Sunday, August 31, 2008

Computer Randomly Plays Classical Music

Article ID : 261186
Last Review : March 27, 2007
Revision : 3.3
This article was previously published under Q261186

SUMMARY

During normal operation or in Safe mode, your computer may play "Fur Elise" or "It's a Small, Small World" seemingly at random. This is an indication sent to the PC speaker from the computer's BIOS that the CPU fan is failing or has failed, or that the power supply voltages have drifted out of tolerance. This is a design feature of a detection circuit and system BIOSes developed by Award/Unicore from 1997 on.

MORE INFORMATION

Although these symptoms may appear to be virus-like, they are the result of an electronic hardware monitoring component of the motherboard and BIOS. You may want to have your computer checked or serviced.

For aditional related information, please see the following DFI Technologies Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
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email posting 

Friday, August 29, 2008

Free tools, Replacement for iTunes and Vista check disk procedure

-Free replacements for PAID tools: http://lifehacker.com/5042753/free-replacements-for-paid-tools

##

-Lightweight and full-featured, Floola is a comprehensive replacement for Apple's iTunes software, capable of performing virtually all of the functions of the official management utility. The program, with versions available for Windows, Linux, and the Mac OS, can even run from a thumbdrive or the iPod itself--it doesn't require any installation.

In addition to being able to move music, photos, and videos to the player, Floola can also manage podcast downloads; create and upload playlists; convert video files to an iPod-compatible format, and can upload Web videos from sites such as YouTube to the iPod just by entering the URL. The program supports both lyrics and album art, as well, and can also play back media stored on the iPod through the connected computer on which it's running. Floola can also manage media files on other devices that use iTunes, such as some models of Motorola cellphones and the iPhone.

Although Floola's not the only free alternative iPod manager application available, this open-source alternative to iTunes, with its Spartan user interface, provides an easy, installation-free way to handle virtually all common tasks that you'd need to do with iTunes. --Andrew Brandt  Get it at: http://tinyurl.com/5kn5dc
##

-Has your computer recently been shut down improperly? Does it seem sluggish? If so, you may benefit from performing a check disk to check the integrity and fix any bad sectors of your hard drive. Steven S. Warren shows you how to perform this task inside Windows Vista. http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=766&tag=nl.e132
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email posting 

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

SP3 install problems? Burn Discs, Laptop Alarm, Read at Work on the DL, Go Straight to Voicemail

Can't install Service Pack 3? QUESTION:
I have tried to install Service Pack 3 on my XP computer each time Windows Update shows it available, but I get an error message whenever I try. Can you help? Thanks. - Don M.
ANSWER:
There are numerous reasons that could be preventing the service pack from installing. First I would check out all the prerequisites for installing SP3 and be sure that you've met them. For the checklist, see KB article 950717 at
http://www.wxpnews.com/0WJMWV/080826-Service-Pack-3

Especially note that you can't install SP3 if you have certain updates installed, such as the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit and the Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 MUI pack. You have to uninstall these updates first. Your anti-virus software can also prevent SP3 from installing so you may have to disable it temporarily.

You might also try downloading the standalone version of the service pack rather than installing through Windows Update. You can get it at
http://www.wxpnews.com/0WJMWV/080826-Service-Pack-3-Network-Installation

(Ignore the instructions that say to visit Windows Update if you're only installing SP3 on one computer).

For more tips on troubleshooting an unsuccessful SP3 installation, see
http://www.wxpnews.com/0WJMWV/080826-Troubleshoot-Service-Pack-3
##

BurnAware is the ultimate disc burning software. BurnAware Free is ideal for users with basic disc burning needs as backup, creating data, audio, video discs and burning disc images. Free, easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to save your files to disc quickly, provides more flexible interface to help you complete your burning tasks much faster.
Key Features
    * Create data and multisession CD/DVD/Blu-ray Discs
    * Create Audio CDs and jukebox CD/DVD/Blu-ray Discs
    * Create DVDs-Video
    * Create and burn disc images
    * Supports all current hardware interfaces (IDE/SCSI/USB/1394/SATA)
    * Supports UDF/ISO9660/Joliet Bridged file systems (any combination)
    * On-the-fly writing for all image types (no staging to hard drive first)
    * Auto-verification of written files
    * Supports CD-Text
    * Clean, multilingual, easy to use interface
    * Supports unicode for multi-byte languages
    * Supports Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista (32 and 64 Bit), no drivers required
    * 100% Free for home use. No spyware, malware, banners etc.
http://www.burnaware.com/downloads.html

