How To Open Pictures in a New Window or Tab with Blogger

If you have more than one picture in your Blogger posts then you may wanna have those images open in new windows or tabs. The default setting with Blogspot blogs is to open the picture within the same tab, forcing your reader to go back and forth from full article view to picture view.

So let's dive in and learn how to open pictures in new tabs with Blogger:

What you need to do is to upload an image to your post editor and switch to Edit HTML.
Notice the content between the first pair of HTML brackets "< a href= ...... >".
Add the following attributes according to your desires, before the closing braket (>): target="_blank" (opens item in new tab) or target="nw" (opens item in new window).
Publish your blog post and you're done.

Now your blog visitors will be able to read your articles and view pictures in new tabs whenever they click on them.

The code below highlights where you must ad the target attribute.

The "nw" value of the target attribute delivers a popup window.

Happy blogging!

Campsites and Recreation Parks in California - What's Your Favorite?

A fellow Highball Blog reader requested information about campsites and recreational areas in Northern California. Here's her/his exact words that were submitted through the survey form that asked What Should We Write About Next?:

Campsites and Recreation in Northern CA, Northern Meaning Above Williams CA

I believe the one who's able to give valuable information on this topic is you, Californian or not. So if you've been touring and camping in Northern California and found some cool sites or national parks that you could recommend, then I guess at least one reader of this blog will be happy to receive this info from you in the comments section below.

If you happen to know awesome outdoor sites (less known but worth visiting) in other parts of California, feel free to share those as well. I'm sure some of us will find that helpful.

Here is a list of resources/directories for state parks and camping sites (reviews) that I was able to find for you:

The Camping Source - list of links to outdoor recreation websites
California State Parks - information on parks listed by region (North Coast, High Sierra, Deserts, Orange County, etc), vacation planning, outdoor gear store
Shasta Cascade Region - map of touristic sites in Shasta Cascade
California Camping Review - "Here at CA-Camping-Review.com you will find photos, descriptions, addresses, telephones and emails for camping in CA, USA"
Shasta Cascade Camping Sites - list of campsites in Northern California; each link takes you to a Google map, showing you the exact location of the site

Shasta Cascade Touristic Area - California

What's the coolest place to go on vacation in Northern California? Thanks!

Build a DIY Steadicam for Your DSLR Camera

Test Video - Shot with My DIY Steadicam

Everything I know about building a DIY steadicam is now is in this new guide. Learn how to get amazing cinematic video with this cool gadget that you can build using parts from your local hardware store.

If you don't like the material, no worries. I'll give your money back and you get to keep the guide. Guaranteed!

	Printable PDF document Instant Digital Download 60 Days Money Back Guarantee Prompt Refunds No Questions Asked One Time Payment/No BS 2 FREE Bonuses: How To Build a DIY Camera Slider 3 Ways To Get Clients as a Videographer (you'll be surprised to find out what the first method is...)

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Update: Check out the latest tutorial on DIY DSLR steadicam.

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Since I'm no longer selling the DIY Highball steadicam, you may wanna check out these other camera stabilizers. Click on any picture.

Check out the stabilizers on Amazon Canada, Amazon.UK and Amazon.DE.
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One of you asked me to write about DIY steadicam for DSLR cameras. Since I don't have a DSLR photo/video camera I figured you could use the tips and tricks from Cheesycam.com.

The blog is specialized in DIY photo and video projects like camera rigs, workflow, video shooting, camera stabilizers, etc. You will also find lots of information on professional video gear (reviews), studio lights and techniques.

In these videos you can see two types of glidecam for heavier cameras - both resembling the Merlin design.

You also requested a tutorial on how to build a DIY articulated arm for a steadicam. I haven't found anything yet but I suppose it's too much work so most people who build their own stabilizer prefer to to have it hand held, without the dampening arm. I believe practice can make your shooting better without the arm and the vest. See this article on how to shoot video with DIY steadicam for more details.

My current glidecam design (three axis gimbal made of PVC pipe rings and skateboard ball bearing) could be used with DSLR cameras but it needs a smarter camera plate - one that slides in two directions (forward and sideways). I have a concept in mind for that so stay tuned as this will come out as a new post in the near future. :-) This will enable you to adjust the balance of the rig much faster.

The rig in the video above lets you shoot steady footage by holding the frame with both hands. It's not a glidecam but the results are pretty impressive. You can also mount a microphone, a flash and other gadgets that connect with your DSLR.

Shoot your outdoor adventures on GoPro HD!

What's the Purpose of the Rim Groove in Your MTB Wheel

You may have noticed some grooves on the rims of your mountain bike wheels.

Since it's easy for you to observe when the rubber brake pads in your V brakes are worn out, it's not as easy to notice when the wheel rims have gotten too thin. That's what the grooves tell you.

