How to undelete files on Windows with Undela

Undela is Ctrl+Z files you've emptied out of the recycle bin.

Chances are that you've deleted a file by accident. Sometimes you're lucky enough to still have it lingering around in your recycle bin, other times you panic after realizing you emptied it three days ago.

             Undela is a Windows application that seeks to give you a second chance with your deleted files. Much like a similar app named Recuva, this app will attempt to analyze your free disk space for deleted data and display a result list of its findings. Once you find the file you're seeking in the list, you're just a few steps away from bringing it back to life. Here's how to get started:

Note: This recovery utility can only restore files that are in empty space on your hard drive or removable storage. This means you cannot have overwritten the space previously occupied by the deleted file with new things. This may be the case if you use a utility like CCleaner to overwrite empty space several times when using the cleaning function. If you're unsure about the status of the drive space, give Undela a try anyway.

Step 1: Download a copy of Undela for your Windows computer or laptop. The install process is super quick so you can get started right away.

Step 2: Open the app when the Installer is finished running and choose the drive you'd like to recover files on in the far left-hand pane.

 

Step 3: Click the Scan button at the top of the app to see a list of files that can be recovered on the far right. 

Tip: If you only want to look for certain file types -- say PNG -- you can adjust this setting in Options area. Just go to File > Options and check off the file types you're seeking.

Step 4: Once you've found the file(s) you're looking for, mark the check box(es) to the left of the filename(s) and then click the Restore button. 

 

Also worth mentioning is the file preview that Undela displays when doing its recovery magic. This is handy if you're not sure what the exact file name was of that picture you deleted on accident and don't want to recover everything just to find it. Just select the file name in the list and then press the Preview button (on the right-hand side of the toolbar) to take a look at it. 

 

Step 5: Choose the place on your disk space you'd like to place the recovered file(s). 

While serving as a handy tool to fix deletion mistakes, Undela can also help show you just how much information you thought was gone is still hanging around on your computer.

Spring cleaning tips to revive your Windows PC

 

It's always exciting when you bring home a new computer. It feels so powerful and fast; you can't imagine ever needing to buy another one again. Unfortunately, neither your excitement nor your PC's performance lasts.

Whether your hard drive is running out of space or your system takes forever to run simple tasks, it might be worth your time to try and revive it before replacing it. Here are some spring cleaning tips to revive your Windows PC:

Free up disk space
The enormous size of modern multimedia files can eat up your hard-drive storage quickly. What once seemed like a laughable amount of storage, can suddenly become insufficient. But are you using that storage efficiently?

• Uninstall software. It's easy to forget about software you've installed but haven't used in a while. Get rid of trial software, games you don't play anymore, and other software you rarely use.
• Run the Windows Disk Cleanup tool and while you're there, go to the More Options tab to also clean up your system restore files.
• Empty your Web browser cache. Over time, you'd be surprised how much space a browser's cache takes up.
• Use CCleaner to automate your cleanup tasks. It's one of the best Windows utilities around.
• If your hard disk is still short on storage, try running WinDirStat to see what's taking up all that storage. You might discover forgotten files you no longer need.
• To free up even more disk space, consider using Duplicate File Finder to identify and remove duplicate files on your system.

Recover performance with software tools
Performance on Windows computers tends to degrade over time, but with a few OS tweaks, you can recover some performance.

• Defrag your hard drive. Especially after performing massive file deletion tasks, your hard disk is going to be heavily fragmented. Use the default Windows defrag utility or a third-party program like, Defraggler to speed up disk access.
• Make Windows start faster. You can use the Windows msconfig utility to prevent programs from starting up automatically, or use CCleaner. You can also bypass the Windows logo by setting the No GUI boot setting. For a more in-depth look at improving Windows startup, read Dennis O'Reilly's post.
• Check for updated hardware drivers for components like graphics cards, printers, and network adapters. Updated drivers often fix bugs and improve performance.

Increase performance with simple hardware upgrades
Simple hardware upgrades can make your system perform better than when it was new.

• Adding RAM is still one of the most cost-effective ways to improve PC performance. Check your system specs to confirm the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed. Also, remember that only 64-bit versions of Windows can see above 4GB.
• If you're still using a mechanical hard drive in your computer, migrating to an SSD drive will significantly improve system performance.
• Can't justify the cost of an SSD? Consider upgrading to a hybrid drive. A hybrid drive uses a small amount of solid-state storage along with a traditional mechanical drive to boost performance, for much less than the price of an SSD drive.
• If you're not up for migrating your Windows 7 system to a brand-new drive, SSD cache drives are an easy way to boost performance. They're small, inexpensive SSD drives that can be added to your system without having to migrate Windows or your data.

Check your Windows system security
While you're tuning up your system for performance, it's also a good time to check your system security.

