Other Devices

How To: Transform Multiple Screens into One Big Virtual Display

The Junkyard Jumbotron is an amazing project that allows a collection of random web browser enabled displays—laptops, smartphones or tablets—to share a single image split across the group, creating one large virtual display. Created by Rick Borovoy at MIT's Center for Future Civic Media, the app is completely free and open, meaning you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. It works like this:

How To: Print 2-sided (duplex) w/ an Epson all-in-one printer

The Epson video describes how to print two-sided on one piece of paper. When document is ready, go to "File" and then "Print". Click the "Properties" button and select Page Layout tab and turn on the two-sided printing option. Click "OK" in print window. Wait for Epson printer to complete the first page. Take paper, flip over and put it back upside down in the paper feeder. There are instructions that will pop out on screen for this. Click resume and the second page will be printed on the bac...

How To: Use a multimeter and check for ground

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for proper ground with help from this quick video. Also shown, is how to use a Fluke probe to pierce wires to test voltage. You can uses these practices when installing car alarms, fog lights, car stereo, and accessories.

How To: Troubleshoot common problems with a CD player

CD players are largely a thing of the past, but their audio quality is still top-notch. If your old CD player is broken, watch this video for ideas on ways to troubleshoot common CD player problems and repair them.

How To: Clean a cassette player

Learn how to clean a cassette player. Cassette players may be outdated, but if you've still got tapes, you're going to want to keep them in good condition.

How To: Speed up a Logitech Harmony remote control

In this video tutorial, we learn a trick for speeding up a standard Logitech Harmony smart remote control. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-theatre how-to guide from the folks at CNET.

How To: Calculate compound interest using a TI-84 and solver

This is a video tutorial in the Electronics category where you are going to learn how to calculate compound interest using a TI-84 and solver. Press the apps button on the calculator and press enter to load the TVM Solver which is the 1st choice. Here the meaning of various notations are N is time, I% is the percentage, PV is present value, PMT is payment, FV is future value and C/Y is compounding period. The problem is find the compound amount and the interest earned on $12,903.45 compounded...

How To: Make a laser out of a lighter

Kipkay has a new cool project for you. In this video, you'll learn how to make a laser out of a lighter. All you need to do is a cheap butane lighter. Any one will do, including one bought from a convenience store. Just watch this how-to video, and you'll be playing with your laser pointer in no time at all!

How To: Hack someone's web cam or online security camera

This tutorial will let you hack into a wide selection of web cams and online security cameras. The hack is actually quite easy, and is best done with a browser like Mozilla Firefox. Navigate to Google in your browser, and then type in "inurl:viewerframe?mode+refresh". This piece of code will open up a list of active webcams. Then just surf through your choices and watch whatever you want. You can even change the camera angle and zoom in and out of the picture!

How To: Troubleshoot ink cartridge problems on the Brother MFC-240C

Replacing ink cartridges can be a pain, but a bigger pain is when they don't work correctly. Even after you put them in, some Brothers will still show that there is no ink, or that you're still low on ink. In this video you'll learn some of the various troubleshooting steps that you can take to discerning the problem and correcting it.

How To: Graph Mario on a TI-83 Calculator

When it comes to graphing and comparing functions, the TI-83 graphing calculator is the end-all device for math and science students. But one of the most entertaining aspects of Texas Instruments' powerful algebraic and trigonometric calculator is not the equations themselves, but rather the art that can be "equated" on them—just think of them as the mathematical equivalent of the Etch A Sketch.

How To: Use magnetic card readers and writers with your PC

Magnetic card readers can make e-transactions far simpler, especially for people who are running their own small business. You can also watch this video to learn about card writers, which can let you create your own magnetic cards (such as a membership card) to track your customers' activity.

How To: Use a TI-84 calculator as an MP3 Player!

With the help of a program called TItunes & standard earbuds (and adapter) we can listen to music played by a TI84! Mod you calculator to play music. This only works on a TI84, not a TI83.

