This is simple gifts so that we have more time to actually spend with people. And the gifts we’re DIYing? They’re all easy, simple and practical.
1. An herb garden or succulent arrangement: Herbs will keep your friend’s kitchen filled with life while a succulent arrangement is perfect for a table centerpiece or a nice hello at the door. 2. A Pamper Basket: fill a basket or a bag with homemade body scrubs and soaks in pretty weck canning jars (available at Heath Ceramics). Or just buy some nice things for the bath and call it a day. 3. Personalized Stationery: A couple of years back we bought some Crane notecards and simply printed out some personalized cards to give our friend Jamie. We kept it simple and just had each card read” Un Petit Mot de Jamie” or “Merci” or “Hello”. She loved it and we were proud of our simple achievement without coss or time getting out of control. 4. Coupons for Labor or Favors: This year we (well, I) discussed with my mom that I didn’t feel that I should give her any more stuff (since my gramma died mom absorbed a lot of the things from gramma’s house that we couldn’t let go of) and that instead I would help her either finish a project or get rid of something for the next couple of christmas’s and birthdays. I could make it more official with a coupon book. 5. Something for the Table: If you’re any good at sewing, find some great fabric and make a simple tablecloth or some of these coasters. Add in some DIY linen spray for when the tablecloth needs to get ironed!
Although companies like SwedeShop have tried to improve the IKEA experience by offering ways to track items and your budget, there’s nothing like experiencing 310+ pages of IKEA goodness from the palm of your hand.
The app allows you to scroll through rooms, zoom in for a closer look, then click on furniture you’d like to buy. A video of the app in action below:
Currently, it’s in a test-phase for the IKEA UK 2010 catalog only. Given enough success, we’re sure to see it come stateside pretty soon. Luckily for us, we have a pounds to dollars converter app in case we find something we really like…
Debt is difficult thing to handle. You should know how to get out of debt and start afresh. To eliminate American Express Card or Master Visa debt is not very difficult. The only way to eliminate it is to take corrective steps and go for free debt consolidation plans. Several options are available to eliminate the credit card debt to start a new financial beginning.
The best way to eliminate debt and recover from it completely is to first plan a budget. You should stop paying the minimum amount and this way you can reduce the debt in your card and reduce it to nil completely. The help of advisors will be of great relief when you seek to eliminate a Master Card or Visa debt.
Once you have planned your budget you should work towards eliminating the debt. Consolidate all the credit card payments into one and then try to make a single monthly payment. This way you can stop the interest rate accumulation and also get more options for your budget. Some companies offer settlement of the card which makes it even easier. Settlement means you need to pay off a part of the payment and not the entire amount dictated by the company.
The simplest way to opt for debt forgiveness and come out of credit card debt is to first plan your finances and make a suitable budget. By working towards debt elimination you can easily get out of it.
Debt especially from credit cards is very painful. It requires a very systematic and planned approach to eliminate any dent outstanding with your credit cards. There is also need to eliminate the debts totally so that you can start afresh with your personal finances.
It is very painful when you are in debt. Take correct steps and try to clear them off so that you can enjoy a happy and peaceful life. You can also seek consultations with debt consolidation companies.
With so many of us keeping an eye on natural and healthy living, it’s no wonder that we’re going to the source. Cleaners present some serious health risks and the good news is that you can turn to some common household items to get the job done. If you want to clean without the risk, check these out and see just how well they work!
1. Lemon Juice: Who would have thought that this common ingredient can form the basis of a mean cleaner throughout your home? Lemon juice can be used as a rust cleaner and can really get out the stains quickly and easily. It can also be used as the basis of a dish washing solution. It’s safe, it’s natural, and it’s really easy to use and it helps to get your home clean the right way.
2. Vinegar: Though vinegar has a multitude of different uses, it works well as a substitute for one of the most important and potentially harmful cleaners. Use vinegar to clean your toilets and avoid using conventional toilet bowl cleaners which can pose a real risk. You can also use vinegar to wipe counters and tables clean, use it on almost any surface throughout the house other than marble. Vinegar is one of the best and most versatile cleaners out there!
3. Club Soda: This stuff really works to get out the tough stains! Use club soda on fabrics where stains are present and watch them vanish. You can also use club soda as an effective glass cleaner, just put it into a spray bottle and watch it work!
4. Olive Oil: You know just from the smell of them that traditional furniture cleaners can really pose a threat in terms of their potential pollutants. Never use them again as a touch of olive oil when mixed with lemon juice makes an outstanding furniture polish. It’s cheap, effective, and works well as a healthy and natural alternative.
