Search Results

Search found 2018 results on 81 pages for 'jason kealey'.

Page 18/81 | < Previous Page | 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25  | Next Page >

• This Week in Geek History: HAL Goes Live, First Alien Moon Landing, First Fighter Jet Ejection Seat

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Every week we bring you interesting facts from the annuals of Geekdom. This week in Geek History saw the birth of HAL, the first landing on an alien moon, and the first real-world test of a fighter jet ejection seat. Latest Features How-To Geek ETC HTG Projects: How to Create Your Own Custom Papercraft Toy How to Combine Rescue Disks to Create the Ultimate Windows Repair Disk What is Camera Raw, and Why Would a Professional Prefer it to JPG? The How-To Geek Guide to Audio Editing: The Basics How To Boot 10 Different Live CDs From 1 USB Flash Drive The 20 Best How-To Geek Linux Articles of 2010 Calvin and Hobbes Mix It Up in this Fight Club Parody [Video] Choose from 124 Awesome HTML5 Games to Play at Mozilla Labs Game On Gallery Google Translate for Android Updates to Include Conversation Mode and More Move Your Photoshop Scratch Disk for Improved Performance Winter Storm Clouds on the Horizon Wallpaper Existential Angry Birds [Video]

  Read the article

• Improvements to Joshua Bloch's Builder Design Pattern?

  - by Jason Fotinatos

  Back in 2007, I read an article about Joshua Blochs take on the "builder pattern" and how it could be modified to improve the overuse of constructors and setters, especially when an object has a large number of properties, most of which are optional. A brief summary of this design pattern is articled here [http://rwhansen.blogspot.com/2007/07/theres-builder-pattern-that-joshua.html]. I liked the idea, and have been using it since. The problem with it, while it is very clean and nice to use from the client perspective, implementing it can be a pain in the bum! There are so many different places in the object where a single property is reference, and thus creating the object, and adding a new property takes a lot of time. So...I had an idea. First, an example object in Joshua Bloch's style: Josh Bloch Style: public class OptionsJoshBlochStyle { private final String option1; private final int option2; // ...other options here <<<< public String getOption1() { return option1; } public int getOption2() { return option2; } public static class Builder { private String option1; private int option2; // other options here <<<<< public Builder option1(String option1) { this.option1 = option1; return this; } public Builder option2(int option2) { this.option2 = option2; return this; } public OptionsJoshBlochStyle build() { return new OptionsJoshBlochStyle(this); } } private OptionsJoshBlochStyle(Builder builder) { this.option1 = builder.option1; this.option2 = builder.option2; // other options here <<<<<< } public static void main(String[] args) { OptionsJoshBlochStyle optionsVariation1 = new OptionsJoshBlochStyle.Builder().option1("firefox").option2(1).build(); OptionsJoshBlochStyle optionsVariation2 = new OptionsJoshBlochStyle.Builder().option1("chrome").option2(2).build(); } } Now my "improved" version: public class Options { // note that these are not final private String option1; private int option2; // ...other options here public String getOption1() { return option1; } public int getOption2() { return option2; } public static class Builder { private final Options options = new Options(); public Builder option1(String option1) { this.options.option1 = option1; return this; } public Builder option2(int option2) { this.options.option2 = option2; return this; } public Options build() { return options; } } private Options() { } public static void main(String[] args) { Options optionsVariation1 = new Options.Builder().option1("firefox").option2(1).build(); Options optionsVariation2 = new Options.Builder().option1("chrome").option2(2).build(); } } As you can see in my "improved version", there are 2 less places in which we need to add code about any addition properties (or options, in this case)! The only negative that I can see is that the instance variables of the outer class are not able to be final. But, the class is still immutable without this. Is there really any downside to this improvement in maintainability? There has to be a reason which he repeated the properties within the nested class that I'm not seeing?