What is Laptop Alarm? Did you ever hesitate to leave your laptop for a few minutes in a public space like a library? No need for that with Laptop Alarm. Laptop Alarm will emit a loud alarm whenever someone tries to steal your laptop. Download the latest version now!
* Protects using proven technologies when your power cable or external peripherals are disconnected or when the mouse is moved
* Compatible with all Windows  versions
* It's just 200 kb!
Laptop Alarm is the recommended solution for anyone with a laptop on the road or in public places. http://www.syfer.nl/download-laptop-alarm

Read Books on the D.L. (down low) at Work - Read at Work; click for full-size image.The problem: Whether or not you've got any work to do, most employers frown on cracking a book at your desk. The trick: Web site Read at Work is a full-screen Flash application that mimics a Windows desktop and serves up public-domain works in a format that resembles PowerPoint presentations. Classics by Twain, Fitzgerald, Dickinson, and Tolstoy are all yours to read on company time. (Well, if it's Tolstoy, you might rather just work). The effectiveness: To the casual onlooker, Read at Work convincingly looks like a standard Windows XP window. Whether or not your boss will believe that the Oscar Wilde you're reading is actually a PowerPoint presentation depends on your boss. And it helps if reading PowerPoint presentations is actually part of your job. http://readatwork.com/

Go Straight to Voicemail
- The problem: Everybody's been there. You'd rather leave a voicemail than deal with a drawn-out phone conversation. Or you're a coward with bad news to deliver. The trick: SlyDial connects you directly with your contacts' voicemail--whether they've got their phone turned on or not. Just dial 267-SLYDIAL, enter the number you want to leave a voicemail with, and then, when prompted, just leave your message.
The effect: SlyDial works exactly as advertised. Use SlyDial gratis as much as you want, but if you tire of the in-call advertising, premium plans get you to voicemail faster and ad-free. SlyDial voicemails, however, do not self-destruct--I guess they haven't thought of that yet.
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email posting 

new Google Suggest

************************* Google Rolls Out Tool That Suggests Search Queries New York Times Aug. 26, 2008 ************************* The new Google Suggest feature aims to help users to better formulate queries, reduce spelling errors, and save keystrokes by suggesting queries as uses type letters and words. The suggestions are based on an aggregate of Google searches. Yahoo Search Assist and Microsoft Live Search offer similar services.... http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en   

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email posting 

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Microsoft launches free Photosynth for combining shots into one picture

Microsoft launches free Photosynth for combining shots into one picture

Microsoft released the free online service, Photosynth, Wednesday night. The software arranges photo sets in their real-world, 3-D context and allows people to navigate smoothly around the canals of Venice, for example, or zoom in to read the serial numbers on the space shuttle's heat shields..

Photosynth.com


Seattle Times technology reporter




Free online service puts photo collection into one picture

Photosynth takes a collection of digital images, such as this National Geographic shoot of Stonehenge, and arranges them in their real-world, 3-D context. The Microsoft software calculates the camera's position for each image and finds features the photos share in common. A viewer can browse the photos in this three-dimensional reconstruction, below, navigating from one image to the next and smoothly zooming in on tiny details. Microsoft released a free online service Wednesday allowing individuals to create and view their own "synths."

Get "synthy"

Photo collections in which all of the images fit together are 100 percent "synthy." Here's how to do it:

Shoot: Using any off-the-shelf digital camera, shoot lots of overlapping photos of an object or scene, specifically for Photosynth. Don't just throw every photo on your computer into the system. Start with wide-angle shots, moving around to cover the whole subject. Then take closer, detail images. Subjects with lots of texture do best.

Upload: Microsoft's Photosynth.com Web site allows users with a Windows Live ID to create a free account. To create and view "synths," you'll need to download an 8-megabyte piece of software. From there it's a straightforward process of naming the "synth" and assigning copyrights to your photos, if desired. The program does the rest in a process that can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the number and size of the photo collection.

