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    Before you file a piece of paper, ask yourself, "do you need it for tax purposes or legal reasons?" If not, shred it.
    read all shaktoids!
    March 17, 2008

    Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With Potato Power!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day! Celebrate wisely, don't drink and drive, and be sure to tip your waitresses!


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    December 25, 2007

    Happy Holidays From Shaktronics

    I don't know about you guys, but I think I have a project for next Christmas.  The hard/fun part is drinking 1050 bottles of beer!


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    November 16, 2007

    Featured Squidoo Lens: Mousepad Mania!

    Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

    Mousepad Mania! by EditorDave

    Is Your Mouse...... ????

    Sluggish?

    Jumpy?

    Uncooperative?

    It might be because you have a dirty mouse ball!

    No... I'm not talking about rodents here (although I might go with a different Squidoo lens on that subject later<grin>).

    What I'm talking about is that computer accessory that usually resides next to your computer.

    What I'm saying is that perhaps it's time to clean your mouseball.  Yup, dirty mouseballs can cause all sorts of problems when trying to move the cursor accurately on the screen!

    So, this Squidoo lens is an attempt to help you to improve your onscreen experience. This Squidoo lens will not only provide instruction for do-it-yourself mouseball cleaning, but it will also provide ways to give your mouse traction so that the mouseball can do its job! 

    How do you provide traction to mouseballs?  With a proper mousepad, that's how!

    You not only want a mousepad that will be functional from a traction perspective, but also something that can provide atmosphere for more comfortable mousing.

    Oh, and for "proper use of a mouse", I've recently added a new video that provides instruction at the end of this Squidoo lens.  Just scroll down and watch the video there.  Be sure to leave a comment on how you use your mousies.

    Also, if you like this Squidoo lens, be sure to share it or email it to your friends!

    If Your Mouse Is Uncooperative, Jumpy, or Sluggish.... Here's How to Check It

    Nothing worse than dirty mouseballs!

    Gently hold your mouse upside down in your hand.

    Using your other hand, slowly twist the circular washer-shaped cap over the mouseball to release it from the mouse-frame.

    Place this cap on your desk.

    Turn the mouse over briefly to release the mouseball.

    This mouseball may be dirty--So take a look at it to see if it is covered with dust, fuzz, or goo. It's pretty bad when you have dusty, fuzzy, gooey mouseballs! No wonder your mouse is jumpy, uncooperative, or sluggish.

    Wash the ball in tap water, then dry it thoroughly with a clean lint-free towel.

    Now that the mouseball is clean, check the inside rollers of the mouse housing.

    You should see some rollers inside the cavity under the mouse. These rollers are what transfer the mouseball movements to the computer screen.

    You may see gunk (technical writing term for dust, fuzz, and goo) wrapped around the rollers and perhaps clogging them up (another technical writing term!).

    With a moist (I said "moist", not dripping wet!) cloth (similar to a lint-free T-shirt or the like), gently wipe the gunk off the rollers. You'll be amazed at the accumulated stuff on them.

    When you believe you've gotten all the gunk off the rollers. Let them dry a bit (you can help them along with a dry cloth--again, lint-free).

    Then, replace the mouseball, and reseal the cap over the cavity.

    Your mouseball should move freely now. You are free to mouse around the country!

    Of course, for maximum mouse movement (cursor movement, that is), you need to give your mouse a decent pad--a place to reside. A place that provides traction for your mouse. A mouse pad!

    You can find a wide selection here. You can upgrade your mouse's abode... with one or more of the goodies presented here.

    Hey, why not have a different mousepad for each day of the week? Or... for real variety, a different mousepad for each day of the month!

    Let's go really wild... mousepad collectables--one for each day of the year!

    To learn everything you ever wanted to know about keeping your mouse responsive, visit the entire lens by clicking: Mousepad Mania!


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    November 08, 2007

    Bargain Hunting

    Mban888l We’re about 15 days out from the official beginning of the insane holiday shopping season, and I know a lot of you are girding your loins for battle with the various monsters and soccer moms who will be out there, blocking the aisles and throwing well-placed elbows in pursuit of the best values decorating the cold metal shelves at your local Big Box Outlet Store.

