Online PowerPoint

How to Produce Online PowerPoint Presentations

Get your presentations in front of online audiences and iPad users.

By Helen Bradley Jun 28, 2012 6:00 PM

Once you’ve created a PowerPoint presentation, it’s time to think about how you will present it. PowerPoint has a few options for making online presentations, but they deal with just a few scenarios. Fortunately, several free third-party products are available to help you achieve the results you’re looking for. PowerPoint 2010’s Broadcast feature will do the job if you’re presenting to an online audience (up to 50 people) watching in a Web browser during a real-time conference call. They won’t even need to have their own copy of PowerPoint. But if the people to whom you’re pitching want to view the presentation offline at their leisure, or if you have to set up the presentation so that any number of people can view the slideshow at any time, you’ll need something else. I’ll show you several methods of accomplishing each of these goals.

Broadcast a Presentation in Real Time

If you want to present online in real time, simply use PowerPoint 2010’s built-in Broadcast tool. (Note that you need a Microsoft Live ID to use this feature.) Once you’ve built the presentation, click File in the top menu bar and then choose Save & Send. Next, select Broadcast Slide Show (in the middle column of options) and then click the Broadcast Slide Show button (it’s the only button in the third column). When the Broadcast Slide Show dialog box appears, click Start Broadcast. If you’re not already signed in to your Microsoft Live account, you’ll see a prompt to sign in. At this point, you need to wait while your presentation uploads to the broadcast service.

PowerPoint 2010's Broadcast feature lets you make presentations on the Web in real time.

Once the upload is complete, you’ll see a dialog box containing a link that your viewers can use to open the slideshow on their own machines. Click Copy Link to put the link on your clipboard, or click Send in Email to distribute it that way (the latter link, however, defaults to opening Outlook, which might not be suitable if you use browser-based email).
You must wait until everyone is prepared for the meeting before you start the presentation. When the audience is ready, click the Start Slide Show button in the Broadcast Slide Show dialog box. The slideshow will display on your screen and on your audience members' screens simultaneously, and you can work through the slideshow one slide at a time knowing that everyone’s screens will be in sync. The broadcast stream will not carry audio, so don’t bother adding a soundtrack or sound effects to your presentation.
When the presentation is finished, click the End Broadcast button to stop the broadcast and disconnect all viewers from the slideshow (this won’t, of course, disconnect them from the independent conference call).

Deliver a Presentation as a Video

PowerPoint 2010 can encode presentations as .wmv video files.

If you’d like to convert your slideshow into a video presentation, PowerPoint 2010 can encode it to a .wmv file. Click File > Save & Send, and then select Create a Video (in the middle column). In the right column, you’ll see two sets of drop-down menus with options for encoding the video. Click the Computer & HD Displays button to reveal two additional options: Internet & DVD (the best choice for videos that you will share online) and Portable Devices. Once you’ve made your display choice, click the Recorded Timings and Narrations button and choose the Record Timings and Narrations option to add a soundtrack, if your presentation doesn’t already have one. Progress through your presentation, speaking about each slide as you display it. Click the Next button on the recording toolbar to move to the next slide. Repeat these steps until you’ve recorded the audio for your entire slideshow. When you reach the last slide, the program returns you to the PowerPoint Backstage area. Click the Create Video button and type a name for the video file, and then wait as PowerPoint encodes the video.
Once it has created your video, you can upload the video file to the Web. Use an online video-streaming service such as Vimeo, and you’ll be able to mark the file as either private or accessible to anyone.
Next Page: Share a Presentation via SkyDrive

Share a Presentation via SkyDrive

Upload a presentation to a SkyDrive account, and your audience will be able to view it from a shared folder.

Anyone using Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud-storage service can upload PowerPoint presentations to the cloud for sharing (with everyone, via the Public folder, or only with those people you have invited). Choose File > Save & Send > Save to Web. As with PowerPoint’s Broadcast feature, you need a Windows Live account to take advantage of this feature. You'll see a display of the folders on your SkyDrive. Click Public if you want to share the presentation with everyone. If you want to share it with a limited number of people, select a shared folder or add one by clicking New. Back in PowerPoint, click Refresh, select the desired folder, and then choose Save As to save the file there.

Your SkyDrive sharing options include Facebook, Twitter, email, and a direct link.

Once the file has uploaded to your SkyDrive account, log in to your SkyDrive folder, click the presentation, and click Share. Now you can decide whether to send an email message containing a link to the presentation, to post the link to your Facebook or Twitter account, or to obtain a link that you can send to someone via other means.