5. Baking Soda: If you need a harsh abrasive cleaner for a tough to clean surface, then look no further than baking soda! This gem isn’t only good for getting the stink out of the refrigerator, as it can work tremendously as a household cleaner almost anywhere. You can even use baking soda in a clogged drain overnight and watch in amazement as the clog is gone in the morning!
6. Salt: Maybe you’ve used it in a coffeepot to get the coffee stains out, and you see how well it works. Salt can work well on almost any surface to really get the stains out. It works tremendously well on carpet for those tough stains such as coffee or red wine. Natural and highly effective!
7. Beer: Forget about the awful bug sprays that contain a ton of nasty pesticides! Beer works really well if you want to pull all the bugs out of your home. Just put out a bowl of beer and watch the bugs come out and go away, and it works naturally!
In the interest of going green, these natural cleaners can work wonders! If you want to ensure that your family doesn’t breathe in potentially harmful substances, try these out and watch how well they work!
I just read an upbeat post about Chrome OS from Bob Morris, the director of Mobile computing at ARM. Here’s an excerpt:
” It truly levels the playing field for platforms. For the most part today, the OS and HW are closely connected and this drove platforms that slowly innovated. Chrome OS blows this apart, the OS is the browser, which makes the hw irrelevant since applications are written in HTML5 and JavaScript they run on the browser without hw ties. Wow … coming from a company that builds CPUs that should worry me … NOT! (read more) ”
I understand why Bob Morris is excited about Chrome: today, Windows has 92.64% of market share and it doesn’t run on ARM. Mac OS X doesn’t run on ARM either, and what that means is that ARM is currently locked out of a huge chunk of the computing experience. The company hopes that Chrome will make the OS completely transparent to end-users. Why is he not worried? ARM has absolutely nothing to lose with Chrome OS.
But is the hardware and software so “closely connected” that it “prevents innovation” as Bob Morris says? I don’t think so. On Windows or Mac, anyone can build a hardware extension and provide a driver. Anyone can write software too. The only “problem” (for ARM) is that the two major OS are running on X86 processors (Intel, AMD). By the way, Google Chrome will be pretty strict about hardware too, at least initially. Here’s a list of compatible hardware.
Mr. Morris goes on to say “Where is the creativity, differentiation with color? Wow. With the Chrome OS you will not be locked down to the same looking HW platform and UI”.
Really? we won’t be locked down to the same UI (user interface)? I hate to break the news, but Chrome OS does not have a user interface… it is just there to launch the same Chrome Browser that you can also get on Windows and Mac.
Let’s be clear: my opinion is that the more choices, the better. However, I think that some of the arguments made by Bob Morris post aren’t very solid. ARM’s main issue is that its instruction set is not supported by two major operating systems. That’s why Chrome OS (which will work on ARM) is such a big deal for the company. As for you and I, we will benefit from an increased competition, but don’t expect any miracles. ARM is a formidable player in the mobile space, but the fight will be much tougher in the personal computer space. Rich web apps can be computing cycles hogs compared to mobile apps, and the display is the main power drain.
On the Google’s, what Google is really trying to overcome is the web browser that is embedded in the Operating System: Internet Explorer, Safari or even Firefox, depending what OS we’re talking about. Despite being widely successful over the past years, Firefox has “only” 21.53% of market share. It’s admittedly huge, but it shows how being embedded in the OS can help: despite all its flaws, Internet Explorer still holds 67.55% of the browser market. And each time someone buys a new PC or Mac, there’s a risk that they will fall back to the default browser… and its default search (Bing?). Millions of Netbooks are shipping each quarter, with Internet Explorer in them, and IE is getting better.
Google is by large protected by its formidable brand at the moment, but it would rather see its browser, and its search engine + services, be the default choice, rather than a conscious user choice. This would give it another layer of protection against user migration.
Google has to reverse the consumer repulsion for computers that don’t run on Windows (or Mac). That’s the problem Linux Netbooks had from day one (they are mostly dead now), despite early talks that the “OS doesn’t matter” because it’s an “Internet Computer”, term used by Bob Morris. I’m not convinced that Google can spin this one. At the end of the day, to the user it just feels like Windows or Mac OS can do everything Chrome OS can – and more. Sure, Chrome OS boots faster (7 sec), but how many times do you boot a day? (I would pay for *real* instant-on, though) It might require less memory, but that’s really cheap. Plus, we’ve seen that people are actually ready to buy more expensive Netbooks that behave like “normal” computers on which stuff like MS Office or Skype can be installed.
There are other Linux-based “quick boot” solutions out there (Chrome OS is a primitive version of that for now). Device VM is the most successful because it has a symbiotic, rather than confrontational, relationship with Windows.