  Read the article

• DIY Internet Radio Maintains Controls and Interface of Vintage Case

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Updating an old radio for modern inputs/streaming audio isn’t a new trick but this DIY mod stands out by maintaining the original controls and interface style. Rather than replace the needle-style selector window with a modern text-readout or cover-flow style interface, modder Florian Amrhein opted to replace the old rectangular station selector with an LCD screen that emulates the same red-needle layout. Using the same knob that previously moved the needle on the analog interface, you can slide the digital selector back and forth to select Internet radio stations. Watch the video above to see it in action and hit up the link below for the build guide. 1930s Internet Radio [via Hack A Day] HTG Explains: Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus? How To Use USB Drives With the Nexus 7 and Other Android Devices Why Does 64-Bit Windows Need a Separate “Program Files (x86)” Folder?

  Read the article

• Red Dot Scope Makes Sighting In Long Lenses a Snap

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  If you’ve ever used a high power lens, you know how tricky it can be to sight a distant subject as the field of view through the lens is so tiny. This hack takes care of that problem by using a zero-magnification red dot rifle scope. Chris Malcolm enjoys photographing birds and other wildlife with high power lenses. The problem, when shooting with huge 500mm lens and other high power lenses, is that they’re practically telescopes and acquiring a fast moving target like a bird using a through-the-lens technique is very tricky. Malcolm’s solution hinges on mounting a zero-magnification red dot rifle scope in parallel with the lens. His mock up is a bit unpolished (although we can understand not wanting to run out and buy a brand new black scope just for the experiment) but works great to get him on target. Hit up the link below to read more about his build, how be created the rail mount for the scope, and why he opted to mount it to the barrel of the lens and not the hot shoe mount on the camera. 500mm Reflex Lens with Red Dot Sight [via DIY Photography] Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos HTG Explains: What Can You Find in an Email Header?

  Read the article

• Cool a Computer with Toilet Water

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  When most people opt to use water cooling they put together tidy coolant reservoirs complete with ambient lighting and the like. This build involves a hole in the wall and the tank of a functioning toilet. The design, courtesy of Jeff Gagnon, is unconventional, but effective. Opposite of his wall-mounted PC is a bathroom. In that bathroom he has a coolant pump in the tank of the toilet. Using the toilet tank as a thermal sink he keeps the CPU at a nice chilly 66F. Hit up the link below for more pictures, including a peek inside his hacked together toilet-tank cooling rig. How to Cool a PC with Toilet Water [Extreme Tech] How to Sync Your Media Across Your Entire House with XBMC How to Own Your Own Website (Even If You Can’t Build One) Pt 2 How to Own Your Own Website (Even If You Can’t Build One) Pt 1

  Read the article

• Quoting people for website dev. work

  - by Jason

  Hi All, I have recently given some quotes to a few people. And I need some advice about how things should be done... Q1: I've seen, heard of and read about a lot of developers using free resource sites online to obtain free Privacy Policy, Disclaimers etc for their/customers websites. A customer I quoted the other day expected me to write/get a disclaimer for their site. Who in their right mind would expect a document like that from a Web Developer? I just told them that they need to sort that stuff out themselves with a Lawyer or something, and then to send it to me so I can paste it on a webpage for them. Q2: If you're charging per hour, and you estimate that the project would take 1week to finish (including testing/releasing), but you soon realise that you'll require more time, do you RE-quote them? Or do you just finish off the site at the original quote price? Q3: How do you figure out how much you will charge your customers? Do you charge per-feature, or per hour, or per day, or all of the above? Thanks :)

  Read the article

• How Microwave Ovens Work [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  In this informative how-it-works video, we’re treated to a peek inside the common microwave and the science behind the magnetron that powers it. Bill details how a microwave oven heats food. He describes how the microwave vacuum tube, called a magnetron, generates radio frequencies that cause the water in food to rotate back and forth. He shows the standing wave inside the oven, and notes how you can measure the wavelength with melted cheese. He concludes by describing how a magnetron generates radio waves. [via Make] How to Banish Duplicate Photos with VisiPic How to Make Your Laptop Choose a Wired Connection Instead of Wireless HTG Explains: What Is Two-Factor Authentication and Should I Be Using It?