More info: Microsoft has a how-to video and a nine-page photography guide with much more detail. It's available at Photosynth.com.

Source: Microsoft

Two years ago, Microsoft wowed audiences with technology to explore the world through digital photos.

The company demonstrated Photosynth, software that arranges photo sets in their real-world, 3-D context and allows people to navigate smoothly around the canals of Venice, for example, or zoom in to read the serial numbers on the space shuttle's heat shields.

Now anyone can make a "synth," documenting anything from a favorite sculpture to a real-estate listing to a city skyline in a new way. Microsoft released the free online service Wednesday night.


Article at the Seattle Times

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008128541_photosynth21.html

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Shame, shame.....

BROADBAND BY THE NUMBERS
The U.S. ranks 15th among industrialized nations in average Internet speed, says a study by the Communications Workers of America. Time to download a movie in Japan: about two minutes. In the U.S., it can take two hours. Yet, people in Japan pay about the same as U.S. consumers, the report notes.
World rank
Download speed (megabits per second)
1. Japan
63.60
2. South Korea
49.50
3. Finland
21.70
4. France
17.60
8. Canada
7.60
15. USA
2.35
Source: "Speed Matters" report released by CWA in August 2008.

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email posting 

News credibility, SortFix searches (new) and Gmail security

*************************
NewsCred Goes Public With
Credibility-Based News Source

TechCrunch Aug. 19, 2008
*************************
NewsCred, the news aggregator that
ranks stories by the credibility of
their source, has launched to the
public. Instead of relying on
popularity, as many social news
sites do, NewsCred instead allows
users to rate each story, author,
and publication's credibility, which
is then plugged into an algorithm to
determine the site's prominent...
http://www.kurzweilai.net/email/newsRedirect.html?newsID=9251&m=44681
Newscred at: http://www.newscred.com/
##

-SortFix.com lets you type in a search query and compare the results from Google, Yahoo and the Open Directory Project. (Yes, maybe not the directory I would have chosen, but it’ll work for proof of concept.) What is noteworthy, though, is in the search results screen. In addition to the usual Google (or Yahoo or ODP) results, there are three large colored boxes at the top of the search results page. (click here to see the search result for the search “biomass (energy OR power)” If you don’t see any text in the boxes, try again using Internet Explorer.)

The left-most box shows “power words” – related words and concepts that frequently appeared in the search results. The middle box shows your current search words, with a Boolean OR indicated by a line connecting the two terms. The right-most box is for words you want to exclude from search results.

What sets SortFix apart is that you can drag and drop words among these boxes. In my search for biomass energy, for example, my Power Words included  “renewable” and “wind [and] solar”. I can drag either of those Power Words from the left box to the middle box, adding these words to my query. I can also NOT any word of phrase by moving it to the right box.

Having these three boxes makes it very easy to construct complex Boolean searches without worrying about the search syntax. But that’s not all… If you change your setting to “Expert”, you also have access to two more boxes in the search results page – Dictionary and Standby.  The Dictionary box is as you might expect –drag a word into that box and a short definition of the word is displayed. But the feature that almost exploded my brain was the Standby box. This is brilliant – it is a holding pen where you can put words or phrases that you don’t want to include in the current search but that you might want later. Wow. Can you imagine this function in any of the value-added online services such as Dialog, Factiva or LexisNexis?

The Expert mode adds some other nice features as well. You can add phrases to your search query, and there are two additional buttons under the middle box – [Synonyms] and [OR]. Click any of your search terms and then click the [synonyms] button, and – assuming you are using SortFix on Google search results – it will add a tilde (~) in front of the word. As we Google nerds know, that generates a search for not only the specific word but for similar concepts. For example, a search for ~children will also include results with child, kids and childhood. (Click the “synonyms” link when looking at Yahoo or ODP search results doesn’t do anything.) The default for adjacent words is a Boolean AND, but you can indicate any words you want OR’d together by highlighting the words and click the [OR] button.

The most significant problem with SortFix is that it is designed for Internet Explorer; on Firefox or Safari, you can see the search results but none of the SortFix features are functional. And, curiously, I compared the results from SortFix and Google for the identical search and found quite a few differences among the first ten results.

