Make A Cell Phone Antenna Booster

If you've struggled with signal strength on your cellphone, but you don't want to buy a new one, you can enhance your reception by creating a homemade cellphone booster. These devices work by attracting a stronger signal from the closest cell tower. This is a cheap, effective way to boost your signal in those dead zones that lead to dropped calls.

Instructions

1. Collect all of your materials. Visit the resources section to find sites to purchase the pigtail cord and the antenna connector. Organize the materials and ensure you have enough solder, tape and that your cell phone is off. Find out where the closest cell phone tower is in relation to your home. Check the resources bar for a locator site.

2. Remove the bottom of one can so it is an open cylinder. Place the two cans together creating one large empty can. The can with the base still connected will serve as the new base of the two cans together. Essentially, you will have a coffee can twice the size of the original ones. Connect these two cans with the copper tape. Ensure there are no open spaces or weak seams in the tape by smoothing the edges. Measure 97 millimeters from the bottom of the two cans. Mark this location. Using your purchased antenna connector, trace the circumference of the base of the antenna with a marker on the can.

3. Create a hole for the antenna connector. Using the nail, puncture the center of the circle you traced and use the wire cutters to cut out the remaining metal leaving a hole the size of the antenna connector.

4. Solder the copper wire to the base of the connector and let dry. Place the antenna into the previously created hole with the copper wire facing the interior of the cans. Using the nut provided in the antenna kit, secure this unit into the hole so that it is flush with the can and will not fall out.

5. Connect the pigtail to the cell phone. If you've purchased the correct pigtail (research the compatible pigtail cord with your phone model), one end will fit snugly into the antenna connector on the cans. The other end plugs into your phone. Look on the back of your mobile phone for a rubber casing and using your knife, pry this covering off. This is where the other end of the pigtail plugs in. Most mobile phones have this antenna connector. If not, contact your phone manufacturer for further information on your specific antenna port. An electronic store will also help in this regard.

6. Turn on your phone. Aim the open end of the canister toward the closest cell phone tower and make calls as you normally would. You will have clear, unhindered connection and reception. This unit is mobile, so consider taking it with you to any place where you have a weak signal.

Tags: antenna connector, your phone, closest cell, cans together, cell phone, cell phone

Difference Between 35mm Camera & 55mm Camera

While 35 mm refers to the film, 55 mm most likely refers to the size of a lens or filter.

When dealing with film cameras, a 35 millimeter (mm) camera is a standard starting point for beginners in photography. While most people can identify a 35 mm camera, not everyone understands where that measurement originates. It refers to the size of the film such a camera requires, although other camera measurements in millimeters can make this confusing. It's important to know about 35 mm cameras with regard to film, lenses and filters.

35 mm Cameras

The term "35 mm camera" describes a camera that uses 35 mm film. This measurement comes from the width of the roll of film, including the sprocket holes. These cameras include point-and-shoots, which are fully automatic with no exposure controls. An SLR (single-lens reflex) is another type of 35 mm camera. It usually offers full control over aperture, shutter speed and focus, and features TTL (through-the-lens) viewing to create accurate compositions. A rangefinder is an example of a 35 mm camera that offers manual controls but has a viewfinder instead of letting you see exactly what your lens does. Rangefinders are often lighter and quieter than SLRs.

Medium-Format Cameras

The next film size larger than 35 mm is referred to simply as "120 film," or its double-length "220 film," both used with medium-format cameras. The size of the negative depends on the type of camera you use. Formats include a 645 (6 centimeters [cm] by 4.5 cm), 6x6 (6 cm by 6 cm), 6x7 (6 cm by 7 cm) and 6x9 (6 cm by 9 cm). Although 120 and 220 film has a width of just over 55 mm, It is more likely that the term "55 mm camera" would be used for the focal length of a lens or the diameter of a filter.

Lens Focal Length

The focal length of a lens determines whether a scene looks exactly as your eye sees it, or whether it appears magnified or at a wider angle. Zoom lenses are common on 35 mm cameras; they may offer a variety of focal lengths from wide-angle to long, such as 22 mm to 80 mm lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, such as 50 mm. A 55 mm lens can easily be a prime lens offering, or represent the normal focal length of a zoom lens, such as 55 mm to 200 mm.

Lens Filter Diameter

You may also see 55 mm listed as the filter diameter of your lens. Filters are commonly used for protection of the lens, or for color and contrast effects. Filter diameters can range from approximately 50 mm to 80 mm, depending on the make and model of your lens. This measurement is either printed on the back of the lens cap or on the glass next to the lens. This number precedes or follows the symbol of a circle with a line through it, which helps differentiate it from focal length. A common measurement for a lens filter is 55 mm.

Tags: focal length, your lens, camera that, focal length, focal length lens

Comparing Sony Laptop Prices

Sony Electronics Inc., a manufacturer of home entertainment equipment with worldwide name recognition, also produces personal computers and computer notebooks, both of which bear the name "VAIO." As of October 2010, starting prices for VAIO laptops range from $449.99 to $1,799.99.

Z Series

The Z Series is Sony's most expensive line of laptops. The lowest-priced model in the Z Series, which has a 13.1-inch screen, carries a base price of $1,799.99. Standard features include the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system, 512 gigabytes of hard drive storage, an Intel Core i7 processor, 7.0 hours of battery life and a limited warranty with in-home support. At the high end of the Z Series spectrum is the "Signature Collection," the most expensive model of which retails for $4,699.99.

P Series

The P Series laptop, the smallest notebook offered by Sony, features an 8-inch screen and is available in black, orange, white, pink or green. The entry-point P Series notebook includes an Intel processor, 4.5 hours of battery life, 256 gigabytes of hard drive storage, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium and a built-in web cam. Prices for P Series notebooks range from $899.99 to $1,499.99.

EC Series

The EC Series has a 17.3-inch screen. The base model of the series features the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system. It features 1.0 terabyte of hard drive storage, an Intel Core i5 processor, an Adobe software bundle and a limited warranty with in-home support. The battery has a maximum life of 3.0 hours. The base price of the EC Series laptop is $749.99. Using Sony's "configure-to-order" option and optimizing each element results in a price, as of October 2010, of $1909.97.

Tags: drive storage, hard drive, hard drive storage, Home Premium, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Home, Series Series

Difference Between Analog & Digital Telephones

The terms "analog" and "digital" refer to the way in which telephones transfer people's voices. The former is an older technology while the latter is relatively new. The change between them is helping to revolutionize communications technology.

Analog

Analog phone signals interpret sound as an electronic pulse which is analogous to the sound being interpreted. That's where the name "analog" comes from.

Digital

Digital signals break the sound down into a binary code (1s and 0s) much is the way a computer stores information. Your phone then restructures the code into a representation of the sound.

Advantages of Analog

Analog signals are cheaper to send, and they still provide a clear voice. Some musicians claim that analog sounds allow for greater subtlety and inflection as well.

Advantages of Digital

Digital signals take up much less space than analog signals, which means more information can be sent. The result is a much clearer signal with greater range for cordless phones and easier encryption to keep others from eavesdropping on your conversations.

Which is Which?

Analog phones likely have the phrase "complies with part 68, FCC Rules" stamped on the back, along with a Ringer Equivalence Number. Digital phones have many more functions available and, in a business environment, you must usually dial "9" on a digital phone before dialing the number itself.

Tags: Analog Analog, Digital Digital, Digital Digital signals, Digital signals

How Copy From A Dvr Camcorder To The Computer

USB is the key to transferring videos from a DVR camcorder to a computer.

A DVR camcorder is a camcorder that records video to a hard drive instead of a tape. Many DVR camcorders use removable memory cards, though some have fixed hard drives. Most of these cameras connect to the computer using a USB cable and have software that can assist in transferring video to a computer. However, videos can be transferred without the software directly in Windows.

Instructions

1. Open "My Computer" on your computer.

2. Connect the USB cable from the DVR camcorder to the computer. Some DVR camcorders do not have a USB port, but instead have an attached USB connector. If this is the case, plug the DVR camcorder directly into the USB port of the computer. When you plug the camera into the USB port, a new drive will appear in "My Computer." This is the camcorder.

3. Double-click on the camcorder drive in "My Computer" to find the files you want to copy. When you find them, select the files you want to copy, then click and drag them to your desktop or to your desired location. You can also highlight the files, then right-click and select "Copy." Navigate to where you want to copy the files on your computer, then right-click and select "Paste."

