Gizmodo: starter

Get Internet Connection Sharing in Windows 7 Starter in One Easy Step

Jason Chen — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:59:17 EST

Did you know Microsoft took out the Internet Connection Sharing feature in Windows 7 starter—the version of Win 7 that ships with netbooks? I do, since I futilely tried using it on vacation. Not so fast, Microsoft!

Rafael Rivera discovered that there was only a shortcut to the feature that was disabled; the feature itself is still there. All you have to do is type "adhoc" into the Windows search bar in the Start Menu and it'll show up, as illustrated above. Done and done.

You know what else is taken out of Windows 7 Starter? Their screenshot snipping tool. Yeah. They were too cheap to let netbook users have a SNIPPING TOOL. Thankfully the printscreen button combined with Paint (they didn't take that out!) still works. [Within Windows via Neowin]

60 Second Charcoal Starter is Not a Bunch Of Hot Air...Wait, Yes It Is

Sean Fallon — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:50:25 EST

I think that most people will agree that charcoal grilled burgers taste better, but getting those little briquette bastards to light can be more trouble than it is worth. Fortunately, there are dangerous man-tools out there that can help get the job done. Hammacher has just such a device—in fact, they claim that their starter can ignite charcoal in 60 seconds without lighter fluid using air that is heated to 1,290 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, that kind of power requires an AC wall outlet, so you will be on a short leash when grilling outdoors. Available for $80. [Hammacher via Uberreview via DVICE]

Cellphone Car Starter

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 16:30:52 EDT

Not quite Michael Knight talking to a car with William Daniel's voice, but Sarah Dodge, age 18, has a patent pending for starting up your car via your cellphone. It works by calling your car from the phone and entering in a 3 digit number to start up the car. Your '82 beater even calls you back and lets you know the engine is running.

Different from current remote starters, which need to be within a certain distance of the car to start it, this can start your car wherever both you and your car have reception. This can also be adapted to add remote unlocking features to cars. We're not sure why you'd want to start or unlock your car halfway across the country (wife lost her keys again?), but some people drink their own urine, so what do we know?. – Jason Chen

Dialing up an invention [Post Star via Textually]