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Test Drivin' the Dymo DiscPainter

GeekSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:00:11 -0700

This is the first time I've ever experimented with a CD disc painter before and I can honestly say: I'm hooked! If you ever need to make a batch of CDs - as a keepsake from a wedding, birthday, or party - personalizing each disc with an image, text or fun graphic is such a nice added touch! With the Dymo DiscPainter you can quickly and easily label CDs - the handy software it comes with gives you a ton of user-friendly customization options.

To get started, all you have to do is install the software on your laptop, pop the ink cartridge into the compact Dymo DiscPainter, connect the power and USB cords and off you go! To keep reading, and to check out a video of the DiscPainter in action (plus more pics!), just read more.

Once you get the image or design just the way you want it to appear on your CD - you can control the ink quality and choose from settings like matte, colored and glossy - insert a glossy, water resistant CD-R (it comes with three) into the DiscPainter and hit print from your desktop. And in as little as 30 seconds (600 dpi) to three minutes (1200 dpi), your disc will be completed and covered with a radiant image! The DiscPainter is compatible with not only CDs, but full-sized DVDs and mini discs too. Each unit is priced at $250 without the cartridge and $288 with.

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Geek Tip: Use Window Cleaner to Fix Unplayable Discs

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:45:27 -0700

This tip actually comes courtesy of Netflix, after they were beginning to kill me by sending unplayable disc after unplayable disc. The first offender, (a How I Met Your Mother DVD, if you must know), refused to play in my DVD player, so I pulled out all my tricks to clean it (except for the ol' toothpaste trick, which I was tempted to try, but since I didn't own the disc, I had reservations), to no avail, so I reported it unplayable, and Netflix sent another copy of the DVD.

Would you believe it, the next HIMYM disc they sent would also not play! By then I was angry and cursing the Netflix gods as I signed in to my profile to tell them yes, you sent me another crappy DVD that I can't play. But instead of them telling me OK, they'd send a new one out (as they had the previous time) it was as if the website sighed loudly at me; the next message I got was something along the lines of "Have you tried Windexing it?" Defeated, I admitted I hadn't, so I tried it.

To see the rest of the tip, just read more.

I pulled out the Windex (I hear ya, I am trying to get rid of it and replace it with the green version but that bottle drains so slowly), spritzed it on a paper towel, and wiped away, being careful to not leave too many particles from the towel on the disc (next time I'll use a soft cloth and avoid more potential scratches with the paper towels). I placed the DVD into the player, and like magic, the disc played.

I'm curious, have you heard of this tip before? I was surprised I hadn't! For the concerns about using window cleaners on a disc, a quick Google doesn't yield much evidence saying it will damage anything, but if you're concerned, do go with an eco-friendly (and therefore, less chemical-y) window cleaner, as I'd imagine it would have the same effect as the commercial cleaner that I used.

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Ask Savvy: Should I Invest in a Roth IRA or CD?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:48:57 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I'm a college freshman and I took Economics about 2 years ago and I vaguely remember my teacher advising we should invest some money into a Roth IRA or CD. I don't have a job right now, but this summer I'm definitely looking to work for as long as I can. How would this affect my financial aid eligibility in school? What is the difference between the two and the pros and cons? Lastly, What should I do?

To see my answer just read more

Before I get answering, pat yourself on the back for thinking about investing at such an early age. A lot of young adults (some of my friends included) talk about investing but don't actually do anything because it becomes confusing and therefore frustrating. So, in order to keep your investor momentum going I'll answer your question regarding which investment is best for you. As for the summer job affecting your financial aid, that's one question I cannot answer and it's best to discuss any concerns with your school's financial aid office.

Roth IRAs and CDs are two very different investment / saving vehicles and choosing which is best for you depends on your goals. Roth IRAs are generally used for retirement savings, and the funds in a Roth can be withdrawn tax-free and without penalty if they're used toward purchasing your first home. A Roth IRA is an account composed of other investments, while a CD is an investment in itself.

CD, which stands for Certificate of Deposit, is a generally low-risk investment that is guaranteed by the bank. Think of it as a savings account that forces you to leave the money where it is for a certain period of time (unless you want to pay an early-withdrawal penalty) and earns a set interest rate for the term of the investment.

