[Download Show #45 as MP3]
News
- Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage Server Goes Down
- Windows Genuine Advantage, allows Microsoft to tell which installations of their Windows and Office software are legit
- If a piece of software is found to not be genuine, then the software is severely limited in functionality, sometimes not working at all
- With a WGA server going down, this resulted in several computers being marked as "pirated versions" of the software
- Microsoft claims to have this issue resolved, so if you were affected, please attempt to re-validate and all should be good.
- However, this shows what could be a gigantic flaw in Microsoft's anti-piracy plans. If a a server going down can make thousands of copies of windows be marked as "pirated"
- Comcast Cutting off Heavy Internet Users
- Comcast as a bandwidth limitation that, if broken, can result in a 12 month suspension of service
- Problem is, they are not telling anyone what the limitation is, if you cross it the cut you off
- Research into the terms of service, and acceptable use policy does not tell a customer what the limitation is
- One person has gone so far as to start a blog based on his experience with Comcast over this very issue
- Comcast Broadband Dispute Blog
- Vista SP1 Leaked
- A file claiming to be an installer for SP1 for Windows Vista has been popping up on various websites around the internet
- Installing the file on some systems causes the computer to say that it is running "Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1"
- Microsoft has been some what closed lipped about the first service pack for it's new operating system
- If you happen to stumble upon a file claiming to be the latest service pack for Windows Vista, and it is not from Microsoft's own Windows Update service, please do not install it
- Apple iPhone Unlocked. Software to Be Made Available
- The iPhone's exclusivity to the AT&T network has been unlocked
- Several groups have released software that will allow you to unlock your iPhone and use it on other GSM based providers (like T-Mobile)
- This is not for the faint of heart, as it requires some hacking, so do not try this if you are uncomfortable with doing it
- As a result, there have been questions over the legality of unlocking cell phones, for more information on the legal front check out this Engadget article.
- Really, if you are already on AT&T then there is no real reason to unlock the iPhone.
Cool Open Source Projects:
Notepad++
https://sourceforge.net
Notepad++ is a generic source code editor (it tries to be anyway) and
Notepad replacement written in C++ with the win32 API. The aim of
Notepad++ is to offer a slim and efficient binary with a totally
customizable GUI.
OpenProj - Project Management
https://sourceforge.net
OpenProj by Projity is a desktop replacement of Microsoft Project.
OpenProj has equivalent functionality, a familiar user interface and
even opens existing MSProject files. OpenProj is interoperable with
Project, with a Gantt Chart and PERT chart etc.
FreeCol
https://sourceforge.net
FreeCol is an open version of Colonization. It is a Civilization-like
game in which the player has to conquer the new world.
FileZilla
https://sourceforge.net
FileZilla is a fast FTP and SFTP client for Windows with a lot of
features. FileZilla Server is a reliable FTP server.
Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks
- Digital Cameras
- Point & Shoot
- Advantages
- Easy to use for the simple act of taking pictures
- Not a lot settings to help people not get confused over a bunch of options
- Usually more compact than an DSLR
- Disadvantages
- Lacks ability to take great action shots
- Lack of options means less control over taking the picture
- Best Suited For
- A parent who just wants to be able to take pictures without having to think about a lot of settings
- A teenager with interest in just taking pictures
- Thin camera design
- Our Point & Shoot Picks
- FujiFilm
- Cannon
- Digital SLR
- Advantages
- Great pictures, usually higher megapixels, or more important, more quality (not always equal)
- Better sensors in the camera
- Takes great action shots
- More control over taking the picture (ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed, and Aperture Setting / fStop)
- Disadvantages
- Bulky
- More battery consumption (sometimes)
- Usually requires the purchase of additional lenses (some can cost as much or more than the camera body)
- Best Suited For
- Someone who takes their photography seriously / Prosumers / Pro Photographers
- Someone who plans on taking a lot of action shots or shots with a lot of detail
- Anyone who desires absolute total control over their photos
- Our Digital SLR Picks
- Cannon
- Nikon
- Flash Memory
- Compact Flash
- Memory-Based
- Microdrives (battery)
- SD Cards (Secure Digital)
- Micro-SD (Backwards Compatible with Adapter)
- Cell phones
- Portable media players (example: Sandisk Sansa)
- Navigation Devices
- Full SD
- Memory Sticks (Sony / Proprietary)
- Memory Stick Pro
- Memory Stick Pro Duo
- Smaller form factor that the Memory Stick Pro
- Used primarily in PSP (Playstation Portable)
- Some come with adapters to allow you to use the card in a Memory Stick Pro slot (similar to the Micro-SD cards and their adapters)
- Finding the Best Price on Flash Memory Cards -
- Reviews
- Read User Store Reviews!!!
- Talk about my experience
- Good places to shop
- High Speed Cards
- What are They
- High speed flash memory cards are cards that have a higher rate of transfer. They can be written to faster, lowering the wait time between pictures
- A typical high speed card can write at 20MB per second, a far cry above the normal 5-6MB/sec a normal card can get
- Some manufacturers (like SanDisk) have 2 levels of high speed cards. For example with Sandisk, the CFII cards are capable of 9-10MB/second writes (only around $5-$7 more in cost) and the CFIII cards can do 20MB/second writes and cost around $10 more.
- What Are the Price Differences
- Before, the price difference between regular and high speed cards was enough to make a consumer think twice
- These days, the price varies from $10-$30 more depending on the brand and kind of card being purchased
- Is There Really a Speed Difference?
- Upon testing 3 different cards from 3 different providers (Sandisk, Lexar, and PNY) we have come to the following conclusions
- While a difference does exist, it is minuscule, we are talking in milliseconds. Even on a Digital SLR
- The overall winner of the manufacturers we were able to test, the Lexar Professional cards has the best times overall
- Do You Need a High Speed Card?
- Not all cameras support the faster speeds. They will support the card, but not the faster speeds the card is capable of
- Check your owners manual or even contact the customer service department for your camera's manufacturer to see if you camera will take advantage of the faster write speeds
- Some cameras however, do not support the faster cards at all. If you have an older camera, you probably do not want to purchase a high speed card
- Memory Sticks and the Sony Playstation Portable
- Store Music, Movies, and Even Games on Memory Sticks
- Playstation 3 allows you to read music, photos, and video from Compact Flash cards
- Nintendo Wii uses SD cards in the Wii-Motes for game saves, Mii saves, and so forth
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