• Make sure Windows Update is enabled and scheduled for automatic updates. Updates often contain security patches, so this is essential for keeping your Windows PC secure.
• Make sure you have a highly rated firewall and antivirus program installed with automatic updates turned on. Free security programs are OK in a pinch, but they're usually crippled in some way or don't measure up to the premium ones. Internet providers like Comcast and AT&T also provide premium security programs for free with service. And online retailers routinely offer huge discounts after rebates on security software.
• Consider adding a physical firewall to your network. An oft-forgotten benefit of Wi-Fi routers is the fact that they serve as a firewall between the Internet and your home network.
• Review your system backup plan. Don't have one? Get one. And here's the most important part about a backup plan: test the restore to make sure it actually works.

Clean your hardware the right way
Cleaning your computer gear not only makes them look nice, but also keeps germs at bay and can help your system run better.

• Clean and disinfect your keyboard and mouse. Computer keyboards can get pretty filthy from just normal use, not to mention from eating at our desks or working while we're sick. Studies have shown that keyboards have more bacteria than toilet seats -- ick!
• Clean your computer LCD display. Remember when your computer LCD display had that brand-new, fresh out-of-the-box shine? If it's looking a little dull lately, it might be time to give it a good cleaning.
• Clean the inside of your computer. Over time, dust buildup inside your computer could undermine its cooling efficiency, resulting in shorter life spans for your computer's components.

What to do with your old PC
If you've decided to go ahead and buy a new PC, you can still use your old one for some great things or sell it to put some cash back in your wallet.

• Turn your old PC into a media center PC, networked media storage, Linux test PC, home security monitor, or a backup storage device. Rob Lightner shows you how.
• Strip it for parts. One of the most reusable parts of an old PC is the hard drive. Pull the internal hard drive out and make your own an external hard drive out of it.
• If you're going to sell your old PC, we have some helpful tips on how to sell it.

That's it. Performing some or all of these tips should help keep your Windows PC running smoothly for at least another year. If you have questions on any of these tips, let us know in the comments below.

 

According to The Economist, the average American consumes almost eight 40-foot trees per year in paper. Even if you're not environmentally minded, reducing the amount of paper you consume has many benefits, including saving money and reducing clutter. 

To help you get on the path to living a paperless lifestyle, here are six tips to consider:

Switch to paperless billing
If you're still getting paper bills in the mail, consider switching to paperless billing. Many companies, banks, and utilities offer paperless billing options. The bills will typically be in PDF format, which you access online. When the new bill is available, you'll usually get an e-mail or a text message alert. E-bills will save you from having to scan the bills yourself and shredding them.

Download PDF manuals
More and more companies are offering PDF manuals and user guides for everything from digital cameras, TVs, to furniture. If you save your manuals, find the PDF versions online, then recycle the paper ones. PDF manuals are much easier to find on your computer than trying to remember where you kept the paper manuals.

Scan your documents
Scan any paper documents that aren't available in electronic form and any old documents you've held on to. If you have a multifunction printer (all-in-one), put the scanner to good use. Many multifunction printers come with software that automatically converts your scans to PDF files. For large and frequent jobs, consider getting a multifunction printer with an automatic document feeder or a dedicated document scanner. You can also scan receipts and business cards on the go, with your smartphone.

Print to PDF
If you want to print something interesting on the Web, like this how to, save yourself some paper and ink by printing it to PDF. There are a lot of free PDF printer programs available and if you use Google Chrome, it has PDF printing built in.

Access PDFs from the cloud and on devices
Going paperless means having a lot of PDF files on your computer, but they don't all need to be locked away there. You might want to store some PDFs in the cloud, to make them more accessible. Cloud services like Dropbox, SkyDrive, and Box let you access your files from multiple devices, from almost anywhere. And if you've got a Kindle, you can always send your PDFs to your Kindle as well. As CNET's Stephen Shankland suggests, using Dropbox is a great way to view PDF files of subway maps and boarding passes.

Sign documents electronically
One of the annoyances of electronic documents is that sometimes, you actually have to print them. Documents that require signatures are one reason why. If you've got a smartphone or tablet, however, you can forgo this process by using apps designed to allow you to sign them with your finger or stylus.

Understand your home network settings

Home networking is almost everywhere these days, and most of us have had to learn the basics the hard way. Lost connections, hacked passwords, and interminable calls to customer support can all cause headaches, and while there's no foolproof way to avoid any of them, it's still true that knowledge is power. I'll cover the basics of networking and show you how to change your settings.
 
