GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Use a Dashboard Timer to Set Surfing Limits

GeekSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:03:21 -0700

Although part of my job is to surf daily news and other blogs, I do sometimes find myself knee deep in tabs to websites that have nothing to do with what I'm working on. . . and most (naturally) are total time wasters. Although everyone deserves a little bit of a mind break, it's easy to get sucked into surfing the web – before you know it, it's 4:30 and you still have a mountain of work to finish!

So for the times when I just want to let my fingers aimlessly click away, I like to use a dashboard or desktop timer - like this free one from Baldgeeks – and give myself a set time to waste. Whether it be five or fifteen minutes, I'll know when my time is up. Plus, it's much easier for me to get back to the daily grind after a quick check-in to see what Brad and Angie are up to. Don't ask why, it just is.

Put a Timer On Your BlackBerry, For Free!

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:09 -0700

I'm kind of a timer fanatic. I set my timer when I put my laundry in the wash, I set my timer when I put the chicken in the oven . . . you get my point. So when I found out about this free BlackBerry timer download, I knew my life wouldn't be the same without it. The Countdown Timer For BlackBerry is a simple app that gives you handy timer functionality on your BB. It also includes a 2.5-second vibrate that lets you know when your time is almost up.

To get it on your phone, just open this link on your BlackBerry browser, and a pop up should appear for the download to begin.

Geek Tip: Get Friendly Reminders Via Twitter

GeekSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:00:14 -0700

I love my online to-do lists and receiving text message reminders on my cell phone with Oh Don't Forget, so when I learned that Twitter has a new reminder service, I jumped right on board. With Twitter timer you can get a direct message sent to you at anytime to remind you to do something. Featured on Lifehacker, all Twitter users can get regular "tweet" reminders sent to their inbox or cell phone. I no longer have excuses for working through meetings and coffee dates.

Geek Tip: Use MeeTimer To Curb Your Online Procrastination

GeekSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:00:22 -0700

Do you ever find yourself surfing the net and then look up at the clock and wonder where all the time has gone? The Firefox extension MeeTimer allows you to keep track of the sites you've visited and for how long. It's actually very useful because you can group websites into activities (procrastination sites vs communication sites) so you will know exactly how your time is being divvied up. Seeing is believing right? The MeeTimer will also provide you with the total amount of time you've been on the web as well as the percentage of certain online activities per work week. Do you know a great shortcut or tip you think geeksugar readers should know? Share it in our 'How To' Help - Guide To All Things Geeky 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 'How To' Help - Guide To All Things Geeky
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Geek tip")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you think this person is geeky, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the 'How To' Help - Guide To All Things Geeky and start sharing your favorite tips! Your tricks just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Image Source

Instant Noodle Perfecting Timer

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:00:09 -0700

This Instant Noodle Perfecting Timer may be $25 more than the person who lives in instant noodles would like to spend on a gadget, but boy is it eye catching.

Taking inspiration from the USB Java cup warmer and usb heated gadgetry, this Instant Noodle Perfecting LED Count-Down Clock was made to "help you perfect your instant noodle making skill" (really, when did this become a desired ability?) When turned on, the LED light flickers and a final-count down voice will let you know when your meal is ready. It's kitschy, but I say skip the timer and buy yourself a couple sandwiches. You're worth it. $25 from AudioCubes.

Source: Technobob

The Latest FujiFilm FinePix Includes a Self Timer For Lovers

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:55:11 -0700

How often do you use the self timer feature on your camera? I remember the days when I used to set up my 35mm cam for that perfect shot, making sure I didn't waste any of my film. Thankfully with digital cameras, you can snap away and delete all the not-so-hot shots. Well FujiFilm will be releasing its new FinePix Z200fd in Japan on June 7, and it's said to have a neat self-timer feature.

One heart on the LCD screen means two people are sitting beside one another, two hearts means their heads are coming closer together, and three means they are in actual contact (use your imagination on that one).

