Steering Wheel Remote Control with Bluetooth

Steering Wheel Remote Control with Bluetooth: "

If you drive a nice enough car, most of them come with a way to control your radio without ever having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Although a built-in method is definitely ideal, this one would be a great way to give yourself a happy medium without spending a fortune just buying a new car. It attaches to your car’s steering wheel and allows for you to adjust the volume and change the songs.

The remote control also has Bluetooth and is of course compatible with all Bluetooth phones. It supports last call re-dial as well as voice dialing functions. It also has an integrated FM transmitter that supports line-in and audio-out USB port and SD/MMC card slot. It has CVC technology that’s supposed to get rid of any noise and echoes. You can purchase one of these for $39.99 through Amazon.

Source: GadgetGrid

---

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Steering Wheel Remote Control with Bluetooth copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

---

Style Your Garage

Style Your Garage: "

Take a look at your garage door – most of the time it comes in a boring monotone color, although sometimes you will have vandals leaving their “signature” artwork on it which ain’t too shabby either, especially if they’re proficient with the spray can. style-your-garage.com opens up a world of possibilities, where you can now adorn it with photo tarpaulins, where they come in a couple of sizes to choose from – 2.45m x 2.10m as well as a larger 2.75m x 2.45m. These photo tarpaulins are printed-on 3D motifs which look extremely realistic, and they are bound to stop traffic. We wonder whether getting one that features the insides of a garage will have you driving into the garage door by accident when your guard is down.

---

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Style Your Garage copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

---

The All-in-One Bedroom Office [Featured Workspace]

The All-in-One Bedroom Office [Featured Workspace]: "

Just because you're living in a small space and on a college budget, doesn't mean you have to have a drab and cheap looking environment.

Today's featured workspace is that of Lifehacker reader and college student Stingray072. He's currently living in a small New York City apartment and making the most of his living space. His room serves multiple functions and has various spaces carefully laid out for each: sleeping, relaxing, studying and working, and of course storing all his stuff. Read about it in his words below and check out the pictures.

At the beginning of the semester I moved into my new room.

I didn't have a lot of space and I needed to cram a lot into my room, while staying organized and keeping functionality.

What I found worked for me was having different areas in the room for different tasks. By keeping the areas separate it helps me stay on task and not distracted.

There's my computer area, my schoolwork area, my reading/watching TV and movies area, and my sleeping space.

I've used numerous Lifehacker tips along the way, from the tool/cables pegboard to cable management to the Hackintosh.

This space to me is my sanctuary, and I also wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing. I painted the room myself before I moved in, and ran all the cables in a way to hide them as much as possible.

All in all I'm very pleased with the results.

For more pictures, including before pictures, check out the full set at the link below.

If you have a workspace of your own to show off, throw the pictures on your Flickr account and add it to the Lifehacker Workspace Show and Tell Pool. Include some details about your setup and why it works for you, and you just might see it featured on the front page of Lifehacker.

The All-in-One Bedroom Office [Lifehacker Workspace Show and Tell Pool]

Turn a Laptop with a Broken Hinge into an All-in-One Desktop Computer [DIY]

Turn a Laptop with a Broken Hinge into an All-in-One Desktop Computer [DIY]: "

A frequent point of failure on laptops is the hinges—we've seen more than our fair share of wobbly, broken, and glued together ones. This clever but simple hack turns your broken laptop into an all-in-one desktop machine.

Josh had a nice laptop that was just freshly out of warranty when the hinges broke. Seeing it as an opportunity to experiment he decided to turn the broken laptop into an all-in-one desktop machine. He undid the broken hinge completely, rotated the display, and then sandwiched the whole thing between two sheets of plexiglass. The back piece of the plexiglass is longer than the front sheet and the protrusion slides into an angled slot carved into the base.

The best part about this hack is that aside from being careful with the rotation of the laptop lid and when adding the plexiglass there isn't anything complicated to it. You won't have to solder anything, do any fancy case modding, or invest in a machine shop. Check out the link below for pictures of the finished product from different angles and additional information from Josh. Have your own clever hack for squeezing life out of an old or damaged computer? Let's hear about it in the comments.

