Ok, I’m going to try out a bit of experiment on Christmas day inspired by the “Call for Help-a-thons” – post up any and all questions about setting up your new computer, protecting a PC from viruses/spyware before letting the kids online, iPods, converting videos, PSPs – anything you happen to need help with. I’ll check the messages and answer them and/or do a Skype/Gizmo/Instant message session. Most folks won’t be at their computers and online, but if you’re reading Makezine.com and need a hand with your tech, post up and let us know. Lastly, if you didn’t get MAKE for the holidays and want a free copy of MAKE (digital edition) read the comments…
25 thoughts on “Ask MAKE on Christmas day!”
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want a free copy of make sent to you via email? click here to add the MAKEbot to your buddy list then type subscribe latest 5 (or how ever many hours you want make news sent to you) then type comment your_email_here. but put your email address, that will send the makebot your email address and then we’ll send you make, that’s it! happy holidays!
d00d this is crazzor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you going to do a post tomorrow to capture questions, or did you want them posted here?
hey mathowie, post them all here, i’ll keep this post active.
wow, a ton of you used the makebot to get free copies of make! awesome, i’m glad this is working out!
I recently bought a Toshiba Tecra tablet PC.. I was wondering if there was any program or any way to turn this into a touch-screen universal remote via the IR port. Can the IR port be used for that? If not, sorry for my ignorance.
>>I recently bought a Toshiba Tecra tablet PC.. I was wondering if there was any program or any way to turn this into a touch-screen universal remote via the IR port. Can the IR port be used for that? If not, sorry for my ignorance.
wyrdabi, i am pretty sure that’s not “consumer IR” which is the type of IR usually needed for the range of a remote (more than 3 feet). you could likely use the current IR port as a remote, but before i dive in to that, is your tv more than 3 feet away?
if it is, that’s ok, you do have options, and i can go over them (usb and sound to ir hackery).
cheers,
pt
Yes, it’s probably outside the 3-foot range.
>>Yes, it’s probably outside the 3-foot range. Posted by: wyrdabi
ok, since it’s outside the 3 foot range, check out our past thread on all the usb IR solutions out there.
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2005/11/ir_control_from_usb.html
there are lots of links, hardware and software that will likely do exactly what you need. since usb is powered, i bet it wouldn’t impact the tablet too much.
let me know if this helps, or if you need more.
Hi. I have a 23 inch Mac Flat Panel Cinema Display. How Do I hook my old PC into the cinema display? It doesn’t have the standard Monitor connector. Is there a cheap converter?
Getting started with the Robosapien Dance Machine requires a Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter. Any thoughts on resources to design/build or purchase inexpensively? This one in the UK is $50, http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm. Happy Holidays!
>>Hi. I have a 23 inch Mac Flat Panel Cinema Display. How Do I hook my old PC into the cinema display? It doesn’t have the standard Monitor connector. Is there a cheap converter? Posted by: hatchetnyc
http://www.apple.com/displays/digital.html
you will want a dvi to vga – i think this one from amazon for $19 “should” work…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000952Y2/103-0617058-1079863?v=glance&n=172282
i would suggest going to the local computer/video store and buying a cable though…if it’s wrong, you can just exchange it.
>>Getting started with the Robosapien Dance Machine requires a Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter. Any thoughts on resources to design/build or purchase inexpensively? This one in the UK is $50, http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm. Happy Holidays!
i think usb-uirt is the best way to go if you plan on doing things with a computer.
besides that, here are some specs/software for a diy solution.
http://www.ee.washington.edu/circuit_archive/circuits/PCIR/Welcome.html
cheers,
pt
speaking of that apple cinema display, you’ll probably need a DVI to ADC converter, i’m pretty sure they sell them at the Apple Stores…
so far we sent out almost 100 copies of make wooo!!
How on Earth do you convert video for your iPod??? I’ve been working on it constantly for about two days but nothing i’ve found has worked for me. The short question is “How do you convert .avi to MP4 for free?”
>>How on Earth do you convert video for your iPod??? I’ve been working on it constantly for about two days but nothing i’ve found has worked for me. The short question is “How do you convert .avi to MP4 for free?” Posted by: makeisnumberone on December 25, 2005 at 11:46 AM
i’m going to guess you’re on a pc?
http://www.divx-digest.com/articles/article_avi2ipod_page1.html
if you’re on a mac try:
http://www.isquint.org/
cheers,
pt
what do you think the best DV Cam with a Hardrive is? For price/most useful.
Hey, I’m building a computer and I was wondering if you could look at the parts and tell me if you can see any reason they won’t all be compatible, I have an HDD, so no worries about that:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112205#DetailSpecs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813185067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811190003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16837102034
Don’t Hate on me for the part’s I’m on a VERY tight budget and these ARE the best for my price range :P
Also, no advice please, I know there are better parts or prices, but I really just want to see if anything seems incompatible, Thanks!
>>Hey, I’m building a computer and I was wondering if you could look at the parts and tell me if you can see any reason they won’t all be compatible, I have an HDD, so no worries about that: Don’t Hate on me for the part’s I’m on a VERY tight budget and these ARE the best for my price range :P Also, no advice please, I know there are better parts or prices, but I really just want to see if anything seems incompatible, Thanks!
>>Posted by: Redbluefire on December 25, 2005 at 08:06 PM
Redbluefire, at first glance this “looks” like it will all work. nice set up for the $ too.
>>what do you think the best DV Cam with a Hardrive is? For price/most useful.
>>Posted by: MacModder
right now, i really can’t suggest any of them, so far the jvc models have been the most reviewed ones (and the one i’ve tried)…so the pickins are slim.
the amazon reviews aren’t that great:
JVC Everio GZ-MG50 1.33 MP 30 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A140H8/
JVC Everio GZ-MG20 20 GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A13YDY/
i’d wait until ces/early 2006 until to really make any purchase decisions.
cheers,
pt
Are there any IFO converters for my new sony handycam? I’m trying to edit the videos but don’t have a video editing program that supports IFO files. Thanks for any help.
>>Are there any IFO converters for my new sony handycam? I’m trying to edit the videos but don’t have a video editing program that supports IFO files. Thanks for any help. Posted by: Undrln on December 26, 2005 at 01:33 PM
which sony handycam?
cheers,
pt
ok, thanks everyone for the support and questions (and all 100+) of you who messaged the MAKEbot for a free copy of make.
When can we get a forum for makezine? I would love it if we had a forum on this site, since I am sure many of the readers would love to help and get help in the forums.