DEV Community: Steve Defransko

Can You Measure an Object With Just Your Screen?

Steve Defransko — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:05:28 +0000

Last week I needed to check if a charger box would fit in a drawer, and I didn't have a measuring tape anywhere near me. My laptop was open though. That's when it hit me — could I just use my screen to check the size? Turns out, yes, and it works better than I expected.

If you've ever needed a quick measurement and had zero tools around, this one's for you.

Why This Happens More Often Than You Think
Measuring tapes are one of those things you always assume you have, until the moment you actually need one. Maybe you're buying a frame online and want to check if it matches a wall gap. Maybe you're comparing the size of two phone cases before ordering. Or maybe, like me, you just want to know if something will fit somewhere.

A physical ruler isn't always in reach. But a screen almost always is.

How a Screen Can Actually Measure Something

Here's the part that sounds strange at first: your screen doesn't know how big it is unless you tell it. Every device has a different pixel density, so a "1 inch" line on one screen might not be 1 inch on another.

That's the whole problem online ruler tools solve. They let you calibrate the screen using something you already own, like a credit card or an ID card, which has a fixed, known size everywhere in the world. Once you match a line on the screen to the edge of that card, the tool adjusts itself so every measurement after that is accurate for your exact device.

Once it's calibrated, you're not really "guessing" a size anymore. You're using your screen as an actual ruler.

Ways You Can Measure Things Using Your Screen

There isn't just one way to do this. Depending on what you're measuring, some methods work better than others.

Using an On-Screen Ruler Tool

The simplest method is opening a browser and using a tool built for this exact purpose. A site like online ruler shows a ruler right on your screen, and you calibrate it once using a card for accuracy. After that, you can hold small objects up to the screen, or measure something flat like a photo, sticker, or document just by placing it against the display.

This works great for:

Small items (jewelry, chargers, phone accessories)
Flat objects like cards, stickers, or paper
Quick checks where you don't need lab-level precision

Using Your Phone's Camera

Some phones come with a built-in measuring app that uses the camera and a bit of AR magic. You point the camera at an object, tap two points, and it calculates the distance. This works well for bigger things like furniture or wall gaps, but it needs decent lighting and a steady hand to stay accurate.

Using Zoom and a Reference Object

If you don't want to install anything, you can also open any image editor, place a photo of your object next to something with a known size (like a coin), and compare pixel widths. It's a bit more manual, but it works in a pinch.

Is Screen Measuring Actually Accurate?

Honestly, it depends on what you're measuring and how careful you are with calibration.

For small, flat objects held directly against the screen, a calibrated ruler tool can get within a millimeter or two of the real size. That's close enough for most everyday needs — checking if something fits, comparing two items, or getting a rough size before buying online.

For bigger objects measured through a phone camera, accuracy drops a bit because distance, angle, and lighting all play a part. It's good for estimates, not for anything that needs to be exact.

A Few Tips to Get Better Results

Always calibrate first. Skipping this step is the biggest reason people get wrong readings.
Keep your screen brightness normal — too dim or too bright can make it harder to align edges.
Measure flat objects directly against the screen instead of estimating from a distance.
If you're using a phone camera method, keep the phone as steady as possible and stand at a normal distance, not too close.

When You Should Still Reach for a Real Ruler

Screen-based measuring is great for quick checks, comparisons, and situations where you don't have a tape measure handy. But if you're working on something like furniture assembly, home repairs, or anything where being off by a few millimeters actually matters, a real measuring tape or ruler is still the safer choice.

Think of your screen as a backup tool, not a replacement for the real thing.

Final Thoughts

Most of us have a measuring tape somewhere in a drawer, but it's rarely around when we actually need it. A screen, on the other hand, is almost always within reach. With a quick calibration step, it can turn into a surprisingly reliable measuring tool for everyday situations.

Next time you need a quick size check and there's no tape in sight, just open your screen and give it a shot. You might be surprised how well it works.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Clicking “Unsubscribe”

Steve Defransko — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:17:04 +0000

Your inbox might be overflowing with junk mail, and the quick fix seems obvious—just hit “Unsubscribe.” But that click isn’t always harmless. In fact, for scammers, it’s often exactly what they want you to do.

Why Clicking Unsubscribe Can Be Risky

Spam emails are irritating and fill your inbox with promotions or newsletters you never asked for. Clicking “Unsubscribe” feels like the right move, but not every link is genuine.

Legitimate businesses include real unsubscribe options because they’re required to by law.

Scammers, on the other hand, often use fake ones as traps. When you click, it confirms that your email address is active—inviting even more spam.

Sometimes these links go a step further, sending you to phishing pages designed to steal your personal info or downloading malware onto your device.

Bottom line: not every unsubscribe link is safe to trust.

When It Is Safe to Unsubscribe

If you get emails from a brand, company, or newsletter you actually signed up for, it’s safe to unsubscribe. But if the message looks suspicious—random sender, spelling mistakes, strange formatting, or generic greetings like “Dear user”—don’t click anything inside.

Instead, there are better ways to cut down on spam safely.

Smart Ways to Stop Spam

1. Check Who Sent the Email

Before opening or deleting, hover over the sender’s name to see the full address. Real companies use their proper domains (like @amazon.com). Anything slightly off—extra numbers, weird spelling, or Gmail addresses pretending to be official—is a red flag.

