Month: November 2014

Clever photo series by talented photographer Dina Goldstein brings Barbie and Ken into the real world and shows their day-to-day life.
“In the Dollhouse”: Full size replica of Barbie and Ken’s house with stylish pink interior was constructed in the studio and then photographed.
Also check out: Realistic Barbie and Creative Barbie Jewelry
via Toxel.com
Real Life of Barbie and Ken

Thinking about heading to Tosche Station.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) March 18, 2009

Gah. Snuck off to the Imperial recruiting station in Mos Espa. Apparently I’m a little short to be a stormtrooper. Back to square one.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) March 23, 2009

Being smuggled.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) July 4, 2009

My aunt and uncle died, I was abducted by an old dude, he died, I met some people, and also I’m a murderer now. Weird day so far.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) September 29, 2010

On the other hand, I met a hot space princess, got a rad laser sword, and we’re going to a place with "trees," whatever those are.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) September 29, 2010

…holy shit I just killed like a million people.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) March 11, 2013

And there’s Ben’s voice again. Everyone is dead and I’m haunted.
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) March 11, 2013

WATER?! These maniacs clean themselves with WATER?!
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) October 22, 2014

They’re making me wear a really stupid yellow jacket
— Luke Skywalker (@skywokka) November 6, 2014

via Super Punch

Our houses are quickly filling with an internet of things—smart TVs, DVRs, thermostats, and more all online, all the time. But to a hacker, each of these devices is a digital door or window into your home (network). Here’s what you need to do to keep your devices locked against outside intrusions.

It sounds paranoid, I know, but there are, seriously, websites out there dedicated to streaming unsecured security camera footage—veritable YouTubes of compromised DropCams and smart TVs. Leaving these and other networked devices unsecured—or even worse, using the factory default username and password—is like leaving a note on your front door that reads: "I’ve gone to the store, be back in 3 hours, the key is under the mat." Or, almost as creepily, an open invitation to voyeurs.

The basics

Basic network security is fundamental, every bit as important as locking your front door whenever you go out. That door is your wireless router and there are a number of ways it can, and should, be secured, according to the FCC:

• Set the network encryption to WPA2. The older WEP algorithm is totally outdated and laughably insecure by comparison.
• Install a firewall. Your router should have a hardware-based firewall so be sure it’s activated. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a secondary, software-based firewall running as well. Windows 8 has the feature baked into its OS, as does OS X and Chrome OS. Or you can install a third party system like Zone Alarm’s Personal Firewall.
• Stop broadcasting your network. There’s simply no need to publicize the existence of your home network, so turn of the Broadcast SSID option in your router configuration. That way you’re protected from wardrivers—which probe for easy access points—and nosy neighbors alike.

The secret to network security: password, password, password

Just using a WPA2 encryption algorithm isn’t enough; you need to make sure your password has all the bells and whistles and special characters you can cram in there. The longer and more complicated the password, the harder it is for hackers to crack—not necessarily unbreakable, but enough of a hassle to make it not worth the attacker’s time.

And, while you’re at it, change the user ID if you can. Avoid easily identified or guessable phrases like "Jeff’s Place" or "210 Elizabeth St" in favor of more esoteric tags like "Welcome to the Terrordome" or "Flying Saucer". And by all means, don’t name it something stupid like "Al-Quada Free Terror Network"

Partition your network

For most of us, just taking care of the basics should be sufficient but if you have a slew of network-connected devices laying around your house—i.e. an IRIS security system, a smart TV, a smart DVD player, a connected DVR, Hue lights, and a Nest thermostat—more advanced users will want to minimize any damage caused by intruders by segmenting their networks. It’s the same as not just locking your front door but also the back door and the door to your garage as well.

The trick is to assign groups of devices individual SSIDs. Most routers on the market today possess the ability to manage multiple SSIDs and, by doing so, prevent an intrusion into one device allow attackers to gain access to the rest of the network—say, attacking your smart TV to gain access to get into the network and then go after the personal files on your NAS. You can group the devices most any way you please—by room, by function, whatever—just be sure to keep your most sensitive devices (your DVR and networked hard drives) on separate networks as other, more easily-hacked appliances. In fact, you would do well to set your the various components of your entertainment system—your TV, gaming system, DVR— all on individual networks.