You and your router
Your router is a piece of hardware that takes the internet connection provided by your Internet service provider (ISP -- the company you pay every month) and splits it up, or "routes" it to different devices using wires or Wi-Fi. You'll need to access the router in order to tweak your network settings. There are far too many brands and models for me to try to explain them all in detail, but they do share quite a bit in common. Just remember that you may encounter slightly different terminology or tools; if you get lost, check with your router's manual, online help, or -- if you're really stuck -- customer service line. 

Presumably, you've already set up your router using the manufacturer's instructions and information provided by your ISP. You'll need to dig up those instructions and information, so if it's not available, check online or contact customer service for a refresh. Just tell them you're setting up your router and they'll tell you what you need to know. 

Most modern routers use Web-based administration tools, so fire up your favorite browser and direct it to the address that came with your router. (Two common addresses are 192.168.1.1 and 10.0.0.1, but yours may be different.) You'll need to supply a username and password; again, this should be supplied by the router's manufacturer, but if you can't find it or you changed it and then forgot it, you will need to reset the router to its factory settings, but you should really only do this if your network isn't running properly, as it will require you to run through the setup procedures all over again. 

Basic network settings
Once you've accessed your router, you can explore your options. You can access these settings in your router's menu typically by selecting Internet settings, Basic settings, or something similar.
Your IP (short for Internet protocol) address is kind of like a phone number -- it's a unique identifier. Some ISPs provide users with their IP address dynamically, and it can change from time to time as users disconnect and reconnect to the network. Other ISPs provide users with locked-in IP addresses; these should be entered when setting up your router and shouldn't change. The same is true for the subnet mask and gateway IP address, each of which are used to connect to your ISP. 

If your IP address is like your phone number, your DNS (domain name server) addresses are like phone books. ISPs usually provide you with two or three to enter as you set up your router, but there are now many other free DNS options -- see how to find out of one of these could work better for you here. 

The MAC address is a unique identification number attached to networking hardware, somewhat similar to a serial number. You shouldn't have to change this unless you get instructions from customer service to do so.

Security

There are two layers to home network security: Keeping unauthorized users from accessing your internet connection and protecting the machines connected to your network from outside intrusion. 

If your network is all wired, you should have no problem with unauthorized access to your connection (unless someone sneaks in and plants a cable while you're out, but this isn't a common problem). Wireless password protection is key to keeping wireless users from poaching access and potentially getting you in trouble with illegal activity. Your best bet is to use a long string of random characters, as most devices just require one-time entry for network passwords. You should also change it frequently, especially if you live in a dense neighborhood or suspect that a neighbor may be trying to crack your security. Changing it is simple; just select Wireless setup or Wi-Fi settings and change your password from there. If you've never changed it from when you first installed it, do so now. 

All open networks are vulnerable to intrusion, and yours is likely no different. Most routers come with built-in firewalls, which are barriers to outside access. You are almost certainly better off leaving your router's firewall settings alone, unless if you hear otherwise from a customer service representative from your ISP. 

Connecting computers and other devices
Of course, the router's main purpose is to connect your computers and other devices (like game systems, smartphones, tablets, and so on) to the Internet. Most use DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) to assign local IP addresses to the devices on the network, and this works pretty well for most uses.

Sometimes, though, it's better to have one device (like a networked printer or hard drive) use the same local IP address at all times. Different routers use different language to access this feature, but it's not so hard. Look for LAN settings, Local Network Settings, DHCP Settings or browse through your interface until you see DHCP or Address Reservation or something similar. If in doubt, check the manual or customer service before making changes. To add a permanent address to a device, you'll need to find that section in your interface, then select Add device or whatever your router says. This should bring up a list of devices connected to your router, and it may take some effort to figure out which one is the one you want. Computers are usually pretty straightforward, but your best bet is to check the network settings of the device to see what its MAC address or current IP address is, as that should be unique. Select that device, then add a permanent IP address and a nickname to help you remember it in the future. 

Those are the basics of home networking. Of course, there's much, much more you can do, but this should help with basic security and connection issues.

How to clean the inside of your computer

Heat is your computer's worst enemy. Over time, dust buildup inside your computer could undermine its cooling efficiency, resulting in shorter life spans for your computer's components. To help keep your computer running cool, clean the inside of your computer every 6 to 12 months. Here's how:

Step 1: Turn off your computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet or surge protector. 

Step 2: Open up your computer's case. 

Step 3: Using compressed air, dust the internal components of your computer with short bursts of air. Try to remain at least a few inches away from the surface of the motherboard, memory, processor, and expansion cards. 

Step 4: Remove the dust buildup on your case fans with a can of compressed air. Hold the fan with your finger to keep it from spinning while you're blowing the compressed air onto it. Fan blades can be delicate and may crack if spun too quickly. You can use rubbing alcohol and wipe the blades with a cotton swab for the finishing touches. If the fans are hard to reach or extremely dirty, feel free to remove them from the case for easier cleaning.

