Hybrid Hack

Free Resumes and Business Cards + DIY Resources

2009-06-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Scarcely, can you find a deal better than free. And tomorrow happens to be the final day of staples free resume and business card offer. Promoted on

Staples Website, the offer promises 20 copies of one's resume along with 40 business cards with no costs whatsoever - no money spent on paper or ink or manual labor. But when Staples' stores close their doors tomorrow night, so closes the deal. If you are currently in hunt for employment, this is just one more opportunity to make your search more effective and more efficient. With limited personal exertion and no monetary expenditures you gain a medium to share your qualifications and identity with the business world: employers, employees, links to the professional environment. Inexpensive, often fulfilling, improvements to one's life and environment abound in other ways as well. Do-It-Yourself projects, coined DIY work, has become increasingly popular as the consumer population turns to their own wit and work for satisfaction. Rather than paying others, consumers attain the neccesary knowledge and develop the needed skills to solve their problems. With the internet, with Google in the driver's seat, anything is possible. And so there is no limit to the information one can obtain using merely his fingertips. He can learn to fix a sink, tile a roof, plant a garden, paint a garage or garage door.

For innovative, even inspiring, DIY projects, there are five reputable sites that one can check. For ideas small and large, common and dicey, persons with internet at their disposal can browse Make or Instructables. They can also search through eHow for further insights from the DIY savvy population. For more unique projects, one may look up Bizarre Stuff. And for the life hacker, DIY hacks do not fail to intrigue on Hack-a-Day, a website that, as its title would imply, offers one crucial hack per sunrise and sunset.

So make the most of the day. With your free time - time spent in anguish and languish, boredom and dejection, watching mindless television or reading mindless blogs as this one - think about commiting to a DIY project, for your own benefit, your environment's gain, or the utility of a family member or friend.

*Note - The DIY site suggestions stem from makeuseof.com, though the insights and explanations are entirely those of my own doing.

Bye Bye Blockbuster

2009-06-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Technology becomes cheaper by the day, by the hour, even by the second. A single innovation can foster cheaper methods of production or easier profligation of content. As witnessed in the music industry, the advent of the computer and internet and music players of all sorts has made cd's obsolete. Of course, providers of music, namely Itunes, still reap profits in the billions from honest customers who still pay for music, as well as videos, podcasts, applications, books and audiobooks. Nevertheless, the music industry continues to suffer as teenagers and parents alike learn the ways of limewire and torrent and burning music. Free and music are nearly synonomous in the vocabulary of today's youth, and the monetary purchase of music will only become more foreign, more unusual, as technology augments and the young people of today age.

The dvd and vhs rental industry is experiencing a similar twist of fate. Websites such as hulu and youtube, which offer full-length television shows and will soon offer entire movies, subplant funds formerly directed towards monopolies as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. The internet is both a cheaper medium of visual stimulation and also a more convenient one. In one's house, the computer is, at most, a few rooms away - not a few blocks, or more. And so former rental giants are feeling the burdens of technology, just as the music industry did, just as the pager industry did (with the cell phone), just as the horse did (with the car).

There is something quaintly comforting about renting a dvd and coming home to watch it with one's family. The process, though it may require extra dollars, time, and gas, is familiar and often rewarding. The dvd rental experience comforts a person a ways the computer (Netflix and the like) can not. It entails a clear task, the goal being to find a potent movie: a "winner." It encourages social interaction with strangers in the store, acquaintances one may see at the store regularly, and the family and friends one goes to the store with. And it is routine: find and rent the dvd, return home, put in the dvd and prepare food and drink, revel in two hours or so of action or horror, comedy or drama. The overall experience is a mission culminating with a rewarding visual plot (if the movie is a good one).

The dvd rental process is here to stay, for the time being. But that does not mean one is confined to the monopolist companies such as Blockbuster, which charges roughly $5 per dvd rental. The redbox is 99 cents store for dvd's. In your local Albertson's you will (or will soon be) able to locate a "red box." These machines carry roughly 100 of the newest released dvd's and rents them out for a dollar per night. There is a minimum rental of one day, and no limit on how many days one may hold the dvd. To purchase a red box dvd, one only needs his credit card. He pays with the credit card and, upon returning the dvd, he is billed for however many days the movie was rented. The experience is similar to that of a Blockbuster run, but less time consuming and often conventient. It is as simple as choosing a movie after shopping for groceries. I urge you all to locate a Red Box near you (check the Red Box website for locations) and reap the benefits of an extensive collection of cheap dvd's. For greatest utility, you should arrange to keep the dvd for just one night, costing, in turn, just a single dollar.