Tags: want copy, camcorder computer, files want, files want copy, from camcorder

Convert Old 8 Mm Movies To Dvd

The colors on a DVD video will not fade over time.

Converting 8 mm movies to DVD is straightforward but time-consuming. The process requires recording the movie on a camcorder, transferring the video to a computer and then burning the video to a DVD. You will still need an 8 mm movie projector to project the movie, but once the video from the movie has been captured, the projector will never be needed again.

Instructions

Capture 8 mm Movie

1. Put double-stick tape on one side of the sheet of white paper. Stick the sheet of white paper to the wall. Put a table 5 feet from the sheet of white paper. Put the 8 mm movie projector on the table.

2. Put the spirit level on top of the 8 mm movie projector. Adjust the movable front leg on the projector until the bubble in the spirit level lines up between the two etched marks.

3. Put the 8 mm movie on the front reel of the projector. Thread the movie through the film gate and onto the take-up reel.

4. Put the hard drive-enabled camcorder onto the tripod. Put the tripod next to the 8 mm projector so the camcorder's lens is slightly in front of the projector's lens.

5. Put the spirit level on top of the camcorder. Adjust the tripod until the bubble in the spirit level lines up between the two etched marks.

6. Turn off the lights in the room. Turn on the 8 mm projector's bulb. Focus the projector's lens so the image on the white sheet of paper is sharp.

7. Turn on the camcorder. Focus the camcorder's lens so the image on the white sheet of paper is sharp.

8. Turn the knob on the projector to "Play." Press the "Record" button on the camcorder. Press the "Stop" button on the camcorder when the film has finished playing.

9. Turn on the lights. Turn off the bulb on the 8 mm movie projector. Rewind the film. Turn off the projector. Remove the white sheet of paper from the wall. Remove the camcorder from the tripod.

10. Connect the camcorder input from the camcorder cable to the output port of the camcorder. Connect the USB plug from the camcorder cable to a USB port on the computer. Turn on the camcorder. Press the "Menu" button on the camcorder. Go to the "Settings" menu. Select "Output mode" from the list of choices presented. Press the "Menu" button again.

11. Double-click on the icon of a video program included with the computer, for example, the iMovie video program on a Mac or the Movie Maker video program on a PC.

12. Wait for the pop-up window to appear that says the video program has detected the camcorder. Click the "OK" button in the window.

13. Press the "Play" button on the camcorder. Press the "Record" button on the video program's main screen.

14. Press the "Stop" button on the video program's main screen when the video on the camcorder has finished playing. Press the "Stop button on the camcorder.

15. Press the "Save To" button on the video program's main screen. Navigate in the window that appears to the desktop.

16. Press the "Save" button on the window to close the window and save the digital video file made from the 8 mm movie to the desktop.

17.Quit the video program. Disconnect the camcorder cable from the USB port of the computer and from the camcorder.

Burn DVD

18. Download a DVD-burning program to the desktop of the computer, for example, the ImgBurn program for a PC or the Burn program for a Mac.

19. Double-click on the icon of the program. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the computer's hard drive. Restart the PC after the installation is completed.

20. Double-click on the icon of the DVD-burning program to launch it. Drag the digital video file from the desktop onto the icon of the DVD-burning program--the icon is on the desktop or in the dock to the left or at the bottom of the screen.

21. Click "Yes" on the confirmation window if the program asks to convert the digital file into a DVD-compatible format.

22. Select the DVD drive from the list of choices presented in the "Devices" drop-down menu on the DVD-burning program's main screen..

23. Select "DVD-Video" from the list of choices presented in the "Format" drop-down menu on the DVD-burning program's main screen.

24. Click on the "Options" button at the top of the DVD-burning program's main screen.

25. Click on the "Video" tab at the top of the window that appears.

26

Select "8X" from the list of choices presented in the "Speed" drop-down menu. Close the window by clicking the "OK" button.

27

Eject the DVD drive's disc tray. Put a blank recordable DVD onto the disc tray. Close the disc tray.

28

Press the "Burn" or "Start" button on the DVD-burning program's main screen. Wait until a confirmation window appears to state that the DVD has been burned.

29

Quit the DVD-burning program. Eject the DVD drive's disc tray. Remove the DVD that now has the video from the 8 mm movie on it. Close the disc tray. Archive or delete the digital video file.

Tags: video program, DVD-burning program, main screen, program main, program main screen, button camcorder, disc tray

Will I Lose My House If I File Bankruptcy

Will I Lose My House if I File Bankruptcy?

What is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a means for people debtors who have a tremendous amount of debt to get out of debt either completely or to be relieved from some portion of it. A bankruptcy stays on the debtor's credit file for ten years.

Title 11 of the United States Code administers bankruptcy dealings. Bankruptcy is federal law business. Bankruptcy law is the essentially the same in every state with exceptions for exemptions. If the federal bankruptcy law is different from state law, the federal law prevails.

Types of Bankruptcy

There are a range of bankruptcy forms. The Chapter 7 bankruptcy is generally for individuals and married couples. Chapter 11 is typically for business owners. Chapter 12 is for family farmers with debt problems, and Chapter 13 is for individuals and married couples who desire to reorganize their debts. Therefore, depending on the debtor's need or the type of business owned, specific bankruptcy filings would apply.

Will I Lose My House if I File Bankruptcy?

Many debtors fear that they will lose their home if they file bankruptcy. However, if the home has no equity, which is calculated by taking today's value of the home and subtracting the costs of the sale, payoff balances and any liens, the trustee in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will "abandon" the house to you. Abandoning the house to you means that you will be able to remain in your home and keep your house on condition that you can maintain payments on your mortgage. However, filing for a bankruptcy does not alleviate the property of any voluntary liens, like tax liens, deeds of trust or mortgages. The lender continues to preserve the right to foreclose on the property if the payments are not made as agreed. As long as the mortgage payments are made on time and as agreed, all is well because generally no lender wants to obtain any debtor's property. Lenders are in the business of giving loans, not obtaining property. They don't make their money that way. Lenders make money when the mortgage loan is paid on time and remain up to date. Foreclosure is a last option when a debtor fails to make payments.

What Does it Mean for Property to be Exempt?

Exemptions include statutory lists of the types and values of property that is lawfully outside the reach of the bankruptcy trustee or creditors. In every bankruptcy, the debtor is allowed to select property from the statutory lists of exemptions that are provided under his state law, and the debtor keeps the selected property. Therefore, the exempt property chosen is detached from the bankruptcy estate and is not accessible for use to pay any claims of creditors. The bankruptcy code allows debtors to get a fresh start after filing bankruptcy and at the same time keep exempt property selected to help her in her fresh start. The properties that are allowed as exemptions are decided by state and federal statutes, and they differ within states.

First Things First

One of the first things to do before deciding to file bankruptcy, when you're concerned about losing your home through filing via Chapter 7, is to determine whether there is sufficient equity in the home. The debtor does this by deciding whether the exemption available to him is equal to or exceeds the amount of equity in the property. If the exemptions available are found to be equal to or exceed the equity in the property, then the present equity in the property is exempt and the debtor gets to keep his home. This is providing he or she can afford to continue to pay the mortgage payment.

On the other hand, if the exemption is not adequate to protect the equity, or in other words, the present equity exceeds the exemption amount allowed, then the debtor should probably consider a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In Chapter 13, the debtor is choosing a reorganization debt repayment plan and the house is included in the debt reorganization. This method also allows the debtor to keep her home even though she will not be able to completely liquidate all other debts. Now, once again, it is imperative for the debtor to make sure she can afford to pay the mortgage payments as well as the new agreement amount in the repayment plan. Otherwise, it's all a waste of time and effort. During these times, it is very important to be honest with one's self so as to avoid ending up in the same overwhelming state again.

Tags: Chapter bankruptcy, equity property, House File, House File Bankruptcy, Lose House

Save Photos Onto A Pc

Storing your photos on your computer ensures that you have them at your fingertips when you want to print them or send them to a retailer to have them printed for you. You can also share them via email, use them for scrapbooking or burn to a CD at your leisure.

Instructions

1. Download your photos from your digital camera to your computer using your USB port. Every camera is slightly different, so check the instructions that came with your digital camera.

2. Open the program you use to view pictures and click on the photo you want to save. Select "File" from the upper left corner of the window and choose the "Save As" function from your list of choices.