    While I appreciate a good deal, I just CAN NOT DO IT.  All those people just give me the creepy-crawlies, and if I’m awake at 5 AM, it’s because I never went to sleep the night before, which only makes me more aggressive and irritable.  It’s not a recipe for good shopping.  So I try to do as much bargain hunting during the year as I can, and these are a few of my favorite haunts.

    BizRate:  This one goes without saying.  Whatever you want to find, from clothing to electronics, is there, with price comparisons to boot.

    NewEgg:  The one stop shop for anything technology.  If you’re the kind of person who builds their own computer, then you’re already familiar with the awesomeness of The Egg.  Whenever I need to replace some old computer parts, or whenever I get the itch to ponder upgrading my desktop (need more RAM and a faster processor), I hit up New Egg before going anywhere else.  Hundreds of technology stores, thousands of great deals.

    Deep Discount DVD:  If you’re looking for the best possible deal on DVDs, music, books, and fun stuff like that, this is basically your first stop.  I’ve spent hundreds of dollars here, saved hundreds more dollars over Amazon price, and have never had a problem with these guys in the least.  I can whole-heartedly recommend them over just about every other competitor (though I still check Amazon’s prices, just in case).

    Do you have any favorite haunts for values?  If you do, leave a comment below and share it with the rest of us.  No sense hogging all the good stuff for yourself!

    Image Credit:  Shopping Centre Cartoons


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    November 07, 2007

    Featured Squidoo Lens: Tips on Choosing a Flat Screen TV

    Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

    Tips on Choosing a Flat Screen TV by thefluffanutta

    Flatpanel TV Screens

    Having a flat screen television is the ultimate gadget to have in your living room. You get a large picture, but it doesn't take up a whole lot of room. You can even hang it on the wall.

    For any home cinema fanatic, having a large flat screen for watching movies on can only increase the enjoyment of the experience.

    Introduction to Large Screen Television Technology

    Large-screen television technology developed rapidly in the late 1990's and 2000's, and currently the most popular technologies are liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, and projection television. These technologies are quickly displacing cathode ray tubes (CRT) in the television space, mainly because of the bulkiness of CRT televisions and increasing popularity of flatter, large-screen televisions. The diagonal screen size of a CRT television is limited to about 40 inches because of the size requirements of the cathode ray tube, which fires a beam of electrons onto the screen, creating a viewable image. A larger screen size requires a longer tube, making a CRT television with a large screen (50 to 80 inches) unrealistic because of size. The aforementioned technologies are much more suitable for large-screen televisions because they yield television sets that are much thinner in terms of depth.

    Tips For Choosing A Flat Screen Tv, Part 1

    Author: Adrian Adams

    You've seen them advertised online with plummeting prices, you've seen them at electronics stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, and even at Sam's Club and Costco. They're flat screen televisions, and they're going to become more important in 2009, when all of the broadcasters switch over to purely digital systems.

    Flat Screen TVs have stabilized on high quality LCD displays. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) contains millions of cells (pixel elements) that crystallize when the current level drops below a minimum amount. By making each cell a triplet, one tinted red, one green and one blue, you can make a color picture; LCD display typically have fluorescent backlights on them.

    The primary benefit of a flat screen tv for you is that it's got a huge picture at a fraction of the volume of a conventional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT or just "tube") television, which more or less has to be at least as deep as it is diagonally across. Now, if you saw early flat screen televisions, or computer monitors, or remember really old laptops, you may recall a phenomenon called "ghosting", where an image would smear across the pixels, because they couldn't respond fast enough. Modern flat screen televisions have more or less eliminated that problem by having response times (how quickly the crystal can change phase from liquid to solid and back) of eight milliseconds or less.

    Likewise, one of the other places where LCD flat screen televisions have seriously picked up in quality is color fidelity; as the technology has matured, the ability to get precise color matching has grown by staggering amounts; one of the keys to this is incredibly fine grained control over the backlight behind the LCD panels; in some cases, going up to 1024 levels of brightness, to coordinate with the millions of colors to give absolutely sharp picture clarity.

    So, if you've been hesitant about flat screen televisions before, the technology has grown up in capabilities while coming down considerably in price.

