In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: With the right programs and equipment, it's not difficult to measure the decibel level of a sound using your computer. Listed below are just a few ways to do this. Note that better recording equipment will always give you better results in other words, while your computer's default internal microphone may be sufficient for some tasks, a high-quality external microphone will be much more accurate. If you're on Windows 8, try downloading the free Decibel Reader app from the Microsoft App store. The app uses your computer's microphone to read noises up to 96 decibels. Similar devices are available from the iTunes app store for Apple products. You can also try using a third-party program to measure decibels. For instance, Audacity, a free sound recording program, includes a simple built-in decibel meter. For measuring sound levels on the go, mobile apps can be extremely convenient. Though the microphone on your mobile device isn't as likely to be as high-quality as the sorts of external mics you can connect to a computer, they can be surprisingly accurate. For instance, it's not uncommon for readings from mobile apps to be within 5 decibels of the readings from professional equipment. Below is a brief list of decibel-reading apps available for common mobile platforms: For Apple devices: Decibel 10th, Decibel Meter Pro, dB Meter, Sound Level Meter For Android devices: Sound Meter, Decibel Meter, Noise Meter, decibel For Windows phones: Decibel Meter Free, Cyberx Decibel Meter, Decibel Meter Pro Though it's not usually cheap, perhaps the most direct, accurate way to find the decibel level of a sound you with to analyze is to use a decibel meter. Also called a "sound level meter", this specialized tool (available from online retailers and specialty stores) uses a sensitive microphone to measure the amount of noise in the environment and give you a precise decibel value. Since there isn't generally a large market for these tools, they can be somewhat expensive often at least $200 even for low-cost models. Note that decibel meters/sound level meters can go by other names. For instance, another type of tool called a "noise dosimeter" performs basically the same function as a standard sound level meter.
Summary: Use your computer. Use a mobile app. Use a professional decibel meter.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Take a blanket and fold it in half. Lay it on the floor inside your fort, or on the couch to hide all the crumbs. You can also use a fluffy comforter. If you do not have any more blankets, you can use pillows instead. Take two or three pillows and lay them down next to each other on the floor inside your fort. If you are using just blankets, you can stick a pillow or two inside the fort so that you will have something soft to sit on. It can be anything you want, such as the name of your favorite food. It does not need to have the word "fort" in it. It can be a castle even! Here are some ideas: Cassie's Castle Ice cream Palace Fort Awesome Now that you have come up with a name for your fort, you should let everybody know! Take a sheet of paper or a piece of cardboard and write the name of your fort on it. You can use crayons, markers, colored pencils, or even glue and glitter! Here are some more ideas: Put stickers on your sign. Try to use stickers that match the name of your fortso if your fort has the word "ice cream" in it, use ice cream-shaped stickers. Decorate your sign with glitter, sequins, stick-on gems, and rhinestones. This is perfect for a castle! If you are making a cool fort, use a piece of cardboard, and write the words in a thick red or black marker. You can even add the words "KEEP OUT" beneath the name! Punch two holes along the top of your sign and put some string through the holes. Tie the string and hang the sign over one of the chairs. You can also tape the sign to the bed sheet if you cannot find any string. If you made the sign out of cardboard, you can put it on the floor and lean it against one of the chair legs. You can bring snacks such as apples, candy, nuts, juice, or popcorn. If it is around lunchtime, ask your mom or dad if you can have your lunch inside your fort. Make sure that your mom and dad are okay with you taking food out of the kitchen and bringing it into your fort. Forts are not just for hiding in! Bring something with you, such as a book, a music player, or a game. But not too much! Keep your lighting low, such as a couple of glow sticks, or a flashlight. If you are near an outlet, plug in a nightlight. You can even make a cool fairy lantern using a mason jar, glitter and a glow stick. If you will be living in your fort a while, so you might as well make a box to store all of your snacks, games, toys, and treasure. Find a shoebox, and cover it with some construction paper. Decorate the box with some rhinestones, glitter, and stickers. Put your stuff inside the box, and hide it in your fort! Sitting in a fort can get lonely, and even the most exciting games and books can get boring after a while. Ask your friend, brother, sister, or even a pet to come and play with you in your fort!
Summary: Make the inside of your fort more comfortable with blankets and pillows. Make up a name for your fort. Make a sign for your fort. Hang up your sign. Bring some snacks into your fort. Bring something fun into the fort. Bring some lighting. Make a treasure chest. Invite your friends, pets, or siblings to join you.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Hydrophobic coating makes water bead up and roll off your windows so you can see better during bad weather. Squeeze 23 dime-sized drops of the cleaner onto a foam applicator and spread it evenly across the surface with your finger. If you don't have a foam applicator, you can also use a short-pile microfiber cloth instead. You can buy hydrophobic coating and foam applicators from an automotive supply store. Try to find a starter kit that has both items if you're able to. Place the foam applicator against the top of the window and work toward the bottom. Move the applicator in tight, overlapping circles across the entire surface of the window so it has even coverage. If you notice that the hydrophobic coating isn't leaving any residue on the windshield, then put another 12 drops on the applicator before starting again. You do not need to apply a hydrophobic coating to your vehicle, but it offers an extra layer of protection so the glass is less likely to get damaged. Leave the coating on your window so it has time to dry completely. While it dries, apply the coating to your other windows so you can finish faster. Look closely at the coating to make sure it leaves a hazy appearance on your window, which means that the coating has set completely. Spray the glass with your automotive glass cleaner so it has even coverage on the surface. Use the long-pile cloth so you can lift up the most residue from the glass. Work in long back and forth strokes to lift up the coating and clean off the glass until it's clear. Repeat the process on the rest of your windows. Apply slight pressure while you're wiping the coating off so it lifts up easier.
Summary:
Wet a foam applicator pad with 23 squirts of hydrophobic coating. Apply the hydrophobic coating to 1 window at a time using circular motions. Let the coating dry for 510 minutes until it forms a hazy layer. Wipe off the coating with your glass cleaner and a long-pile microfiber towel.