BlogCadre - howto

Howto: Purchase TSA confiscated items

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:00:53 -0600

Ever wonder what happens to the confiscated items taken at airport security checkpoints? Apparently, TSA turns it over to state surplus property agencies, which will typically sell the items online or at retail stores. Here is a list of .gov's that offer confiscated items in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. [via Wired]

Howto: Make a Mac-O-Latern

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:18:06 -0500

Do you have an old Mac laying around and not sure whhat to do with it? Here is a Halloween inspired howto on turning your old Mac into a Mac-O-Latern.

Quick! Halloween is tomorrow so get a move on!

Howto: Make a pop-up photograph

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:10:31 -0500

Last holiday season I was trying to think of a way to create a pop-up card, but figured it would just more work than I actually wanted to deal with. I came across this howto on making pop-ups out of your very own photographs which seems easy enough. I just might give it a try.

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:55:20 -0500

My little family is addicted to root beer. I, personally, don't like ice cream in my drinks, however, I never pass up the opportunity for a frosty mug of 1919, IBC or A&W.

In case you are a root beer float fanatic, you might want to whip up a batch of root beer float cupcakes. I have no idea if these are good or not, but it's worth trying out. [via BoingBoing]

Howto: Make glowing tomatoes

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:42:04 -0500

Here is a simple howto on how to make your very own glowing tomatoes.

Howto: Using Furoshiki

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:39:11 -0500

Furoshiki is the Japanese technique of wrapping cloth used to transport clothes, gifts or other goods. Over at Japan's Ministry of the Environment website they have provided a complete howto on how to use the different wraps in furoshiki. [via digg]

Gingerbread Circuit Boards, technical snacks

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:45:13 -0500

Making circuitry snacks is a crafty way to design and learn about electronic circuits. Follow this howto, learn, design and enjoy a nice sweet snack at the end. [via digg]

Nuclear reactor secrets found in 70-year-old sealed letters

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:43:03 -0500

Instructions on how to build a nuclear reactor, kept safe by James Chadwick, discoverer of the neutron, were sealed in envelopes for over 70 years. Chadwick felt that the contents were "far too sensitive to publish at the time" and described as "cutting-edge science."

The envelopes contain the work of two French scientists, Hans Von Halban and Lew Kowarski, who worked in the Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge.

It reveals detailed experiments on nuclear fission, covering the components needed to make a nuclear reactor, how to create plutonium from uranium, and methods to stabilise nuclear chain reactions.

Dr Brian Cox, a particle physicist from Cern, said: "These papers describe what was cutting-edge science at the time.

"The sheer amount of knowledge that these papers contain amazes me - only eight years after Chadwick discovered that a neutron even existed, these scientists are already looking at how to use neutrons to bring about nuclear fission and energy.

Howto: Rip a phonebook in half with your bare hands

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:47:22 -0500

Here is a video howto on ripping a phonebook in half with your bare hands.

[via digg]

Howto: Skipping stones with Jim Henson

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:03:36 -0500

Here is a classic video clip howto from the Jim Henson play-along video Neat Stuff in which Jim Henson teaches PJ how to skip stones/ [via Neatorama]

Previously:
Classic Wilkins Coffee Jim Henson Ads, Sesame Street Memories: Yip-Yips skits, Classic Sesame Street, Ernie sings "Rubber Duckie"

Howto: Look good when recruiters google you

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:57:43 -0500

So how many times did you google yourself this month? Probably at least one or two times. I venture to guess you also googled old classmates or ex-loves. It's okay. We've all done it.

So, if you're googling him or her then who is googling YOU. Don't be surprised if a potential employer asks you about those risque Spring Break photos you posted on your Myspace account at your next interview because anything on the internet is everyone's business.

Don't be caught off-guard. Here is a howto on how to look good when your recruiter googles you.

[via digg]

LwL: St. Patrick's Day Edition

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:56:36 -0500

This Saturday, March 17, 2007 is St. Patrick's Day. Here are some St. Pattie's Day links to celebrate this fine occassion.

Orange County, FL residents, watch out for the speed trap in the area of University Boulevard and state Road 417. You can't miss it -- It's a "Deputy Leprachaun" equipped with a laser speed-detection gun and a sign which reads, "Watch your speed or it will cost you your pot of gold." [via Weird Daily]

I couldn't find a recipe for green beer so this green beer t-shirt over at ThinkGeek will have to do.

Want to know what parades and events are going on in your area? Check out this site. You may also want to read up on who St. Patrick is while you are there.

Need something green to settle your stomach after a weekend of celebrating? Here is a howto on making Mylanta mint chocolate chip ice cream. [via Make]

Happy St. Pattie's Day, Cadre!

[Photo of my niece, Siena. 2007]

Howto: The proper way to clean your coffee brewing contraptions

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:16:34 -0500

My hubbie is a coffee ADDICT. Every morning I fix him a fresh brew in our french press so he can be somewhat awake on his way to work. The french press brews some delicious coffee (so I hear -- I'm not a coffee drinker), but oh, how I hate to clean it every day.

Here is a howto on how to properly clean your french press. I've also added a howto on properly cleaning your coffee maker, which is another appliance I hate to clean.

Keep your makers clean because dirty appliances will effect the taste of your coffee.

Non-toxic home cleaning solutions

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:10:05 -0600

Eartheasy has a great guide to non-toxic cleaning solutions. With 8 non-toxic substitutions that can be used alone or in combination, you can clean your house without the harsh fumes and toxic chemicals.

The guide contains recipies for formulas that are problem-specific. Need a mixture to combat bathroom mold? You got it. Need a furniture polish? You got it. Everything you need is in this guide.

Get mixing!

Previously:
Homemade baby wipes, Is it still good?

How to properly clean your LCD screen

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:36:02 -0600

Learn how to properly clean your LCD screen without having to buy expensive LCD cleaning solutions. The only ingredients you will need to make your own cleaning solution are 70% Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.

The recipe is easy: Mix the Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water in equal parts (50/50) inside an empty Windex-like bottle. Do not use tap water! Doing so will leave white smears on your screen after cleaning it up because of the dissolved minerals inside the water. When finished mixing, just close the bottle using the "spray" adaptor that comes attached to it.

Next, you will need to find a soft piece of cotton or microfiber cloth to clean your display. Avoid paper tissues at all cost! Using those on your screen would be just like scrubbing sandpaper on it and may scratch it permanently. You wouldn't want to do that right?

Now that we have everything we need, start by turning off your screen. Dampen your piece of soft cloth with your cleaning mixture and then wipe the display gently from top to bottom. Never spray liquid directly onto the LCD. When you're done, wait a few minutes to let your screen dry, and then turn it back on. Voila, you're done! Your screen should now be sparkling clean.

Now you can safely clean off the sneeze juice off of your computer screens.

[via delicious]