I ran across a site today that allows you to take YouTube videos and convert them to .mp3’s. They do this by taking the .flv file and converting them either by you uploading the .flv file, or through the YouTube video URL. It’s actually quite easy and painless, and I got a few songs I’ve been wanting off of YouTube earlier today.

1. Go to Flvto.com
2. Enter in the URL of the YouTube video you wish to create OR upload the .flv file that you’ve already downloaded to convert. (I’ve noticed this does not work on all URL’s, but so far only on URL’s that are marked as adult content due to the URL encoding).
3. Click “Okay” and wait for it to convert
4. You should either receive an automatic download window or if that doesn’t show up, click on the link it supplies to download. The former will name the file for you automatically, the latter will require you to name it yourself.

Pretty straightforward. Happy converting!

I found this particularly useful for me, because there was a great video I wanted to download (without having to install something to play the .flv files) to use in one of the workshops I am writing up. Instead, since Youtube is trying to place higher quality videos on their site, you can now hack download Youtube videos in .mp4 format.

Note: This is actually against Youtube’s terms of service, just so you know.

Anyhow, by going to this link in Firefox, and dragging the “Get Youtube Video” link to your bookmarks toolbar so you can click on it when on a Youtube video you are interested in downloading. It creates a “Download the .mp4″ link on the info of the video, and you “Save link as” and save the .htm file to wherever. Then just right click and rename the file so the extension is .mp4 instead of .htm. It works great and I now have my video for my workshop presentation

Steps again:
1. Go to this link in Firefox.
2. Drag “Get Youtube Video” link onto your toolbar at the top of your firefox browser
3. Go to a Youtube video
4. Click on said link you just placed on your toolbar
5. Right click on “Download as mp4″ link and click “Save link as”
6. Save the .htm file somewhere on your computer
7. Rename the .htm file to .mp4 and you’re ready to go.

I decided to better the “Simple Myspace” userstyle for Firefox users to remove all ads on most of the regular pages that people actually use on myspace since Simple Myspace only did some brief minimalist work. I removed ads from the home page, profiles, pictures, bulletins, schools (I actually readded this function that was removed in Simple Myspace version), searches, messaging and blogs.

I did not bother with things like forums, videos, comedy etc, but can adjust for those sites as needed.

CHECK IT OUT

For Firefox users, there is a plugin you can use to skin the various websites you browse, including your Gmail. There are also pre-made templates you can install in this plugin for many of the sites you use regularly. I find this particularly useful for Myspace since it is inundated with ads and other stuff I’m not interested in being plastered across my screen everytime I login.

The particular plugin I use is called Stylish created by Jason Barnabe of userstyles.org. His site userstyles.org has a plethora of different pre-made skins you can install with this Firefox addon.

The one I use for my gmail is Gmail Redesigned (by Globex Designs) which you can see below:

For Myspace, I also recommend the Simple MySpace my modifications of the Simple MySpace skin to help reduce all of the clutter which you can see below:

To install these is simple:
1. Install the Stylish Plugin and restart your firefox.
2. Browse a template you’d like to use, such as the My Simple MySpace template. Each template page should have a button that allows you to “Install Style”. (a popup should come up that sets the URL’s that this skin should apply to automatically, just accept them)
3. Browse like normal.

It will install a small icon on the bottom right of your Firefox browser that lets you manage your skins and edit them as needed (or turn them off if needs be). You can even design your own. I’m thinking of doing a few skins myself for gmail that are Grove or MUD related.

They also have application styles for programs like Firefox, but I haven’t browsed through much of those yet.

Mediatinker has a clover desktop that works well for Green Irish Beer Day today. I happened upon it while looking for a nice shamrock desktop for dual monitors. He has several different sizes (though I made my own because I wanted the clover in different spots.

So I’ve spoken before about products I’ve made and ordered from Zazzle.com. I just received another shipment of photo prints to distribute to family and friends, and am amazed at the quality. I’ve ordered prints from other services before, but nothing compares to the quality and crispness of the photos and products created by Zazzle.

Remember the calendar I made for my father for christmas? Absolutely amazing, as if purchased from an expensive catalog.

They are superior to Cafepress simply because they allow the CUSTOMER to choose the options of colors and type. Unlike Cafepress which forces you to create a product for every color or design that you want.

They are superior to Shutterfly.com because their print quality is so clear, as if you ordered directly from a photolab.

And they offer more options compared to any other company I’ve seen with such a user-friendly interface. I am certainly a Zazzle customer for life.

I ran across a site called RottenNeighbor.com today that apparently lets you place pinned notes on a replicated Google Map, giving people insight on a neighborhood. It sounds like an ideal benefit for deciding where you want to move and what type of neighbors you have. However, after browsing some locals here in Maryland, I’ve run across notations like:

“Do not mess with this neighbor - This neighbor has been know to shoot friends in the face and to have adversaries kidnapped and shipped off to gulags in Eastern Europe.”

“World Class Narcissit - Bragger, Self Absorbed, Moron, Voted Most Absent Minded in HS.” (this has no relevance, why was this even posted?)

“I have parties all the time, play my drums way too loud and let my pet python loose on the neighborhood children. LOL! You should see them run!!”

Though a lot of it seems to be trashing your own neighbors (or people you don’t like), and others seem like people just being idiots, I think it’s good to know what type of people might be living near you. People who are violent, consistent problems with neighbors, etc.

One major downfall I see is will a site like this be up long when people try to get items removed for slander (or whatever the written form of slander is called).

Identification Devices are producing a medical ID USB stick which is used to store your name and medical information — including medications, medical history, insurance info, and even living wills. iD does not require special software, and its data can be easily accessed by laptops in emergency vehicles.

This sounds like a great idea, and one I would get for my father if I wasn’t afraid of him losing it. I also wonder about whether this is something that certified professionals will be trained to look for, as I imagine it’s not always going to be out in the open like a medical ID bracelet or necklace.

Another tip I’ve heard spread around the internet lately, in case of emergencies, place a contact in your cellphone under the name ICE (In Case of Emergency), as the person you wish to be contacted. Many folks are trying to make this more mainstream so that medical professionals know to look for it.