Make your own DVD movies for FREE!

By Devon Foxx - MrManUSA Writer

Ever wonder how you can take those videos you have on your computer and put them on a DVD that will play in a DVD player and do it for free? Well aside from paying for the disc anyway!

There are a number of ways you can obtain your videos. If you are familiar with Windows Movie Maker you are well aware of how you can take your videos and put them together into a rather nice movie. Windows Movie Maker comes free with Windows.

You can also download videos from YouTube using a program called You Tube Downloader, videos from YouTube and other "Tube" sites will generally download as "FLV" files. To use them in Windows Movie Maker you will have to convert them to a different format. Fortunately You Tube Downloader comes with a conversion utility built in although converting them is a second step you will have to do after you are done downloading them.

Now comes an Awesome program! And it's FREE. DVD Flick is a free program that will take all of the major video formats and burn them all to DVD. You do not have to convert them seperately, DVD Flick will do it as you generate your DVD movie. You can take your Windows Movie Maker files, YouTube videos, and most other videos you find on the internet and drop them all into your DVD Flick project. You then set the order in which you want them to play. After selecting a few other options such as video quality and the title of your disc you are ready to generate your DVD.

Now, it is free, so there are some trade-offs. It is pretty slow in generating a DVD movie and the design options are limited. You will want to set it up just before you go to bed and let DVD Flick work while you sleep. But, on a limited budget you can't complain, it does the job! After generating your DVD it will reside on your computer. If you want it on a DVD disc all you have to do is open your CD/DVD burning software and burn it to DVD just like you would make a data disc.

Alternatively you can download and buy Nero 9, probably the best for purchase DVD authoring software on the planet. This will set you back between $59.99 to $79.99 but is well worth it if your ready to move from free to a paid piece of software!

Driver's Re-Test??

By: TheRabidRogue MrManUSA Writer

OK, I'm going to apologize early for this one! It may seem more like an incoherent rant than actually addressing an issue...BUT..Something needs to be said about this issue! Here's My Story:

I was on my way to dropping my daughter off at Daycare this morning, and as I was driving down the street, (less than a mile from my apartment) a car almost hit my truck! What's so special about that? Well, let me attempt to describe the scene! On the right hand side of the street, there was a whole line of cars parked. What makes this unique is the fact that they were ALL FACING TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC! So when the man in the car pulled out from where he was parked, he was immediately facing me IN MY LANE!!!!!! Screeching Tires and a Loud Horn Blowing is what I heard as I swerved to the left! I didn't even have TIME to hit the Brakes, but he had time to blame ME for the situation! The Nerve! Like it is MY fault He was Parked ILLEGALLY FACING TRAFFIC and couldn't see to pull out! That's WHY it's against the law! So, I stifled my explicative language for the sake of my Daughter and Drove On singing Piano Man to her with the Radio.


Less than a Mile later, I am stopped at a Stop Light with my Right Turn Signal On, waiting for the light to change. The Right Turn I would shortly be making behind the vehicle in front of me is on to a 1-Way, Two Lane Highway. The Light Turns Green, and the Vehicle in Front of me turns the Right Turn and I slowly follow. As I was turning, a Vehicle that was at the Light Facing Me, also Turned into Her Proper Lane. Somehow, this woman did not see me and without signaling, begins to change lanes from the Left Lane into the Right Lane. I Slowed Down and HAMMERED on my Horn! The Elderly “Lady” (that was making an illegal lane change) Swerved Back into her Lane and had the audacity to proudly display her middle finger to me! UNREAL......Again...apparently it was all MY fault...


After I safely deliver my Daughter to Daycare, I am still singing with the radio on the way home until an alert is issued about an accident on the Interstate nearby. The South-Bound Lane will be Closed for HOURS because some nincompoop driving a Commercial Transport Bus failed to comply with the Construction Speed Zone, Lost Control after Hitting the Grooved Pavement and Bounced Off a Guard Rail and Collided with Multiple Vehicles ultimately coming to a halt on it's Roof in the Median! Six People were Rushed to the Hospital with Serious Injuries! All because someone doesn't follow the rules!