You'll be eligible to invest in a Roth IRA once you start earning a paycheck, but some banks require minimum initial investments or minimum contributions. There are typically minimum investments for CDs and the interest rates vary according to the term of your investment - generally the longer the term, the higher the interest rate.

In your situation, if you don't already have an emergency fund worth about three months living expenses, I'd open a high-yield savings account and build some readily available savings first. And if you have any credit card debt you should try and pay off those bills with your summer income before you even think about investing. Once you have those things squared away, a Roth IRA is probably the smartest place for you to start investing but you need to weigh your options carefully and consider your individual financial needs and goals.

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Geek Tip: Don't Write on CDs With Sharpies!

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:01:39 -0700

If you're burning CDs and DVDs, you probably label them right afterward, and do what I (used to) do, which is reach for a Sharpie. But I caution you, as your friend and gagdet guru: Put down the Sharpie.

The chemicals in Sharpies (and most conventional markers) can eventually damage the data on your discs. I've written on CDs and DVDs plenty of times and while I'm not sure I've tasted the downside of it yet, why take chances? You can either label with the kind of markers that are made for writing on CDs, or do what I do and write on a white file sticker, or for something prettier, the stickers in this CD Packaging Kit should do the trick.

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Geek Tip: Fix Scratched CDs With Toothpaste

GeekSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:11:42 -0800

I've heard rumblings about this tip for a while now, but I was too scared to try it myself. But I've seen and heard recommendations for it all over the place, so here goes. Though most scratched up CDs make me want to just throw them out, it turns out they just might be salvageable . . . with toothpaste!

Simply rub toothpaste on the scratched surface with a cotton swab until the scratches have disappeared. The paste fills in the scratches so the disc can be read. It may not work for heavily scratched surfaces, but it's worth a shot.

I'd try this with the really plain white toothpaste and nothing with those newfangled beads or bits in it. Clean-spinning and minty fresh!

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Turn Your CD's into Works of Art

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:00:55 -0800

If you are like me and have a few CD's that you keep out for special occasions, but you don't like publicizing the fact that Britney still holds a special place in your heart, I bring to you these beautiful CD sleeves.

Geek geared by teamsugar user CiaoBella, the CD Packaging Kit from Barnes and Noble comes in four different styles including Petals in Pink, Fauna Mandala, Surf and Turf, and Happy Holidays-with each being created by different illustrators. Every unique kit features twenty-five mix-and-match CD sleeves and labels and 60 matching stickers. Trust me, no one will ever know about your Barry Manilow fetish with these lovely covers! Priced at only $16.

CD Christmas Tree Ornament: Love or Leave?

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:00:55 -0800

The results are. Over seventy percent of you loved the Circuitboard Ornament Set, as did I. If you need some more geek inspired tree swag, check out this recycled CD ornament, which will shine and shimmer beneath your twinkling Christmas lights.

Just like the Circuitboard ornaments, the CD ornaments come individually or in a set of three. Priced at $21 for a set or $8 on their own. What do you think? An improvement from the Circuitboard designs or still too geeky for you? Leave your comments below!

CD Chair: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:00:43 -0700

While I have chosen to decorate my house with more of an understated and modern theme I have a bizarre fascination with intricate furniture with a touch of geek.

While only a concept, this chair made from hundreds of blank cds designed by Belen Hermosa offers inspiration for those of us that have gigantic used CD collections lying around. I can't imagine it's especially comfortable, but it does have a special geek chic flare, right?

Happy Birthday, CD!

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:23:16 -0700

The CD is 25 years old today. On August 17, 1982 the very first compact disc, "The Visitors" by ABBA, rolled off the production line at a Philips factory in Langenhagen, just outside of Hanover, Germany.

While the Compact Disc format was originally designed for music storage and playback, the format was later adapted to hold any form of binary data. If you've ever wondered how they work, check out How Stuff Works' guide.

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Concept Player Makes Use Of Your MP3s And CDs

GeekSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:00:40 -0700

Just when I thought CDs had gone the way of the Dodo, I learn that designer Yong-Seong Kim has come up with the DMP, a portable music player that supports CD and MP3 files.

You can use the MP3 player normally, or unclip the sides and insert your favorite CD. I like the idea because it might encourage me to whip out my classic early 90s CD collection and the fact that the CD is exposed while playing gives it a bit of a retro, record player appeal.

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Source: Yanko Design