What is more, you can check the Red Box site for weekly coupon codes. Frequently, you can get one night free on any dvd rental. Thus, you still swipe your credit card, but pay nothing. Good luck on your foray into the world of red boxes, the beginning of the end for Blockbuster.

Resurrection

2009-06-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hello again.

I've been away for a while now, but, with the school year coming to a close, I'm eager to get frequently once more. Not only will I be writing in depth posts on underused, unrealized hacks, as in past posts. I will also briefly describe and link you to any articles of helpful - possibly crucial - information, like so:

GymPost - This resource is a map mashup of all gym locations in a given area. And it is not limited to a single fitness company, thus, when on vacation, you can search out and compare a multitude of workout options. You are not limited to the locations of a single gym, as you would be searching individual site to individual site.
Fuelly - JD Roth, from Get Rich Slowly, posted today about a new tool he found to track his gasoline consumption. Fuelly offers useful metrics such as average miles per gallon, best miles per gallon, and gas trends. As gas rises once more, this tool will be exponentially useful. (Photo linked from Get Rich Slowly.)

50 "Danger-est" Search Terms - Beware: it is not simply search for adult content that will get your computer infested with malware and spyware and the like. McAfee recently released a list of the fifty greatest search threats for the average googler.
"See ID" - Also an idea from Get Rich Slowly: technically, you can write "See ID" where one should sign on a credit card, and you are not legally bound to the credit contract, purchases, fees, and other miscellaneous costs.
The Worst and Very Worst of McDonalds - I admit, I am not a fan of McDonalds. Nevertheless, Lifehacker has compiled a list of the comparedly least and most healthy options if one must choose. And remember: always go with the diet soda. (Image via Lifehacker.)

You can expect these round-up type posts on a bi-weekly basis, if not more often. Also, I intend to start a fitness blog in the near future. I will keep you updated on that. Any ideas for domain names that incorporate the idea of stretching?

Cheat Hacks - License Plate Camouflage

2008-11-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

This post initiates a series of "cheat hacks." Simply put, this category focuses on using illegal or mischievous tricks for your own benefit. The area is broad and will cover tips for your school environment, tips for your work atmosphere, and tips for your life. Essentially, I'll explain ways to make your life a lot easier, albeit slightly fraudulent...

Toll roads are annoying in a number of ways. Firstly, the road fees are incessant and expensive. To add, the payment process is time-consuming, peaking one's irritation as it squanders both time and money. It takes several minutes to stop, to gather the necessary coins for the toll, to wait in line. Moreover, its not uncommon for a person to the necessary change to pass. In such a case, that person will generally wait for other drivers to spot them the toll, all the while leaving others to wait in line. Admittedly, there is the option of buying a fast track pass. In doing so, a driver is allowed to altogether surpass the toll stop. Still, the pass is expensive. Some drivers can't afford a large deposit of money at one time. Furthermore, for many the pass simply would not be used enough to become beneficial. Without a pass, drivers can either pay the toll or run it. In most cases, that driver will be photographed and fined for the latter.

Under certain circumstances, red lights are also an indignation. When it's 4:30am, with no other cars in sight, there isn't a reason to wait minutes at each stop light. Once again though, cameras keep drivers from running lights, fearful of severe monetary consequences.

The commonality in each situation is that there is a camera to keep the drivers honest. In capturing the license plates of trespassers, law officials are able track and fine the car's owner. There are ways to beat this "system" though:

Phantom Plate - For $29.99, you can buy "Phantom Plate," a spray which effectively "hides" your license plate from cameras. With just one spray, your license plate becomes a reflector and is essentially invisible to cameras. Moreover, you can use one bottle on up to four license plates, making the purchase increasingly beneficial. One particular plus of using this product is that it remains unseen to the naked eye and won't attract attention.

Sanyo Remote Control Covers - Posted on Deal Extreme, a remote control license plate cover can be bought for just $121. The cover drops down upon the driver's command to show a black plate and can rise again, revealing the original license plate. One advantage of this product relies in its guarantee to block plate photographs - unlike some reflecting products which may or may not work.

