Eurekster swicki showcase

5 Yoga Poses You Won't Believe

2008-04-21T17:58:26Z

I personally love yoga. It's gentle, yet strengthening for the body and restorative to the soul. You can get a pretty good workout while doing it even though it may appear to be a lot of slow breathing. If you don't believe me, just try holding that warrior II pose for a few minutes. How those leg muscles feeling? Arms look like they're sagging a bit. You still breathing?

Anyway, here are some crazy yoga poses that I won't be doing any time soon, but they show just how amazingly flexible the human body can be. Click on this link to our Yoga swicki to vote on your favorites.

Yoganidra 2. Just lie down on your back and wrap your feet around your head. Now, you get an amazing view of your dernier.

Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I. It's like doing a push up, except your feet are off the ground. And your hips are rotated so that you can cross one leg over the opposing arm.

King Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana). I call this the turn-yourself-into-a-human-donut pose. Sitting on your knees, you bend all the way backwards until your forearms are on the floor, and your head is between your feet.

Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana). This one probably looks easy enough. So maybe it's not the most unbelievable, but I want to see you do it. Seriously. Do it, tape it, and put it on YouTube. I'd vote for that on digg or mixx.

Scorpion Pose (Vrischika-asana). Put your forearms on the floor and flip your legs backward over your head. Let them dangle freely in the air. It gets even better if you can lower your feet and rest them on your head while doing it. Oh yeah. Good times.

Thanks go to Yoga Journal, Forrest Yoga, and Santosha for having great descriptions and pictures of these poses. For more general info and easy-to-do yoga poses, check out the Find Your Yoga Style swicki.

What Is a Swicki?

2008-04-16T16:43:25Z

Maybe you've already heard of swickis before, or maybe you're thinking, "God, another new Internet term? When will it stop?" Well, it'll probably never stop. The Internet seems to have a knack for creating new things that need new names. However, a swicki actually isn't a new term. It's been around for a couple of years--about as long as Eurekster (that's us). A swicki is a custom search engine that allows communities to influence results. The idea is kinda like Digg, Mixx, and many others; that idea being that a group of people passionate about a topic will bring the good stuff to the top.

I'm sure plenty of you have had experiences with search where you didn't find what you wanted. With a swicki, you can vote down the results that you don't like or that are irrelevant. Conversely, if you find a hidden gem lurking at the bottom of the page, you can vote that up. If you find a really cool Web page elsewhere that's not in the results, you can add it to the swicki. A swicki merges the power of technology with the discerning power of people.

And I'm not saying that it's going to replace Google or any of that jazz.

]]> Google is great for the broader search stuff; swickis are great for specific areas of interest. Take our Green Home Improvement swicki. It's targeted to return results around eco-friendly home improvement topics. So you can find resources about building with bamboo, or you may want to discover some new Earth Day ideas. Give it a try. See what you find.

Plus, swickis are portable. I know everyone is into widgets, so you'll be happy to know that you can get code for the swicki and plop it right on your Web site. Then you can do all your searching from your own site.

Sound cool enough? We think so (Yes, we are a little biased). So, we created this Swicki Showcase blog to show off the neat stuff about swickis as well as all the interesting things that we find on the Web. Alex and I share tips, comments about our latest swickis, and random other stuff. To date, I think the Gamerator, which combines a keg with an arcade, is one of my favorite finds (Check it out in the Man Pad swicki). This blog is all about the crazy, intriguing, and wacky side of swickis and the information on the Web. We never know quite what we'll find, and it's fun to pass it along and share it with you.

So that's what a swicki is, and that's also what this blog is about. If you'd like to know more about swickis and Eurekster, you can click on this link for all that official verbiage. You can talk with other swicki users by joining our Ning group over at Swicki Shout Outs. You can also build your own swicki for whatever topic you choose. And feel free to check out our latest owned and operated swickis below. We appreciate your time and your feedback.

May all of your Web searching here and elsewhere bring you relevant results.

