Tech Made Easy

This is pretty cool

2011-01-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

This would be really cool, too bad it has to be over water.

New Scientist TV: Jetpack takes you on a magic carpet ride

This is actually funny

2011-01-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

Telemarketers are so annoying ! !

Apple's 10 Billionth App Download Met With 'Not Interested' - PCWorld

Google Docs Improvements

2011-01-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

Working in Google Docs Keeps Getting Better - PCWorld Business Center lets us know of some great recent improvements in Google Docs.

Windows Live Essentials 2011

2010-10-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

I normally wait to install the latest software, but I decided to install Windows Live Essentials 2011 the day it came out and so far I like it. I have mainly used the Live Mail component so far and am using Live Writer to write this. Not a fan of the “Ribbon” Microsoft has been going to since Office 2007, but it is easily minimized when it takes up too much space. I am leaving it up in Writer but it takes up too much of my space in Live Mail so I minimize it. I mostly use IMAP accounts and I can tell Live Mail 2011 is definitely faster then the previous incarnation.

I decided not to try the new Social Networking parts of Live Messenger, it just seemed like it would be too confusing to have another Social Networking thing going on. It might be advantageous for some one else, but not for the way I use them.

I look forward to trying out the other components, Live Movie Maker, Live Photo Gallery, & Live Mesh.

Dell Axim x51v works with Windows 7

2010-10-01T09:57:00.001-07:00

After doing a Google search and finding that most people seem to have had no luck in getting their Dell Axim x51v to work with Windows 7, I was really reluctant to try it and almost didn’t. But today I decided to try and it worked.

At first I was discouraged because I got a driver not installed correctly message. I decided to try to manually add a device through the Devices & Printers in the Control Panel. Not sure if that is what triggered to Windows Mobile Device Center to finally start and recognize it or it just took that long, because after it installed correctly the add a device box was still looking for devices.

Anyway, it installed correctly and it syncs what I need to right now. I ditched Outlook when I upgraded to Windows 7 because I only had Office XP/2002 which isn’t supposed to work with “7” and I rarely used it when I had Vista anyway.

Kindle Games

2010-09-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

I just recently found out there were games available for the Kindle. I have Scrabble for the Kindle and it is pretty cool. A little while ago I downloaded Every Word & Shuffle Row. Haven’t really tried Shuffled Row but Every Word is a really fun game.

This is what I Call Real High Tech

2010-09-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

Now we need more Technology that can really be useful like this emergency bra.

Electric Vehicle News

2010-09-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

Frito-Lay Electric Delivery Tucks

Frito-Lay will be using electric trucks in New York for delivering their merchandise. If we can only get them to bring back the Frito Bandito.

EV Charging Stations on freeway in Tennessee

Electric Charging Stations to connect cities in Tennessee. Finally could be a beginning.

Mac... Is it really that secure?

2009-06-04T22:26:00.001-07:00

We always hear how much better and more secure Macs are. I always find it interesting when Apple releases Security updates for it's products, iTunes included. Here are some good articles about the security problems with Macs.

iTunes, QuickTime Get Security Fixes

Apple Patches 10 Critical QuickTime Bugs

Apple Patches QuickTime Bug That Was Hidden in Book

QuickTime 7.6.2 Enhances Security, Updated for ITunes 8.2

This is what I’m talkin’ about!

2009-04-14T22:57:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting for something like this, well maybe a little better, but at least it’s something to get around town, to work and back, take the kids to school, or a short trip to the grocery store, for an estimated price of $3500 - $5500. Hopefully on the lower side. That’s the problem with getting people to accept new technology, it’s too expensive. If they want everyone to go to electric cars - make one for $5000 and they’ll fly off the showroom floor.

DailyTech - GM, Segway Pair Up for 35 MPH "Segway-on-Steroids"

Extracting Pocket Outlook recordings

2009-01-25T13:58:00.001-08:00

I found this and it works great for me using Audacity.

(1) Copy .pwi (Note) file to PC

(2) Open Audacity

(3) Get the Note audio into Audacity by:

Project menu
Import as raw data

(4) Select all of the audio by clicking below its file name at left of the graphic of the file

(5) Click on dropdown menu (arrow next to file name)

Set Rate to 11025 Hz

(6) Convert to WAV by:

File menu
Export as wav

Handy Windows commands

2009-01-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

Getting to know Windows' system commands is a handy article to quickly make backups or copy folders. I definitely need to remember this article and these commands.

Apple isn't immune

2009-01-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

With all the hype about how apple isn't immune to trouble like they would have you believe. QuickTime has a serious issue that is fixed by a critical update. Update your QuickTime right now no matter what OS you have. It's not only Microsoft that has bugs, any software will, you'll never get away from it.

Apple issues critical security update for QuickTime

Start Chrome in incognito mode

2009-01-22T19:56:00.000-08:00

I saw a couple of ways using code to open the Google Chrome web browser in incognito mode but there is an easier way that I found on the web that has saved me a few precious clicks a day. Just add "-incognito" (without the quotes) after the command. Right click on the Chrome icon and choose properties and add the aforementioned command at the end of the text in the Target box.

