Q: If you repeat a set of Photoshop operations often, create an Action to save time in the future. Start by opening an image to which you’ll be performing a set of operations (such as applying masks, filters, type, etc.). It’s a good idea to work with a copy of the image so you don’t overwrite an image with a mistake.  Click the “File” menu and choose “Save As.” Place a check mark next to “As a Copy.” Click “Save.” If you don’t see a panel in Photoshop that’s labeled “Actions,” press F9 (Windows) or ⌥ Option+F9 to launch it. You can increase the size of the Actions panel by dragging its lower right corner downward or to the right. This icon, shaped like a square sheet of paper with a folded-up corner, appears on the Actions panel next to the Trash icon. The “New Action” dialog box will appear. You can also click the menu at the top right corner of the Actions panel and choose “New Action…” Type a name for your new Action into the “Name” field. Use something that will jog your memory about what the Action does. For example, if you are creating an Action to shrink an image to a specific size and then convert it to grayscale, you may call the Action “Shrink and Grayscale.” You can assign a key or combination of keys (e.g., F3, Alt+F2, etc.) to start the Action. This step is optional, as you can also run the Action from the Actions panel.  Select a key from the Function Key drop-down menu. If you’d like, place a check next to Shift, Command, Control, etc. to specify a specific key combination (instead of just a single function key). Once you click this button, you’ll be in “recording” mode. While you’re in this mode, each Photoshop operation you complete will be added to the Action in order. There are a few rules of thumb to remember when recording actions:  When recording the “Save As” command, don’t enter a new file name. If you do, the new file name will apply to every image on which you apply the Action. Instead, just navigate to a different folder and save it with the same filename. Not all of the functions you record now can apply to all images. For example, if you use “Color Balance” in this Action, it won’t have any effect when running it on a grayscale image. Here’s an example for recording an Action to resize an image to 300 x 300 pixels at 72 dpi (dots-per-inch):  Open the Image menu and select “Image Size.” Remove the checkmark from the box labeled “Constrain proportions.” Set each dropdown next to “Width” and “Height” to “Pixels” if they are not already set. Type “300” into the “Width” box. Type “300” into the “Height” box. Type “72” into the “Resolution” box. Make sure “Pixes/inch” is selected next to “Resolution.” Click “OK.” When you’re done performing all of the commands you want in the action, click the Stop button (the dark gray square on the Actions panel).  To add more steps, make sure the Action is highlighted in the Actions panel and click the red “Record” button (the circle) to record. If you don’t feel you’ve recorded the action correctly, right-click the name of the Action and select “Record Again.” Click the arrow next to your new Action to expand all of the steps.  If you want to change any of the parameters in the Action, double-click the step to launch its associated panel. You can rearrange steps in the Action by dragging its name to another location in the list. To delete a step in the Action, click the step once to select it, and then click the Trash icon.
A: Open a file in Photoshop. Save the image as a copy. Show the Actions panel. Click the “Create New Action” icon. Choose a name for the Action. Choose a Function Key. Click “Record” to begin recording your Action. Perform the commands you want to repeat. Stop recording the Action. Look at the steps of your Action in the Actions panel.

Q: The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides farm grants so that new farms can receive up to $250,000 for training, education, and technical assistance. The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides money to both state and local governments and to nonprofit organizations. Those organizations dispense the grant funds to new farmers. Contact your local, regional or tribal agricultural office to access grant money through this program. Labor Housing Grants are provided to farmers who want to build, remodel, or sustain housing for the farm workers they employ. The grant funds are given to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and farm worker associations, who then dispense the funds directly to farmers. These grants are provided to all farmers, but for those who switch or transition to organic farming, the wait for funds can be much shorter.  The same goes for socially disadvantaged farmers. In addition to receiving up to $20,000 per year, your farm can also qualify for $80,000 in grants over a period of six years. Get standards from the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. Farms are considered small businesses for the purpose of this grant, which gives money to any business engaged in research that can solve scientific agriculture problems.
A: Start your farm by applying for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant. Apply for Farm Labor Housing Grants. Qualify for an Environmental Quality Incentive Grant. Apply for the Small Business Innovation Research Program.

Q: There are many brands to choose from (Thermaltake, Xion, Targus) and are available at computer stores like Best Buy or online from Newegg. You can even buy risers, or computer stands, that have ventilation.  If you can't afford/find cooling mat, always prefer something hard under the laptop rather than something soft. For example, use a plastic casing, a lap desk, tray table or even a wooden cutting board to provide a solid, flat surface to allow proper airflow. Don't use your laptop on soft surfaces such as a sofa, carpeting, folded quilt or pillow. Any vents located on the bottom of your laptop will be blocked and airflow will be reduced, causing it to overheat. It may even overheat enough to catch on fire.  Use a steel flat bar as an external heat sink. It works because your computer has to heat up more mass before it overheats. This also means, that the larger the bar, the longer it will take for it to overheat. It will only work if your laptop has a metal case, and it feels hot.
A: Buy a laptop cooling mat. Maintain a cool environment.Try keeping your laptop in an air-conditioned or cool area to allow your system to cool down and prevent it from overheating. Consider using a heat sink.

Q: You may have some or most of the ingredients that you will need. The necessary ingredients are pretty basic, which makes this an easy and cost-effective soup to make. You'll want both the garlic and onion to be finely chopped. This is a tedious process, but it can be done while you're waiting for the lentils and chicken stock to boil. Put the pot over the stove on medium to high heat. Once the lentils and stock begin to boil (the liquid makes big bubbles), lower the heat to a simmer. The lentils will be done when they are soft and rise to the top of the liquid. Cook until the water comes out of them (the onions will begin to look transparent), but don't put the heat on so high that they brown because this will alter the taste of your soup. If you're not a fan of cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper will work fine on their own. Stir and do a taste test. If it needs more spices, add them to the broth. After a couple of minutes of letting all the ingredients combine in the pot, add the lemon juice. Let the juice mingle with the soup. After a couple of minutes of letting the lemon juice infuse through the soup, the soup will be ready to eat.
A:
Check your refrigerator and pantry. Peel and cut up the garlic and onion. Add the lentils and chicken or vegetable stock to the pot. Combine the chopped onion and garlic with some olive oil (a little goes a long way). Add spices to taste. When the garlic and onion are fully cooked, transfer them from the pan into the pot with the lentils and chicken or vegetable stock. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice. Serve.