So, Here is my Proposal:


We have all heard the argument stating that Elderly People should have to Re-Take their Driver's Exam and Road Test. Let's take that a step further! Why not force EVERYONE to Re-Test every Five Years?????? Eye Exam, Written Test Addressing Traffic Laws, Road-Test and YES, How about a Test for Illegal Substances??? YEP, I said it! Drug Test for your License! Why Not? I mean, sure, after the initial Drug Test, it won't stop people from Using, but how many would have their License Suspended until they COULD Pass? Maybe that short period of time could save a life! Why Not Implement a Federal Program for Random Drug Tests for All Drivers??? Cost? No Problem..Increase the License Fee and use the Extra Money for the Random Tests! I, Personally, have no qualms about any of this! I would Gladly Submit to a Written Exam about Traffic Safety, a Road Test, Eye Exam and a Drug Test!


I know we have all had similar occurrences. Do we all make Mistakes when Driving? YES! I do too! But I don't have a blatant disregard for the Rules of the Road! Doesn't it bother you that people fail to follow the rules and place YOUR LIFE AT RISK??? No? How about your LOVED ONE'S LIVES?? When are people going to be held accountable for their actions BEFORE a disaster occurs?? Lets be PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE!!! Let's DO Something about this! Lets Get the Idiots Off the Road! For Our Safety, and Our Children's Safety!

...:::Coming Up At MrManUSA:::...

Coming up at MrManUSA:

We are an undisclosed amount of days away from Episode 1 of the MrManUSA Audio Pod-Cast! In the pod-cast we will talk about our articles as well as feed back you leave. We'll talk about the latest news and what ever else we think of! You will be able to download the show and take it with you where ever you go and listen to it at your convenience!

We want you to send us your ideas for articles and pod-cast topics. Here is a little slice of what we are working on right now!

*Internet security for home, tips for keeping your kids safe.
*Forms and templates in Microsoft Office made easy!
*Utopia?? Can It Be Achieved?
*How to Change Fuel Prices!

*How Safe are My Child's Toys?
*Outer Space......

*Tips and Tricks and Helpful Hints!

If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to email me or leave comments on articles. So far MrManUSA has been read in over 30 states and 5 countries worldwide. Thank you to all who keep coming back, and we promise to have some more interesting things here for you soon!

~Devon Foxx

Social Shift!

By TheRabidRogue - MrManUSA Writer

Welfare...Public Assistance...Benefits...Whatever you want to call it...Its time for a change..Again, I am drawing conclusions from Personal Observations and Experiences, and maybe I am way off base, but here's a situation I have seen many times:

My Next Door Neighbor is on Public Assistance. She Plays “The System”. She does not work, Reproduces like she needs to populate a small continent, and has general disregard for everyone around her (including her 4 children which she screams at daily). Why does Society tolerate this? Why? I am a logical person, so I guess it must be the “Herd Mentality.” The Herd takes care of their own...That's Fine and Dandy, but when does Natural Selection come in??? Survival of the Fittest?? When is enough...ENOUGH??? This Woman (I use the term loosely because I don't feel she has reached that level of maturity yet) that lives near me can afford more luxury items than I can! Her Rent, Lights, Heat, Health Benefits and Food PAID for by the State! And now I find out that she has been granted a Voucher by the State for a Larger Apartment...And, of course, it just so happens there is one available DIRECTLY ABOVE MINE...So this Foul-Mouthed-Strung-Out-Reproducing-Rabbit may be moving above me...Sure...I could call and report that she has not been honest in her declarations to the State by allowing her boyfriend (who I think works) to live with them. Her Full-Coverage would be reduced in the very least, but it is not my job to police these matters. So instead, I propose a Solution!

