Project it! Sketch it! Perfect it! The Crayola Illumination Station is three great drawing tools in one! Use the light desk mode to trace one of the 10 cool background scenes-or create your own. Switch to projector mode and insert an image disc. Choose from 120 characters to p ...more
Why do passport photos and driver's license pictures always get a bad rep? Well, other than the lighting being atrocious and the photographers being underpaid civil servants, bad photos usually result from bad backgrounds. Switch your plain white stand-in background for a mor ...more
This is a demonstration of how to do a simple switch puzzle in RPG Maker XP (RMXP) where after two torches are lit, a door opens. Part 1 of 3 - How to Make a torch puzzle in RPG Maker XP (RMXP). Part 2 of 3 - How to Make a torch puzzle in RPG Maker XP (RMXP). Part 3 of 3 - H ...more
In this article, I'll show you how to build a simplistic circuit to generate negative ions. Negative ions have been known to contribute to fresher air, happier mood, and general health benefits. However, they also look amazing in the dark (check out the photos below, purple pl ...more
Before jumping right into becoming the next James Neely or Moose Peterson, you're going to have get situated with your new digital SLR. No matter if you purchased the Canon EOS 5D Mark II body and lens separately or together, you've got everything you need to get started excep ...more
One of the great features of the Zelda games is the number of magical items at Link's disposal. In Zelda: A Link to the Past, the magical mirror item was used to switch between the dark and light worlds. In this instructional video, learn how to get the cape item early before ...more
Have a few light bulbs and a blowtorch? Then join the folks over at Harvard in a cool science experiment on the conductivity of glass. As you well know, glass is an insulator with low conductivity and high resistivity. In the video below, they flip the switch, demonstrating ho ...more
In this article, I'll show you how to make a glowing orb. The orb is a fun, round flashlight useful for lighting your path in a magical way. Consisting simply of LEDs, a tennis ball, a battery and a switch, it's a great simple project for beginners with electronics. Here's a v ...more
This is probably the least "Mathy" thing I will ever post. In my opinion, it's impossible to have architecture that isn't mathematical in some sense, so I am posting it anyway. Two years ago, I made a papercraft version of a cathedral in Christchurch New Zealand (It was severe ...more
This was done for the contest on the forums. I had great plans, but due to needing to keep the blogs up to date and some personal life complications, I didn't get as much done as I needed to in time. I carved the cow on the 24th and took this first picture, then it sat outsi ...more
Home accidents. It's up to you to protect your family… your children… from accidents in the home. And there's one place that seems to get the most attention when dealing with safety concerns… The kitchen is one of the busiest, most accident-prone rooms in the house. Design a k ...more
Josh Copp and Madeline Donahue show us how to build a light table from pine wood and plywood utilizing two fluorescent light fixtures as the light source inside the box. The frame of the box is fashioned out of two 1X8 planks cut into four pieces so that two sides are 30 inche ...more
This video shows Nikon Autofocus setting for action. Getting started on setting up the AF for action. 1:Set for AF continuous drive 2:Set for Auto-Area AF 3:Set for 3D Matrix metering 4:Set for CL or CH mode For high speed shooting in RAW file format, SanDisk Extreme IV series ...more
A presenter from The Home Depot gives you several tips and professional secrets on how to hang your indoor Christmas lights making this tricky process a little bit easier. She takes you through the selection of lights, planning and the installation of lights. -It's easier to ...more
Thinking pasta is too heavy for your new diet? Think again. Pasta can provide a healthy meal rich in fiber and vitamins. Follow these steps to make healthier choices for your next pasta dinner. You Will Need: • Whole grain or blend pasta • Light pasta sauce • Extra virgin ...more
It's Magic 101. Can you mimic the master? This magic how-to video will show you the trick. Effect: Taking two matches from different matchbooks (one black, one brown), you cause them to visibly switch places...right under their eyes. It's demonic; it's the Quicksilver Matches ...more
Building a DIY Alarm System: The Concept So, you want to protect your property, or maybe a room, car, or even your backyard. The concept of an alarm system is to notify the "alarm administrator" that there is an intruder entering the previously designated boundaries. The trig ...more
In this video, we learn how to wire a three way switch. The arrangement should be one turning the light on, one turning it off, and the other turning back on. All of the switches should be wired coming in from the source of the power on a cord. A neutral wire should go through ...more
In this video, we learn how to adjust the flame on your RV water heater. First, open up the area where your gas valves are. Find the air opening to make a smaller air adjustment. The setting should be 1/4 of the way open. Snug down the locking screw when you have adjusted it p ...more
Nicole Young demonstrates how to use non-destructive dodging and burning using layers in Photoshop. Your first move is to create a new layer and then hit shift + delete to select the level of opacity. You want the layer to be fifty percent grey. Now select overlay from the men ...more
