Chrome - Save all tabs without a plugin

Here’s a quick and easy way to save/bookmark all Chrome tabs without using a plugin:

>> CTRL+SHIFT+D keyboard shortcut

Tip found from this thread.

How To Resize A VirtualBox VM In 3 Easy Steps

VirtualBox does not make resizing a VM easy. Luckily, I’ve collected the 3 necessary steps that you’ll need to resize your VDI files:

Step 1 – Create a New and Bigger VDI file

Use the VirtualBox ‘Virtual Media Manager’ GUI to create a new VDI file that is larger in size.

Step 2 – Use the ‘VBoxManage CloneHD’ Command

This command will copy the original to the New and larger VDI. Open a command window and call this command from the VirtualBox directory. Be sure you properly reference the correct files, for example, here the command I used:

C:\Program Files\Sun\VirtualBox>vboxmanage clonehd --existing e:\virtualbox\ORIGINAL.vdi C:\Users\Mehul\.VirtualBox\HardDisks\NEW_BIGGER.vdi

Sun VirtualBox Command Line Management Interface Version 3.1.8

(C) 2005-2010 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.

0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100%

Clone hard disk created in format 'VDI'. UUID: 7099c645-15c2-4656-bf90-27a444444444444

Step 2 (optional) – Call ‘setvdiuuid’ in case of an issue

Try to start your VM now that points to the NEW_BIGGER.vdi file. If you get an unusual error like this one:

Cannot register the hard disk ‘PATH’ with UUID {id goes here} because a hard disk ‘PATH2’ with UUID {same id goes here} already exists in the media registry (‘PATH to XML file’).

Then use the following command on your NEW_BIGGER.vdi:

C:\Users\Mehul\.VirtualBox\HardDisks>"c:\Program Files\Sun\VirtualBox\VBoxManage.exe"
internalcommands setvdiuuid MHDXDT1_Laptop.vdi

Sun VirtualBox Command Line Management Interface Version 3.1.8
(C) 2005-2010 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.

UUID changed to: d4c86bf9-3739-4894-9fee-0ec8342432a

Take note that I ran that command from the directory location of the NEW_BIGGER.vdi file. For a good explanation of this command, check out this post.

Step 3 – Resize the local drive in the VM

Your NEW_BIGGER.vdi is larger than before. However, as a final step, you need to increase the local drive in the VM. Windows 7 makes it easy with the disk management.

• From control panel, bring up ‘Disk Management’.
• Right click on your local C: drive (Disk 0 usually)
• Select ‘Extend Volume’

The process is pretty easy to figure out. If you need more info and images then check out this post for a more detail.

And that’s it! You’re done. You now have a bigger drive.

Easy, wasn’t it?

Thanks to this post for majority of the initial guidance.

AutoHotKey – Easily Create An HTML Link

I’m huge fan of AutoHotKey which saves me a ton of time in not having to type repetitive keystrokes. Basically, it helps me be a better keyboard ninja.

Often for blog posts, I need to encapsulate a link with a HTML <a> anchor tag. So that http://Mehul.net becomes <a href=”http://Mehul.net” target=”blank”>http://Mehul.net</a>

So I’ve hacked up the following AutoHotKey script which allows you to highlight a link and press Control+Shift+L and it automagically converts into an HTML <a> anchor tag.

Copy this script into a autohotkey script. Load the script. Select an HTML link and press Control+Shift+L.

;-------------------------------------------------------------
; Create A Link -- Ctrl+Shift+L
;-------------------------------------------------------------

^+l::
{
Send, ^c
Sleep 50
var=% "<a href=""" . clipboard . """ target=""_blank"">" . clipboard . "</a>"
clipboard=% var
Send, ^v
Return
}

To learn more about AutoHotKey, check out these LifeHacker posts:

Turn Any Action into a Keyboard Shortcut

Hack Attack: Knock down repetitive email with AutoHotKey

Improve iPhone Safari Readability

I like to catch up on my blog reading using my iPhone. However, many sites don’t have a mobile version that formats the page for a smaller device.

Instatpaper to the resuce!