 

Step 5: Remove the dust buildup from the power supply using a can of compressed air. If your case has a dust filter underneath the power supply, be sure to clean the filter too. 

 

Step 6a: The heat sink and fan that's mounted on your processor should be cleaned as well. Again, with a can of compressed air and using short bursts, blow the dust away from the heat sink and fan. If the buildup is too heavy, you may need to remove the heat sink and fan from the processor to get it thoroughly cleaned. Just remember to clean the thermal grease off of the processor and the heat sink, then apply new thermal grease before reattaching the heat sink to the processor.

 

 

Step 6b: To remove the thermal grease, moisten a lint-free cloth with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol, then wipe away the thermal grease from the processor and the heat sink. Less concentrated alcohol will also work but may leave a residue that could reduce the efficiency of the thermal paste or grease. A commercially available thermal material remover, called ArctiClean, can be used instead of the isopropyl alcohol, and coffee filters can be used instead of a lint-free cloth. 

Step 7: Finally, dust off all the ports on the computer with compressed air and clean all the exterior vents with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. 

That's it. If you keep your computer on the ground or on carpet, try to remember to clean your computer every six months or so. If your computer sits on a desk, yearly intervals should be fine. An easy way to remember to clean your computer is to schedule a cleaning at the same time as when you get your teeth cleaned. You do go to the dentist, right?

How to clean and disinfect your keyboard and mouse

Studies have shown that computer keyboards can have more bacteria than toilet seats. Given that little tidbit of information, you might want to consider cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard more often, especially if you share your keyboard and mouse with others. Here's how:

Cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard

Cleaning
 
Step 1: Unplug your keyboard from your computer and remove any batteries. 

Step 2: Flip it upside down and give it a good couple of shakes.

Step 3: Blow some compressed air to remove crumbs, dust, and other fun stuff from between the keys. 

Step 4: If you happen to have a mini vacuum that's designed to clean keyboards, feel free to use it, but refrain from using a full-size vacuum; you might find your keys in the vacuum's dust bin. 

Step 5: Wipe the keyboard keys and palm rest with a lightly dampened lint-free cloth, like a microfiber cloth. 

Step 6: Using a dry microfiber cloth, remove any remaining moisture from your keyboard. 

Disinfecting
 
Step 1: Unplug your keyboard from your computer and remove any batteries. 

Step 2: Wipe your keyboard with disinfectant wipes. Make sure that the wipes aren't overly damp and that you squeeze out any excess liquid before wiping the keyboard. 

Step 3: Then immediately wipe your keyboard down with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth.

Step 4: Using a dry microfiber cloth, remove any remaining moisture from your keyboard. 

---

Cleaning and disinfecting your mouse

Cleaning
 
Step 1: Unplug your mouse from your computer and remove any batteries. 

Step 2: Use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth to wipe away grime or dirt. Be careful not to get moisture into any openings.

Step 3: Using a dry microfiber cloth, remove any remaining moisture from your mouse. 

Step 4: If there are loose particles stuck underneath the scroll wheel, turn the mouse upside down and roll the scroll wheel to help dislodge anything that may be stuck inside.

Disinfecting
 
Step 1: Unplug your mouse from your computer and remove any batteries. 

Step 2: Wipe your mouse with disinfectant wipes. Make sure that the wipes aren't overly damp and that you squeeze out any excess liquid before wiping the mouse. Take care to avoid getting moisture into any openings. 

Step 3: Then immediately wipe your mouse down with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth.

Step 4: Using a dry microfiber cloth, remove any remaining moisture from your mouse. 


The directions above apply to laptop keyboards and touch pads as well. Just remember to turn your laptop off, unplug the power cord, and remove the battery. You'll also want to be careful not to allow any excess moisture to enter any openings and never spray anything directly onto your keyboard, mouse, or laptop.
Oh, and just in case you're thinking about tossing your keyboard in the dishwasher, we don't recommend it. Putting it in the dishwasher or submerging it in water will likely short-circuit the wiring. We also don't recommend that you disassemble your keyboard to clean it. Most manufacturers discourage users from disassembling keyboards, including removing keys. Doing so will probably void your warranty.

Five creative projects for the avid photographer

 

With smartphones boasting excellent lenses and good point-and-shoot cameras becoming more affordable, photography has become a greater part of everyone's life. Just look at some of the most popular apps and Web sites, like Instagram, Flickr, and even Facebook Photos: they've exploded in activity as people discover a previously untapped passion for capturing moments and quickly sharing them with the world.

As a fellow everyday photographer, I scoured blogs, Pinterest, and (unashamedly) previous How To posts to dig up the tips, tricks, and tutorials that take this newfound passion for photography to greater heights.