Resurrection of a Broken Laptop [via Hack A Day]

Enable Firefox's Secret Mousewheel Scrolling Acceleration [Firefox Tips]

Enable Firefox's Secret Mousewheel Scrolling Acceleration [Firefox Tips]: "

Windows only: If you are accustomed to scrolling quickly through long documents, there's a secret Firefox 3.6 config setting that allows you to enable acceleration, which will scroll more quickly based on how many times you've scrolled.

To tweak the acceleration for yourself, head into Firefox's about:config page, and then filter by mousewheel.acceleration to find the two settings that apply—the mousewheel.acceleration.start setting actually enables acceleration by setting the number of times you need to scroll your mouse before the acceleration kicks in, while the mousewheel.acceleration.factor setting specifies how much acceleration to apply.

The new mouse wheel acceleration feature is disabled by default in Firefox 3.6 because it can conflict with your mouse drivers, especially if you've enabled faster scrolling in the Mouse panel in Control Panel, but you can tweak the setting either way. It's not a setting that everybody will want to apply, but if you're unhappy with the current Firefox scrolling, you can play around with the settings to figure out your preferred level of acceleration. It only works in Firefox 3.6 on Windows, and make sure to hit the link for a full explanation on how it works.

Faster! Accelerate Firefox 3.6 page scrolling [Mozilla Links via Life Rocks 2.0]

Add-In: Manageability Add-in for Windows Home Server

Add-In: Manageability Add-in for Windows Home Server: "

Ylian Saint-Hilaire is a senior architect at Intel and is currently working on network manageability using the Intel Active Management Technology (AMT).

Ylian has released the open source add-in "Manageability Add-in for Windows Home Server", which can manage any computer as long as it runs the peer-to-peer mesh agent (a background service) from Ylian’s mesh project. Once up and running the add-in can do power state monitoring, remote computer monitoring and management along with access to a basic management console prompt. Additional benefits are added within the add-in if the computers on the network support Intel AMT, but this is not required for use.

Ylian has provided this quick tutorial video on the features in the Manageability Add-in for Windows Home Server.

More details on the add-in are available from here.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 – A Quick Look

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 – A Quick Look: "

Have you ever sat down to write something on your computer and just wished you could speak it and have the words magically appear for you?

Do you remember Battlestar Galactica (the original 1970s version) when Adama would sit with a microphone and record his logs and the words would appear one at a time on the screen?

Well, now you can!

The Dragon software has been around for a number of years and each each it gets more functionality. The latest iteration is Dragon NatuallySpeaking 10 from Nuance Software.

Here is what Nuance say about Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10:

Most people speak over 120 words per minute but type less than 40 words per minute. What if you could create email, documents and spreadsheets simply by speaking? What if you could control your PC just by talking to it, starting programs, using menus, surfing the web?

This isn’t Star Trek or HAL from the Space Odyssey saga; it’s Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the world’s best-selling speech recognition software. This revolutionary and easy-to-use product gives you everything you need to be more efficient with your PC. Turn your voice into text three times faster than most people type with up to 99% accuracy. It’s so easy, you can use it right out of the box. It learns to recognize your voice instantly and continually improves the more you use it.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking works with the most commonly used desktop applications, including Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, AOL and more! Just about anything you do now by typing can be done faster using your voice. Create and edit documents or emails. Open and close applications. Control your mouse and entire desktop.

The biggest reason more people worldwide rely on Dragon NaturallySpeaking: it works. With more than 175 awards for accuracy and ease of use, it’s the undisputed leader in speech recognition software. If you want to get more done, more quickly, just say the word and Dragon NaturallySpeaking will transform your productivity.

WHATS IN THE BOX?

The contents of the box are minimal, and could also depend on what version you buy.

In my case, I have the Professional version that comes with a wired headset, manuals and software DVD.

There are a number of different versions available, depending on your needs and what they come with – obviously the price reflects this.

Do I need a NAS or File Server?

