DIY Life

Every single person that lives in my home is a comic book fan. We have some sort of superhero (or super-villain) memorabilia lurking in every corner of our apartment. When my husband told me he wanted me to make a cozy for his Zune, I knew I should make one using some sort of superhero theme.

I scored when I found this tutorial: How to make an iPod, Zune, or cell phone cozy using a children's sock.

You can use any style of sock, but I found it best to use a sock with the longest ankle part, and only used the ankle.

You simply measure the item you are going to store against the sock (eyeball it), and cut off the excess. Turn the sock inside out, and sew up the bottom.

There are lots of interesting sock choices in children's departments everywhere. You may not be into superheroes, but you can find many other styles. Be sure to also check the girls' section for other options. My sister-in-law had a fit when she saw my husband's, and now I have to make her a Tinkerbell one. These make an excellent gift: they are quick, cheap, and easy.

There are 200 million cell phone subscribers in the US and 5 million of those change carriers each month, which often accompanies a new phone. That is a lot of cell phones getting tossed aside probably into junk drawers and eventually into the trash. The disposal of old cell phones is no simple issue. Previously, selected mobile carriers would take them back, but not without hassle. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with cell phone manufactures and retailers to make cell phone recycling simple and sustainable.

Partners in the Plug-In to e-Cycling Program will take back cell phones in-store or through mail-in offers. Best Buy, Cellular, Office Depot and Staples are all participating in this initiative. Currently, only 20% of discarded cell phones are recycled. The hope is that by making recycling as easy as dropping it in-store or in the mailbox, more people will be inclined to recycle their old phones. The program doesn't just recycle, but does their best to re-use or re-furbish as a first option. This ensures that the littlest possible energy and materials are used and that when a phone is finally done it's properly disposed of. The EPA has released a series of podcasts designed to educate consumers about the mission and functions of this new program.

Next time you're upgrading your phone, consider your options. Finally the simple route is also the most environmentally conscious. Take part in the Plug-In to e-Cycling program.

A few months ago, I replaced the batteries in my cordless phones. To my shock and surprise, they only lasted for two months, and now neither handset works at all. I would replace them, but not if they are going to last that short amount of time. When reading the online reviews for the batteries, I learned I was not the only unhappy customer; nearly everyone that bought replacement batteries were horribly disappointed.

The same could be said for cell phone batteries. I do not own a cell phone because I can't get reception. Ahhh, the joys of living in the sticks! If you have been having some difficulty with your battery on your cell phone going kaput on you, learn how to make you cell phone battery last longer. You can increase time between charges by turning the phone off at night when you go to bed, not using the vibrate function on your phone, and not searching for a signal when there obviously isn't one to be found. You can prolong the life of your battery by fully charging a new battery before you use it, keeping the battery cool by not leaving your phone sit out in your purse in an overheated car(or similar situation), and by cleaning the battery contacts on both the battery and on the phone itself.

I am pretty sure that my phone batteries didn't last as long as I expected them too because I didn't initially charge them the way they should have been charged. Being on a dial up connection though kind of takes away from the life of my phone battery and so I am stuck with what I get, even though I know they should have lasted more than two months. You don't have to be disappointed; simply follow wikiHow's tips.

To those who would like to have the peace of mind of knowing beforehand that your chance of being stranded somewhere without a cellphone signal to latch onto, make not of this antenna creation. Having been in the mobile business way back when, I remember making antennas like these for "bag phones." Those from the old mobile school will know what those are.

Anyway, this is a very simple hack that will give that handheld mobile phone some "oomph" when it comes to broadcasting and receiving in the weakest of signal environments. Requirement #1: make sure your flip or candy-bar cellphone has some kind of plug covering up an external antenna port. Requirement #2: use a piece of long metal (view video to see it) that has a thickness that will insert into the external antenna port on your particular model.

Voila! A cheap but very effective mobile antenna for your handheld celly which mimics the mobile antennas from installed car phones of the early 1990s. Get all the signal strength, but only when you really need it.

Okay folks, if you're into some kind of odd electronic mod, you may want to check out the below from a Sony Ericsson cellphone fan. The voltage released by the LED-based flash mechanisms found in many cellphone camera systems can be made into a light taser mechanism for those times, you know, when only a cellphone shock will do.

I'd say perform this modification at your own risk (this post is for educational purposes only, like every DIY Life post is) and perhaps use as a backup to that keychain pepper spray if you're that worried about needing to fend someone off from an attack in that apartment hallway or street corner. Be advised that the Sony Ericsson cellphone model below features a 'xenon' flash system, which is the kind you'll need to scrounge up more than a few hundred volts to give that nasty-person some taser action should the need arise.

This mod will take a few small electronic additions (like adding some small-farad capacitors to store that energy), but once you locate your xenon flash-equipped cellphone of choice, have at it. Just don't use it unless you really, really need to.

Your PDA's swaddled in suede, your cell's clad in couture and your laptop's loving its sleek new custom case. Meanwhile, those are mere decorations and only protect you from scratches -- how do you protect your gadgets from water?

Ever dropped your gadget in a puddle, had your toddler pour coffee on your laptop (ah, the perils of a working parent), or worse ... you leaned over to flush the toilet only to have your cell phone slide out of your pocket and right into the bowl? Usually it means that you have to replace your gadget ... but sometimes if you act fast, you can save yourself from another expensive purchase.

Follow these steps to avoid a trip to the gadget graveyard.

Step 1: Turn off your gadget and immediately remove the battery -- no matter what you do -- DO NOT TURN IT BACK ON. If you dropped your phone and it has a SIM card, remove that too. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) could be stored on it. To some people this could be more important than the phone itself.

Step 2: Dry it off as much as you possibly can. Even take a Q-tip and get into the cracks and crevices. You can never be too thorough.

Step 3: Put the gadget and battery in a dry, warm spot and wait. Don't try putting the battery back in to see if it works as this would risk damaging the phone with a short circuit. Remember: Water and electricity don't mix ... don't let your short patience get the best of you. You will have to wait this one out and your best bet is to let it dry for two to three days and not a minute less!

Step 4: Put your batteries back in and cross your fingers. With a little luck, your gadget will be back in working order. Note: This can work for your kids' electronic toys too.

Tip: If something other than water (like coffee or soda) was the culprit, you may need to add another step ... after drying you will want to take your Q-tip and clean the gadget with alcohol (use sparingly) and then dry again. Unfortunately, liquids other than water will corrode the inside parts and the longer it dries without being cleaned out, the more concentrated the substance will become.