Anti-Photo Shields - In this category of camera protection, there are a myriad of options to choose from. Essentially, a license shield is a glass (or other see through substance) plate to put on top of your license plate. Looking straight-on, the cover is undetectable to all eyes. However, seen from different angles - like that of a street camera - a license plate becomes foggy and unreadable. One slight disadvantage of this option is that the plate trick is not solely inherent to cameras and can be noticed by people as well. Online, you can find license plate shields for as low as $14.99.

The Loover - Finally, there is a basic, low-tech option that is just as effective as the aforementioned ones. The Loover, a license plate cover with thin, evenly spaced slits, sits on top of your license plate, easily readable to eye-level viewers. In effect, the slits block the a camera's view of a car's license plate from high angles. Keep in mind that this product is easily seen to all eyes or recording devices. Nonetheless, this is a proven product which can be attained for $42.95 - one which is not questionable in its abilities like reflecting products.

Before buying any of these products, you should research the various options and their effectiveness. If possible, converse with others that have used the products. Additionally, beware of laws banning license plate "camouflage" products in your state. Above all, think if such a product would be an asset to your life and something that would return its expense. Do you use toll roads daily? Do you needlessly stop at red lights each morning? And lastly, is using such a product worth the legal risks it presents?

Post-Script: Have you used a license plate shielding device with success?

Internet Hack - iStockPhoto For Extra Cash

2008-11-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

There aren't a lot of easy ways to make money. If you're a decent illustrator or photographer though, you could potentially make thousands of dollars each year using iStockPhoto. The website is a graphic provider service which uses a micropayment business model - and is royalty free. Found in 2000, the website simply requires you to apply and answer a few questions to become a seller. For an anecdotal experience of one users effortless journey to $2000 dollars a year, check:

Freelance Switch

Post-Script: What others services/websites do you use to make easy money?

Internet Hack - URL Shrinkers

2008-11-08T00:02:00.000-08:00

Simply put, some website url's are too long. There's an easy fix to this annoyance, though. Just as most technology’s irritations have been solved with innovation and work, new resources have spawned which enable you to turn an overwhelming url into a small, simply one. There are several sites that offer this service, but some of the best include:

So next time you need an easy to remember web link or are sending many long url’s, consider using one of these sites to make your task a lot easier. Here's one example of a url shrink using Tinyurl.

Post-Script: Which url shrinking resource do you use?

"How To" Hack - Keyboard Thumbtacks

2008-11-05T22:59:00.001-08:00

In this post, I just thought I'd share a neat DIY project I came across today. You'll need an old, out of commision keyboard, super glue, thumb tacks, and a drill. With a little time and effort, you can take ordinary thumb tacks and add different keys to them. This trick is not only fun, but also useful. You can organize flyers and documents on a board using different letters and even have the special keys (ctrl, enter, shift...) mean certain things. Moreover, the makeover would give your board a fresh, rad look. For a complete step by step guide on how to make the thumbtacks, visit Instructables' Keyboard Thumbtack schematics. Here's some sample "keyboard tacks":

Post-Script: So who did you vote for and how was your experience?

Political Hack - It Ends Today...

2008-11-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Firstly, get out and vote. It's not very often that you can directly influence your own future, as well as that of your state and country.This will be the last political hack for a little while as I'm going to dive into other areas.

If you do vote, there are several freebies to take advantage of:

Krispy Kreme - The company is offering free start shaped donuts to any voters with an "I Voted" sticker.
Starbucks - Anyone with an "I Voted" sticker is eligible for a free tall drink.
Ben & Jerry's - Bring proof of voting and receive a free ice cream scopp from 5 to 8pm tonight.

So if your future is not reason enough to get out and vote, do it for the free food and drinks!

Post-Script: How was your voting experience today?

Political Hack - Vote for Donuts

2008-11-02T18:06:00.001-08:00

I don't have too much time to post this want to let you in on an opportunity for free food on election day. This Tuesday, Krispy Kreme, the infamous donut chain, will be giving out a star shaped donut to anyone with an "I Voted" sticker. Moreover, the stores are not going to take your sticker or mark it. If desired, you could use the sticker at several stores close to your home or even return to one store later in the day. To check which Krispy Kreme locations are participating in the event you go visit Krispy Kreme's website.

Post-Script: Who are you voting for and why?

