Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category:
How to download MP3s with Google
No matter what you say, we both know that you don’t purchase all the music you obtain. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. In fact, I’m going to let you in on a tip to make finding MP3 files (and, really any type of file) a whole lot easier.
In the Google search box type the entire next line:
“intitle: index of” [artist or song name] mp3
What this does is gets Google to look in the title of the webpage for “index of” (which usually signifies a folder that doesn’t have any HTML files in it, but only files). The uploader will have probably called the folder the artist’s name and the track names would probably be the same too. The “MP3″ at the end makes sure that the file extension is MP3.
While this method doesn’t always work, I have found a fairly high rate of success. When it does work, the download speed is usually faster than file sharing programs too.
Start applications minimised
Have you ever been in the middle of doing work in a program, realised that you need to do something in a different program but wanted to continue working in the first program until you are ready, without being interrupted?
There is an easy way for you to do this. When double-clicking the icon, simply hold the SHIFT key and the new application will start minimised, keeping the focus on the currently open program.
Advanced Print Screen Function
You are probably aware of the keyboard button Print Screen (sometimes PrtScr or other variations of that).
However, were you aware that instead of capturing the whole screen, you can use a keyboard command to just capture a specific window?
All you need to do is resize the window to show as much or as little as you want and then press ALT-PrtScr. All you need to do now is paste (CTRL-V) the image into your favourite image editing application (such as Adobe Photoshop, The GIMP or even MSPaint) and save it.
Tidy Up Your Dreamweaver CS3 Code
When creating a website, sometimes your code becomes messy and hard to read. However, Dreamweaver CS3 has an inbuilt function to make your code easier to read.
Simply open up the file that you wish to tidy up.
In the Commands menu, click on Apply Source Formatting.
Below is an example of how this changes the code:
Before:

After:

Disable DivX Watermark
At school, we have an on demand video system (they’re educational) which uses DivX encoded videos, probably due to keeping file sizes down. These videos are normally split into multiple parts, like a DVD has chapters. Every time a part of a video loads, the DivX logo shows up in the bottom right and I find myself getting annoyed at it.
However, there is a way to turn it off.
In the Start menu, go to All Programs > DivX > DivX Codec > Decoder Configuration Utility.
If you have version 5 of the DivX codec, you need to check the box next to “Disable Logo” on the “Quality Settings“.

If you have version 6 of the DivX codec, you need to uncheck the box next to “Show DivX logo watermark” on the “Toolbar” tab.
From now on, the DivX watermark shall never again annoy you.
Get rid of the Apple Watermark in iDVD
You’ve just finished the movie that you’ve been working on for ages and now you want to make a DVD out of it using iDVD. However, you notice in the bottom right corner of the preview window an Apple overlay.

There is a way to remove it, without the need to pay money for an “update”.
Simply go to the iDVD Menu and click on Preferences. On the general tab, uncheck the box next to Show Apple Logo Watermark.
That’s it. The logo should now be gone from your project.

While it isn’t in the help menu, there is certainly nothing wrong with getting rid of this logo.