    Top Selling Flat-Panel LCD TVs

    from Amazon.com

    Samsung LNT4671F 46" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Samsung LNT4671F 46

    For those who are ready for the clearest, brightest picture on the market today, Samsung presents the LN-T4671F. Full 1080p resolution is just the beginning: Samsung's incredible Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology reduces motion blur for crisp, precise action. The color-saturated 46" picture boasts a 25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, displaying rich blacks and capturing subtle nuances. A fast 8ms response time ensures smooth, lifelike motion. SRS TruSurround XT™ sound from hidden side speakers is enhanced by the premium audio sound of 2.2 channel dome speakers. Enjoy connectivity with all your other digital devices, with 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of inputs. And the handy HDMI-CEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote. ...
    Samsung LNT5271F 52" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Samsung LNT5271F 52

    For those who are ready for the clearest, brightest picture on the market today, Samsung presents the LN-T5271F. Full 1080p resolution is just the beginning: Samsung's incredible Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology reduces motion blur for crisp, precise action. The color-saturated 40" picture boasts a 25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, displaying rich blacks and capturing subtle nuances. A fast 8ms response time ensures smooth, lifelike motion. SRS TruSurround XT™ sound from hidden side speakers is enhanced by the premium audio sound of 2.2 channel dome speakers. Enjoy connectivity with all your other digital devices, with 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of inputs. And the handy HDMICEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote. ...
    Samsung LNT4071F 40" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Samsung LNT4071F 40

    For those who are ready for the clearest, brightest picture on the market today, Samsung presents the LN-T4071F. Full 1080p resolution is just the beginning: Samsung's incredible Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology reduces motion blur for crisp, precise action. The color-saturated 40" picture boasts a 25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, displaying rich blacks and capturing subtle nuances. A fast 8ms response time ensures smooth, lifelike motion. SRS TruSurround XT sound from hidden side speakers is enhanced by the premium audio sound of 2.2 channel dome speakers. Enjoy connectivity with all your other digital devices, with 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of inputs. And the handy HDMICEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote. ...
    Samsung LNT3253H 32" LCD HDTV

    Samsung LNT3253H 32

    With its sleek shape and thin, piano-black frame, Samsung's LN-T3253HX enhances your décor even when it's off. Turn it on, and this 32" LCD TV comes to life with brilliant colors and intense blacks, rendered in an 8000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio. Moving images flow naturally, thanks to the fast 8ms response time. SRS TruSurround XT audio, emanating from hidden bottom speakers, fills the room with clear, nuanced, virtual surround 3-D sound. Enjoy the versatility of a wide range of A/V inputs, including 3 HDMI ports, USB 2.0, and PC inputs that allow connectivity to many of your digital devices. And to control it all, the handy HMDI-CEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote. Screen has 8ms fast response for smooth video and game performance Has VGA PC input for adding a PC. Imagine viewing Internet on this TV Bottom mount speakers / Audio Power - 10 Watts X 2 Power Requirements - AC 100~120 AC, 60Hz Connections - HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) 3; R/F in 1; Component (Y/Pb/Pr) in 2; S-Video input 2(1 side/1 rear); A/V input 2(1 side/1 rear); PC input 1; USB 2.0 1; Headphone jack 1 Includes Table Stand Unit Dimensions - Monitor with stand 31.5(W) x 22.9(H) x 9.9(H); Monitor without stand 31.5(W) x 21.3(H) x 3.6(D); Monitor with stand weight is 28.9 Lbs. Panel is wall mountable on VESA compatible mount (mount is optional)
    Samsung LNT4065F 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

    Samsung LNT4065F 40

    Prepare for the clearest, brightest LCD picture with Samsung's LN-T4065F. Full 1080p resolution from the LN-T4065F has color-saturated picture boasted by a 15000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, displaying rich blacks and capturing subtle nuances. A fast 8ms response time ensures smooth, lifelike motion. SRS TruSurround XT Sound from hidden side speakers is enhanced by the premium audio sound of 2.2 channel dome speakers. Enjoy connectivity with all your other digital devices with 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of inputs. With HDMI-CEC connection, peripheral devices such as DVD player can be controlled by TV remote control. High-resolution pixel density with built-in image scaler handles inputs from a variety of digital and analog sources. 178 degrees viewing angle improves viewing angle, contrast, and brightness to provide an even better picture. Built-in digital tuner (ATSC/Clear QAM) Fast 8ms response time V-Chip System Picture-in-Picture Super clear panel Watts per channel - 10W x 2 SRS TruSurround XT Hidden side speakers Sound leveler Premium Audio with dedicated low-range speakers Hidden side built-in speakers with 10 Watts x 2 Audio Power HDMI-CEC allows you to control any HDMI peripheral on the HDMI network connected to the TV Ports - 3 HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface version 1.3 (2 rear/1 side), 2 Component video inputs, 2 S-video inputs (1 side/1 rear), Side and Rear A/V inputs, PC input, USB 2.0, RF antenna inputs and Swivel stand Dimensions - 41.0 x 24.2 x 3.4 inch without stand / 41.0 x 26.4 x 11.4 inches with stand Weight - 41.7 pounds without stand / 48.9 pounds with stand
    See more Top Sellers in Flat-Panel LCD TVs on Amazon.com