Whether your smartphone is your primary lens, or you've adopted a dSLR that hardly leaves your side, this collection of tips can be enjoyed by just about anyone. 

1. Make huge prints inexpensively. Like a neighborhood Italian restaurant decorated with large canvas photos from the better days, your home can really get a lift from displaying large prints of family and friends. Most of us, however, will quickly dismiss this idea after a glimpse at the price of canvas prints. Sidestep this barrier with a simple tutorial from Jenny Komenda, who shows you how to make large canvas-style prints on the cheap. 

2. DIY Instagram photo strips. Insta-addicts will love this simple tutorial that will help you turn your carefully edited Instagram shots into vintage-style photo strips to display in your office, gift to friends, or use as a bookmark for your "old-school" books. 

3. Wood photo transfers. Photojojo, an awesome Web site packed with unique photography-related gadgets and novelty items, never fails with its DIY projects. This time around, the clever staff shows you how to transfer a photo to a wooden surface and create a one-of-a-kind piece of art where your photo takes center stage.

4. Your headphones as shutter release. iPhone users, did you know? Your headphones can double as a shutter release, allowing you to take supersteady shots from a distance. This isn't a project, per se, but will become a go-to technique for any avid iPhotographer. 
 

5. A simple, effective portrait setup. Gorgeous portrait shots often seem difficult to achieve. The immediate assumption is that the photographer must have used a high-end camera with an equally pricey lens. Sometimes that's the case, but in general, lighting and technique is more important than fancy equipment. Rachel Durik shows you her easy, DIY setup over at her photography blog, Savor Photography. 

13 useful VLC keyboard shortcuts

VLC media player.

If you're like me, you enjoy doing things faster. Using keyboard shortcuts can help you spend less time looking for buttons or menus, and more time enjoying music and videos. So take a moment to become a more efficient by reading over these VLC shortcuts:

Space: toggle pause/play
F: toggle full-screen (you can also use Esc to leave full-screen mode)
Z: change zoom mode
Ctrl + Up / Down: Adjust volume up/down (you can also use mouse scroll wheel for this)
M: toggle mute
T: display time remaining/elapsed
+ / -: play media faster/slower
S: stop play
Ctrl + H: toggle control display
E: watch video frame by frame
V: toggle subtitles
P: previous item in media que
N: next item in media que


Interested in trying something new with VLC? Check out How to privately stream video, and don't forget to grab the newest version of VLC from Download.com.

Share your computer screen the easy way with ScreenLeap

 

A lot of instant messaging or tech-help software includes a feature for sharing your screen with other people. Unfortunately, not everyone uses the same applications, which requires one or more parties to download something in order to see the shared computer screen. Instead of worrying about creating new accounts or downloading software, ScreenLeap offers a super easy way to share your screen to any device, or look at someone else's shared screen. 
Note: This service requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which most users will already have. If not, it's a free download that is useful for other sites besides this one -- so it's not a waste of time to grab it.

To share your own screen:

 

Step 1: Head to ScreenLeap.com and click the giant green button labeled Share your screen now!
Step 2: If the Java Runtime permission window pops up, click Run.

 

Step 3: Click the link, or code, to copy it to your clipboard and send it to the person you're sharing with.

ScreenLeap pop-up window options panel.

You will see a small window pop-up that says your screen is shared. You can adjust the sharing area by selecting Share inside rectangle from the drop-down box, pause the sharing, or stop it completely from this window. There's also a viewer count in the top right-hand corner.

This is how your screen will look when you choose the rectangle sharing method.

To view someone else's screen:

Step 1: Click Join a screen in the top right-hand corner of the Web site.
Step 2: Enter the code you were given by the person sharing their screen.

This is how the shared screen looks on a Samsung Galaxy Note.

Step 3: View their screen on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
So now the next time you have a relative with computer issues, or you need to share a presentation with a few co-workers, try ScreenLeap to save time on downloads and setup.

How to create a quote bank

Keeping track of the awesome quotes you come across can be a tedious process. You could write them down and try to keep track of where you wrote them; or you could start a Word document dedicated to being a quote bank. While both of these options are possible, they're not as useful as Quick Quote. This open-source app will allow you to input the quotes you love and easily search through them when it's time to use one.

Step 1: Download Quick Quote from Sourceforge and extract the RAR file to a convenient location.
Tip: You can place these files on a USB drive, which will allow you to use the app on any computer with a USB port.

 

Quick Quote has a fairly simple interface, focusing more on functionality than beauty. The search feature will allow you to look at quotes by their author, title, tags you added, and date. The split pane will show the content of the quote on the left and the title and author on the right.

 

Step 2: Click File and then New Quote. You can also press Ctrl+N.