MAC down on it

Now, if you want to get really paranoid about your home network security and have a few hours to kill, you can set a MAC list filter for your router. The MAC (media access control) address is the unique network identifier for an individual piece of connected hardware—essentially the device’s digital fingerprint—and a MAC list filter is akin to a fingerprint scanner for your front door. Only devices that are registered on the MAC list can even see the network, everything else—literally every other digital device on the face of the planet—will be blocked outright.

The only problem is that you’ve got to gather up the MAC address from every single connected device in your house if you want it to keep functioning once the filter has been implemented. Anything you miss not only stops working, it also leaves a nice big security hole for attackers to exploit. For most people that won’t be worth the trouble, but if you’re the better safe than sorry type, this is decidedly safer.

Lead image: Scott Bedford

via Gizmodo
How to Lock Down Your Internet-Enabled Houseful of Gadgets

Occasionally, fan-made trailer mashups will come along that make you want to watch the full (but sadly non-existent) movie. This flawless VHS trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier captures everything you might dimly remember an ’80s trailer to be, and will also make you realize that maybe Full HD isn’t everything.

It’s not just the fuzziness that’s authentic, either — the music is classic techno, the action sequences noisy and overblown, and that captioned shot of Evans riding his bike is perfection. [YouTube via DailyDot]

via Gizmodo
This VHS Captain America Trailer Is The Perfect ’80s Throwback

It doesn’t matter if you’ve bought a newly built home, a condo in a maintained community, or a fixer-upper—owning your own place brings out the home improvement itch in us all (or at least requires us to do necessary repairs and maintenance tasks). Here are ten pieces of advice to help turn your dwelling place into a better home.

10. Choose the Improvements That Add the Most Value to Your Home

If you were offered $100,000, no strings attached, what home improvements would you do? Chances are, a long laundry list of changes come to mind, from refinishing the hardwood floors to adding a new bathroom. Some home improvements, however, are more likely to increase your home’s value than others. Although you shouldn’t think of your home as an investment, with limited home improvement funds, it’s good to consider whether a project has a decent return on investment.

9. Tackle the Quick Projects That Are Most Timely

Whether winter is coming or you’re considering projects in another season, some home improvements are more urgent than others—saving you money immediately or preventing devastating damage. Sometimes it only takes ten minutes or less to make simple changes around the house that boost your living space.

8. Decide to DIY or Not

Even if you’re a weekend warrior with a well-stocked workshop, not all home improvement projects are suitable to do yourself (or at least, without the help of a professional). Know your limits, start small if you’re a beginner, and then keep calm and DIY on (if you so wish).

7. Hone Your Home Improvement Skills

Big projects or small, probably all of us could stand to learn some decent home repair or home improvement skills. (All around the home, there are things we should never have to pay others to fix for us.) Learn Bob Villa-worthy skills and help others at the same time by volunteering or through free clinics and other resources. Turn to great reading resources and try starter projects too. If you get stuck on a project, iOS app Fountain will connect you to a home improvement expert to answer your question for $5. (Also, did you know we have a home improvement subblog here at Lifehacker called Workshop?)

6. Find Inspiration for Your Next Home Project

Pinterest is your friend, homeowners. As is Houzz, This Old House, and BHG. Zillow Diggs is pretty neat because it not only shows you project photos, but cost estimates and contractors as well. You can also binge watch HGTV on Netflix, but I’m warning you, you may never leave the house again.

5. Get the Right Tools

You can’t really improve your home much with just your bare hands (you’ll need a multi-tool at least!). Equip your toolbox with the essential tools for any minor repair or major project, such as basic plumbing tools. Don’t forget your smartphone might be the best DIY tool in your kit, though, and, when all else fails, there’s duct tape.

4. Find Money for Your Home Improvement

Unfortunately, most home improvements do not pay for themselves. If you can’t afford to finance the project in full with cash, know the different ways you can finance your home improvement without putting your home at risk. Also, if you know the difference between tax breaks you get for home repairs or home improvements, you can make the proper deductions at tax time and get some money back from your project. Similarly, if you’re paying private mortgage insurance, home improvements that increase the value of your home could help you eliminate that cost, which, although it doesn’t raise funds for your project, can reduce your housing expenses overall.