Instapaper.com is known for allowing you to bookmark a web page and ‘Read It Later’ using either their website or iPhone app. What’s also great is they format the bookmarked web page so that it is readable on mobile devices. They also offer their ‘mobilizer engine’ to use as a separate service:

If you go to this site on your mobile browser: http://instapaper.com/m 

Then Enter a url of blog you like to read: For example: http://community.devexpress.com/blogs/aspnet/default.aspx

Hit Go and watch as all the formatting is removed and you see big text that only scrolls vertically. Beautiful and perfect for mobile browsers.

I’ve taken it a step further by creating a bookmarklet that will automatically call the ‘Instapaper mobilizer’ site for you when you’re reading a blog on your mobile browser. Here’s the steps to add it to an iPhone:

1. From Safari, add a new bookmark and call it something like ‘Instapaper Mobilizer’.
2. Edit the Bookmark you just added.
3. javascript:var d=document,w=window,f='http://www.instapaper.com/m',l=d.location,e=encodeURIComponent,p='?u='+e(l.href),u=f+p;if(!w.open(u,'t','toolbar=0,resizable=0,status=1,width=250,height=150'))l.href=u;   Replace the url with the JavaScript code in this box.
4. Now, while reading a blog, open the bookmark you just added.

And that’s it. Enjoy.

I’m a Creator and Social Manager

Taking up Travis’ suggestion, I took the color career test and got the following results. Surprisingly, it is not too different than my day job:

----------------------------------------------------

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're a SOCIAL MANAGER

Keywords:

Tactful, Cooperative, Generous, Understanding, Insightful, Friendly, and Cheerful

This very social type enjoys working in groups, sharing responsibilities, and being the center of attention. Fields of interest are instructing, helping, nurturing, care giving and instructing-especially young people. They discuss and consider feelings in order to solve problems, lead, direct, persuade, guide, organize and enlighten others.

Handbook: Life Advice From My Big Sister

Check out this fantastic list that I got from my big sister. Some inspirational, useful, and good advice for everyone:

HANDBOOK 2010

Health

:
1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality

:
11. Don't compare your life to others.. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present..

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society

:
25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life

:
32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come..

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least

:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did

Happiness as a choice

A good friend recently told me:

"If you're not enjoying yourself, it's because you've chosen not to."

The year 2008 in photographs – boston.com

Check out this set of pictures from Boston.com. It shows greats photos of events both happy, momentous and extremely tragic.

And this is only the first part. I'll have to keep an eye out for parts 2 and 3:

The year 2008 in photographs (part 1 of 3)

2008 has been an eventful year to say the least - it is difficult to sum up the thousands of stories in just a handful of photographs. That said, I will try to do what I've done with other photo narratives here, and tell a story of 2008 in photographs. It's not the story of 2008, it's certainly not all stories, but as a collection it does show a good portion of what life has been like over the past 12 months. This is a multi-entry story, 120 photographs over three days. Watch for part 2 and part 3 tomorrow and the next day. (40 photos total)

Wine Recommendation: Peter Lehmann Shiraz '05

Picked up this great 2005 Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz from Costco yesterday for $12 bucks. Dark color, fruit flavors but mellow.

You can also pick it p from Bevmo.

How to Be Outstanding | ThinkSimpleNow.com

How to Be Outstanding | ThinkSimpleNow.com: "People who consistently achieve outstanding results all have this in common: they are passionate about what they do. It’s no longer work, but an active participation of joy and creativity."

Good post.

Where is Matt 2008? - CollegeHumor video

Cool and inspirational video from Matt again. Dancing all over the world. Ahh, if only.

42 countries in 14 months. This explains why Matt couldn't make the Pork & Beans shoot.

Where is Matt 2008? - CollegeHumor video

Will Ferrell: Class Day speech

This speech from Will Ferrell to Harvard Grads in 2003 is hilarious:

This is not the Worcester, Mass Boat Show, is it? I am sorry. I have made a terrible mistake. Ever since I left "Saturday Night Live," I mostly do public speaking now. And I must have made an error in the little Palm Pilot. Boy. Don't worry. I got it on me. I got the speech on me. Let's see. Ah, yes. Here we go.