Do I need a NAS or File Server?: "

As the needs of a small business grows, so too will its reliance on scalable data storage and dissemination systems. Currently, file servers are the standard means to facilitate, but with the emergence of business oriented Windows Home Server (WHS) solutions, there are now practical alternatives. So why would a small business elect a network attached storage (NAS) solution like the Data Vault over a traditional file server? Well, it all comes down to three key benefits: Simplicity Keep in mind that the target audience for Data Vault is non-technical, emerging business people with minimal IT knowledge or desire to manage complex technology. An entry-level server will require far more hands on administration than the Data Vault, which is a complete 'out of box' solution. Servers need to be configured with a host of add-ons; although, pre-sales and installation can be supported by a reseller, the net effect is more time and cost invested. Affordability The HP StorageWorks X510 1TB Data Vault retails for $699, while traditional fileservers, such as the HP Proliant Proliant ML 110 G5 start at $599. The less IT-savvy could assume that the base file server is cheaper, but remember that additional server configurables cost extra. Tack on, Windows Small Business Server (10 client license), additional hard drives, RAID-1 setup, a RAID controller, processor, etc. the loaded price is actually closer to $3,500 excluding any application software like a database, web server s/w or the cost of installation and setup by the reseller (if required). A comparable Dell server, the PowerEdge T1000, costs roughly the same amount when configured like-for-like. Folder Duplication Basic RAID-1 requires two hard drives in the server, both of equal sizes, one mirroring the other. Everything is backed up regardless of whether it is important or not. Folder Duplication via WHS allows the user to define redundant mirroring on selected folders at the click of a button. Only this data is copied leaving the remaining storage capacity free for other uses. And thanks to WHS Drive Extender, hard drives of different sizes can be used to create a single storage pool, removing some of the complexity of RAID and allowing for greater flexibility in terms of storage use. To clarify, a NAS solution is not a file server, so it can not perform the tasks that require a 'traditional' server solution, such as: File and print Web messaging Small vertical applications or databases Shared internet access and LAN infrastructure Understand that the aim here is not to devalue the use of servers, just highlight the situations when the NAS solution would be more appropriate. Also, keep in mind that Data Vault can be used as a simple D2D device to back up an entry level file server. Server Attribute NAS Appliance General Application Server Performance The hardware and operating systems are designed and optimized to perform a single function very efficiently. Admin overhead is low. The hardware and operating systems are designed to support application serving and multiple general purpose functions. Admin overhead is high. Reliability The streamlined, i.e., simple, architecture promotes high reliability. The large number of non-embedded components plus a complex operating system contribute to a higher possibility of failure. Administration The relatively simple operating system requires less "care and feeding." The more complex network operating system demands greater attention. Connectivity The server is network operating system independent, supporting multiple client protocols like FTP, SMB and AFP. The server is network operating system dependent. Clients must accommodate the server's interface and protocol requirements. Maintenance Low High Backup "Transparent" to other application services. Diverts resources from other application services. Costs All hardware and software components facilitate a single function--data I/O. There are no extraneous, i.e., non-data I/O, expenses. The hardware and software support both data I/O and non-data I/O functions. Total Cost of Ownership Low High The great aspect about a server is its flexibility as a workhorse and ability to run applications - something the Data Vault cannot do. If you require a multi-faceted server, then the Data Vault will not provide the necessary feature set; however, if you are looking for an affordable, easy to use, fully integrated, data protection and file sharing on a peer-to-peer network, then the Data Vault is a better solution for your business.

duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem

duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem: "

The duaLink cable for iPod and iPhone contains its own miniature USB hub, a single USB connector on one end, and two iPod connectors on the other end. If the promise of charging and / or syncing multiple devices from the same USB port hasn't blown your mind, the company has been thoughtful enough to place the whole shebang in a housing that seems to be a little more durable than the (admittedly not so durable) stock Apple cable. We don't believe that this will be compatible with the iSlatelet, but if we hear anything to the contrary (you know, from 'leading industry analysts') we'll let you know. Available now from CableJive for $26, hit the source link to get started.