  Read the article

• The Evolution of 8-Bit [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  In this nostalgia filled short video, PBS takes a retrospective look at the history and the evolution of early 8-bit video games. Beginning with early Atari and Nintendo video games, the 8-bit aesthetic has been a part of our culture for over 30 years. As it moved through the generations, 8-bit earned its independence from its video game roots. The idea of 8-bit now stands for a refreshing level of simplicity and minimalism, is capable of sonic and visual beauty, and points to the layer of technology that suffuses our modern lives. No longer just nostalgia art, contemporary 8-bit artists and chiptunes musicians have elevated the form to new levels of creativity and cultural reflection. [via Neatorama] HTG Explains: What Is Windows RT and What Does It Mean To Me? HTG Explains: How Windows 8′s Secure Boot Feature Works & What It Means for Linux Hack Your Kindle for Easy Font Customization

  Read the article

• The HTG Guide to Hiding Your Data in a TrueCrypt Hidden Volume

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Last week we showed you how to set up a simple, but strongly encrypted, TrueCrypt volume to help you protect your sensitive data. This week we’re digging in deeper and showing you how to hide your encrypted data within your encrypted data. The HTG Guide to Hiding Your Data in a TrueCrypt Hidden Volume Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos

  Read the article

• Root and Install ADB on Your Kindle Fire with SuperOneClick

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  The Kindle Fire, fresh into the hands of consumers across the country, has already been rooted and accessed with ADB. Right now the hack is awesome but of limited utility–it highlights how easily the Kindle Fire can be rooted and prepared for a custom ROM but for the moment you’ll find there aren’t many custom ROMs floating around. Still, we’re excited by the news and looking forward to where, beyond the stock configuration, people take the Kindle Fire. Hit up the link below for the discussion thread on AndroidForums outlining how to root your Kindle Fire. How-To Get ADB Running AND Root with SuperOneClick [AndroidForum via PhanDroid] HTG Explains: How Hackers Take Over Web Sites with SQL Injection / DDoS Use Your Android Phone to Comparison Shop: 4 Scanner Apps Reviewed How to Run Android Apps on Your Desktop the Easy Way

  Read the article

• The Raspberry Pi Now Has Its Own App Store

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Raspberry Pi, the credit-card sized computer with an ARM processor, now has its own appstore where Raspberry Pi hobbyists and developers can share their creations in a one-stop location accessible to all Raspberry Pi users. In today’s press release about the store, the Raspberry Pi Foundation writes: We’ve been amazed by the variety of software that people have written for, or ported to, the Raspberry Pi. Today, together with our friends at IndieCity and Velocix, we’re launching the Pi Store to make it easier for developers of all ages to share their games, applications, tools and tutorials with the rest of the community. The Pi Store will, we hope, become a one-stop shop for all your Raspberry Pi needs; it’s also an easier way into the Raspberry Pi experience for total beginners, who will find everything they need to get going in one place, for free. The store runs as an X application under Raspbian, and allows users to download content, and to upload their own content for moderation and release. At launch, we have 23 free titles in the store, ranging from utilities like LibreOffice and Asterisk to classic games like Freeciv and OpenTTD and Raspberry Pi exclusive Iridium Rising. We also have one piece of commercial content: the excellent Storm in a Teacup from Cobra Mobile. For more information about the store, including how to install the app store on your Pi, check out the full press release here. To get started browsing the store, hit up the link below. Secure Yourself by Using Two-Step Verification on These 16 Web Services How to Fix a Stuck Pixel on an LCD Monitor How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone or Tablet When It Won’t Boot

  Read the article

• A Tribute to Curiosity [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  This beautifully put together video tribute to the Mars Curiosity Rover includes touching interviews with many of the men and women who dedicated themselves to building and deploying it. [via Geeks Are Sexy] HTG Explains: Does Your Android Phone Need an Antivirus? How To Use USB Drives With the Nexus 7 and Other Android Devices Why Does 64-Bit Windows Need a Separate “Program Files (x86)” Folder?

