GeekSugar

How Many Computer Monitors Do You Use?

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:43:29 -0700

I'm a busy gal, and most of the time find myself working wherever I can - on the couch, on the train, anywhere I can find a WiFi signal. But when I'm at the office, I like to not only use my laptop monitor, but hook it up to my cinema display and double my desktop real estate. When I'm at home? It's a single screen for me.

I do notice a big difference in productivity when I have more than one monitor. I typically use my laptop screen for emails and IMs while my cinema is used for blogs and writing up posts. However, one of my friends is an animator and uses three screens daily. Needless to say, he's got a huge desk. What about you - are you a single-screen gal, or do you make the most of your desk space and use multiple monitors? How many monitors do you use?

iCovers Protect Your Precious Monitor

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0700

As pathetic as it is, I think of my computer as an extension of me, in that I want to keep it safe from bumps and bruises like any good mom. I take the time to select a comfortably padded bag or sleeve for my laptop, so shouldn't I want to protect it at home? Acme makes soft, sleek, and extremely attractive iCovers, not only for laptop screens, but Apple cinema displays and monitors. I actually hunted for something like this a year or so ago for my monitors and couldn't find it, so I sewed it. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post my instructions, but all I can say is that they don't look near as pretty as the iCovers.

Prices range from about $30 to $80, and they even take custom orders.

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CES 2008: The Alienware Curved Monitor For Video Game Fanatics

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:00:30 -0800

All I gotta say is try privacy scarfing this bad boy! Gizmodo was first on the scene to capture this ginormous LED curved monitor by Alienware at CES. With a screen resolution of 2880 x 990 and a supersized DLP display, I can't help but assume this massive ~~television~~, I mean monitor, is going to cause some serious eye damage. The Alienware curved monitor is reportedly going to be available later this year. No word on pricing just yet.

Source

Combatting Computer Eyestrain

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:28:48 -0800

I spend waaay too much time staring at my computer screen and by the end of the day my eyes have gone completely googley-eyed! Below are two suggestions to help with prolonged computer screen exposure:

If you're using a PC, turn on ClearType in Microsoft Windows XP - ClearType delivers improved font display quality over traditional forms of font smoothing. It improves readability on color LCD displays with a digital interface, such as those in laptops and high-quality flat panel displays.
You can also increase your Monitor Refresh Rate. Ever taken a video with a computer screen in the background? The monitor is always flickering! Most of our eyes have adapted to this flickering, or else you have eyes that are not sensitive enough to detect it, but the flicker is there. And till it flickers, it will irritate your eyes and cause eyestrain. Higher refresh rates are less likely to cause eyestrain. See what is the optimal refresh rate for your monitor and reduce flicker induced eyestrain and headaches.

For more info about ClearType and to download click Microsoft Cleartype.

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The Screen Stache Saver Is Cracking Me Up

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:15:51 -0800

Just in time for Movember, a friend just sent me the link to one of the funniest screen savers I've seen, the Screen Stache Saver.

Created by branding firm 160over90, the concept is simple: affix a fake mustache of your choice to the bottom of your computer monitor, download a folder of the eight screen saver images, and set the preferences on your computer to run a screen saver using the folder of images.

The result is a hilarious screen saver that features changing old-school-style photographs of men perfectly positioned to rock your monitor's mustache. Check out more hilarious images when you read more.

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Computer Monitor Flower Holders: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

When you sit and stare at a computer all day, you get to appreciate having visual stimulation at your workspace, be it cleanliness and organization, or cute desk accessories that personalize your space. I can't get enough of brightly-colored mouse pads, pen cups, and laptop covers, so I immediately adored this Posy Cozy. Etsy seller Darlenestuff has a whole series, each only $15, so you can pick out a color that goes with your space.

Of course, I also worry that a knitted desk accessory says Angela from The Office, rather than "take me seriously," so perhaps this is something better suited for your home computer? What do you think?