Continue reading duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem

duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Modder trims the fat, turns chubby original Xbox into svelte XBMC machine

Modder trims the fat, turns chubby original Xbox into svelte XBMC machine: "

The original Xbox has been cracked six ways to Sunday, giving us the distinct impression that those consoles still in use are, at this point, providing services very different than its designers intended. XBMC is largely responsible for that, turning the original big black box into a more than respectable media machine, and now modder Richard Wileman has given it a redesign to suit its functionality. He's replaced the original, full-sized HDD with a 2.5-inch model, performed a DVDectomy, and wedged everything into a svelte, aluminum case. There's even an IR port on there for remote control and a wee LCD for checking playlists without turning on the TV. It's less than half the size of the original and, by our count, more than twice as attractive.

Gallery: XBMC customized Xbox

Modder trims the fat, turns chubby original Xbox into svelte XBMC machine originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Review: Canon PowerShot G11 camera

Review: Canon PowerShot G11 camera: "The G11 is a camera that will appeal to point-and-shoot users who are ready for more power, control, and quality, but don’t want to carry around a camera with the bulk of an SLR.

The simplest way to solve the rubix cube

The simplest way to solve the rubix cube: "I am going to show you the simplest way to solve a rubik's cube for beginners!!! names of algrothims R=right up L=left up U=up right Ri=right down Li=left down Ui=up left F=front clockwise Fi=front counterclockwise white around the yellow The first step to solvbing the rubik's cube is to get t...
By: andrewatinstructables.com"

Firefox 3.6 Portable Available for Your Thumb Drive Needs [Downloads]

Firefox 3.6 Portable Available for Your Thumb Drive Needs [Downloads]: "

Windows: It's always exciting when a new release of your favorite browser comes out, but if you're a Firefox Portable user, you've always got to twiddle your thumbs a touch longer. Well twiddle no longer; Firefox 3.6 Portable is available for download.

The quick-on-their-toes team at PortableApps.com put together their release less than a day after Mozilla's official release, and—like yesterday's Firefox 3.6 release—it's packed full of speed increases, one-click themes, and plenty more. (Check out yesterday's release post for more details and a video walkthrough.)

Firefox 3.6 Portable is a free download, Windows only.

Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition [PortableApps.com]

Private Browsing Window Adds Chrome-Like Incognito Windows to Firefox [Downloads]

Private Browsing Window Adds Chrome-Like Incognito Windows to Firefox [Downloads]: "

Firefox: Sick of having to start a completely new session (and get rid of your old one) just for private browsing? Firefox extension Private Browsing Window starts your private session in a new window without closing old ones, like Chrome's Incognito Window.

It's not quite as smooth as Chrome's Incognito Windows, but it works pretty well. Private Browsing Window essentially starts a new instance of Firefox alongside your existing session, with a new profile in which Private Browsing is enabled. You don't have all your old bookmarks or preferences in your new private window, but you don't have to end your non-private session, which is certainly convenient. This feature replaces the old Private Browsing feature in the Tools menu and adds a small shortcut in the bottom right corner of your screen. Note that this add-on requires the latest and greatest Firefox 3.6 to run, so if you haven't updated, what are you waiting for?

Private Browsing Window is free and works wherever Firefox 3.6 does. Thanks, Jason!

Private Browsing Window [Mozilla Add-Ons]

Top 10 Tools for Better Reading, Online and Off [Lifehacker Top 10]

Top 10 Tools for Better Reading, Online and Off [Lifehacker Top 10]: "

Who has the time to read anymore? You do, if you make the time. It's easier than you might think, with these tools and tips that find, recommend, and format good reading anywhere you want to dive into it.

Photo by Let Ideas Compete.

10. Make your reading bookmarks stand out

If read-later services aren't your thing, your browser's bookmark bar can be a convenient place to stash articles and posts you plan on getting around to. You can do what Lifehacker reader leftymcrighty does, though, for better placement: reduce your permanent bookmarks (email, search sites, banking, etc.) down to icons by removing the names, and let your other bookmarks, with titles, serve as a reading list. Simple, no software required, and bound to get you reading more, lest your bookmark bar clutter up too much.

