Library can help you save money with do-it-yourself tutorials

"Library can help you save money with do-it-yourself tutorials | DIYRock.Com - Enjoying Your DIY Life Here!"

Erin Tiesman Musser Public Library has added another tool to the shade-tree mechanics’ toolbox — a mouse. The Library’s newest online reference tool, the Auto Repair Reference Center, provides helpful information for automotive repair. “I think it gives people the ability to do some of their auto repair on their own,” Pam Collins, library director, said. “Everything from changing the oil to alignment to replacing a transmission. It depends on your comfort level.” The program offers information on more than 25,000 domestic and foreign vehicles from 1954 to present. More than 65,000 service bulletins and recalls are available, along with wiring diagrams, labor time guides, and step-by-step photographs. Collins said video tutorials are also available on the site for further teaching. “It gives you all of the information you need,” Collins said. “It’s like the Chilton Manuals except its online and has videos, something more than what you get with the manuals.” The Chilton Manuals are also available for check-out at Musser Public Library, but Collins said there’s no need to worry about an empty shelf with the Auto Reference. “You can get access pretty much anywhere,” Collins said. “You can plug your computer in your garage and get it there if you want.” Access to the references are available through Musser Public Library’s homepage at www.musserpubliclibrary.com. Users must have a valid Musser library card to access the reference directories. Library cards are free. Collins said the purchase of the Auto Reference came as a package deal from the state of Iowa. The other two databases included in the package include the Home Improvement Reference Center, which features do-it-yourself guides for home repair and renovation; and NoveList, a site that connects readers with books of their interest. Musser Public Library, in conjunction with the release of the new databases, is hosting various programs for money-saving and do-it-yourself techniques. On Nov. 7, Musser Library held a workshop titled “Outfitting Your Home on a Dime,” featuring tips for redecorating homes with cheap, easy-to-find pieces like chairs and tablecloths. “It goes along really well with what people in Muscatine are concerned about, which is conserving money and doing things on your own,” Collins said. “We thought they (computer references) might have a lot of use here.”

DIY Tips to solve common toilet problems

"DIY Tips to solve common toilet problems | DIYRock.Com - Enjoying Your DIY Life Here!"

Rana Cash One of the most expensive calls you can make is to a plumber. Well, dialing the number is free, but the cost of a plumbers’ services is never, ever cheap. That’s why it is good to know how to do simple D.I.Y. projects that could keep you from using a plumber. If your work doesn’t fix the problem, you may be out a few dollars or a bit more in sweat equity. Still, you’ll feel better knowing you at least tried to make the repair first. You can solve some common toilet repair issues yourself A common call made to plumbers is about leaking toilets, a problem that adds to your water bill and your frustration level. Before you dial, check out these tips from the DIY Network on solving common problems. They include addressing: Water trickling into the bowl Water trickling into the tank The bowl emptying slowly Fixing a clog Repairing leaky seals

Viocorp offers DIY webcast videos with synchronised slides

"Viocorp offers DIY webcast videos with synchronised slides | DIYRock.Com - Enjoying Your DIY Life Here!"

Stuart Corner Australian online video and digital media company, Viocorp, has introduced a facility that enable clients to upload videos with associated slide presentations for viewing over the web and to specify when slide transitions take place. According to a Viocorp spokesman, previously setting up this synchronisation would have to be done manually by Viocorp technicians, at a cost of several thousand dollars, and this remains the only option available from Viocorp's competitors. The spokesman added that Viocorp also offers the ability for clients to brand the presentation with their own colours, graphics etc. The service is presently only offered for pre-recorded video content, but Viocorp plans to extend it to live video content in the next few months. The service, Viocast, uses Akamai's Adobe enabled dynamic streaming technology "which allows audiences to smoothly jump ahead within a presentation." Customers can apply their own participant polls, submit questions and exit questions to increase the level of interaction with their audience. Viocorp will sell Viocast both direct and through channel partners including Staging Connections and WebCentral. It says that already Aviva has deployed Viocast to extend the reach of its financial services future road show, and wealth management firm, Ord Minnett, is using the service to deliver its investment strategy to clients and prospective clients online, at http://www.ords.tv. Philip Black, director sales & marketing at Staging Connections, said: “Webcast-based broadcasts are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to extend the reach of marketing and communications efforts around large events. We execute over 50,000 events per year and we see an enormous opportunity for our clients to benefit from this new product. Viocast will allow our customers to broaden their audience, thus significantly extending the value of their initial investment."

Metallica - South American and Central American Tour Dates

"Metallica - South American and Central American Tour Dates | GoRockfest.Com - The Latest Rockfest, Artist's Live News"Metallica have been having such an amazing time on the road that there is no way Metallica are stopping now! So in the first of what will be quite a few announcements of 2010 dates, Metallica are super psyched to confirm that Metallica will indeed be visiting South and Central America in the first part of the year. It is extra special because Metallica are actually going to places that Metallica has NEVER played before, including our first show in the new year in Lima, Peru on January 19, 2010 at Estadio San Marcos. In March, Metallica will again be in cities Metallica have never played before . . . San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama to be specific. And as Metallica have only had the chance to visit Caracas and Bogota once before in 1999, this leg of the World Magnetic tour is sure to be a memorable one.