Website of the Day: My Boneyard

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:15:25 -0700

I think everyone wants to recycle their gadgets, sometimes they just can't figure out the hows. That's why the website My Boneyard makes it painfully easy to do it online. Not only do they provide you with a prepaid envelope you print yourself to send in with your old or dead gadget, but in many cases, they send you a cash reward in exchange for it. You can even assign your reward to go to the charity of your choice!

Just register the gadget you want to send in with its specs and condition, and you'll get an estimated reward, which will be assessed when My Boneyard receives your old goods. And they attest that your old info will be erased, so security isn't an issue.

At this time, My Boneyard only accepts MP3 players, cell phones, computer monitors, and CPUs, but they plan on accepting cameras, GPS units, and more soon (if your gadget isn't accepted at My Boneyard, check my guide for where to recycle other gadgets).

Got a useful website you want people to know about? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

What Electronics Can Be Recycled?

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:01:16 -0700

You can't escape the grocery, electronics or movie rental store without seeing a small cell recycling drop box, but how can you dispose of larger, more ecologically dangerous gadgets? Electronics companies have - or been forced to! - put considerable resources into making their products recyclable. A handful of states have even passed laws that require companies to take back their goods (Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Sony all do so at no charge), but you can always be green by selling or gifting the item, or giving it to a reuse effort.

To get the scoop on electronics that can be recycled, read more.

Accepted AT All Locations	Accepted AT Most Locations	Rarely Accepted
Computer Monitors CPU's (Central Processing Units) Televisions with Cathode Ray Tubes and Flat Panel Displays Printers Laptops Cables Keyboards Mouses	Answering Machines Camcorders Compact Disc Players Copiers Duplicators Electric Typewriters Fax Machines Hard Drives Mobile Phones Modems Pagers Printed Circuit Boards Radios Remote Controls Stereos Tape Players Telephones Telephone Equipment VCRs Word Processors Batteries PDAs Games (Video)	Microwaves Smoke Detectors Large Household Appliances (Refrigerators, Washing Machines, and Air Conditioners) Toasters Fans Vacuum Cleaners Lamps Specialty Cookers

This list is based on data from the EPA. Check out the EPA's guide to where you can donate or recycle your electronics.

How To Use An External Monitor With Your Mac

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:09:18 -0800

Staring at tiny text on your laptop all day can be extremely taxing on the eyes. To help prevent eye strain as well as get better resolution, you should consider connecting your laptop to an external monitor. By doing so you will increase screen size and save yourself from sore eyes. Here are some step by step instructions to help you connect your laptop to a larger monitor. You can also connect to multiple monitors to create an extended desktop.

Step 1 Attach a USB keyboard and mouse to your PowerBook. These devices can be attached to the USB ports of the laptop shown here with the purple arrow.

STEP 2 Put your computer to sleep by shutting down the display of your PowerBook.

STEP 3 Hook the monitor cable up to your PowerBook through the PowerBook’s ethernet monitor port-shown here with the pink arrow. Plug in the external monitor's power cord and switch on the external monitor. The PowerBook will detect the external monitor automatically.

For more steps, just read more

Step 4 Wait for a few seconds and press any key on the external keyboard or roll the mouse over to activate the PowerBook back from the sleep mode. You can now use the external monitor!

Geek Tip
Be sure to disconnect the external monitor properly by turning the computer to sleep and unplugging the display cable from the computer.

Daily Tech: SlingPlayer Mobile Is Now Available

GeekSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:02:18 -0800

You can now download SlingPlayer Mobile on your cell phone for a one-time fee of $30 (or try it free for 30 days) if you have a BlackBerry and a Slingbox. - Gizmodo
The Amazon Kindle and video games for the Nintendo Wii topped Amazon's bestselling products of 2008 list. - USA Today
EMTEC's new Kooky USB drives are colorful, fun, and are guaranteed to brighten someone's day. - Engadget
Looking for a big, inexpensive computer monitor? Best Buy is selling a Hannspree 25-inch monitor with 1920×1080 resolution and built-in speakers for only $280. - CrunchGear
How many cell phones do you own? A recent survey found that most people have more than one mobile phone, and that number is expected to rise. - Switched