Shrink your videos quickly and easily with HandBrake

2 July 2017 | Computers, Gizmos | 0 comments

Video is all the rage these days. Heck, even I started a YouTube channel!

Even if you’re not a “video author”, you still probably record videos of family, friends, important events, and so on.

The video files saved by most devices – including smartphones – is usually not optimal in terms of compression and especially in terms of file size.

Normally, editing and even just compressing/re-encoding videos is really complicated. Fortunately, there is a free piece of software that lets you shrink and optimize all your vids in just a few quick clicks.

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How to choose a good solar USB charger

31 May 2017 | Energy, Gizmos, Video | 0 comments

Solar USB chargers are all the rage these days.

The most popular models are small, and many have integrated lithium-ion batteries.

But just how good are these things? Will you be happy with a small one, or is it better to supersize it?

In short, get a big one! Smaller solar panels just don’t output enough current to make them really worth the price.

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The best LED headlamp out there

24 May 2017 | Gizmos, Video | 2 comments

If LED flashlights are great, LED headlamps are TOTALLY AWESOME!

In this video, I show a couple of cheaper headlamps of increasing price, and then I reveal my personal favorite.

Links below as usual.

Watch the video below!

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The best LED flashlights out there

17 May 2017 | Gizmos | 2 comments

I admit it: I’m obsessed with LED flashlights.

Fortunately, that means I’ve tried most of them, so these are my top 2 picks for the Big and Small categories.

I also reveal my custom-built Light Cannon, which should probably be in the “Ridiculously Huge/Bright” category…

Check out the video below!

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Safely power your electronic gizmos when traveling internationally

10 May 2017 | Gizmos, How Does it Work?, Video | 2 comments

Everything you need to know about powering various electric and electronic things when traveling internationally. Plug adapters, voltage ratings, transformers, and all that jazz made simple!

Note: My audio recorder ate the good sound 🙁  so I’m afraid we must make do with highly-processed Backup Audio this time. Always have a backup!

Anyhow, watch the video below.

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President Scottie’s State of Technology Address for 2017

27 March 2017 | Computers, Gizmos, Spare Me! | 1 comment

People ask me, “Scottie, what’s the deal with technology?”

And I say, I say to them: “Technology is gonna be big this year. It’s already big, but it’s gonna get bigger. So big! Technology is gonna be so big, you won’t fit into your house anymore. And it’s coming soon. It’s already here, but it’s coming more soon. BIG, so big.”

You may now attempt to discern if I’m making fun of Trump because I don’t like him, or because I DO like him. Naturally, it may surprise you to know that my answer is neither black nor white.

And that’s exactly the state of technology right now…

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Build your own stylish signal blocking smartphone box in ten minutes

10 March 2017 | Do-It-Yourself, Gizmos, How Does it Work? | 17 comments

New Version! See: A better Stylish Smartphone Faraday Box

With the release of WikiLeak’s “Year Zero” information on the CIA’s capabilities, you might be forgiven if you’re worried about your privacy.

Of course, those capabilities were always there, whether you knew about them or not.

Still, it’s a bit annoying to think that some bozo is remotely activating your smartphone’s mic to spy on your extremely dramatic dinnertime conversations.

You could buy some overly expensive “Faraday Bag” to stick your phone in when you’re not using it, but who wants an ugly black overpriced lunch bag?

Instead, just make your own Faraday Box. It’s stylish, it’s hip, and it only takes about 10 minutes to make!

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