Gallery
Well I finally updated my gallery website. It’s just there so people can get in, see my photos, and get out. I had some shots that I needed to put up and the site hasn’t been updated sine new years. So go check it out:
Things I’ve learned recently
This isn’t really a list, just an update of what’s been going on around here. Summer started for myself about two weeks ago and it’s beginning to get really boring. All I have is work, which is part time so I have half a week to do nothing. I don’t have to study for class or do research papers and all that fun stuff. Just sit at home. Also, since it’s part time I have little cash for driving around to places.
So let’s see what I’ve learned recently. My monitor is crap. Well, it’s actually quite pretty and looks good on my desk, but I found out it’s not a true 8-bit monitor. It uses dithering and I can see color banding as proof. The horrid viewing angle doesn’t help with the white point or exposure when I’m editing photos. I wish I knew this when I bought this thing. I guess it’s time for an upgrade eventually.
Summer class at my college is $271 for one class. It’s a very important class and I need it. It’s a community college so it’s cheap. Yet for someone working at a community college and attending it, this becomes a burden. I haven’t really grasped the concept of saving money for long periods of time. I’ll get the hang of it eventually. That’s what college is for, right?
Video games don’t seem to be very exciting. I guess the feeling of being so bored and lazy, I get mad at myself for just doing what I always do and stop playing. I have this super awesome PSP with super awesome games, but I don’t play them. I also have this super awesome copy of UT3 and I hardly play that too. I need to get out. like go bowling or to the park, but I’m lazy. I hope to fix that this summer.
I can live without a phone. Well, for a few days at least. It didn’t seem to bother me that much during the time I had to wait for a replacement. I just learned I relied on it heavily. I even have habits such as adjusting it in my pocket, or … well, they’re there. Maybe I can go a week without one.
Just yesterday I also learned that Macy’s has a vending machine. It’s super awesome and helped me get my sister a much needed graduation gift. Ok, I just really wanted to try it out and it was a good excuse. It an iPod veding machine and has goodies, such as iPods, Canon cameras, Samsung still and video cameras, headphones of all types, docks, speakers, and this neat media glasses viewer thingy.
Fresh air is really refreshing. Lastly, I learned that I need fresh air. Sitting at my computer doesn’t seem to help my boredom situation. The few times I go outside, the air is fresh and cool despite it being almost 100 degrees out. So I plan to get a lot more this summer. Much much more.
Custom ring tones on Helio Heat
Those of you who have the nifty Helio Heat device will come to figure out there is no possible way to download ring tones from other websites. Helio only limits its users to get them from their website. Their song choice is alright but is not extensive at all. For myself, I wanted the radio mix that is heard on Portal and a few other songs I have that no one has probably heard of.
So, let’s get to it. Here is a list of things you will need to get this to work:
- Audacity. This is a neat audio editor that is free to use. Get it here.
- Media Convert. This website will be needed to convert our media files.
- A linux live CD. This can be any live cd that supports USB. If you have Ubuntu around you can use that. Get that working and move on. They have forums and stuff for getting live CD’s to work so don’t give up.
- Ring tone files. I have already downloaded a ring tone you can use so you don’t have to buy one. This one is by Muse.
First you need to find the music you want as a ring tone. Open Audacity and open the sound of your choice. Use Audacity to select about 30 seconds that you want as your ring tone.
Export as mp3. Use any name you want. It doesn’t matter because we’ll be changing it.
Next, go the Media-Convert and convert the song to a 3gp file. This shouldn’t take that long. Once you’re done, copy the 3gp file along with the zip I gave you onto a flash drive.
Now you need to boot up the live CD. Just restart your comp and boot from the CD. Use Google to help you out if you get stuck. Once it’s ready, set your Heat in USB disk mode and plug it in. This is under the “User Memory” option in the “Plan” menu. This will mount two disks in Linux. The first is the standard mass storage that you would normally see in Windows. The second is part of the file system. This is what we need.