 

Step 3: Enter all of the information for your quote. The name textbox is for the name of the work, or a name you want to assign to the quote. As for date, you can choose to use the date of the work the quote came from, or today's date if you're collecting quotes for a paper.

 

(Optional) Step 4: To find one of your quotes, simply put in the tag, title, author, or date. Results will appear in the right-hand pane; double-clicking on a result will display the quote on the left.
Tip: You can select and copy text from the area on the left to make using the quote easy.
If you ever need to remove a quote, you can search for it and then choose Delete Quote from the File menu. The app does allow you to edit quotes if you made a typo, but this can be a little buggy so it's better to just start fresh. 

How to privately stream video with VLC for Windows

VideoLAN (VLC) is an awesome media player that offers many features to its users for no cost. One of these features is the ability to stream videos across the same network. The steps are a little lengthy your first time through them, but are totally worth the time. So here's how to watch a synced video at home or work so everyone can enjoy it at the same time.
If you don't already have it, you can download VLC for free.

Setting up the server:

 

Step 1: Open VLC and then open the Media menu. Select Stream from the list of options.
Step 2: Click the Add button under the File tab. Browse to the file you'd like to stream. Note that if you wish to stream multiple files in a row, you'll first need to create a playlist file. If this is the case, you'll want to select that playlist here.

 

Step 3: Press the Stream button in the bottom right-hand corner of the window.
Step 4: In the new window that appears, click the Next button.

Steps 5 and 6.

Step 5: Open the drop-down menu that is labeled New destination. Select RTP / MPEG Transport Stream from the list and click Add.
Step 6: Now you'll have to enter the local IP address of the device you'd like to allow streaming to. The base port can be left at its default.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each computer that will need access to the stream.
Tip: If you want to watch the video on the computer you're streaming from, you will need to add it using the same directions provided in steps 5 and 6.

Steps 7 and 8.

Step 7: Uncheck the option labeled Active Transcoding under the Transcoding.
Step 8: Click on the Option label. If you're having trouble seeing this button, it's because it looks more like a heading for a new area than an actual button (a flaw in the VLC UI). Hint: It's near the bottom of the window.

 

Step 9: Under Miscellaneous Options, check the option labeled Stream all elementary streams and SAP announce. Enter a name for the stream in the text box next to SAP announce and click the Stream button in the bottom right-hand corner.

Setting up the client:

 

Step 1: Open VLC and click on the Show playlist button. If you don't see this button, you may be running an old copy of VLC.

 

Step 2: Expand the menu for Local Network and select Network streams (SAP) from the list.
Step 3: The stream you set up will appear in this list under the name given in step 9. Select it and hit play to begin streaming the video.


How do you stream videos at home or work? And what video player is your favorite?

How to build your own external hard drive

External hard drives are great for storing photos, music, videos, and backup files. Not only can they can be used with a PC, but also with media devices to add streaming storage, and with Wi-Fi routers as cheap NAS solutions.
Off-the-shelf external hard drives often contain mystery drives inside and the enclosures aren't meant to be reused. Building your own external hard drive can sometimes be a cheaper, more flexible solution. And if you already have an old internal hard drive lying around, you can turn it into a cool external drive, for as little as $10.

Choosing your internal hard drive

Internal interface
Modern hard drives have SATA interfaces and are easy to identify because they only have 7 pins. If you're buying a new drive, it'll be a SATA drive. If you're reusing an old drive, it's possible that it's a PATA (IDE) drive, with 40 pins. Most enclosures support one or the other, so it's important to know which internal interface your drive has.
Size, height, and capacity
3.5-inch drives are used in desktop computers, while 2.5-inch drives are normally used in laptops. 3.5-inch drives offer higher storage capacities than 2.5-inch drives, so if you want 2TB of storage, a desktop drive is your only choice. However 2.5-inch drives are a better pick for portable use. While most 2.5-inch drives are 9.5 mm in height, some are 12.5 mm. Note the size of your drive before deciding on an enclosure.
Rotational speed
7,200rpm and 5,400rpm hard drives are the most common rotational speeds for internal hard drives. 7,200rpm drives are faster than 5,400rpm drives, but they tend to run hotter and are less energy efficient than 5,400rpm drives. If you choose the faster, hotter drive, the enclosure's ability to keep the drive cool will be an important consideration.

