Dear Lifehacker, I get bad customer service from companies time and again over the phone, and I'd like to record these calls so I have proof. I've also heard this might be illegal—are there any legal problems associated with this?Signed, Worried Wiretapper Photo by Esparta Palma. Dear Worried, That's actually a great question, and one we've heard several times. In fact, Lifehacker reader luckycharms just shared a tip that pretty... [weiterlesen]

After extended use your earbuds get pretty dirty—both on the microscopic and the visible "that came out of my ear?" level. This simple guide will help you defunk your earbuds to keep your eyes happy and the tunes clear.Photo by dusk-photography. Earbuds can get dirty surprisingly fast, especially if you use in-ear earbuds—the sealed design increases the heat in the ear canal and leads to more ear... [weiterlesen]

Just because you've got a relatively inexpensive point-and-shoot camera and not a $1500+ DSLR rig doesn't mean you can't take awesome photos. Here's a look at how you can elevate your regular old point-and-shoot shots to greatness.As popular as they've become in some circles, most people don't own a DSLR camera. They're expensive, they're bulky, and they're entirely inconvenient for toting around in many situations. I'm... [weiterlesen]

If you like getting the most use out of your possessions as possible, this guide will help you turn a hooded sweatshirt into a laptop bag, baby carrier, and more.Over at the design site Conceptual Devices, they have a project called Just Undo It that emphasizes the use of common objects in new and versatile ways. Check out the video below to see how they turn a... [weiterlesen]

Everywhere you look, food is trying to impress you with how natural it is, but the message is vague and often misleading. What does "organic" actually mean? What separates "grass-fed" from "free range"? We're separating real, meaningful labels from eco-hype.Photo by greenblog. Even if you couldn't care less about the growing media presence and consumer curiosity around food sourcing and handling, it helps to know... [weiterlesen]

Next time you drop a book in the bath or end up with an otherwise water-damaged periodical, document, or photograph, reader pearce.kilgour recommends a simple solution: Put it in the freezer.Photo by dno1967. Ever drop a book in the tub? Don't despair, you can save it. Put it into a plastic bag (not vacuum seal) and place in the freezer. The... [weiterlesen]

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to adjust your monitors without a lot of fussing with multi-step processes, the calibration tool at Photo Friday can help you tweak your monitor.Nothing is a true substitute for hardware calibration, but if you're not working in the print industry or as a professional photographer, you don't need to calibrate your monitor to match the physical world—you... [weiterlesen]

U.S. commuters spend an average of 50 minutes in their car each day, and that leaves a lot of room for improvement. Make the most of your commute with these 10 tips.Photo by mattlemmon. 10. Adjust Your Mirrors for Better Vision Most people set up their car's mirrors in a way that... [weiterlesen]

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/zIq6sUXIysE&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} ); Dear Lifehacker, In light of all the natural disasters wreaking havoc across the globe, I've realized I should take a home inventory to document everything I own for insurance purposes. What's the best way to do this? Signed, Happy HomeownerHi Happy, You're smart to want to document your possessions in case of burglary, damage, or fire. The short answer to your question: The best tool for the job is the one you'll actually use. Taking a... [weiterlesen]

If you're trying to cut back on or give up caffeine, then you already know to avoid coffee. But the eye-opening stimulant is found in lots of other beverages, and even some food and medications.Photo by emdot. Life management blog Wise Bread takes a look at where caffeine is hiding in various popular foods and drinks we encounter every day, comparing caffeine levels... [weiterlesen]