Embed a Presentation in a Web Page Using Google Docs

Google Docs gives you an array of settings for publishing your presentation to the Web.

At times you may want to publish a presentation that anyone can access, perhaps by embedding it in your website. One way to do this is to upload the presentation to your Google Docs account and publish it to the Web from there. You need a Google Docs account, of course. Save your PowerPoint presentation as usual, and then sign in to your Google Docs account and click the Upload button (you’ll find it represented by an icon on the left side of the page, to the right of the Create button). Choose Files from the pop-out menu, locate your presentation, and upload it. Google Docs will automatically convert the file to its native format. Once the presentation is in Google Docs, open the file in Google Presentations, click the Share button (in the upper-right corner of the interface), and set the visibility options and access levels as you like.
Google Docs offers three visibility options: 'Public on the Web' means that anyone can see the presentation, 'Anyone with the Link' means that only those with whom you’ve shared the link can see the presentation, and 'Private' means that only you have access to the file. You get four Access levels, too, ranging from Commenters (who can view, comment on, download, and copy the presentation, but can’t delete it or change its sharing settings) to Owners (who have complete control over the presentation).

Deliver Presentations to iPad Users

SlideShark makes it easy to share PowerPoint presentations with iPad users.

No iPad version of PowerPoint exists currently, but you do have a way to share your PowerPoint presentations with iPad users. Sign up for a free account with SlideShark, and upload your presentation. Your iPad-using audience will need to download and install the free SlideShark app before they open the presentation. SlideShark can also share your PowerPoint presentations via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or email.

Worth A Try.

61 Easy Ways To Lose Weight

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 5:23 pm

Written by: Chris Mohr, Ph.D., R.D.

A few years ago, one of my friends at Men's Health stepped on the scale and was horrified by the result. He'd somehow managed to pack 20 pounds of flab onto his previously skinny frame. When he looked into the mirror, he saw a fat guy staring back. He decided to make a change, quick. 
 

That day, he gave up his beloved soda. He was only drinking two or three bottles a day, but over the course of six months, he dropped those 20 pounds. It was a small change to his lifestyle -- no big deal, really. And yet, it had a massive impact on his health and his body. (No surprise: Drinking calories is one of the 20 Habits That Make You Fat.)
 

My point: Making small decisions each day can result in big-time fat loss.


Below are dozens of simple ways to lose weight. Start with one -- today! -- and watch the weight begin to melt away. Trust me, this is going to be easier than you think.


1. Have a clear goal. It should be one that anyone in the world can measure and understand.
2. Drink tea. Research suggests that those who drink tea -- black, green, or white, as long as it’s from real tea versus herbal tea -- have lower BMIs and less body fat than those who don’t consume tea.
3. Eat cayenne pepper. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that when compared to placebo, capsaicin -- the active ingredient in cayenne -- increased fat burning.
4. Decrease/eliminate processed carbs. They do nothing for you outside of creating a favorable environment for gaining fat.
5. Eat more veggies. They fill you up, without providing many calories. Just avoid the high-calorie dressings.
6. Eat more fruit. No one ever gained weight from eating more fruit. And that includes the so-called “high sugar” fruits like bananas and melons.
7. Lift weights. Heavy weights. Build more muscle, burn more calories.
8. Cut down rest time between sets. This will keep your heart rate elevated causing an increase in calories burned. The good news: You can sky-rocket your heart rate and torch belly-fat fast with The Spartacus Workout for Men and The Spartacus Workout for Women -- the most popular fat-blasting workouts in Men’s Health and Women’s Health history.
9. Do intervals. Study after study after study continues to show intervals are more effective and time efficient than longer activity performed at a lower intensity.
10. Eat more protein. Replacing refined carbohydrates with lean protein will not only help satiate you, but will also increase your metabolism -- through something called the thermic effect of food.
11. Eat protein more frequently. It’s important to also time your intake so you’re eating protein regularly throughout the day -- not just in one lump sum, like most do at dinner. Every meal and snack should include some protein.
12. Supplement with fish oil. A study published in Lipids fed mice diets enhanced EPA and DHA -- a.k.a. fish oil. The researchers learned that the mice fed diets higher in omega-3 fats had significantly less accumulation of body fat. Other studies have shown similar results.
13. Do full body exercises. Think: squats, deadlifts, chin-ups, and push-ups. You’ll get more bang for your buck out of each workout.
14. Cycle your carb intake based on your activity level. Sure, carbs are important. But on the days you don’t work out, you simply don’t need as many compared to the days you exercise hard. Rule of thumb: The more active you are, the more carbs you can eat, and vice versa.
15. Start your meals with a salad. Salad will provide some bulk to help fill you up -- so that you eat less calories overall.
16. Don’t forget the fiber. Think of fiber like a sponge; it absorbs water and makes you feel full.
17. Drink water. Professor Dr. Brenda Davy and her Team from Virginia Tech University found that giving people 2 cups of water before each meal resulted in greater weight loss after 12 weeks. The reason? It helps fill you up.
18. Add beans to your salads. It’s a nice way to add some additional fiber, protein, and healthy carbs.
19. Replace one meal a day with a large salad and lean protein. This is a simple way to instantly improve your diet.
20. Keep a food journal. There’s no better way to track what you’re putting in your mouth.
21. Watch your portions. Avoid the buffet line and never supersize. Instead make sure you’re following what the nutrition label recommends for a serving.