  Read the article

• How to Create Steel Wool Light Paintings [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Steel Wool Light Paintings are like regular long-exposure light paintings but they replace LEDs with flaming balls of steel; watch this video to see how to safely and successfully light paint with steal wool. In this video Benjamin Von Wong explains how to set up a steel wool light painting photoshoot, how to create your steel wool light source, and how to do it all safely without burning down your neighborhood or lighting nearby pedestrians on fire. [via DIYPhotography] What’s the Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate in Windows? Screenshot Tour: XBMC 11 Eden Rocks Improved iOS Support, AirPlay, and Even a Custom XBMC OS How To Be Your Own Personal Clone Army (With a Little Photoshop)

  Read the article

• Expensive HDMI Cables Make No Difference

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  While we’re no strangers to spreading the news that expensive HDMI cables are a ripoff, we’re happy to share yet another study that shows there’s zero difference between a $5 cable and a $95 one. Over at the British hardware review site Expert Reviews, they subjected a wide selection of HDMI cables to extensive tests in a bid to produce the end-all examination of whether or not a premium HDMI cable could actually produce a better signal. They used capture cards, pixel-by-pixel comparison of output, and other techniques to pick over individual frames until they ultimately reached the same conclusion everyone outside of the Monster sales staff had already reached: you’re getting absolutely no benefit to spending $100 on cable that can be had for under five bucks. Hit up the link below to read over their methodology. Expensive Cables Make Absolutely No Difference [via Geek News Central] HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It HTG Explains: Learn How Websites Are Tracking You Online

  Read the article

• Why learn Flash Builder 4 (Flex) when I can just use Flash Professional?

  - by Jason McKenna

  I want to learn Flash Builder 4 (Flex) because I see sooo many jobs requesting experience with it. i also just like knowing stuff. I am also very interested in focusing on RIA development now. BUT... can anyone tell me CLEARLY why the heck I would ever use FLEX over Flash Pro?? it is a time investment, so is it worth it? All I read are misguided posts about how Flash Pro is for games and banner ads, and Flex is for programmers and RIAs blah blah... this simply isn't so from my 9 years of contracting experience. I'm 99.9% certain that I can build anything a flex developer can build, but using Flash Pro. I can build powerful AS3-driven apps for the desktop, mobile device, or browser, and I can link to databases with XML and I can import text files and communicate with ColdFusion and everything. The advantage with Flash Pro is that I can also easily and clearly animate transitions and build custom elements that look the way I want/need them to look for my specific client. Why would I want to use a bunch of pre-built components that drive my file sizes to the moon?? Who is happy with a drag-n-drop button?? Is Flex just a thing made for programmer people with no artistic inclination? What is the advantage of using it?? It takes me back to Visual Basic class. Seems like a pain to have to use multiple tools to import crap from Flash Pro into Flex and yada yada... why when I can do it all nicely in Flash Pro to begin with. Am I clueless, or missing some major piece of the puzzle? Thanks for any clarity. PS, I couldn't care less about the code editors. It aint that bad people. They make it out like the thing doesn't even respond to keyboard input or something. Does everthing I need it do anyways. Please help out here. If I just dont need to learn it, I dont want to waste the time. Jase

  Read the article

• DeskLights Turns Desk Surface Into Giant Multi-Purpose Notifier

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  We’ve seen desks with LEDs under frosted glass before, but this is the first desk we’ve seen where the LEDs serve as a sophisticated notification system. Check out the video above to see desk, designed by Michael LaGrasta, in action. The secret sauce is an array of LED modules, linked to an Arduino board, which is in turn running a tiny web server. Hit up the link below for the full build guide. DeskLights 2.0 [via IKEAHackers] Hack Your Kindle for Easy Font Customization HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It

