BitSmarter
… helping you get a bit smarter
Fix card readers not recognized in Windows 7
Mar 3rd
1. From the Start menu, choose “Documents”
2. From the top menu, select “Organize”, then “Folder and Search Options”
3. Un-tick “Hide empty drives in the Computer Folder”
When was the battery invented?
Mar 3rd
One of the early attractions that gained public attention was an electrically illuminated bridge over the river Seine during the 1900 World Fair in Paris.
The use of electricity may go back much further. While constructing a new railway in 1936 near Baghdad, workers uncovered what appeared to be a prehistoric battery. The discovery was known as the Parthian Battery and was believed to be 2000 years old, dating back to the Parthian period.
The battery consisted of a clay jar filled with a vinegar solution. An iron rod surrounded by a copper cylinder penetrated into the liquid and produced 1.1 to More >
iPad by Apple
Feb 2nd
iPad
Evidence was discovered that Apple was interested in the name “iSlate, prior to settling on “iPad”.
A search in the Canadian trademark database reveals that Apple’s dummy corporation Slate Computing, LLC applied for a trademark for “iPad” under the categories of handheld mobile digital electronic devices with a broad range of applications. This application was filed in July 2009 — much more recently than the original iSlate trademarks which date back to 2006-2007. Slate Computing, LLC did not apply for a similar trademark in the U.S. due to the fact that Fujitsu appears to control the U.S. trademark as it relates More >
Tomato & chicken korma curry
Jan 18th
Preparation Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time // Ingredients (serves 4)- 390g (1 1/2 cups) Greek-style natural yoghurt
- 140g (1/2 cup) Patak’s Korma Curry Paste
- 8 (about 2.2kg) large chicken thigh cutlets, excess fat trimmed
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- 2 brown onions, halved, thinly sliced
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 100g baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves
- Steamed rice, to serve
- Pappadums, to serve
- Combine the yoghurt and curry paste in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate.
- Heat the oil a stockpot or heatproof casserole dish over medium-high More >
Thai red curry chicken
Jan 18th
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1kg chicken thigh fillets, trimmed,
- cut in half crossways
- 114g can Thai red curry paste (see note)
- 1 cup Continental Real Chicken Stock
- 150g fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems trimmed, halved
- 230g can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 140ml can coconut milk
- 1/3 cup basil leaves
- steamed jasmine rice, to serve
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches, for 1 to 2 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Reduce frying pan heat to low. Add remaining oil to pan. Add curry paste and cook, stirring, More >
Rogan Josh
Jan 18th
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1kg diced lamb
- 2 brown onions, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon store bought curry paste (medium heat)
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- coriander leaves, to serve
- steamed rice, to serve
- pappadums, if desired, to serve
- Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium high heat. Brown the lamb in batches (adding a little extra oil between batches if needed) then remove and transfer to a slow cooker.
- Heat remaining oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the onion, ginger and garlic along with the curry paste and cook More >
Banana Smoothie
Jan 18th
1 ripe banana, peeled and roughly chopped 50g natural yogurt 1 scoop vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt 1 cup chilled milk 1 tablespoon honey 1. Place all ingredients into a large jug. 2. Using the StickMaster, process until smooth and frothy. Serves 2
Breakfast Shake
Jan 18th
1 cup milk 1/2 cup natural yogurt 125g fresh fruit (strawberries, passionfruit, banana), chopped 1 tablespoon wheat germ or bran 1. Place all ingredients into the large beaker. 2. Using the StickMaster process until smooth.
Tartare Sauce
Jan 18th
1 quantity of mayonnaise 11 small gherkin, roughly chopped 2 sprigs parsley 1 teaspoon capers, drained 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1. Place all ingredients into a bowl. 2. Using the StickMaster, process until combined and finely chopped. Serve chilled with seafood.
Mayonnaise
Jan 18th
1 egg 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard pinch sea salt 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1. Place all ingredients except oil into a bowl. 2. Using the StickMaster, process until combined. 3. Gradually add half the oil in a thin stream processing constantly using a brisk up and down action. 4. Add remaining oil more quickly while processing until thick and smooth. DO NOT OVER PROCESS. 5. Store in refrigerator, in an airtight container for 2 weeks.