DIY Worm Compost Bin [Video]
Worms can compost kitchen scraps and shredded paper much faster than the aerobic compost process utilized in most commercial backyard compost bins. A vermicomposting (worm composting) bin can be built with a couple of stackable totes, a small piece of window screen, and a drill. More »
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Throw Together a Last-Minute Super Bowl Party [Super Bowl]
Perhaps you've realized that all your friends are busy and no one you know is throwing a party except that one guy from work you don't want to hang out with. Or just maybe you don't know a football from a volleyball and want to have an excuse for a party. Either way we've got you covered. More »
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This Week's Top Downloads [Download Roundup]
- Radioactivity Counter Turns Your Android Phone into a Geiger Counter (Android) Getting one step closer to turning your phone into a tricorder, Android app Radioactivity Counter uses the CMOS camera sensor on your phone to record radiation levels.
- Use Colorblind Assistant to Identify Whatever Color Your Cursor is Pointing At (Windows) If you're colorblind or just need to constantly know what colors are on your screen the free program Colorblind Assistant might be for you. The program tells you whatever color is displayed at the current location of your mouse/trackpad pointer.
- CCleaner for Mac Comes Out of Beta, Adds New Browser and Disk Cleaning Features (Mac OS X) CCleaner for Mac has been in beta for awhile, but now Mac users can enjoy the final version of our favorite Windows utilities. If you're a little starved for disk space or just want to engage in some early Spring cleaning on your Mac, CCleaner is now finished, stable, and ready to help you out.
- Waze for Android Updates, Adds New Maps, Driver-Friendly UI, and More Social Features (Android) Waze, our pick for the best turn-by-turn navigation app for Android, updated today to include an entirely new UI that minimizes buttons and tools so they're all accessible under one spring-out on-screen menu, easier-to-navigate maps that you can now easily spin around and navigate with one hand, and new location-based information from services like Yelp and FourSquare.
- Belvedere Updates, Can Now Automate Your Folders and Automatically Send Files to iTunes (Windows) Belvedere, our automatic file management tool for Windows, has updated with a few new features, like the ability to move folders around and add tracks to iTunes.
- Simplify is an All-In-One Desktop Controller for iTunes, Spotify, and Rdio (Mac OS X) Mini-player apps like previously mentioned Bowtie or GeekTool are great, though they usually only support one or two media players-which isn't great for music junkies that might use multiple programs. Simplify is a simple desktop controller and shortcut customizer that controls iTunes, Spotify, and Rdio.
- PacApt Brings Arch Linux's Amazing Manager to Other Linux Distributions (Linux) It's no secret that we love Arch Linux, and one of Arch's best features is the simple, easy-to-use package manager, Pacman. Here's how to get Pacman's simple command structure in other Linux distributions.
- Cobook Powers Up Your Mac's Address Book with Social Networks, Mouseless Navigation (Mac OS X) Cobook is an Address Book app for Mac that sits in your menu bar, offers quick mouseless navigation, and lets you add a lot more to your contact cards, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts.
- Syncly Automatically Uploads Every Photo You Take to Dropbox (Android) Syncly keeps watch over your Android's SD card, automatically uploading new photos to Dropbox as soon as you take them-so you don't need to do anything to keep everything synced to the cloud.
- Dashlane Securely Manages Passwords, Form info, and Even Purchases For You (and We'ev Got Invites) (Windows/Mac) There are plenty of services that promise to keep your passwords safe, secure, and synchronized across devices behind a single master password that you can remember, but Dashlane is a new service that does that, audits those passwords for strength, saves your form information for quick entry on new web sites, and even keeps track of the purchases you make with that information so you can see it all in one view-one that's only available to you, not even DashLane employees.