Browse to media>vod>lb. We’ll use the lb folder and the inf folder which is inside the lb folder. If you have downloaded any ringtones you will see them here.
Open your flash drive and copy the files to the desktop. Inside the zip file there is an inf file. Copy the inf into the inf folder. Get the 3gp song you made and copy it into the lb folder. Now rename the 3gp file to the same exact number of the inf file. Then change the extension to skm. Here is a graphic to show you what I mean. Don’t worry, this is the last part.
After you get the files in correctly and matching numbers (they can be any numbers as long as they match), just disconnect through your phone’s menu. Go to rings and find your song. The name will be different but the sound will be your song. Do this to as many songs as you want. Just make sure you use different numbers for every song. Good luck!
Extra:
Inside the zip file is also a skm file which is the Muse ringtone. You can copy this over to the phone in the lb directory along with the inf in the inf folder for that ringtone.
Make sure not to delete/move/rename anything inside the system folders. This may damage the phone. I don’t know myself, but I advise you don’t. If you browse around you can also find your photos taken with your phone and copy them to your flash drive.
Today is a hot day
Sure is hot outside. It’s about in the 90’s right now. I’m trying to save gas so I don’t use my AC. Hopefully I don’t need to go out that much during that day.
For anyone out there, I figured out a way to get custom ringtones on the Helio Heat. I’ll be posting a write up in the next day. It’s not that hard and it’s even free. So stay tuned.
Recovered my much needed sunglasses from Bennigan’s today. I accidentally left them at the table a few days ago. An employee ended up taking them home thinking they were his. I should definitely get another pair.
Which reminds me. I need to get a kit lens for my d40. Since it has a small diameter I can find a cheap polarizer filter for it. Summer seems to be coming along well and photos are definitely going to be taken.
Enjoy your weekend!
Helio, my phone service
This is my phone. I ended up breaking it. It was pretty bad. It snapped in two and stuff. Long story and I won’t go there. Anyway, Helio rocks. I submitted my insurance claim and got it approved the same day. The replacement phone shipped out Tuesday because of Memorial day but it got here fast. So far I haven’t had any problems with Helio. The device protection worked perfectly. I now have a brand new Helio Heat, just like that photo I took of my old one. That’s all.
Get good gas mileage
So you have probably read the posts about what to do to your car to improve fuel economy. Such as correct tire pressure, clear air filter, etc. I’m just going to cover a few points that I figured out through experience and is pretty much common sense.
Driving habits are hard to break, but with some work you can drive towards better gas mileage. Here’s a list I put together that helped me get from 27 to 34 mpg. First off my tires are always inflated correctly and I keep my engine good running condition.
Slower take-offs
This is probably the biggest factor that helped my gas mileage. I used to try to be the first one off and ahead of the pack. By taking off slower the engine doesn’t work too hard and uses less gas.
Steady pedal
A small help but does work. Constantly changing throttle position can reduce gas mileage a slight bit because each push puts a little more gas into the engine. Once you’re at the right speed stay there and keep a steady foot. If you have cruise control, this does it already.
Anticipate stops
I’ve seen this on other places and I agree that it helps. Having to accelerate from a stop is harder on the engine that it is from a roll.
Other things I noticed while driving is just to drive slower. Even 5 mph makes a difference. I also give myself a little more time to get to my destination so I’m not in a rush. Being relaxed is a big help and reduces the chance of road rage.
I’m sure there are more tips out there so look around. These are just what I did to improve my own gas mileage. With gas prices reaching 4 dollars a gallon every little bit will help. You’ll get a smoother ride too!
Stuff
Finished the semester. That went well. I have about year left at this college, then off to some University.
I have been stumbling a freakin ton the past month. It’s becoming quite addicting and now with nothing to do in the summer, I feel I’m going to learn as much as I can about the interwebs. Woo! Also joined twitter. Haha. I’ve seen it around but never thought it would be useful. “Oh well,” I said. Find me.
Ipod with demon hunter.
Marshy. New kitty.