Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Create a browser home page with iGoogle
In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com shows you how to create a special home page, or start page, for your browser with iGoogle. Create a browser startup page of your own liking with news and information that you can quickly see at a glance with this tutorial.
How To: Use advanced features and settings on the iPhone
In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com lists his favorite iPhone tips, including some typing and browsing tips. You also check out MacMost.com for free iPhone ringtones, iPhone games, and a guide to the iPhone.
How To: Make a metal detector from a calculator and radio
Like looking for lost treasure? There's no need to break the bank for a high-end metal detector — just dig through your junk drawer! In this video tutorial, KipKay shows you how to make a metal detector from a calculator, an AM or FM radio, a standard CD case, and some velcro. That's it. Your very own metal detector.
How To: Build a CNC machine using two old CD drives
Take a look at this instructional vidkeo and learn how to make your own computer numerical control (CNC) machine out of two old CD drives. CNC machines serve as controllers for a number of devices such as machine tools by reading G Code instructions. With a own CNC machine, you can create your own 3D printer.
How To: Make a fire with batteries and a headphone
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make a light a toothpick on fire with just a few household items. The materials you will need for this process are a roll of tape, two AA batteries, any kind of headphone jack, and any type of aerosol spray. To start this process, you'll want to ducttape the headphone jack and tape it to a batter from the negative end. Take the other battery and tape the positive end to the headphone jack. Afterwards, take you toothpick and spray the en...
How To: Disassemble electronics w/o damaging tamper seal/parts
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to completely disassemble electronics without damaging the tamper seal or the parts. This tutorial uses a brand new HP IPAQ 2410 for instructional purposes and you can apply these techniques to other electronic products that you wish to modify or repair. The materials used for this procedure are a #5 Torx driver (8
How To: Link to your podcast channel
To link to a podcast that’s registered with iTunes, whether it’s your podcast or produced by someone else, just find the podcast homepage in the iTunes store and then Control-click (or right-click) on the image. Copy the iTunes Store URL to your clipboard. Then, just open your webpage and create a simple link to this URL. This tutorial will walk you through the process.
How To: Convert .mov files to iPod-playable .m4v files
If you’d like to watch QuickTime format .mov files on your video-capable iPod, you’ll need to convert the .mov files to .m4v files. An .m4v file is just a type of MPEG-4 file that the iPod can understand. This tutorial will guide you through the conversion process.
How To: Storyboard a podcast episode
There are many ways you can structure your individual episodes. Consistency from one week to the next is important, but you shouldn’t be afraid to throw in something different. Podcasting can be a great place to try out new ideas, so its good to have a structure, but also good to build in flexibility. Learn best practices for storyboarding, or outlining, a podcast episode in this tutorial.
How To: Publish your podcast through iTunes
After you’ve uploaded your XML and audio files, then your podcast is, technically speaking, available for anyone to subscribe to. Just like if you had a URL for a web page, you could just type it in to your web browser to get there, you can use iTunes to get to your podcast with just a URL.
How To: Create a podcast channel with RSS
What sets a podcast apart from another MP3 file is that you enclose it in an RSS feed. RSS is Really Simple Syndication and it’s used to set up your channel so your listeners can subscribe to your content and have it automatically downloaded to their computer and portable MP3 players.
How To: Repair the HP iPAQ h6300 , 6310 , 6315 , 6365 series
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to Repair the HP iPAQ h6300, 6310,
How To: Copy files to iPhone using DataCase for Windows XP
In this instructional video, learn how to transfer files from your Windows PC to your iPhone or iPod Touch using DataCase. Datacase basically converts your iPhone or iPod Touch into a wireless drive that you can access your information on the Mac, PC, or Linux.
How To: Hack a bluetooth speakerphone mod for the cellphone
Blue tooth is slowly becoming more widely used for its hands off convenience. However, most people have a problem with the audio volume the bluetooth provides. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to hack a bluetooth speakerphone mod for your cellphone. Speakerphones are louder, easier to understand and sport that retro-Charlie's Angel cool geek chic that no in-ear handsfree system can match.
How To: Glitch or circuit bend a Nintendo gaming console
By circuit bending low voltage electronic devices, you can transform your old unused toys into musical devices or to create visual manipulations. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to bend an old classic Nintendo. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to circuit bend the NES in such a way that you'll be able to produce cool distortions while in gameplay. Remember to exercise caution when circuit bending.
How To: Glitch a Speak & Spell without circuit bending
Don't know a soldering iron from a curling iron? In this how-to, you'll learn how to get good, glitchy Speak & Spell sounds without having to circuit bend your toy (or even open up the case).
How To: Turn a cheap MIDI keyboard into a custom audio control
Controllerism is a lot like turn table-ism, except through its exclusive use of controllers and music software. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to turn a simple and inexpensive MIDI keyboard into a custom audio controller. First, you'll want to rearrange the keys to line up with the knobs. Then, cut up an old DVD case and a bicycle tube to glue the rubber onto the keys to make it more tactile. Lastly, you'll need to set up the software to assign the keys with controls on...
How To: Set up a video blog
How to set up and manage an online video blog; learn more about blogging and podcasting in this free instructional video series.