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musicForProgramming(): Focus-Boosting Mixtapes for Everybody [Work Sounds]
Web site musicForProgramming(); distributes a series of roughly hour-long ambient music mixes intended to "aid concentration and increase productivity" while you work. More »
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The Best Keyboard Remapper for Mac OS X [Mac App Directory]
If you don't like the way your keyboard is laid out, a keyboard remapper can change it. There are only a few for Mac OS X, and the lack of development on many of your options makes your choice pretty easy. Regardless, KeyRemap4Macbook would rise to the top thanks to numerous remapping options, customizability, and helpful bonus features. More »
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Five Best Ways to Stream Live TV [Video]
Whether you're looking for a way to catch the big game this weekend when you're away from your living room, or you just like to catch live television when you're trapped somewhere without either cable or a television, you have plenty of options to help you catch a broadcast on your mobile phone or your computer. Here's a look at five of the best ways to tune in when you're on the go. More »
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Swipe Right in Mail for iPad to Quickly Display the Inbox [Ipad]
If you find it a bit tedious to move your finger all the way up to the top-left corner to get access to your inbox in portrait mode on an iPad then you'll be happy to hear Mac OS X Hints forum member brianpratt shares a simple gesture to show and hide the inbox. More »
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Elements of Wood and Metal: A Simple, Single Cable Workspace [Featured Workspace]
Today's featured workspace comes from Lifehacker reader H. Sterling Cross, who has put together a simple and compact setup for his MacBook Air. You'll notice it only has one cable, and that's thanks to the desk's built-in power supply and the great cable management of the Apple Thunderbolt Display. More »
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Make a Broiler Map of Your Oven to Ensure Even Cooking Every Time [Video]
Your broiler is a useful kitchen tool, and whether you use it to refresh day-old fried foods or make the perfect pizza crust, it helps to know where your hot and cold spots are to avoid uneven heating when you turn the broiler on. America's Test Kitchen shows us how to make a map of your broiler so you'll never burn your food again. More »
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Use Your Tax Refund to Build Your Future [Taxes]
If you get a tax refund most years it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking of that refund as a windfall and blowing it on stuff you don't need. Instead use that money to kill a debt, bulk up your emergency fund, or invest in your future. More »
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Frozen Garlic and Onion Purees Save Time and Money [Food Hacks]
Some people end up buying and peeling an onion and a head of garlic when they only need a portion of that for their recipe and end up tossing the rest, only to need it again a few days later. Freezing a puree of garlic, onion, and olive oil means that not only do you avoid this wasteful routine, but you can prepare several months worth when the ingredients are on sale. More »
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Give Each Day a Dinner Theme to Help Plan Family Menus [Meal Planning]
If you try to plan advance monthly or bi-weekly menus it can be difficult to balance variety with the staples that everyone enjoys. Parenting weblog Simple Mom recommends establishing a theme for each day of the week such as pizza day or crock pot meals day. That way you know what type of meal you need for all of your open slots and your family knows what to expect at most meals. More »
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Daily App Deals: Get Trackmaster for Android for $5 Off in Today's App Deals [Deals]
The Daily App Deals post is a round-up of the best app discounts of the day, as well as some notable mentions for ones that are on sale. More »
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Divide Your Tools Into Project-Specific Toolkits to Streamline Repair Jobs [Organization]
If your toolkit is organized by shoving everything you own into a box, it might be time to organize the mess. DIY blog Apartment Therapy outlines a trick pulled from the new issue of Martha Stewart Living for dividing your tools by project to give you better access to what you need. More »
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How to Roll Your Own Awesome Drag-and-Drop File Sharing Service [Lifehacker Code]
Whether you were sad to see MegaUpload bite the dust, aren't keen on the alternatives, or just want to use your own domain name and hosting service to share your files, you're in luck! Here's a simple way to set up your own killer drag-and-drop file sharing service with existing software and some code of our own. More »
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How a Regularly Scheduled Phone Call and a Little Research Can Reduce Your Monthly Bills Twice a Year [Saving Money]
This past weekend I called up my cable internet provider and received a discount of $15 off my monthly bill. On top of that, they nearly doubled the speed of my connection. I received this discount and upgrade by simple asking for it, just like I have about every six months. All it takes is a regularly scheduled phone call and a little research to get better deals on cable, your phone bill, and more. More »
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The RCA USB Wall Plate Charger Adds USB Ports to Your Wall Outlets, No Wiring Required [Stuff We Like]
The A/C adapters that come with your gadgets only charge one device at a time, and you need to buy extras if you want some permanently stashed in your go bag. The $20 RCA USB Wall Plate Charger turns one of your wall outlets into two USB ports, for a mini charging station anywhere in your home. More »
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Organize Your Apps by Action Instead of Category for a More Intuitive Find-and-Launch System [Organization]
If you're having trouble remembering where you've filed away an app on your phone's home screen, you may want to consider organizing your apps by action. More »
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"I'd really like to start developing games for Android, but I don't know a thing about coding. Any advice?" [Ask The Commenters Roundup]
- I'd really like to start developing games for Android, but I don't know a thing about coding. I'm simply an artist/graphic designer who has some ideas. Do you know where or how I can get started?
