Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Monday, November 07, 2005
Best...Firefox Extension...Ever
I don't know about the rest of you, but I use TinyURL quite a bit. In case you're not familiar with it, this handy Web-based tool turns those long, unwieldy, impossible-to-type URLs into, well, tiny ones. Here's an example: http://tinyurl.com/68b33. The only downside is that you have to manually copy the URL in question, visit the TinyURL Web site, paste in the address, and click "Make TinyURL." That's FOUR steps!
Enter TinyURL Creator, a Firefox extension that adds a TinyURL-creation button right to your toolbar. All it takes is two clicks to copy the current URL to the clipboard, and you never have to leave the site you're viewing. Awesome. Just one more reason I'll be sticking with Firefox over the long haul, regardless of what goodies Microsoft manages to pack into Internet Explorer 7.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Linux: See What All the Fuss is About
Now you can. Knoppix is a bootable, CD-resident version of the Linux OS. Drop it in your computer's CD drive, reboot, and presto: In a few minutes you'll have a fully usable Linux PC, complete with software, hard-drive access, the works. Best of all, Knoppix doesn't make any changes to your computer; once you take the CD out and reboot again, you'll be back to Windows, safe and sound.
The Knoppix download is actually an ISO file; you need to know how to burn that file to a CD and make it bootable. If you have a program like Nero, it can do the job. If not, try something like Magic ISO Maker. Either way, it's well worth the effort. Knoppix is a really cool way to see what Linux is all about, and it doesn't cost a penny.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Replace Your iPod Battery on the Cheap
But did you know there are also inexpensive do-it-yourself options? At Laptops for Less, for instance, you'll find battery-replacement kits--complete with installation instructions and the tiny screwdriver you'll need to pry open your iPod's case--selling for $29. Troll eBay and you'll find similar kits selling for as low as $10 (though often without instructions; visit the aforementioned Laptops for Less site and nab their online manual).
We replaced the dead battery in a first-gen iPod with one of these $10 eBay deals; it worked like a charm. The only scary part was prying open that beautiful case...but in the end it was worth the trauma.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Cool Tricks with Your Cell Phone
Monday, August 01, 2005
Extend Your VoIP Service to Every Phone Jack in the House
WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: If you don't do this properly, or your phone/VoIP configuration differs from what's described here, you could end up with fried equipment, fried wiring, or some other expensive-to-repair catastrophe. Proceed at your own risk.
Step 1: Make sure absolutely everything is working properly with your VoIP service. If you're having your phone number(s) transferred, wait until the process has been completed and you've verified that inbound and outbound calls are status quo.
Step 2: (Once again, this is for cable modem users only. DSL users, stop right here!) Go outside your house and find the junction box where the telco's lines come into your house. Usually there's a "residential access" panel you can open with a screwdriver. Once inside, disconnect any plugs or wires you find there. This effectively severs the connection between the local telco and your house. The result is a "closed network" for the wiring inside your house. (Tip: You may want to cover the outside jacks with electrical tape so no one inadvertently reconnects the lines. At the same time, put in a small note reading: "Lines disconnected intentionally -- do not reconnect!")
Step 3: Plug a two-port splitter (available at any Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. for about three bucks) into the "phone" jack on the back of your VoIP box. Reconnect whatever phone you originally had plugged into the box. Now run an ordinary phone cord from the second port on the splitter to the nearest wall jack. Presto: Every other jack in the house should give you a dial tone.
One more disclaimer: I have tried this with my SunRocket setup and it works perfectly. And I've seen plenty of reports of similar successes among Vonage users. But your mileage may vary! Rick Broida and Budget Computing are not responsible for any problems you may encounter. Good luck!
Monday, July 25, 2005
Quick Poll: "Windows Vista," Good Name or Bad?
And if you feel like it, caption this crazy picture! Here's mine:
"And sitting right over there is Enos, the crazy idiot who came up with the name."
Watch TV on Your PDA or Smartphone
The software converts recorded TV shows to Windows Media Player Mobile format and copies them to your PDA. Actually, it can copy directly to a memory card, which is both convenient and time-saving. What's particularly cool is that MyTV ToGo runs from within MCE, meaning you can operate it with your remote without ever getting off the couch (the ultimate goal of all media-center owners). Plus, it supports HDTV content and VGA PDA screens.
