GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Don't Forget to Tag Yourself in Facebook

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:35:34 -0800

Today's geek tip is really more of a reminder. I'm sure you're an expert at tagging your photos in Facebook and beyond, but I keep seeing a common, easy mistake: Forgetting to tag yourself in pictures on Facebook.

I'll click into a newly uploaded album, and mouse around the picture to see who's in it, and often, the uploader tags everyone but themselves. My theory is that you think that because you're uploading the photo, Facebook will track that it was you, and keep it on your profile as a picture of yours.

But a picture of yours is not the same as a picture with you in it, so when you're tagging photos, don't forget to click on your own face and add your name.

How to Use iPhoto's Tags, Hotkeys to Make Slideshows Easier

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:01:16 -0800

The idea of tagging photos is nothing new, but most people use it for things like identification, ala Facebook or Picasa (whose face-recognition technology continues to blow me away). After having had several parties in the last few months for people, and thereby putting together slideshows featuring the guests of honor, I realized how much photo tagging could help me - but with the original files.

I'm finally putting iPhoto's tagging to use; not only will tagging the photo files by the names of the people in them to sort through later, it couldn't be easier. iPhoto lets you assign hotkeys to the names of people who frequently appear in your pictures.

To see more of how you tag and use hotkeys in iPhoto, just read more.

Once in iPhoto, go to Window, then Show Keywords.

From this box, you can add in all the names of your friends and family, or even themes (like couples, dogs, etc.) that come up often in your photos. In the box, click Edit Keywords.
Click the plus sign, and start typing someone's name. Once you hit enter or the OK button, you'll see the saved name, and iPhoto will have assigned the name a hotkey (it calls them shortcuts). It's usually the first letter of the keyword you entered, like M for Mike.
Your Quick Group consists of the names you've added as iPhoto keywords, and you'll see them at the top of the keyword box. You're ready to start tagging once you've added the names.

Hover over a photo in iPhoto.
The phrase "add keywords" will appear under the photo. Click it, and a window will open.
Start typing a hotkey. iPhoto will populate it with the corresponding keyword you already set. Add as many names or phrases as you want.

Then, the easiest way to get to a grouping of photos - say you want to make a slideshow consisting of your friend Sam - is to type the name in the search bar at the bottom of the iPhoto window. Voila, iPhoto shows you all the photos tagged Sam!

Tag Yourself and Your Friends in Flickr Photos

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:43:00 -0700

First Facebook, now Flickr. The online photo site has just released a new feature: People in Photos. According to the site's blog, the feature allows you to tag other Flickr members in your photos by entering a member name or email address and adding the tag, similar to their current "notes" feature.

I'm generally not a huge fan of photo tagging - mostly because there's always the potential of being tagged in an unflattering photo (and there's always the pesky gray line of whether or not to tag a date). Luckily, Flickr feels my pain: you can choose which members are allowed to add you in photos, and who is allowed to tag people in photos you've shared. Plus, if you remove a tag of yourself from a photo, only you can re-tag the photo with your name.

The Flickr FAQ page contains more details and specifics. I'm already getting tag updates from friends in my Flickr feed - it's a great way to discover new photos of people you know.

Tag Galaxy Is Out of This World

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:40:58 -0700

For some visual Friday fun, head on over to Tag Galaxy, where you can browse through Flickr photos in 3D. Just enter a tag, click on the planets with the tag you want to see and click "view photos" and let the site work its magic. Tag Galaxy requires the newer version of the Adobe Flash Player to work and requires some RAM and a good Internet connection, so be patient while the images load. Isn't it glorious?

Source

Travel In Style With Circuit Board Luggage Tags

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:10:51 -0800

You can never have too many luggage tags, especially when they are as cute as these ones! For the die-hard geeks out there like myself, these Circuit Board Luggage Tags are a must have traveling accessory. Not only are the tags memorable, they are cut from recycled PCBs so you are doing your part for our mother earth. Write your John Hancock on the blank address card, which is attached to the reverse side of each tag, and you are all set for a bon voyage!

