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Friday, January 23, 2009

New Flickr Desktop Uoloaders

Flickr.com announced new versions of their desktop uploading software for Windows and Mac. I am glad to see this, as the current versions were a bit flaky under Mac OS X 10.5. I have just installed and am testing them out now on both my Vista laptop and Intel-based Mac Mini.

Upload from your desktop — more better!

Since our last main release, we wanted to provide a better uploading experience — more stable, more accepting of different file formats and more capable to handle heftier uploading needs. We’ve worked hard on the new Uploadr version 3.1.3 to process batch uploads and different types of files, including video, better. As always, you can use the Uploadr to sort, edit and organize your images before presenting them on Flickr.

We’ll continue to improve on the Uploadr experience. For now, we hope that Uploadr 3.1.3 will help get your images on to Flickr faster and easier. As always, please feel free to share any issues in this Help Forum topic. Tally-ho.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Recently from Friends in Tech: An Interview with Robert Scoble

Image representing Robert Scoble as depicted i...Image via CrunchBaseChuck and Kreg from Technorama (a fellow Friends in Tech Member) scored an interview with prominent tech blogger, Robert Scoble.

Interview: Robert Scoble

Chuck and I had the honor of Interviewing the seemingly Omnipresent Robert Scoble.

Robert Scoble is a blogger, technical evangelist, and author. Scoble is best known for his blog, Scobleizer, which came to prominence during his tenure as a technical evangelist at Microsoft. He currently works for Fast Company as a video blogger. He is also the co-author of Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers with Shel Israel.

In this interview we talk about his background, Social Networking, the challenges of being open and accessible, and where it all leads.

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Software: Ad-Aware Updated

I found this noticed in my RSS feed reading for today. I often use Ad-Aware to clean up spyware infections on Windows computers and highly recommend the free version.

Ad-Aware Updates, Boasts 10 Years of Malware Protection

Popular malware-detection app Ad-Aware is celebrating its 10th year of computer crimefighting by releasing a new and improved Anniversary Edition. Here's what you can expect from the new release.

Read the entire article


Monday, January 19, 2009

Tech Question of the Day: Computer image doesn't fit the screen

I got this great question as an anonymous comment on an older post on the My Word blog. Since this problem can still effect people still using older CRT monitors, I wanted to include my answer here.

Question:

The screen position on my monitor is not in the center. I've connected different monitors and the image is still off. I've checked the drivers and i've updated them, but there's no improvement


My Ansswer:

It sounds like you have an older CRT monitor, as the the newer LCD monitors do not exhibit this problem. The fact is, it probably has nothing to do with your PC settings, but rather with the settings in the monitor itself.

Each monitor has a built-in settings area, usually accessed using one of the front panel button on the monitor that allow you change a variety of settings. These settings include adjusting the position and size of the image. Older monitors can react badly to different resolution settings on the computer itself and you use these settings to move the image back into the center of the screen and make it fill the entire screen.

Look for a button on the front of your monitor labeled Menu or Setting to get into these options and then select the appropriate options to re-position your image.

I hope this helps!

Douglas

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Computer Equipment Failure


Heat sink detached
Originally uploaded by dewelch
I was called out today to check out a system for a client only to find that the system was really sensitive to movement and was shutting down after only a few minutes of operation. Opening the unit I quickly discovered why. The heat sink that keep the main processor from melting down had broken its attachment and was sitting, ineffectually off to the side. No wonder the system didn't work.

The client is off buying a new computer now as this unit was about 5 years old. I am unsure how anyone would heave repaired it though, as the attachment where the springs loops connect to the motherboard had failed completely.

A couple of more photos are available on my Flickr photostream. Click the photo for more.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Recently from Friends in Tech: Livescribe Pulse Smart Pen Demo at Macworld 2009

This is a recent post from Friends in Tech member, The Typical Mac User podcast.

Livescribe Pulse Smart Pen Demo at Macworld 2009

The Livescribe Pulse Smart Pen won a best of show award from me. Here is why.

www.livescribe.com

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Time Warner Cable Support Fail

I have been having some issues with my cable system over the last several weeks and last night I finally decided to request some assistance via the Time Warner Web Site. This is what ensued.