Great, great piece of software. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Create Your Own PDFs - Free!
As you probably know, you need Adobe's free Reader program to view PDFS on your PC, Macintosh, or PDA. But what if you want to actually create your own PDF? Surely that'll cost you.
Not necessarily. Although Adobe and several third-party developers sell PDF-creation software, there's a perfectly good free alternative: CutePDF Writer. Just download and install the program (make sure you also download and install the accompanying converter), then fire up any program that's capable of printing (Word, PageMaker, etc.). Load your document, then head to the print menu and select CutePDF Writer from the list of available printers. Click print, supply a filename as requested, and presto! Your document just became a PDF. Woo!
Friday, July 15, 2005
60-Second Review: Yahoo Music Unlimited
What It Is: Yahoo Music Unlimited, a subscription service that grants you complete access to its million-plus song library.
What You Can Do with It: Stream or download any song or album.
What Else You Can Do: Copy downloaded songs to any compatible MP3 player. Only about a dozen are supported right now, but the list is growing.
What You Can't Do: Burn songs to CD--unless you buy them first. But subscribers get special pricing: 79 cents per song.
What's the Catch? You're effectively renting the music, and if you cancel your subscription, any songs you've downloaded will no longer play.
What Does Rick Think? Love it, love it, love it. It's like someone giving you the keys to Tower Records and saying, "Go on in, take whatever you want." And the accompanying Yahoo Music Engine program is a surprisingly polished and well-rounded music manager. Even in beta it's less buggy and more user-friendly than Musicmatch.
Okay, How Much? If you pay for a year in advance, it costs a mere $4.99/month. Pay monthly and it's $6.99. Both options represent huge savings over Napster's similar service, which costs $14.99/month.
UPDATE: Okay, a bit of dew came off the lily. I purchased the soundtrack to In Good Company (fair movie, great soundtrack) but only got four of the 14 songs. There's no phone support available for Yahoo Music Unlimited, and just finding the right place to contact customer service is a challenge. Will have to see if I even get a response to this frustrating glitch.
Monday, July 11, 2005
How to Make Bulletproof Backups
Problem is, most backup solutions are slow, cumbersome, and ineffective. Not mine. I've figured out how to make fast, automated backups of my entire hard drive. If it ever tanks, I should be back in business in a matter of minutes.
Here's what you need:
• A hard drive that's at least as large as the one currently in your PC. You can score a 160GB drive from Best Buy for a mere $39.99 after two rebates.
• "Image" software, which can make an exact copy of your hard drive without compression. I'm extremely fond of Casper XP, an easy-to-use utility that runs in the background. No messy, system-occupying DOS interface like with other imaging programs.
Install the second hard drive (which will effectively become the clone) in your PC, then install and run Casper XP. Set it to copy your main drive on a weekly (or even daily) basis. If the drive drive ever tanks, all you have to do is switch over to the clone and you're back in business.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
"I Think I Have a Virus!" No, You Don't!
So before you go running to the computer store in search of anti-virus software you should have been running anyway (and which won't do a thing to clean out the spyware), try downloading one or more of the many available freeware and shareware anti-spyware utilities. Visit Download.com to find plenty of choices.
Monday, July 04, 2005
New Lows for Laser Printers: $49.95 Shipped!
Ready for the funny/sad part? Replacement toner cartridges sell for $69.99. This is it, people--we've entered the regrettable age of the disposable laser printer. Somewhere, standing next to an overflowing landfill, a Native American is crying.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Should You Take the VoIP Plunge?
Let me summarize thusly: I expected to hate VoIP, figuring it would be a major pain to set up and sound like a couple of tin cans tied to a string. But having tried SunRocket (and Vonage, the current market leader), I feel quite comfortable about dumping my landline forever. Should you do the same? Consider:
Pros
- Cheap, cheap, cheap
- Comes with a gazillion services I'm usually too cheap to pay for, like voice mail, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, etc.
- Flat rate includes unlimited local and long-distance calling (in the U.S. and Canada). International rates are...wait for it...cheap.
