ZZZHelp

Over the past few days I have started writing this blog (ZZZHelp.com) to help people. Well, One way to help is to share how I write my blog entries or posts.

First I am using a wonderful tool that is allowing me write this blog post while outside enjoying the “First Day of The Summer Season” Memorial Day.

I am using a Asus eeePC Model 901 with Xandros Linux. Boy this Ultra Portable is fantastic to work on. Yes, It did take some time getting used to writing on the smaller keyboard but I am touch typing as I type this post.

I did a little hacking on the eeePC - I turned on advance mode and installed a few programs that allow me to work more better. I installed Gimp to help edit my photos and blog graphics before I upload them to Photobucket.com. It did take some getting used to the touch pad on this - But I love the two finger scrolling of web pages. I also carry a small portable mouse to plug into the USB Port and to help facilitate editing the graphics. The bag I carry this all in is a Timbuk2 Commute Bag. (I will have to write about each of these items in more depth later on)

The eeePC had Firefox installed on it. So, I added a few plugins - The main one being Scribefire - The Blogger editor - notebook - research tool - all around great program.

Scribefire sits there waiting for you to click on its icon to open up and get to work. It will help you organize your thoughts and help you easily edit the post and add links to the blog. It will allow you to add Tags, Technorati Tags and you can post with it or you can leave it as a Note File that will allow you to go back later on and do some additional editing on the entry.

Now you don’t have to have Linux or even an eeePC to run Scribfire as it will work on a MAC with firefox and even run in Firefox on a Windows Based machine as well.

Let me know using the comments field below or click on the page called Contact me and let me know if you are using scribefire - or if you are using an eeePC - Or if you want to know any additional information that this or any of my articles may have sparked.

Thanks
The Help Meister -
- - - - Helping making blog entry writing easier.

Technorati Tags: scribefire, eeepc, asus, GIMP, Blog, Posting, Help, Helping, Firefox, Writing, Entry, Post, Article, Firefox, Ultra Portable, UPMC, Research, Help Meister, Technorati, Tags, Tagging

First, I love saving money when and where I can. I love spending money just as much and prefer to spend my money on the better things in life and save money on the things that are marked up. One thing I found online is how to make your own laundry detergent. You have a choice of either making liquid or powdered. I prefer the liquid type of detergent as I feel it is mixed better and easier to make sure it is well mixed. There is something about using the powdered version and having to use a food processor to make the powder. The best directions I found is from “The Green Guide“. They recommend using “Fels-Naptha” but I used regular bar soap and found it works just as well. I was not able to find any Fels-Naptha locally but you can purchase it at Amazon (Single Bar or 24 Pack of Bars). Some websites have mentioned the use of regular bar soap like I am using and I find it works quite well. Having used Tide and Many different types of liquid detergets - I have to say this concoction works just as well if not better.

Here is all you need:
1 - Bar of Soap - (Fels-Naptha or What ever you prefer)
1 - Box of Washing Soda - (Note This is not the same as Baking Soda)
1 - Box of Borax - 20 Mule Team Borax - Found in the Laundry Section of the Grocery Store.
1 - 5 Gallon Bucket with a Lid - (I used an empty Cat Litter Bucket)
3 - Gallons of HOT tap water
1 - Huge Spoon (Found a cheap one at the dollar store) - I only used it for this purpose
1 - Measuring Cup (Again Found a cheap one at the dollar store) - Again only used it for this
1 - Knife or Grater - Used to cut the bar of soap into teeny tiny bits. - at the dollar store I saw a cheap cheese grater that can also be used.

Uno: (The Melting Pot) - You will be melting down the bar of soap - To do this in a pot that will handle about 5 cups of water - Place 5 cups of water and start a simmer - keeping the water just below boiling point. Start placing the shaving from your bar of soap that you should have been shaving while waiting for the water to simmer. slowly mix and stir the mixture and in a short time you will have a very very soapy mixture.

Dos: (Mixing it up) In the large bucket - Place 3 gallons of HOT water into the 5 gallon bucket. (You can use anything handy to measure this out - I used a empty Ice Tea container that I finished earlier in the day (Hey it was a half gallon container that didn’t cost me anything) Now pour in the hot soap mixture into the bucket. Make sure you stir it for a bit to make sure it is mixed. Now add a cup of the washing soda into the bucket. Again make sure you mix it well. A minute or two will due. Now you can stir in a half cup of borax and stir for another minute or two. The final step - let the concoction sit overnight. In the morning you will be you will have a bucket of slippery, soapy, gelatinous mess in your bucket.

Sidenote: You can add essential oil into the mix when mixing in the Borax and washing soda. This will give you a pleasant scent to the detergent. I have read that many people are using lavendar oil to make it work similar to the scented lavender detergent.

Now to use this mix －　Ｉuse about 3/4 cup of the mixture to a load of laundry. This is equilivent to about 64 washes - give or take a few ounces. With all the items you bought you can make this concoction about 6 times. I love being thrifty. $15 total in supplies to produce 384 loads of laundry - or you can buy 6 bottle of tide @ $17 a bottle for a total of $102 dollars. For a grand total of a saving of 87 dollars. - Now I know there are alot of things you can do with $87 Dollars. Plus I will say this again - This stuff works in my mind better then the liquid stuff and saving a huge wapping $87 dollars.
Good luck in your soap making process and happy saving money!!!!

And a Video of someone making he Liquid Soap:

The Help Meister
- - - - - Making life fun and Helping you Save Money

Technorati Tags: Liquid Soap, Liquid Detergent, Detergent, Soap, Frugal, Cheap, Money, Make, Create, borax, mule team, washing, laundry, washing soda, laundry soda

I have found the best cleaner for all types of screens PLEXUS Plastic Cleaner, (PSP, Zune, Laptop, LCD, TV, Plastic Surface) This is the stuff that is approved by NASA for use on all their plastic surfaces. The FAA for cleaning the windows and canopies of planes. In fact, it’s mandated for use on the B1B Stealth Bomber to clean, polish and protect the canopy and that is a $300,000 camopy!

I use this on all the plastic surfaces I have around the home and office. This stuff really protects and makes the screens easier to read and keeps the dust from re-attaching to the surface. I have even read that if you smoke the smoke will not attach as easily as before and will keep the plastic looking cleaner. If you touch the screen with your fingers you know how it leaves a nice finger print on the surface. Well This Plexus Plastic Cleaner will keep them off. Yes if you touch it you still will leave a mark but this keeps the screen cleaner longer.

And how about the plastics on your car. This works on them as well. Lifting the dirt and grime and protecting the surface. It will even help restore the color and keep the plastic from changing colors. I love this product. Buy a can of this today you will not regret this purchase. I give this (*-*-*-*-* 5.0 out of 5) My Highest Rating

Technorati Tags: Plastic, Cleaning, Plastic, Cleaning, Notebooks, Laptop, PSP, Zune, Media Players, IPOD, help, Tips, Hint, Plexus, FAA, NASA, Screen Cleaning, LCD, TV, Auto, Car

Welcome to ZZZHelp.

Here you will find helpful hints, tips and products to make your life easier.

I love sharing my info that I gather on the web and in real life.

I am here to help you.

Trust me - I love using products that will help me out. I am what you call lazy and want the products and ideas to do the work for me. Well Lazy is not a good word - I am into finding the best way to do a job that will make my life easier and I am here to share it with you.

Now, it is your turn - Let me know what you think and what you would like to learn about. And I am here to research it and share that knowledge I learned.

We all learn from this. I learn about something I may not have known before and you learn from my research.

The Help Meister.

Technorati Tags: Help, Helpful Hints, Teaching, Lazy, Ideas