How To: Use a multimeter to test common household appliances

If you're doing any sort of electrical work at home, a multimeter is an invaluable tool to have. But as invaluable as it is to have a volt/ohm meter, it is obviously even more invaluable still to know how to use one. And, with this electrician's how-to, you'll learn how to do just that. For more information, and to get started using and reading multimeters yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Build a personal weather machine

Plug this baby into your FiOS-powered computer and simulate the real-time climate of any location in the country -- rain, lightning, fog, sunshine.

News: Make your own Air Conditioner

Time to prepare for that upcoming insufferable summer heat. For real. This tutorial actually works.

How To: Make your laser pointer run on AAA batteries

This video shows us the method to make your laser pointer work with AAA batteries. Take a metal casing made of metal. In the video, we take a Duracell mini flashlight and remove the front and back part. Unscrew the top and back of the laser pointer and remove the batteries. Roll some aluminium foil and put it in the metal casing. Put the AAA batteries in the casing with positive side inside. Put the casing and the laser pointer together and the laser works. Bind the two together by two rubber...

How To: Load paper into a Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Dock

This interactive Kodak printer tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully load paper into a Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Dock. If you have a Kodak EasyShare digital camera, you probably have one of these G600 printers, and you've probably had a problem with it, or not, like a stuck printer cartridge, but lets not get into that. Just follow this tutorial to see the steps to load paper into your G600. Let Kodak teach you how. Load paper into a Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Dock.

How To: Strip your Casio fx-82MS calculator

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to take apart a Casio fx-82MS calculator. First, you'll need to get a screwdriver the take off the calculator's backplate. Make sure not to misplace those screws afterwards. You should be able to see the motherchip after taking off the plate, this is the next item you'll want to remove. These screws are extremely small so it might be best to use a knife to unscrew them. Lift the motherchip and take out the rubber key pad off. To put it bac...

How To: Set up and use the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player (NSZ-GT1 / Google TV)

If you've already gotten your hands on Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player, powered by Google TV, then you know how powerful this thing is. But if you're thinking of getting one soon, this video series will help you learn what you'll be getting yourself into.

How To: Make your own air conditioner with a fan and copper tubing

The heat can be oppressive, and air conditioning can be expensive. But you can build your own air conditioner for just $40, with a fan, styrofoam cooler and a length of quarter-inch copper tubing. Cool your home inexpensively with this mod!

How To: Repair headphones by soldering

Teaching the basics of soldering, you should be able to learn how to fix broken headphones. There should be two wires protected by a covering, one which is a silvery metal and an orange wire which is your copper wire. Taking the plate for your speakers, there should be two connections where the wires belong. Using your soldering material, melt some onto your soldering gun and apply it to the two sites of the connection on your speaker plate. Place your wires on the correct areas and carefully...

How To: Make a burning laser pointer that produces heat

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a burning laser pointer. Users will just need a regular 5Mw green laser pointer. Begin by unscrewing the top of the laser pointer and take out the batteries. Carefully with a pair of pliers, break the glue seal and remove the laser. Using a micro screwdriver, make sure that the screw on the laser is tight. Now using a soldering iron heat the 03 component shown in the video for a few seconds. Then assemble the laser back together. This video wi...

How To: Set a Rolex Day-Date President wristwatch

This video tutorial from Melrose Jewelers shows you how to set a Rolex Day-Date President wristwatch. Setting the Rolex Day-Date can be done with just a few simple steps. You will see how to set the day, the date, and time... just watch.

How To: Make a night vision device

Ever wish you could see in the dark? Well, you can't but this how-to will show you a way to build a device to help you out. You will need light polarizors, a flashlight, and a digital camera. Make an infrared night vision device, just follow along with the steps in this video tutorial. Now you can see at night!

How To: Make your own air conditioner

Step by step instructions on how to make an air conditioner using parts that cost less than $40.

How To: Create a radiation detector using a digital camera and a plastic scintillator

If you're interested in creating a dosimeter using simple tools, take a look at this video. Using a digital camera, a plastic scintillator, and some tape a radiation dosimeter can be crafted allowing for radiation information to be collected with simple materials.

News: Copycat Apple Stores Emerge in China (Don't Let Them Fool You!)