Holiday Hack - Hallower Part II + Diet Tips

2008-10-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

This post is a follow up to yesterday's post, which offered three resources to use when planning an extra special halloween. Here are just a few hacks covering some different aspects of the same general topic:

Pumpkin Carving 101 - This is a great site containing any information you'd ever want about pumpkin carving. Not only does it include information on actually cutting the pumpkin, but it also explains the activity's history, gives neat tricks and ideas to use, and has a photo archive of some stunning works.
Halloween Tips - This links to halloween jokes to use wherever you may go to night. These are a great way to spur conversation or humour at a party.
Fearful Films - Here's a list of horror flicks perfect for tonight. The movies are categorized by specialty and you can choose from your favorite.
My Great Kid - This blog includes a number of links to hacks not mentioned here. This is a great place to look for fresh ideas.
Halloween-Website - This links to seven recipes for fake blood for those deadset on looking gruesome tonight.

Of course, candy and sweets are an important part of the holiday. The most important thing to remember when eating is simply to use moderation and eat to content. Still, here are a few tips to keep diet slips to a minimum:

Set a candy limit and stick to it
Pace yourself - You could even set rules such as one small piece per hour.
Eat calorically sparse foods earlier in the day - A good way to do this would be to focus on lean protein and vegetables.

Finally, control yourself but enjoy the night. Have a good Halloween.

Post-Script: Did you end up using any of these hacks?

Holiday Hack - Halloween Part 1

2008-10-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

There are a number of different areas to consider in order to make one's Halloween better, spookier, wilder, even healthier. Costumes, candy, jack-o-lanterns, and more are should all be taken into account when planning for a great day. Here are just a few useful tricks and tips to use tomorrow, with more to come tomorrow in part two:

How 2 Heroes - This website videos and narrates the process of carving of pumpkin pictured above. The carver offers insight and personal anecdotes on the experience.

Lifehacker - The reader's of the well-known site share various costumes they've created, describing the different steps in detail. You can also check out the post's backlinks which offer hacks I won't get into mentioning. Here is just one of many spook-tacular costumes:

Instructables - This resource reveals how to create "realistic facial prosthesis," picturing and explaining each step of the process. The article specifically references this prosthesis:

Tomorrow, I'll conclude this post with part two, filled with more hacks and also dietary tips for the day. Moreover, after the election, I'll continue and regularly update my "Health Hack" series.

Post-Script: So what are you doing for Halloween?

Political Hack - Obama Relations/TV Special

2008-10-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

I realize my posts have been getting a tad repetitive, even monotonous. Keep in mind though that I'm writing with the intent to keep you completely informed. Being over prepared for a decision which will dictate your country's course for the next four years - not including probably repercussions of government actions - is hardly a predicament. Nonetheless, this post is going to be less about a "political hack" and more so on the topic of Barack Obama's genealogy and television special.

One unexploited way in which John McCain could further distance himself from George Bush, would be to state the obvious in that he is not of blood relations to the president - unlike Obama. As strange as it may sound, the Senator from Chicago is a distant relative of both the former and current Bush presidents. More startling is the fact that Obama's "connections" don't end there. A study by the New England Historic Genealogical Society revealed the presidential candidate "can call six US presidents his cousins: both Bushes, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry Truman and James Madison. The society, a non-profit organisation, found he is also related to Churchill"(Source). Brad Pitt and Madonna are also among Obama’s connections, altogether trumping McCain’s family. In fact, McCain cannot claim relations to even one former president. For further reading on the genealogy of the two candidates, check:

As many of you may have heard or even watched, the Obama campaign aired a television special tonight, renting out several major networks, such as NBC, CBS, and Fox. “Barack Obama: American Stories,” culminated with Senator Obama delivering a final argument for his candidacy, while also giving him a platform to address certain political issues. Here, you can watch as much of the 27 minute video as you desire.

Tomorrow, I’m going to be posting the first article in a series of “Holiday Hacks.” It will concern tricks, tips, and entertaining ideas for this Halloween including directions for carving jack-o-lanterns and making spooky costumes. Don’t be spooked if Friday is on the same topic. Then as final run for this election, Saturday through Tuesday I’ll be discussing a few more “political hacks” and voting tips.

Here's a preview for tomorrow: "Obam-a-Lantern"

Post-Scripts: What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Political Hack - Choosing Your President

2008-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the last several posts, there is still a disconcerting number of undecided voters, now with just seven days until the election. To add to this fact, Newsweek declared in this week's magazine that there are some 75 million uninformed voters who can be easily swayed by the media or the propaganda they encounter. Whether you are undecided, unsure, or even deadset on your choice for president, Scott Ber Kun details the crucial steps of the process in his post "How to Pick a President." Kun begins the article with a brief overview of election history and important facts that his reader should ascertain. There are several gems in the article, as well as overlooked, but nonetheless important aspects to consider such as:

Voting Mistakes - For instance, Kun points out the faults in "voting for self-interest" and giving to much "weight to superficial things."
Decoding Political Coverage - This offers insight on analyzing the often biased media we encounted on daily basis and more.
The Decisiong-Making Process - Kun describes the necessary steps to finish with a worthy, fulfilling choice.

