Lots of detailed tips for Excel, Outlook, Word, Visual Basic & more:
Friday, July 31, 2020
Oldsmobile Quad-4 Engine
Oldsmobile Quad 4 engine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_4_engine
Oldsmobile Quad 4 - The Next Big Thing in four-cylinders, about a decade too late (2013):
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/oldsmobile-quad-4
"... in 1995, balance shafts were added in an effort to smooth and quiet the Quad
... For 1996, the Quad's bore was reduced and the stroke lengthened, bringing displacement up to 2.4 liters. The Quad 4 name was dropped with the 2.4 as well, and the engine was called the 2.4-liter Twin Cam. The 2.4 was the final iteration of the Quad 4, and, from a reliability and driveability standpoint, was the best of the breed. Just a few years later, in 2000, the engine would be upstaged by the 2.2-liter Ecotec."
Why the Quad 4 was on of GM's most important engines:
https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-quad-4-was-one-of-gms-most-important-engi-1829719965
FAQ: GM QUAD4 ENGINE: http://quad4parts.com/html/quad4-engine.html
New life for the Oldsmobile Quad 4 engine:
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1887851/new-life-oldsmobile-quad-4-engine/
"I spotted this Quad 4-engined Model T roadster at a 24 Hours of LeMons race"
Quad 4 Rods in Denver (Web site nolonger exists) used to sell custom bellhousings that allow a Quad 4 to bolt to various rear-wheel-drive transmissions, plus an intake manifold that allow fuel-injection-phobic car builders to put Weber DCOEs on their Quad 4s. (Search eBay?)
Oldsmobile Quad 4 - Quad Mods - Mixing And Matching The Best Pieces From GM's DOHC Wonder:
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/oldsmobile-quad-4-combining-parts/
"... the strongest Quad 4 setup would mate a 2.3L head to a 2.4 block, thereby combining the strongest block and the best-flowing head and cams"
Advance or Retard: Olds Quad 4 Engine Ignition Timing with ZEX Nitrous Kit - Is Retarded Timing Mandatory on a W41 Quad 4 Engine Running a 200HP ZEX Nitrous Kit?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/advance-or-retard-olds-quad-4-engine-ignition-timing-with-zex-nitrous-kit/ar-BB17nCFv
Rebuilding The GM Quad 4 (1999): https://www.enginebuildermag.com/1999/04/rebuilding-the-gm-quad-4/
"The current 2.4L Quad 4 has evolved into an engine that is actually quite pleasant to drive, but it's almost too late, because it's due to be phased out when GM's all new DOHC engines are introduced in a couple of years."
"... there are actually a total of six different blocks, three cranks, three rods, seven heads, four cam housings, four front covers and three oil pumps used on these engines from 1987 through 1995, and that doesn't include the changes that were made for the 2.4L engine!"
GM's Quad 4 & Ecotec Engines And Ford's Zetec & Duratec Engines - Four Play - Modern Four-Bangers For Hot Rods: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0812rc-gm-quad-4-ecotec-ford-zetec-duratec/
Oldsmobile Quad 4 - The Next Big Thing in four-cylinders, about a decade too late (2013):
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/oldsmobile-quad-4
"... in 1995, balance shafts were added in an effort to smooth and quiet the Quad
... For 1996, the Quad's bore was reduced and the stroke lengthened, bringing displacement up to 2.4 liters. The Quad 4 name was dropped with the 2.4 as well, and the engine was called the 2.4-liter Twin Cam. The 2.4 was the final iteration of the Quad 4, and, from a reliability and driveability standpoint, was the best of the breed. Just a few years later, in 2000, the engine would be upstaged by the 2.2-liter Ecotec."
Why the Quad 4 was on of GM's most important engines:
https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-quad-4-was-one-of-gms-most-important-engi-1829719965
FAQ: GM QUAD4 ENGINE: http://quad4parts.com/html/quad4-engine.html
New life for the Oldsmobile Quad 4 engine:
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1887851/new-life-oldsmobile-quad-4-engine/
"I spotted this Quad 4-engined Model T roadster at a 24 Hours of LeMons race"
Quad 4 Rods in Denver (Web site nolonger exists) used to sell custom bellhousings that allow a Quad 4 to bolt to various rear-wheel-drive transmissions, plus an intake manifold that allow fuel-injection-phobic car builders to put Weber DCOEs on their Quad 4s. (Search eBay?)