5 Crazy Diets

2008-04-14T17:42:50Z

There sure are a lot of diets out there, and it seems like people keep coming up with more and more weird weight loss programs. Sheesh. Just eat in moderation for goodness sakes. Anyway, here are some of the wackier ones that I've read about lately.

5. Grapefruit Diet. Eating half a grapefruit before every meal probably wouldn't be too bad. You certainly would stay on top of your vitamin C needs. No scurvy for you!

4. Cabbage Soup Diet. This is a 1 week on and 2 weeks off diet. Personally, I don't think I'd make it through a week of cabbage soup. I mean eating cabbage for just one meal sounds like enough torture to give up chocolate. Sure there are some other veggies mixed in here, but yuck.

3. Fat Flush Diet. This is all about flaxseed oil, cranberry juice, and supplements. Forget about caffeine and alcohol. And ladies, apparently, you have to forgo birth control pills. Talk about a double whammy on this one.

]]> 2. Coconut Diet. Coconut oil is supposed to boost metabolism. It's also high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol. I mean seriously, how about just eating a little extra coconut? Why make a whole diet out of it?

1. Bento Diet. No, you aren't eating bento boxes, but you are doing portion control by putting your food into them. The lady who created this diet actually has some pretty common sense weight loss advice. She's working with a 4:2:1:1 ratio of veggies, protein, grains, and fruit. But I'd never thought of using Bento boxes as portion control. Maybe I should start the Nike shoe box diet.

Want more random as well as common place diet info? Check out our Top Lifestyle Diets for other ideas, and feel free to comment back with additional crazy diets that you've heard about.

6 Ideas to Get Big Muscles

2008-04-09T16:33:31Z

I think Arnold Schwarzenegger really popularized the idea of men having big muscles. It's sent tons of guys running to gyms to do squats, bench press, dumbbells, and all kinds of slightly masochistic exercises. For those of you who already work out regularly, you know it's a lot of sweat equity and resistance training, and results don't come fast. But for those of you who aren't about to quit pumping iron (and I'm one of them), here are a few tips to help you break plateaus and get ripped.

6. Heavy Lifting. Most of you probably know that lower numbers of repetitions coupled with higher amounts of weight can lead to gaining muscle mass. This is a pretty basic idea, but for those of you doing 10 or 12 reps within a set and who are wondering why you're staying lean, now you know.

5. Post Exhaustion Training. Men's Fitness suggests doing a compound movement (working out several muscle groups) followed by an isolation exercise (focusing on one muscle group). So, you can do a close grip bench press, and then follow that up with triceps extensions. Over time, that will help you to bulk up.

]]> 4. Mind the Clock. The amount of rest you give your muscles makes a big difference in how fast they build up. If you're struggling with your work out, you may need to reduce the rest time between sets. Depending on how long you normally rest, you can trim 5 to 10 seconds of rest time between sets. If you do this each week while doing the same amount of weight, you should start to see results. Some fitness experts even suggest programs built around only 30 seconds of rest between sets while working out a muscle group.

3. Know When to Not be in the Gym. You already work out hard enough, so remember to give yourself time off to let your muscles recover. This can be almost as important of a part of your workout as the actual exercise portion. This is where your muscles can properly recuperate and grow. You can cheat yourself out of muscle gains by not giving yourself enough rest.

2. Eat Right. Remember that weight lifting breaks down muscles. You get bigger as you rebuild them, which means that you need to get the right nutrition. The optimum time for nutrition to rebuild your muscles is 30 minutes after your work out. According to WebMD, you need "0.7-1.2 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight (0.3-0.6 grams per pound)" and 1g of protein for every 3-4 grams of carbs. At the very least, grab a protein bar after your workout if you can't sit down to a normal meal. Keep in mind that extra protein ends up getting stored as fat.

1. The 5X5 Program. Lots of people seem to be talking about this program lately. This is a 7-9 week program where you lift the same weight five times for five sets. Each week you increase the weight while working out 3 days a week. On the seventh week, you're doing 3 sets of 3 reps. From what I've heard, you should be making great strides in strength and in muscle mass by this point.

