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Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos
Can't say we're any keener on the idea of blasting our outlets with Super Soakers, but Wet Circuit's water resistant power strips boast its ability to withstand just such a defiant action -- occasional rain and snow, wet hands, temporary flooding, and accidental water spills (assuredly intentional, too). $35 is the asking price, and while the company claims you can put metallic objects in the socket without fear of electrocution, you probably shouldn't press your luck. Check out a plethora of demonstrations after the break -- no really, we beseech you. Crank the speakers for this one.
Naughtiness on the Nintendo DS
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Naughtiness_on_the_Nintendo_DS'; The Nintendo DS's software library is diverse enough to satisfy almost every genre craving or niche interest. If what you're looking for, however, is a game with more mature themes -- nudity and sexual content -- it's doubtful that your needs will be met. Japanese dating sims and witch fondling titles notwithstanding, the DS doesn't have any Leisure Suit Larrys, Hot Coffee mods, or even porno-Tetris clones.But just like any other scene, the Nintendo DS has a network of people working outside of the fringe to create those illicit goods you'd never ask for at a respectable shop. They hustle their homemade software from the back-alleys of the internet, each downloaded bit transferred in a nondescript paper bag.We're going to take you through that DS underworld, previewing a selection of homebrew games that are sure to arouse your interest. So put the kids to bed, light those candles you've been saving for a night like this, and slip into your robe and wizard hat. This feature is for adult eyes only!
myTunes brings a GUI to stripping iTMS DRM
These crazy hackers are moving fast these days, but Engadget has stayed in stride by providing a walk-through of myTunes, a GUI front-end to QTFairUse (sadly, Windows only - for now), that python code they mentioned earlier this week (not to be confused with any other products by the name of 'myTunes').A big downer for this app, however, is the way it works its DRM-be-gone magic: it can only work on tracks as they're played in real time. Even then, you're left with a file (sans any metadata like ratings or ID3 tags) which needs to be re-constructed into a playable AAC file with a second tool, though that process seems to take mere seconds per track. Engadget recommends letting the stripping process run overnight, so you can get a good 8 hours or so of unshackled music from each batch. Check out their walk-through for more instructions and ideas on how to optimize this process.myTunes might not be pretty yet, but it sounds like the developer(s) have a polishing roadmap in place, including simplifying this to a one-step process. For now, it still is the only method we know of for setting your iTMS purchases free.
Windows app cracks iTMS v6 DRM
JHymn users might remember that iTunes 6 broke the DRM-stripping tool, and it seems that Apple's done a good job of keeping FairPlay locked down - until someone cooked up QTFairUse6 for Windows. Yes, it's a Windows app, but it can apparently strip purchases from iTMS version 6.0.4 and above of their constraining DRM. QTFairUse6 isn't pretty either - it's a python script that involves some tinkering, but this might be good news to those who believe that if you love something, you should set it free.[via Engadget]
Use iMovie to remove iTMS DRM
This tip has apparently been around for quite a while, but the indispensable macosxhints just discovered it today, and I thought I'd share the love. It turns out that, using iMovie and at least one picture/video file, you can chose a couple of specific export options to crank out a DRM-free AIFF file from any of your iTMS songs. Bringing this file back into iTunes, of course, re-converts and compresses it to your bidding. It might be a roundabout solution, but if you can export more than one song per iMovie project (anyone care to try?), I bet this could turn out to be a bit easier than burning all those CDs.Check out macosxhints for the full instructions on using iMovie to de-DRM your tracks.
Support doc: MacBook may run warm because rear vent is blocked
First Engadget reported it, and now there's an official Apple Support document explaining the issue: some MacBooks (and Pros) are apparently making it out of the factory with a thin piece of clear plastic blocking covering the rear vent. The article states the obvious: that this plastic is used to protect the notebook from dust while in the factory.So if it looks like you're starting to get a tan from using your MacBook on your lap too often (which Apple doesn't recommend anyway), you might want to check that rear exhaust vent for any clear, plastic blockage.
Breaking the Law: Stripping DRM from iTMS-purchased songs
I haven't raised everyone's ire with an anti-DRM rant in a while, so I thought I'd share this bit. Here's the warning: according to the DMCA circumventing the DRM in your iTMS tracks is illegal; however, as the DRM contravenes existing fair use laws in the first place, the DRM itself is illegal. Plus, if you are not pirating music, and you are simply trying to, say, grab a sound byte from a track you bought off of the iTMS to place in Garageband and feature in your podcast, and the RIAA happens to find out and actually bother to sue you....well, you can always point out to the judge that you could have simply burnt the song to CD and then re-ripped the songs without breaking any laws, and hopefully he/she will have the sense to throw the case out and fine the RIAA for wasting his/her time. //end warning