9. Read while working out

If the cold weather or convenience put you on an exercise bike, elliptical, or other machine where you've got little to do but stare ahead, it's not that hard to get more self-improvement done by reading at the same time. This Instructables post on a handlebar-mounted book holder shows that nearly any model can be fitted with a cheap, easy-to-affix book stand. (Original post)

8. Speed up your reading

You should savor clever fiction. Your average memo, however, can and should be hacked through at a faster pace. Speed reading guide Kris Madden explains in the video above how voicing out 'A-E-I-O-U' or 'one, two, three, four' as you read actually cancels out your subconscious tendency to read with your larynx, just below the audible level. This not only moves you quickly through the text, but provides a more visual, memorable read. There are plenty of apps on the web, too, that can help you speed through a particular text and learn to do it on any text: Spreeder, WordFlashReader, and ZAP Reader are just a few. (Original post)

7. Read Better on iPhones with Stanza

The Kindle's great, we're sure the Nook is a proper reader, and, sure, Sony's device is good at what it does. But when it comes to beautiful presentation of digital reading on a small screen, Stanza's got it all over those clients, at least on the iPhone or iPod touch. It has its own book store, offering copies of popular contemporary works, along with quite a few sources to grab free historical works, like Shakespeare's complete works, Edgar Allan Poe, and whatever else you're looking to get educated on. (Original post)

6. Find your next read

Not all of us have a local book shop staffed by the most knowledgeable and well-read workers on Earth. For recommendations on what you'd like, based on what you've just finished, we can turn to many spots on the net. What Should I Read Next? is a straight-up recommendation service, fed by the reading list you provide. WhichBook is a bit more subjective, asking you to move sliders to indicate how much of any element (monsters, dystopia, romance—oh my!) you want in your reading. For the social take on what your friends have read, are reading, and recommend, try BookArmy or the veritable GoodReads. (Original posts: What Should I Read Next?, WhichBook, BookArmy).

5. Convert any audio file to an audiobook

If you've got a spoken word MP3, or an audiobook you ripped yourself, you'd probably want your MP3 player to save your place as you make your way through the narrative. Starting with iTunes 8, it's easy to convert files to audiobook format, complete with variable speed listening and place marking.

4. Find instructional and how-to PDFs

Some how-to projects and tasks only require a single web page of instructions. Other times, you'd really like a deeper read. Search PDF is a custom Google search that brings back only PDF files, opens them in Scribd's no-software-required viewer, and hones the search in on tutorials, instructions, and manuals. For alternative PDF finders, there's the ebook search at PDF Search Engine and simply using filetype:pdf in a Google search. (Original post)

3. Collect articles with Instapaper & Read It Later

Which mark-for-later, read-anytime app reigns supreme? Depends on how you like to use them. Read It Later tightly integrates with Firefox through its extension, which also hosts your want-to-read articles offline, but also offers bookmarklets for every browser, including the iPhone. Instapaper seems to have the more focused iPhone app, but offers the same multi-browser bookmarklets. Come to think of it, they're both pretty great in their own way at making lengthy web reading accessible anywhere.

2. Get new books for old ones

Unless you only read leather-bound first editions, there are probably a few books laying around your shelves that could find a better life in a book swap. The internet abounds with places to do it: Zunafish, currently offline but offering $1-per-book trades, PaperBackSwap, and the free BookMooch are just a few. If getting a new book isn't necessary, you could simply tag your book with a BookCrossing tag and watch it travel the world. (Original posts: Zunafish, PaperBackSwap, BookMooch, BookCrossing)

1. Make web text more eye-friendly

Instapaper and Read It Later, mentioned above, do a decent job of converting news articles and blog posts to a stripped-down, text-forward format. With customizable browser bookmarklets, though, you get your reading exactly how you want it. Readability is an early and popular entrant in the category, while Clippable and Readable App aim for even more minimalism and customization. If you're an RSS fan, Readefine Desktop, an Adobe Air app and web project, can lay out your daily feed reading in newspaper-style columns with minimal interruption. (Original posts: Readability, Readability 2/Clippable, Readable App, Readefine)

---

What web, computer, or other tools do you use to make time for reading, make reading easier, or just find new things to read? Tell us all about your own little library tweaks in the comments.