22. Switch to calorie-free drinks. All calories count, whether they’re liquid or solid. So unless it’s low-fat milk, opt for tea or water. Or something I was introduced to in the Netherlands -- large bunches of mint, lemon and hot water.
23. Weigh yourself. Studies show daily weigh-ins help enhance weight loss efforts. Don’t live and die by the number. And of course a scale doesn’t decipher between fat and lean body mass, but it can still be of benefit to keep things “in check.”
24. Eat whole eggs. Daily. A study published a couple years ago showed that those who ate whole eggs versus a bagel for breakfast ate less at the next meal. A similar study showed eating whole eggs increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
25. Eat breakfast. A review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that those who eat breakfast are more successful with long-term weight maintenance. Other research has shown the same for weight loss. Grab hardboiled eggs, scrambled eggs, Greek yogurt, a piece of fruit and handful of nuts, or make a smoothie. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
26. Eat the bulk of your meals in the A.M. Then eat progressively less throughout the day. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating most of your calories earlier in the day positively influences weight changes.
27. To burn more calories, stay upright. This means not sitting in front of a computer, TV, phone, etc all day. Stand and you’ll burn more and be more productive. This could even save your life.
28. Use the stairs. That’s right: Skip the escalator and elevator. This won’t make or break success, but every little bit helps. So get in all the movement you can.
29. Eat low-energy, dense foods. These are foods that are high in water and lower in calories, such as fruit, veggies, soups, and salads. Studies at Penn State University have showed that the inclusion of these foods helps individuals eat less total calories overall.
30. Don’t grocery shop hungry. If you do, you’ll buy everything in the aisle -- instead of sticking to your list. And most of the time, the foods you buy when hungry will the kinds that sabotage your weight loss efforts.
31. Replace side dishes with steamed veggies. Restaurants will often allow you to substitute the fries or chips with steamed veggies. All you have to do is ask.
32. Bake, don’t fry.
33. Use the fat-burner in your backyard: your grill. (And make sure you have a copy of Grill This, Not That! -- the extraordinary guide to grilling that can help you lose 10, 20, 30 or more pounds.)
34. Order dressing on the side. But here’s the bigger secret: Dip your fork in dressing, and then in the salad. This saves a ton more dressing than if one was to order it on the side, and the pour the entire cup on the salad anyway. Fewer calories equal less weight.
35. In the airport: Carry your luggage, don’t roll it. Again, not a deal breaker in terms of success -- just another way to increase energy expenditure.
36. Skip the “Venti lattes” and opt for plain coffee. (Or better yet, tea.) Those extra large “designer” coffees can pack a belly-inflating 500 or more calories per serving!
37. Embrace oats. Plain rolled oats will help fill you up more than the high sugar breakfast counterparts. Moreover, 1 serving provides a lot less calories than the sugar coated alternatives.

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38. Fidget. A study published in the journal Science showed that those who fidgeted more often -- for example, changed their posture frequently -- weighed less than those who didn’t. This extra movement was termed NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis).
39. Laugh often. A study presented at the European Congress on Obesity found those who laughed hard for approximately 10 to 15 minutes each day burned an additional 10 to 40 calories/day. Multiply that by 365 and those calories can add up!