This is an Electronics video tutorial where you will learn how to use the RPT mode on a Nikon SB-800 and SB-900. Repeat mode gives a flashing strobe effect with which you can take multiple shots in one single long exposure. In Nikon SB-800, switch on the flash and select the R ...more
In order to add a nice contrast punch to an image using Photoshop, go to your adjustment layer and click on the black and white adjustment layer. Then go to your "blend modes" and change it to "overlay". If you find that the effect is too harsh you can adjust your opacity sett ...more
Personal fitness coach Yuri Elkaim demonstrates how to do high intensity interval training for beginners on treadmills. Start out with a light walk on a treadmill for about three to five minutes. From a walk, do a low grade jog for 30 seconds. Then, switch to a minute and a ha ...more
Have you heard about the headlights automatic operation system on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner? Let's check it out. With the head lamp switch on the auto position, the system turns the low beam headlight on when it gets dark and off when there is good sunlight. When dark, the automat ...more
Hacked Gadgets recently featured Csaba Bleuer's LED wave display, a device that projects LED messages midair. Bleuer had also previously created a similar device that spins on a fan motor. "Csaba Bleuer sent in some pictures and a video of his new creation. It is a LED Wave D ...more
How many handymen does it take to install a dimmer switch? None, you can do it yourself in a snap. A dimmer switch can make a room more comfortable, by allowing you to adjust the light to just the right brightness at the moment. You will need a screwdriver, a circuit tester, a ...more
Focusing has always been a problem with photographers, and even with today's digital cameras it's not easy. The most obvious problem is trying to accurately focus on the subject before exposure. Next, you have to choose the correct aperture size in relation to the depth of fie ...more
Always wanted a fluorescent dog but didn’t want to commit? Well, here’s your solution. Researchers at Seoul National University developed fluorescent puppies that only glow when you want them to. Just inject the special pups with doxycycline and they’ll glow like a black light ...more
Learn how to choose an indoor plant. You don’t need a green thumb to have houseplants that flourish; you just need to know which ones will thrive in your home. You Will Need * Informed purchases * Hardy varieties Step 1. Consider your schedule Consider your schedule. If yo ...more
Computer viruses are terrifying. They are undetectable, dangerous, and operate constantly right under your nose. For the average computer user, there are only a few repair options. You could buy expensive antivirus software that causes more problems than it fixes, you can wipe ...more
Ingredients 4 pounds Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and quartered 4 cloves garlic, peeled 1 teaspoon white vinegar 2-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 6 ounces onions, peeled, ends cut flat 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, cut into ...more
Ingredients 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed, cut to fit feed tube horizontally 2 large shallots, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 teaspoons olive oil 1/4 cup water 1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1/8 teaspoon white pepper 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt Instructions Using a 4 ...more
Ingredients 2 small garlic cloves, peeled 1 small jalapeno pepper 8 scallions 2 celery stalks 1 medium bell pepper 4 tomatoes 4 cups tomato or V-8 juice 2 medium cucumbers 4 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Instructions Cut jalapeño pepper ...more
First of all you have to search for a reputed dealer. Then ask him all necessary questions like what sort of lenses shall fit in your camera, what shall be the size of the lens to fit in your camera. If you are going to purchase it online then you have to ask whether the surfa ...more
How to brew a pot of Indian Ginger-Cardamom Chai:Jean007pat shows us how to make Indian ginger-cardamom tea (chai). You will need a mug of milk, two tea-bags, a pot, ginger, shredder, strainer, pliers, cardamom, stone crusher (to crush the cardamom), sugar to taste and one and ...more
This video details how to set up a generator to provide back-up power for a home or business. Generators are the ideal emergency power solution for a home or business, generators can automatically transfer the power load from the utility power line to the generator when an out ...more
Circuit bending an audio device typically involves removing the rear panel of the device and connecting any two circuit locations with a "jumper" wire, sending current from one part of the circuit into another. Results are monitored through either the device's internal speaker ...more
If you're not technologically savvy, don't stress. You probably want to jump right into the game, so check out this video on how to properly install your Playstation 3. You have dedicated yourself to the ultimate gaming experience, but are now faced with a tangle of unfamilia ...more
Step away from the tequila shooters and stop the morning-after agony before it starts. You Will Need * Pasta or bread * Vitamins B and C * Fruit * Water * Fruit juice * Toast WARNING: Don’t drink unless you’re of legal age. Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive. Step ...more
Many ways to help the environment are costly, but using less electricity is one measure that will save you money. Learn how to lower your electric bill with this how to video. You Will Need * Awareness of how you’re wasting electricity * Self-discipline Step 1: Turn it off G ...more