Because the camera can actually focus in on objects in self-timer mode, the picture quality should be quite good. The cam also comes with a 10-megapixel sensor and a 5x optical zoom, which also makes it a pretty high class camera. Colors will include pink, silver, black/red, and black and it will be priced at $390. Stay tuned for U.S. availability.

Homedics Alarm Clock Is iPod Friendly and Keeps You Calm

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:58:51 -0700

Alarm clocks have sure come a long way over the years. Instead of being forced to wake-up by the shrill sound of an old school alarm clock, we now have the choice to be serenaded by nature sounds or gradual light exposure.

The Homedics SoundSpa Fusion Alarm Clock($60) could easily belong with the rest of my sleek alarm clocks selections with its large LCD display and five interchangeable face plates. It also gives you the option of waking up to six different nature sounds, or the radio, or your iPod. And how much do I love the fact that the auto-off sleep timer can be set to 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes? Yay to sleeping in!

Geek Tip: Use Workrave to Relieve Computer-Related Aches

GeekSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:08 -0700

Using a computer has obvious personal and professional benefits, but there are some physical issues that arise when you sit in front of a computer (or tote one home - save your back!). You can do basic exercises to avoid carpal tunnel, but you can use technology to prevent injuries caused by technology: Workrave!

Workrave is a free download (for Linux and Windows) that provides all kinds of handy tools to ensure that you don't hurt your eyes, back, wrists, or neck while you're working (read: perusing Sugar sites). My favorites are the timers for breaks it prompts you to take - and one break even walks you through simple exercises.

You can also set a daily limit, so that it will pop up and remind you that you're at your limit and should maybe get up and out, lest you suffer from one of those pesky Internet addictions.

Source

Catch All the 2008 Summer Games Action Online!

GeekSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:00:42 -0700

With the 2008 Summer Olympics kicking off today in Beijing, China, I'm sure you're eager to check out live coverage and highlights from the games. Why stress about setting your TiVo on timers when you can catch everything online? That's right, from NBC to YouTube, the Internet has got you covered. Check out my slideshow to see where you can find video clips, cool downloads and even games!

View Slideshow ›

Perfecting Your Evening Photo Skills

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:06:48 -0800

From work gatherings to holiday celebrations and dinner parties, December can be a busy time of the year for social functions. If you are like me and take your digital camera with you to every event, there are some tips to make sure all your nighttime shots are crystal clear and in tip top quality. Check out the suggestions below, so you'll be picture ready just in time for New Years!

Using the Nighttime Setting or Scene Mode
On most digital cameras there is a specific setting to help you take great night pics. Check your manual to find out the mode for your camera. This one-touch setting will adjust to your camera settings, tuning it to low-light conditions and possibly allowing you to take.

For three more tips, just read more

Avoiding Optical Zoom
Try to avoid using your digital camera's optical zoom when taking night photos, because the higher the optical zoom magnification, the longer the lens has to extend to shoot a photo. This also causes the digital camera to become sensitive to movement. With an extended lens, even on sunny days, the results of 'camera-shake' may be evident in blurry photos, while at night, this effect is magnified even more.
A Flash Isn't Always the Answer
While a flash may be helpful in taking photos in low light conditions, there comes a point at night when the flash isn't much help anymore. Flash requires light to bounce off a subject. If your subject is a long way away, your small flash unit will never reach your subject effectively. An expensive external flash may help some in these instances, but consider using other digital camera features when taking night photos, such as decreasing the shutter speed, increasing the ISO settings, or using a preprogrammed night scene mode.
Gotta Love Self-Timers
A digital camera's self-timer mode can reduce some camera shake when taking night photos. Most night photos, especially in situations where you cannot depend on a flash, require a shutter speed of half a second or longer or else the subject will be too dark. This is to compensate for the lack of available light. Unfortunately these situations can result in camera shake. However, if you use the self-timer mode, you might be able to get some acceptable shots just holding your camera very steady. Any shake caused by pressing the shutter button will be eliminated, as the camera will not take photos until several seconds after the button has been pressed.