40. Leave something on your plate at the end of the meal. Every little bit counts.
41. When out to eat, split a meal. The portions are usually big enough to feed a family.
42. Skip dessert.
43. Don’t socialize around the food tables at parties. You’re more
likely to munch mindlessly, even though you may not be hungry.
44. Don’t eat your kid’s leftovers. Every little bit of food adds up, including what we call “BLTs” (bites, licks and tastes).
45. Keep chips, dips, and other high fat junk foods out of the house. It’s not about willpower; it’s about being realistic.
46. If you have a dog, take him for a walk. It’s better for both him and you than just letting him out the back. (Bonus: He’ll love you even more!)
47. If you don’t have a pet, offer to walk a neighbor’s dog. Make friends; lose weight.
48. Use smaller plates and bowls. There will be less room for you to fill up and it makes less food seems like more.
49. Skip buffets. It’s a foregone conclusion: If you don’t, you’ll feel like you have to get your money’s worth and overeat. For more instant weight-loss secrets – delivered to your inbox every day -- sign up for the FREE Eat This, Not That! newsletter.
50. Slow down. It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes for your stomach to sense it’s full. If you wolf down your food like a starving dog, you’ll likely out-eat your hunger.
51. Decrease your food intake by 100 calories per day. Theoretically this translates to losing nearly 1 pound per month (1 lb = 3500 calories) -- with hardly any effort.

52. Buy a pedometer and accumulate at least 10,000 steps each day.
53. When possible, walk or bike to do your errands.
54. Don’t buy in bulk. The more that is there, the more that you’ll eat.
55. Plan ahead. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
56. Keep some healthy snacks -- like nuts -- in your glove compartment so you’re prepared at all times.
57. Take before pictures.
58. Get new friends. If your friends prefer pizza, wings, nachos and beer on a regular basis, find one’s who are like-minded and want to be healthy. Research has suggested that friends enhance (or can hurt) success.
59. Put yourself first. Many people (women in particular) put everyone else ahead of themselves and let their health fall by the side.
60. Remember: It’s not all or nothing. If you fall off the bandwagon, jump right back on. Don’t let yourself continue to fall until all progress has been lost.
61. Wake up early to exercise. You’re more likely to get it done if you don’t wait until after work.

TV and Internet Converge

Vizio debuts $99 Google TV puck with some bite

June 26, 2012 8:04 AM

Tom Cheredar

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Vizio announced its first Google TV set-top box product called the Co-Star today, which offers access to the Google Play App Store, live gaming, a slick remote, and much more.
Vizio first made clear its intentions to produce a Google TV box at CES 2012, where the company showed off an unnamed prototype device. The device announced today has 802.11n support, one USB port, HDMI in/out ports, and an option to use a wired Ethernet cable. The Co-Star box will come preloaded with Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and iHeartRadio  as well as all the other perks that come along with Google TV. One big advantage the device has over other Google TV set-top boxes is its support for cloud-based gaming service OnLive, which lets you stream popular video games to other platforms. Essentially, this makes the Co-Star a legitimate game console competitor.
The Co-Star also has a full-featured Bluetooth remote control with all the standard TV buttons (channels, volume, number pad, etc.), a touch sensitive trackpad, quick buttons (Netflix, Amazon, M-Go), a full Qwerty keyboard, and gaming buttons. Pretty much anything you could possibly conceive of doing on your TV is accounted for.
But the biggest selling point of the Co-Star is probably its $99 price, which is competitive with both the Apple TV and the Roku 2 XS. By comparison, the recently announced Sony next-generation Google TV set-top box is twice that price.
So, when can you get your hands on this bad boy? Vizio hasn’t said, but pre-orders for the Co-Star open up next month.

Burger make-overs...Coming this fall on The Learning Channel

McDonald’s reveals the ridiculous process of preparing food for commercials

By Mike Wehner, Tecca | Today in Tech – 

If you've ever seen a fast food commercial and wondered "Why doesn't my burger/taco/sandwich look like that?" you're not alone. Normally these questions are never answered, but when a customer tweeted to McDonald's Canada, asking why food looks different in ads, the restaurant chain decided to reveal all its secrets.

Watch the video:
http://youtu.be/oSd0keSj2W8


In the video above you'll get a glimpse into the world of fast food commercial preparation, and it's likely a great deal more complicated than you could ever imagine. For starters, McDonald's has its very own "food stylist" who spends upwards of two hours preparing the ingredients that go into each food item to be filmed — in this case, a quarter pounder with cheese.