And if those aren't enough ideas, you can check out the Muscle Junkies swicki. You're bound to find a few more fitness ideas that could help you with your goals. Let me know how it goes.

6 Tips to Lose the Baby Weight

2008-04-07T15:58:30Z

Congratulations! You've just had a baby, and you can't wait to lose the extra weight you've gained. Here are a few tips to make sure you trim down in a healthy way.

6. A Little R&R. If you've just had a baby, you're going to need some recoup time--about six weeks according to most sources. I know you really want to get back to looking like your old self, but first things first, let your body normalize before demanding it to change again.

5. Breastfeed. You're going to love this one. According to the Surgeon General, breastfeeding burns 600-800 calories. That's right. You can just sit and be with your little one, and you're already moving on your way to a slimmer, trimmer you. Some women attest to returning to their former shape just by doing this.

4. Sleep It Off. You're thinking these tips are too good to be true, but yes, sleep is a key component to normalizing the body and regulating metabolism. A Harvard Medical School study found that getting at least 7 hours of sleep helped postpartum women lose more weight than women who slept less. I can hear the snorts of contempt out there. Yes, the baby's 3am feeding time can get in the way of that goal, but now you have an extra reason to coerce your significant other into helping out with those late night feedings. Napping when the baby naps can be helpful too.

]]> 3. Pushing the Stroll. Walking is often maligned as a sub-standard form of exercise, but actually, it's great for increasing blood circulation, working those leg muscles, and burning calories. Add a stroller into the mix, and you may have a pretty good workout that you can do with your baby every day for 30 minutes.

2. Lots of Little Meals. Everyone seems to agree that 5 to 6 small meals a day is the way to go. Make sure to mix in a bunch of veggies for all their great nutrients. Figs, dates, and raisins are some healthful foods with a little natural sugar-kick to get you past those chocolate craving days.

1. Keep It Gradual. I know you really want to lose the weight, but the National Academy for the Sciences recommends only losing 4 to 5 pounds per month for breastfeeding mothers. Take your time. You'll get there.

And of course, once you get back into the swing of things, you may want to return to a more serious fitness routine or maybe even begin a new one. Check out the Easy Exercise swicki or the Healthy Pregnancy swicki for more exercise and health tips to help remove the last of that baby weight. Good luck!

10 Lame Excuses to Not Work Out

2008-04-02T16:45:06Z

MedlinePlus recommends at least 30 minutes of physical exercise 5 days a week, but the National Center for Health Statistics says that 39% of people spend no leisure time in physical activity. Okay, so what's holding you back? I'm sure you've got your excuses, so let's take on those lame reasons.

10. I Don't Have Anything to Wear. Working out is not about being the Paris Hilton or Matthew McConaughey of the gym. Some people may have color-coordinated clothing right down to their MP3 case, but you're here for your health, not to walk the runway. Pull out the old shorts and the fading T-shirt with the holes in the armpits and get to work.

9. The Gym Is Too Far Away. Why did you pick a gym nine miles away? Find a closer one or find a way to carpool there. Also, there are any number of easy exercises that you can do in your home (yoga) or around it (jogging).

8. I'll Miss My Favorite Show. Oh come on. Isn't that what TiVo is for? Plus, you can't have a favorite show on every night of the week.

]]> 7. I Have No Energy. Maybe that energy low after 9 cups of coffee has got you in a funk. It's probably time to take a good look at your diet. And, of course, your schedule may be bursting with appointments, soccer practices, and those annoying association meetings. Consider lightening the load to free up time and energy. Even if you can't do that, there are still plenty of good 20 minute workout routines that can be squeezed in for the morning or lunch time periods.

6. I Don't Know What I Should Do. Through the beauty of the Internet, you can easily find information on exercises (check out our Easy Exercise swicki if you like). You can also find a personal trainer. Whatever you go with, start out slow to build up confidence. That flat tummy won't show up over night.

5. My iPod Broke. Seriously now, people can work out without music. It may even help you to better train your focus without having the music. You did put the batteries in the right way, didn't you?