Kun closes with an invaluable action to consider before voting, but I'll let you discover that yourselves.

Post-Script: All followers say "I".

Political Hack - Three Resources for the Undecided

2008-10-27T23:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow starts the one week countdown until the election and Obama is ahead in the polls with a sizeable lead. Still, the majority of political analysts argue that McCain has a chance on November 4th. Due to reasons ranging from a large number of undecided voters to the Tom Bradley effect, the current polls mean very little.

In the case that you are one of these undecided voters, here are a few links to helpful and interesting voting hacks, along with an informative article on the topic of the health care plans of each candidate.

Google US Voter Info: Using this special application of google maps, you can check the voting sites nearest you. It shows not only their locations, but each site's distance from your home or work address. Finally, after choosing your polling station, you can easily search and print step by step directions.
Political Streams: Apparently, the ATF just uncovered an assassination plot which targeted Barack Obama, as well as several other african-american political figures. Shocking and sickening, I only uncovered this information because of a site called Poltical Streams. The service is made available by Microsoft Live Labs, keeping tabs on breaking political news in four major categories. It tracks news, blogs, people, and places attention, delivering them in an easy to read interface and with nifty markers indicating popularity and "freshness".
Health Care Comparison: An increasingly important topic in this election - which was scantly covered in the televised debates - is that of healthcare. It is ultimately a government sector which will have large, lasting reprocutions on all US citizens. Therefore, take the initiative and become educated on the promised health plans of each candidate.

Remember to check the previous political hacks as well, as they will help in you decision making process.

Post-Script: How are you voting? Absentee? Early? Standard? Etc...

Political Hack – Discover and Compare Presidential Candidates

2008-10-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

The election is a mere nine days away now, yet there are still a plethora of undecided voters. Many voters will not finalize their choice until the day of the election when they are forced to make a decision. The reasons for holding out on a verdict are wide-ranging and plentiful. Appallingly, some simply do not take the time or effort to research their options. Being informed of the policies and promises of the potential presidents is key in making an educated and satisfying vote. If you are one of the many who have not committed to a particular candidate (or to not vote), consider using two useful resources to learn about and compare your choicse.

Google runs its own comparison website called In Quotes. The site archives thousands of quotes of Barack Obama and John McCain and lets users search their database, sorting the information into select categories. Such a website is very useful when comparing the opinions of the two candidates. It is especially valuable in that it has quotes not just from this election year, but since 2003. Therefore, a person can look at how a candidate’s stance on an issue has changed in time, and more importantly, in response to the election. If you’re not a US citizen, you can also benefit from the site by using it for elections in other countries such as Canada or India.

Another different but nonetheless useful website is that of Select Smart. The resource not only documents the opinions, history, and voting records of the presidential candidates on a broad range of issues, but also does the same for non-presidential figures. The list includes political leaders such as Senator Clinton, Mayor Bloomberg (New York), and Libertarian Bob Barr. You are also given the option to put two policymakers head to head and analyze the histories of each.

These are just two of a number of political resources and hacks available for this election. There will be several more “political hacks” before the election and post-election articles regarding the subject when helpful.

Post-Script: Who are you voting for and why?

Political Hack - Get Paid (Or Time Off) to Vote

2008-10-25T01:20:00.000-07:00

It's almost frightening to think that roughly half of all eligible voters in the United States didn't vote in the last two presidential elections (Source #1). 48.7% and 44.7% of the group neglected a chance to influence their government, and in turn, their own lives, in the 2000 and 2004 elections, respectively. In actuality, many ignore this opportunity for good reason. In one-sided states such as California, there simply are better things to do than take the time to vote. School, work, and even fun take precedent over the voting process. Statistically, just less than 50% of non-voters disregarded the privilege due to conflicts or believing that their vote would not matter in the November 1998 elections (Source #2). Additionally, there are those who dislike the selected candidates and therefore withhold their ballot. If you are going to vote or are looking for a reason to, you'd benefit from checking your states "employee voting rights."