Everything from the bun to the condiments is placed specifically to show off the best side of the burger, and the company even uses image manipulation gurus to remove any blemishes that may have occurred during the preparation. Of course, this means you'll never actually score a meal that looks exactly like the one you saw in a TV or magazine ad, but the company insists that all the ingredients in its fast food meals are identical to the ones used in its advertisements.

I gotta get me one of these!

Belkin debuts Slingbox competitor: @TV Plus

The company claims its $149.99 place-shifting solution is better and more affordable than Slingbox.

by David Carnoy

June 20, 2012 5:30 PM PDT

The $149.99 Belkin @TV Plus ships in mid-July (click to enlarge).

(Credit: Belkin)

I'm not sure I like the name, but Belkin has made a surprise entry into the place-shifting arena with @TV Plus, a $149.99 set-top box that allows your to stream video from your home TV to your tablet, smartphone, or laptop over Wi-Fi or a 3G/4G cellular connection.
Belkin makes no bones about it: this is a direct competitor to Slingbox, which was acquired by EchoStar a few years ago and has languished a bit while maintaining the dominant position in the niche place-shifting market.
Like the Slingbox, @TV Plus works with both standard and high-definition programming and can connect and control multiple sources, such as a digital cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player. Belkin says its feature set is comparable to the Slingbox Pro-HD, which retails for $299.
The one big advantage @TV Plus has over Slingbox is that it's Wi-Fi enabled, so you're not limited by a wired Ethernet connection. Belkin also says that it can record live TV directly to a mobile device for viewing when not connected to Wi-Fi or a data network. Interesting.

You connect to your cable or satellite box via a component video connection (click to enlarge).

(Credit: David Carnoy/CNET)

@TV Plus works with the @TV mobile app, which will available for both iOS and Android platforms when the product ships around July 15. The @TV app is free for tablets and $12.99 for smartphones.
Here's a quick look at the feature highlights:

• Watch live and recorded TV anywhere your tablet, smartphone, or laptop can access Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G
• Streams standard and HD programming
• Record directly on mobile devices
• Easy-to-use Channel Guide with swipe surf for easy scrolling
• Wi-Fi enabled: Compatible with all Wi-Fi enabled tablets, smartphones, and laptops
• Works with the @TV app
• Compatible with both Mac and Windows PCs, Android, and iOS devices
• No additional monthly service fees
• Price: $149.99
• Availability: July 15

While I only saw the device streaming video over a Wi-Fi connection (yes, it was smooth), I didn't see the set-up process, which Belkin reps claimed was easier than the set up for Slingbox. We should be getting a review unit soon and will have a review up before the product ships. On the surface at least, it looks like a a very intriguing alternative to Slingbox. But I'll wait to use it in a real-world environment (rather than a controlled press demo) before making any more judgments.

R.I.P. ‘Clown Question, Bro’

R.I.P. ‘Clown Question, Bro’: June 2012-June 2012
By Dan Amira
"Clown question, bro" was born on June 12, 2012, the only child of 19-year-old Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and a Canadian TV reporter. Overnight, "Clown Question, bro" became an Internet sensation and the world's most hilarious way to rebut an allegedly unsatisfactory inquiry. But tragedy struck today in the halls of Congress, where "Clown question, bro" found itself the victim of a brutal and obviously premeditated attack by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: http://youtu.be/uOw9vMh8A6M

"Clown question, bro" succumbed to its injuries at Georgetown University Hospital. It was one week old.
Police are investigating Reid on charges of meme-slaughter.

Diet Tips

Five Simple Food Rules to Lose Weight
By Angie Greenup | Summer Shape-Up – Wed, Jun 6, 2012 2:20 PM EDT

  
Celebrity trainer Bob Harper is here to discuss his new book The Skinny Rules, which shares his top tips for weight loss success from years of helping clients and contestants on The Biggest Loser. The book focuses on 20 "nonnegotiable principles for getting to thin" - and we've got five of them right here!

Rule: Drink a glass of water before every meal. Often when we think we're hungry, we're actually dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water can help curb cravings and will help you feel more full before eating.

Rule: Eat a real breakfast. Skipping breakfast doesn't help you lose weight! Eating first thing in the morning kick-starts your metabolism. Focus on getting fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein- from sources like berries, oatmeal and yogurt- to help you feel satisfied longer.

Rule: Eat protein at every meal. Protein helps you feel fuller longer- Bob's top picks include fish, chicken, and grass-fed beef.

Rule: Make one day a week meatless. Try to incorporate plant-based protein sources, like black beans, lentils and garbanzo beans, into your diet. Setting a weekly routine encourages you to mix it up and try something new.