How To: Use Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox
This tutorial demonstrates how to use Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Learn more about web browsers in this free instructional video series.
How To: Use Gmail
Learn how to use Gmail to its maximum potential; get internet tools and computer networking tips from expert Drew Noah in these free instructional videos.
How To: Use google maps
How to use Google Maps; learn more about Google features and interfaces in this free instructional video series.
How To: Make online photo Christmas cards
Learn how to use an online photo website to make creative, homemade and personalized Christmas cards in this Christmas video series.
How To: Circuit bend audio electronics
Learn about circuit bending in this video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.
How To: Build a synthesizer
Learn how to build a simple electronic synthesizer with square wave oscillators in this free instrument-building video series that will show you how to create the perfect synthesizer.
How To: Circuit bend a toy guitar
Learn how to bend circuits, disassemble toy cases, unscrew circuit boards and test a circuit bend in this free video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.
How To: Build a Drupal photo-sharing website
In this video tutorial, you'll learn to use CKK modules ImageCache and Imagefield to build a system for posting images on your Drupal website. Learn to create a robust and flexible system for handling images and has a bright future with more modules born every day that tap in. (This micro-lesson depends on prior understanding of the CCK module and the Views module.)
How To: Etch copper
To etch copper, an acidic solution of copper chloride and hydrochloric acid may be used. Gather copper etching materials with tips in this free electronics video. Etch copper - Part 1 of 15.
How To: Control a Roomba with a Nintendo Wii balance board
Interested in some good clean fun? With this hack from Japan, you'll learn to operate a Roomba vacuum cleaner remotely using a Nintendo Wii balance board with a Bluetooth serial adapter. Watch this tutorial and build your own Surfin'ba today!
How To: Set up your internet on Sciphone I68
Do you have a Sciphone? With its internet capabilities, you can check your email or surf the web. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to set up your internet on the Sciphone 168. In order to set it up you need to contact your service provider for information such as an IP address, etc.
How To: Use the Opera web browser
Have you grown tired of your web browser? The Opera browser is similar to many of the most popular browsers used today, but a few unique features make it worth trying. See how to download and use the Opera browser in this how-to video.
How To: Use iTunes-style scrollbars in Mac OS X Leopard
iLeopard is a program which will allow you to swap out Mac OS X Leopard's perennial Aqua scrollbars for those used in the iTunes application. Watch this brief how-to video to learn how to install this desktop mod.
How To: Build an electric recumbent bicycle
Sit back and ride as G Word correspondent David Newsom finds out the benefits of an electric bicycle. Watch and see how to convert a conventional bike to a battery-powered riding machine.
How To: Make a Toilet Paper Launcher
Shoot streams of toilet paper in midair with this ultimate TP machine, the Streamerator. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make a toilet paper launcher with a generic, electric yard blower. This gadget is extremely easy to make. First, you need a steel rod about the same length as the blower, the rod has to be bent at 90 degrees. Two ground clamps are used to mount the steel rod which will serve as a roll holder. A flat punched piece of metal is measured and screwed int...
How To: Make a steam candle
Have you ever seen a steam candle? It's essentially a simple-as-pie steam engine that revolves on top of a water surface. They are relatively easy to make if you know how to do it. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to "hack" together your own steam candle.
How To: Use FileField and jQuery Media modules to host video
Here's a fast lesson in hosting video on your own Drupal website using the FileField and jQuery Media modules. The Filefield and jQuery Media modules are a one-two knock out combination for allowing users to upload media files to fields in your custom content types and then playing back the media files in their matching player or handler. It represents a positive direction for treating fields containing files and is a great starting point for researching your own implementation of this recipe.
How To: See who last called you on your Vodafone
Here's a neat and useful trick for you Vodafone users out there. In this how-to video, Stuart Miles demonstrates how to recover the number of the person who last phoned you and the time at which he or she called simply by entering *#147# on your phone's keypad and pressing send.
How To: Disassemble an HP iPAQ hx2100, 2400 or 2700 series PDA
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of disassembling your HP iPAQ hx2100, hx2190, hx2400 or hx2700 series pocket PC quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their iPAQ PDAs without actually disassembling their units.
How To: Disassemble an HP iPAQ rw6800 series PDA
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of disassembling your HP iPAQ rw6815, rw6818, rw6828 series pocket PC quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their iPAQs without actually disassembling their units.
How To: Disassemble an HP iPAQ 6900 series PDA
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of disassembling your HP iPAQ hw6500, hw6510 (hw6510a, hw6510b, hw6510c, hw6510d, hw6510g), hw6515 (hw6515a, hw6515b, hw6515c, hw6515d, hw6515f), rw6815, rw6818, rw6828, hw6900, hw6910, hw6915, hw6920, hw6925, hw6940, hw6945, hw6950, hw6955 or hw6965 series pocket PC quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to t...
How To: Disassemble an HP iPAQ hx2000 series PDA
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of disassembling your HP iPAQ hx2000, hx2100, hx2110,hx2115, hx2141s, hx2190 (hx2190a, hx2190b), hx2400, hx2410, hx2490 (hx2490b, hx2490c), hx2495b, hx2700, hx2750, hx2755, hx2790 (hx2790b, hx2790c) or hx2795b series pocket PC quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the gut...