Many states are required to provide compensation to workers (time, money, or both) if they do, in fact, choose to vote. The laws vary between states, with benefits ranging from time off, to paid time off, to both. Moreover, the time is precise at somewhere in between one and four hours or is vague, labeled as “sufficient time to vote.” Unfortunately, a few states do not have any laws in place regarding voting and employee rights. Nonetheless, in most cases the laws are advantageous to employees. For instance, in my home state of California, voters are allowed two hours of paid leave to cast their ballot at the polls. The only requirement is that the person notifies his superior at least two days prior to the election. Wily voters could even vote absentee and either go into work late or leave early on November 4^th. It is important that you research you’re states rules though, before planning a shortened day.

For a full posting of your states' laws, you can check here.

Post-Script: Who are you voting for and why?

Health Hack - "Whey Cheap" Supplements

2008-10-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Before getting into a valuable resource to use when buying supplements, I want to preface the post with a warning. Very few physique-oriented supplements are, in fact, scientifically proven and able to live up to their claims. Therefore, it’s important to research and analyze any potential supplement purchases before following through with them. Jumping on a great discount is ultimately a poor choice if you’re left with an unneeded, useless product. For example, NO products are a popular choice among today’s bodybuilding enthusiasts. While such products do enhance the “pump” one experiences in a workout, they do nothing to improve that person’s aesthetics or body composition. But I digress: I will eventually get into quality supplements and how to choose which one’s to use, but I’ll save that for a later date. I’ll also be posting more “health hacks” on topics including weight training, diet, and fitness tricks.

Supplement stores and websites are aplenty in the times we live in. Still, some are better than others. One online store which goes largely unheard of is that of Whey Cheap. Unlike most retailers, Whey Cheap offers just one product each day – at a massively discounted price. For example, today the site offered a container of Scivation Xtend, discounted 63%, for just $12.99. Additionally, about two weeks ago, a 10lb container of Scivation Whey Protein ran for a mere $53.99.

There are two minor caveats in using Whey Cheap to consider. The posted supplements aren’t always a bargain or even worth purchasing. Therefore, you should compare prices and determine if the product is indeed substantiated by science before acting. Also, there is a limit to the amount of a given supplement to sell each day. Therefore, be sure to check the site near each deal’s post time (2 pm on the west coast everyday). Regardless of its flaws, the possibility of buying a quality supplement at an unusually low price makes worth the few seconds it takes to check Whey Cheap each day.

Post-Script: What do you want to learn about in regards to weight lifting, dieting (or gaining weight), and supplements?

Resource Hack - Custom CD Cases

2008-10-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

With the resources and technology we have today, it's not uncommon to download most, if not all, of our new music off the internet. Going to a store and buying a cd is a thing of the past, as it is almost second nature for today's generation to obtain their tunes via the internet. Subsequent to downloading the music, of course, is burning copies of it for friends and family. Because today's cd's are generally bought in bulk without a case for each individual disk, plastic bags or envelopes are the default means of enclosement and transportation. Here's where a Paper CD Case comes in.

The site offers a medium to make customizable paper cd cases which you can create and print right at your computer. The basic cover allows the user to choose the title, artist, up to 16 tracks, and the appearance of the case, while the advanced option adds a plethora of other aspects to alter. Additionally, the save and search features give you the ability to keep and therefore reuse any case projects you create, as well as the ability to browse through the site's archives.

Be it a present or favor or even a giveaway cd to promote one's own music pursuits, a memorable case adds a dimension of uniqueness and sentimentality that will be valued by all. This is especially worthwhile considering the little amount of time and expense the process takes.

*Disclaimer - I do not condone the downloading or burning of illegal music.

Post-Script: Do you guys have any ideas on things for me to look into and post about?

Resource Hack - Printable Paper

2008-10-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

With the advancements and abilities of the technology we have today, it isn't unusual to go a day without writing anything down on actual paper. Instead, we have computers and blackberries and a number of other digitized tools to get down text, communicate, or read. Paper is not yet entirely extinct, though. There are times when being able to hand write or draw is best the way to do something. There are also situations when special types of paper are helpful or even a necessity: measured paper is helpful when needing precision in size of text while graph paper is needed for math problems or charts.

This brings me to a resource which bridges the golden age of technology with the stone age. The websites make it easy to print off different types of paper when need, rather than keeping stacks it unusued or going to the store to buy it.