Rule: Eat your vegetables. Not only are they nutritious and high in fiber, you can eat as much as you want and you don't have to count calories (for most vegetables.) Find new spices and ways to prepare vegetables- Bob loves roasting- to bring out flavor.

Urban Survival Tips for 2012...and beyond

How to Be a Couch Surfer

A couch surfer is someone who travels on a budget, utilizing a broad network of contacts in order to spend the least amount of money possible. You can join couch surfing-related websites and meet other people who are interested in traveling cheaply. Eliminate any stuffy hotels on your next trip, and get ready to couch surf.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Join a couch-surfing website (see Resources below). You can create a profile, but be sure to provide enough information about yourself so that members can feel comfortable hosting you. Include photos and any friends or contacts you may already have in the network.
   • 2
     Participate in a discussion group. You can browse topics by interest and engage other couch surfers, and potential hosts, in Chat mode. Establishing common interests with other members is key to scoring yourself a place on their couch.
   • 3
     Decide on a destination. You can choose to spend all of your time in one location or arrive in one and leave from another. Once this is established, you can then browse thousands of member profiles, which are conveniently indexed by country.
   • 4
     Make contact. Explain to your potential hosts what your interests are, such as: museums, national monuments or the local pubs. Use the "Request to CouchSurf with..." button in order to provide detailed information.
   • 5
     Confirm your stay. Once you and your host(s) have agreed on the date(s) of your stay, you can purchase your tickets and rest assured in the knowledge that you now have a place to sleep.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit couchsurfing.com for more specifics and details regarding how to use their network and service.
  
• Clean up after yourself.
  
• Ask your host about bedding. He or she usually agrees to provide sheets, pillows and blankets but it is best to never assume. In a worst case scenario, you may need to bring your own sleeping bag.
  
• Give back to your host(s). You can do this by washing the dishes, making dinner or cleaning up.
  
• Ask for a recommendation. Members want to feel safe, so positive feedback from past hosts can significantly increase your chances of finding your next couch to surf.
  
• Host a couch surfer. If you've requested a couch surf and have received no offers, it may just be that you need some positive feedback on your profile first. This is an excellent way to build credibility with other members.
  
• Never ask for a key. Remember that your host is placing a tremendous amount of trust in allowing you into their home. If your host chooses to, they can provide you with a key but expect to give them something in exchange, such as a passport or other identification.

Read more: How to Be a Couch Surfer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2085877_be-couch-surfer.html#ixzz1x84dMGsJ

Aloha

10 things to do on Oahu for $10 or less

By Danielle Tumminio, Special to CNN

updated 8:56 AM EDT, Tue June 5, 2012

Climbing Diamond Head can be strenuous, but it only costs $1 for pedestrians to enter the park.

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Oahu's public bus system is an economical way to get around
• Check out the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet for good value on souvenirs
• Shave ice and Japanese noodles are tasty, affordable snacks

(CNN) -- It's honeymooners' heaven and a surfer's dream. It's America's most remote capital and perhaps its most exotic. Home to hula skirts and palm trees and some of the world's most breathtaking beaches, Honolulu may well be a United States paradise.

But paradise isn't cheap.

The Hawaiian capital and the surrounding island of Oahu are among the most expensive places in the United States, and it can feel intimidating to find reasonably priced meals and activities as a budget-conscious tourist.

Luckily, there are some monetary oases within this American paradise that will bring a smile to the heart (and wallet) of travelers on a budget.

Take "TheBus." TheBus -- yes, it's actually called TheBus -- is Oahu's public transportation system, and it has stops throughout the island. One-way fares for adults are $2.50 and $1.25 for kids. (You can also get a four-day pass for $25.00 and a monthly pass for $60.00). TheBus is a great way to get around Oahu without busting the piggy bank on a rental car. Plus, because it's the driver's responsibility to worry about traffic, all tourists have to do is soak in the sights.

To luau or not to luau? Your Hawaii tips

Taste Hawaiian cuisine. No trip to Oahu is complete without some native Hawaiian fare like kalua pork (smoked pork slow-cooked underground), lomi lomi salmon (fresh tomato and salmon salad), chicken long rice (chicken broth with glass noodles) and poi (mashed taro).