- Is there a way to post something of Facebook, but not allow anybody to make comments?
- Should one always believe the Internet blindly? The Internet is huge and is filled with all sorts of information, So, is it always right? Can I, as a reader, rely on it?
- I'm thinking of using my shop vac to suck up small landscaping stones for reuse elsewhere; the stones aren't that heavy- my leafblower can move them. Would it survive this kind of use?
- Is it better to centralize all of my online accounts/aliases with a service like Google and then use something like a Chromebook for my work outside of the house, or to decentralize all of my online accounts/aliases across multiple service and use something else outside of the house?
- I've been getting into genealogy lately, and I'm trying to do it for free, so I am avoiding sites like ancestry.com at all costs. Any tips on free resources?
- While in the grocery store the other day, I noticed several varieties of cooking sprays claiming to be olive oil based. Are these sprays legitimate, or am I just better off smearing a dollop of olive oil in my pan or using a spray bottle loaded with plain olive oil?
- Can anyone recommend a good scanner to digitizing your own books? Short of chopping your books up and scanning the pages, all I've been able to find is some insanely priced archival equipment for libraries (in the $70,000 price range!). Surely there's something out there more practical for home use.
- I am interested in finding traditional music from Japan, Korea and China. I am not interested in pop or rock, but either traditional instrumental or traditional with vocals. Any suggestions?
- I can code just fine, but when it comes to creating images I suck. Besides hiring a graphics designer, I was wondering what most developer use to create image, such as icons, custom buttons, backgrounds for 2d games, etc?
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Get Nine Great Mac Apps for $39, Plus a Free Video Converter [Deals]
Software bundles are a great way to pick up some great new apps at a huge discount, and MacBundler's latest offering is no exception. It offers up a number of useful and fun media apps, plus a few practical downloads for your notes, finances, automation, and computer-cleaning needs. Here's the entire list, how much they normally cost, and what each app can do: More »
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Ask and Answer Questions About Searching for a Home [Help Yourself]
Every day we're on the lookout for ways to make your work easier and your life better, but Lifehacker readers are smart, insightful folks with all kinds of expertise to share, and we want to give everyone regular access to that exceptional hive mind. Help Yourself is a daily thread where readers can ask and answer questions about tech, productivity, life hacks, and whatever else you need help with. More »
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From the Tips Box: Siri Pronunciation, Facebook Likes, and Speaker Cables [From The Tips Box]
Readers offer their best tips for getting Siri to understand complicated names, liking articles on Facebook, and swapping the position of your speakers. More »
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The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Building a Hackintosh [OS X 10.7.3 UniBeast] [Always Up To Date Guide]
Building a hackintosh—that is, installing Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware—used to require extremely restricted hardware choices and quite a bit of know-how. Now your options are vast and the installation process is fairly simple. With that in mind, here is our always up-to-date guide to building a hackintosh that will walk you through purchasing compatible parts, building your machine, and installing OS X all on your own. Thanks to a new process, it's even easier than before. More »
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Buy Luxury Cars Used for Big Bargains Compared to Economy Vehicles [Saving Money]
Buying used can be a great way to save money on a great vehicle, and whether you're pro-used car or anti-used car, you can't debate the fact that used cars lose a great deal of their value within the first few years of ownership. Nowhere is this especially true than with used luxury vehicles, which lose much more of their value over the first 5-6 years than an economy vehicle does over the same period. If you're looking for leather interiors and seat warmers, used may be a great option. More »
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TopHat Folder Menu Gives You Quick Access to Your Most Used Folders in the Menu Bar [Mac Downloads]
Mac: When you're working on a big project and are consistently using a few specific folders, it's nice to have a quick and simple way to access them. You can toss the folder in your Finder favorites, but if you're looking for an automated solution, TopHat Folder Menu stuffs your most used folders into the menu bar for quick access. More »
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Season Cast Iron Pans by Putting Them in the Oven While Baking [Cooking]
When we discussed using flax seed oil to season cast iron cookware last week, Lifehacker reader and food expert emannths brought up a great idea in the comments—if you're going to bring your oven to temp to bake bread or another dish that requires high temperatures, rub some oil in those cast-iron pans and toss them in the oven to scratch off two items on your to-do list at the same time. More »