You know, when Bill Gates first called me to speak to you today, I was honored. But when he wanted me to be one of the Roxbury guys, I -- Sorry, that's Microsoft. I'm sorry about that. Star Trek Convention. No. NRA. NAACP. Dow Chemical. No. But that is a good one. That is a good speech. The University of Michigan Law. Johns Hopkins Medical School. I'm sorry. Are you sure this is not the boat show? No, I have it. I do have it on me. I do. It's here. Thank you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Faculty, Administrators, Friends and Family and, of course, the graduating Class of 2003, I wish to say hello and thank you for bestowing this honor upon me as your Class Day speaker. After months of secret negotiations, several hundred secret ballots, and a weekend retreat with Vice President Dick Cheney in his secret mountain bunker, a Class Day speaker was chosen, and it was me. You obviously have made a grave error. But it's too late now. So let's just go with it.

Will Ferrell: Class Day speech

Wallpaper fascination

While looking for a good GTD Wallpaper, I stumbled on a link for those who like wallpapers:

7 Windows Wallpaper Tricks That Don’t Disappoint

Site has good links including a link for social site for wallpaper geeks.

RoboForm is very good

I remember the first time I heard of this tool was many years ago when I was still skeptical of browser plugins. Especially ones that kept my passwords. So I've used password safe for many years now. But there is no browser integration which makes things a headache to open pwsafe and manually enter those details. This is where RoboForm shines. It does a great job to manage my passwords and also to show me only those that pertain to the website. For example, I have several gmail accounts and RoboForm shows me only these when I'm on the gmail login page. Brilliant. Then I select the account I want to login with and presto, I'm logged in.

So, I recommend you give RoboForm a try. I don't have any qualms about its integration or password storing as its been around a while and gotten many other good reviews as well.

The only issue I have is that in IE8 Beta, the popup doesn't work. However, it works great in Firefox and this is probably an IE8 beta issue.

Kenny Smith (doesn't) jump over an Aston Martin!

This is one thing I love about the guys on the TNT Post show. They're very funny. Check out this clip which spoofs Kobe's latest Nike commercial. Very funny.

How We're Wrecking Our Feet With Every Step We Take -- New York Magazine

I try to walk for 30 minutes everyday. It feels good to have this walk. Turns out though that the highly padded shoes I've been wearing could be hurting me more than helping. Check out this article in the NY Magazine. Here are some alternative shoes to going barefoot:

MASAI BAREFOOT TECHNOLOGY

The thick sole mimics the soft, unstable ground on which our ancestors walked. But your foot won’t roll through each step—the sole does the rolling for you.

NIKE FREE

After decades of gimmicky shoes, Nike released the Free: light and flexible, and available in various stages, with Free 5.0 pitched as halfway to barefoot.

VIVO BAREFOOT

Basically a leather slipper with a 3-mm.-thick puncture-resistant sole. It’s thin enough to feel pebbles underfoot and flexible enough to fold in half like a wallet.

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS

This fabric-and-rubber sock with individuated toes is primarily for outdoor sports like kayaking—though at least one entrant wore them to run in the Boston Marathon.

How We're Wrecking Our Feet With Every Step We Take -- New York Magazine

FoodFeed.us and Twitter

When twitter first came out, I thought I wouldn't want to know what my friends were up to all the time. Well, that was one misconception I had about twitter. Twitter is pretty cool, when I have time to pay attention to it.

This new service foodfeed.us looks interesting. It allows you to post from twitter, updates on what you're eating. I'll use it as a food tracker for now but part of me wonders if this is like TMI (too much info). [Btw, if you're mind immediately wonders if there will be feeds for other necessary body functions, then please drop me a line so I know I'm not alone ;-) .]

FoodFeed.us

Sync your Facebook contacts with Outlook & Windows Mobile

Just tried this and the outlook integration is pretty cool. I don't have a windows mobile phone but I'll try to see if it works with the Treo. In my case the app did crash but it does work in importing the pics to outlook. Check out the demo from the developer here:

Sync your Facebook contacts with Outlook (and Windows Mobile)

Educators Corner: Stanford Videos/Podcasts

My iPod has been playing these great Stanford talks from industry professionals. These podcasts talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, etc. Well worth listening to:

Educators Corner: Top 20 Videos

Tennis Lookalikes: Rafa, Novak, Roger, Marat, etc