4. It Hurts. I am currently refraining from calling you a big sissy. Practically speaking, working out should never hurt. There's a big difference between working your muscles and hurting your body. If you have a lot of joint issues, perhaps you should look into yoga, Pilates, or swimming, which are relatively gentle on the body. Definitely touch base with a physical therapist or doctor if you have persistent pain in your exercises.

3. I Don't Like Being Sweaty. You gotta earn it, and sweat is the currency your body cashes. Just bring a towel if you perspire a lot; you won't be alone.

2. My Ex Goes to the Same Gym. So, you've been using the gym to scope out dates, huh? Well, you've made your bed, so it's time to lie in it. Heck a bad break up can be good motivation to work out harder and let that someone see what they're missing out on (or will be missing out on if you're still working on getting the body you want).

1. I'm Too Busy. Oh who isn't busy now-a-days? You've got 1,400 minutes a day. You most certainly have time for a half hour of exercise. And at last check, you can't trade in your body at the 50,000 mile mark, so you better keep this one in good shape.

Exercise isn't always easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. Find something you enjoy doing and work up from there. It's all about building a little confidence and realizing that exercise can be rewarding if not even a little bit fun.

Women & Home Improvement: Hammering Away at Old Stereotypes

2008-03-31T16:43:39Z

A lot of people consider anything to do with woodworking and home improvement to be a man's domain, but I think that stereotype has really become outdated. A Lowe's study revealed that 69% of female homeowners and homeowners-to-be are seasoned DIYers. The NPD Group reported back in 2006 that women are often the key decision-makers behind home projects as well as the ones making the purchases. This research found that 44% of all DIYers are women.

So who are some of these DIY women? Here's a few of them on the Web and what they're up to.

]]> Heidi Baker and Eden Jarrin teamed up to create BeJane.com back in 2003--a site full of interesting DIY advice and a community of women helping each other with their projects. Jarrin got her start in home improvement at the tender age of 10, when she decided to make a four-post bed. Baker caught the DIY bug when she purchased her first home. Now, they're drilling, sawing, and hammering away at their projects and out-dated stereotypes.

This Old House (TOH) may seem like a bastion of DIY men since its Bob Vila days, but if you check out their "Women of This Old House" article, you'll get a different picture. Their Executive Editor, Kathryn Keller, leads off the list of TOH women who are passionate about their homes. No, she doesn't just edit. She has a variety of home projects that she does in her personal time, such as turning a basement into a "green" playroom. Editorial Operations Director, Carolyn Blackmar, renovated a home addition and swapped out a box bay window, trimming it with wainscoting and built-in cabinets. And the Design Director, Amy Rosenfeld, has worked on renovating her 1930s condo in NYC.

Brenna Hartmann started up FixieChix.com to help empower what she calls "do-it-herselfers." She has a blog on herrochestor.com, where she recently chatted about a WaterSense rating. Similar to the way EnergyStar ratings measure energy, it would measure water consumption of appliances. She also can be heard on the Home & Yard Radio offering ideas for ladies everywhere.

So, this is a quick snapshot of women in home improvement, but as you can see, they're just as excited about miter saws and rabbet cuts as the men. BTW, we've created a swicki just for the DIY ladies. Check out homegal.swicki.com and have fun with your projects!

6 Rainy Day Woodworking Ideas

2008-03-26T16:24:42Z

There's something very satisfying about building with your hands. Perhaps I spend too much of my day with intellectual stuff and a computer, but the tangible experience of woodworking is really fun. So, this week's post I've trolled about to find interesting woodworking ideas that may be perfect for a rainy day project or maybe a couple of rainy days.

First off, you need a good area for woodworking. It's hard to convince the wife (or perhaps husband in some cases) that a little sawdust in the living room is ever a good thing. Hopefully, you've got a garage or basement when you can cloister yourself away from raised eyebrows and children at-play. In that space, you may want to build a torsion box, which is a flat assembly table. I've linked in some instructions on how to create one.

So, you're all set to build now. What to do?

