Category Archives for modified

5 Rainmeter skins to revamp your Windows 7 taskbar

Despite Windows 8 approaching, with its dynamic new design, Windows 7 is still a solid operating system. If its interface is starting to grow old, consider changing things up with one of these five free Rainmeter skins. Changing the design of the taskbar is an easy way to reimagine the layout of your computer without an entire system design overhaul.

Rainmeter is one of several free tools for Windows customization, and can be used to completely replace your interface or just tweak a few features. Hundreds of skins are available to download, designed by its active user base.

Before you can install these skins, you’ll have to download Rainmeter at http://www.rainmeter.net.

Rainmeter DEEP7 Taskbar

The DEEP7 taskbar is a minimalistic, text-based design that replaces icons with folders. It’s available in a light and dark theme, and can be placed at either the top or bottom of the screen.

Razor

Razor is reminiscent of OS X with its centralized bar and isolated icons. Programs can be sorted into folders to reduce clutter.

Omnimo WP7

If you’re excited about Windows 8, the Omnimo skin will provide a good test run. Do away with a typical task bar altogether and arrange Omnimo’s large program buttons on your screen instead. Change colors or make them transparent. Omnimo provides buttons for most common Windows programs.

i2 Bar

i2 bar has a unique design, with its swooping angles and high contrast color scheme. This bar doesn’t provide the same program icon storing feature of a normal taskbar, but it offers clocks, weather indicators and more.

Enigma

Enigma is a popular Rainmeter skin, known for its many widgets. Enigma’s taskbar replaces the large, colorful icons with a sleek black bar and white buttons. You can also add features like power and wifi buttons if you’re using a laptop.

What does your taskbar look like? Do you use Rainmeter? Or are you a Linux/Apple user?

New everyday carry knives

So, I’m kind of on a knife kick lately. In the past month and a half I’ve acquired more knives than I have in the past few years or so. I’m developing a pretty nice every day carry collection. What I like about my new toys is that they each serve a different purpose, and they each have very different stylistic elements.

This Buck Paklite skeleton fixed blade was an impulse purchase for $20, but I love it. I bought it since I had been lusting after Izulas for a while. I think I may like this one even more than an Izula now that I’ve had it for a few weeks. It came with a black finish, but I sanded it down so it was just the stainless steel. I then paracorded it and added a few beads just for fun. I’m going to build a little sheath into my combat boots to keep it in there.

I got this Spyderco Wayne Goddard from a friend who felt like it was too big of a knife for an EDC. I do agree that it’s bigger than what I’m used to, but I really like the half-serrated blade. I used this knife a bit when I was working on my PirateBox, and I’ve also used it to cut fabric and things like that, and it’s a pretty solid knife. I like how sleek the blade is.

My other new Spyderco was also an impulse buy. When I was in San Francisco this past weekend, we went to Pier 39, and they had a knife shop there! Andrew and I were nerding out. I wish I could have spent more time looking at everything. As soon as I spotted this Spyderco Tenacious I fell in love with it. I like the blade shape better than a lot of other Spydercos I’ve seen (although I’m generally a Spyderco fangirl). Plus, it was pretty inexpensive. This will probably be my main EDC for a while.

Andrew wanted me to include his new Kershaw Shallot–half-serrated with speed safe–since he says it’s half mine anyway. ;) We went to the gun show in Reno a few weeks ago and he managed to snag this one for like less than half of its regular price. MSRP is $109, and he got it for $30. It’s hard to tell from the photos, but it has a great finish on it, different than any others we’ve seen. It also has a really unique body and blade design.

I’m pretty excited about my new knives! I’ve been thinking about changing up my EDC so I may re-paracord my fixed blade, and I might add a paracord knot to my Spyderco Tenacious. In any case, I might hold off on buying any more new knives for the time being to play around with the ones I have now… although, Andrew just bid on a Kershaw Leek, so we’ll see.

My Life: Modified | Everyday carry

This is the start of a new series called “My Life: Modified.” It will cover ways to customize, minimalize and hack your life to make it more enjoyable, organized and creative. Have an idea or want to write a guest post? Check out the contact page.

I’ve been prowling cyberpunk forums nonstop recently, and nearly everything I’ve been watching—TV or film-wise—is science fiction. I take the art I consume pretty seriously. So when I’m immersed in this much science fiction at one time, it starts to have an impact on how I live my life.

I preface with this because one of my latest obsessions seems to be directly tied to this consumption of cyberpunk/dystopian/post-apocalyptic media. Since Andrew and I are getting ready to move, I feel like I’m transitioning into a new phase of my life.

Because of all this, I’m focusing on minimalizing my possessions and my expenses, and bringing more creativity and functionality into my day to day life. So recently, I heard about a subculture called every day carry (also known as EDC. I mentioned it in a recent Info Overload). Basically, people share the essential items they like to have with them at all times. Each item has a purpose, and functionality is the top priority. But some (like me) like to also ensure that their items have a style that reflects their personality.

Essential EDC—or at least, the most common ones—tend to have these items:
Wallet
Knife
Multitool
Flashlight
Cell phone
Keys
Optional: gun (I’ve opted out of that one)

So what does this have to do with cyberpunk? I would argue that many cyberpunks are interested in things that are practical, tactical, techy and stylish. There seems to be a mix of cypnk preferences, some who prefer clutter and grunge and others who prefer cleanliness and minimalism. I see myself as being in the middle, and I think my EDC reflects that.
I love EDC because I love preparedness, and ever since I was little, I’ve had what I used to call my “first aid kits for life.” (EDC is way catchier though.) I like the idea of carrying only essential items with me. As a journalist, it’s imperative for me to always be able to document the occurrences around me. And since I like to hack things, having tools with me is a necessity.

And I won’t lie—it kind of makes me feel like a superhero, and my tactical bag contains my “weapons” (figuratively and literally) for saving the world.

So here’s what’s in my bag:

Tools:

Leatherman micra multitool

Knife (no particular brand… although I am getting a Spyderco soon! The one I have now is from my boyfriend, who got it custom engraved with my nickname, Arcadie)

Lockpicks (for Locksport)

Wallet from Pacsafe

Caribiner keychain

Toiletries:

Water bottle (mini Camelback that fits into the side pocket of my bag)

Pack of tissues (I like the cute ones by Kleenex)

Perfume from Charlotte Russe (not very strong, since I am sensitive to smell)

Hello Kitty chapstick (complete with dangly kitty heads)

Asthma inhaler (so I don’t die)

Gum (every journalist should carry gum)

Bobby pins

 

Gadgets:

Nook Color (e-reader/tablet)

HTC EVO smartphone (I love this thing)

Solar cell phone charger (handmade)

Various cables to power everything

The bag

Tactical bag from Think Geek, patches from Etsy

Interested in more EDC? Check out:
Reddit.com/r/EDC – Reddit is a cool place to share your EDC or look at others. Lots of discussion on knives, wallets, etc.
Everyday-carry.com – A nicely curated Tumblr website where people submit their EDCs and the editor gives commentary.
What’s in Your Bag, TheVerge.com – The Verge interviews prolific tech people to see what’s in their bag.

What are your staple items in your EDC?