!marty finestone's activitybook » tips http://www.activitybook.org pursuing fun, creativity and good thinking with a vengeance Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:30:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 how to install a programmable thermostat http://www.activitybook.org/2009/11/10/how-to-install-a-programmable-thermostat/ http://www.activitybook.org/2009/11/10/how-to-install-a-programmable-thermostat/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:31:56 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/?p=1168 This how-to from About.com on installing a programmble thermostat seems like it will do the trick. I have not tried to follow these directions, so you are on your own. No vouching from me kiddos.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2009/11/10/how-to-install-a-programmable-thermostat/feed/ 0 british royal family etiquette http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/24/british-royal-family-etiquette/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/24/british-royal-family-etiquette/#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:21:08 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/24/british-royal-family-etiquette/ Have you ever been curious about the prescribed etiquette for meeting and communicating with members of the British Royal Family? The British Monarchy’s website will advise you how.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/24/british-royal-family-etiquette/feed/ 0 how to ship a tiger to canada http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/13/how-to-ship-a-tiger-to-canada/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/13/how-to-ship-a-tiger-to-canada/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:04:06 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/13/how-to-ship-a-tiger-to-canada/ File this one away for future reference, here is how to ship a tiger to Canada. Seriously? That’s for you to decide ;)

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/13/how-to-ship-a-tiger-to-canada/feed/ 0 idea: make a shoulder strap for a tripod http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/05/idea-make-a-shoulder-strap-for-a-tripod/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/05/idea-make-a-shoulder-strap-for-a-tripod/#comments Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:01:38 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/05/idea-make-a-shoulder-strap-for-a-tripod/ Here is a simple and clever how to that I found on Instructables – how to make your own shoulder strap for a tripod.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/03/05/idea-make-a-shoulder-strap-for-a-tripod/feed/ 0 paper saving tip: cut back on your bank statements http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/16/paper-saving-tip-cut-back-on-your-bank-statements/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/16/paper-saving-tip-cut-back-on-your-bank-statements/#comments Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:46:03 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/16/paper-saving-tip-cut-back-on-your-bank-statements/ Here is a simple thing that you can do to reduce paper usage in your everyday: reduce the frequency of receiving your bank statements by paper or simply stop them all together and go electronic.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/16/paper-saving-tip-cut-back-on-your-bank-statements/feed/ 0 need something to say today? try this site http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/14/need-something-to-say-today-try-this-site/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/14/need-something-to-say-today-try-this-site/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:38:59 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/14/need-something-to-say-today-try-this-site/ Quick, say something nice (the website) is a handy resource if you are drawing a blank and don’t have anything to say to your Sweet Baboo on Valentine’s Day or any other day that you need to say something nice to someone.

Via Pop Candy

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/14/need-something-to-say-today-try-this-site/feed/ 0 watch out for that pdf http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/13/watch-out-for-that-pdf/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/13/watch-out-for-that-pdf/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:28:35 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/13/watch-out-for-that-pdf/ Even though Adobe has recently released a security patch for Reader and its Acrobat products, PDF files are still susceptible to some nasty trojan horse virusing (I know that ‘virusing’ is not a proper word).

    In this case, hackers use malicious banner ads as a host for an infected PDF. The PDF then installs the Zonebac Trojan, which sets to work deactivating antivirus products, modifying search results, and changing banner ads.

    Adobe’s 8.12 update supposedly plugs the loopholes that the Zonebac delivery system exploited, but the company has declined to give any information on what, exactly, the update changed. The lack of information is disappointing (though not surprising), but Adobe’s failure to address the issue in a timely manner raises questions about the firm’s commitment to security. An 18-day gap between the appearance of a verified exploit and the release of a patch isn’t exactly impressive, and this particular issue had been on Adobe’s radar for months. iDefense Labs first reported the existence of this particular buffer overflow vulnerability in early October 2007.