]]> Got too many books without a home? It may be time to make a bookshelf. Need a place to kick up your feet? Look into creating an oak coffee table. Are shoes spilling out everywhere from the closet? Building a simple shoe shelf could be the solution. Of you may want to get the entire closet in order. Building a few more closet shelves can be your Saturday honey-do.

If you're looking to spruce up the backyard, creating a wooden water wheel can be a very cool addition to the ambience. So maybe this isn't a one day rainy day idea. And you probably wouldn't want it to be raining if you're working outside. You're probably headed for a major re-landscaping project if this idea sparks your imagination, but if you're an avid woodworker, you may enjoy the challenge. Plus, your family may like the sound of splashing water and the down-home country feel of having a water wheel.

May all your rainy diy days be productive.

Nursery Ideas from the Babyroom Swicki

2008-03-24T16:42:03Z

So you've gotten the good news. You're going to have a baby. So what should you do? Okay, so I don't know a ton about creating a nursery, but creativity and a little imagination can help out in most situations. Take, for instance, the family that used a super computer as furniture for their nursery. This popped up on Digg awhile back, and it certainly shows a whole lot of imagination.

Maybe you aren't into the techie look and don't have a spare super computer hanging around. Perhaps an eco-friendly nursery is more your style.]]> link.

On the rustic side of things, one grandmother built her grandbaby a log crib. Dorothy Ainsworth's article outlines the specifications that you'll need to make your own. While we're on the topic, Pregnancy & Baby outlines some important safety tips to keep in mind when choosing a crib. I'd recommend doing a read through.

For a simple idea, a baby mobile is a popular addition to many nurseries. Some parents create their own custom baby mobiles; you can use bread dough clay to go the homemade route. Others find designers like Julie Frith, who create baby mobiles with a modern art flair.

One last tip: before you go wild with stencils and smiling sun faces on the walls, consider if this room will need to grow with your child. If this is going to be the room that your baby, toddler, preschooler, and eventually teenager may be living in, you may want to make the wall decor easy to replace. That way you won't have to completely repaint and redecorate the entire room later on. And you won't have to listen to complaints from your child that he or she isn't a baby anymore.

If your creativity still has found its inspiration yet, check out our babyroom swicki to get your imagination flowing. Be sure to report back on the progress with your nursery and with your searches. We'd love to hear about it.

Find 10 Best ROI Projects With Swicki Help

2008-03-19T16:13:48Z

Owning a home is a big investment, but continuing to upgrade and invest in it can help ensure that it retains if not increases its value. Remodeling Online produced their "Cost Vs. Value" report for 2007 on the top projects for a return on investment. Here are the top ten remodeling projects by ROI.

1. 85.4% Wood deck addition--Not only does a wood deck give you a place to have barbecues and lay out in the sun, it adds value to your home.

2. 83.2% Siding replacement--This ROI percentage is based on homeowners who installed vinyl siding to their homes. You may also want to consider brick, stone, stucco, aluminum, or wood materials for your siding.

]]> 3. 83% Minor kitchen remodel--Giving your kitchen a face lift with new cabinet faces and some other upgrades can be a smart investment. A minor remodel may also be a middle of the road route so that your entire kitchen isn't completely torn up.

4. 81.2% Wood window replacement--Those rotted out, bleeding-winter windows need to go. Consider double or triple-glazed windows with low-E (low emissivity, meaning you won't be freezing your you-know-what off because less cold can get in).

5. 79.3% Vinyl window replacement--Much like wood windows, vinyl window replacements can be a step in the right direction for a more comfortable home. Plus, a low-E also means you won't be frying quite so much as the mercury rises this summer.

6. 78.3% Bathroom remodel--The mildewed and leaky faucets you can live with, but the 1970's wallpaper and linoleum flooring are too much! It's time for a bathroom remodel.

7. 78.1% Major kitchen remodel--Oh heck, let's go for the whole shebang and remodel the entire kitchen.

8. 76.6% Attic bedroom remodel--Cleaning out the bats from your home's belfry can mean turning the attic into a guestroom or into a bedroom for a family member looking for his or her own space away from the household bustle.