Welfare Reform?? Not the Answer! How about a Government Subsidized Workforce???? Let me explain further....Many people feel that being a Stay-at-Home Mom or Dad is a Full-Time Job. I agree. So...Why not create a Workforce of these people and get them OFF Welfare??? PAY them to stay at home and provide for their children, and force them to be productive members of society!! What's the Difference you ask??? Well, Hold Them Accountable. Verify they are doing something for our Tax Dollars! Make them submit a simple signed form showing they were there and doing something!!!! Sure, it's still our Tax Dollars paying for their Rent, Food, Clothes...BUT, make them do “X” number of hours of Community Service a Week!!!! Gee, Here's a THOUGHT: They can bring their KIDS too! That's right! Maybe that will help instill a few Morals and Values along the way! Having those children watch Mommy Serve Food in a Soup

Kitchen, or Daddy Cleaning Trash from the Side of our Roadways, or Simply Helping at a Community Center may just lead those young minds on the right path! I have a Daughter, and as soon as she is old enough to help with things like that, we will be doing this! And the ONLY payment we will receive is Satisfaction!
Say what you want, but not only would I prefer MY Tax Dollars be spent on something productive like this, but I think it could spur a Economical and Social Change...How Can That Be Bad????

I want to make something clear: I understand that a system for temporary relief funds needs to be in effect, but temporary is the key word. Not only that, but I also understand that some people are just not capable of work. These are NOT the members of society that I focus this on. I focus this on the “Members” of society that CHOOSE to live in this fashion. Lets Help America's Youth!

Next-Gen Console Gaming!

By TheRabidRogue - MrManUSA Writer

Since the Rise of Next-Gen Consoles, (Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3) Gaming has grown immensely. The single most important factor in this is the Rise of Networking. Through the Use of Xbox Live, the Playstation Network and Wii Online Access, Gamers are now able to not only Play against Gamers from the Globe, but they can Chat, Text Message and even leave a Voice Message for their Buddies! In a technologically driven society, it is not a surprise that this occurred, but an expected evolutionary step. It's a great way to both make new Friends and keep in touch with old College Friends or Family Members! Even though the Gaming Industry didn't quite have this in mind when it was created, it became a Marketable Feature.


While each Next-Gen Console Network has different features, they all share the same purposes. Gaming with Actual People. Let's face it....you can only beat the snot out of an AI controlled enemy so many times before it really isn't that fun anymore! Take for Example: any of the Tiger Woods Series Golf Games. I, personally, am a Fan of this Series. The problem with playing it Off-Line is that it just doesn't adjust to make it challenging after you have increased your stats to the max. I have won Tournaments by 30-50 Strokes! Where's the fun in that??? How many times can you finish the core content of a game and still want to start from the beginning? Maybe with Sports or Racing Games, but I don't see how I would want to complete any Game more than...twice... So connecting to the Online Gaming Community and playing tournaments against Gamers from all Skill Levels adds a renewed enjoyment in the game, thus providing more entertainment for the money you have invested in the Game!

Speaking of of the Value of Investment in Gaming, Online Access has also made available the option of Down-Loadable Content (DLC), thus increasing the Options available! Like New Multi-Player Maps for Titles like Call of Duty or Rainbow Six Vegas 2. New Courses and Clubs for Tiger Woods!

DLC Ranges from Game Options to Videos, Gaming News, Movie Previews and Even Netflix on Xbox Live! Streaming Movies through your Gaming System!

There are many other features of the Next-Gen Consoles like File Sharing and Improved Graphics, but without the Online Networking and DLC, Sales of these consoles would be dastardly low. So GAME-ON and if you are ever on Xbox Live, come find me!