Choosing your enclosure

Plastic vs. aluminum
Aluminum enclosures are more durable than plastic and inherently better at keeping drives cool. If you plan on running your external hard drive 24x7 or using a 7,200rpm drive, we suggest going with an aluminum enclosure. Plastic enclosures are generally cheaper than aluminum ones, but aren't as good at cooling. Occasionally, you can find a plastic one with a fan, but the drawback with fans is that they can get pretty loud, especially if they're sitting on top of your desk. On the other hand, if you're using a 5,400rpm laptop drive for portable use, a plastic enclosure is fine.
External interfaces
Choosing an external interface depends a lot on how you want to use your drive and how much you want to spend. A vast majority of enclosures are USB 2.0-only enclosures. Most media devices and routers only support USB drives. USB 2.0 is a good value choice and great for broad compatibility, but has the poorest performance among available interfaces.
USB 3.0 is currently the fastest available interface on enclosures and is backward-compatible with USB 2.0. The drawback with USB 3.0 is that it's not as common as USB 2.0, and Macs don't have USB 3.0 at all.
FireWire is more prevalent in Macs than PCs. FireWire 800 (EEE-1394b) is faster than USB 2.0, but slower than USB 3.0. For the best performance with a Mac, FireWire 800 is your best choice, unless someone releases an affordable ThunderBolt enclosure.
eSATA performance is better than FireWire and USB 2.0, but is the only interface that doesn't power the drive via cable; it requires a separate power adapter. eSATA drives have notorious connectivity problems as well. Unless you're dedicated to using this interface for some reason, we'd recommend against eSATA as your lone interface

Putting your external drive together

Putting an external drive together is fairly straightforward. You typically mount the internal drive onto the tray of the enclosure -- or sometimes the rear cap -- and then screw the enclosure shut.

 

That's it. After it's all put together, just plug it in to your computer and format it. 

How to make custom ringtones for your iPhone, Android, or Windows phone

Long ago, the only way to get custom ringtones on your phone was by purchasing them from your service provider. At about $1-2, this method is still an option today, but luckily, you can now create your own ringtones for free and load them onto your device.
With this do-it-yourself method, you'll be able to turn any piece of audio into a ringtone--any part of your favorite song (not just the chorus), or even audio from a YouTube video. 

In any case, make sure you have the audio files for the music you want to turn into ringtones. When you do, follow the instructions for the appropriate phone and desktop operating system.

iPhone

Mac
Mac users can easily create ringtones for their iPhone using GarageBand. The process is straightforward and results in sending your ringtone directly to iTunes. Once your ringtone is in iTunes, simply sync your iPhone, then go to Settings > Sounds on your device to set your new tone.

 Windows
Windows users should use Fried Cookie's Ringtone Maker, as it allows you to turn full-length song into a 30-second M4A file, which is Apple's proprietary file extension for iPhone ringtones.
Once you've created a ringtone, simply drag and drop it into your iTunes music library. iTunes will automatically add it to the Tones section, which you can find in the left sidebar.
Finally, sync your iPhone. Then, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds to set your new ringtone.
Alternatively, you can use the method shown in the video below to create ringtones directly from iTunes.

Android

Mac
To create an Android ringtone on your Mac, you'll use an MP3 you already own and cut it to a 30-second clip of your choice. Follow these instructions, but when you're ready to export the song, do not send it to iTunes. Instead, select Share > Export song to disk, and choose the MP3 format. Then, plug in your Android phone and mount it. Explore the drive and, if you don't have one already, create a folder and name it Ringtones. Finally, drag and drop your custom MP3 in to the new folder. Eject your Android phone and unplug it.
To set your new ringtone, head to Settings > Sound and select it from the list.
Windows
To create your ringtone in Windows, use Fried Cookie's Ringtone Maker. When you've created and saved your custom ringtone, connect your Android phone to your computer and mount it. Drag and drop your custom MP3 in to the new folder. Finally, eject your Android phone and unplug it.
To set your new ringtone, head to Settings > Sound and select it from the list.

Alternatively, you can create ringtones directly from your Android phone using an app like RingDroid.

Windows Phone

Mac
Naturally, the process will be a little complicated since Windows inherently doesn't play nicely with Mac. So, be a little patient with this one.To make your ringtone, you'll use an MP3 you already own and cut it to a 30-second clip of your choice. Follow these instructions, but when you're ready to export the song, do not send it to iTunes. Instead, select Share > Send song to iTunes.
Open iTunes. Find the ringtone you created, right-click it, and select "Get info." Then, in the Info tab, under Genre, type ringtone. Click OK.
If you don't have it already, install Windows Phone Connector for Mac. Launch it, then connect your phone to your Mac. Sync your phone (or just the song) and unplug it.
On your phone, go to Settings > Ringtones + sounds. Tap the ringtone list, and you'll see your new ringtone among the others.
Windows
To create your 30-second ringtone, use Fried Cookie's Ringtone Maker. Then, drag and drop the file in to the Zune software. In the Genre list, make sure ringtone is selected. If it doesn't appear, type it. Click OK.
Connect your Windows Phone to your computer and sync it. Unplug it, and (on your phone) go to Settings > Ringtones + sounds and select your new ringtone.