9. 75.1% Basement remodel--Basements don't need to be dank refuges for the spider population. Nowadays, basements can be prime spots for media rooms or man caves--a guys' space for beer, sports, and foosball.

10. 73.9% Two-story addition--When there's no more space to go out, it's time to build up. This is the perfect time for you to make space for a guestroom, bedroom, media room, or even that den you've been talking about for the last five years.

These are the top projects to put cash back into your pocket, but keep in mind that they are national averages. You may get more or less of a return on investment depending on the region in which you live. For instance, a siding replacement in New England snags you a 91.7% ROI, and a deck addition in the Pacific region brings in a 108% ROI.

With a little elbow grease and some cash, you could be on your way to a great update to your home and increased value in your prize possession.

Swickis Help Out With Spring Cleaning

2008-03-17T16:48:06Z

Everyone thinks of indoor chores for their spring cleaning projects, but the exterior of the home and the yard need a little TLC too. Here are a few tips to help you put your home's best face forward along with getting the lawn and garden in shape for a great spring growth.

Removing Debris. You may have raked up all those leaves during fall clean up, but after those winter storms, there are bound to be leaves, branches, and trash that have lodged themselves in your lawn and amidst the rose bushes.

Cleaning Your Deck. For those of you with a deck, regular upkeep is important. Wood decks get worn and dried out by exposure to sunlight, temperatures changes, and general foot traffic. Cleaning it with a biodegradable deck cleaner is one step, and you may also consider resealing it as well.

Weeding. Nobody likes this one, but if you do a good job with teasing out the invasive plants now, you'll save yourself a lot of time come June. After weeding around the flowerbeds, you might consider putting down rubber mulch. It can help reduce weed growth, and it's environmentally friendly.

Window Washing. Take time to clean up the outside faces of windows to bring more light into your home. Consider using vinegar for an environmentally friendly solution to clean them up.

Tending to Outdoor Furniture. Wiping and hosing down plastic lawn furniture can be relatively simple. However, wicker furniture may need a little extra love. Use a mild oil-based soap to do the trick. Be sure to rinse frequently to keep the dirt from lodging in the crevices.

These spring cleaning tips should get you started. Soon enough, you'll be able to enjoy your outdoor space and look forward to a pleasant place to spend warm spring afternoons. Enjoy!

Bring March Madness into Your Home with Swickis

2008-03-12T11:11:00Z

Are you ready to watch the Tarheels make a run at the title? Hoping that Coach K will lead Duke back to glory? Wondering who will be the next Cinderella team since George Mason University? Then, you may also be wondering how you can turn your living room into an entertainment hub for you and your buddies. Here are a few suggestions to not only catch all of the "madness" of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament, but to do it in style.

Get a flat screen TV. I won't say that this will be an easy (or cheap) decision. You'll have to decide between LCD or plasma TVs, for one thing. Plus, you'll probably want to get a High Definition (HD) TV so that you can see every play with complete clarity.
A SMART board. A SMART board is just the way to track all the action without having to use those stinky whiteboard markers. You can also keep score on all your buddies, so everyone always knows who's leading.
Surround sound. Look into speakers and subwoofers to hook up to your television so that you can feel the roar of the crowd and hear the swish of the net. You may want to find out how to wire a sound system and possibly install sound-absorbing baffles.
Build your own home theater. Okay, this tip is for those of you who are really ready to make an investment. Start researching plans, select home theater cabinet materials, and make sure that the wife is out of the state for at least a month before she finds out what you're about to do to her living room.
Put the pizza guy on speed dial. Like you're going to want to drive anywhere to get food during the games? However, if there was a beer delivery guy, then that would have been the final suggestion.

Our Man Pad swicki can help you find lots of this information, and of course, if you can't quite find the right info, you can always make your own swicki. Enjoy all the games and the bracket-busting sure to come.

Make Yourself a Man Pad

Man Pad Swicki Helps Guys Feel at Home

2008-03-10T16:51:18Z

Not too long ago, we created a widget for finding all the stuff you need to deck out your own man pad or man cave, if you've only got one room to work with. Whatever it may be, here are some fun ideas for what to include.