    Tips For Choosing A Flat Screen TV, Part 2

    Author: Adrian Adams

    Nearly all flat screen televisions sold in the last two years accept digital input, which is a good thing. However, there are two different digital standards to be aware of. HD-Ready gives 1366 x 768 resolution (which is 1366 columns by 768 rows) in a 10:6 aspect ratio closer to a movie theater. 1080p and 1080i use higher resolution, with 1920 columns by 1080 rows. The 'p' and 'i' means progressive and interlaced scanning, respectively, with the latter being the best possible resolution. A TV with either of these resolutions should be digital ready, but double check and read the small print; you may need to buy a digital TV tuner to plug into the back of your new flat panel TV if it's not.

    The reason why this matters now is three fold. First, HD-Ready TVs can be had for discount prices, often under a thousand dollars, fully digital ready. This is because it's a stop gap to the higher resolution of 1080. Second, unless you have satellite TV, for the next two or three years, most (if not all) of the digital content you'll be watching is formatted for the lower resolution anyway. Third, while the mandatory rollout for all digital broadcasting has been set for 2008, there has been no standard defined for what resolution those broadcasts will be in. It may make sense to buy an HD-Ready TV and wait on the more expensive model. Unless the price is really good, make sure that your TV is digital ready. (An exception on the "hold off on 1080" mantra is HD-DVD and Blu-Ray DVD formats, both of which can use the full resolution. If you watch a lot of DVDs and are planning on upgrading to one of the high definition formats, it's worth it to get the better picture now. On the other hand, by the time enough material comes out on either of those formats, and they come out with DVD players that can handle both of them, the 1080is might be as cheap as the HD-Ready TVs are now.)

    When buying your flat screen TV, it seriously pays to comparison shop. The market is transitioning; what used to be a high margin luxury item is, due to increasing LCD fabrication capability, becoming a commodity electronics purchase, and many manufacturers are in a price war, trying to make up for thinner profit margins on volume. As a result, if you scout around, you can usually find a model that's being phased out and liquidated cheap to clear floor space, particularly online.

    Get more great information at LCD TV Guide.

    Top Selling Plasmas TVs

    from Amazon.com

    Panasonic TH-42PX77U 42" 720p Plasma HDTV

    Panasonic TH-42PX77U 42

    built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1024 x 768 pixels * 10,000:1 contrast ratio * 2 HDMI v1.3 digital audio/video inputs (accepts signals up to 1080p) *
    Samsung FPT5084 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV

    Samsung FPT5084 50

    Your favorite TV shows will never look better than they do on the Samsung FP-T5084 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV. This 50" Widescreen Plasma HDTV features full HD 1080p resolution and the innovative Ultra FilterBright anti-glare filter. You'll get impressive color and sharpness, with its 18-bit color processing and amazing 15,000:1 contrast ratio. Built-in bottom speakers with SRS TruSurround XT system and 10-watt per channel audio amplifier hits you with full, powerful sound. The anti-burn technology prevents burned-in images from ruining your view. Comes with 2 rear & 1 side HDMI connections. ATSC/NTSC tuner with Clear QAM 10-watt surround sound speakers SRS TruSurround XT Surround Sound Connections - Component in (2), S-Video in (2), RGB 15-pin connector Powerful technology keeps your screen free of burned-in images Headphone jack 2 HDMI inputs USB connection Theater Game mode Consumer Electronic Control (HDMI-CEC) compliant Includes swivel stand Energy Star compliant Dimensions(HxWxD) - 36-1/10 x 50-4/5 x 12-3/5 Weight - 106.9 lbs.
    Panasonic TH-42PX75U 42" 720p Plasma HDTV

