How to stop GIF images from animating

A lot of users like to customize their settings, and some users just go overboard. Many a times people have seizure inducing GIF animations in their signatures and avatar/display images on forums, blogs and other such sites on the internet. Myspace for example has many user pages that contain thousands of animated images that will cause to you jump off from the 9th floor. If you dont want that to happen to you, I suggest you learn this quick tip.

The solution to stop GIF images from animating for ever and ever(and this solution is only limited to GIF images... Flash is a different story) is to press the Escape key on your keyboard. Simple enough, isn't it? Plus, it works on any browser! Well, thank goodness its this simple, or else I would have long ago stopped using the internet.

Here's a test. Try to use the tip you've just learned to stop the annoying bug below.



See, I told ya it'd be helpful.

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How to Sync your Sony Ericsson w580i with your Mac

For a couple of days I've been searching for a solution on how to sync my w580i cell phone with my mac. The only solution that I could uncover was to buy a plug-in that would cost me about $3. But that would involve purchasing and what not, plus I wasn't sure it would work or not. Then finally today I came across this page where you can download a plug-in for syncing the phone with the mac for free.
According to the page:

iSync doesn't have support for the W580 or S500 yet, so here are plugins. Unzip and copy to /Applications/iSync.app/Contents/PlugIns/ApplePhoneConduit.syncdevice/Contents/PlugIns/

You can download the plug-in on their page. And after you unzip the program, you'll have to open up the Applications folder > Right click on iSync > Click 'Show Package Contents'. And then you can click on Contents > PlugIns > ApplePhoneConduit.syncdevice > Contents > Plugins and drag and drop the folder. Then just open up iSync > Devices > Add Device and make sure you turn on bluetooth on your phone. If a message pops up on your phone asking you if that your Mac wants to use your computer as a modem, just click Yes so that the Mac and Phone can talk to each other.

One other note: You'll have to make sure that your phone has bluetooth turned on (which I find to be the easiest way to sync) and make sure that your Phone's Name doesn't have in special characters in it, or iSync will not be able to do its job and you wont be able to add the phone to your devices.

Now, I can blame the fact that I forgot my friends birthday on the phone. I guess, everything has advantages and disadvantages.

Have fun organizing all your contacts!

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Create equations in Microsoft Word

Whether you are aware of it or not, Microsoft Word can not only handle words and images but also equations. The only catch here is that you need to have the equation editor installed. If not, you'll probably have to find the Microsoft Word CD lying around your house and install it. Once you do install it however it's quite easy to start creating equations for those gruesome physics papers.

The main component that allows Microsoft Word to insert equations is MathType, which is dumbed down a little bit, but is ample enough for most of the basic mathematical symbols. To insert equations into Microsoft Word all you need to do is this:

1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Click on Insert
3. Click Object
4. Click on Microsoft Word Equation
5. In the equation editor that opens up, you can then type in anything you want
6. Simply the close the equation editor and the image in Microsoft Word will get updated to the mathematical formulas that you had entered.
7. Repeat.

So there you have it. An easy way to do equations on Microsoft Word to make your labs look a lot more professional, and neat.

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Beneficial Exercies for Extensive Computer Use

Do you use a computer in your office? In your home? Chances are that you'll be using it together for hours together, which can be extremely detrimental to your health and can increase your risk of RSI (repetitive strain injuries) and make you feel really tired/stressed. Here are some exercises that you can do periodically to keep you mind and body active and ensure that you won't be harming yourself by sitting in front of the computer for ages.

Healthy Body at Work

Practice these basic postures everyday at home or at the office when you need inspiration or rejuvenation! *italics = 10 minute routine

Getting Started

• Sit tall at the front of your chair; lengthen your spine
• Feet flat on the floor; legs parallel
• Breathe – slow, rythmic breath work

Head and neck

• Neck rolls and side neck stretches
• Chin to chest, gazine side to side

Arms and Hands

• Palm press, arm raises, arms extended; press to sides
• Wrist circles, fist clenches, hands press on desk

Shoulders (seated or standing)

• Shrugs, shoulder rotation
• Arms overheard, press elbow and reach hand down back
• Reach both arms over back of chair

Spine

• Seated spinal twist
• Seated forward fold
• Stated triangle (reach one hand to foot)

Standing

• Half standing forward bend (at wall, chair, desk)
• Fully extended downward facing stretch
• Ankle rotations, stretch tops of feet
• Side reaches and side stretches

Final Relaxation

• Rub hands, place over eyes

Pacing and Stretching

Taking short stretch breaks throughout the day will help reduce muscle tension and fatigue . Exercises should be done to address the following areas:

Eyes

• Blink frequently to help keep eyes moist
• Close eyes and cover then with the palms of your hand. Rest your eyes in darkness for approximately 1 minute
• Change your focal point every 20 minutes. Take a break and stare at something in the distance for 20 seconds

Neck and shoulders

• Chin tuck/neck retraction – Look straight ahead and pull head back, keeping the jaw and eyes levelled. Hold for 10 seconds and then release
• Neck rotation – Turn head slowly to look over the left shoulder and hold for 10 - 15 seconds. Repeat on the right side
• Neck lateral flexion – Tilt your head toward your shoulder so that you are bringing your ear to touch your shoulder, and hold for 10 - 15 seconds. Repeat on both sides
• Shoulder Rolls – Roll the shoulders backward 5 times. Roll the shoulders forward 5 times
• Chest/bicep stretch – Clasp hands behind your back and squeeze the shoulder blades together. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds
• Lower neck/upper back stretch - Clash hands together in front with the arms extended. Looking downward, gently pull the shoulder blades apart. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

Low back

• Stand up and walk around the office to relieve the back from the static sitting position
• Standing backward bend - Stand straight with the feet shoulder width apart and hands on the hips. Slowly arch backward to make the hollow of the back deeper. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds
• Stand up, interlace the fingers and reach overhead. Stretch and hold for 10 - 15 seconds
• Knee to chest stretch - while sitting in your chair; slowly bring your knee up towards your chest. Wrap your arms around this leg and hold for 10 - 15 seconds. Repeat with other leg. 
  