3. Select where you want the photo to be stored on your computer. This could be a picture folder on your hard drive, or you could save it directly to your desktop. It's important to organize your files so you can remember where they are and locate them easily.

4. Choose a file name so you can identify the photo. You can use the default, which is usually the number of the photo assigned to the file by your camera. Or, you can use the file name to describe the photo.

5. Save the photo as a JPEG file. This file extension will usually be added automatically.

Tags: your computer, digital camera, file name, from your, have them, your digital, your digital camera

Insert A Memory Stick Inside A Psp

The Sony Playstation Portable, or PSP, is a mobile gaming system. Rather than using internal memory for the storage of saved game files, music, games or any other information, it uses a separate memory card known as the Memory Stick Duo, which is a standard format among many Sony electronic devices. The PSP ships with a 1 GB Memory Stick Duo, which is adequate for many people, but others find that they need more space. If you find that you need to upgrade to a higher capacity, the process to swap them out is very simple.

Instructions

1. Locate the door on the side of your PSP that protects the Memory Stick Duo slot. It will be on the left side of the PSP as you face it from the front.

2. Open the Memory Stick Duo cover door using your fingernail or a thin, flat tool.

3. Check to make sure there is not already a Memory Stick Duo inserted in your PSP. If there is already one there, gently push it inward until it clicks, then release. It should slide out easily, freeing the space for your new one.

4. Slide the Memory Stick Duo into the slot in the side of the PSP. The label should be facing the same direction as the LCD screen, and the notched corner of the Memory Stick Duo should be up. Put in until you hear a click, then release.

5. Replace the door covering the Memory Stick Duo slot. It is now installed, but still needs to be formatted before it can be used.

6. Turn the PSP power on.

7. Scroll to the "Settings" option on the PSP menu, then scroll down to "System Settings."

8. Press the "X" button on the PSP to select the option.

9. Scroll down to "Format Memory Stick."

10. Press the "X" button on the PSP.

11. Select "Yes" to format the Memory Stick Duo and prepare it for use.

Tags: Memory Stick, find that, Memory Stick slot, Memory Stick which, Press button

Take Portraits With A Twin Lens Camera

The Mamiya C330 twin-lens reflex camera is shown with a 105mm portrait lens.

You can make use of old technology to make modern, striking portraits that will be unlike anything shot with digital cameras. Twin-lens reflex cameras haven't been made in a while, but if you have one or pick one up cheap, they are great experimental cameras. And they can teach the basics of photography to novices who want to really understand the process.

Instructions

1. Get to know the camera before setting up a shoot with a live model. Mamiya is the most common TLR camera available that also has interchangeable lenses. Since you want to shoot portraits, this is important because you will need moderate telephoto lenses to give the true portrait effect. That effect is the subject in focus while everything in the background is blurred or set back.

2. Learn change film, change lenses and set the shutter and aperture well before going on a shoot. The Mamiya C330, for example, has a simple mechanical locking system to keep the lens in place. Make sure this is secure and locked before you take photos. There is no autowinder, so the film must be advanced manually. The shutter speed and aperture also are manual, so these should be calculated and set.

3. Practice with the camera on near objects. Because the viewing lens is slightly above the "taking" lens, there is a slight difference between what you see and what the film records. This is called parallax. At a distance, this isn't a problem, but for portraits and other close-up subjects, it means the image will be off center. All it takes to correct is a slight angling upward of the camera just before shooting, but it takes some experimentation to get it right.

4. Use a tripod. While you can shoot fast film in daylight without visible blurring, the idea of portraiture is to get the best image possible. A tripod steadies the camera and allows you to leave it where it is while taking light readings.

5. Use a hand-held meter to calculate exposures. You can set the film speed on the light meter and it will then determine shutter speed and aperture for you. Take several readings to get an average for the exposure.

Tags: Mamiya C330, shutter speed, shutter speed aperture, speed aperture

Transfer A Super 8 Film To A Dvd

Transfer your Super 8 movies to DVD to extend their life and make them convenient to watch.

In the heyday of film home movie technology, buyers captured their life moments on an improved version of Kodak 8mm film, called Super 8. The product offered an improvement in picture quality over "Double" or "Regular" 8mm film, but nevertheless the format eventually folded against videotape and digital media. The old films still contain bygone moments, but in the modern era they are inconvenient to watch and run the risk of degrading over time. A fairly simple transfer to DVD will give them a whole new lifetime of easy viewing.

Instructions

1. Take your equipment into a reasonably large room with no windows or one in which the windows can be completely shuttered. Place the projection screen against a wall and set up the Super 8 projector in front of it. Beside the projector, mount the camcorder on a tripod and aim it at the projection screen. Activate the light on the projector and make sure the light fits tightly within the bounds of the screen.

2. Turn on the camcorder and look through the viewfinder, adjusting the focus, zoom and position to make sure the light of the projection fits in the camcorder.

3. Load the Super 8 film in the projector. Press the red "Record" button on the camcorder and immediately activate the film projector. When the movie ends, press the "Record" button on the camcorder a second time to end the recording. Turn off the projector.

4. Connect the camcorder to your computer with the Firewire cable. Open the file explorer in the operating system and wait for the icon identifying the camcorder to appear. Double-click the icon to reveal the movie file for the film recording. Open a second file explorer window. Create a new folder for film transfers and open it. Click and drag the movie file from the camcorder folder to the new folder.

5. Open your DVD authoring program and start a new project, creating a blank menu. With the "Add/Import File to Library" button, bring the movie file of the Super 8 recording into the program. Click and drag the movie file onto the blank menu, which will create a button with the file name in text. Right-click the text to delete the file name; type in "Play Movie" or a title for the movie that you will remember. Click the "Burn to Disc" button, insert a blank DVD disc when prompted and wait for the disc to write.

Tags: movie file, blank menu, button camcorder, Click drag, Click drag movie, drag movie, drag movie file

Broadcast Live Without A Webcam

Broadcasting your computer's desktop is a great way to provide remote software demonstrations.

Live streaming is the process of broadcasting your computer activities live to an audience, either public or private. Live streaming your desktop does not require a webcam, but you can add one to your video if you choose to. Additionally, you can broadcast your voice with your microphone to help inform your audience. You can use a live stream to broadcast anything from software sales demonstrations to video game footage to an audience anywhere in the world.

Instructions

Get a Streaming Service

1. Sign up for a popular streaming service, such as Justin.tv or Livestream.com. Though these sites primarily cater to gamers, you can actually use the service for any kind of stream you wish.

2. Set your account to private if you wish to only share the stream with a specific audience, such as a business meeting. Alternatively, if you wish to broadcast to anyone, you can set your stream to public.

3. Share your unique URL with whomever you want to watch your stream. If you are using Justin.tv, it should be in the format "http://www.justin.tv/youraccountname".

Using XSplit

4. Download XSplit, a free live streaming program, and sign up for an account. It is designed to interface with popular streaming services, such as Justin.tv.

5. Add your live streaming channel to XSplit. You can find the channel menu by navigating to the Broadcast menu and selecting Edit Channels. Click the Add button.

6. Enter your live stream information. In the case of Justin.tv, most of the information will populate automatically after you enter your username and password.

7. Leave the quality settings alone for now; you can always tweak them later if you wish. Increasing the quality and bitrate uses more bandwidth, so your best possible quality will vary depending on the strength of your Internet connection.

Screen Region

8. Select "Scene 1" in the bottom right corner. The various "scenes" refer to your video source. If you master the art of configuring scenes, you can put together very sophisticated streams from multiple sources, cameras and even other computers. At first, it's best to just start with one scene.

9. Click "Add" in the bottom left corner of the screen, and select "Screen Region" from the menu. This option allows you to tell XSplit what part of your screen you intend to broadcast.

10. Click the very top left, and then the very bottom right, of your screen. This will broadcast your entire desktop. Alternatively, you can select a small region and only broadcast that part. Showing the whole screen is generally the easiest way, however, and is necessary if you are trying to broadcast a full screen presentation or software demonstration.

Broadcast Resolution

11. Go to the View menu at the top, and select the Resolution item. This selection allows you to determine the resolution of your broadcast. This information may not necessarily match your desktop resolution.