    Panasonic TH-42PX75U 42

    Home-Theater TV is getting better! The realism of a TV's image is strongly linked to its contrast ratio, and this plasma features a high dynamic-contrast ratio of up to 10,000:1. Such a wide range from black to white means great depth and dimensionality with vibrant colors?and this plasma can display billions of colors for a superior picture. Deep blacks provide excellent shadow detail during dark scenes, while brilliant whites allow our plasmas to render bright scenes with vivid realism. This widescreen TV features a 16:9 ratio similar to movie theater screens, providing a theater-like experience at home. View HD broadcasts and widescreen-DVDs the way they were meant to be seen. Sports, movies, and original network programming are all available in high definition from many local broadcasters. Receive and view local over-the-air broadcasts on this plasma in stunning HDTV clarity using the built-in HDTV tuner (optional HDTV antenna required). AI Sound, Surround Sound 2 Built-In Speakers driven by 10 Watt per channel (2 channel) amplification Table Pedestal Stand Included Built-In NTSC and ATSC Tuners For Standard Analog And Digital Broadcast Reception Video Noise Reduction, Motion Adaptive 3D-Y/C Digital Comb Filter Color Purity Optimizer (3D Color Management), Sub-Pixel Controller Motion Pattern Noise Reduction 10th Generation Plasma Panel Aspect Ratio adjustment controls SD Card Slot, JPEG Photo Viewer 4,096 Shades of Gray / Over 68.7 Billion Colors 1024x768 Resolution Hollywood Cinema Mode With Digital Cinema Reality (3 - 2 Pulldown) Patented Long Life Phosphors For 60,000 Hour Half Life New Real Black Drive System V-Chip Program Lockout Sleep/Off Timers Built-In Closed Caption Decoder Headphone Jack Channel Search Video Input Labeling Video Picture Memory On-Screen Display Languages - English/Spanish/French Unit Dimensions 40.2
    Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50" 720p Plasma HDTV

    Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50

    built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1366 x 768 pixels * 10,000:1 contrast ratio * 2 HDMI v1.3 digital audio/video inputs (accepts signals up to 1080p) *
    Samsung HPT5064 50" Plasma HDTV

    Samsung HPT5064 50

    Experience the true feel of being in the theater right in your home. Samsung's Plasma TV technology features a high-contrast ratio that produces dramatic lights and darks, and every nuance in between. With billions of colors, images are bright, sharp, and clear. Designed for action-packed viewing, motion is crisp and exciting. Rich surround sound completes this extraordinary entertainment experience. There are no bad seats when you're watching the 50" widescreen HP-T5064 plasma HDTV. Even in a brightly-lit room, patented Ultra FilterBright keeps the pictures looking detailed and deeper at every angle. Samsung's powerful anti-burn-in technology assures a long screen life. The 15,000:1 contrast ratio lets you see every nuance, even in nighttime action. Advanced plasma picture technology delivers sharper screen text, while eliminating noise. Dynamic SRS TruSurround XT produces theater-quality sound. Connect your digital devices through three HDMI ports, one on the side, and a full complement of audio and video inputs, including USB 2.0. Control all your CEC-compliant digital devices through the one HPT5064 remote. And it's Energy Star Compliant, so you'll use less energy. NTSC / ATSC tuner with Clear-QAM Game mode Silhouette editor (False Contour Reduction) 18 bit color processing Consumer Electronic Control (HDMI-CEC) compliant Audio - 10-watts per channel (2 channels) built-in audio amplifier with SRS TruSurround XT Connections - Rear A/V - 3 HDMI ? High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear/1 side); 2 component connections; S-Video and composite connections; PC input // Side A/V connections - HDMI?High Definition Multimedia Interface; USB 2.0; S-Video and composite connections; Headphone jack Monitor - 48.5 x 31.1 x 4.1; Monitor with stand - 48.5 x 33.4 x 12.4; Net weight - 97.0 lbs
    See more Top Sellers in Plasma TVs on Amazon.com

    To learn everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins, visit the entire lens by clicking: Tips on Choosing a Flat Screen TV

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