<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>washingtonpost.com - How To</title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/columns/howto?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><description>How To</description><language>en-us</language><ttl>15</ttl><image><title>washingtonpost.com</title><width>140</width><height>20</height><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com</link><url>http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gif</url></image><item><title><![CDATA[Score a Baseball Game]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35782-2005Apr7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35782-2005Apr7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Now that the District has its own boys of summer, baseball fans can head to RFK Stadium for evenings of homers (we hope) and hot dogs (a must). But locals who've grown rusty on the game  --  Washington's last team, the Senators, skipped town 34 years ago  --  or new fans looking to figure out the national pastime may need to learn the basics of tallying who's on first.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Create Your Own Podcasts]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17337-2005Mar31.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17337-2005Mar31.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Commercial-free broadcasts, a smorgasbord of topics and music you've never heard before. Nope, we're not talking about satellite radio  --  we're talking podcasting.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Create an Electronic Archive]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64566-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64566-2005Mar24.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[You paste old photographs in the family album and squirrel away the notes you passed in eighth grade. But are you preserving your electronic materials  --  digital photographs, documents and other keepsakes of the cyber realm  --  as faithfully? Personal e-mail can make a de facto diary. Recipes, school assignments, home movies, personal Web pages, even instant messenger chats  --  all these things may be of interest to you down the road, not to mention to your grandchildren (or biographers). It's easier than you think: With a computer disk burner, a dreary weekend and a little bit of organizational gumption, you can preserve your memories for the ages.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Win at Scrabble]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45660-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45660-2005Mar17.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Tired of being whipped at Scrabble by a smart-aleck spouse or friend? Most living-room players don't know that by learning a bit of basic strategy and memorizing some new words, you can improve your game by more than 50 points  in a matter of weeks. We asked D.C.'s word experts how to do it.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bluff It Through the Office NCAA Pool]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25581-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25581-2005Mar10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Selection Sunday is upon us -- the brackets for the NCAA men's basketball tournament are announced today. And you don't  need a bookie to tell you that odds are on the office pool dominating water cooler conversation all month long. Want to get in on March Madness, but don't even know what NCAA stands for? (It's National Collegiate Athletic Association, by the way.) Don't fear: We've got a beginner's guide to help you fake it 'till you make it. (Seasoned veterans can check out bracketology on <a href="http://espn.com">espn.com</a> for more in-depth information.)]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maximize Your iPod]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5703-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5703-2005Mar3.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Given the right accessory, Apple's MP3 player can moonlight as a digital voice recorder, remote control, or even a portable movie player.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ditch Your Date]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15629-2005Feb10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15629-2005Feb10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[If your hot new date just isn't working out, some tricky technology provides convenient excuses for getting away.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tap Your PC from Abroad]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62154-2005Feb3.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62154-2005Feb3.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[There you are, wandering around Venice or Tokyo or Montreal, when you suddenly get an urge to access your home computer. Perhaps you need a certain file or the address of your Quebecois pal. Or maybe you just miss the little fella. Whatever your reason, there are ways to access your computer from anywhere in the world, whenever you want. In most (but not all) cases, you'll need to leave your home computer connected to the Internet and find a way to get online while you're away.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make Money off Your Blog]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43241-2005Jan27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43241-2005Jan27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[You pound on the keyboard each day, broadcasting your unalloyed truths to the world  (or at least to friends and family) via your blog. Unfortunately, earning such singular authority demands serious time and energy, and what begins as a hobby can quickly start seeming like Job No. 2 -- sans paycheck. But haven't you heard? You can turn your Web log into a digital cash cow. Simply choose among these techniques (but keep in mind that it's not all free money -- come tax season, Uncle Sam gets his fair share).]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Equip Your PC With Free Software]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25208-2005Jan20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25208-2005Jan20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[If you're thinking of buying yourself a computer, you should steel yourself for a nasty surprise -- the software for your pretty new system can cost you a bundle. (Think hundreds for just an operating system and applications to write documents, create spreadsheets, surf the Web and read e-mail, and $1,000 or more if you throw in specialty items, such as a drawing program.) Why not skip the massive bill and load up with free stuff instead?]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Find the Perfect Personal Trainer]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54776-2005Jan6.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54776-2005Jan6.