12. Click the Edit Resolutions menu item to configure what resolutions you want to appear on the menu.

13. Pick a resolution that matches the ratio of your desktop resolution. If you are unsure what ratio your computer is set to, use either 1280x720 for a widescreen monitor, or 1280x1024 for an older CRT monitor. These are very standard resolutions that should work with most computers.

Start the Broadcast

14. Select the Broadcast drop down menu. Your streaming service should appear in the list.

15. Click on the streaming service you wish to use from the list. After a few seconds, XSplit's title bar should turn red and start displaying statistics of your stream.

16. Verify your stream is working by bringing it up in your web browser. This will create an obnoxious feedback effect, but you only need to look at it for a few seconds to verify it is working. Most streaming services will make you watch an advertisement before the stream loads.

17.Lower your resolution if you find that your Internet connection cannot handle the broadcast. You may need to drop to a smaller resolution such as 640x360 for widescreen, or 640x480 for a CRT monitor.

18. Double check previous sections of this article if something is not working. You may need to try removing and re-populating the screen region or channel information.

Tags: your stream, streaming service, your computer, your desktop, bottom right, broadcast your

Protect Your Smartphone From Cell Phone Jammers

There are ways to protect your smartphone against a cell phone jammer.

If you own a smartphone, you may not know that there are times and places where your phone service can be interrupted without your permission. A cellphone jammer is a piece of equipment that scrambles the signals on a chosen frequency. This scrambling will prevent your smartphone from being able to send and receive signals. If you think that your smartphone is being interrupted illegally, there are a few ways to protect your phone and get around the jammers.

Instructions

1. Move to a different location. If you believe that your smartphone is being jammed, consider your location. If you are near a government operation or a place where you suspect security is of extreme importance, walk or drive in the opposite direction. Most cell phone jammers are programmed to work within a specified radius. Removing yourself from that radius will protect your smartphone against the jamming.

2. Destroy the jamming device. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation consider destroying or removing the power source to the cell phone jammer. A cell phone jammer can be contained inside a cabinet, hidden behind a wall or sitting in plain view. The dead giveaway for a cell phone jammer is the antenna.

3. Purchase a smartphone that functions on several frequencies. High-tech cell phone jammers will block many frequencies, but others only block a single frequency. If your phone can function on several frequencies, you can protect against the jammer simply by using a different frequency.

4. Contact law enforcement. Different states and cities have different laws regarding the use of cell phone jammers. Some locations have strict laws against them, while others allow them in only certain locations. If you believe that someone is using a jammer illegally, call the police and see if they can seize the jammer from its owner.

Tags: cell phone, cell phone jammer, phone jammer, your smartphone, cell phone jammers

Bridge Mono Amp For Two Subs

One of the most common questions posed by those putting together a car audio system is add additional subwoofers into their system. There are many different wiring configurations and schemes that can be employed depending upon the amplifier type and the number of subs you're wiring. One of the most common wiring schemes is to connect two subs to a single mono amplifier.

Instructions

1. Cut two lengths of speaker wire with a pair of wire cutters. Each piece of speaker wire should be long enough to reach from your amplifier's speaker terminals to the terminals of the subwoofers.

2. Separate the two leads on both ends of each piece of speaker wire. Grasp the two leads, one in each hand and pull gently apart so the leads are separated for a distance of about 2 inches.

3. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of all of the speaker wire leads, using a set of wire strippers.

4. Loosen the terminals of your first sub by twisting them to the left or pushing them down to open a hole in the post. Slide the positive lead of your speaker wire (marked "+") into the red (positive) terminal. Slide the negative lead into the black terminal. Tighten the terminals to hold the wires by reversing the loosening process.

5. Repeat Step 4 with the second subwoofer. You'll now have two subwoofers, each with a length of speaker wire attached to it.

6. Take the positive leads of the speaker wires coming from the first and second subs and twist the bare wires together. Do the same for the negative leads.

7. Loosen the speaker terminals of your amplifier with a screwdriver or hex wrench. Slide the combined positive leads from Step 6 into the positive terminal and tighten. Repeat for the negative leads and negative terminal.

Tags: speaker wire, into positive, into positive terminal, most common, negative leads, piece speaker

What To Look For In An Hd Television

Buying an HD (high-definition) television can be a daunting task. All the options and vocabulary can be intimidating. But don't worry, even if you don't know where to start. You can do this.

Size

The first consideration in buying an HD TV is size. The larger the screen, the further you will need to sit from it. So a 54-inch plasma won't work well in your 500-square-foot apartment.

Plasma TVs

Plasma is a popular type of HDTV. It uses gases trapped between glass to create a picture. Plasma TVs may have a lot of glare, because of the glass used in the screen. Burnout is an issue with older models.

LCD TVs

LCD TVs are the most popular type available, and may be your best choice. LCD TVs are similar to the flat monitors you use with your computer, and many come with PC hookups added in. Buy one with a built-in tuner card, if you plan on using an antenna.

Resolution & Response Time

Higher resolutions and faster response times are preferable. Resolution refers to image quality, and response time refers to how well the TV "keeps up" with a show's action, such as fast camera movement. Slow response times and lower resolutions mean pixellated and blurry images.

Connections

If you are connecting your TV to a cable box, DVD player, receiver or other component, make sure your connections are compatible, or you will need to buy adapters for your cables.

Tags: popular type, response times, will need

Wire A Motion Detector

Motion detectors are a great addition to any outdoor lighting scheme. They offer improved security measures, and they help to keep your electric bill down by reducing the amount of time a particular light is left on.

Instructions

1. The first step to wiring a motion detector is to choose which light you want to have the capabilities. It can be an entryway light, a light on the garage or pretty much any other exterior light on your home. You want to make sure that, where you are installing it, the detector will have a clear line of sight to the area you want it to scan. If there are bushes or tree branches in the way, then the motion detector will be sensing movement all night long and the light will never go out!

2. Once you have the light chosen, turn off the circuit that powers the light. You can turn the switch off if you want, but for safety reasons, it's best to turn off the breaker.Next, remove the light fixture from the wall. Before you disconnect the wires, use the touch-type voltage tester to ensure that the line is turned off. After you check the voltage, disconnect the wires.

3. Many exterior lights come with pre-drilled holes suitable for installing a motion detector or photo sensor. These access holes usually have a cap that can be unscrewed. Look on your light fixture for a knockout or access hole cap and remove it. If your light fixture does not have an access hole, you can create your own by drilling one in with a 3/4" hole saw or simply purchase a newer light fixture.

4. Take your motion detector and make sure that it has the rubber weatherproof grommet inserted over its threads. Then, insert the wires through the access hole on the light fixture. Use the accompanying lock nut to secure the motion detector to the light fixture.

5. Next, use your wire strippers to strip away any necessary insulation from the wires. You should have about 3/4" of exposed wire at the ends of each wire. Take the white wire from the motion detector and connect it to the white wire from the light fixture and the white wire coming out of the wall.Take the red wire from the motion detector and connect it to the black wire coming from the light fixture.Take the black wire coming from the motion detector and connect it to the black wire coming out of the wall.Make sure all of the wire connectors are on tight and wrap electrical tape around each one.

6. Secure the light fixture back to the wall box and turn the circuit breaker back on. Now, when it gets dark outside, and something or someone walks in front of the motion detector, the lights will automatically come on!

Tags: light fixture, motion detector, motion detector, wire coming, access hole, black wire

How Often Should I Water My Vegetable Garden

Vegetable gardening is one of the more popular hobbies and pastimes in the United States. Many people are gardening for the first time and are looking for answers and advice about have the best harvest possible. Do your veggies need water every day? Do they need it once per week? Several factors determine the answers to these questions.

Controlling Water Supply

If you live in an area that receives summer rain, it can be difficult to control the frequency of watering. Too much moisture can cause a calcium deficiency that leads to blossom end rot on crops such as squash and tomatoes. Too little rain can cause plants to wither and die. Too much moisture can also cause fungal diseases such as powdery mildew on your plants' leaves. One way around the rain is to build clear plastic "umbrellas" over your garden beds. By watering only underneath your plants, for example with a drip irrigation system, you can control the amount of water they get and prevent the leaves from getting wet. Vegetable plants thrive on an even supply of water and many prefer to be watered deeply once or twice per week. One inch of water per week is generally recommended for most vegetables, although consider your soil type---clay soil retains water well, but sandy soil does not. Loamy soil, with lots of organic matter, holds moisture best and affords your plants good drainage.

