USB Tutorial: USB Telescope for Under $40
The guys at Instructables have come up with yet another great tutorial to add some USB gadgetry to your closet. This time we take a look at building a USB telescope from an old analog zoom lens, webcam and PVC piping for housing. Reading through the instructions, the USB tutorial is a seven step process. You will need some prep work done at the hardware store and have your zoom lens and webcam available (both items can be found on eBay for under $15 each). Here is a video summary:For the full USB Telescope tutorial make the jump. Continue Reading
USB Hack: Disable The AutoPlay Pop Up Window
The first couple of times I connected a USB drive to my computer it was nice to see the pop-up window asking me what I wanted to do with the drive. However, the pop-up window gets old. Here is how to disable the autoplay pop-up window for USB drives: Go to your Windows Start button and navigate to RUN… type in:gpedit.msc then click OKA Windows Group Policy window pops up. This is where you configure the pop-up window setting.
Run Instant Message on Your iPod Touch
Unlocking the iPod Touch isn’t too difficult and the transformation allows for some powerfull and fun applications to find their way into your iPod Touch. Take for example, this tutorial which gives you the tools to run Instant Message on your iPod Touch
Photoshop Tutorial on Making Animated USB Drive
If you have a few minutes and want to sharpen some Photoshop skills you can run through this tutorial on how to create a USB drive. I for one will definitely do this, as my USB Forum link needs an updated look. This Photoshop tutorial would also be a good project for anyone running a gizmo or gadget website to create some stock images for those random posts. Before you make the jump, the tutorial uses 19 steps to create the image below.
Onion Powered iPod
So it turns out a white onion is not only good for salsa, but good for charging iPods too. Here is a video showing you how to charge an iPod with an onion, Gatorade and USB cable. I knew those electro-lights are good for something. For those not interested in watching a 3 minute video here is the down-n-dirty:- put two holes on either side of your onion with screwdriver
- soak the thing in Gatorade until most is gone (about 1 cup worth)
- use the iPod USB cable and push in the USB connector into the onion.
Having USB Problems With Vista?
Windows Vista has not been an easy transition for many people. One of the problems with Vista is USB support, or lack of. If you are having USB problems with Vista then please read on.
Several months ago Microsoft released hotfixes for Vista for some badly-needed improvements for USB operation. Most notably is the problems, conflicts and issues related to USB and audio components.
Microsoft plans to officially address the USB issues with their SP1 due out in early 2008, but in the mean time lets check out the Microsoft roll out update page.
If you are using Vista and having problems be sure to double check the device manufacturer update before using the Microsoft updates, your solution might already be out there.
Peter Kirn provided a couple valuable tips while diving into your problems, please read
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DIY Power Hub via USB
Reading an article from Crave, I realized the very obvious… I should have written about this topic months ago…maybe years ago. Turning a typical USB hub into a power center for all those electronic gadgets. The key is getting a USB hub that has a dedicated AC Power adapter which plugs directly into the wall. This way a stable supply of 5v will be streaming to all ports. You can grab a 4 port, 6 port or 7 port hub for only a few dollars.The power hub via USB is a perfect illustration of the potential of such a setup: pretty much anything that accepts USB charging (iPods, Blackberries, cellphones, headsets, Xbox 360 controllers, and the like) should be compatible.You should be able to power up non USB charging devices as long as they are Continue Reading
Make Your Mac Work Like a DVR
The Mac can easily and quickly become a DVR with the right software and hardware. This Mac only tip comes just in time for this season’s prime time TV.
Getting The Most Out of Your Mac Keychain Utility
I’m not a Mac guy, but I can spot a [good] nugget of info when I see it. The Keychain utility on a Mac is designed to safeguard your important passwords, credentials, log-in info, and all those financial records.
Unresponsive iPod
Do you have an iPod that is unresponsive? Occasionally an iPod may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot this. Here’s an email from a MethodShop.com reader about an unresponsive iPod:You most likely dropped your iPod or hit it pretty hard. This happened to a friend of mine (Bill) when he threw his backpack on the floor. His iPod was inside the backpack and the jolt from hitting the floor physically damaged the iPod’s hard drive. Unfortunately, if your hard drive is physically damaged, there’s only one way to fix it – get it replaced. If your iPod is still under warranty or you purchased extended AppleCare for your iPod, then have Apple replace or repair your iPod. If your iPod is out of warranty, there are several third-party companies that can fix your iPod like these guys. But before going through the hassle and cost of sending your iPod off to be repaired, try these free iPod troubleshooting tips first. Good luck! BeSocial: methodshop Continue Reading“I’m using a 40GB click-wheel iPod in Windows 2k. It is unable to fully boot up. When I turn it on, the Apple symbol comes up and the hard drive sounds like it begins to spin, and then it stops. Occasionally it gets to the folder w/exclamation point screen and then the hard drives stops and then starts again, going back to the apple screen. The iPod update application either doesn’t detect the iPod or it freezes my whole computer. I have tried resetting, and since Windows/iPod update don’t detect it, I can’t restore either (even in disk mode). I have been unable to get the disk scan working.” ~ dan