Lifescoop: Spring Clean Your PC in 5 Easy Steps

(Man I wish I’d had the forethought to post a photo of a laptop on my site before I took this photo.)

How long has it been since you thoroughly cleaned your computer? That’s what I thought.

I clean mine about as often as l spill something on the keyboard. But to keep your computer in good working order, you should scrub it down about twice a year–more often if you like to eat chips while you work. But how do you get everything sparkly without damaging anything? I did a little research.

Before you start, you’ll need some supplies: a large microfiber cloth, a can of compressed air, and a solution of 50 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol and 50 percent mineral water, and a pair of tweezers. Once you have everything together, shut your computer down (if you’re cleaning a laptop, remove the battery as well). Read more…

Blippy: I’ll Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours

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Hiding Hood, $84

So, my friend Phillip has a controversial idea. He launched a startup called Blippy that lets you share information about your purchases online. When I first heard about it I recoiled. I thought it was in poor taste, I thought it was kind of gross, I thought I wanted an invite.

bicyclecapris_MED
Bicycle Capris, $38

I told myself I was just curious to see who was using it and how, but really my wheels were already turning. Y’all know I love to shop, but mostly I love telling everyone about cool stuff. I figured this could be a way to do that more easily. And you can be selective about what you share and how, so why not give it a try?

ionturntable
Ion USB Portable Turntable, $140

I want every design blogger I know to sign up so I can figure out when the jaw-dropping stuff goes on sale, and when designers think it’s worthwhile to pay full price. I want to know when my music-snob friends all buy tickets for a band I’ve never heard of. And what about the consumer performance art that’s certain to emerge? How long before the Fireland of Blippy is buying a pint of chocolate ice cream, some advil, and a box of tampons, just so everyone knows where he’s at?

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Fuji Instax Instant Mini Camera, $99

So is Blippy hideous or intriguing? My friends, it’s certainly both.

For now, Blippy is still in beta, so you’ll need an invitation. Enter MIGHTYGIRL2010 on the signup page if you want to play. I have a limited number of invites, so first come, first served. I’ll see you there.

Still Geeking Out

My latest post is up over at WePC. This one is about how touchscreens kind of bug, and how Science is finding a way to fix them (Science!), and how I want a screen that gives me the tactile experience of popping bubble wrap, because it’s not enough for me to pop bubble wrap in real life anymore.

Please go read it. Thank you.

Enjoying

How to Make a Baby

(via the very fun Swiss Miss)

The Beckoning of Lovely

(via the always inspiring Superhero Journal)

Tiny Project

I just saw this short video by Sean Ohlencamp who captured 365 days of his desktop–via Kottke. Oddly, it had never occurred to me to use every element on my desktop to make it beautiful (including the icons).

Is your desktop lovely? Mine was not, but I took a few minutes this morning and made it nice. (The photo is by Heather Champ). You should do it too, as it will make your day more lovely. If you do, will you do a screen capture and tag it “desktopahh” on Flickr? That way, we can all see the results here, and that will be fun.