Haili's Hawaiian Foods -- winner of the Healthy Plate Lunch Contest run by Hawaii's Department of Health -- offers a variety of native Hawaiian dishes for under $10. The family-run restaurant has been in business since the 1950s, and the sisters who currently run it are happy to answer questions about dishes with an enthusiastic smile. Haili's Hawaiian Foods is a short 20-minute bus ride from Waikiki on the 13 bus; the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

To sample some of the best short ribs on the island, visit another family-run local favorite, Helena's Hawaiian Food, which has been around since 1946 and was featured on the Travel Channel's "Man v. Food." Expect a line. The B or 2 buses go to Helena's from Waikiki, and the ride takes about 40 minutes. It's also closed on Mondays.

Heavenly Hawaii: Dos and don'ts

Climb Diamond Head. Work off that Kalua pig by climbing Diamond Head crater. One of the most iconic sites on Oahu, it was formed about 300,000 years ago after a volcanic eruption. The trail to the summit was built in 1908 and used by the military to defend Oahu from invaders, but today, guests can climb it to see some of the most spectacular views of the island.

Trekkers should allow 1½-2 hours for the climb and should wear comfortable shoes. Some parts of the ascent can be strenuous, and near the summit, there is a 225-foot narrow tunnel; those suffering from claustrophobia should ask for the alternate route to the top. The walk to the base from Waikiki Beach takes about an hour. Diamond Head is also accessible via a short ride on the 22, 23 and 24 buses from Waikiki. Cost of admission is $1.00 for pedestrians.

Pick up souvenirs at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. Take the 20 or 42 bus from downtown Honolulu to the Aloha Stadium where a huge swap meet -- kind of like a flea market -- takes place Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Here, everything from macadamia nuts to Hawaiian shirts and local crafts to junk that residents are trying to unload from their attics are sold at prices well below what's to be found in Waikiki.

While some selling their wares at the swap meet are regular vendors offering deals on beach towels or souvenir magnets, be sure to check out locals selling used items on blankets near their cars, which may be more unique. Entrance to the swap meet is $1.00, and the best time to arrive is between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning.

Visit Pearl Harbor. Don't miss the opportunity to pay your respects to those who died at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The mood is a somber, peaceful contrast to the frenetic activity of Waikiki, and the museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Pearl Harbor attack from personal accounts of people who were there. While there is a charge to tour some areas of Pearl Harbor, many of the most moving parts of this historic site are free.

There is no charge to visit the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument or to tour the USS Arizona. Note: Tours of the USS Arizona must be reserved. To reserve online there is a $1.50 reservation fee per ticket. It is not uncommon for tours to be booked solid several days in advance, though some tickets may be available up until noon on the same day of the tour. The 20, 40, 40A, 42 and 62 buses from Waikiki all make stops at Pearl Harbor; the ride takes about an hour.

Eat shave ice. No visit to Hawaii is complete without an afternoon shave ice. This Hawaiian treat is somewhat like a snow cone, only with smaller ice slivers that hold syrup better. For a really authentic incarnation of this treat, ask for a splash of Li Hing powder on top -- a kind of sweet and sour topping made from dried plums -- or condensed milk. Azuki beans (sweet red beans) and ice cream are also delicious accompaniments.

While it's sure to be delectable just about anywhere on the island, San Lorenzo Shave Ice in Haleiwa is particularly yummy. Expect to spend $4 to $6, depending on size, for your sugary treat.

Cheer as surfer dudes conquer the Banzai Pipeline. Oahu is a surfer's paradise and home to some of the most exhilarating -- and dangerous -- waves in the world. Here, it's not unusual to see daring surfers sliding underneath curling waves of the variety normally reserved for magazine covers and "Blue Crush." Surfers ride waves all day, though they're usually most impressive before 11 a.m. Located on the less developed north side of Oahu, the Pipeline is near the Mokule'ia Beach Park (coming up next). The 52 bus from Honolulu goes to the Pipeline; the ride takes a little over two hours. To get to Mokule'ia Beach Park from the Pipeline, take the 52 bus back toward Honolulu for approximately 15 minutes.

Get lost in awe at "Lost" locations. Most of the hit television series "Lost" was filmed on Oahu and fans can visit everywhere from the mental institution where Hurley lived to the home of the mysterious Smoke Monster. Many of these sites are free: For a quick infusion of "Lost" mystique, visit the Hawaii Convention Center in downtown Honolulu to see where the cast filmed scenes that supposedly took place in the Sydney Airport.

