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The Best How-to Sites

When I was young I always took my toys apart to see how they worked. Unfortunately, I was never able to put the toys back together. I am still not able to put those toys back together, unless I have some sort of step by step, how-to guide. Here is a list of my favorite step by step, how-to sites:

PSDTUTS

I like Illustrator better than Photoshop, but Photoshop is many times more powerful than the vector image alternative. To make my relationship with Photoshop a little smoother, I attempt many of the tutorials on the Internet. My favorite tutorial site, PSDTuts, is where I practice my amateur Photoshop skills. They have tutorials for beginners as well as for the advanced. The best part of the site is the text effects, which are some of the most well done and fulfilling tutorials you’ll ever do.

SYSTM

Not a website, but a web show by Revision3. The hosts Dave Randolph and Patrick Norton aren’t the most enthusiastic people, but the stuff they make is. I, personally, have never attempted any of their projects, but I can always dream. The MAME Arcade series is the epitome of what the show is about.

MAKEZINE

Similar to SYSTM, but not a show. Makezine teaches you how to make generally nerdy stuff. They sell their projects in the online store for anyone willing to give them a try. I’ve never tried a Makezine project, but I just ordered the a project in hopes of success. Bring on the soldering!

SMASHINGMAGAZINE

Probably my favorite of the list, Smashing Magazine has all the resources and howtos to be a web or graphic designer. Throughout this blog, you might see some “Smashing” influence and I’m not the only one. Smashing Magazine is always feeling the Digg Effect and for good reason.

CNET TIPS & TRICKS

I don’t like CNET. It has nothing that I can’t find better elsewhere, except for its “Tips and Tricks” section. Want to know how to expand your wifi signal? CNET T&T will show you either through an article or a video. I actually find myself watching videos that would be no use to me, but they’re usually well done and would be possible for a non-tech interested friend or family member.

Got any more how-to sites? As always, leave them in the comments.

BuyMyTronics.com: No Need for eBay

I asked the internet community to vote on what I should do with my broken iPod. I didn’t listen and decided to fix it. Since then, my iPod Touch has become my main player and the old, but still working iPod had been pushed into the corner to collect dust, but before it could I found BuyMyTronics.com.

BuyMyTronics.com, which used to be BuyMyBrokeniPod.com, buys old and/or broken iPods, Zunes, and even game consoles, and pays you through PayPal. To submit a “tronic” you’ll go through a few pages of information about the condition of the item you’re wanting to sell and if you have the original accessories and manuals (the more stuff you’ve, got the more you’ll get). When submitting my iPod I also included the box and I ended up making $120. Not bad considering the iPod wasn’t in the best condition and it was the previous generation. My luck on eBay is laughable and BuyMyTronics was the best way for me to make money without having to (attempt) another auction.

The whole process was very simple. Instructions on sending your iPod in were emailed to you quickly, but shipping to BuyMyTronics is on your tab (and it’s wise to include Delivery Confirmation). The newly redesigned website is also easy to navigate and it’s ad free.

In the future, BuyMyTronics will be buying laptops, cell phones, cameras and “camcorders” (I wonder if they’re talking about the huge black cameras from the early 90’s?). This will be interesting to see how they price the dozens of different types of phones and cameras.

BuyMyTronics is the best choice for those who want to get money for their electronics, but don’t want to hassle with eBay. The procedure is simple and you’ll come out with a full man purse.

www.BuyMyTronics.com

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Tags: apple, buy, ebay, electronics, gadget, internet, ipod, money, online, paypal, sell, site, web