All the show and ticket details are here:

January 19 Lima, Peru Estadio San Marcos On Sale November 14
March 7 San Jose, Costa Rica Saprissa Stadium On Sale November 17
March 8 Panama City, Panama Plaza Figali On Sale November 17 at Ticket Plus Stores
March 10 Bogota, Columbia Park Simon Bolivar On Sale November 17
March 12 Caracas, Venezuela La Rinconada On Sale November 17

Tickets for Metallica at US, Click here

Tickets for Metallica at UK, Click here

Win a backstage MEET & GREET from @ In Flames

"Win a backstage MEET"

Win a backstage MEET & GREET with In Flames for the show in your city.

Amsterdam - Melkweg - Holland
Zurich - Volkshaus - Switzerland
Milano - Live Club - Italy
Strasbourg - La Laiterie - France
Lille - Aeronef - France
Luxembourg - Den Atelier - LUX
Paris - Bataclan - France
Glasgow - Academy - UK
Bristol - Academy - UK
Newcastle - Academy - UK
Birmingham - Academy - UK
Manchester - Academy - UK
London - Hammersmith Appollo - UK
Antwerp - Trix Hall - Belgium
Berlin - Columbiahalle - Germany
Wiesbaden - Rhein - Main Halle - Germany
Munich - Zenith - Germany
Oberhausen - Turbinehalle - Germany
Stockholm - Hovet - Sweden
Gothenburg - Scandinavium - Sweden
Oslo - Spectrum - Norway
Malmö - Arena - Sweden
Helsinki - Ice Hall - FINLAND

CONTEST RULES

THIS IS ONLY OPEN FOR THE EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

1 – You must follow @InFlames_SWE and @NeilLimSang to win

2 – You MUST Retweet this (more than once):

“Win a backstage MEET & GREET from @InFlames_SWE & @NeilLimSang http://www.inflames.com/twittercontest

3 – When you Tweet, you must state the city you want to win the Meet & Greet for.

4 – You must have a concert ticket for the show you want to win the Meet & Greet for. We are NOT providing a ticket for the show.

One winner will be chosen for every city that has an entry. You will be contacted via DM (Direct Message) on Twitter the night before the show.

You must be available 1-hr prior to doors opening on the day of the concert. Please check the venue for door times, which are subject to change.

Tickets for In Flames at European, Click here

Do You Like to Do It Yourself?

"Do You Like to Do It Yourself? | DIYRock.Com - Enjoying Your DIY Life Here!"