Will Google succeed? I don’t know, it’s too early to tell and there are too many possible evolutions. I just an uphill battle for now. Should Google try? Absolutely. Just like any company, they want to shape the industry into their own image (the web). That’s how they can use their strengths against the competition.
DVK Technologies introduced their latest product – the GNR8-130.
It is 130W powered stereo guitar amplifier cabinet, designed specifically for use with any DSP- or analog-based direct recording device or preamp.
The current crop of guitar modelling and effects units offer incredible realism and versatility to guitarists. Some of the most sought-after vintage tones and effects are now just a button push away. These incredible amp simulations are at our disposal for the first time without the prohibitive expense and bulk associated with classic hardware units.
The GNR8-130 deliver a full range frequency response system with headroom, dynamics, low distortion and the familiar feel and form of a guitar amp. Constrained layer cabinet design and construction ensures the closest possible neutral response. Whatever goes in, comes out a lot louder and unadulterated by amp and cabinet coloring. Tailored to be in line with the GNR8-130’s preamp and amp, 2 x 12″ specially selected full range speakers from Lorantz Audio Services (C304P/PA) have been employed to ensure accurate reproduction of any modeller. The flat response of the cabinet, coupled with the true sonic reproduction of the amp and speakers perfectly complements the quality of today’s top modelling devices.
The new GNR8-130 will be showcased along with the full range of DVK Technologies products at the NAMM 2010 International trade show.
It seems like Star Wars merchandise never seems to get old, and Yoda is always a popular figure. Next, Tokyo-based Cube Works has announced a mini Yoda figure, which you can plug into your computer. You’ll be able to control the light on the lightsaber as well as Yoda’s cheeks via software installed on your computer. The site does not that it was designed for the Japanese version of Windows, so you might want to tread with caution if you’re installing it on a non-Japanese version of Windows. Being a Jedi Master, Yoda certainly won’t come cheap, as he’s priced at $65.52 plus shipping.
It looks like we’ll be seeing a more and more USB 3.0 devices over the next year, and Buffalo certainly wants to be one of the early adopters with its DriveStation HD-HXU3. The main feature of the drive is obviously it’s support for USB 3.0, which means it can transfer up to 625MB/s, a considerable boost over USB 2.0 or even FireWire. The drive is compatible with Mac or Windows, and you can pick up either the 1TB, 1.5TB or 2TB model, which are going for $200, $250 and $400 respectively.
Datel Design & Development, the manufacturer of Max Memory cards for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, has filed a complaint against Microsoft, accusing it of violating antitrust law. The company isn’t happy that Microsoft released a software update earlier this month that stops gamers from storing data on unlicensed memory cards.
Do you feel that your MacBook’s speakers lack some punch? Well, additional bass would certainly help, and that’s the aim of BassJump. The device is really a subwoofer, letting you keep using your MacBook speakers as satellite speakers, while the BassJump handles the bass. You’ll need to install a preference pane on your Mac, and connect the BassJump via a USB port. At $80, it’s not all that cheap, but it’s probably something to consider if you’re happy with your MacBook’s speakers but want more bass.
This is simple gifts so that we have more time to actually spend with people. And the gifts we’re DIYing? They’re all easy, simple and practical.
I just read an upbeat post about Chrome OS from Bob Morris, the director of Mobile computing at ARM. Here’s an excerpt:
DVK Technologies introduced their latest product – the GNR8-130.
It seems like Star Wars merchandise never seems to get old, and Yoda is always a popular figure. Next, Tokyo-based Cube Works has announced a mini Yoda figure, which you can plug into your computer. You’ll be able to control the light on the lightsaber as well as Yoda’s cheeks via software installed on your computer. The site does not that it was designed for the Japanese version of Windows, so you might want to tread with caution if you’re installing it on a non-Japanese version of Windows. Being a Jedi Master, Yoda certainly won’t come cheap, as he’s priced at 
It looks like we’ll be seeing a more and more USB 3.0 devices over the next year, and Buffalo certainly wants to be one of the early adopters with its DriveStation HD-HXU3. The main feature of the drive is obviously it’s support for USB 3.0, which means it can transfer up to 625MB/s, a considerable boost over USB 2.0 or even FireWire. The drive is compatible with Mac or Windows, and you can pick up either the 1TB, 1.5TB or 2TB model, which are going for $200, $250 and $400 respectively.
Datel Design & Development, the manufacturer of Max Memory cards for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, has filed a complaint against Microsoft, accusing it of violating antitrust law. The company isn’t happy that Microsoft released a software update earlier this month that stops gamers from storing data on unlicensed memory cards. 
Do you feel that your MacBook’s speakers lack some punch? Well, additional bass would certainly help, and that’s the aim of