Get your own set of three at Cyberguys.com for $13.

Got some cool geek gear of your own to share? To learn what a Geek Gear is and how to make one, click here.

We Will, We Will, Shock You!

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:45:10 -0700

Here at Sugar HQ we're always looking for novel ways to entertain ourselves, especially the men, who decided it would be "fun" to bring a pair of Laser Tag Shocking Tanks into the office. I don't even think I can find the words to describe this so-called game, which is totally abusive and kinda fun all at the same time. . . maybe I should have paid closer attention to the "product emits an electric shock," "may interfere with electrical devices such as pacemakers" warnings on the box! The object of this $50 game? To shoot your opponent with your infra-red cannon, as LEDs built into the tanks indicate the score. And what happens when they are shot? Watch the video clip below to find out!

Geeky Gaming Controller Ornaments FTW!

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:50:58 -0800

Can you really put a price tag on joy? I say no cause that's exactly what I felt when I stumbled across these amazing Controller Ornaments. For a mere $25, you can have your own collection of gaming controllers that span decades - from Super NES to PS3 to Sega - so there's sure to be one that satisfies your inner gaming goddess. Sold as a set of seven, the acrylic ornaments come in four different colors, but without your string or hooks, so you'll have to fashion your own way of getting them on your tree.

Don't celebrate with a Douglas Fir? I've already thought of several different ways to incorporate these into my everyday life after the holidays. Window ornaments, wall art, even sealed into the top of a DIY outdoor table. See? I bet you can come up with a few on your own.

The Palm Pre Now $80 and Palm Pixi Now $25 From Amazon

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:48:29 -0800

Palm's Pixi, just landed in stores across the country, and it's already dropped to $25 on Amazon. That's right, if you sign up for a new two-year contract plan from Sprint, you can save quite a bit of money off the original price tag. I know most of you weren't over excited about the Pixi, but for $25, I can't help but recognize this impressive deal.

And not only that, but you can also head on over to Amazon and get the Palm Pre for $80 - again, with a new service plan from Sprint.

Both phones include a free activation deal that is good until Nov. 23.

Website of the Day: More Cloth

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:15:30 -0800

I'm a total DIY freak, and appreciate websites that help me reach my crafting goals. Take my last DIY project: the charging station I made from an Ikea shelving unit. Now if I wanted to take that a step further, I could add some decorative fabric to the back panels and really make the shelf pop. But how do I find the right fabric? I could browse racks of fabric at my local craft store, or I could do it the easy way (without leaving the warmth of my computer) and hit up More Cloth.

This site works seamlessly with Etsy to lead you to your perfect fabric. First it offers up a ton of color schemes to choose from (like in the photo to the right), and then directs you to the exact fabric patterns that contain those colors. Finally, More Cloth shoots you over to the Etsy page where you can add your chosen fabric to your cart, and prep your craft room accordingly - just sit back and wait for your fabric to arrive!

Have an interesting website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click "New Post" under the website of the day tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Type "Technology and Gadgets" in the Categories box
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Website of the Day").
Choose whether you want the post to be private or public.
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

Website of the Day: Filler-Item Finder

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:40:49 -0800

You know how great it is when you find exactly the item you were looking for on Amazon, but then realize you only have to spend a tiny more to get free super-saver shipping? You don't want to overspend, but you also can't think of anything else that you'd want to buy. This has happened to me many times when the amount I have to spend is less than five bucks. For these moments, there's Filler Item Finder.

Filler Item Finder scours Amazon for cheap items and gives you a list of things you can toss in your cart to save some dough on shipping, just by entering the amount you're still in need of.

Have an interesting website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click "New Post" under the website of the day tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Type "Technology and Gadgets" in the Categories box
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Website of the Day").
Choose whether you want the post to be private or public.
Click "Create Post" to submit content.