Printable Paper offers a wide variety of options ranging from lined paper with different spaced lines to graph paper with different sized boxes. More unique offerings include music paper, bowling score sheets, and dotted paper. Here is a screenshot of a few different options:

Another similar, but nonetheless, great resource is that Print Free Graph Paper. The website allows a person to print customized paper according to four characteristics: type of graph paper, paper size, measuring units, and graph sizes.

All in all, both websites can save both time and money while also freeing up precious office or home space otherwise used to store paper. I'd like to conclude in mentioning that this is the first in a number of Resource Hacks. There will be several more regarding paper aids, as well as resources in other areas.

Post-Script: Was this helpful? Was it new or something you already knew about?

Shopping Hack - Sam's Club Membership Deal

2008-10-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

I've been writing more news and entertainment posts than I initially planned, but I like the direction I've taken. I'm going to make sure to tie all posts into the goal of helping my audience - be it through having more information or resources or "hacks." I'm also going to be starting different "hack series" this next week with subjects such as health hacks, finance hacks, productivity hacks, and more. This post is the first of many in a series of shopping hacks. The series will range from everything from special deals to buying tips.

Wharehouse stores, such as Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's (on the east coast), give customers an opportunity to buy in bulk and therefore save money. However, a shopper needs to take several factors into account before choosing which club to choose and the products they will buy at that club. He or she must also ponder whether the club's membership fee will ultimately be offset by the savings they receive. Basically, they need to plan to use the service enough to make it profitable. Recently, WalletPop detailed the total cost of a shopping trip at the three main clubs and showed BJ's coming out on top with Sam's Club trailing by a few pennies and Costco in a distant third. The article can be found here.

On that note, I want to share with you a new deal Sam's Club is offering. For the next 10 weeks, the membership price has been slashed to just $1 dollar per week for a 10-week trial (full membership is $40/year). This is a great way to try out the bulk buying system and see if you can save from it. Be smart, compare prices from different stores, find the best deals, and take advantage of the offer. Further details can be found here.

I will go into more detail on how to buy in bulk in order to save money, as well as a more in depth comparison of the wholesale chains, but each are for future posts.

Post-Script: For those of you who are members of a club: Do you find it profitable? What tips do you have to exponentiate savings?

Internet Hack (In the Works) - Ubiquity

2008-10-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a relatively shorter post on a new web browser I came to learn about yesterday. This weekend I'll post at least one, if not two, in depth hacks.

The aforementioned web tool is the beta browser Ubiquity for Firefox. It's an experiment and still underworks, but as far as I could tell, very promising. It will do things that no browser has done before. With innovation and creativity, it's going to revolutionize how we surf the internet, making the process easier, faster, and more dynamic. I admit, I did switch over to Google Chrome after being an avid Mozilla user for quite some time. Nonetheless, I believe I'll be quick to switch back for Ubiquity, as many will be. Here is a link to an overview of the browser which presents its goal and several new applications via video.

One more thing: Obama just gave a great, humourous speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner, which was aired live from New York. If you get a chance to see it, you will definately enjoy it. You can find it on youtube here.

Post-Script: What do you guys think of the content and writing level of the log thus far?

Entertainment/News - Dustin Kensrue

2008-10-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

I know I said this next post would start the hacks and helpful content portion of the blog, however I'd like to clue the audience in on some new information regarding instead. I admit, I'm swaying from my original plan due to lack of time and too much work, but I do want to stay true to the 20 day trial I originally conceived. So without further adue: Thrice's singer Dustin Kensrue announced today that he's releasing his second solo album this November. This was a largely unadvertised and surprising move and I'm sure any fans reading this will be pleased.

If you haven't listened to either Dustin Kensrue or his band, Thrice, I strongly suggesting trying them out. They have music for all types ranging from soft, slow songs to hard, heavy beats. The announcement can be read here, at the band's blog.

Stay tuned for the next post - an actual hack.

Post-Script: For all Thrice fans: They're touring now and probably coming to a city near you if interested.

Entertainment/News - Philadelphia Mural Arts Project

2008-10-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Fame, rebellion, self-expression, and power – the four motivational factors of graffiti artists. Graffiti is a problem in just about every large, populated city in the United States. Be it from gangs marking their stomping grounds or artists wanting to express themselves, city and private walls become canvases for both vandalism and occasionally, masterpieces. Regardless of the work created, the act is unacceptable and cities have been working for decades to keep their properties blemish free - and for good reason.