  Read the article

• DIY Camera Carrier Turns any Bag into a Camera Bag

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  The biggest problem with camera bags is that they look like camera bags and thus become a perfect target for thieves. This DIY camera carrier lets you slip a lens and camera holder into any bag to help conceal and protect your gear. The project comes to us courtesy of Joy, a designer and crafter, and her adventures in making a DIY camera carrier to help protect her camera while carrying it discretely in her purse. You’ll need some basic sewing skills and access to a sewing machine; to follow along check out the link below and adjust the dimensions of her design to fit your bag. Camera Carrier Insert Tutorial [via Apartment Therapy] HTG Explains: Is ReadyBoost Worth Using? HTG Explains: What The Windows Event Viewer Is and How You Can Use It HTG Explains: How Windows Uses The Task Scheduler for System Tasks

  Read the article

• How Mars Lost Its Atmosphere [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Scientists have long theorized that Mars once had an atmosphere and surface water–but where did it go? This video showcases one of their theories about Mars’ vanished water reserves. Courtesy of NASA and the NASAexplorer channel: When you take a look at Mars, you probably wouldn’t think that it looks like a nice place to live. It’s dry, it’s dusty, and there’s practically no atmosphere. But some scientists think that Mars may have once looked like a much nicer place to live, with a thicker atmosphere, cloudy skies, and possibly even liquid water flowing over the surface. So how do you go from something like this–to something like this? NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft will give us a clearer idea of how Mars lost its atmosphere, and scientists think that several processes have had an impact. For more information about MAVEN, check out the mission page here. NASA – MAVEN: Mars Atmospheric Loss How to Get Pro Features in Windows Home Versions with Third Party Tools HTG Explains: Is ReadyBoost Worth Using? HTG Explains: What The Windows Event Viewer Is and How You Can Use It

  Read the article

• Bitdefender Safebox Offers 2GB Free Storage for Android Users

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Android: If you’re always on the lookout for new–and free!–cloud storage solutions, security company BitDefender has a new cloud service for Android uers. Safebox accounts come with a free 2GB storage to get you started. For those of you in the “You can never have enough backups!” camp, Bitdefender’s Safebox is a new offering (currently only available for PC/Android setups) on the remote-storage market. Free personal accounts come with 2GB of storage which is on par with other cloud storage providers. If you’re looking for cloud storage with the maximum number of features and heavy third-party support you’ll want to stick with a well established player like Dropbox. If you’re just looking for some extra storage for overflow media or some redundancy for your current backup solution, Safebox is a viable storage solution. Bitdefender Safebox [via Addicted Tips] Make Your Own Windows 8 Start Button with Zero Memory Usage Reader Request: How To Repair Blurry Photos HTG Explains: What Can You Find in an Email Header?

  Read the article

• Slow Motion Egg Destruction [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: everything is better in slow motion. In this instance it’s twenty two eggs made interesting by meeting their demise in a variety of ways. Of all the egg smashes in the video, we’re particularly fond of the tennis racket segment. Have a cool slow-mo video to share? Throw a link in the comments! Slo-As-A-Mofo-Sho – Egg Destruction [via Boing Boing] How To Delete, Move, or Rename Locked Files in Windows HTG Explains: Why Screen Savers Are No Longer Necessary 6 Ways Windows 8 Is More Secure Than Windows 7

  Read the article

• The Moon Illusion Explained [Video]

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  When the moon is on the horizon it looks radically larger than it does up in the sky; check out this video to see the science behind the illusion. [via Geeks Are Sexy] What Is the Purpose of the “Do Not Cover This Hole” Hole on Hard Drives? How To Log Into The Desktop, Add a Start Menu, and Disable Hot Corners in Windows 8 HTG Explains: Why You Shouldn’t Use a Task Killer On Android