Seeds and Bedding Plants

Young plants need more frequent watering than older, well-established plants. If you start seeds in small pots, you'll find that they dry out quickly, especially as they grow larger and their roots take over more of the pot's space. Keep an eye on your plants in small pots and water them every day if they are dry. When you first transplant small plants, whether you've grown them from seed or purchased bedding plants from the nursery, water them frequently. Check every day, and give them a drink every day or every other day until they become larger and their roots penetrate more deeply into the ground, where there's more moisture.

Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplant

The Nightshade family includes tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, all of which have similar watering needs. They also are susceptible to a fungal disease called Fusarium wilt, which you can help prevent by keeping your plant healthy with the right fertilization and irrigation. To prevent fungal diseases, do not over-irrigate, especially early in the lives of these plants. As much as possible, keep the soil moisture level stable. You can help this by using a thick mulch of hay or straw---4 to 6 inches is recommended. Tomatoes can develop cracks if they receive a seesaw effect of wet and dry periods, so keep the soil damp but not soggy. Water the Nightshades once per week with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water, and in very hot weather check the soil with your finger and give them additional water if it feels dry.

Green Beans

Green beans are hardy in most climates. They can be subject to bacteria that causes their leaves to wither and die, so keep the soil moisture as even as possible by watering twice per week. Always water green beans from below to keep their leaves dry.

Root Crops

Radishes, potatoes, carrots and other root crops can rot if they are forced to live in soil that is constantly soggy. Wait until the soil around these plants has dried out before you give them a good, thorough soaking. Carrots need sufficient water to keep the plants growing quickly, but decrease the frequency of your watering to once a week as they grow larger to prevent them from cracking and splitting, which extends an open invitation to soil-born insects to dine on them.

Zucchini, Cucumbers and Other Squash

Water the squashes only from below to keep their leaves dry, which will help prevent powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. It's a good gardening practice to build "hills" on which these plants will grow. With a "moat" around the hill, the plants will not sit in water when you apply it, and it will allow more water to soak into the soil around them. After your zucchini, cucumbers and other squash begin to flower, water them deeply once each week by flooding their "moat."

Tags: your plants, fungal diseases, give them, keep soil, once week, their leaves, these plants

Polaroid Film Instructions

Get instant results with your Polaroid film camera.

Polaroid is a former manufacturer of instant cameras and packaged film cartridges. Unlike 35mm film photography, no negative is produced during the photographic process. The final picture, also known as the positive image, is ejected from the camera after the shutter is released. Though Polaroid halted their production of instant pack film in 2008, some of the company's remaining stock is available through online auction sites and other photographic retailers. The most common of the Polaroid films is Type 600, which is used in most fold-out handheld instant cameras.

Instructions

1. Remove the Polaroid film cartridge from its silver outer wrapper. Do not pull out any protruding tabs or remove the black safety cover from the cartridge.

2. Slide forward the locking switch on the lower-right side of the camera body to open the film loading door.

3. Position the cartridge so that the black safety cover faces up and the white and red tab faces down. Push the cartridge all the way into the camera's loading slot and close the door so that it clicks shut.

4. Remove the black safety cover once the camera ejects it. This indicates proper loading of the film cartridge.

5. Open the top of the camera and look through the viewfinder to compose your picture.

6. Adjust exposure levels and focusing distance using the sliding notches on the front of the camera body. Depress the shutter lever, located on the right side of the camera body, to take your picture.

7. Remove the photograph once the camera ejects it. Set it aside and allow it to develop undisturbed for five minutes.

Tags: black safety, black safety cover, camera body, safety cover, camera ejects, film cartridge, instant cameras

What Is A Bullet Camera

Bullet cameras are a small, cylindrical type of video camera commonly used for surveillance purposes. They are very versatile and are available in resolutions just as high as other cameras despite their miniature size.

Bullet cameras are commonly used for surveillance.

Imaging

Due to their small size, bullet cameras function by using an inline video imaging chip rather than the standard board design.

Specifications

Bullet cameras are usually between 2 and 2.5 inches long and have a fixed focal lens because of the size limitations.

Names

Bullet cameras are also sometimes called "lipstick cameras" because of their shape or "inline CCD cameras" because of the chips they use.

Advantages

The bullet camera's small size allows it to fit into small spaces. Its size also makes it difficult to see, which is useful when used for surveillance.

Disadvantages

The drawback to the fixed focal lens in bullet cameras is that it limits their range. Another problem is that images are sometimes cut off if the camera's design conflicts with the lens or filter.

Tags: Bullet cameras, used surveillance, cameras because, commonly used, commonly used surveillance, fixed focal, fixed focal lens

Stop Cable Tv Service

You may want to cancel cable TV service because you don't watch as much television as you used to, or perhaps it's time to cut expenses from the household budget. Whatever your reason, cable TV service can be canceled with a phone call after reviewing your contract.

Instructions

1. Review your service contract closely for any requirements you may be obligated to fulfill. If you are still in a free-trial or promotional period, you should be able to cancel cable TV service without penalty. If you are still within the contract period, review the terms to understand any cancellation fees you may be expected to pay. If the contract term has expired, you are likely on a month-to-month service plan and can terminate service any time.

2. Call the cable TV service provider and listen for the automatic voice prompts to select an option. Canceling service will probably be the last option. With some providers, you may be able to press 0 to be transferred immediately to a customer service representative.

3. Explain that you want to terminate your cable TV service. If you are still under a contract, you may be able to waive a cancellation fee if you have recently become unemployed or if you are moving to an area that the cable TV company does not serve.

4. Ask for a confirmation number on your cancellation order, as well as the name and location of the representative you've spoken with. You'll need this information if the company fails to process your cancellation or if you receive another bill.

5. Disconnect the cable TV box from your television and take it to the local office of your cable TV provider.

6. If you are unable to resolve the request on the phone, go to the company's offices in the middle of the day when there are likely to be more representatives to listen to your complaints.

7. Call your credit card company or bank and order a stop payment if you receive a bill or any correspondence threatening to charge you for unpaid TV service after you have canceled.

Tags: cable service, cancel cable, cancel cable service, your cable, your cancellation

Programs To Reduce Photo Size

The ability to shrink the size of a photo is extremely important. That’s because many websites where you may wish to share the photo (Facebook or MySpace, for example) will not allow you to upload extremely large pictures to their servers. Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature to allow you to do this easily in Windows. However, that doesn’t mean you are stuck. Numerous programs exist that will let you shrink the size of your photo and even do some basic editing on it.

AVS Image Converter

For those who want more than just the ability to change the size of a particular photo, AVS Image Converter offers a variety of functions that will allow you to do more than just change the size of your picture (though it definitely offers that feature as well). The software will also let you touch up the picture to fix problems such as red eye and bad lighting. You can also do batch conversion of the photos to other formats so that if your pictures are all camera RAW format (a format used by professional DSLR cameras that is quite large) they can be converted all at once to JPG format (the most common format on the Internet). The software is free to try, however, it leaves a watermark on your photos unless you pay a $39 fee for full activation.

Free Picture Resize Starter

As the name implies, this software program is 100 % free and works quite well to allow you to resize your pictures. You can change them all to a uniform size or choose a size for individual pictures. In addition, when you use a single size for your photos, you can choose to do a batch conversion so that you can simply select a large number of photos and then resize them all at once.

Image Optimizer

Image Optimizer comes either as a downloaded program or a Web-based program. To use the Web-based program, you simply select the file and upload it to the website. The site will then shrink it for you on the spot for free. Note, however, that if you choose to use the downloaded program, it will do the same job and do it faster (since you needn’t wait to upload your file). Like AVS Image Converter, the desktop version of Image Optimizer will leave a watermark on your photos unless you pay a fee. The Web version doesn’t leave the same watermark.

Tags: Image Converter, Image Optimizer, size your, your photos, batch conversion

Make A Basic Fm Radio

Technological devices are becoming advanced enough to do just about anything, but the concept of radio hasn't changed much in several decades. Despite all of the innovations stations now use to broadcast and record, you still can make a simple FM radio at home. All you need are a few items and no tools. It takes only a few minutes to build one.

Instructions

Putting It Together

1. With the pencil tip, poke a small hole in one end of the cardboard tube. Thread the end of the magnet wire through the hole and tie it to the tube.