    The attack has raised some questions regarding the security of the PDF standard

via arstechnica

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/13/watch-out-for-that-pdf/feed/ 0 hide that ipod in a walkman http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/11/hide-that-ipod-in-a-walkman/ http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/11/hide-that-ipod-in-a-walkman/#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:13:03 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/11/hide-that-ipod-in-a-walkman/ walkpod

What a clever idea – use an old walkman to camouflage and protect your ipod.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2008/02/11/hide-that-ipod-in-a-walkman/feed/ 1 what to do with plastic container lids http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/26/what-to-do-with-plastic-container-lids/ http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/26/what-to-do-with-plastic-container-lids/#comments Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:24:11 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/26/what-to-do-with-plastic-container-lids/ Found this on Curbly, a list of alternative uses for plastic container lids. While some do not seem so practical (not sure I get the garbage bag one), the list does have some uses. Chief among them the non-stick pan scrapers.

    # Sink stoppers: placing a plastic lid over a drain will create a vacuum and keep the water in your sink or tub.
    # Kid coasters: let the tykes monogram plastic lids to keep their glasses from getting mixed up and from sweating all over the table tops.
    # Cupboard and refrigerator drip pans: shove one under your pepper mill to catch the excess pepper that sifts out the bottom. Ditto for honey containers and all those other drippy things in the fridge.
    # Plant coasters: not only will they catch leaks, they’ll prevent rings on your furniture.
    # Non-stick pan scrapers: they’ll remove the yuck without damaging your pan’s surface.
    # Hamburger separators: slip lids between shaped patties before you freeze them, and then when it’s time to thaw them, they’ll be easy to separate.

Read on to see 6 more.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/26/what-to-do-with-plastic-container-lids/feed/ 0 how to make a gift box out of a cereal box http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/14/how-to-make-a-gift-box-out-of-a-cereal-box/ http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/14/how-to-make-a-gift-box-out-of-a-cereal-box/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:17:46 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/14/how-to-make-a-gift-box-out-of-a-cereal-box/ Funky DIY tip over on Curbly. Follow these instructions to transform a cereal box into a snazzy gift box.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2007/12/14/how-to-make-a-gift-box-out-of-a-cereal-box/feed/ 0 hiding spot ideas http://www.activitybook.org/2007/10/23/200-hiding-spots/ http://www.activitybook.org/2007/10/23/200-hiding-spots/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:13:29 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2007/10/23/200-hiding-spots/ Have an urge to hide? Follow this link to peruse a list of top hiding places.

]]> http://www.activitybook.org/2007/10/23/200-hiding-spots/feed/ 0 bruce springsteen and the e-street band free download http://www.activitybook.org/2007/08/29/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-band-free-download/ http://www.activitybook.org/2007/08/29/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-band-free-download/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:47:09 +0000 Marty Finestone http://www.activitybook.org/2007/08/29/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-band-free-download/ The Guardian has a free mp3 download of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band’s new single ‘Radio Nowhere’. You can see the blurb about the free download here, or just download it here (use the old right-click save target/save-as). Evidently this is a limited time offer that is good for one week starting yesterday (the 28th). You can also get the song for free this week from itunes.

If you do download the song, give it a listen and let me know what you think. For me the song is good, but not great, especially as a lead off single for an album. It has a classic Springsteen and E-Street Band sound, but does not hit me like a rockin’ track. To me, it’s more of an album track. Although, Clarence Clemons sax playing while brief is delicious.

‘Radio Nowhere’ is the first single from the upcoming album ‘Magic’, which is to be released on October 15.

    ‘Magic’ Song Titles:
    1. Radio Nowhere
    2. You’ll Be Comin’ Down
    3. Livin’ in the Future
    4. Your Own Worst Enemy
    5. Gypsy Biker
    6. Girls in Their Summer Clothes
    7. I’ll Work for Your Love
    8. Magic
    9. Last to Die
    10. Long Walk Home
    11. Devil’s Arcade

    ‘Magic’ is the first new studio album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 2002’s GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum, number one album ‘The Rising’ (Columbia Records), which was also produced by O’Brien.

    Bruce Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau said, “‘Magic’ is a high energy rock CD. It’s light on its feet, incredibly well played by Bruce and the members of the E Street Band, and, as always, has plenty to say. It’s also immensely entertaining. ‘Magic’ is the third collaboration between Bruce and Brendan O’Brien and is a culmination of their very productive creative relationship.”

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