The Man Chair. Your throne is an essential element for your comfort and style. Some people like traditional leather armchairs. Some people enjoy recliners. Some dudes get a kick out of having a sheepskin bean bag chair. Heck, some guys even love those massage chairs. Personally, I like the Piedmont iChair. It's a classic leather chair with speakers built in that are compatible with portable music players.

Digital Wireless Stereo System. There's nothing like being able to place a speaker anywhere you want without tripping over a bunch of wires. One of my favorites is the Griffin Evolve Digital Wireless Stereo System into which you can snap your iPod. If any relatives are reading this, definitely add this to my Christmas list (it's not too earlier to be making one yet, is it?). Oh, and for sheer coolness, check out this clear speaker that blends into the wall.

The Gamerator. At last, a better way to merge beer with video games. I'm sure that you're tired of having to walk all the way to the fridge every time you want a beer while playing video games. With the Gamerator, a tap is installed right into the arcade style gaming machine, so while you're getting set to start the next round of Space Invaders, you can pour yourself a cold one.

HD Flat Screen Television. What else is there to say? Ya gotta have one. But if you need help installing it, check out this link.

Mission Control Center. I don't know what to call this other than a mission control center, and it's absolutely ridiculous. The Sony NHS system is an integrated system that controls movies, music, lighting, the home security system, the thermostat, and your dog's backyard digging problem. Okay, so maybe not the last one, but it does all the rest while offering features like HD, an iPod dock, 160GB music server, and a Blu-ray Disc player. Oh, you want to know the price? Well, it's 40K to 85K depending on all the installation features you want. So, it may not be quite in reach for many of us, but we can all dream can't we.

Like these ideas? Want more? Create a few searches on our Man Pad swicki, and see what you find. It may just spark your next home improvement project or add a few ideas to the wish list.

Make Yourself a Man Pad

Swicki Users Go Green

2008-03-05T16:32:51Z

Being environmentally-conscious is on a lot of people's minds now-a-days. The Department of Energy reports that U.S. residences create 313.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Yikes! So, to do our part, we built a swicki to help you find eco-friendly ideas and materials for your next home improvement project. Our "Creative Ideas for Green Home Improvement" swicki can help you discover info for energy efficient windows, find energy-efficient appliances, or learn about using bamboo in your next project. Feel free to comment and vote on the stuff that you think will best help reduce carbon footprints.

Going green is also on a lot of swicki builders' minds. Christoph looks to be just starting a blog, but he's already got a swicki on energy efficiency topics over at Building Physics. JeanneP at Offgrid Desert Living has a swicki on renewable energy sources. If you take a stroll over to Greennetizen (kinda like Green Internet Citizen smushed together), you'll see Martie's "Eco-Friendly" swicki. She's focusing on a broad array of stuff such as being a green consumer as well as finding information on global warming.

Oh, and if you're interested in learning more about the carbon topic, check out Curt Rosengren's The Sustainable Future blog post called "How to find the best carbon offsets." It's a little extra food for thought.

Everyone can do their part for helping the environment, even a swicki.

MLB Baseball Video Widgets

2008-03-03T18:03:44Z

The 2008 Baseball season begins on March 25th, with the Boston Red Sox playing the Oakland A's in Tokyo. Sports fans everywhere seem to be getting really excited about MLB season already, so we've decided to create some MLB video widgets that anyone can add to their site or blog. These video widgets display the most popular videos from a video search engine dedicated to each team. These custom search engines are what we like to call swickis. For example, the Boston Red Sox Video Widget is synched up to the Boston Red Sox video swicki. We've created widgets for the following five teams because, well, these are some of our favorite teams around the office. We've also added them to Widgetbox because we've found that many site builders and bloggers come to their widget gallery looking for additional content for their sites.

Mariners Video Widget

Don't see your favorite team here? Anyone can build their own video widget in about 10 minutes and then add it to their homepage or blog. You can also connect with other sports swicki builders, to find additional ways to promote and train your widget. We also have a slew of other widgets that we've added to Widgetbox.