DIY Life

Although self-contained digital picture frames are cool and all, the limited functionality of some of these units has compelled many folks to create their own digital picture frames. If you're looking for transition effects and other neat touches to spruce up a whole directory of photos from that wedding or summer vacation, why not build your own?

A disclaimer: this project requires some decent knowledge of desktop computers and some finesse working with PC components. Additionally, you better have a knack for tearing down a desktop PC system. The only prerequisite here is an extra desktop PC (yes, an old one will work) that you can convert into a display-centric picture server, if you will. If you have one of those PCs-on-a-board systems, this project will flow ever nicely.

Ever tried to perform complicated spreadsheet calculations with that puny 17" LCD monitor? How about keeping your email program up 24/7 while having a web browser and a word processor open all at the same time as well? For many journalists and people with computer-oriented occupations, maximizing screen real estate is a top priority.

That is why many of us either have large computer monitors (preferable LCD flat screens) or a dual-monitor setup. Even if you have a few monitors hooked up to your PC, are you using both of them in the most efficient manner? I'll be honest and say that I couldn't function with just a single computer monitor any longer. The efficiency gains by having a huge amount of screen real estate are enormous.

So, if you have a few monitors but are just "stretching" your desktop environment on both, that may not be the best way to get the optimum usage from both monitors. Perhaps you day trade and need 10-12 windows open at all times. Even if not, check out some of the great tips here and really see if you are getting the maximum utility from all those monitors.