It appears that the best uses of this search engine are for searches where you know you will be trying a number of alternative words and phrases, and would appreciate the Standby box; when you prefer to, as SortFix says, “Start Dragging, Stop Typing”; and when you want to have a very visual tool for constructing your search logic.
##

-GMAIL Security. We've mentioned this before: If you check Gmail’s settings, the last option under the “General” tab lets you “always use https” when accessing Gmail. [Go to settings...top right, General tab is first tab...then go to bottom and check the box...] It’s a fairly new option, and it might sound strange; isn’t Gmail secured by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) by default (hence switching to “https://gmail.com” when you type in “gmail.com” in your browser)?

The answer is: yes and no. Once you log in, Gmail reverts back to an unencrypted connection, since SSL connections are slower than regular ones. This means that whatever you do on Gmail is unencrypted from now on, and someone sniffing traffic on your network can easily obtain sensitive data.

Of course, not everyone has the skills to do that, so the chances of it actually happening are pretty small. Or, better put, they were small until now. As reported by Hacking Truths, a tool has been presented at DEFCON that makes stealing session IDs from Gmail a relatively easy affair. And once someone has your session ID, he/she can log in to your Gmail account without authentication.

In practice, this means that not having the “always use https” option checked, especially if you’re accessing Gmail through a wireless hotspot, or any other unsecure network, has become a hazard, and is not recommended. Google has been fairly silent about this, letting users decide what they want to do, but I’ve switched to SSL and I recommend you do, too, especially if you use Gmail for business purposes.
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email posting 

ASIO4ALL

[Link added, 8/20.]
Tom Mainelli
Aug 12, 2008 10:00 am

High-quality PC audio is important to me, as I spend a lot of time listening to music on my desktop. In previous columns I've discussed the aural advantages of lossless audio codecs (like FLAC), discrete sound cards, and specialty music player software. Alas, even with all of those tools installed and properly configured, it is possible to suffer less-than-optimal sound on a Windows XP-based PC, as the operating system has a tendency to muck with music without your consent. Happily, a free, easy-to-use program, called ASIO4ALL, addresses this annoying Windows habit. (I'm told that the app can improve sound on Vista PCs, too, but I have not tested that claim.)

So how does XP interfere with your music? Simply put, the OS hands off audio chores to a piece of software called the Kernel Audio Mixer, or Kmixer, which automatically resamples audio files--oftentimes rather poorly--creating output that differs from the original recording. The effect is typically pretty subtle, and if you are listening to low-bit-rate MP3s you probably won't notice it.

However, if you're like me and you listen to lossless audio because you prefer to hear music the way the artist recorded it, you can use ASIO4ALL to do an end run around Kmixer, sending an unadulterated version of the audio right to your sound card. Musicians who record using PC hardware have long used ASIO, which stands for Audio Stream Input Output. Mid- to pro-level hardware may include drivers with ASIO support, but lower-end hardware--such as integrated motherboard audio chips and some basic sound cards--tend not to. So an enterprising gentleman named Michael Tippach created ASIO4ALL. He says the original goal was to address the latency issues that Kmixer introduced into the audio recording process. It was only later that audiophiles started using it to achieve better audio from their PCs.

To use ASIO4ALL, you'll need a compatible media player, such as foobar2000 or WinAmp (Windows Media Player and iTunes don't support it). I recommend installing foobar2000. You also need to download the foobar2000 ASIO DLL (click on the Optional Components link on the foobar2000 site); the DLL file should go into foobar2000's Components folder on your hard drive.

Next, download and install ASIO4ALL itself. Launch it by clicking on its Off-line Settings option in the Start menu. You should see your computer's audio device highlighted; if you have more than one, select the one you intend to use.

Now launch foobar2000. Navigate to File, Preferences, and choose Output. In the resulting dialog box, select Output (under Playback), and then ASIO Virtual Devices, before clicking the Add New button. A new dialog box should appear with your audio device and various mapping coordinates (left, right, and so on) listed. Select one, then click OK, Save All, and Close.

Return to your music collection, fire up your favorite reference (highest quality or original recording) tunes, and start listening. You should hear a noticeable improvement in audio quality with even the default (Simple) settings.