It's no secret that Apple has retail stores in China, along with a large amount of Premium and Authorized Resellers. But a recent post by blogger BirdAbroad has caused quite a commotion in the world of all things Apple, claiming that in her home city of Kunming, there is another breed of Apple Store locations... "Un"Authorized ones.

How To: Use a Scosche flipSYNC key fob USB cable

Need some help figuring out how to use a Schosche flipSYNC key fob USB cable? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using your own flipSYNC, take a look.

How To: Burn a video to DVD using DVD Flick and ImgBurn

In this Electronics video tutorial you will learn how to burn a video to DVD using DVD Flick and ImgBurn. Do a Google search for 'download DVD flick' and download the program from the first link in the search result and install it. Then go to Download and search for 'imgburn', download and install it. Now open up DVD Flick, click on 'add title' on the right side and drag and drop the video file you want to burn. Then you go to 'menu settings', select the menu you want and click 'accept'. Then...

How To: Skip commercials with your Comcast DVR remote control

In this tutorial, we learn how to skip commercials with your Comcast DVR remote control. First, press the cable button, then press and hold the set up button until the cable button blinks twice. Now, enter in "994" on your remote. After this, the cable button will blink twice again. Now, press the setup button again and type in "00173", then press a button you don't use a lot. Now, the cable button will blink again. Now, turn on a show you have recorded and it will just through the commercial...

How To: Build a homebrew antenna launcher

If you're looking for a creative and innovative way to build an antenna launcher from scratch, you have to watch this next video.

How To: Make a computer alarm clock using an RSS feed

In this how to video, you will learn how to make an RSS feed as an alarm clock. To do this, you can use the Microsoft speech program. Open the alarm batch file. Modify the Perl script so that it downloads the RSS feed from the Digg website. It will strip all the tags and html so only the text is left. From here, you run a script that converts the text to a wave file. From here, the alarm m3u will start. You can then run the command prompt to schedule the alarm time. Go to schedule tasks to ac...

How To: Make your own 6v battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV

You can make your own 6 volt battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV camera. The Vivitar 285 is known as the "cockroach" flash because it is well put together and it is very hard to kill the flash. Manual mode settings and the color setting are explained briefly. Instead of using four double A batteries to power this flash you can make your own 6V battery to power it. This is beneficial because the 6V battery will last longer and some of them have the ability to be charged up.

How To: UsUSB Plug 'n Play Instant Setup with Epson projectors

Epson printer setup is easy, let’s start by connecting the standard USB cable into the USB port in the back of your computer, the other end of the USB cable will go into the USB slot in the back of the projector. Simple as that your slides will start immediately! With the Epson plug n play projector you can use the page up page down keys in order to manage your slides which you cannot do with those other out dated connections.

How To: Begin circuit bending

Looking to get into the weird world of circuit bending? In this four part video tutorial geared towards beginners, learn in thirty minutes how to circuit bend. Tools you will need include a soddering iron with innerchangeable tips (thin pencil preferred), thin sodder, hook-up wire, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a drill with drill bits, plyers (needle nose included), and screw drivers of various small sizes. Other useful tools include cresent wrenches for toggle switches, jewelers files, & a...

How To: Connect a DirectTV set-top box or DVR to the Internet

Learn how to connect a DirectTV set-top box or DVR to the Internet. You'll see the simple steps on how to connect a Set Top Box or DVR to the Internet using the power outlets in your home with MegaPlug Powerline Adapters from Actiontec Electronics.

How To: Control AppleTV with your iPhone

All you need to remotely access your AppleTV library is your iPhone. Learn how to control Apple TV with your iPhone with this Howcast guide.

How To: Add a push button with Arduino to control an LED

See how to a a button with Arduino with MAKE Magazine! This is a video tutorial on a favorite little micro-controller, the Arduino. This is a really informal how-to, and is meant to show you just how fast and easy it is to work with the Arduino.

How To: Use a CRT oscilloscope

Wondering how to use an old-timey oscilloscope? Learn how with this video tutorial, which offers step-by-step instructions on setting up and adjusting an old cathode ray tube oscilloscope for the measurment of signals. For more information, or to get started using your own oscilloscope, take a look.