Robert Wilonsky, Business News Turns out, Blockbuster really doesn't have much to say about its decision to partner with NCR to test-market those digital kiosks that allow users to download movies to SD cards. Randy Hargrove, the company's spokesman downtown, called back today only to say that "they'll be in our stores and be Blockbuster-branded, but as far as the details, NCR is gonna be your best bet." And, sure enough, it was: Alex Camara, vice president and general manager of NCR Entertainment, phoned Unfair Park from the Kioskcom self-service expo in New York to explain the endeavor -- and to defend the decision from critics and cynics who think this just one more attempt by Blockbuster to stave off its inevitable demise. More about that after the jump. But if you're at all curious about what these things look like and how they operate, you're in luck: NCR, manufacturer of most of the nation's ATMs, is only rolling out a handful of these kiosks in coming months, and two of them will be in Dallas -- at the Blockbuster in Preston Royal Shopping Center, and the one at 14891 Preston Road. The one in Preston Royal makes its bow November 17, according to an NCR publicist; the one near Belt Line Road goes live first thing tomorrow morning. Will you become an early adapter? Do tell. NCR, incidentally, is the same company behind Blockbuster Express, the company's $1-a-rental kiosks that are intended go to head-to-head with RedBox. Right now, there are about 1,000 of them nationally -- with only a handful of them in North Texas, in places like Rockwall, Wylie, Forney and McKinney -- with plans to expand to 10,000 by the end of 2010. But not before Blockbuster dips its big toe in the digital waters. So, then, jump for more, but keep in mind this link will expire 48 hours after opening. Or not. How long has NCR been working on this specific kiosk? What happened was, well over a year ago we made an investment in MOD Systems, which is a digital-content specialist from a software point of view. We knew at some point that there would be much more of a digital focus for the consumer, not just standard DVDs, and the MOD approach has been to start with SD cards. For one, the SD card has the DRM encryption on it, which allows us to download movies in a way studios are happy with. Most other devices or cards don't have that protection. So the protection of DRM and the ability to download onto SD means you can have the rental expire after 30 days. Or you have 48 hours to watch as much as you want as soon as you open it. That's why SD is the first choice. There's been some jeering over the choice of the format -- because, after all, not everything has an SD port. ... Well, you can use an adapter and a USB port. ... But this is just the beginning. Eventually there will be software that allows you to download off a mobile device or your computer. Obviously, this isn't for iPhone users. Those are fairly proprietary. You're buying Apple product. But the majority of new televisions being developed have SD slots. New phones have mini-SD slots. It's more ubiquitous, especially as you look at what Toshiba and Samsung and others are rolling out. What's also happening -- and this will help -- is the studios we've been working with, like Warner Bros. and Paramount, they're interested in this, and as you get more of it into the marketplace, and as SD becomes the prime format, you'll see more devices with SD. But you have the dongle already out there -- all you have to do is plug it into the USB port. And the other benefit of SD is the speed. At the moment, we're downloading standard-def movies at the show here in two minutes. And SDXC next year cuts the time in a quarter; you'll be able to download a high-def movie in the same time. Obviously, Fast Company made a mistake with the price -- it's not $4, right, but $1.99? We're testing different prices. At the moment it's $1.99. Standard video on demand right now is at the $4 mark. It varies depending on the age of the movie, but new movies are $3.99. We're launching this week and developing the price platform, but we believe over time we'll become the replacement for the physical DVD market. We believe physical DVD media will be around for many years to come, however we also believe we need to watch out for a replacement. And for the next few years, the replacement will be digital rental. And that's done very simply with these kiosks. You can go to a Blockbuster Express, rent a DVD or even buy one, or you can download a movie. But if you and RedBox are delivering $1 rentals in the kiosks, why should people want to pay more to put it on their SD cards? Assuming they own one. And assuming they have it with them at the time. What's going to happen are a couple of things. Video on demand at home is $3.99, and you'll see over time this will become the replacement for DVD rental. We're going to work over time to find the right price point to see what's the greatest value. Will it be $1 a night digital rental? I don't think so. The studios want to make sure there's an ecosystem they can survive in to continue to make great movies. What's that price? I don't know. Now, a year ago Blockbuster debuted the Archos kiosk, which seems like an awfully bad idea -- who had one of those? We learned a lot from it, but it was the forerunner to what is today a good consumer kiosk. The thing is, with this digital kiosk, people really seem to enjoy the experience. For instance, what I like about this is that people can download more than one movie -- they do two or three at a time. Some people say they'll go to a Blockbuster Express kiosk for the $1 rental, but when they hit one on a Friday night, they have to wait 10 minutes. Now, it's a great service. However, here I can go in on a Wednesday and download three movies. I have 30 days to hold on to the card, which means I can go pick up my movies for the weekend -- my son's, a drama for my wife, something for the family -- and then watch it on my own pace and not have to line up Friday night and risk returning a disc late. Netflix taught Blockbuster people hate going to stores -- why bother when someone can just send you a movie in the mail and not charge you a late fee? RedBox taught Blockbuster that people like getting movies wherever they happen to be, like, say, a 7-Eleven parking lot. Whenever we write about Blockbuster and its latest attempts to keep up with set-top box downloads and its own mail service or self-service kiosks, there's often the criticism that the company was simply too late to the party -- it didn't understand that it's about convenience and customer service. What's different this time? I think what Blockbuster has done is they have recognized over the years, "We're not self-service specialists. We're movie people." About 18 months ago they came to NCR. We're the largest self-service specialists in the country; we do 60 million transactions a day. They said, "We're a movie company. We have our strategy, but we're not a self-service company, and we don't operate outside of our stores." They said, "Can we work with you?" And so that's how we came up with Blockbuster Express, and we've been successful. Do I wish we'd done it two years before? Yes. But we'll have 2,500 by the end of the year and 10,000 in 2010. And now we have digital. And customers love self-service. Look how quickly airports have turned from manned counters to self-serve kiosks. That's happened in five years. And your point about convenience is important. People are at supermarkets, 7-Elevens, airports, and our aim is to put these kiosks in locations where you don't even have to get our of your car. We've just put a Blockbuster Express in a Sonic in the Houston area. You drive in, get your burger and fries and get a movie for the weekend.

DIY advice for surviving the winter

"DIY advice for surviving the winter | DIYRock.Com - Enjoying Your DIY Life Here!"

Several DIY experts have given a number of tips advising homeowners on how to keep their houses warm this winter. Reported in the Idaho Statesman, Celeste Becia of Idaho Power encouraged those feeling the chill underfoot to install under-floor insulation batts, while owner of Ecohome Solutions Todd McGiverin suggested regularly fluffing loft insulation. He added that people should close up cracks and holes - usually found in the loft - as quickly as possible and Karen Meyer, owner of Handyman Connection, spoke of the need to stop leaks by using metal tape. Both tips could help the general heat retaining capacity of a house, particularly important during the cold winter months. Mr McGiverin said: "People really don't realise how inefficient their home is. Everybody knows what good miles per gallon on their car is, but I've worked with some families who are [annually] paying $2,000 (£1,200) or $3,000 to heat their home." The UK government recently stated that it intends to help homes at risk of fuel poverty by providing energy makeovers in low-income communities.