Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Automatically update applications on a Google Android smartphone
With Android OS 2.2, Froyo, your can tell your Android to automatically update software. You will learn how to turn on automatic updates and simultaneously install multiple updates at one time, and more @ butterscotch.com: http://bit.ly/bpNZbf
How To: Automate tasks on a Google Android phone with Tasker
In this video tutorial, we learn how to automate mundane tasks on a Motorola Google Android cell phone with a handy app called Tasker. Whether you own a Google Android smartphone or are merely curious to see how they work, you're sure to enjoy this brief how-to. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Adjust volume levels on a Motorola Droid phone with the AudioManager app
In this video tutorial, we learn how to change the audio levels on a Motorola Droid Google Android cell phone. Whether you own a Google Android smartphone or are merely curious to see how they work, you're sure to enjoy this brief how-to. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Password protect an Android OS 2.2 Motorola Droid smartphone (Froyo)
Learn how to password protect your Motorola Droid Google Android smartphone. Whether you're the proud owner of a Froyo Motorola Droid or are just considering picking one up, you're sure to be well served by this video guide. For more information and detailed step-by-step instructions, watch this phone hacker's how-to.
How To: Use a ROM manager app on a Motorola Droid phone
Learn how to manage custom ROMs on a rooted Moto Droid Google Android smartphone with a ROM manager app. Whether you've rooted your own Motorola Droid smartphone or just want to learn more about the process, you're sure to be well served by this video guide. For more information and detailed step-by-step instructions, watch this phone hacker's how-to.
How To: Find and download custom roms for a Motorola Droid
Find custom roms for your rooted Motorola Droid smartphone! This hacker's how-to presents a thorough, step-by-step overview on how to download ROMS to run on your rooted Moto Droid. For detailed instructions, and to get started running custom ROMs your own Motorola Droid phone, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Download device drivers and Froyo 2.2 ROM when rooting a Motorola Droid
Root your Motorola Droid Google Android smartphone and run custom ROMs! This hacker's how-to presents a thorough, step-by-step overview on how to download the drivers and ROM you'll need to root your Moto Droid. For detailed instructions, and to get started rooting your own Motorola Droid phone, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Add friends and neighbors when using Last.fm
Find out what your friends are listening to with Last.fm!? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes. For all of the details, take a look!
How To: Create personalized Interent radio stations with Last.fm
Want to create your own radio station? With Last.fm, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under two minutes. For all of the details, and to get started listening to your own Internet radio station, take a look!
How To: Create and share custom playlists on Last.fm
Want to know how to create a personalized playlist of your favorite songs on Last.fm? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes. For all of the details, and to get started listening to Internet radio yourself, take a look!
How To: Upload a picture and customize account settings on Last.fm
In need of a quick primer on how to customize your Last.fm profile—how to upload a picture or personalize your account settings? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under two minutes. For all of the details, take a look!
How To: Listen to music online by creating a Last.fm account
In need of a quick primer on how to create a Last.fm account? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under two minutes. For all of the details, and to get started listening to Internet radio yourself, take a look!
HowTo: Get FREE In-flight Wi-Fi From Google
If you're flying AirTran Airways, Delta, or Virgin America over the holidays, Google has teamed up with the aforementioned airlines to offer free in-flight wi-fi from November 20 to January 2, 2011 on all domestic flights. Why? Out of good will and holiday cheer, of course (plus promotion for the Google Chrome web browser).
How To: Use the hovercard user profile preview tool on Twitter
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the hovercard preview tool on Twitter. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Access and change your Twitter account settings
In this clip, you'll learn how to change your Twitter account settings. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Track a conversation between Twitter users
In this clip, you'll learn how to follow replies without leaving the Twitter timeline. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Search for posts about a particular topic on Twitter
In this clip, you'll learn how to search for tweets abot a specific subject on Twitter. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Access and view user profiles on Twitter
In this clip, you'll learn how to view someone else's user profile on Twitter. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Retweet someone else's post on Twitter
In this clip, you'll learn how to retweet or RT someone else's post on Twitter and share it with your followers. What do President Obama, the Dalai Lama and Justin Bieber have in common? Why, they're all on Twitter, of course. Join the party. Whether you're new to Twitter's popular microblogging application or just missed a few of the essentials along the way, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial.
How To: Activate Vacation Mode when selling on Etsy
Need some help figuring out how to turn on Vacation Mode when selling things on Etsy? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Set up payment and shipping options when selling on Etsy
Need some help figuring out how to create shipping profiles when selling on Etsy? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get learn more about setting up payment and shipping options as a seller on Etsy, take a look.
How To: Make a point contact transistor with germanium and phosphor bronze contacts
The transistor has changed the world since 1947, and the old point contact transistor isn't the scientific darling it's always been. It's still vital to the modern world though, and in this video you'll learn how to make your own point contact transistor with germanium and phosphor bronze contacts.
How To: Create a new widget for a WordPress 3.0 blog or website
Learn how to create a custom widget to use on your WordPress 3.0 blog or website. Every version of WordPress brings with it new features, new functions and new ways of doing things. Fortunately, the very same technology that allows an open-source blog publishing application like WordPress to exist in the first place also makes it easy for its users to share information about the abovesaid things through videos like this one. Take a look.