Oldsmobile Quad 4 - Quad Mods - Mixing And Matching The Best Pieces From GM's DOHC Wonder:
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/oldsmobile-quad-4-combining-parts/
"... the strongest Quad 4 setup would mate a 2.3L head to a 2.4 block, thereby combining the strongest block and the best-flowing head and cams"
Advance or Retard: Olds Quad 4 Engine Ignition Timing with ZEX Nitrous Kit - Is Retarded Timing Mandatory on a W41 Quad 4 Engine Running a 200HP ZEX Nitrous Kit?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/advance-or-retard-olds-quad-4-engine-ignition-timing-with-zex-nitrous-kit/ar-BB17nCFv
Rebuilding The GM Quad 4 (1999): https://www.enginebuildermag.com/1999/04/rebuilding-the-gm-quad-4/
"The current 2.4L Quad 4 has evolved into an engine that is actually quite pleasant to drive, but it's almost too late, because it's due to be phased out when GM's all new DOHC engines are introduced in a couple of years."
"... there are actually a total of six different blocks, three cranks, three rods, seven heads, four cam housings, four front covers and three oil pumps used on these engines from 1987 through 1995, and that doesn't include the changes that were made for the 2.4L engine!"
GM's Quad 4 & Ecotec Engines And Ford's Zetec & Duratec Engines - Four Play - Modern Four-Bangers For Hot Rods: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0812rc-gm-quad-4-ecotec-ford-zetec-duratec/
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Best Cheap Guns of SHOT Show 2020 | Field & Stream
There are some interesting choices here:
https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/guns/best-cheap-guns-shot-show/
https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/guns/best-cheap-guns-shot-show/
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Toyota Prius Hacks & Modifications
7 Best Hacks For Your Toyota Prius: https://www.torquenews.com/8113/7-best-hacks-your-toyota-prius
Tips for Greater Enjoyment of Your Prius Hybrid: https://www.liveabout.com/tips-for-greater-enjoyment-of-your-hybrid-prius-281679
How to hack your Prius: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2773982/how-to-hack-your-prius.html
I Bought a Cheap Toyota Prius … With a Dead Hybrid Battery: https://www.autotrader.com/car-video/i-bought-cheap-toyota-prius-dead-hybrid-battery-269650
Hacking your Prius: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hacking-your-prius/
List of known hacks / "easter eggs" ? https://priuschat.com/threads/list-of-known-hacks-easter-eggs.11929/
Custom Prius Accessories! https://www.coastaletech.com/04prius.htm
See the 12V Power Outlet mod for solar trickle charging.
Also see the automatic door lock modification.
Electric Only Mode: https://www.coastaletech.com/electric_only_mode.htm
ULTIMATE LOCKPICK1 is the "ULTIMATE" in unblocking technology. https://www.coastaletech.com/DELUXE_LOCKPICK.htm
Toyota Prius – 2006-2015 Model Year Differences and Improvements: https://blog.beforward.jp/car-review/toyota-prius-2006-2015-model-year-differences-improvements.html
Tips for Greater Enjoyment of Your Prius Hybrid: https://www.liveabout.com/tips-for-greater-enjoyment-of-your-hybrid-prius-281679
How to hack your Prius: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2773982/how-to-hack-your-prius.html
I Bought a Cheap Toyota Prius … With a Dead Hybrid Battery: https://www.autotrader.com/car-video/i-bought-cheap-toyota-prius-dead-hybrid-battery-269650
Hacking your Prius: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/hacking-your-prius/
List of known hacks / "easter eggs" ? https://priuschat.com/threads/list-of-known-hacks-easter-eggs.11929/
Custom Prius Accessories! https://www.coastaletech.com/04prius.htm
See the 12V Power Outlet mod for solar trickle charging.
Also see the automatic door lock modification.
Electric Only Mode: https://www.coastaletech.com/electric_only_mode.htm
ULTIMATE LOCKPICK1 is the "ULTIMATE" in unblocking technology. https://www.coastaletech.com/DELUXE_LOCKPICK.htm
Toyota Prius – 2006-2015 Model Year Differences and Improvements: https://blog.beforward.jp/car-review/toyota-prius-2006-2015-model-year-differences-improvements.html
Friday, July 24, 2020
Convert a 3V battery powered device to USB power
Convert a 3V battery powered device to be USB powered:
https://www.instructables.com/community/How-do-I-convert-a-3V-battery-powered-device-to-be/
"I used an LM317T (purchased from radio shack) 2x100ohm 1/2watt resistor and one 40ohm 1/2 resistor. It produced 2.9v"
"The schematics can be found at quite a few places. Searching for LM317 and looking on wikipedia's website will show a few. {Search for Schematic}
https://www.alldatasheet.com/view.jsp?Searchword=LM317T
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=LM317T+3v+circuit&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
https://www.circuitstoday.com/few-lm317-voltage-regulator-circuits
USB cables are supposed to have standardized conductor colors. Red+, Black-, White(data), Green(data), Shielding (ground). If you cut one end off of the cable you'll want to do the following:
1. Connect the red wire to the Vin pin on the LM317
2. Connect the r1 100ohm resistor to the Vout on the LM317
3. Connect the 100ohm resistor and the 40 ohm resistor to create r2.
4. Connect r2 to r1 and the Adj pin on the LM317
5. Connect r2 to the shielding/ground (Black?) of the USB cable
6. Add a lead from r1 for 3v output voltage."
How to Power Nearly Anything Off a USB Port:
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-power-nearly-anything-off-a-USB-port/
"... there should be 4 wires , you only need the red and black ones as they are the power ..."
