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File Management

April 5th, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Tools to sort, rename, and organize your files...


     Seems like the operating system would be best for managing your files, but this isn't always the case.  Several times, I'd want to rename a whole batch of files, or maybe I'd want to fix the creation times of my pictures.  As usual, the free stuff is always best - there's no reason to buy bloated software for essential needs as these.  Below are the best I've found.  Feel free to suggest more.

Programs and Tools

Last Updated May 24th, 2012 | 1009 unique view(s)

Fixing a Mac White Screen or Not Booting

May 21st, 2012 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Failure to Boot on a Mac, White Screen of Death...


Had a few friends who have run into a white screen on bootup for their Macs after dropping it or having a power failure.  Rather than have to send in for repair (time + money), a much easier fix is detailed at The Pabster's Notebook.
The basic idea is that the Hard Drive boot sector got corrupted, but the Mac continues to try to boot from it.  The system disc doesn't help because the OS doesn't try to boot from anything else unless the hard drive is first disconnected.
Once that...[More]
Last Updated May 22nd, 2012 | 1319 unique view(s)

Free Fax Online

September 14th, 2018 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Save you the trouble of buying a fax machine or paying for a service.
https://faxzero.com/
413 unique view(s)

FTP Tutorial

September 28th, 2006 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

A guide and tutorial to using an FTP for Windows

 Several people who I lend webspace to have had trouble using the FTP connection. Therefore, I've written a hopefully easy-to-understand tutorial and guide to using the FTP. Different hosts/servers may vary, but it is generally about the same. Just change the address to whatever your ftp would be. Using the FTP is simple.


1) First open your windows explorer browser (open a folder such as My Computer or My Documents) and enter your address. 


[More]
Last Updated Oct 26th, 2015 | 766 unique view(s)

Gmail Constant Password Change

January 1st, 2022 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Lately Gmail keeps asking me to change my password because it thinks my login patterns are suspicious.  I've probably changed my password 10 times now, and the worst part is I can't re-use old ones, making it harder to remember my login. 

The workaround it seems is to actually ignore the change password request if you get it and clear cookies in your browser based on the support thread here:
https://support.google.com/accounts/thread/73279572/my-gmail-account-kept-asking-me-to-change-my-password-every-time?hl=en
259 unique view(s)

Google Groups as a Mailing List

January 13th, 2024 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Seems there's not much competition driving down prices for mailing lists! A list w/ 200k ppl on Mailchimp or Constant Contact costs like $2000/mth. Made one for Waterflame on Google Groups instead, which is free w/ G-Suites. Will see if it hits any limits!

Waterflame's new mailing list :O
https://groups.google.com/a/waterflame.com/g/list/about

To create your...[More]
252 unique view(s)

Google Hangouts Timeout Extension

March 22nd, 2014 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Useful plugin for preventing Google Hangouts from timing you out if you're not there to check in every hour or so.

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/131680
1234 unique view(s)

Google Maps Missing Starred Places

July 21st, 2019 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
For those also running into issues with starred places on Mobile not showing on desktop:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/97inxv/saved_places_stars_not_showing_up_on_desktop_when/

Basically the saved place is not being saved correctly with proper date.  To fix, you need to go to Bookmarks and resave each that has a Nan date.
433 unique view(s)

Image Resources

July 1st, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Resources and tools for creating images, video, and more...

     Below are some useful sites to look at if you make any visual form of multimedia.  Usually, I will try to list only free sources rather than those that require a subscription.

Interesting Photoshop Tutorials

Recreating the Dreamworks Logo with Clouds and Sky - Some of the image links are broken, but the instructions are still there and the end product is fantastic.
Ring...[More]
Last Updated Aug 17th, 2010 | 1093 unique view(s)

Instrument Tutorials

May 26th, 2010 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Tutorials for playing various instruments...


Dizi - Chinese side-blown flute.
Musical Saw - An actual saw used as an instrument.  Sounds like a ghostly synth.  More information also in this PDF by sawplayers.org
Last Updated Jun 3rd, 2012 | 974 unique view(s)

Jobs and Networking

May 18th, 2015 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Besides Facebook...

Below are resources mainly and sites worth checking out for building up portfolios and projects... more for artists and people trying to start their own companies as opposed to just casual social sites.