The bicycle wheel rim deteriorates just like any piece that is subjected to constant contact and friction with another piece (brake pad). This is true especially if you ride a lot on muddy singletracks - sand, mud and other abrasive materials caught between the brake pads and the rims accelerate wear and tear. Of course, if your MTB has disk brakes, you won't confront with these issues.

So what you need to do is to check the rims regularly as to see if the grooves are still visible. If the rim has gotten flat this means it's time to replace it with a new one (or buy a new wheel altogether). This will prevent the rim to get too thin (so thin that the tube becomes visible - it might even explode). Basically, the excess aluminum on the rim (in which the groove is carved) acts as a wear and tear meter.

Groove still visible in my rear wheel - OK!

Front wheel needs to be replaced - the groove is no longer visible
NOT OK! (the rim is worn out)

Wear a cool bike T-shirt while riding! :-)

Get a Free Climbing T-shirt Design in Vector Format - Heel Hook

Everything about building a hangboard + training plans now in my guide:
How To Build Your Own DIY Climbing Hangboard without Drilling The Wall Above Your Doorway

If you don't like the material, no worries. I'll give your money back and you get to keep the guide. Guaranteed!

	Printable PDF document Instant Digital Download Construction Schemes and Detail Pictures 3 Hangboard Versions To Choose From Acess To My Video Tutorials Sequenced Training Schemes 60 Days Money Back Guarantee Prompt Refunds No Questions Asked One Time Payment / No BS + 3 Extra Bonuses (see below)

You Also Get 3 FREE Bonuses - Climbing T Shirt Designs:

Deep Water Solo T-shirt
Highball Bouldering T-shirt
Top Rope Forbidden T-shirt (Funny)

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Climbing T-shirt Vector Design - Heel Hook

Download this vector climbing design for your bouldering T-shirt in:

SVG format (Scalable Vector Graphics)
EPS format
High Resolution Image - GIF format (with transparent background)

How to Perform the Heel Hook - Video

Heel Hook

Using the back of the heel to apply pressure to a hold, for balance or leverage; this technique requires pulling with the heel of a foot by flexing the hamstring. This technique is notable since in most forms of climbing one uses the toes to push.

Read more about climbing techniques here.

Climber drawing made by Gabriel Raileanu who's into artwork and fimo jewelry.

Don't forget to chalk and shake.

GoPro Video Editing Tips - Convert, Import and Edit Your HD MP4 Outdoor Clips

If your experience with GoPro HD MP4 video hasn't been very smooth then don't worry. Help is on its way to you!

Perhaps you can't import, convert or edit the MP4 clips in your current video editor and you feel you've been screwed paying $300 for a camera that doesn't allow you to do anything else but shoot...

NOT true my friend! I've been there and if it's one thing I've learned about internet it is this: whenever you have a problem, Google is there for you.

GoPro Editing Software - Magix Movie Edit Pro Plus

Click Here To Get Magix Movie Edit Pro and Easily Edit Your Videos. It Works with All Video Formats: MP4, MOV, MTS (AVCHD), AVI, etc. If you're using a Mac, get Final Cut Pro.

However, if you don't have the time to browse through endless search results looking for the right solution to your video editing issues then choose a certified shortcut and read the GoPro tutorials below.

Most of the links refer to articles on video editing tips but I guess your biggest wish is to learn how to convert the MP4 clips to AVI format as to be able to properly import and edit your extreme sports videos without buying another video editing software (check out the fifth link in the list for that).

GoPro HD Video Editing Resources

How To Edit GoPro HD Videos - A Complete Workflow (Most Popular)
GoPro Slow Motion Video Tutorial (Very Cool)
How To Do The Vertigo Effect (Dolly Zoom) (Awesome!)
GoPro Time Lapse Video Tutorial

For a cool gliding effect shoot your videos with a DIY steadicam for GoPro camera.

Cheers!

Why Disk Brakes Are Better Than V Brakes on a Mountain Bike

Update: You might as well skip this post and go straight to the comments section where Remus made it clear why disk brakes are more efficient than V brakes.

There's a reason why disk brakes are better than V brakes on a mountain bike and it has nothing to do with the usual arguments: no mud and no water reaches the disks thus the braking is more efficient - unlike the rims which easily gather mud, sand and water while crossing streams, making it harder for the cyclist to stop the bike (not only that but the brake pads and the rims themselves are worn out by the abrasive materials caught between them, which not cool...).

But the real reason rim brakes are less efficient than disk brakes consists of a simple truth pertaining to physics: it's a lot easier to stop an object moving in slow speed than it is to bring to a halt an object moving in higher velocity.

