How to create an iPhone/iPad/iOS Home Screen icon for your website

When somebody bookmarks your website on their iPhone or iPad, you probably want your website’s logo to appear as the bookmark icon. Similar to application icons, your users will identify this icon immediately and can use it to launch your website.

1Create your icon

Create your icon using your image editing program of choice. The icon should be 512px X 512px. This size allows for the icon to be used on Retina display devices and will automatically scale down for use on older iPhones with lower resolution screens. You do not need to round the corners of the icon; iOS automatically rounds the corners and gives it a button-like appearance.

Create your icon

2Save your icon

Save the icon as a PNG in the root directory of your website using the filename apple-touch-icon.png. iOS will take it from there!


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Xbox 360 compatible video formats

The Xbox 360 isn’t just for gaming — you can also use it to watch movies. The video formats listed in this guide are Xbox-compatible. Just copy a video file to your USB drive or external hard drive and you’re good to go!

Tools:

  • 1 ea USB drive
  • 1 ea Xbox 360

1Compatible video formats

.mp4 .m4v .mp4v .mov .wmv .avi .divx

Note:

The .avi and .divx formats will only play if you can connect to Xbox Live and download an optional free video codec pack.


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Tools:

  • 1 ea USB drive
  • 1 ea Xbox 360

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How public key encryption works

Public key encryption is also known as asymmetric because it requires two different keys – a public key and a private key. Encryption requires the public key, and decryption requires the private key.

1Generating keys

Both a private and a public key must be generated in order to use public key encryption. The public key is required for encryption while the private key is used to decrypt. The originating computer – the computer receiving the encrypted message – needs to generate the key pair. The public key will be given to the computer sending the encrypted message, but the private key will only be known to the originating computer since it is used for decryption.

2Encrypting data

The computer sending the encrypted message will use the public key. The encrypted message can be sent over the internet and cannot be decrypted without the private key.

3Decrypting data

The originating computer should be the only computer with access to the private key. Upon receiving the encrypted message the private key can be used to decrypt the message.


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Replace a cracked or broken iPhone 5 screen

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer with a cracked iPhone screen, there’s no reason not to fix it yourself. You can buy all of the parts and tools you need online for under $70, and the process should take approximately 30 minutes. There are plenty of decent vid

Tools:

Materials:

1Make sure your phone is powered off

Make sure your phone is powered off

2Remove the 2 screws on the bottom of the iPhone

Using the star screwdriver, remove both of the small screws. They are located on both sides of the charger port.

Remove the 2 screws on the bottom of the iPhone

Note:

Make sure to keep track of all screws! As a general rule, you should keep screws in a container to avoid losing them. If necessary, label each container.

3Using the black pry tool, pry the screen away from the phone

The title makes this step seem easier than it actually is. You must be very careful not to damage any components as you’re trying to wedge the tool between the bottom edge of the screen and the phone. This step will take some time as you will need to apply a good bit of pressure to lift the screen. If necessary, you may use the suction cup provided to get a good grip on the screen. Since my screen is damaged, the suction cup was pretty much useless.

Using the black pry tool, pry the screen away from the phone

4Carefully lift the screen and keep hold of it

There are still cables attached so you will want to do this carefully. Also take this time to study the inside of the phone!

Carefully lift the screen and keep hold of it

5Unscrew and remove the screen cable cover

There are three screws that must be removed to get to the ribbon cables. The cover can be removed by lifting the right side and sliding it left.

Unscrew and remove the screen cable cover

6Carefully remove the ribbon cables

I used the small flat head screwdriver to gently lift the edge of each ribbon cable. There are three different cables that must be removed in order to completely remove the broken screen. Once you’ve removed them, set the screen upside down. We will have to remove a few things from the broken screen.

Carefully remove the ribbon cables

7Remove the front facing camera assembly

There are three screws securing a protective shield over the back of the front facing camera that must be removed. Remove the cover and make sure to keep these pieces together.

Remove the front facing camera assembly

8Remove the screws securing the metal plate behind the screen

Remove the screws securing the metal plate behind the screen

9Set the plate and screws aside

Set the plate and screws aside

10Remove the remainder of the camera assembly

This is a step where you will have to pay close attention to how this assembly is put together. You may have to use a flat head screw drive to help lift where parts are secured by adhesive. Once you’ve lifted the entire assembly including the plastic camera cover, set it aside.

Remove the remainder of the camera assembly

11Remove the button assembly

There are two screws securing the plate behind the button. Once the plate is gone you will have to remove the piece to the right of the button secured by adhesive. You can use a flat head screwdriver if necessary. After removing these pieces the button should pop out the back. Set this entirely assembly aside.

Remove the button assembly

12Replace the camera assembly on the new screen

You will have to be very cautious and precise to position the camera properly. Begin by placing the plastic cover followed by the camera. You can place the cover on now or wait until after you’ve positioned the metal plate behind the screen.

Replace the camera assembly on the new screen

13Position the metal plate and screw it in

Position the metal plate and screw it in

14Replace the button assembly

Place the button in position, place the adhesive strip back in place, then screw on the cover.

Replace the button assembly

15Make sure you’ve properly placed and secured all covers

Make sure you've properly placed and secured all covers

16Reattach the ribbon cables

This step will require some patience. Position the cables in place and then apply a little bit of pressure until you feel them snap into place. You shouldn’t have to press too hard, so move them around until they are in the right place.

Reattach the ribbon cables

17Place and secure the cable cover back over the ribbon cables

Place and secure the cable cover back over the ribbon cables

18Place the new screen back into place

You will have to apply a little bit of pressure and wiggle screen around a bit until it settles back into place.

Place the new screen back into place

19Finally screw in the remaining screws to secure the screen in place

Finally screw in the remaining screws to secure the screen in place

20Rejoice!

Rejoice!

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How to disable the Macbook trackpad when a wireless mouse is present

by Zach in osx, mac, apple, mouse, trackpad | 1 min

I like using a wireless mouse at my desk but sometimes I accidentally hit the trackpad.

Tools:

  • 1 ea Wireless Mouse
  • 1 ea Mac OS X

1Open Universal Access

Open Spotlight (in the top-right corner of your screen) and type “Universal Access”.

Open Universal Access

2Select the “Mouse & Trackpad” tab and then click the “Trackpad Options” button.

Select the "Mouse & Trackpad" tab and then click the "Trackpad Options" button.

3Check the box for “Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpoint is present”. Click Done.

Check the box for "Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpoint is present". Click Done.

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Tools:

  • 1 ea Wireless Mouse
  • 1 ea Mac OS X