The following code is setup for use with a Nook Color, but you could change the resolution for use with other devices as well. If you have any that you find work well for you please post them in the comments and I will extend the article.

First off, if you don’t already have it you obviously need Handbrake

Thanks to RedShirt for the original code.
handbrake_nook.bat

:: http://www.sudobash.net?p=594
:: Nook Color
@echo off
FOR /F "tokens=*" %%G IN ('DIR "%~1" /B /S /A:-d') do (
FOR /F "tokens=*" %%H IN ('DIR "%%G" /B /A:-d') do (
:: This assumes you have the default install location on Windows 7.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Handbrake\HandBrakeCLI" -e x264 -2 -b 702 -a 1 -E faac -B 48 -6 mono -R Auto -D 0.0 -f mp4 -I -X 854 -m -x level=30:cabac=0:ref=1:analyse=all:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:psy-rd=0,0:bframes=0:weightp=0:subme=6:8x8dct=0:trellis=0 -D 1.5 -i "%%G" -o "C:\Users\YOUR_LOGIN_NAME\Videos\transcode\%%H-NOOK.mp4"
)
)

handbrake_kfire.bat

:: http://www.sudobash.net?p=594
:: Kindle Fire
@echo off
FOR /F "tokens=*" %%G IN ('DIR "%~1" /B /S /A:-d') do (
FOR /F "tokens=*" %%H IN ('DIR "%%G" /B /A:-d') do (
:: This assumes you have the default install location on Windows 7.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Handbrake\HandBrakeCLI" -e x264 -2 -b 702 -a 1 -E faac -B 48 -6 mono -R Auto -D 0.0 -f mp4 -I -X 1024 -m -x level=30:cabac=0:ref=1:analyse=all:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:psy-rd=0,0:bframes=0:weightp=0:subme=6:8x8dct=0:trellis=0 -D 1.5 -i "%%G" -o "C:\Users\YOUR_LOGIN_NAME\Videos\transcode\%%H-FIRE.mp4"
)
)

Make sure the entire command is all on one line with no line breaks or wrapping or this will not work. Don’t forget to change your destination directory to reflect your own login name. Also make sure that the entire destination path exists (by creating the “transcode” directory). Don’t worry about “Videos”, Windows sees that the same as “My Videos”.

Note: This code references the (x86) Program Files. If you are not running 64 bit then this will not be an accurate location:
Untested — Remove ” (x86)” for use on non 64-bit Windows

Now, you can either place the batch file wherever you like and then run it from the command line like so:
handbrake_nook.bat

Or you can run the bat file right from the same directory the video files are in and supply no directory, such as:
handbrake_nook.bat

To Do: Have a nightly check to see if there are any files in the selected directory. If so — convert them and then move the originals to another folder.

This morning I was majorly annoyed when a Gimp window was offscreen and there was not a damn thing I could figure out to do to finally be able to move it. The standard way to move a window back on screen is to right click on the taskbar item and select move and then use the arrows to move it back. However, since Gimp has these annoying ass multi-windows that wouldn’t work as all it wanted to move was the main window. After some frustrations and googling I finally found the following to work for me.

The window that was off screen was the “Toolbox” window. The top of it was completely off screen so there was no hope of right clicking it and getting into the menu to select move. Well fortunately some of the most annoying things have the simplest answer. All I needed to do was click on the toolbox anywhere so it was the window selected and then hit

Alt-Spacebar

From there I was in the menu and could mouse/arrow down to “move” and then use my arrows as normal to get the bastard back.

If you are like me and need to remote desktop into your work PC (or any PC) you may run into the problem of all your icons being rearranged as you change resolutions. I especially run into the problem as I remote in from my laptop into my desktop that has dual monitors. I recently found and tested the following software and so far its working great for me:

Desktop Restore

All you need do is:

1. Install the software (takes seconds)
2. Arrange the icons the way you want them
3. Right click on your desktop

4. Select save

Now after you have remoted in to your desktop and then logged back out, when you get back to your desktop just right click and select “Restore Desktop” and instantly your icons are back to their saved locations.

From “ah what the hell?!”

To glorious organization restored.