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Make Your Own Motion Triggered Bed to Bathroom Illuminated Walkway [DIY]
We all occasionally need to take a nighttime trip to the bathroom, but in a state of grogginess we might have trouble finding our way. To solve this problem Instructables user tamberg created a simple motion-controlled lighting system to guide the way. More »
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Wrap Cheap Paint Rollers in Painters Tape to Remove Lint and Get a Smooth Finish [Household]
If you have a painting project, you can save a lot of money by buying packages of paint rollers, but when you buy lots of them or buy the no-name brand you run the risk of getting paint rollers that are covered in fibers and fluff that will come off and leave you with an uneven coat. The blog Sawdust and Paper Scraps has a great way to prep those rollers for a smooth coat—wrap them in painters tape first. More »
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Add a Fleece Lining to Bandannas to Prevent Frostbite While Enjoying Snow Sports [Weekend Project]
If you enjoy spending time in the outdoors skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or enjoying other snow sports and don't like wearing a full ski-mask you can protect your face by sewing a fleece insert into a bandanna that you wear on your face. More »
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WanderPlayer Turns Your Smartphone Into a Controller for Flash Games [Video]
Android/iPhone and Windows/Mac: Many Flash-based games would work better with a retro controller than a keyboard and mouse. The free app WanderPlayer turns your iPhone or Android phone into a controller that already works with 100 popular web games right now with more on the way. More »
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Rdio Updates Android App with Better Search, Easier Navigation, and Top Charts [Rdio]
Rdio updated their Android app today, with a bunch of new pages for discovering music, a better search engine, and better support for your offline music. More »
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PomodoroPro for iPhone Keeps You On-Task and Productive [IPhone Downloads]
iOS: One of the first things you'll need if you want to try the Pomodoro productivity technique is a timer that will count down during the periods you're supposed to be working and alert you when it's time to take a break. PomodoroPro for iOS is a good-looking and elegant Pomodoro timer for the iPhone that will keep you on track and keep you motivated to continue. More »
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The Best Sites to Raise Money and Get Your Ideas Off the Ground [Ideas]
If you have a brilliant new idea for an mobile app, a handy gadget, a smartphone case that does something cool, an album you want to produce, or even a comic book you want to publish, it's never been easier to get your idea in front of a lot of people and raise money to make it a reality. There are dozens of free and cheap sites designed to boost new ideas, but not all of them are best for your idea. Here's how to pick the best one for you. More »
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Mod a Cabinet Drawer to Keep Your Printer Usable but Stashed Away and Out of Sight [Ikea Hacks]
Printers are often unsightly things—they take up a lot of space, they're loud, and even if you have a Wi-Fi model that doesn't have to be directly connected to your computer, it's hard to find a place for them. This hack puts your printer away in a dresser drawer, and adds a hinge to the front of the drawer so you even have easy access to your printouts when you send a job to the printer. More »
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How Do I Calibrate My Computer's Monitor for the Best Picture? [Ask Lifehacker]
Save Big on Airfare by Booking a Car Rental with Your Flight [Travel]
It might sound counterintuitive to add an expense in order to save more on travel, but you can actually access hidden discounts by booking more than just a flight, at least with British Airways. Independent Traveler writer Jamey Bergman saved $1,400 by adding a car rental to his flight. More »
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Inform Hotels of Special Occasions Ahead of Time to Score Free Perks [Travel]
When you're planning a hotel stay for a monumental occasion like a birthday or honeymoon, hotel office manager Trang Phan suggests it's good to let the hotel know so they can deliver a special treat before you arrive. More »
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Todo.txt Touch for Android Adds Home Screen Widget, Tap to Call Support [Todo.txt]
Android: Todo.txt, our favorite plain text to-do list manager, has updated its touch-centric Android app to include a home screen widget, recognition for phone numbers and email addresses, and a few other fixes that make it easier to use. More »
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Remains of the Day: Adobe Brings Flash Player Sandboxing to Firefox [For What It's Worth]
Adobe brings long awaited Flash sandboxing to Firefox, Facebook and Google back down from Indian courts, and longstanding torrent site BTJunkie closes up shop. More »
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