For the quintessential "Lost" experience, visit the site of the fictional Flight 815 crash. Mokule'ia Beach Park, the filming site for most of season one, is on the north shore of Oahu, and a great place to visit along with the Banzai Pipeline. The north side of Oahu is less developed as a tourist destination than the south side where Waikiki is, so it's not unusual for the beach to be empty (though don't be surprised to see a sea turtle napping on the shore).

Beware that the intense surf on Oahu's northern beaches often makes swimming dangerous, and no lifeguards are on duty. By bus, the trip to Mokule'ia Beach Park takes about 2 hours on the 52 line.

Tour the Dole Plantation. It opened as a fruit stand in 1950, but today, the Dole Plantation is a well-trodden tourist attraction that pays homage to one of the island's most iconic foods: the pineapple. Access to many parts of the Dole Plantation are free, including a garden where children can roam and see different varieties of pineapple growing.

For a bit more of a splurge, the Plantation Garden Tour is $5 for adults and $4.25 for children, and access to the world's largest maze -- complete with a pineapple at its center -- is $6 for adults and $4 for children. A ride aboard the 20-minute Pineapple Express train is a little steeper, costing $8 for adults and $6 for children. If the weather's hot, be sure to indulge in the world-famous pineapple frozen treat known as the DoleWhip before leaving ($4.25). To get to the Dole Plantation, take bus 8, 19, 20, 47 or 58 from Waikiki and transfer onto the 52 at Ala Moana Shopping Center; ride time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Slurp some noodles. After a hard day of touring, a hearty meal is always needed. Marukame Udon, located right in Waikiki, is a Japanese cafeteria-style restaurant known for its homemade udon noodles -- a kind of thick, chewy spaghetti -- and the line out the door. Many of the noodle dishes cost under $5 and, for an extra splurge, individual pieces of tempura -- deep-fried shrimp or vegetables -- are available for about $1.50. (Note: Marukame Udon does not take credit cards). Don't be intimidated: The line moves quickly, and the food is worth standing outside for.

Love, true love...

Hugh Hefner and Ex-Fiance Crystal Harris are Together Again

By Todd Rigney · 2 hours ago · Leave a Comment

Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris, the Playboy mogul’s ex-fiance who famously left him days before they were scheduled to tie the knot, are a couple once again. Although Hefner states that he may have dodged a bullet after Harris’ departure in 2010, the pair are officially dating. How did this particular piece of news come about, you ask? How do we know for sure that Hefner and Harris are back together? Twitter, of course! Here’s the tweet in question:

Crystal Harris
@CrystalHarris Yes @hughhefner and I are back together. Yes I am his #1 girl again. Yes we are happy. Hope that clears up any confusion! xo
3 days ago via Twitterrific · powered by @socialditto
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This, of course, is an entirely different song than the one Harris was singing shortly after their split. Following their break-up, Harris paid a visit to Howard Stern’s radio program, where she admitted to Sirius XM listeners across the country that sex with Hefner lasted two minutes. She later added that she wasn’t physically attracted to Hef, leading one to ponder the reasons why, exactly, the two have decided to rekindle their romance.
Harris, however, wasn’t the only one sharing stories with the media. Hefner was guilty of it, as well. The publisher went on record with Entertainment Weekly, stating, “Quite frankly, I don’t know what I was thinking about. I think my natural state is single. I’ve tried marriage twice, not successfully. These were not the happiest times of my life.”
If you find yourself pondering the reasons why the couple has reunited, then you’re not alone. Have a quick look at some Twitter reactions to the Hefner/Harris story below.

Hugh Hefner
@hughhefner Getting back together with Crystal Harris shouldn’t be a big surprise, since I have a history of remaining close to former girlfriends.
4 days ago via Twitterrific · powered by @socialditto
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MancowMuller
@MancowMuller Hugh Hefner and his runaway bride, Crystal Harris, are back together. You can’t keep true love apart. And Crystal Harris’ true love is money
7 hours ago via Ping.fm · powered by @socialditto
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Abbi Crutchfield
@curlycomedy Hugh Hefner and ex-fiancee Crystal Harris are back together. What a relief. I was starting not to believe in gold-digging.
2 days ago via Favstar.FM · powered by @socialditto
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Pauly Casillas
@PaulyPeligroso Hugh Hefner, 85, reconciled with his runaway bride, Crystal Harris, who is 25. Not because she’s a gold digger. More like a grave digger.
22 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto
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Eli Braden
@EliBraden Congratulations to Hugh Hefner on Crystal Harris running out of money
2 days ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto
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