General...[More]

Last Updated Jul 26th, 2015 | 1406 unique view(s)

Loudness Penalty Tricks

July 27th, 2022 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
More for my own notes for reducing loudness penalty of music but some of these took forever to figure out - maybe helps some others out as well.
- Loudness penalty is based on the average loudness of the track.  So yes, having quiet parts reduces your average and boosts the overall loudness.  However, things that are too quiet (like actual silence) are automatically ignored and not counted toward the average.
- Stereo widening instantly worsens your loudness penalty even if it's perceptively the same volume.  Conversely stereo merging instantly improves your loudness by 1-2db.  This one took me so long to realize - I was EQing a track to death only to realize it was because of how far left and right I had things panned.  Similarly drums tend to be stereo merged in the lower frequencies for commercially produced tracks, and this is probably why.  Vocals and lead synths/instruments tend to be entirely mono to begin with, which probably is this same thing.
-...[More]
Last Updated Aug 24th, 2022 | 296 unique view(s)

Modeling Resources

August 12th, 2015 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Tutorials and other resources for 3D modeling, 3D printing, etc


3D Modeling and Printing for Beginners - Starting point for myself coming from familiarity with Photoshop and Illustrator.
1435 unique view(s)

Music and Sound Editing

August 10th, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Free tools and programs to edit audio and mp3 files.  Resources and tips to read on.

     Of course, the best programs would have to cost money, but for those of us with somewhat of a budget, these are some of the programs I've found most useful.  Further down are also resources I found useful for advice on how to better edit sounds or music pieces.

My own tips for loudness penalty: https://www.pftq.com/blabberbox/?page=Loudness_Penalty_Tricks

General...[More]

Last Updated Jan 25th, 2023 | 1037 unique view(s)

One Equals 0.99999...

April 29th, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Confusing math…
  I came across this a few times. They say once you go into Calculus, it’s understandable, but me having not gone that far, find this pretty strange…
x = 0.99999…
10x = 9.99999…
10x-x = 9.99999……[More]

840 unique view(s)

One Equals Zero

September 26th, 2006 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Proving 1=0, 2=1, and so on…
  Here is a pretty tricky proof that I’ve come across several times. It basically proves that a+b=a, which would mean that 1+0=0, 1=0, 2=1, and so on.

  I know very well how to prove this wrong, but do you? :P
a = b
ab = b²
ab…[More]

1958 unique view(s)

Origami Folding

March 29th, 2009 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
     I used to fold a lot of origami when I was littler.  Don't remember as many anymore, but once in a while I try to relearn a few.  Below are some bookmarks I keep of some nice ones to remember (or reference if you don't remember).  Usually I care only for those that require no cutting or additional accessories (just the paper and folding).  Kind of defeats the purpose otherwise - at least to me.
     If you know any other nice tutorials, do add.  I'm always wanting to learn more - and perhaps figure out a few that I used to know how to make but forgot lately. Sad
Materials:...[More]
Last Updated Mar 20th, 2014 | 1155 unique view(s)

PDF Creator Borderless Word Doc

February 6th, 2010 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
  I recently ran into an issue where PDF Creator was cutting off the top of my documents that were too close to the edge.  It's strange because the sides and bottom of the pages were okay, so it didn't seem like a border-issue (and PDF Creator isn't a real printer anyways).

   To fix it, go to Print Options for Microsoft Word and make sure <strong>"A4/Letter Resizing" is turned off</strong>.

I am guessing if you set the correct paper size in PDF Creator's options, this would fix it as well.  Usually however, I just print straight to PDF without changing any settings, so this is the preferred method for me.
Last Updated Jan 3rd, 2011 | 1397 unique view(s)

Preventing Myopia

July 16th, 2007 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #
Can glasses worsen nearsightedness and Myopia?

Quote
** Update 2019: I have pretty much confirmed, at least for myself, that getting stronger glasses each year was the cause of my myopia.  I stopped going to eye exams and getting stronger glasses since 7th grade, which is over 15 years ago now.  I also made deliberate effort to never wear my glasses except when needed to read far.  During that time, I only went back once at the end of college to replace broken glasses, and that prescription ended up being pretty much the same as eight years prior.  Another seven years later, today, after going back to replace broken glasses, my prescription still ended up being close to what it was over a decade ago.  

My eyes went from 0 to -5.00 diopters from 4th to 7th grade in a matter of 3 years, during which doctors gave me stronger glasses every year.  Eight years later after avoiding eye doctors for so long, my replacement glasses ended up still only -5.25 diopters.  Now, my newest prescription 7 years after that is -6.00 diopters, of which I currently have to practically argue with the eye doctor not to prescribe the full amount and restart the worsening cycle.  It's a bit too much a coincidence to think it had nothing to do with when I stopped upping the prescription every year.
...[More]
Last Updated Dec 21st, 2019 | 1803 unique view(s)

Printing Online

January 14th, 2012 | Posted by pftq in 42 | #

Printing postcards, posters, buttons, bags, t-shirts, cups, etc, etc


     Just my reference on what I've gone with over the years.  Not necessarily the cheapest or the best quality but what best suites what I needed (maybe cheapest for that particular item or whatnot).
Postcards
GotPrint.net...[More]
Last Updated Jan 15th, 2012 | 1090 unique view(s)