U
sing a data-logging device velcroed to your dashboard, you can quickly learn
what your car is capable of: quarter-mile times, lateral Gs, and much, much more.
Devices such as the DL1 ($965, http://www.race-technology.com), Traqmate ($700, http://www.
traqmate.com), G-Tech/Pro RR ($300, http://www.gtechpro.com ), and various cheaper solutions
use GPS signals and built-in accelerometers to gather the data, which you later view on
your PC via bundled soft ware. (The higher-priced models come with extra features and
slightly more accurate technology.)
If you’re looking to create movies reminiscent of videogame replays—speedometer read-
outs, track maps, and all—TrackVision soft ware ($195, http://www.trackvision.net) can quickly sync
your logged data with in-car footage. Just drive safely, Mario, or take your ride to a real race
track to record its bad-assedness.
We also can’t help but mention
the iPhone app Dynolicious ($13,
http://dynolicious.com). The iPhone
isn’t a PC, but it is a computing
platform, and its built-in acceler-
ometer can deliver a rudimentary
set of performance metrics for an
extremely low price.34 |MAMAMAXIMXIMXIMXIMUUUUMMPPPCC|NOV 08 |www.maximumpc.com
A
chieving web fame by scoring millions of video views
on YouTube is no easy task. You either have to get
lucky like Tay Zonday (the “Chocolate Rain” guy) or
become a shameless exhibitionist like the Obama Girl. Stack
the odds for exposure in your favor by following these best
practices for posting. Keep It Short and Simple If you’re a fi rst-time uploader,
you’re going to have a hard time convincing strangers to
watch the 5-minute epic you directed at fi lm school. Casual
YouTube viewers are more likely to take a chance with a
new video if it’s less than 30 seconds long.
Lighting and Audio If you’re fi lming a video blog or con-
fessional, make sure you’re illuminated by decent lighting
and using a high-quality microphone (i.e., not one built into
your webcam). The more professional the presentation, the
more people will take you seriously.
Use Sex Appeal Become an attractive female. If that’s not
an option, hire a few aspiring actresses from Craigslist to
star in your clip. It worked for Rocketboom!
Optimize Your Title and Tags Keep your clip’s title suc-
cinct and provocative and make use of hyperbole to entice
curious viewers. Stack your clip with numerous descriptive
tags that are loosely related to the content, which search
engines rely on to index the video.
Use an Eye-Catching Thumbnail The most compelling
factor will be your clip’s thumbnail. YouTube extracts the
frame at the middle of your footage to use as the thumb-
nail. Use editing soft ware to splice a sexy image right in the
center of your video. Be sure any person appearing in your
thumbnail makes eye contact with the camera as well. Share Your Video Spam your video on message boards
and social networking sites like Facebook. Embed your clip
in blog posts. “Old-fashioned” promotion may be a lot of
work, but if you’re lucky, it’ll trigger word of mouth.
Engage with Viewers Keep an eye out for comments
made on your clip’s page, and take the time to respond
to both fans and critics. Creating a dialogue with viewers
will encourage repeat visitors and make it look like people
actually care about your eff ort.Make and Promote a Viral Video on YouTube
T
o get control of your fi nances, fi rst
you need to fi gure out how much
money you bring in each month
and where it all goes. While an Excel
spreadsheet will get the job done, Mint
(www.mint.com) makes the job even
easier. By linking all your bank accounts,
investments, and liabilities, you can track
your spending. Mint will also look at how
you spend and save, and suggest ways to
make your money go farther. While link-
ing all your fi nancial info to a third-party
site might seem scary, Mint doesn’t store
your password or account information,
nor can you transfer funds on the site.Get Your Financial
House in Order
Determine the Real Speed of Your Car
35 AMAZING
THINGS