According to Graffiti Hurts, it is the most common type of vandalism in America, with cleanup costs taking up a large part of local government budgets. For instance, Minneapolis, Minnesota spends upwards of $4 million each year in combat of such defacement. For the most part though, anti-graffiti budgets are spent on ineffective programs such as the graffiti hotline and free volunteer clean-up packages in San Jose.

While browsing the NYTimes.com recently, I came across a different way to fight the vandalism: with more graffiti. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Project turns large, targeted walls into stunning paintings. By attacking paint with paint, and constructing monuments, Philadelphia has been and continues detering other from ruining the once worthless walls.

Here is just one mural, called “The Peace Wall,” and completed in 1997:

You can find a slideshow of different murals here, posted by the New York Times.

Post-Script: With my next post, I’ll start getting into different hacks to help you in all areas of life.

Entertainment/News - A Change of Pace

2008-10-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

It’s true, the political policies and promises of both Senator Obama and Senator McCain should be the number one concern of American voters. Still, citizens care deeply about the morals and ethics of our future leader. With the election getting closer and closer, both candidates and their campaigns (McCain’s especially the last few days) have turned increasingly to criticizing the opponent. The constant jabs over character, past relations, and ancient decisions can leave media viewers confused and searching for the truth. It also makes each presidential candidate appear as a corrupt, unprincipled individual with a history riddled with bad decisions. Due to these tactics, I found this article (reposted below) to be rather refreshing. The original story was printed in the Norwegian newspaper, VG, and since then has spread like wildfire by way of the internet and word of mouth:

"Mary Lacked Money to Fly Home to Norway - He Saved Her Love.

ÅSGÅRDSTRAND (VG): Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn’t have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her.

Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988.

At the airport in Miami things were hectic as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary’s turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness. You’ll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said.

Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call. 'I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions,' says Mary. Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy. 'I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, That’s OK, I’ll pay for her.' Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.

'He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?' Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man. 'He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants,' says Mary. She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.

The piece of paper said ‘Barack Obama’ and his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother comes from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out. 'He was my knight in shining armor,' says Mary, smiling. She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.

In the spring of 2006 Mary’s parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier. In a letter to Mary’s parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped ‘United States Senate, Washington DC’, Barack Obama writes*:

‘I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I’m happy I could help back then, and I’m delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator’.

The parents sent the letter on to Mary. This week VG met her and her husband in the café that she runs with her friend Lisbeth Tollefsrud in Åsgårdstrand. 'It’s amazing to think that the man who helped me 20 years ago may now become the next US president,' says Mary delightedly. She has already voted for Obama. She recently donated 100 dollars to his campaign. She often tells the story from Miami airport, both when race issues are raised and when the conversation turns to the presidential elections. 'I sincerely hope the Americans will see reason and understand that Obama means change,' says Mary."

* This is a translation of the reporter’s translation and some conversion errors may have been made in the process.

Here is Mary Menth Anderson holding her letter from Obama. Her husband is the man in the background.

I realize that this article is largely insignificant. It won’t (and shouldn’t) impact a voters choice on Novemeber 4^th. It tells us nothing about the strategies Obama intends to implement if elected or his experience as politics. And it reveals nothing about his rival, John McCain.

What it did do was affect me. I was touched by the story, just like thousands of other readers, and felt the need to share it with you.

Post-Script: Any comments or thoughts you have regarding the article are welcome.

Blog Subject and Goals

2008-10-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome.

First and foremost, let me talk about the origins and subject of this blog. At first, I intended to blog solely on the topic of self-improvement - how to become a better person through self critiquing. However, I realized that restricting myself to just one area doesn't fit my personality nor does it seem like something that would remain fulfilling. While I do want to help my readers better themselves, I also want to give them resources, news, and tools that can aid them. I also want to entertain my audience with posts ranging from interesting news articles to humorous findings to occasional muses. With further thinking, I decided to expand the subject area of the blog to anything I deem useful to you, my audience.

In essence, this blog is going to be a combination of the blogs that I frequent: Lifehacker, Problogger, and The 4HWW, with a bit of Zen Habits, and even a touch of The Consumerist. I’m also going to write about some of my own interests and hobbies including fitness and music. My blog is going to be a hybrid of hacks to help with your daily life.

To close, I want to inform you that this post initiates a 30-day trial, with the goal of writing at least one quality post every other day. Additionally, I hope to be informative and helpful in each post, and eventually leave a great enough impact on my audience to have them coming back for more.

Post-Script: I’m currently working on the theme and format of the blog. Any comments on the content of my posts or the visual appeal of my site is appreciated.