I'm confident you'll get better audio through ASIO4ALL. And remember: It doesn't change anything in your drivers, so if you're not happy with the results, you can simply stop using it.
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email posting 

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Image editor on line, Search for Error codes and CD/DVD storage and cleaning

-On line image editor: http://www.pixlr.com/

-Search Engine for Error Codes and Messages: http://www.errorkey.com/
Systems currently available: 
Oracle     Sybase     Apple     Cisco 6400
 DB2     MySQL     PostgreSQL     SAP DB
 HTTP     Symbian     Mozilla     Windows NT

-Long Term Storage Tips for CD / DVD Media

    * Blank CD / DVD media selection: The quality of the medium has everything to do with the shelf life of your information. Cheaper qualify discs will yield cheaper discs price, but the content of the disc will be jeopardized.

    * Avoid Direct Contact with the Disc’s Surface: Unless your disc is specified designed to be scratch-resistant (with the technology of “hard-coating”), you should avoid touching the disc surface (both the data side and the label side). Try to pick up the disc by placing a finger through the hub hold and grip it with your thumb on the edge of the disc. Try your best to avoid the grease and acids on the skin to damage the discs.

    * Storage Protection: Store your disc in CD Jewel Cases to shield it against external forces. Paper Sleeves Cases may sometimes appear to be more convenient, but it does not supple enough protection for the discs. The plasticizers from some plastic sleeves may cause damage to the discs in the long term. Store your discs vertically in a jewel case for maximum lifespan. Avoid dropping or bending of your discs.

    * CD / DVD Label Selections: The convenience of using any type of adhesive labels that are not designed for CDs or DVDs can be tempting. However, this can cause damages to the surface of your discs which may also effect the content of your disc. It is best to use CD / DVD labels that are designed for this specific usage.

    * Storage Environment and Temperature: Your discs should be stored in a cool and moderately dry environment. Keep your discs away from bright light and direct sunlight. The temperature in 18°C and 40% relative humidity is suitable for long-term storage. When a CD or DVD drive is reading a disc, the temperature is often increased to close to 55°C. Thus, avoid putting your important disc near the running computer or external drives.

Cleaning: When necessary, wipe with a clean cotton fabric to remove dirt, fingerprints, smudges, and liquid splashes from the center of the disc toward the outer edge. You may use window cleaner to do this.  Make sure it is NON abrasive.  Windex BLUE is fine and even recommended by Netflix for cleaning their rented DVDs.

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email posting 

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Foobar 2000 (works well with Asio4All)


Foobar2000 is an advanced audio player for the Windows platform. Some of the basic features include full unicode support, ReplayGain support and native support for several popular audio formats. FREE

Latest version: 0.9.5.5

Features

  • Audio formats supported natively: MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MPC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC / Ogg FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, AU, SND, CDDA, WMA.
  • More audio formats supported through optional components, official or third-party.
  • Full unicode support.
  • Customizable user interface layout (new in version 0.9.5).
  • Advanced tagging capabilities.
  • Support for ripping Audio CDs as well as transcoding all supported audio formats using the Converter component.
  • ReplayGain support - both playback and calculation.
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts.
  • Open component architecture allowing third-party developers to extend functionality of the player.

  • http://www.foobar2000.org/

Better music from your PC, for FREE


What started as a bedroom project in early 2003 - for the sole purpose to get ASIO support for the AC97 on my laptop - has become ASIO4ALL - the universal ASIO driver for WDM audio.

Honestly, I did not expect this project to become as popular as it has become (but this popularity does not particularly dissapoint me either ;-)

ASIO4ALL is a hardware independent low latency ASIO driver for WDM audio devices. It uses WDM Kernel-Streaming and sometimes even more sophisticated methods to achieve its objectives.

In order to successfully run ASIO4ALL, you need:

  • A WDM-compatible operating system, such as Win98SE/ME/2k/XP or Windows Vista (currently only 32 bit applications supported on Vista 64).

  • A WDM-driver for your audio hardware. (Under Win2k/XP/Vista this is implicit, not so under Win98SE/WinME.)

  • A couple minutes of your time and a little bit of luck.

