The Linux User’s Toolkit for Discovering New Apps

With a few exceptions, installing a Linux distribution is like checking into an all-inclusive resort. Your hardware works out-of-the-box, and you get an impressive selection of pre-installed software: from photo editing tools and multimedia players to email and chat clients, and even a full-blown office suite. But what if you want to replace one of the default applications, or try out some new Linux software? Well, you could always just Google it—and pray you won’t have to venture beyond the tenth page of results to find something usable. Or you could build yourself a list of reliable resources where you...

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6 Strong Alternatives to Ticketmaster for Buying Event Tickets

Do you like going to live concerts and other public events? If so, you will be familiar with Ticketmaster, the huge behemoth that maintains an iron grip on ticket selling. Founded in 1976, the company has faced a barrage of criticism over its alleged excessive charging, and allegations of unfair business practices. Adopting the policy of charging as much as 50% of the ticket cover price, has provoked the fury of musicians such as Bruce Springsteen. So you may be wondering if there are any credible alternatives to Ticketmaster. Updating our older post on the subject from many years back, we’ve...

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5 Best Sites to Bookmark for a Slow Internet Day

Broadband is our lifeline, but sometimes, we have to make do with Internet speeds that serve as a weird flashback to the dark ages of dial-up modems and their screeching pleas. What are you supposed to do when the Internet gods decide you don’t deserve a connection that can be measured in megabits? Cheat, of course. Remember, the Internet was built on such slow speeds, so while it’s more difficult, you can still use it. Think about it this way: if your printer failed, you could still manually write out what you needed to, right? It would take longer, but...

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Dip Your Toes in Batch File Programming for Windows

It’s the mundane that makes the day drag on. Simple, repetitive tasks that sap your life force. We either do them begrudgingly, or we neglect them until they create an even larger problem. It doesn’t have to be that way! With Windows computers, you can create simple little programs, called batch files, that will take care of these tiresome tasks. That’s the point of automation, isn’t it? To set it and forget it, as the infomercials say. Let’s take a look at the parts of a batch file and how to create some cantrips for your chores. What’s a Batch...

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Stream International TV, Netflix, Pandora & More With UnoTelly DNS and VPN

Circumventing region-locks for video content is nothing new, but it can still be a hassle. Fortunately things are getting better, and UnoTelly is one such service that makes it painless to access whatever geo-restricted content you want, wherever you want. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the UnoTelly Gold plan, which will set you back $7.95 per month and provides unlimited access to hassle-free DNS tunneling and secure VPN connections for avoiding censorship, geo-restrictions and potential snoopers. This is a huge giveaway! The following prizes are up for grabs: Grand Prize: 1 x UnoTelly Gold License (1 year) 1 x Samsung UN40JU6500 40″ Class 4K Ultra HD...

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6 Creative Uses for Wireless Surveillance Cameras in Your Home

If you aren’t already protected by a home surveillance network, you should look into it. The peace of mind is well worth the cost, and the cost of getting one set up is almost negligible these days. Don’t believe me? Then check out our guide to building a security camera network using old smartphones. If you don’t have any lying around, you can always buy some that are several generations old. Or, you could go simpler and just use a webcam for home surveillance. But security cameras are useful for more than just surveillance. With a dash of creativity and...

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2-Year Subscription to BaseRails Ruby on Rails Training for Just $29

Today we are going to take a look at a collection of courses that will truly blow you away if you’ve ever wanted to learn to build on the web. We’re talking about a 2-year subscription to BaseRules comprehensive Ruby on Rails training courses for just $29. Normally, an annual subscription to this massive service would cost $100, which means access for 2 years would cost $200. By getting this subscription from MakeUseOf Deals, you’ll be saving an impressive 92% off the full price. It might be one of the best deals we’ve ever featured on MakeUseOf. Between the savings...

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7 Free Tools for Creating Your Own Machinima Films

Machinima is the art of making movies with video game footage and assets, and it’s an exciting and growing medium for creative filmmaking. While you generally can’t get the visual quality of traditional Pixar-style computer graphics, you can nonetheless create some wonderful things with it. And, crucially, it’s something you can get started on right now with completely free tools, no special training required. Whether you’re making something as simple as a music video or as involved as a nine-hour epic fanfic starring Sonic and Master Chief, machinima is open-ended and flexible enough for you to make almost anything. Here are some...

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Parrot Bebop Drone and Sky Controller Review (and Giveaway)

Soar through the sky and see the unseeable with fantastic aerial photos and smooth videos: this is the Parrot Bebop Drone and Sky Controller – and we’re giving away the complete set to one lucky reader! Parrot have carved themselves a mid-range niche in the drone market: too expensive to be called toys, but nowhere as costly as some professional models. Their newest flagship quadcopter – building on the successful AR Drone 2.0 – is the Bebop Drone, now available in a package with the new long range Sky Controller, for $900 (or more like $1200 if you’re ordering from Europe). That’s quite a price jump,...

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Fastest Ways to Transfer Files Between PCs and Mobile Devices

Remember when files had to be split between multiple floppy disks to move them between computers? Or the inconvenience of burning data to rewritable CDs? Thank goodness we’ve moved on from those primitive methods. The truth is, file transfers have never been faster than they are today. Yet, to many of us, transfer speeds still seem like they inch along and take forever to complete. It’s funny how inconvenient it can be finding a quick and easy way to move data between devices. Fortunately, we have you covered. Never again will you have trouble with cross-device file transfers. Between Windows...

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