Five Best Email Clients [Hive Five]

Five Best Email Clients [Hive Five]: "

Email as a technology has been around for decades, and thanks to wide spread adoption and popularity, it isn't in danger of disappearing. Check out the five most popular email clients to help you wrangle your email.

Earlier this week we asked your to share your favorite email client. We didn't restrict the voting to only stand-alone email applications or web-based email clients, but we did specify that if you voted for a web-based tool it had to have distinctly client-like features—such as Gmail's ability to fetch and sort email from other sources. The email Call for Contenders was one of the most popular we've ever had, with over 1,000 votes logged. Here are the five most popular clients used by Lifehacker readers:

Outlook (Windows, $399 for Office Standard Suite)

Outlook has been around since the 1990s, and by virtue of being part of the Microsoft Office suite and having been entrenched in the business environment, it enjoys an enormous popularity. Even if many people use Outlook because it's the email client provided—and often required!—by their place of employment, that doesn't mean it can't stand on its own merits. Integration with Windows Desktop Search gives you the ability to quickly search through your entire Outlook workflow, and Outlook can handle everything from your email to your calendar and easily transfer tasks, contacts, and more between the two.

Apple Mail (Mac, Free)

Apple's Mail application, also known as Mail.app or simply Mail, unsurprisingly continues the tradition of Apple applications following the 'it just works' method of design. Mail allows you to collect all your email from across the web and various email servers in one place, and it actively engages your email as you read it. For example, if you get an email with an invitation to a meeting next Thursday, Mail will detect it and make it simple to kick that appointment right over to iCal. Like the integration between Windows Desktop Search and Outlook, Mail is integrated with Spotlight to make deep massaging your messages easy.

Thunderbird (Windows/Mac/Linux, Free)

Thunderbird is an open-source offering from Mozilla—the company behind the beloved open-source browser Firefox. Thunderbird is a solid email application that sports the same extensibility of its code-sibling Firefox. Many readers voted for not just Thunderbird but Thunderbird with the addition of Lightning, a Thunderbird extension that adds scheduling and task management functionality to Thunderbird. If you're interested in using Thunderbird you'll definitely want to check out our guide to making Thunderbird your ultimate online/offline messaging hub, and you may also want to consider packing Thunderbird Portable away on your thumb drive for anywhere-access to your email.

Gmail (Web-based, Free)

Google has had quite a hit on their hands with Gmail, their extremely popular web-based email client. Not only do you get a feature-packed email account when you sign up for Gmail—you also get an email client that's is very adept at pulling in email from other services and organizing it with a robust system of filters and tags. You can check out how to manage multiple inboxes here if you'd like to use Gmail as a central hub for managing all your email. Many of the features in Gmail aren't necessarily revolutionary—like the ability to filter messages, flag, or label them—but the features are implemented in such a way that makes them effortless to use. And, surprising as it may seem, its much-loved threaded conversations are still relatively unique to Gmail.

Postbox (Windows/Mac, $39.95)

Postbox is stand-alone email client for Windows and Mac operating systems. Postbox is based on Mozilla-code, so the Postbox team has been able to tweak quite a few Thunderbird extensions, including Lightning, to work with Postbox. In addition to its extensibility, Postbox's default interface is powerful. The app includes features like the ability to search and compose simultaneously. You can look up an email address, search for a previous attachment, and check an old email for information all in the sidebar while working on your current email. Postbox also provides email summaries as you read through and search your email, showing you not just the sender and subject line but the attachments and any important information inside the email like addresses, appointments, and URLs.

---

Now that you've had a chance to look over the five most popular candidates it's time to cast your vote:

Which Email Client Is Best?(survey software)

Have a tip or trick for your favorite email client? Can't believe your favorite didn't make the cut? Let's hear about it in the comments.

If you have an idea for a future Hive Five, make sure to send an email to tips at lifehacker.com with 'Hive Five' in the email address.