What ASIO4ALL will NOT do:

  • Replace your existing sound card drivers or mess with them in any way.

  • Install any kernel mode components that could potentially affect the stability of your system.

  • "Overclock", or otherwise operate your audio hardware in ways that could potentially be harmful and/or void your warranty, except, of course, in cases where the manufacturer of your hardware has specifically stated that the use of ASIO4ALL would void your warranty indeed.

  • http://www.asio4all.co


Friday, August 15, 2008

Meetings

Meetings suck, but they don't have to

What is it about meetings that brings out the worst in otherwise reasonable and intelligent people? Is it an opportunity to childishly engage and disrupt others? Or perhaps it's a chance to demonstrate animalistic dominance. Who knows.

All I do know is, for companies to operate effectively, executives, managers, and key employees need to know how to run effective meetings. Meetings are how conflicts are resolved and plans are agreed upon. They are how critical strategic and operating processes are developed, managed, and to some extent, executed.

Conversely, ineffective meetings result in lost productivity and frustration. They can also be a sign of a dysfunctional workplace, which can result in operating failure.

In my experience technology managers and executives are so inept at conducting effective meetings you'd think it's rocket science or a rare genetic trait. I have no idea why that is.

In any case, 15 years ago, a consultant taught me his version of the rules for effective meetings. I've adapted those rules to my own style and used them to help management teams work together effectively ever since. And let me tell you, they really work.

So here they are in two parts: The three rules of meeting etiquette and the five rules of engagement for effective meetings.

Three rules of meeting etiquette

Every meeting has a start time and an end time. That means it starts on time and ends on time. If someone is chronically late to meetings, the others must bring peer pressure to bear on that individual. If most of a company's executives exhibit this trait, then find another company. It's a sign of immaturity and disrespect for others.

Every meeting is run by someone who is responsible for every aspect of the meeting including agenda, attendance, punctuality, and documentation. That person keeps everyone on topic and moves the meeting along using the methods described below.

Key decisions that are reached during the meeting regarding strategies, plans or objectives should be published by whoever ran the meeting within one day. That also goes for follow-up or action required and an owner for each item.

Five rules of engagement for effective meetings

Listening is good. Gratuitous speech is bad. Silence means consent. Don't chime in just to hear your own voice.

Presenting new ideas or brainstorming is good. Knocking down another's idea is bad. There's a time for reaching consensus.

Attack the problem or issue, not the person you disagree with. "I don't agree with you" is okay, but "I think you're an idiot" isn't.

Stay on topic, but don't beat a dead horse. Save other subjects for other meetings. Use a "parking lot" for important issues that may need to be revisited at a later date.

Be open, honest, and forthcoming. Don't hold back, bullshit, or sugar-coat issues. This is especially critical in meetings where key decisions are based on the information presented.

Don't just follow these rules yourself; teach them to others. Present them at meetings you conduct. Make work life easier and less frustrating for all your fellow employees and help to make your company more successful. It'll pay off big-time in the long run.

Happy meetings.


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email posting 

Image host, search in PDF files, free course, etc.

-Host your images: http://tinypic.com/

-Search for PDF Files: http://www.pdf-search-engine.com/

-Free Courses: http://u.about.com/

-Everyone loves getting something for free. With Clickster you get a double dose: This free program searches the Web for free MP3 music files from your favorite artists, and delivers them to your desktop. Clickster's developer, Robert Palmer, insists that there's no copyright issues to worry about, since the MP3s that Clickster accesses are free files stored on Web sites. As long as you don't share the files, you're safe. http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64891-order,1-page,1/description.html?tk=nl_ddxdwn

-Snooze button for email: http://www.hitmelater.com/ - Forward an email for later reading, or for ???

-Who Sells It?  Catalog search: http://www.who-sells-it.com/

-Convert any text to an MP3: http://www.hearwho.com - Handy for creating quick audio emails, instructions, PODCASTS, etc.

-Search with this unique tool.  Choose your view: http://www.viewzi.com/search/?bypassdetect=true
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email posting 

Monday, August 11, 2008

Congratulations!

Congratulations goes out to one of our own SPCUG officers and PC Posse members, Tom Pitre, V.P. His online class, "Meth Madness", was mentioned in Forbes magazine today! We hope to enjoy more presentations and SIGS from one of our most valued resources.