In this five-part video tutorial series, you'll learn the fundamentals of working with electronics. To follow along, you'll need a 28-280 Electronics kit from RadioShack. You can skip to lesson 1 if you (a) have experience with a bread board and caring for electronic chips, ( ...more
Learn how to create your own Valentine's Day card with Bruce Blitz. All you'll need is a paper, pencil, marker, colored chalk or pencils, and an eraser. Using your pencil, draw 2 circles, one with curved guidelines to have the face turned to the left, and one with straight gui ...more
Don't be upset, all you need to create this angry expression is a piece of paper and a pen. To spice it up you can use markers and colored chalks or colored pencils. Start by loosely drawing a teardrop shape, with a pencil. Then, draw a line going across where the eyes would b ...more
This Houdini 9 software video series focuses on examples of when and how to use Attribute Transfer. Part 1 covers Attribute Transfer One Point: A very basic example of how to use the attribute transfer sop, by using a single point to transfer a colour attribute to a grid. Par ...more
Fans of Doctor Who know that the sonic screwdriver is the ultimate tool. It can unlock doors, turn on lights, detect life forms, solder wires, and sabotage weapons. Presumably, the sonic screwdriver creates sonic vibrations to achieve whatever the doctor wants by vibrating th ...more
Dreams are like an internal human holodeck. Inside your mind, anything is possible, from your grandest wishes to your worst nightmares. This is all well and good, but what if you could control your dreams and become the omniscient god of a handpicked reality whenever you go to ...more
In this article, I'll show you how to built a Wireless Transfer of Energy Transmitter. Simply put, this device will send electricity to a florescent light bulb and light it up, from up to three feet. The idea originally (at least, prominently) came from Nikola Tesla (read more ...more
Nikola Tesla In my opinion, one of the most neglected inventors of all time. The names Edison and Marconi come to mind as familiar, but Tesla? Most think of a car. Few know that Tesla is responsible for alternating current, florescent lights, radar, remote control, generators ...more
Moving up from a point and shoot to a digital single lens reflex camera is a big step. And actually, a DSLR can be a better buy than a new point and shoot, many of which rival the prices of entry level or used DSLRs. Keep in mind when you buy a new body, the lenses are the mos ...more
Minecraft was first released just a few years ago, but when a paradigm-shifting piece of media comes along the rest of the world is quick to take inspiration from it. The absolutely terrible XBLA knock-off FortressCraft was the first, and last month a much more interesting gam ...more
There are no spoilers in this writing, read without worry. Finished Episode 3 of Alan Wake yesterday, impressed by different reasons. I originally bought the game for the possibility of great story, dialogue, and voice acting. That part of the game has been disappointing. Wha ...more
Have you ever wanted to ride a rollercoaster while listening to Lady Gaga? Or have the Star Wars theme auto-play when you enter your house? You can with Minecraft. Search Youtube for a popular song + Minecraft, and chances are there will be a video for it! Minecraft gives pla ...more
If you already have your basic keyboard shortcuts under control—we're talking classics here, Control-C (copy for PC) or Command-C (copy for Mac)—it's time to load up your memory bank. There are endless shortcuts available (truly endless—since you can customize them yourself), ...more
With the Kodak Zi8, the power to capture razor-sharp, full 1080p HD video fits in the palm of your hand. Its easy, one-touch operation and incredible versatility make it the perfect camera for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Step 1: Get started Get started in a s ...more
Graffiti is a great way of getting your message out to the masses. The earliest known graffiti dates back to 30,000 years ago and used the traditional apply-paint-to-wall technique. Though our paint now comes in cans and not from scavenged berries, the actual graffiti process ...more
People sometimes ask me about the IT industry here in the states. These folks are usually either trying to get into a certain field, or looking to switch or move into another one. Right now, you may currently be a Computer Science major that will be graduating shortly and are ...more
Pranks are fun, but finding a way to maximize the affect of a prank can be tricky. Toilet papering the whole campus or repainting all of the parking spaces slightly smaller can take a long time and a lot of resources. A better plan of attack is to booby trap the choke points w ...more
In this article, I'll be explaining the basics of how microcontrollers work, physically and virtually. First off, microcontrollers are no simple thing, so don't be discouraged if you find it mind-boggling! The world of microcontrollers is fascinating, engaging, and an awesome ...more
Bikes are a great form of transportation. They use human energy more efficiently than any other machine. You can keep it in your closet or hallway. You can even take it on the train in a pinch. However, this portability is also the bike's biggest draw back. If you own a bike i ...more
My first attempt at a helmet cam, yielded ok results, but I wanted something even better. The downside to all of this was cost, but it is very close to what I want now. Yes the camera is upside down, and yes there's a solid piece of fabric covering the view. Read on to find o ...more