3. Choose the Right Contractor

About as important as finding a good dentist and finding a good therapist: Finding a responsible handyman or contractor. Horror stories of homeowners being scammed by contractors or having work done so shoddily that it cost thousands of dollars to redo (not to mention the money already spent) give me the shivers. Vet your contractors carefully:

1. Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, and supply houses.
2. Check for complaints against the contractor.
3. Find out what licenses and permits they need.
4. Check out the contractor’s insurance. Don’t skip this step!
5. Meet with the contractor.
6. Get quotes. Track the quote variables with a spreadsheet or other list.
7. Ask for references and check them out.

The FTC offers advice on questions you should ask a contractor, during which you might want to slyly take a look at their trucks and tools for telling signs.

2. Save Money on Your Home Improvement Projects

The more money we save on one home improvement project, the more we have left for all the other ones we want to do. In addition to knowing the remodeling projects that offer the most bang for your buck, know which elements of a project you can splurge or skimp on—spend more on items that are hard to replace, such as the bathtub, but skimp on the faucet, for example, or spend more on a professional range if you’re a gourmet cook and save on the decorative tiles and flooring that look like premium materials.

Shop at reuse centers (including architectural salvage stores) to save big bucks on materials, appliances, and furnishings. And after your project, pay it forward by donating your home improvement leftovers to Habitat for Humanity.

1. Have a Plan

Last but not least, one of the worst things you can do when it comes to home improvements is to start a project without the major details—cost, time, materials, and design—as realistic as possible from the start. Nothing costs more than having to "change horses in midstream" (e.g., you want to move the fridge somewhere else now or want to change your tile choice). Use design tools to conceptualize your project and add a healthy buffer (10-15% more) to your time and financial budget to account for the inevitable surprises.

Even if you don’t do major projects like remodeling the kitchen or building a deck, it’s wise to set aside some money each year for repair costs and use an essential maintenance calendar to keep your home sweet home in tip-top shape all year round.

Photos by Tina Mailhot-Roberge, Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup, Morgan, mtneer_man, JSlavy (Shutterstock), Blue Diamond Photography, abimages (Shutterstock), MelvinSchulbman.

via Lifehacker
Top 10 Home Improvement Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Guillaume Juin took 80GB of photos from the International Space Station crew members from 2011 to 2014 and made this stunning film. Without a doubt, it’s the most formidable video of the views from the ISS I’ve ever seen. Watching it makes me extra-jealous of the people up there.

Play it huge on your TV or projection screen for maximum effect.

All the footage (around 80GB of pictures) was processed throught after effects/premiere, denoised for some shots, removal of dead pixels for some shots, deflickering, and simple color grading (didnt want to change the already incredible look! just curves, saturation, and some blue crushing).

SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

via Gizmodo
The clearest, most stunning video I’ve ever seen of Earth from space

Windows/OS X/Linux: Adobe just launched Brackets 1.0, a text editor for web developers. It’s free and has Inline Editing, Live Preview, and Preprocessor Support features, which all deliver unique conveniences.

We’ve covered plenty of awesome text editors, but Adobe’s Brackets has some pretty nifty features of its own. Using the Inline Editors feature, you can see two or more files side by side instead of flipping back and forth between tabs like most other text editors. Live Previews show you the changes you make, as you make them, in the browser. You don’t have to worry about periodically refreshing the page to check on your progress. Preprocessor Support makes it easy to find, add, and edit class correlations between your HTML and CSS files: hover over a class in the index.html file and hit Command+E. Each CSS file the class is affected by will pop up, then proceed to open the file(s) you want in the inline editor to make changes. If you haven’t added CSS code for the class you select, you can do so right then with just a click.

Brackets supports HTML, CSS, LESS, and SASS markup languages. LESS and SASS have the same capabilities as CSS with Preprocessor Support, so don’t worry about missing out if you prefer one of those to CSS. It’s is free and open source. Furthermore, Brackets itself is written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, so the web developers that use it have the power to contribute to the program’s continued development. Hit the link below to check it out.

Brackets | via The Next Web

via Lifehacker
Adobe’s Brackets is a Free Text Editor for Web Developers

This video is absolutely absurd. It starts innocently enough, like a cheesy 80’s sitcom and then makes a turn and another turn and another turn and keeps going until it creates a labyrinth of hilariousness and craziness. I mean, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why I kept watching. I don’t know why I’m still laughing.

The video, which apparently aired on Adult Swim, probably makes a lot more sense when you’re flying high.

SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

via Gizmodo
I don’t know what this absurd video is about but it keeps getting funnier

via How to Carve Roast Unicorn
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES EPIC TRAILER