How To: Make a DIY tool to bend plexiglass at home
Plexiglass is great for all sorts of projects, but it is notoriously hard to work with at home. If you've got a plexiglass project in mind though and need an easy, cheap way to bend it, watch this video. It will teach you how to make a tool out of part of a blowdryer that will help you bend plexiglass into whatever form you want.
How To: Make a DIY phase-shift oscillator with a transistor, resistors and capacitors
The phase-shift oscillator is one of the most common electronic parts, used in all sorts of mostly noise-making devices. If you like electrical engineering and new a new project, watch this video to learn how to make a phase-shift oscillator out of a single transistor, resistors, and capacitors.
How To: Build a DIY laser cutter gas containment chamber
If you are the proud owner of a laser cutter, you had better be careful with your expensive new toy. Some materials can damage the optics in your laser or produce poisonous gas when you cut them, so you need to make a gas containment chamber to work in. Watch this video to find out how to do that out of silicon wafer, silicone sealant, and a metal cookie tin lid.
How To: Build an electroluminescent display with printed circuitboards and EL ink
Do you like the analog look of old handheld video games like Mr. Game and Watch or clock with 7 segment displays? It's pretty easy to simulate them nowadays by making an electroluminescent display on printed circuitboards with EL ink. You'll learn how to do just that in this video. It almost looks like Lite Brite.
How To: Create a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) with 74hc4060 and EPROM
For most synth players the goal is to acquire legendary pieces of 1980's gear with great amounts of money or luck. Why bother when you can make your own direct digital synthesizer (DDS) at home? Watch this video to learn how to make a DDS out of common electrical parts that will make a phat Theramin sound.
How To: Make Triboluminescent crystals that glow when you smash them
Triboluminescence is the quality that makes a substance emit light when you crush, smash, hit, or otherwise break it's molecular bonds. If you want some triboluminescent (smash-glow) crystals, watch this video to learn how to make some out of a battery, glowpaint, and fire.
How To: Make a DIY microphone from two razor blades and a pencil
Now this is a DIY microphone. It turns out all you need to make a quasi-functional mic is a pair of razor blades, a pencil, some tupperware, and clips to run the signal from the razor blades to a resistor. Watch this video to learn how to make this awesome DIY mic and never find yourself silenced again.
How To: Use a simplified method to calculate resistor dividers for circuits
Electrical engineering is a math-heavy business, and you're certainly not alone if you're studying it and having trouble with the math. Watch this video for a very cogent explanation of a simplified method for calculating resistor dividers in a circuit.
How To: Edit your public WordPress profile on WordPress.com
Learn how to make changes to your public profile on WordPress.com. Every version of WordPress brings with it new features, new functions and new ways of doing things. Fortunately, the very same technology that allows an open-source blog publishing application like WordPress to exist in the first place also makes it easy for its users to share information about the abovesaid things through videos like this one. Take a look.
How To: Make a DIY electrical discharge machining machine with an old doorbell
Electical discharge machining is a techinque in which electricity is used to machine (cut, grind, etc.) metal. It usually invovles sophisticated tools and equipment, but not here! Watch this video for a guide to making a small electrical discharge machining machine with an old electric doorbell.
How To: Use BlackSheep to thwart the password stealing Firesheep in Firefox
If you're scared of using public Wi-Fi networks with Firesheep out and about, then maybe you should fight back. Don't switch to another web browser— keep using Firefox safely with the help of a new Firefox Add-on that combats Firesheep's password stealing capabilities. It's called BlackSheep, and when installed and running, it will alert you whenever Firesheep is active on your network connection.
How To: Increase the range of a USB Bluetooth adapter with a high performance antenna
Watch this amazing USB Bluetooth adapter hack from Kipkay. It's easy and effective, plus it will work with other wireless devices, too. Bluetooth works on a 2.4GHz short wavelength radio frequency, but it's only effective over short distances. Well, Kipkay's going to show you how to increase the range by swapping out the antenna in the bluetooth adapter with a HyperGain 2.4GHz high performance antenna.
How To: Mod an ordinary webcam into a super spy scope
Now that most computers have internal webcams in them, what are you going to do with that external webcam eating up precious desktop space? Kipkay shows you the perfect hack— the "Super SpyScope".
How To: Stop unwanted Facebook notification emails from invading your inbox
If you use Facebook more than you probably should, then you may have noticed all of those emails they send you. You'll get one when somebody comments on your wall, when someone comments on a comment you wrote on somebody else's comment, when somebody comments on a photo someone else tagged you in, when some… well, you get the idea… a LOT of freaking emails!
How To: Make your own EL wire at home for Burning Man and other light-up festivities
Did you know that electroluminescent (EL) wire is considered by some to be the currency of Burning Man? If you're thinking of going and want to stock up before (smart) watch this video featuring EL whiz Jeri Ellsworth (smarter) teaching you how to make DIY EL wire.
How To: Build a power supply for electroluminescent (EL) wire and displays
Electroluminescent devices need electricity to light up, clearly, so if you're working on an EL project building a proper power supply is crucial. In this video you'll learn how to make a DIY power supply for your EL projects that is safe, effective, and cheap.
How To: Make electroluminescent (EL) wire by twisting enamel and bare wire
EL wire is known as the Currency of Burning Man, and it's potential to create beautiful light in all sorts of settings is amazing. If you're tired of buying it and want to stock up on some DIY EL wire (which is more in the spirit of Burning Man anyway right?) watch this video to learn how to twist enamel and bare wire together to make your EL wire.