Create an iPhone ringtone from a MP3

January 29th, 2010

Standard Disclaimers: do this at your own risk.

NOTE: I created a separate copy of my MP3 first, just to ensure I didn’t mess it up. You can skip this step if you’re not paranoid like I am.

  1. Your import settings must be set to “ACC”. In iTunes 8, to check/change do the following: Edit – Preferences – General tab – Import Settings (button) – Import Using should be “AAC Encoder”. If not, change it. You can always change it back when you are finished. (Which is what I had to do because my preference is the MP3 Encoder.) Now, click OK and get back to the main iTunes screen.
  2. Go to your library and find the song you want to make into a ringtone (this should be a MP3 file you’ve already imported into iTunes [1])
  3. Right-click on the song and choose “Get Info”.
  4. Click the “Options” tab.
  5. Check the box for “Start Time” and set the time to when your ringtone should start. (ie 0:00)
  6. Check the box for “Stop Time” and set the time to when your ringtone should end [2]. (ie 0:30)
  7. Click Ok to save this change [3].
  8. Now back in your library, right-click the song and choose “Create AAC version”
  9. Now you have a 30 sec clip of the song. Right-click on the 30-sec song and choose “Show in Windows Explorer”
  10. Rename the file (ending in .m4a) to have a “.m4r” extension. (ie “09 Cryin.m4a” => “09 Cryin.m4r”), Confirm the change.
  11. Now double-click on this renamed file to have iTunes auto-import your new Ringtone!

[1] There are a couple of ways to import your MP3 into iTunes. One is to find the file using My Computer or Windows Explorer and then simply drag-n-drop into iTunes (which of course must already be open). Two is to use iTunes menu to import the file (File – Import File to Library – then browse and find the song).

[2] The ringtone cannot be more than 30 seconds.

[3] After your finished, be sure to change the start and stop to be un-checked so that your song will play normally.

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Configure XAMPP to send email through Gmail (including Google Apps)

January 29th, 2010

1. Download “stunnel” (I used version 4.21) http://www.stunnel.org/download/stunnel/win32/stunnel-4.21-installer.exe

2. Enable POP for your Gmail account

3. Install “stunnel” with default settings.

4. Open the stunnel configuration file (C:Program Filesstunnelstunnel.conf) and make sure these settings are configured:

cert = stunnel.pem
socket = l:TCP_NODELAY=1
socket = r:TCP_NODELAY=1
debug = 7
output = stunnel.log
client = yes

5. Now enter the section below into the configuration file:

[smtpg]
accept = 127.0.0.1:25
connect = smtp.gmail.com:465
;or connect = 72.14.215.109:465 so there’s no DNS lookup

6. Save file and start stunnel (Start – Programs – stunnel – Run stunnel)

7. Edit the “php.ini” file (mine was at C:xamppapachebin) with the following settings:

[mail function]
; For Win32 only.
Sendmail_path = “C:xamppsendmailsendmail.exe –t”
SMTP = localhost
smtp_port = 25

8. Save file and STOP – START the XAMPP server.

9. Finally, edit the “sendmail.ini” file (C:xamppsendmail) with the following settings:

[sendmail]
smtp_server=localhost
smtp_port=25
default_domain=gmail.com
error_logfile=error.log
auth_username=[yourgmailname]@gmail.com
;or auth_username=[yourgmailname]@[yourgoogleappdomain]
auth_password=[yourgmailpassword]

10. Save and you’re done.

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Make Your CDs AutoLaunch

January 29th, 2010

Have you ever wondered how to make the CDs you burn auto-launch a file? It’s really easy, if you can create a simple text file in Notepad, you can make your CDs auto-launch too. I’ll even explain how to launch files that aren’t normal “executable” files, such as webpages (.htm, .html).

I recommend creating a folder that will contain all the contents you will burn to the CD.

  1. Right-click on desktop
  2. Mouse over “New”
  3. Then select “Folder” from the popup
  4. Name it accordingly (i.e. “InstallCD”)

Now, that you have a folder created, open Notepad. Use Notepad, not Wordpad/Word/etc. Word processors will add hidden data to the files that you don’t want. Notepad is a plain text editor and will save only the text you put in it. Below is a sample file. You can change the name of the file from “install.exe” to whatever executable filename you wish to launch. Save this file as “autorun.inf” into the folder you created.

[autorun]
open=install.exe

You can also include you own icon that will be associated with the CD too. Just add another line to the Notepad file, and copy your icon into the folder.

icon=install.ico

That’s it. Put a blank CD into the drive, if prompted select “Burn files to disc”. Name the CD whatever you wish to be displayed beside the drive letter in windows (i.e. d:\MyDisc).

Note for Vista: I find it easier at this point to choose “Show formatting options” and select a “Mastered” CD versus the default “Live File System”.

Copy all of the contents of your folder to the new popup window for the CD, then burn.

I have used this technique to make simple install CDs for a specific application (i.e. AVG Antivirus), and also more complex “utility” CDs that launch a custom webpage that gives the user an “interface” to install different files they choose off of the CD.

Launching a file that isn’t an executable requires a little different approach. And in order to be compatible with multiple versions of Windows, we’ll add a new line too.

[autorun]
open=start index.html
shellexecute=index.html
icon=start.ico

The webpage can do anything you wish. The one I use the most provides a list of utilities the user can install by clicking a link from the webpage. The sky is the limit, especially if you add in some javascript.

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Project: Going Free Digital, Kill The Cable

January 29th, 2010

Goal: reduce the amount of money paid for cable television.

Plan:

  1. Get Digital Converter Boxes
  2. Build a Digital Antenna (to place in my attic)
  3. Build a DVR system using computer (would like the ability to burn recording to a DVD-R)
  4. Eliminate month bill for cable television (excluding broadband internet.. plan to keep the net.)

Details:

I received two “coupons” that I signed up for on https://www.dtv2000.gov and based on the recommendations of others I believe I will use those to purchase two digital boxes from RadioShack.

Next I will start to assemble the necessary parts to build a digital antenna. The plans I will use are from this site: http://digg.com/u12bQG I will post some photos as I do the build.

I haven’t determined the best DVR system yet, and haven’t research burning at all. I will post more when I complete that research.

Update:

I’ve posted some photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/steppsr/sets/72157617736674395/

Update:

I’ve posted more photos… added to the same set above.

I’ve also been reading up on DVR systems and I’m liking the looks of MythTV so far. Sounds like it has a lot of great features, including the ability to add a Plugin that will allow you to burn recordings onto a DVD or VCD.

Update:

Materials for antenna Used / Bought
Spray Adhesive $1.63 / $6.49
Electrical Connectors $0.28 / $2.99
Dowel Rods $2.88 / $8.64
Galvanized Wire $1.77 / $8.87
Transformer/BALUN $5.49 / $5.49
Plywood On hand
Screws On Hand
Aluminum Foil On Hand
Tacks On Hand

Tools used
Cordless Drill/Screwdriver
Circular Saw
Square
Hammer
Pliers
Hand Saw & Miter box
Soldering Iron

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The Avid Technologist

January 29th, 2010

And now it begins…

I’m a fan of technology. You could even say an avid fan. I work in technology, I play in technology… I live in technology.

The purpose of this blog is mostly to have fun, document some of my projects/thoughts/reviews/etc, and most importantly play with technology. I have many areas of interests, too many to try and list in this first post. I expect that I’ll create the categories as I go. And that should wrap up this first post. Next should be some meat and potatoes…

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