Gamertag: TheRabidRogue


If you are a Fan of Online Gaming, I just viewed a Teaser Trailer on Xbox Live for an upcoming Movie from Lionsgate called GAMER. The Movie is about a Guy being CONTROLLED as if he is a Character in a Video Game! Here is a Link to the Official Site for more Information about the Movie! Believe Me.....if you Love Playing Games like Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare on Xbox Live or Playstation Network, you will WANT to check this out! From the Trailer, you can actually see a recreated version of a Warehouse from the "Pipeline" Map! Check it out! You WON'T be Disappointed!

http://gamerthemovie.com/ For Information!


http://lionsgate.com/?section=film For an Upcoming Trailer!

Parenting Observations!

By TheRabidRogue - MrManUSA Writer

I have been a Parent now since July of 2007. Although I had my concerns about how adequate of a parent I would become, I have since realized that I could definitely be worse. Before you freak out, let me explain myself further. I do not feel that my daughter is any more special than any other child. These observations are drawn from personal experiences.

Many parents have indicated to me that their child doesn't do the things they see my daughter doing. For Example: while conversing with a clerk in a store last week, my daughter kept asking for a “Bee Bop.” That's her term for a Tootsie Roll Pop. As I kept explaining to my daughter that she could have a “Bee Bop” when she gets home, the clerk expressed that she wished her son would talk that much. I inquired about his age and was astonished when she said he is almost FOUR YEARS OLD! I did not know how to reply to her. This is only one instance of multiple occasions this has occurred. It isn't always about how much she talks. It is sometimes about how clear she talks or just simply that she jabbers on incessantly. It is sometimes about how animated she is with her expressions and gestures. Each time something like this occurs, I find myself in an awkward position and state “Oh, He (or she) will get there.”

Now, I admit, I am not the best parent, but every action I take, I attempt to make it with my daughter's best interest in mind. Do I always succeed? NO! NO! And NO! My daughter pulled the cookies off the counter yesterday morning and ate four of them before it was realized. Is it OK that she did this???? I think YES! Once in a while it is OK to have Cookies, Cake, Pie or Pizza for Breakfast! Everything in Moderation! Thats the lesson that it will teach her! I hope that someday that lesson will hold true someday! Maybe when she is old enough to consume alcoholic beverages, it will be there to prevent her from an over indulgence that may lead to dependency! Even at this VERY moment while I type this, my daughter is watching Horton Hears a Who and POUNDING on my Rock Band Drum Set!! But very soon, it will be Bath Time, Story Time and then Bed Time!

Some may think that I have a relaxed method of parenting from what they have read so far, but that is far from accurate. I was adopted into a home of strict Catholics. I clearly set boundaries and ALWAYS follow through with any and all promises or ultimatums I state. Nap Time is Nap Time. Bed Time is Bed Time. Yes is Yes and NO is NO.

So, here it is: Parenting isn't about WHAT you know or HOW you deal with the issue of the day! It's about Setting an Example! Spending Time with your Children! How Better to set an Example than to Spend Time Together??? If Children see you read, (even the newspaper) they will want to read too! If they see you plopped in front of the TV stuffing popcorn and Ho-Ho's in your face, what do YOU think they'll end up doing?? I have finally started asking questions of these people that speak of their child's inadequacy. They don't seem to care for the questions I ask. The sad thing is this: I'm not asking tough questions! They just don't seem to want to hear that they, as parents, may be the source of their children's development issues. Maybe if enough of us start asking those tough questions when we are presented the opportunity, it might change one child's life after some parent gets annoyed enough with all the questions.
And after returning to writing this after just giving my little girl a Bath, Reading her a Story, Getting the Sweetest Hug and Kiss and Hearing her say “Love You Too Much Too Daddy!” I feel hope in my abilities as a productive parent, feel proud to have created such a beautiful creature as my daughter, and renew my Daily Vow to give her as much Love and Attention as I can each day of my life.

Video Remix - Boom Boom Pow - BEP

Russ Castella of www.RussCastella.com. Very nicely done remix! Visit his site to check out some of his other remixes. The MrManUSA Top 5 Countdown is on the right side of the screen, check out the top 5 songs in the country by clicking the play button!