Also, pay attention to how the email greets you. Real companies usually use your name or reference your recent activity. Scammers rely on vague wording like faproyale and try to rush you into clicking.

If you’re comfortable digging deeper, you can even check the email headers for SPF and DKIM results—these confirm the message actually came from the sender’s real domain.

2. Don’t Reply to Spam

Never respond to spam emails, even to ask them to stop. Replying only confirms your email address is real. Some spammers sell verified addresses to others, which means more junk in your inbox later.

Worse, replying might encourage more targeted scams once they know you engage with messages.

3. Report Spam to Improve Filters

Every major email service, including Gmail, learns from what users mark as spam. When you click “Report spam,” you help the system recognize similar messages in the future.

In Gmail, open the message, click the stop sign icon with an exclamation mark, or use the three-dot menu and choose “Report spam.” This moves the email to your spam folder and trains Gmail’s filters for next time.

4. Block Persistent Senders

If you keep getting emails from the same address, blocking them is more effective than reporting alone.

In Gmail, open the message, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose Block [sender name]. Future messages from that sender will skip your inbox automatically.

For phishing or scam attempts, use Report phishing instead—this helps Gmail protect not just you, but other users too.

Extra Steps to Keep Spam Away

Create Filters or Rules

If you regularly get low-priority emails (like random promotions or giveaways), you can set up filters to handle them automatically.

In Gmail, open one of those emails, click the three dots, and choose Filter messages like this. You can then set Gmail to automatically delete, archive, or label them so they never clutter your main inbox again.

Use Disposable or Temporary Emails

If you often sign up for one-time downloads, trials, or free offers, use a temporary email address instead of your main one.

Sites like 10MinuteMail, Mailinator, or Mailsac give you instant, disposable emails that expire after a short time. They’re perfect for sign-ups where you don’t trust the sender completely.

Alternatively, Gmail has a neat trick: you can add a plus sign (+) and a word after your username.

For example, abcd+offers@gmail.com still goes to your inbox, but it helps you track which sites send you emails—and filter them easily.

Try Third-Party Spam Blockers

If your inbox still gets spam despite filters, you can add an extra layer of protection with third-party tools.

Apps like Clean Email help you bulk-manage unwanted mail, unsubscribe from newsletters, and block senders. SpamSieve (for Mac) learns from your habits over time, and SpamTitan is great for teams or businesses managing multiple accounts.

Keep Your Inbox Safe and Clean

You don’t need to click every “Unsubscribe” link to take control of your inbox. With smart habits—verifying senders, blocking spam, using filters, and disposable emails—you can cut down on junk while staying safe from scams.

Take a few minutes to set up these tools now, and your inbox will thank you later.

10 Must-Watch Movies Everyone’s Talking About Right Now

Steve Defransko — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:55:18 +0000

Movies are driving more conversations than ever lately. From intense thrillers to emotional dramas and creative documentaries, these releases have captured everyone’s attention for different reasons. Here’s a quick look at some of the most talked-about titles right now.

1. A House of Dynamite

Set in 1950s New York, this political thriller follows a journalist uncovering a web of corruption between city leaders and organized crime. The film feels tense from start to finish, and Jonathan Majors delivers one of his strongest performances yet. It’s a sharp look at power, truth, and what it costs to expose it.

2. Weapons

Zach Cregger’s latest film is quiet, eerie, and impossible to shake off. Instead of jump scares, it builds fear through silence and tension as a small town faces mysterious disappearances. It’s one of those horror films that stays in your head long after the credits roll.

3. The Long Walk

Stephen King’s dystopian story finally gets a film adaptation. Teenagers are forced to keep walking without rest, and stopping means death. The movie captures the desperation and emotional weight of the story, showing how far people will go to survive.

4. The Conjuring: Last Rites

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren in the final chapter of the Conjuring series. This film wraps up their story with both chills and emotion, giving fans a proper send-off to one of the most successful horror franchises ever.

5. Regretting You

Based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, this family drama explores the complicated bond between a mother and daughter after a tragedy. It’s heartfelt, real, and beautifully acted, touching on grief, forgiveness, and love.

6. Ballad of a Small Player

Colin Farrell stars as a gambler trying to escape his past in Macau’s neon-lit underworld. It’s dark, stylish, and filled with moral tension. Tang Wei adds mystery and heart to this moody thriller about fate and redemption.

7. K-Pop Demon Hunters

This animated musical turns K-pop idols into secret demon fighters, and it’s a lot more fun than it sounds. The animation and music are top-notch, and it has a story about friendship and courage that connects with all ages.

8. Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers

A chilling documentary that examines the life of Aileen Wuornos through interviews and court footage. It doesn’t glorify her crimes but instead looks at the pain and trauma behind them. True crime fans will find it haunting and deeply human.

9. The Perfect Neighbor

A tense suburban thriller about trust, obsession, and deception. Naomi Watts and Sebastian Stan keep you guessing right up to the end. If you liked Gone Girl, this one will hit the same notes.

10. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

A warm and honest documentary following Bruce Springsteen’s recent tour. It blends concert moments with personal stories and reminds viewers why live music still means so much.

Each of these films stands out for a reason, whether it’s a strong story, great performances, or emotional depth. There’s something here for everyone, from horror fans to music lovers.

For the full detailed version with all ten movie breakdowns, visit the original post on TechZap.org