Windows Live Essentials 2011

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

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.

Extracting Pocket Outlook recordings

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

Apple isn't immune

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

I like this Windows startup program

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

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

Gmail Gets Integrated Calendar and Docs

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

New Worm goes after Social Networking sites

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.

Bluetooth users beware

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.

Technology and Education

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

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.