Or just wire up a 3 volt Zener diode:
https://www.mouser.com/Semiconductors/Discrete-Semiconductors/Diodes-Rectifiers/Zener-Diodes/_/N-ax1mh?P=1yuq69l
Mouser Part # 863-1N5333BG or 78-BZX55B3V3
USB Fan Project - Need Help Bringing Voltage Down from 5volts to 3volts...
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/usb-fan-project-need-help-bringing-voltage-down-from-5volts-to-3volts.23572/
Powering electronics from the USB port (a little overkill for a simple battery powered device):
https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slyt118/slyt118.pdf?ts=1595605015624&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F
https://www.instructables.com/community/How-do-I-convert-a-3V-battery-powered-device-to-be/
"I used an LM317T (purchased from radio shack) 2x100ohm 1/2watt resistor and one 40ohm 1/2 resistor. It produced 2.9v"
"The schematics can be found at quite a few places. Searching for LM317 and looking on wikipedia's website will show a few. {Search for Schematic}
https://www.alldatasheet.com/view.jsp?Searchword=LM317T
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=LM317T+3v+circuit&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
https://www.circuitstoday.com/few-lm317-voltage-regulator-circuits
USB cables are supposed to have standardized conductor colors. Red+, Black-, White(data), Green(data), Shielding (ground). If you cut one end off of the cable you'll want to do the following:
1. Connect the red wire to the Vin pin on the LM317
2. Connect the r1 100ohm resistor to the Vout on the LM317
3. Connect the 100ohm resistor and the 40 ohm resistor to create r2.
4. Connect r2 to r1 and the Adj pin on the LM317
5. Connect r2 to the shielding/ground (Black?) of the USB cable
6. Add a lead from r1 for 3v output voltage."
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-power-nearly-anything-off-a-USB-port/
"... there should be 4 wires , you only need the red and black ones as they are the power ..."
Or just wire up a 3 volt Zener diode:
https://www.mouser.com/Semiconductors/Discrete-Semiconductors/Diodes-Rectifiers/Zener-Diodes/_/N-ax1mh?P=1yuq69l
Mouser Part # 863-1N5333BG or 78-BZX55B3V3
USB Fan Project - Need Help Bringing Voltage Down from 5volts to 3volts...
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/usb-fan-project-need-help-bringing-voltage-down-from-5volts-to-3volts.23572/
Powering electronics from the USB port (a little overkill for a simple battery powered device):
https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slyt118/slyt118.pdf?ts=1595605015624&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F
Thursday, July 23, 2020
How to Opt-Out of data collection sites
Remove your personal data and opt out of data broker sites — here's how:
https://www.komando.com/privacy/remove-your-personal-data-and-opt-out-of-data-broker-sites-heres-how/570388/
https://www.komando.com/privacy/remove-your-personal-data-and-opt-out-of-data-broker-sites-heres-how/570388/
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
HTPC Software for Win-10 & more
Best HTPC Software In 2020 for Home Streaming:
https://www.addictivetips.com/media-streaming/best-htpc-software/
https://mediaexperience.com/top-10-most-popular-media-center-software-for-your-hdtv/
"If you'll be streaming content from off the internet, consider investing in a VPN.
...
IPVanish offers great speeds for streaming and downloads at a lower price than other options, and because of that they're the optimal choice for using alongside Kodi and other HTPC applications."
Kodi - previously known as XMBC (Xbox Media Player). Kodi isn't just a streaming box, though. It offers incredible versatility for managing and playing all kinds of media types, thanks to its open-source architecture.
Kodi add-ons developed by 1st and 3rd party developers alike add a truly staggering amount of functionality to the application. A popular example is Trakt, which tracks your viewing habits and syncs them to your Trakt account so that you can keep track of what you have and haven't yet seen on your Kodi machine (while sharing this information with your friends)!
Supported OSes: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music, IPTV, Radio, Photos, Games (with add-ons)
Streaming Capable?: Yes
Plex - Plex makes it extremely easy to turn your main PC into a media server from which your phone, other PCs in the house or even other PCs across the internet can stream your media.