Wrist and fingers

• Make a fist and squeeze. Then open your fist and spread your fingers as wide as possible. Repeat 5 times on each hand.
• Let your arms hang down at the side. Gently shake out your arms and fingers for 10 - 15 seconds to improve circulation
• Wrist extensor stretch – Keeping the elbow straight, grasp the fingers of your left hand and slowly bend the wrist so that the fingers are pointing downward and a stretch is felt. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds and repeat on the other side
• Wrist flexor stretch – Keeping the elbow straight, grasp the fingers of the left hand slowly bend the wrist so that the fingers are pointing upward and a stretch is felt. Hold for 10 - 15 seconds and repeat on the other side

Performing these exercises are sure to relive a whole lot of stress if you use the computer a lot and will definitely help prevent any repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Using your computer as an alarm clock

Do you have a computer in your bedroom? May be you have a laptop and tend to travel a lot with it? If that's the case then you might want to use your laptop/desktop computer as a alarm clock. Transform your computer into an alarm clock that works better than the normal alarm clock, including the one your already have.

Why? Studies Evidence from fellow bloggers shows that waking up in the light stages of sleep is better compared to waking up when you're dreaming. If you ask me, I personally prefer not to use an alarm clock at all. I simply wake up when I feel like it, which of course ensures that I get all the sleep I need. After all I do need my beauty rest.

Sometimes though, that just doesn't work. I often need an alarm clock to wake up at 3 in the morning so that I can finish my assignment due on the very same day. I know, procrastination is bad. But hey, I've got an alarm clock that can wake me up without fail. Here's how you can make your own, for free! All you need is an internet connection, some time on your hands and of course -- free software.

How to convert your computer into an alarm clock, that is sure to wake you up

Step 1: Find a computer that you can use. This can be anything, a laptop/desktop/air. Through thorough experimentation I've deduced that the optimal placement for a alarm clock computer is about 5-6 feet away from your computer.

Placing the computer far away ensures that you are awake when you turn the alarm clock off. Any further then 6 feet away and you're likely to stumble and fall on your way to the computer.

Step 2: Software.
If you're using Windows there are a couple of good ones out there.

• Alarm Clock 1.0 (free) - This appropriately named piece of software does exactly what it is supposed to do.
• Daily Alarm Clock (free) - Daily Alarm Clock.
• Alarm Clock PowerToy for Windows XP MCE (free - if you have MCE) - If you have Media Center Edition of XP then you might want to consider using this, since it's from Microsoft. However, because it is from microsoft, there is no guarantee that it's going to work.
  

Overall, be cautious if your computer is running Windows. It might crash minutes before waking you up.

If you're using a Mac then you might want to take a look at:

• Alarm Clock 2 (free) - Has the built in easy wake feature described in the next step. Allows you to set a variety of different alarms.
• Aurora (free $12 ) - A lightweight little alarm clock that does what it's supposed to do.
• Tiny Alarm (free) - Even more 'tinier' and does exactly the same thing as all its other competitors.
  

All the above are great choices, and are totally free. Remember to donate a buck or two if they prove to be extremely handy.

If you're on Linux, you can probably make your own alarm clock with some basic linux commands that take advantage of audio players.

If you still happen to use MS-DOS, you should upgrade. No really, you should.

Step 3: Configure your software.

Most alarm clock software out there have a "gentle wake" or "easy wake" ability. This is where the alarm song/tune/sound is played at a low volume for a while (about 30-40 minutes is good) before is becomes loud and wakes you up.If the software you've downloaded doesn't have this feature of slowly fading the song/tune in gradually, which is the case for most windows alarm clocks, you might want to get two applications. One app can play something at a very low volume, and after some period of time the other can kick in and finally wake you up from your state of slumber without making you cranky and grumpy for ages to come.

As for the song/tune itself, this depends on the user -- you. I usually choose songs that pump me up, so that I can get out of bed and start dancing. Not a good idea though, because if your song doesn't wake your neighbours up, apparently your dancing will. There's nothing wrong with that, unless your neighbour happens to be 80 years old and has a phone handy at all times with a three digit number on speed dial. I figured that one out the hard way.

Step 4: Give yourself time to sleep.

Remember, you can only wake up in the "fresh and ready to rumble" state of mind every morning if you have enough sleep. So give yourself ample time to sleep, and only then let your alarm clock, that you built all on your own do the rest.

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The 5 Dollar DIY Laptop Cooling Stand

You won't find a cheaper laptop stand anywhere.

Yup, you guessed it. It's actually a stapler. But guess what? It works! Although it might be a bit dangerous, because the laptop might just slide off the stapler without any warning. No incidents have occurred so far though, but it seems to work pretty well.

As for the speed of the laptop, I don't really notice much of a difference. Except the fans don't come on anymore so I guess it must be really working.

Instructions on how to make your own laptop stand with a stapler.

1. Find a stapler that long and made of a tough material. Steel/Aluminum works pretty well. It'll suck the heat out of the laptop and provide some ventilation.
2. Place it under a laptop. In my case I was lucky that a ventilation slit and the rubber feet of the laptop were enough to keep it from sliding from the stapler. If you have a laptop that has a flat bottom, you might want to get yourself a proper cooling stand and save the money (that you might have to spend on a new laptop otherwise).
   

That's it! Enjoy.

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