The vectorized image above depicts a mountain bike wheel equipped with a disk brake system. Notice that the two points (A and B) travel different distances in the same time unit until they reach their destination positions (noted here as A' and B'). Based on this observation it can be stated that, given a certain spoke (radius) of a bicycle wheel (circle), each point of the spoke starting from the hub (center of circle) to the outer margin of the wheel (rim) has its own speed when the wheel is spinning. The further from the center, the higher its speed.

Think of it this way: no matter how fast the wheel is turning, the rim will always spin faster than the brake disk (which is smaller in diameter and has the same center) even though both the disk and the rim (and all points on any given radius for that matter) perform the same number of rotations per time unit. Example: One full spin of the wheel happens in one second - the speed of the valve (taken as a point on the rim) is about 200 cm/second while the speed of the corresponding point on the disk brake is about 60 cm/second.

Since the braking force is applied so close to the wheel's hub there is a need for sturdy spokes in the wheels that have disk brakes on them. Unlike the normal wheels on which the rim is designed to withstand erosion and friction (features needed for V brakes), disk brake wheels come with stronger spokes (double spokes) that distribute the braking force towards the tire without breaking the spokes themselves.

As a side note you may have the disappointment to find that medium bikes that have disk brakes (mechanical system, not hydraulic) do not have such strong rims. So while your bike brakes efficiently you might see that the wheels loose the round shape easily after bumpy downhill rides. This happened to a friend of mine who has a Kona Fire Mountain. A smart thing you can do is replace the rims (or the whole wheels) with ones that are designed for V brakes - they are stronger due to thicker walls; also the sharp U or V section profile makes them hard to bend/break.

Another reason the disk brakes are desirable is because they are thin and ventilated. Also the travel of the brake pads is shorter than in the case of V brakes - the pads are closely positioned sideways from the disk as to apply friction on it after a travel of not more than 2 mm. The holes in the disks allow a better ventilation letting the heat (caused by friction) escape more efficiently.

The rims get hot (after a long downhill ride with V brakes) and transfer the heat to the tires which is not necessarily a smart way of getting rid of heat. While I haven't heard of tires exploding or melting due to hot rims I think we all agree the disk brakes manage to take care both of stopping the bike faster and not damaging the tires through heat transfer.

The same physics law that makes the rim of the wheel move faster than any point situated closer to the center of the wheel is responsible for the noise of the helicopter rotor blade. Some of the noise that we hear in a flying helicopter (bang bang bang) is a series of sonic bangs caused by the tips of the blade which travel through air at supersonic speeds. The longer the blade, the faster the speed of its tip (rotations per minute being constant). Military forces are working to reduce this noise for stealth operations -

long-range propagation of helicopter noise can alert an enemy to an incoming helicopter in time to re-orient defenses.

Read more about helicopter noise reduction and rotor noise (see page 4).

Want to learn more? Check out a cool article where you can learn about the benefits of having disk brakes on your mountain bike - weight and other technical aspects are being taken into account as well.

Keep riding your bike. And since you love biking so much, why not learn to design your own mountain bike T-shirt or jersey?

Cheers!

Free Skydiving T-shirt Vector Design - Overweight Skydiver

Get this funny print design for your skydiving T-shirt in GIF format

Original design created by Gabriel Raileanu who started his own art blog where he also posts his fimo jewelry creations.

If you're interested in having your own custom T-shirt design feel free to contact him. He can also create cartoon or comic book characters.

All hand drawings on Highball Blog are his work so go over to his site and thank him for these awesome extreme sports T-shirt prints.

Download this skydiving drawing for your T-Shirt in:

SVG format
EPS format
GIF format (with transparent background)

Get the disintegrating skydiver print design for your hoodie in:

Download the skydiver skeleton with skin parachute for your T-shit in:

Get the two phases of fat skydiver in GIF format

Skydiving T-shirt and Hoodie Vector Prints

Check out this other free skydiving T-shirt design.

Cheers!

How To Get Free Outdoor Gear from Sponsors
How To Make Viral Videos - 3 Lessons from Devin Graham (King of YouTube)
3 Cool Ways To Get Paying Clients as a Videographer
How To Be Creative without The Pressure

How To Open Pictures in a New Window or Tab with Blogger

Campsites and Recreation Parks in California - What's Your Favorite?

Build a DIY Steadicam for Your DSLR Camera

What's the Purpose of the Rim Groove in Your MTB Wheel

Get a Free Climbing T-shirt Design in Vector Format - Heel Hook

GoPro Video Editing Tips - Convert, Import and Edit Your HD MP4 Outdoor Clips

Why Disk Brakes Are Better Than V Brakes on a Mountain Bike

Free Skydiving T-shirt Vector Design - Overweight Skydiver

The Essential Guide for Smooth Vids

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