2. Wrap the magnet wire around the tube for the entire length of the tube. Be careful not to break the wire and make sure you make as many turns around the tube as you can.

3. Secure the tube to the board with a thumbtack.

4. Slip one end of the magnet wire coming off the tube underneath the razor blade, so the blade and wire touch. Secure the wire and razor blade in place on the board below the tube by hammering it with one or two thumbtacks.

5. Cut the jack off the earpiece with the wire cutters and trim back some of the insulation to expose the wire.

6. Wrap the exposed wire on the earphone jack around the large end of an open safety pin.

7. Stick the sharp end of the open safety pin into the blunt end of the pencil tip and place the graphite tip of the pencil tip on the razor blade.

8. Attach the antenna wire to the magnet wire that runs from the tube to the razor blade.

9. Attach the ground wire to the end of the magnet wire that runs from the other end of the cardboard tube.

10. Secure loose wiring with thumbtacks against the board if needed.

11. Place the radio in a position that will receive radio signals well (e.g., a window) and position the antenna and ground wires. Insert the earpiece in your ear and listen.

Tags: magnet wire, razor blade, around tube, blade Attach, cardboard tube

Install A Microphone Clip On A Stand

You can screw a microphone clip onto the end of the microphone stand.

A microphone clip is an attachment that connects a microphone to a microphone stand. Having a microphone clip on your stand is essential in order to secure the microphone. Although vocalists may hold a microphone in their hands, musicians who are playing instruments and singing must have their hands free. This makes it necessary to mount the microphone through the use of a clip. Many stands do not come with clips when you buy them, so you must purchase a clip and install it yourself.

Instructions

1. Locate the top of the microphone stand. Vertical stands feature an area at the top that has metal threads onto which a clip can be screwed. "Boom" stands have a horizontal arm that attaches to the vertical stand. The metal threads on boom stands are located at the end of the horizontal arm.

2. Position the microphone clip over the end of the microphone stand. Center the clip on top of the threads on the end of the stand.

3. Turn the clip in a clockwise direction to screw it onto the stand.

4. Turn the clip in a counter-clockwise direction if you need to remove it from the stand later.

Tags: microphone clip, microphone stand, metal threads, stand Turn, stand Turn clip, their hands, Turn clip

Make A Christmas Light Controller

You can have your Christmas lights come on only when you decide. To do this, you need a Christmas light controller. It's easy to buy one, but you can make your own by following a few simple steps.

Instructions

1. Pick up a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which is the brain of your Christmas lights. Cubloc's website carries this controller.

2. Cut the electrical power in the area where you are working. To be sure you are safe, you can cut the power to the whole house.

3. Isolate the three wires (green, black and white) necessary to complete your project. Join them, beginning with adding the green one to a CuSB. You will see an area that says "FG." This is the frame ground and must be attached firmly.

4. Attach the black and white wires to the terminal headers-one on "N" and the other on "L." Do not screw in the black or white wire; however, do twist the green wire into place. Join the CuSB label com wire to the "N." Tightly attach the P40 label to the CuSB.

5. Join P41 to a screw and P42 to another screw. Now connect "L" to the other screw on the connectors. Next, hook up the Christmas lights to the connectors.

6. Go into the CublocStudio and insert 300 as the interval. List "high" as 40, "low" as 41 and "high" as 42. If you want slower lights, change the interval to a lower number.

Tags: black white, Christmas lights, other screw, your Christmas, your Christmas lights

Balance A Glidecam Using A Canon Xl2 Camera

Balance your Canon XL2 with a Glidecam.

The Canon XL2 is one of the most popular professional standard definition cameras on the market. It's especially popular with documentary producers, wedding videographers and low-budget filmmakers. Using an XL2 with a Glidecam video stabilizer is essential if you want to capture smooth, professional quality video. The counterbalance system provided by the Glidecam gives you the steadiness of a tripod with the maneuverability of a hand-held camera operator.

Instructions

1. Attach all accessories to the camera that you will be using in the field, including lenses, batteries, microphones and wireless transmitters. If you add these later, you will have to rebalance your camera.

2. Use five disc weights on each side of the bottom plate of the Glidecam. These should be fastened with a washer and a nut. Make sure the weights are pushed to the outer edges of the plate so the two sets of weights are distributed as far as possible away from each other and the main shaft of the Glidecam.

3. Attach the black mounting plate to the bottom of your XL2 camera using the screws that come with the Glidecam. Attach the camera to the middle line of the three lines of holes going lengthwise down the surface of the plate.

4. Attach the camera-cum-mounting plate to the main shaft of the Glidecam.

5. Hold the Glidecam by the handle, and lift it off the ground. This is when you will make your fine adjustments.

6. Use the adjustment screws to loosen the mounting plate and adjust it according to your need. If the camera is listing left, move the mounting plate to the right to balance it. The same idea goes for other directions: Move the mounting plate in the opposite direction of where the camera is listing. Once you finish this step, you are ready to shoot video.

Tags: mounting plate, with Glidecam, camera listing, Glidecam Attach, main shaft, main shaft Glidecam, shaft Glidecam

How Do Wireless Microphones Work

How Wireless Microphones Work

Wireless microphones work by sending signals between a transmitter inside the microphone and receiver on the output device. The wireless microphone can be built into a wireless headset, but it can also be a seperate piece, such as a clip on. The microphone has an antenna built into the frame that sends the signal from the wireless transmitter in the microphone to the wireless receiver on the other end through electromagnetic waves or digital pulses.

The wireless receiver collects the wave frequency or digital codes of 1s and 0s to translate them for the output source.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The biggest advantage of wireless microphones is the increased range of mobility they give users. With a wireless microphone, a person can move without cables or boxes or bulky audio equipment.

Wireless microphones usually are more expensive than other types, but the elevated price tag is usually overshadowed by the range of movement.

Another slight disadvantage of wireless microphones is that they require batteries because they are not hooked into a power source like cable microphones. Most use 9-volt or AAA batteries.

Types

There are two main types of wireless microphones: UHF and VHF.

Ultra high frequency microphones transmit at a range of 470 MHz and 806 MHz. The U.S. government has sectioned this part of the frequency spectrum specifically for the use of wireless transmitters. At almost eight times greater than the very high frequency spectrum, the waves transmitted by ultra high frequency transmitters in wireless microphones cut through static and interference.

Very high frequency wireless microphones transmit a frequency between 49MHz and 216MHz. This frequency range is subdivided into a low band and high band range. The low band range transmits between 49 MHz and 108 MHz. The high band range transmits between 169 MHz and 216 MHz. VHF wireless microphones are less expensive than UHF microphones because they use the same frequency as cordless phones and walkie-talkies.

Tags: high frequency, band range, band range transmits, because they, built into

Back Up Contacts On Windows Mobile

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) using systems such as Windows Mobile can organize your life. For your contacts, Windows Mobile devices provide an application known as Pocket Outlook. This app acts as an electronic phonebook containing all your contacts, which can be readily accessible at your fingertips. However, like any electronic device, you may lose your data. Hence, it's important to back up your contacts to another device, such as a computer.

Instructions

1. Insert the CD that came with your Windows Mobile device and Install Activesync on your PC. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the program.

2. Connect your Windows Mobile device to the computer (via a USB cable) on which you installed Activesync.

3. Follow the instructions that appear to set up your connection. You will also be choosing whether to sync your contacts with Outlook or Windows Address Book.

4. Click the "Backup/Restore" button, then select "Back Up Now."

5. Click "Full Backup" to back up your contacts.

Tags: Windows Mobile, your contacts, your Windows Mobile, back your, back your contacts, Mobile device, Windows Mobile device

Recharge A Union Telecard

Union Telecard Alliance offers prepaid phone cards that can be used to call national and international phone numbers all over the world. Account holders can carry several cards and are permitted to recharge their PINs whenever they want to add more money to their cards. Union Telecard accepts credit cards and PayPal payments.

Instructions

1. Log in to your account on the Union Telecard site (see Resources) by clicking the Login button on the upper right side and entering your user name (which is your email address) and password.

2. Click on the link to the PIN you want to recharge in the My PINs section on the lower left side of the screen.

3. Click on the One-Time Recharge button located on the upper left side.

4. Select how much money you want to recharge the card with from the Recharge My Account pull-down menu on the upper left side of the screen.

5. Select which payment method you want to use, "PayPal" or "Credit Card," on the left side. If you've chosen PayPal, go to Step 6. If you've chosen Credit Card, select which card you want to use from the My Cards pull-down menu.