- Yes, you can dial 911. In fact, SunRocket supports E911, so the operator knows your location (helpful if you're choking on a walnut).
- Damn fine sound quality. A few echos now and then, but I get that on my landline.
- No contract, cancellation fee, or any other such nonsense.
Cons
- Doesn't work with TiVos, fax machines, and other devices that need a dial tone.
- Your sound-quality mileage may vary.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Zoto Dishes Up 2GB of Photo Storage - Free!
By the way, I used Zoto to publish this blog entry, complete with the photo that I uploaded to my account. Not too shabby!
Score a "Free" TiVo! For Real!
Ah, but what if they just gave you the hardware? You've got two weeks (until July 15, that is) to score just such a deal: a 40-hour TiVo Series2 box, absolutely free when you sign up for service.
In this case, "service" means the usual $299 lifetime rate or a 12-month prepaid subscription for $155.40. Heck, they'll even throw in the shipping. Not at all a bad deal for what most people regard as the best DVR ever. (Personally, I'm still happy with my five-year-old (!) Replay, but I won't argue with TiVo's clear victory.)
Don't think you can get by with just 40 hours of recording time? There are myriad ways to upgrade a TiVo with inexpensive, high-capacity hard drives. Here's one example. So if you've been waiting to take the TiVo plunge, this could be the ideal time. It's hard to do better than free.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
B.C. Q&A: What Else Can DVD Burners Burn?
Monday, June 13, 2005
Best Price on Coldplay's "X & Y"
• BuyMusic - $10.69 (download)
• iTunes - $11.99 (download)
• MSN - $10.89 (download)
• Musicmatch - Unknown (uninstalled 4-ever)
• Napster - $11.95 (download)
• Wal-Mart - $9.44 (download)
• Wal-Mart - $9.72 (CD)
• Yahoo! Music - Not Available
And the winner is...Wal-Mart! Hard to believe the CD version costs just 28 cents more than the download. Think I'll go that route so I can rip the tunes at whatever bit rate I want and not have to contend with Draconian DRM nonsense...
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Don't Buy an LCD Without DVI
Why should you insist on DVI over a traditional analog-VGA connection? Simple: the digital interface eliminates the "ghosting," softness, and other image-crappening effects common to analog LCDs. You'll usually pay a premium—upwards of $50, I've found—for a monitor with a DVI interface, but it's well worth it.
Oh, make sure your video card has a DVI connector, too. Most of them do nowadays, but you'll want to check...
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
1GB SD Card: $49
Monday, June 06, 2005
GPS on the Cheap
• HP iPAQ RX3115 A full-featured Windows Mobile PDA with a roomy screen and built-in Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi!). You can pick up a new one on eBay for around $175; used, they're selling for as low as $125.
• Bluetooth GPS receiver There are several outfits on eBay selling these for $80-90.
• Mapping software The deal to beat is Delorme's Street Atlas USA 2005 Handheld, which retails for $39.95. It offers real-time door-to-door navigation, voice prompts, and all that other good stuff.
• Car mount Safety first! When you're using any GPS, it should be mounted as close to eye level as possible. That means you'll need a car mount for your PDA. Check out the Arkon Universal PDA Windshield Mount, which will set you back $30.
Did I mention you're also getting a pretty rockin' PDA out of the deal? Let's see that big ol' TomTom fit in your pocket!
Friday, May 27, 2005
Photo Prints Down to 12 Cents
Is this the first volley in the Great Photo-Print Price War of '05? Time will tell, but in the meantime...12-cent prints! Woo!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Aurora and Nail: Kill This Spyware Dead
Believe it or not, the companies behind these advertising-oriented nasties have actually owned up to them. Now, this is a family Web site, so I can't properly express my rage. Needless to say, there's a special place in hell for ABI Network, DirectRevenue, and ABetterInternet (ha! There's an ironic choice of names).
Although it's plenty natural to be suspicious of MyPCTuneUp, the adware uninstaller provided by these companies, I can attest that it works. In fact, it's just about the only thing that works; I've tried pretty much everything else.
One word of advice: the program says to disable your firewall, but I left mine running (I'm not that gullible), and it still worked. Good luck!