  Read the article

• PC On/Off Time Charts Windows Uptime; No Logging Necessary

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  Windows: PC On/Off Time is a graphical tool that displays your PC’s uptime, downtime, errors, and more all in a clear and portable package. One of the hassles of using logging tools is that you usually have to enable the logging and then wait for results to pile up before seeing anything useful (such as when you turn on the logging on your router). PC On/Off Time taps right into the event logs your Windows PC is already keeping so you get immediate access to your uptime history. If you look at the screenshot above you can see an accurate picture of the last few weeks of uptime on my computer. October 23-24 I didn’t boot down my PC, the rest of the time I hibernated it overnight when I wasn’t using it, November 1st I installed an SSD (you can see the burst of reboots and short uptimes) and then November 9th there was a brief power outage that caused an unexpected stop (the red arrows on the timeline for the 9th). The free version offers a three-week peek back into your uptime history (upgrade to the Pro version for $12.75 or for free using Trial Pay to unlock your completely uptime history).PC On/Off Time is Windows only. PC On/Off Time [via Addictive Tips] Use Amazon’s Barcode Scanner to Easily Buy Anything from Your Phone How To Migrate Windows 7 to a Solid State Drive Follow How-To Geek on Google+

  Read the article

• Star Trail Photos Taken from the International Space Station

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  While most people have seen a star trail photo or two, seeing a set of star trail photos taken from over 300 miles above the Earth’s surface is a treat. Courtesy of Astronaut and Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit, the photos capture star trails from the vantage point of the International Space Station. He explains his technique: My star trail images are made by taking a time exposure of about 10 to 15 minutes. However, with modern digital cameras, 30 seconds is about the longest exposure possible, due to electronic detector noise effectively snowing out the image. To achieve the longer exposures I do what many amateur astronomers do. I take multiple 30-second exposures, then ‘stack’ them using imaging software, thus producing the longer exposure. Hit up the link below for the full Flickr set of the star trails. ISS Star Trails [via Smithsonian Magazine] HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It? HTG Explains: Why You Only Have to Wipe a Disk Once to Erase It HTG Explains: Learn How Websites Are Tracking You Online

  Read the article

• US Summer Heat Wave Visualized

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  While it seems like every summer people complain about the heat, this summer there’s a basis to their grievance. In the past month there have been 4,230 daily high-temperature records set across the continental United States. Over at NPR they’ve rounded up some environmental data that paints a picture of the US as a scorching hot place to be right now. The above map shows the number of locations reporting a recording setting temperature in the month of June; many of those places are on track to appear on the July map (available in the full NPR post). For more interesting stats about this year’s heatwave–like the fact that record temperature reports are up 71% from last year–hit up the link below. How Hot Is It? All You Need To See Are These Two Maps [NPR] How to Use an Xbox 360 Controller On Your Windows PC Download the Official How-To Geek Trivia App for Windows 8 How to Banish Duplicate Photos with VisiPic

  Read the article

• Ask The Readers: How Do You Camouflage Your Tech?

  - by Jason Fitzpatrick

  We love having a technology-packed house as much as the next geek, but not all our gizmos, gadgets, and peripherals are exactly Home and Garden approved. How do you enjoy all your tech without your living room and office looking like an electronics store? Image courtesy of Weekly Geek’s DIY charging station tutorial. Whether it’s to hide the insanely intense LEDS, minimize the visual clutter, or to boost the wife/husband acceptance factor of your geeky hobbies higher, there’s a variety of reasons for wrangling cables, hiding routers, or otherwise camouflaging your gear. This week we want to hear all about your tips for hiding or otherwise minimizing the appearance of gear around your home, office, and other personal spaces. Sound off in the comments with your best tips, trick, and camouflaging techniques; check back in on Friday for the What You Said roundup. HTG Explains: How Windows 8′s Secure Boot Feature Works & What It Means for Linux Hack Your Kindle for Easy Font Customization HTG Explains: What Is RSS and How Can I Benefit From Using It?

  Read the article

< Previous Page | 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25  | Next Page >