Showing Hyperlink Cues with CSS

ever notice those little icons next to text hyperlinks that indicate weather a link will take you off site (external link), or if it will open in a new window and what not? well below is a link to an article that describes how to use CSS to add the icons to your links:

http://www.askthecssguy.com/2006/12/showing_hyperlink_cues_with_cs_1.html

Make any Set of Speakers Wireless

with this wireless 20 watt amp from thinkgeek.com you can make any standard set of speakers wireless (up to 150 feet)
Check it out

Web 2.0 Design Article

here is an interesting article from webdesignfromscratch.com about the do's and don'ts of web 2.0 design:
Click Here to view Article

10 Cool Cell Phone Tricks

Here's some interesting things you can do with your cell phone, like checking your RSS feeds from Google Reader, see where your friends are, check your ebay auctions or leave your self a voice note that's automatically sent to your email. check it out:
http://lifehacker.com/software/cell-phone/alpha-geek-10-cool-cell-phone-tricks-243276.php

DRM Free Music Via an Interesting New Business Model

a new music site called amiestreet allows you to get DRM-Free music at sometimes discounted prices. Here's How it works. Bands/Labels post their music at the site. Initially, the music is FREE for users to download. As users download the music more, the price increases until it reaches a cap of .98 per song. Throughout the process though, the music is DRM-FREE. So even at full price, its a good deal.

The info for this post came from TechCrunch

Tips for Getting the Best Deal with Verizon Wireless

A former Verizon sales rep, let's call him Steve, wrote to us recently offering insider advice to all Consumerist readers. We were excited because by knowing how the sales force at Verizon are compensated, consumers can get an edge when haggling over a new phone. What? Haggling!? Over a phone!? Yes, even you can do it. Verizon Steve confesses all he knows, from the simple to the sublime...:

• Never get a 2-year contract. "The only benefit to a 2 yr contract is a $50 savings on your phone. Its not worth it. Take the $50 and get a 1 year then you can upgrade to a new phone every 10 months."

• Verizon reps get tons of money from new lines and certain accessories and text packages, take advantage of this. They won't let a new customer walk out the door. "Play hardball, they will do anything to get the new lines. VZW makes $ off the service, not the phones. Tell them you don't want to mail in the rebate. There does come a point of diminishing returns. For example, if you walked in and wanted a $39 plan and a free Treo 700, not gonna happen. But I have given away almost every non-PDA phone in the store for the right deal. Also tell them you will buy the accessories, and text package. Trust me here, these are 2 of the biggest metrics for the reps. Return the accessories the next day and call customer care to cancel your text package."

• Mention the lost or stolen program to get 25% off a new phone, even if you're under contract. Who's to say you didn't lose it?

• If you're on a rate plan of $59.99 or higher, you can get "a new phone (and new contract) for the discounted price after 12 months."

• Insurance is a rip-off. It costs too much and has a $50 deductible.

• Tell them you'll sign up for the Unlimited Data Plan with your Treo. "Speaking of Treos, often they offer an extra $100 off if you get the Unlimited data plan. Get it.. Save $100 and cancel it the next day if you don't want it. The leverage here is amazing also because that high end data package counts as a new activation in a roundabout way for the rep. None of the data packages are contractual. I use to tell the customers this just to save them $."

• Reps don't get as much money if you're still in a contract. If you upgrade on the phone with Verizon, the store reps won't be as motivated to help you.

• Ask for a loyalty credit on the phone before going to the store. "One way to work the system if you have New Every 2 and are out of contract is to call customer care, have then put you back into contract, but ask for a loyalty credit (up to $60 off your next months bill), then go into the retail store and use your New Every 2. The two credits can't be combined and that is the only way to get both. I've never seen this not work, although they could technically say that you already got a credit, but the system are not that informative and I have never seen that happen. Just make sure you know the contract rules for VZW in your state, and make sure you go to the store in time to cancel the new contract in case you cant use the NE2."

This info came from The Consumerist

My New Tattoo

Cool Javascript to Display Website Thumbnails

I came across a website thumbnail service from iWEBTOOL on digg today. It's a small javascript code which you place in your pages which then displays a thumbnail preview (of a link) when you hover over an external link.

check it out:
http://thumbnails.iwebtool.com/

How to Make a Can of Coke Cold in 2 Minutes

Adam Savage (MythBuster) who did an awesome mold making article in MAKE 08 chimed in on an Ask Mefi coke cooling question, here's how to cool down that soda, fast - he writes -

"That would be about 20-25 minutes in a freezer. If you put it in a bucket of ice, that would halve that time. If you put water in that ice, it'd be cold (+- 5c) enough to drink in about 4-6 minutes, if you put salt in that water, you'd reduce the chill time to just over 2 minutes. Agitating the can in the water, rolling it around, reduces the chill time even more.

The fastest possible way is to grab a CO2 fire extinguisher and unload that sucker on the can.

Whatever you do, do NOT bury the can in sand, pour gasoline on the sand and set the sand on fire. That won't do anything.

information came from makezine.com (http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/12/how_long_in_the.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890)

Free Services to Inspire Your Cellphone - New York Times

Free Services to Inspire Your Cellphone - New York Times

This link is an interesting story with info about several FREE services for your cell phone that you probably didn't know existed. For instance, did you know that you can text "borat 12303" to 46645 (google without the e) and google will send you a text message containing the showtimes for Borat at the theaters closest to the 12303 zipcode? it will also get you driving directions, currency conversion, word definitions and more. pretty cool huh?

You can also do things like get FREE directory assistance, make FREE international phone calls and so on. All the info is in the article link above. enjoy!