy horseradish that's in the fridge and put it to use more than once a year. Drop a teaspoon in after the black stuff. Then, mix vigorously. Shake it, if you want, but there's no need to dirty a shaker. Instead, take that horseradish spoon and stir.
The Spices Part
Last, you want to top you drink with spices. I generally top mine with garlic salt and ground pepper. That's it. I don't mix those in usually either. I find that sipping 'through' the spices lends a certain weight to the spices you don't get when you just mix them all together. Leave those guys resting on top and you'll see what I mean.
Notable Omissions
Celery stalk. Great if you have one. (I never do.)
Lime. Big fan of lime in my Mexican beers. Love limes over fish tacos. Lime up some seltzer water, please. Gin and tonic, with lime only. But, please, please, please do not put a lime anywhere near my Bloody. It's a dealbreaker. Photo by flm.
Notable Variations
Instead of horseradish, try Dijon mustard. You read that correctly. Dijon is the new hotness. Use a teaspoon or tablespoon since it's a little lighter than horseradish. Dijon has a smoother texture too, but some people aren't mustard people, which I understand completely. Ask before serving. Photo by wordridden.
Spicy pickle, spicy green bean, spicy okra, spicy asparagus. All of these are welcome Bloody Mary garnishes. If it can be pickled chances are it will be fine in your Bloody Mary. Unless it's pickled lime. Yuck.
The Sunday Morning Part
When you've got your drink set, open up the curtains, let a breeze flow through the place. Take your place on the couch, put on some Velvet Underground and let Sunday work its magic. Think about last night, but with a Bloody Mary in hand, don't regret it.
Now, go ahead and share your own variations on the perfect Bloody Mary in the comments.
Plex XBMC Fork Updates with New Skin (Mac) 'XBMC for Mac—the open source media center software that offers a more flexible alternative to Front Row—has been renamed Plex, rebranded, and redesigned. '
GimmeSomeTune Supercharges Your iTunes Library (Mac) 'Free iTunes add-on GimmeSomeTune automatically fetches missing album artwork, lyrics, and automatically embeds them in your music library.'
Tatango, a free (but ad-supported) group SMS-messaging service, has opened its doors after private beta. The service is simple to use, and prevents spammers by requiring contacts to opt into receiving messages from you. That makes it ideal for sports teams and social groups, small businesses, and other small organizations. You can send group messages from the site or your phone, and open up message-sending privileges to other members in your group. Tatango is a free, ad-supported service, requires a sign-up to use. 
The Photocritic blog posts a cheap and clever DIY project for digital SLR camera owners who want to take seriously crisp shots of tremendously tiny surfaces, using a Pringles potato chip can as the main component. By hollowing out the can, wrapping a standard lens in dark fabric, and putting the lens in backward, you've got a makeshift 
Find out how much money you're wasting monthly with Quicken''s Spare Change Challenge. The detailed, 42-question quiz asks about your electricity consumption, purchasing habits, loan payments, leisure spending, and more. Then it estimates of how much money you could save with better habits in thirteen categories, from education to healthcare to pension. How much money are you wasting per month? Share your numbers in the comments. 
Linux enthusiasts never stop hearing about how the open-source operating system lacks support for popular games. That's often true, but that doesn't mean there aren't good games to be found. Playdeb, a custom repository for Ubuntu systems, makes it easy to find and install up-to-date games, some with graphics rivaling those of commercial fare. If you don't want to add Playdeb to your sources, you can click to install individual game at the site's 
DIY weblog Make points out a very cool design idea: 
First, get a large cup. A silo cup will suffice. Something tall. Give me 12 ounces or give me death.
Third, fill your cup one-third of the way full with vodka. Any vodka will do. Allow me to elaborate. Vodka, like any fine liquor, has its connoisseurs. There is a time and a place for Kettle One and Belvedere. This is neither the time nor the place. Your vodka is about to mixed with all kinds of crazy stuff. You wouldn't want to waste the good stuff on a Bloody. Good vodka does not make a good Bloody. That said, there is an art to Bloody Mary vodka. Making homemade peppered vodka starts with Vitamin Water.
Fill an empty plastic Vitamin Water (Revive) container with Skyy or 
Early in the morning, self-peppered vodka simple serves as a reminder that you can spoil your vices. It's never a bad idea to class-up your morning routine. Photo by 
For a 12-oz. cup I'll do about 10-15 shakes of the tabasco bottle. Yes, even with the peppered-vodka. The thing is, peppered vodka gets in you in the back of the throat. It's more subtle and takes a while to have the heat show up. Tabasco, on the other hand, hits you right up front and clears those sinuses on contact. The sign of a good Bloody Mary is how it turns your clammy, hangover sweats into heat sweats on the first sip. We want to clear your pores with this stuff. Sweat is good.
Add a spoonful of horseradish. Take the creamy horseradish that's in the fridge and put it to use more than once a year. Drop a teaspoon in after the black stuff. Then, mix vigorously. Shake it, if you want, but there's no need to dirty a shaker. Instead, take that horseradish spoon and stir.