Plex, like Kodi, also offers add-ons and custom channels, though Plex is better suited for streaming your own media between the two. However, if you're a diehard Kodi fan (and really, who isn't?) you'll be overjoyed to learn that you can access your Plex library via the Plex for Kodi application. Seamless integration makes for an incredible all-in-one media viewing experience that is truly second to none.
For most HTPC solutions, we find a combination of Kodi and Plex to be the most powerful and flexible solution.
Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux (various distros)
Supported Platforms (Streaming): Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kodi, many more
Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music
Streaming Capable?: Yes
Emby - focuses on two things above all: streaming media and ease of use. While it isn't the most powerful or in-depth media streaming solution out there, it might just provide the friendliest user experience for those who aren't as comfortable tinkering with a media server (or who may not even know what it is at all).
Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux, NAS, Docker, FreeBSD
Supported Platforms (Streaming): Android, iOS, many more
Supported Media: Video, Music
Streaming Capable?: Yes
NextPVR - NextPVR is probably the best alternative to Windows Media Center to watch and record live TV.
It is easy to set up and supports advanced features like recording series.
You can use NextPVR as a front-end application, but the user interface is not as stylish as WMC or Kodi, but it is clean and simple.
You can also use NextPVR as a back-end and integrate it with Kodi using a PVR add-on.
MythTV - MythTV is the PVR of the Linux media center. You can record your shows and play them back at any time. It used to be a great alternative to TiVo.
This one is for advanced users that want to set up their home theater computer to link to their television. Once linked, you will be able to record live television programs and store them on your PC.
Unfortunately, MythTV development has been discontinued.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Best PC Software For Windows 10, 8, 7 In 2020:
https://blogs.systweak.com/must-have-windows-10-software/
https://www.addictivetips.com/media-streaming/best-htpc-software/
https://mediaexperience.com/top-10-most-popular-media-center-software-for-your-hdtv/
"If you'll be streaming content from off the internet, consider investing in a VPN.
...
IPVanish offers great speeds for streaming and downloads at a lower price than other options, and because of that they're the optimal choice for using alongside Kodi and other HTPC applications."
Kodi - previously known as XMBC (Xbox Media Player). Kodi isn't just a streaming box, though. It offers incredible versatility for managing and playing all kinds of media types, thanks to its open-source architecture.
Kodi add-ons developed by 1st and 3rd party developers alike add a truly staggering amount of functionality to the application. A popular example is Trakt, which tracks your viewing habits and syncs them to your Trakt account so that you can keep track of what you have and haven't yet seen on your Kodi machine (while sharing this information with your friends)!
Supported OSes: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music, IPTV, Radio, Photos, Games (with add-ons)
Streaming Capable?: Yes
Plex - Plex makes it extremely easy to turn your main PC into a media server from which your phone, other PCs in the house or even other PCs across the internet can stream your media.
Plex, like Kodi, also offers add-ons and custom channels, though Plex is better suited for streaming your own media between the two. However, if you're a diehard Kodi fan (and really, who isn't?) you'll be overjoyed to learn that you can access your Plex library via the Plex for Kodi application. Seamless integration makes for an incredible all-in-one media viewing experience that is truly second to none.
For most HTPC solutions, we find a combination of Kodi and Plex to be the most powerful and flexible solution.
Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux (various distros)
Supported Platforms (Streaming): Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kodi, many more
Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music
Streaming Capable?: Yes
Emby - focuses on two things above all: streaming media and ease of use. While it isn't the most powerful or in-depth media streaming solution out there, it might just provide the friendliest user experience for those who aren't as comfortable tinkering with a media server (or who may not even know what it is at all).
Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux, NAS, Docker, FreeBSD
Supported Platforms (Streaming): Android, iOS, many more
Supported Media: Video, Music
Streaming Capable?: Yes
NextPVR - NextPVR is probably the best alternative to Windows Media Center to watch and record live TV.
It is easy to set up and supports advanced features like recording series.
You can use NextPVR as a front-end application, but the user interface is not as stylish as WMC or Kodi, but it is clean and simple.
You can also use NextPVR as a back-end and integrate it with Kodi using a PVR add-on.
MythTV - MythTV is the PVR of the Linux media center. You can record your shows and play them back at any time. It used to be a great alternative to TiVo.
This one is for advanced users that want to set up their home theater computer to link to their television. Once linked, you will be able to record live television programs and store them on your PC.
Unfortunately, MythTV development has been discontinued.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Best PC Software For Windows 10, 8, 7 In 2020:
https://blogs.systweak.com/must-have-windows-10-software/
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