DEW: For the last several weeks we have be seeing KCET with a reduced picture size, bascially a small box in the middle on the larger black screen. We are using a standard def television on analog cable so this isn't an issue with HDTV zoom or any of the typical issues I see with those sets.

Additionally, we have been experiencing issues with bad ghosting, and signal cut outs regularly on a wide variety of channels on both sets in the home.

Douglas

Time Warne Replied...

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your cable service.

I checked and did not find an outage in your area. Since there is not any equipment with which I could troubleshoot, I will have to schedule a service call.

Your appointment has been booked for January 1 between 8- 11 AM. The technician will be calling ahead of arrival to the phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX.

[Boilerplate Omitted]

Regards, Uma C.
Time Warner Cable
(888)TW-CABLE
(888)892-2253


DEW: Can you please re-confirm the date of this appointment as January 1st has already passed?

Thank you for your inquiry. I would be happy to be of service.

Our records indicate that this issue has been addressed prior to receiving your email. If you need any further assistance, please call our 24/7 Customer Service department at 1-888-892-2253.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to email us back or contact us at the number listed below. Our telephone representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have a nice day!

Regards, Philip S.
Time Warner Cable
(888)TW-CABLE
(888)892-2253


Uh, hmmm, well, I guess that solves that problem then.

Sometimes I think that these online support sites are simply badly written AI (artificial intelligence) bots that are just designed to frustrate us until we give up. (Sigh)

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Tech Question of the Day - Canceling Apple MobileMe account

I just had an email from a client and though the information might be useful you, too.

Question: How do I cancel a MobileMe (formerly .Mac) account so it does not auto-renew?

Answer: I found this document on Apple's site explaining the online process.

Canceling your MobileMe account

Since this is a sales-related issue, you might be able to call the Apple Store at 1-800-MY-APPLE, but I am not sure.

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Monday, January 05, 2009

Noted - Clickfree Transformer Cable gives any USB hard drive auto backup functionality

Clickfree Transformer Cable gives any USB hard drive auto backup functionality from engadget.com by Darren Murph

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Technology Information you should have in the New Year

Linksys Router Setup PageIf you want to make your computing life a little easier in 2009, there are several pieces of information that you should have at hand. Start the New Year right and collect this information before you need it.

The least you should know:

  • Name of Internet Service Provider
    • Here in Los Angeles this might be Time-Warner Cable AT&T, Verizon, Earthlink or a few others

  • ISP Telephone Support Number
  • Router information
    • Router Address
      • Typically this is 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.x

    • Router User ID
      • This is often a default name which is the same for each manufacturers equipment i.e Linksys, Netgear. etc and is often printed on the router

    • Router Password
      • This is often a default password. This should be changed when the router is installed to protect yourself against certain attacks that try to use the default password to break into the router.

  • Wireless Network Password
    • You should be using WPA Security on your wireless router, if available. If your wireless network password is something like 0AD1665211, then your router is using the older WEP security which is easily broken by a variety of hacking tools.

  • Computer Information
    • Computer Username
      • Both Windows and Macintosh computers have computer passwords which are required to login or install software. Losing these passwords can mean a large hassle, so note them in a secure place somewhere

    • Computer Password

  • Email Information
    • Email Address
    • Email Password
      • Since email passwords are usually stored on your computer we can easily forget them. Of course, if something happens to our computer, or we get a new one, it can really cause problems if you don't have them noted somewhere.


So, how do you store this information securely, while still being able to easily access it. Rather than right it down on sticky notes or scraps of paper I use a password protected MS Word or MS Excel file and choose a fairly secure, but easily remembered password for that file.

You can also use a program like 1Password which acts a a Password "vault".

Do you have questions about this information and how to find it? Leave a comment using the comment link below and I will be happy to answer them.

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Thursday, January 01, 2009

Auditorium - A Musical Game

Bounce the light beams through gravity circles to strike the chimes and make beautiful music while solving each level.

Addictive!

Discovered via Twitter

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