I believe in XP you'll have the quotes in the box and in Vista you won't so don't let that confuse you.

I like this Windows startup program

2009-01-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

Startup Delayer from R2 Studios' is killer (great)! I love it. It works great on my XP computers and my Vista computer too. Vista was a little trickier because I just needed to set the right order. Once I did to rocked! It is great to have the option to set my own order. Check out this link for some great details-

Free program brings order to Windows' startup chaos | Workers' Edge - CNET News

Dell laptops available with solid state drives

2009-01-17T19:56:00.000-08:00

It is still a bit expensive but with more sales the price will come down. It should save on battery and permit the laptop to be used longer and also SSD should be faster also.

Dell first: 256GB solid-state drive on laptops

Facebook cautions

2008-10-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here are two things to beware of on Facebook.

PC World - Facebook IM Spam Surges

PC World - Worm Uses Google to Squirm Around Facebook

Electric Cars of the near future

2008-10-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

This DailyTech - GE, Think Global Look to Market an Electric Car in 2009 article shows some of what is coming up for 2009. I can't wait, these are cool! The only problem is that they should sell for five to ten thousand dollars and then they would sell and it would catch on.

Gmail Gets Integrated Calendar and Docs

2008-10-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

They are really improving my favorite e-mail and adding a lot of great new features. See PC World - Gmail Gets Integrated Calendar and Docs

Private Browsing

2008-10-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a term that will be coming more familiar in the future. PC World - How Private--or Secure--Is So-Called Private Browsing? gives some good basic information on what it is and more importantly what it is not, so you are not misled by the term.

Be careful with your Facebook messages

2008-10-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

PC World - Facebook Malware Targets Windows PCs says you need to be careful clicking on links even from friends, so read this and be careful what you click on.

Yahoo Revamps Calendar Service

2008-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

PC World - Yahoo Revamps Calendar Service informs us of what is coming from Yahoo's Calendar. I hope it works out for me because I am looking for a calendar that I can rely on instead of needing a few calendars that I have to keep updated.

New Worm goes after Social Networking sites

2008-08-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Cnet is reporting in New worm targets Facebook, MySpace an interesting and dangerous worm that can infect anyone on your friends list. So don't trust everything from friends all the time. Watch out for the file type and make a good judgement, if you're not sure, don't open it.

Zoho: Killer App

2008-07-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

I usually use Google docs but Zoho is has lot better web apps. Everything about them is intuitive and intense. There interface is very easy to use and very user friendly. My Google docs are right on my iGoogle page and too easy to click, I just have to make it a point to go to Zoho and use it instead, I know I'll be happier.

PC World - Zoho: Strategies for a Potential Giant-Killer

Now this is cool

2008-07-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

This is so cool I can't wait until this arrives and is affordable! ! ! OLED's - Coming soon Super flat. Excellent Color.

PC World - How TVs Will Get Much, Much Flatter

Bluetooth users beware

2008-07-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

With the idiotic laws making a lot of people have to use Bluetooth with their cell phones there are a few things to be aware of. Pairing your cell with Bluetooth? Buyer beware from Cnet has some interesting and useful information for users.

Text Messaging Rip Off

2008-07-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

I always thought that text messaging was kind of a rip off but never crunched the numbers. This article - PC World - Business Center: AT&T's Text Message Racket does that and wow is it extreme! You can call someone on the same network and talk at no extra change but texting costs now up to around 20 cents a message. Somebody is making the money and it ain't us.

Technology and Education

2008-06-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

This article in PC World - Lego Introduces WeDo Package for Education is an interesting project that some kids will get to in school. I wish I got to do fun stuff like that!

Computers Don't Improve Learning

2008-05-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

I blogged on this a while back when the OLPC (One Laptop per Child) craze was catching on. I didn't make sense to me then and now it seems I was right to be skeptical according to an article - "Thanks for the PC. What do I do with it?" on Cnet. Just giving computers to kids without showing them what to do with it is just asking for trouble.

Portable Apps

2008-02-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have found something very useful to me and maybe even indispensable to someone else. If you have a decent size USB disk, say 2GB and up, you can take many everyday applications with you wherever you go and use them on any computer where ever you are. They are PortableApps. Applications that are small enough to run from a USB disk.

Some of the Applications include a web browser, mail application, internet messenger, a full office suite, image editor, web editor, audio editor, games and more. All of it free and able to fit on your USB drive ready when you are where ever you go.

iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard

2008-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

Over this Christmas Amazon had a deal for the iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for Pocket PC's and bluetooth enabled phones for $30 that normally is around $150. That deal is no longer offered but here's one offer available there.

It is pretty compact and very easy to use and setup. I had no problems using it with my Dell X51v. I installed the software provided and it has worked great. I have also found that it is very good on battery drain and I haven't noticed any additional drain beyond what I experience during normal use.