6. Fill out the name and address fields on the screen. Make sure that this information matches the billing information on the credit card you selected for payment.

7. Click the Charge button located in the far lower right corner of the screen. Your card is instantly updated with the new balance.

Tags: left side, Union Telecard, button located, Credit Card, left side screen, pull-down menu

Clean A Cd With Peanut Butter

The compact disc has given music lovers the ability to listen to an album with a much richer sound than the media formats that came before it. CDs also allow the listener to navigate to his favorite song in literally a few seconds. However, CDs seem to scratch a lot easier than other forms of media. If your CD is scratched, don't throw it away. Instead, try buffing out the scratches with peanut butter.

Instructions

1. Dip a coffee filter into the jar of peanut butter.

2. Wipe the back of the CD with the peanut butter on the filter. Place the coffee filter on the non-labeled side of the CD. Starting near the middle circle, begin to wipe from the inside of the disc outward. Be careful not to wipe the innermost circular area, as this may damage the disc's data. Wipe until the entire backside of the CD is covered with peanut butter. Rub firmly, going around the disc twice.

3. Use a clean coffee filter to remove the peanut butter. Wipe with the filter from the inside of the disc outward until the peanut butter is off the CD. The abrasive quality of the peanut butter will buff out the scratches in the CD and may make the disc playable once again.

Tags: peanut butter, coffee filter, with peanut, butter Wipe, disc outward, from inside, from inside disc

Make An Independent Film With Your Camcorder

If Ed Wood could make movies, why not you? Independent films are easier and easier to make with the continuing refinement of camcorder technology. With a little preparation, a small amount of money and an iron will, you can shoot a picture that might win an Oscar someday. Here is make an independent film with your camcorder.

Instructions

1. Write a script. Chain yourself to a computer and slog through a script. At the least, you need to block out your independent film into scenes and get a rough guide to the shots you need for each scene. Getting the dialogue down would be nice.

2. Set a budget. Post-production will gobble up a lot of your time and money. Actors are also high on the list of budget concerns.

3. Audition your actors. See, that's why you wrote the script. Sit down with them one-on-one and in small groups and find the best talent that your budget can afford.

4. Scout locations. Look for good camera angles, nice backgrounds and cheap access. Get permission from property owners before filming.

5. Plan your shooting schedule. Interior and exterior shots, close-ups and reaction shots can be organized to make the most efficient use of your time. If you have a crew, note who you need on a given shot, and who can be working on the next shot.

6. Shoot the film. Have fun. Remember to sleep now and then. Eat well. Thank the crew and cast profusely.

7. Take into post-production. This is where most movies come to life. Cut and trim all the bad stuff, and polish the good parts until they shine.

Tags: independent film, your time

Hang A Pulldown Projector Screen

It's the original flat screen, and it goes away whenever you don't need it, making the manual pull-down screen the almost perfect combination of home entertainment and feng shui. Now you've got to figure out hang the thing.

Instructions

1. Pick the best location to hang your pull-down projector screen. Make sure it won't be in the way when in use and that glare and heavy traffic won't be a problem. Make sure there will be an appropriate surface to drill the hooks into, which corresponds with the location of the metal loops on the top of the screen that it will hang from. Each hook will need to be drilled into a stud or similar sturdy supportive structure.

2. Figure out whether you want to do a ceiling hang or wall hang. Hanging from the ceiling is ideal, but only if all hooks can be safely drilled deep into a stud. For a wall hang, make sure there is enough clearance from the ceiling to get the metal loops over the hooks, typically 4 to 6 inches should be plenty.

3. Mark where the first hook will go, followed by the second or third, taking care to ensure that each hook is the same distance from the ceiling--or nearest wall--so that the screen will hang level.

4. Drill pilot holes where each hook will go. The drill bit used should be slightly narrower than the shaft of the hook itself.

5. Screw the hooks into each pre-drilled hole as far as possible, then give a little downward tug to test. For a wall hang, the hook should give just a little bit, but not much. For a ceiling hang, it should not give at all.

6. Go ahead and hang your new screen and enjoy.

Tags: hook will, wall hang, ceiling hang, each hook, from ceiling, hang your, hooks into

Eat Healthy On 4th Of July Weekend

Eat Healthy on 4th of July Weekend

When it's Fourth of July weekend--don't get it into your head that you're going to be bad and fix it next week. There is no bad or good--and food isn't your friend or your enemy. Here is what I mean.

Instructions

1. Try to limit yourself to two cocktails (or because it's a holiday, three), but at those meals limit your carbs and sweets. You know what that means. Your diet is a bank account and you are investing in booze, so get rid of the hot dog or hamburger bun, fill up on high fiber salads and try to avoid the ice cream cake. If you must indulge in any of this, have a few bites and taste everything. Eat nothing.

2. Have a Skinnygirl Margarita (see Resources below) or skinnify whatever cocktail you choose. If it's a rum punch, have clear rum (always clear liquor), club soda (the best low-cal filler) and a splash of the punch or fattening component with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Use this equation with all drinks. Clear liquor, soda, a splash of the sugary component and a squeeze of citrus. As of August 1, 2009, you can purchase my bottled margarita at any liquor store or order now at www.skinnygirlcocktails.com (see Resources).

3. Have a turkey burger and fill up on high-fiber salads first, so you'll eat less of the fattening stuff. Don't skip meals just to save for the big event. Spoil your appetite before parties with a good investment 200-calorie snack such as nut butter or hummus on whole grain bread, edamame or a few slices of turkey with cheese. Have a plan! Taste everything and eat nothing if faced with a variety of indulgent foods, try to drink water and remember to think of your diet as a bank account.

4. Don't wear baggy clothes. Strut your bikini and you'll be more likely to reel it in at the buffet. You've got this. You have learned to be naturally thin--and no red, white and blue holiday can change that.

Tags: bank account, diet bank, diet bank account, everything nothing, Healthy July, Healthy July Weekend, July Weekend

Import Photos Onto A Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer Keychain

The Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer is a small, portable device with a keychain attached. It contains a small electronic display for showing off your personal photos. You can import up to 100 photos onto a Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer keychain and avoid carrying around photos in your wallet.

Instructions

1. Connect the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer to your computer with the included USB cable by plugging the small connector into the Smartparts Digitial Picture Viewer and the larger connector into a USB socket on your computer.

2. Press the "Next" and "Previous" buttons on the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer until "USB Update" is displayed on its screen and press "Menu." The Smartparts Desktop Tool launches automatically from the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer.

3. Click the "Add Photos" button at the upper-left corner of the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

4. Browse to a photo on your computer and double-click it. The Smartparts Desktop Tool supports photos in the .jpg and .bmp formats.

5. Import the selected photo by clicking the "Import" button beneath its preview in the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

6. Add more photos by clicking "Add Photo," browsing to each and double-clicking it, then clicking "Import."

7. Put all the imported photos on the Digital Picture Viewer by clicking "Transfer To Device" at the bottom of the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

8. Click "Exit."

9. Unplug the USB cable connected to the Smartparts Desktop Tool.

Tags: Picture Viewer, Digital Picture, Digital Picture Viewer, Desktop Tool, Smartparts Desktop

Make A An Rca Headphone Jack

An RCA jack (also known as a female RCA jack) is an easy-to-wire audio interface that is used for numerous audio applications. A single RCA jack will transmit a mono audio signal, so this type of connection is beneficial to use with headphones in situations that only require a mono signal. Examples of this can be found in amateur radio applications, where it's not necessary to hear a stereo signal.

Instructions

1. Strip the wire leads on the end of the wire leading from your audio output. Take off enough insulation that you have 3/8 inch of bare wire exposed on each wire lead.

2. Slip the end of your wire's positive lead through the positive terminal of the RCA jack. Hold your soldering iron's tip against this junction until it is hot enough that solder flows into the joint when applied. Remove the soldering iron and allow the joint to cool.

3. Slip the negative lead from the audio source through the negative tab and solder the joint as described in Step 2. Allow the joint to cool. Connect your headphone's male RCA jack to the RCA jack to establish the connection and use your headphones.

