Computing

How to Make Your Linux Netbook Actually Kick Arse

Spoiler: Install Ubuntu. Maximum PC walks through installing Ubuntu on various netbook permutations and how to hit the ground running, turning you into a “power netbook user”—words I never thought I’d see together. [Maximum PC]


January 13, 2009

How To Repair Your Plasma TV With a Baseball Bat (NSFW)

That rumour that Australian toilets flush the other way isn’t true, so lets start a new one: In Australia, you can fix things by beating them. See you in my children, new trivia meme!

(AU:Um, looks like our US cousins are a little confused about us here in Australia. Firstly, the water does flush the other way, and secondly, everyone knows that you fix things by giving them a strong whack… it’s the Australian way!)


Software

How to Get, Install and Play With Windows 7, Pain Free

You’ve been thinking about installing Windows 7 Beta 1 now that it’s totally available to anyone. Well, here’s our complete guide to grabbing, installing and playing with Windows 7—it’s (mostly) painless, so no excuses!


January 8, 2009
Cameras

How To Photograph Fire

Digital Photography School has a tutorial on how to photograph fire. Basically, spot focus on the flame and overexpose a few stops to compensate for the fire’s brightness. [DigitalPhotographySchool via Lifehacker]


December 30, 2008

Build Your Own Net Gun

While most of us will never fight crime with an arsenal of custom gadgets, we could build our own net shooter to foil pesky coworkers who just want to use the copier.


December 12, 2008
Computing

Dealzmodo Hacks: 8 Ways To Get More Miles Out Of Your Old PC

Your PC could always be faster–always. So before you drop the dough on a whole new system, here’s a list of upgrades for squeezing a few more months, years even, out of ol’ faithful, during these trying economic times.


November 28, 2008

How to Buy an HDTV Tomorrow (or Any Day)

Despite this month looking like the kick-off to the next Great Depression, a bunch of you are probably still planning to (finally) hop on the HDTV bandwagon. And all things considered, that’s not a totally stupid move. A great HDTV—one that will blow away the standard definition puke you’ve been watching for years—can be had for a damn good price. But if you’re planning on checking out HDTVs tomorrow (or ever), read this first:


November 27, 2008

How To Safely Microwave a Turkey

Don’t look at me that way. You know that you’ve at least considered it. This Thanksgiving, why slave away all day over a hot oven baking a turkey when you have space age microwave technology right in your own kitchen? According to the USDA, “Turkeys can be successfully cooked in a microwave oven–whole or in parts.” And they’ve kindly included a complete set of useful tips on their site.


November 22, 2008
Computing

A Complete Guide to Playing Video Files On Your PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii

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If you’re here reading Gizmodo, there’s a good chance you have a hard drive full of video somewhere. And you also probably have a PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii. If those two things aren’t working together for you in beautiful symbiosis, allowing you to watch all of your downloaded or ripped video on your TV instead of hunched over a laptop screen, well, this is the guide for you.

Now there are two general strategies you can take: physically copying your files to a USB drive, memory card or CD/DVD, which is pretty straightforward, or streaming your video over the network, which is where things get more fun and interesting. So let’s dive in.


November 20, 2008
Online

Let Me Google That For You Teaches You How To Google

Let Me Google That For You is a tutorial search engine for those whose assistance is constantly needed by the technologically impaired or those clueless friends you have who are just too lazy to search for answers themselves. Follow the jump to find out how it works.