How to add Bluetooth streaming to any speaker

Bluetooth speakers are finally becoming more abundant, allowing you to wirelessly stream music from your phone or tablet. No docking stations, no auxilary cables. Ahh, freedom. 

Ready-to-go Bluetooth speakers are convenient, but what if you already own speakers that you know and love? With Logitech's adapter, you can add Bluetooth streaming to just about any speaker for just $40.
A plug-and-play solution, the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter acts as a bridge between your existing speakers and your Bluetooth-capable phone, tablet, or computer. Here's how it works:

As with any wireless streaming solution, there will be audio compression. Meaning, you'll see a slight degradation in sound quality. If that's a no-no for you, consider looking into Wi-Fi based streaming products, or if you're an Apple user, consider the Apple TV. Be warned though, these alternative solutions will set you back much more than $40.

Transfer Windows Phone photos to a Mac

The Nokia Lumia 900 phone features a camera with Carl Zeiss optics.

I have to believe there are at least a few Mac fans who also happen to own a Windows Phone. Even if I'm wrong, I suspect that anyone raised on the "think different" mantra will be curious to see what happens when a Mac and a Windows Phone (literally) hook up.
The frustrating answer is that nothing happens when you connect a Windows phone to a Mac. To transfer anything on or off your Windows phone using a Mac, you must first install Microsoft's Free Windows Phone 7 Connector app. 

Once installed, you'll have an iTunes-like interface for syncing content on and off your phone. Personally, I couldn't get my music or videos to sync to the phone with this tool, but I did have success importing images from the phone's picture folder onto my Mac.
Microsoft even allows a level of manual and custom control over how photos can be imported. Photos will be pulled into iPhoto by default, but you can designate a preferred program or opt to manually transfer images.
To see the process unfold, check out the embedded How To video, as well as the step-by-step gallery.

Get your Windows Phone photos on a Mac (photos)

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Update: A number of you have also pointed out Microsoft's free cloud storage service, Skydrive, as a solution for transferring photos back to a Mac. Because Windows Phone will automatically back up your pictures to Skydrive, you can later download them to any computer, Mac or PC.
Ideally, you should take advantage of both solutions. Linking your Windows phone to a Skydrive account for automatically storing your camera's photos and videos is an invaluable solution for backing up your media online in case your phone is lost or stolen. But when it comes to quickly transferring your phone's photos and videos to your Mac using a method that integrates directly with Apple's iPhoto software, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Connector software is my preferred tactic. 

iCam is the cheap, easy way to get remote video surveillance

 

Video surveillance, often associated with bank-robbing and 7-11s, isn't just for retailers. Thanks to dirt-cheap apps like iCam, anyone with a computer and smartphone can set up their own video surveillance with little effort and without breaking the bank.
When you're on vacation, traveling for work, or even want to set up baby monitoring, iCam provides the tools to turn your computer's Webcam (or an IP camera) into a surveillance camera that you can monitor remotely with your smartphone or tablet.
You'll spend $5 total, and get access to features like motion detection, multi-camera monitoring, audio streaming, and even pan-tilt control for select IP cameras (more on that below.)
To get started, watch the video guide or follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Set up iCam on your computer(s)
Head to http://skjm.com/icam/support.php and download iCamSource for Mac or PC. Once installed, start the program and select your Webcam from the drop-down list next to Video source. Then, create a secure username and password. Use one that you'll remember, but make sure it's secure so that no one, especially friends and family, can crack it.
Finally, click Start. If iCam asks, give it access through your firewall. Repeat this installation for every computer with a Webcam you want to use for surveillance.
If you want more cameras for surveillance without the bulk of a laptop or desktop computer, consider purchasing an IP Webcam (check out iCam's recommendations). These are standalone Webcams that can connect to Wi-Fi to stream to surveillance, and can be panned and tilted using your phone or tablet. Here are the setup instructions for using an IP camera with iCam.

Step 2: Install iCam on your Android or iOS device
With your cameras set up, you're ready to start remotely viewing the surveillance with your mobile device. To get started, get the app for Android (Play Store link) or iOS (App Store link).
When you launch the iCam app for the first time, it'll ask you if you'd like to receive push notifications when it detects motion. Enable or disable notifications based on your preferences. My advice is to begin by enabling motion notifications, only disabling them if you realize it's unnecessary or the pop-ups come too frequently

Then, log in with the username and password you chose in step 1, and you'll see surveillance cameras appear on screen.
Please note:

• In order for this setup to work, the computers you use as surveillance cameras must remain on and connected to the Internet.
• Since the stills iCam records when it detects motion are kept on the computer that sees them, you won't be able to access those images while you're away. To get around this, consider storing the stills in your Dropbox folder. Head to iCam on your Desktop, click on the "Motion detection" tab, and click Change under "Motion events folder."