Tags: joint cool, soldering iron

Develop Film At Home

Black and white photography is making a comeback. After years of exploding color, there is something now considered “new” yet "classic" about a crisp black and white portrait. It can be considered a piece of artwork for the wall. With the resurgence in this type of photography, it is highly likely that more people will--once again--turn toward developing their own film at home. It isn’t difficult. It doesn’t take a lot of equipment or space. All it takes is a dark room, the right tools and a bit of patience.

Instructions

1. Pop the top off a container of exposed roll of black and white film inside a totally dark room. Roll the film onto the film reel. This reel comes with the film tank. Be sure that the holes in the film connect within the teeth of the film reel. Once in place, slowly and carefully advance the film onto the reel until all of it is properly connected.

2. Put the film reel into the development tank, lining up the hole in the center of the reel with the spool in the center of the tank. Note: The tube is often removable from the tank so that it can be taken out. Slide it into the center of the reel before being put into the tank. Place the lid onto the film development tank.

3. Turn the room’s light on. Move into another lit room after the film is safely and securely locked within the tank.

4. Mix the developing chemicals--developer, stop bath, clearing agent, and fixer--according to the instructions given for chemical type and the brand of chemical purchased. Be sure to meet any and all required temperature settings before using the chemical.

5. Pour the appropriately measured amount of film developer into the development tank. Make sure it is at the appropriate temperature.

6. Move the tank backwards and forwards. Move the tank up and down and around in a washing machine agitation motion. It is essential to get film developer on each and every frame of the film inside the tank. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the amount of time to leave the film in the developer. This will vary based on the type of film being developed. This will also vary based on the chemicals being used and the temperature of the product.

7. Repeat Step 6 above with the film’s stop bath and fixer.

8. Pour out the film developer when the time is up. If the product chosen is reusable, pour it into a bottle that is appropriate for storage of that type of chemical. If it must be disposed of, do that according to your state’s hazardous materials regulations (which can be found out through the state OSHA office). See the link in our Resources section to find the OSHA official website for your area.

9. Rinse the film for the amount of time recommended by manufacturer instructions. Do this while it is still inside the closed development tank.

10. Open the development tank. Take out the film reel. Remove the film from the reel and place in a sink or container of clearing agent. This rinses off any remaining residue.

11. Squeegee the film to remove any excess water, Hang the film up to dry.

12. Cut dried film into strips of six photos per strip. Now it is ready to use to make photographs.

Tags: development tank, film developer, film reel, amount time, black white

How Is Thermal Imaging Used

How Is Thermal Imaging Used?

Military Applications

Thermal imaging and infrared cameras were originally developed for military use during the Korean War. Although the use of thermal imaging has now expanded into other fields, it is still primarily used by the United States Armed Forces. The military has developed advanced software interfaces and optic sensors that continue to advance thermal imaging technology. The most prominent applications are thermal scopes and night-vision goggles. Thermal infrared cameras are incorporated into land, air and sea vehicles, as well as hand-held devices. Thermal weapon scopes are used to acquire targets in hidden locations. Border patrol officers utilize thermal imaging devices to uncover caches of weapons, drugs, and illegal immigrants. Ground forces in the military rely heavily on night-vision goggles, scopes and thermal imaging cameras to increase situational awareness and provide a decisive advantage on the battlefield. Thermal imaging is also used by law-enforcement officers during stakeouts and surveillance. Infrared cameras and goggles help SWAT teams and police detectives pursue and capture suspects by safely providing superior intelligence.

Commercial Applications

Thermal imaging technology has expanded beyond conventional military applications. The energy audit field, for example, has created a new surge of thermal imaging opportunities in preventative maintenance. The automotive, commercial and mechanical industries are now using thermal imaging devices to perform systems diagnostics. Automotive mechanics wear thermal and ultraviolet goggles to easily locate fluid and air leaks in vehicle engines. Home repair inspectors use hand-held thermal cameras to spot gaps in the structure's insulation, survey roof damage, and pinpoint electrical malfunctions. The RAZ-IR infrared camera, for example, fits on any handyman's tool belt and provides a software package that makes energy audits both simple and precise.

Medical Applications

Thermal readings have been used in medicine for thousands of years. The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote, "In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold is felt, the disease is there to be discovered." Although modern applications of thermal imaging are now more sophisticated, the basic principles discussed by Hippocrates in 400 B.C. remain valid. Thermogaphy is a medical science that performs diagnostics using highly detailed and sensitive infrared images. There are medical applications for thermographic cameras in breast oncology, neurology, dentistry, and chiropractic and veterinary medicine. Dynamic Infrared Blood Perfusion Imaging, or DIRI, is one of the many medical procedures that utilize thermal imaging. A DIRI camera detects changes in blood flow to tissue and organs by sensing passively emitted infrared radiation from tissues. DIRI is used as an early warning tool for breast cancer, and can measure the relative effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Tags: thermal imaging, Applications Thermal, imaging devices, imaging technology, Imaging Used

Adjust White Balance In Post Production

White balance can be corrected in a post-processing program

Different colors have different temperatures, measured in Kelvins. For example, a sunny day has a Kelvin temperature of 5,500 degrees, while a tungsten light has a temperature of about 2,700 degrees. Digital cameras "see" white, gray and black as neutral colors and attempt to make all the accompanying colors accurate relative to these neutral colors, within a particular light situation. This is white balance. If there are no neutral colors, or the camera is not set properly, the white balance will be incorrect, making the other colors inaccurate. In that case, the white balance can be corrected using a computerized post-processing program.

Instructions

1. Open the photograph in one of the raw processing programs. There are several of these, and while they may differ slightly, they all employ the same basic procedures.

2. Go to the white balance section of the program.

3. Click on the drop-down box that lists different light conditions, like cloudy, sunny, tungsten, etc. Make sure the preview box is checked, so the changes will be shown as they are made.

4. Click on the condition most like the one in the photo. If it was taken on a cloudy day, click on "Cloudy." This should improve the picture.

5. If you wish to make a further correction, move the temperature slider and watch the picture change.

6. Move the tint slider for further correction. Watch the colors change as you do so.

7. Click on the eyedropper tool. This is located somewhere on the toolbar.

8. Locate a neutral gray or other neutral color in the photo. Click the eyedropper on that color. This should change the colors to most accurately reflect the actual colors.

Tags: neutral colors, white balance, balance corrected, Click eyedropper, further correction

Adjust The Sliders For Equalizer Frequencies

Adjust the Sliders for Equalizer Frequencies

A graphic equalizer can be thought of as a series of volume controls or sliders that each affect one area of the overall sound of a piece of music. An equalizer gives the user control over individual aspects of the sound such as the bass, middle and treble frequencies, and each group of sliders corresponds to a certain group of frequencies. If a 32hz slider is pushed up, only sounds or instruments in the 25hz to 40hz range (such as an acoustic bass) are actually increased. An equalizer assists the stereo system to accurately reproduce the entire frequency spectrum of sound.

Instructions

1. Set the equalizer flat by placing the sliders all in line at the central or zero position. The sliders can be adjusted to emphasize or reduce certain sonic frequencies, which can best be heard after starting from a flat position.

2. Select a piece of music to play from a CD or an MP3. Adjust the sliders to change the equalizer frequencies to best bring out the full sound of the selected music. The first group of sliders on the left side of the equalizer control the bass, the low-end frequency. The group of sliders in the center control the middle frequencies, and the treble, or high-end, frequencies are controlled by the group of sliders on the right side of the equalizer.

3. Adjust the bass sliders. If the low frequencies are difficult to hear, increase the bass by moving the sliders on the left side up from the central or flat position. If the left bass slider is around 6db, a listener may not hear an acoustic bass, a kettle drum or a cello until the slider is moved up. By increasing a slider that corresponds to an equalizer frequency such as bass, the low end sounds are restored.

4. Increase the amount of mid range to the music to fatten up a thin sound. Raise the middle sliders, which correspond to the mid-range frequencies of the equalizer. Move the sliders a small amount and listen for a change in sound.

5. Reduce the treble or high end by pulling the right end sliders down below the flat line until any harshness in the music is removed. Reducing treble by lowering the right end sliders too much may result in the music sounding muffled or muddy, so find a balance between having enough high-end frequency but not too much.

6. Make slight alterations to the sliders increasing and decreasing bass, middle and treble frequencies a little at a time. Use the same piece of music to make frequency adjustments, so there is a sonic consistency.

Tags: group sliders, piece music, acoustic bass, Adjust Sliders, Adjust Sliders Equalizer, bass middle, bass middle treble