Everyone knows that using capslock goes against internet etiquette. Since you are no longer writing screaming emails, you can use that key for something more productive. Using a program called KeyTweak you can remap any of the functions on your keyboard.
KeyTweak can remap the functionality of any key. I suggest remapping Capslock to Return (Enter). Doing so will allow you to enter many words using only your left hand.
KeyTweak can be found here.
Important Notes
Whether you’re planning a heist or a shopping trip, a clean surface to jot down your thoughts is always useful. White boards are perfect for temporary notes and large boards can be used to present to an audience. The problem is large white boards can be expensive, sometimes running up to $150. However, using hardware store paneling, it is possible to attach a good size white board to a wall for under $15.
Paneling Section
Acquire Materials
Find the wood paneling section in your local hardware store and locate a nice flat whiteboard surface. The Lowes in my town stocks “Mark-R-Board” for just under $11.
Mirror Holders or Mirror Clips
Now ask a store employee to help you find “Mirror Holders” or “Mirror Clips”. These will secure the white board to the wall. I found that four clips were enough for me, but depending on the size of the board you purchase, more may be needed.
Measure, level, and attach the board to the wall
Find the height you want to use the board. Mark two (or more) points at this height in pencil on the wall. Consider whether you want to be standing to use your white board and how hard it is to reach the top of the board.
Make sure the bottom points are level and screw the plastic mirror hangers into the wall. Set the board in the space created by the hangers and attach two more to the wall at the top of the board.
Attached to the wall
Conclusion
The white board is ready. Buy a pack of markers, an eraser, and some cleaning solution and get to markering.
Huge Whiteboard!
Room for improvement
Unfortunately, this white board does not accomodate magnets, but it was amazingly easy to create at a fraction of what they usually cost. My white board is 48″ x 32″, but it is possible to make one much larger without much of a price bump. I found a 4′ x 8′ piece in the paneling section for $12. Just don’t forget to buy more mirror clips.
Click for larger image
The predecessor to YouTube, “Google Video” had links underneath each video to download. Unfortunately this practice has been left behind as YouTube became top dog for online video and we are all at the mercy of Google to catalog and archive videos for the future. However, if you want to download a video from YouTube, it’s pretty simple with the help of a website called File2HD.
File2HD looks at any website and pulls links for all attached content including images, applications, and videos. Just paste the YouTube link into the text box (the full link, not the “youtu.be” shortlink), select the “Movies” radio button and click “Get Files”. File2HD will populate a set of links for the videos. Right click the link that ends in “.mp4″ and select “Save target as…” The file should download in just a moment.
While smartphones are becoming Swiss Army Knives of productivity, many of us still have separate devices for specific tasks. Usually these devices sit on our desks taking up space and collecting dust. With the help of a shadow box from your local crafts store you can display these devices in style, while keeping them within arms reach.
Find the framing section of your local crafts store and look for a hinged shadow box. The hinge is important, since many display cases are closed with clips on the back like a picture frame.
You will also need a piece of black foam to line the bottom of the case. Make sure it is big enough to cover the entire bottom.
If your box came with a piece of paper inside, keep that to measure the size of the foam. Cut the foam to fit and place it inside.
The box pictured is unfinished wood. I plan to paint it black on the next dry day. If you paint your box, remember to cover the glass with painters tape. However, you can avoid painting altogether with a prefinished jewelry display case.
For a long time my 32″ flatscreen sat upon an old dresser which barely had enough room for my components (Xbox 360, PS2, Wii, etc.). My computer, to which my TV connected via HDMI, sat on a folding TV Tray Table positioned next to the dresser. This setup lasted for years because I could never find an adequate entertainment center in stores. Retail entertainment centers were either too small, had too few compartments, or were way out of my price range. That’s when I decided I needed to build my own.
Requirements
There’s no point in building your own furniture unless you customize it precisely to your needs. Here are the requirements I had:
-Deep enough to contain a standard size PC
-Shelves should be at least DVD case height
-Enough room for all components
-Sturdy construction
-Easily accessible backside for routing wires.
Click for larger image
Planning
I am not a master carpenter, so I came up with a plan to have my local hardware store do some of the work. At Lowes, you can get one cut for free when you purchase a board. Therefore I decided that this entertainment center would be two feet deep (satisfying the PC depth requirement). With a depth of two feet, I could buy 4′x8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood (~$25 ea.) and have them cut into 2′x8′ strips before even leaving the store. I have access to a circular saw at home so I can cut the lengths I need.
***Note: Always measure the room to be sure a piece of furniture will fit. I keep a tape measure in my desk and one in my car for all my projects. This entertainment center is 2′ deep, which is much deeper than most furniture pieces. It fits, but it’s closer to the door than I anticipated.***
I spent a solid hour in the hardware store deciding what to do about shelf hangers. I wanted to be able to remove the shelves, so initially I planned on using L-Brackets. These turned out to be very expensive. I decided that it would be cheaper and stronger to make rails out of some cheap wood.
Painting and Cutting
With my plans set and my materials gathered, I was nearly ready to begin construction. When I got home, I first painted each piece of wood on all sides. I would need to touch up parts later, but painting before is much more efficient than trying to get into little corners later.
I cut all the pieces to length: 4 pieces 30″ long for the vertical supports, 6 pieces 31″ long for shelves, and 12 rails 2′ long to support the shelves.
You can see my old setup in the background
Assembly
After all the preparation, putting the entertainment center together was no more difficult than an IKEA furniture set. I screwed the vertical pieces from the top and bottom, attached the rails at appropriate levels, and inserted the shelves. Done! Except.. something’s missing..
Updated plans with feet (click for larger)
Foot
Feet
I forgot to include feet in my plans. The unit looked silly without them, so I found a scrap 2″x4″ in the shed and cut it into 8 x 5″ pieces (two for every vertical piece) and painted them black. I screwed these in downward through the bottom board.
Screw holes are visible, but it's not a big deal
Room for Improvement
***I find that drywall screws are pretty much good for everything, but you can use whatever makes you comfortable.***
Conclusion
This was my first start-to-finish carpentry project using (mostly) new materials. It’s true that I could have purchased something that might look better from a store, but this entertainment center was designed especially for my needs. If you want something similar, I highly recommend designing your own furniture. There’s nothing quite like making something and getting exactly what you want.