OpenShot 1.0 Is an Actually Usable Linux Video Editor [Downloads]

OpenShot 1.0 Is an Actually Usable Linux Video Editor [Downloads]: "

Linux/Live CD/DVD: It's one of the five features we desperately want in Ubuntu: a video editor that the average user can stitch together simple movies with. OpenShot 1.0 is mostly there.

That's not to say the interface has much polish, or that you don't have to install non-free multimedia codecs in your Linux system beforehand. Then again, unless you're a FLAC/OGG music purist, you probably already installed your MP3 and other file supports.

I had a video project to assemble over the weekend—combining a recorded audio file and still pictures into a video file that could be imported into iMovie, or watched on a standard PC laptop. I dropped an audio file into the left-hand sidebar, and it automatically dropped into one of the two default tracks. I dragged in a batch of pictures, and I could then drop them onto the timeline. From there, you can use the really simple tools—resize, razor, marker, and moving tool—to adjust and arrange the clips. For my purposes, that was perfect. It was a return to earlier versions of iMovie, a basic non-linear video editor for the rest of us.

If you're looking to make very complex transitions or pull precise transformations on your video, you're still better off with a more advanced suite on another platform—one of our six best video editing applications, perhaps. If you're a Linux user and looking to stitch together a small-scale video project, OpenShot is definitely worth a look.

OpenShot is a free download, available as a live CD or DVD, as an Ubuntu/Debian repository, and pre-compiled for Ubuntu and Fedora systems. If you've given OpenShot a try and like it, or find it lacking a certain something, tell us about it in the comments.

OpenShot 1.0 Has Arrived! [OpenShot Video Editor]

Ultimate set-up: TV

Ultimate set-up: TV: "
Excited about 3D? Us, too. But we’re still a little way off buying stock 3DTVs in the shop, plugging them in and gorging ourselves on three-dimensional broadcasts.

Cheer up, though, because it doesn’t mean you can’t milk a bit of extra shine out of your existing goggle box while you wait for James Cameron to get his cheque book out again.

Sort your screen

If you need a new TV anyway, plump for 46 inches of LCD. We like the Samsung UE46B8000 (pictured above), though if you don’t feel the slim profile, deep blacks and great picture are worth £1,500 you’d do well to check out the UE40B7020 for around £500 less. Plus, it’ll go online. Facebook, meet television.

Get with Blu-ray

Now it’s time to plug some goodies into the back of it. If you really want to exploit that big screen and sweet picture, your first thought should be Blu-ray. If we’re being realistic about the budget, Sony’s BDP-S360 (£240) is a good bet for the price. But for the same price you could pick up a PS3 Slim and add gaming prowess, media centre skills and future-proofing for the 3D discs of the future.

Plug in a PVR

If you’re on a tight budget, and you’re after a quick fix upgrade to your old TV, grab a Western Digital WDTV HD media player. At under £100 (you can get it for around £70), it’ll let you browse digital movie files on up to two USB hard drives and pipe them to your screen via HDMI at full 1080p resolution.

Get free HD

If you want or need Sky+, you probably have it already. But it’s worth looking at Freeview HD boxes as a commitment-free alternative. If you live in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Bradford, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff or Swansea, you’ll have Freeview HD broadcasts by the end of March. For £120, Humax’s HD Freesat receiver will do the honours, but expect prices to drop nearer the time.

Boost your sound

Most TV speakers are made out of leftover tin foil from the factory cafeteria's kitchen. Give your sonic set-up a lift with Sony’s HT-IS100. Despite the miniature dimensions of the five satellites, it sounds as chunky as its blocky sub unit. At under £400, it’s also a few sheets cheaper than comparable sounding systems, though it lacks the built-in Blu-ray player of some of its peers.

Take (remote) control

By now your coffee table probably looks like a museum for remote controls. Bin them in favour of a universal wand like Logitech’s touchscreen Harmony 1100. With support for nearly a quarter of a million devices and radio wireless (so you don’t need line-of-sight contact), it almost justifies its £300 street price. If it made the tea as well, you’d never need to move again. Come on, Logitech, sort it out.

"