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Health clubs make you feel like an anonymous gym rat, and home-video workouts are plain cheesy. But you need some kind of kick in the butt to take off those holiday pounds. It may be time to invest in a personal trainer.  "There's a sense of trust, guidance and obligation that a client gets with a personal trainer that they won't get if they strike out on their own," says Margaret Velez, a trainer and Pilates instructor whose clients have included the Baltimore Ravens, Cher and Michael Douglas. "Trainers are paid to be great private coaches, great motivators and informed fitness experts." That explains the high cost.  Trainers can charge upward of $50 an hour, so it's important to know what you're getting before you commit  your body and wallet. Here are a few key tips for finding your ideal match:]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navigate the Digital Music Scene]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35583-2004Dec29.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35583-2004Dec29.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Buying digital music can be confusing. On one hand, you have an alphabet soup of acronyms, all referring to varying formats. On the other hand, you have a slew of online retailers, each furiously competing for your hard-earned music dollar. And in the middle, you have an avalanche of players, each of which offer different features and work with different formats.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Apres-Holiday Detox]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20971-2004Dec22.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20971-2004Dec22.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Undo your holiday indulgences. Try a DIY detox regimen to start the new year right.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pump Up Your Salary]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6326-2004Dec16.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6326-2004Dec16.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[The end of the year is fast approaching, which means jingle bells, shopping hell, eggnog and . . . annual reviews. If you've been nice, not naughty, that also means it's prime time to ask for a raise. Maybe your company's performed well this past year, or maybe it's cutting corners, but either way, if you know <em>you've </em>done a great job, then by all means, step up and ask for what you're worth.  Here are some tips on how to finesse your way into a salary upgrade:]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Start a Winning Blog]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53749-2004Dec9.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53749-2004Dec9.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[When "Web" and "log" were combined to form the word "blog" in 1999, few foresaw the power these  online journals would wield. Now, blogs number near 4 million and deal with every conceivable topic -- from favorite recipes to education reform to Mick Jagger sightings. The influential commentary of political bloggers earned them invites to last summer's national party conventions, and in September, bloggers pulled the curtain on Dan Rather and those spurious National Guard papers. Want a piece of the action? Running a great blog <em>and</em> gaining loyal readers isn't easy, but use these tips as you hop on the bandwidth bandwagon and you'll be on your way.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rent a Vacation Villa]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11899-2004Nov25.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11899-2004Nov25.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[George Clooney, P. Diddy, Beyonce and Jay-Z -- thanks to the tabloids, even the most casual gossip fans know that  when these mega-stars travel, they're just as likely to rent a private villa as to hole up in a hotel room. But villas -- rentable, privately owned homes that often come fully staffed -- are within the regular traveler's budget, too.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Get on Camera at the Game]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61285-2004Nov18.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61285-2004Nov18.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Extreme football fans who earn TV airtime during a game may look crazy, but they've beaten the odds: Camera pros estimate that during a typical three-hour football broadcast, spectators are shown only about 20 times; about  half those screen grabs are crowd shots, meaning individuals remain indistinguishable. So, unless you're a parent of the star running back or resemble Pamela Anderson (who was "discovered" by a cameraman at a 1989 football game in Canada), you'll need these game-stopping tips to make your prime-time debut.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[At-Home Facials]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44033-2004Nov11.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44033-2004Nov11.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[DIY facials using everyday ingredients are a therapeutic way to revitalize.]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Get a Good Night's Sleep]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7830-2004Oct28.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7830-2004Oct28.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[ After a string of restless nights sunk into the couch until 4 a.m., watching a marathon of TiVo'd "West Wing" episodes, I began to believe Jed Bartlet really was president and that he needed my advice on issues. I was creeping into Crazyville and the tube wasn't to blame -- I needed sleep. "We are all getting less and less," says Alon Avidan, director of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at the University of Michigan Medical Center. "In D.C. you have all these young professionals with demanding schedules and they can't do it all, so they take time away from their sleep." What's more, with daylight saving time ending this weekend, your body's going to be even further  out of whack. So how to get those seven to eight hours of z's? Follow these tips:]]></description><author></author></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make Big Bucks on eBay]]></title><link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16452-2004Oct7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16452-2004Oct7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/howto</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2005 7:24:59 GMT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Maybe you've got a garage full of junk you're dying to unload. Or you need quick  cash -- and your grandmother told you those vintage Barbies would be worth something someday. Whatever the case, eBay, the successful online auction site, (<a href="http://www.ebay.com">www.ebay.com</a>) can be the key. But how do you maximize your haul? Read on:]]></description><author></author></item></channel></rss>