View the online article here:
Forbes.com

Sunday, August 10, 2008

world’s smallest laptop, the Impulse NPX-9000 weighs a mere 725 grams (26 ounces)

Taiwan-based Carapelli Computer will unveil the world's cheapest laptop in Dubai for just Dh699 ($190), a report said.

Billed as the world's smallest laptop, the Impulse NPX-9000 weighs a mere 725 grams and will be on sale in Dubai in 2 weeks' time, according to Gulf News.

'We have shipped 100 units initially and the demand for this product is going to be robust. We have got a lot of queries about this product,' said Bunty Punjabi, sales manager, Carapelli Computer.

Carapelli's first computer, the Impulse NPX-9000, is a China-assembled netbook and costs only Dh477 ($130) each for orders of atleast 100 units.

It comes with a 400MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 1GB NAND Flash storage and a seven-inch analog screen, 80-key keyboard, SD card slot, VGA port, two USB ports, and a mini USB port in addition to two audio ports.

There is no hard disk drive and it runs on a Linux operating system without a built-in LAN card.

Other features include USB LAN Dongle and an optional built-in WiFi support which cost more.  This notebook cannot be upgraded, said a statement.

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email posting 

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Shortcut for USB or DVD and Staples Trade in Program

-Desk Drive Version: 1.3.1 File Size: 432k License Type: Free Operating Systems: Windows Vista, Windows XP When you connect a new USB drive or insert a DVD or CD, the handy Desk Drive utility automatically creates a shortcut on your desktop to access the drive or disc. Remove the device or disc, and the icon likewise disappears. Desk Drive keeps an icon in the system tray while it's running, and right-clicking the icon allows you to change settings such as whether it should start automatically with Windows (off by default) or create icons for newly connected network, fixed or RAM drives in addition to optical or removable drives. --Erik Larkin Go to the download page now: Desk Drive -  http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,72495-order,4-page,1-c,desktop/download.html

-Staples Trade In and Recycle Program: http://staples.greensight.com/

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email posting 

Monday, August 4, 2008

See the Olympic games as never before!


See the Olympic games as never before! Just released - A new way to view the Olympics! Here’s how…

The Olympic Games start today 8-08-08 – and a new way to watch the Olympics with dynamic new content is here!

As you may or may not know, MSN and NBC have partnered to create “the digital games” powered by Microsoft Silverlight, and we are now providing you the way to gain access to this new Olympic viewing experience today.

So what will you get with this new experience you ask? Well, how about:

http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/nbcolympicsonmsn/getsilverlight.html


http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2008/08/01/8798478.aspx

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Chinese Internet Police

"Beijing Internet Police" are Watching You During Olympics

"Beijing Internet Police" are Watching You During Olympics

Visitors to China are being warned to encrypt all information on their computers. It is clear China is intent on regulating the Internet during the Olympics (contrary to a promise to the IOC). This image, of two Internet police officers, flashes on Chinese computers, reminding citizens and foreigners that in China - you are always being watched. Always.
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Google's Wikipedia Killer? and The ANTI-social web.

Google has launched its Wikipedia-killer to the world. Will they succeed? Last week Google made its new site, Knol, open to all the world. Until then only beta-testers had been able to read and contribute. Knol lets anyone write an article about any topic of interest. Then readers may make comments and rate the article. They may also may suggest addition and rewrites, but the first author retains control of the text.
http://knol.google.com/k#

I am tired of the so-called, SOCIAL WEB.  I am starting the ANTI-social web.  Mark this day...2 August, 2008.  The essential feature for the diagnosis of an anti-social person is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood due to the lack of love and care for the child." Deceit and manipulation are considered essential features of the disorder. Therefore, it is essential in making the diagnosis to collect material from sources other than the individual being diagnosed.  Deceit and manipulation fits nicely with politics, leadership, corporation, marketing, etc.
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Generate some stripes and get a free dictionary

Generate stripes.  What for, you ask.  For fun, I say:  http://www.stripegenerator.com/

-Free Dictionary online and download for local use - probably the biggest open dictionary: http://gonaomi.com/ FREE download for local use.  900 thousand words.
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