I needed some minor adjustments in my typing skills, because it is a small keyboard some keys are used for three characters. For example the Q, 1, and ! are all on the same key. To use the extra characters there is a blue and a green Fn key that enables you to choose the appropriate character that you need.

I am very satisfied with the iGo Stowaway keyboard and I keep it with me wherever I go so that whenever I get a chance to write anything, I can at a moments notice. The letter recognizer or on screen keyboard on my Pocket PC are pretty easy to use but with the iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard it is even a lot faster and easier.

Unmanned aerial vehicles the size of a cigarette

2008-01-26T22:55:00.000-08:00

Now I think this is really cool. Things just keep getting smaller and better. An article on Unmanned aerial vehicles the size of a cigarette

SigmaTel Audio, WaveOut mix, Gateway, & Vista

2008-01-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

I came across an issue with my new computer and I blame LAWYERS and the RIAA! ! ! ! From what I have found is that certain companies are not allowing recording what is coming out of the speakers of your computer. The option is disable by default in Vista but on some systems can be enabled this way unless it is not allowed by the audio card manufacturer by not providing it in the driver or hardware.

Right-click on the speaker icon on the system tray
Select "Recording Devices"
In the resulting dialog,ensure that the "Recording" tab is selected
In the middle of the dialog, right click on the empty area and select "Show Disabled Devices". The Stereo Mix device will be selected.
Right click on the Stereo Mix device and select "Enable".

I can't enable it on my Gateway GM5626 as I have found others have said Gateway and Dell may not allow this. I am sure it is the fear of lawsuits is the reason. I am sure part of the reason there are lawsuits is the amount of music being stolen.

Vista copying finally got alot better

2008-01-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Microsoft should have done this a long, long time ago, from the beginning. There was many, many times with previous versions of Windows when I was copying or moving a big folder to another drive or subfolder and one file had a problem and it would error and stop in the middle and there was no way to know what file caused it or even what files were copied and not copied. In Vista you have the option to skip the file and keep copying or moving the rest of the files.

Another thing I like is the third option given when the possibility of overwriting a file(s). You have always had the options to overwrite the file or cancel it, but now you have the option of copying it but it adds a (2) to the file so you can keep successive versions of files if you need to.

Blue Ray vs HD-DVD war over?

2008-01-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

I hope the reports of BlueRay's probable winning the latest format war turn out to be true. Sony got screwed during the VHS vs Beta war in the 80's. They had the better format but some excellent marketing made an inferior format be the most popular. BlueRay seems to be superior to the HD-DVD format and maybe this time the best format will win.

Warner Bros. to back Blu-ray DVD format exclusively
Paramount has clause to back-out of HD DVD support deal

First Impressions of Vista

2007-12-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

I was planning on using Microsoft XP Professional for many years to come. But a few weeks ago after my computer motherboard went bad I felt I really didn't have a choice and I needed to get a computer fast. I couldn't wait to figure out which new components I would need to build a new one, let alone wait to have it shipped, so I went to the local Best Buy and found two Gateway models that seemed like they may work. So I came back home and did some research on the particular model numbers and found that the one model seemed to have people reporting cooling problems and that it restarting all the time after 3 weeks, so that one was out. So then I looked around at Circuit City's web site and found similar Gateways there and finally decided on one and brought it home.

I was not very enthusiastic about Vista. Only one person has it at work which is the only one I previously had any experience with. What I previously saw of it, it didn't seem very user friendly. After I got it home and turned on and worked with it a little there is alot I like about it. I did get the Home Premium version knowing that the Vist Basic was worthless for what I use a computer for.

So far I am very impressed with the media center capability. Navigating windows explorer is alot easier in some ways and others it is a little harder, I guess I have to just adjust my habits to work with the new OS. Renaming is pretty cool. You don't have to worry about the 3 letter extension anymore, when renaming it only highlights the actual name of the file. New folders open after renaming. The folder structure automatically centers it self. I am anxious to try the speech recognition. I have used Dragon Naturally Speaking previously and want to see how Vista's built in version compares.

I was disappointed that I had a problem of Outlook 2002 remembering e-mail passwords, which I found is a known problem that there probably won't be a fix for being that that version of Outlook is out of Microsofts regular support cycle. I did find a work around that works for me that I will write about in a future blog entry.

As I continue to work with and learn more about Vista I will detail my experience here.

Microsoft Office Mobile 6.1

2007-12-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

Microsoft released Microsoft Office Mobile 6.1: Upgrade for Microsoft Office 2007 file formats
this week.

It will allow Windows Mobile users to work with Office documents created in the Open XML formats. It is an upgrade for Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile and allows viewing and editing of Word documents and Excel workbooks and viewing of PowerPoint slideshows created by using Microsoft Office 2007. Some other improvements are enhanced viewing experience for charts in Excel Mobile, the ability to view SmartArt in PowerPoint Mobile, and the ability to view and extract files from compressed (.zip) folders.

The upgrade is for Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 6.

Relevant articles:
PC World
Microsoft