Microsoft Re-Brands "PlaysForSure" to "Certified for Windows Vista"
Here's the basic gist, What was once market "PlayForSure" is now marked as "Certified for Windows Vista"
This is confusing because while the new logo can be found on the latest version of the Zune player, not all the technologies are compatible with each other
PlayForSure was designed around a licensing model where you "rent" content, but it didn't always work on every device
Now with the destruction of PlayForSure for the new "Certified for Windows Vista" tag, this is going to cause even more confusing among customers
This is a perfect example of how Microsoft is not always in step with itself by keeping two completely separate DRM technologies active and then re-branding one is only going to end up ostracizing your customers.
The article makes it a little difficult to distinguish what is being said but the overall gist is that because more people are moving into the digital entertainment business Comcast is going to have to make some changes to stay ahead
Everyone wants the iPhone, the latest Mp3 Player, or other cool electronic device
But with so many fakes floating around how can you tell that you are getting a legitamate product
Do Your Homework. Most manufacturers release counterfeit alerts
Buy directly from the manufacturer or from the people they list as vendors
If the product cost less than 80% of the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) it's probably a fake
Avoid eBay for purchasing new devices, there are a lot of fakes on eBay advertised as the real deal.
The best advice is really to buy the device from the manufacturer or their third party vendors. This option allows you to buy an extended warranty (if one is available for the product) so that the device is protected
The 21 New Rules of Tech
21) Relationships Start with Lust - If you feel a visceral attraction to something, chances are you want it. Sure, do your homework before you buy, but let your gut tell you what you really, really want.
20) More Isin't Necessarily Better - Convergence is a great idea in theory, but nothing ruins a gadget more than an overstuffed resume. Find a tool that does what it sets out to do well, and forget the 10-in-1 hype.
19) Consider The Source - With all the focus on design these days, we lose sight of the importance of materials. What good is that slick-looking mp3 player if it can't stand up to a few drops?
18) A Gadget Should Be Easy To Use - Treat ease-of-use like any other feature. If the product doesn't deliver, don't be afraid to take it back.
17) Buy With Your Body - Ergonomics isn't just for desks. If a product doesn't feel right, don't blame your senses--look for a new solution.
16) The Best Solution Is The Simplest - A piece of gear that solves a problem and does it efficiently is a thing of beauty. Forget bells and whistles, and buy for functionality.
15) Heritage Does Matter - Sometimes knowing a brand name is just a function of good marketing. But knowing a name because it's older than you are indicates quality that will serve you for years to come.
14) Your Gear Should Outlast You - If you're worrying about gear giving out, you can't focus on the task at hand. Great products keep going, whether YOU want to [keep going] or not.
13) Follow The Crowd - Groups of total strangers know you better than you think. In a hyper-connected world, the wisdom of crowds can be invaluable.
12) Power Is Nothing...Without Control - Companies like to boast about their products' stats ("5 times the cutting power!" or even "5 stars from the 2006 Power Users group"). Make sure that you--and the gear--have some handling to go with the horsepower.
11) Cut Through The Hype - The tech world's branding barrage is meant to entice and distract. Your mission: Ignore it.
10) Be Your Own Gadget Lab - There's no substitute for hands-on testing—in-store or at—home under warranty. It's your final defense against buyer's remorse. [Shop in person, buy online]
9) Gear Should Tutor, Not Torment - If you need an instruction manual, put the thing down. Simple, intuitive design makes products easy to use--now, and in the long run. Rember the old adage, if all else fails, read the manual. Some of this stuff is just too damed complicated for a manual -- sure, all new things have a learning curve, but it should be one step from something you are used to.
8) Seek Out The Secret Spec - There are millions of metrics in the marketplace these days. Find the stats that matter and use them to create consequential comparisons.
7) Splurge Smarter - Treating yourself feels empty if you aren't happy with the treat. Knowing what's worth paying for allows you to spend in all the right places.
6) Adapt Automatically - Tech tools are, by definition, an extension of your body and mind. Your gear should help you adjust to your environment with ease, no matter how extreme. [Think automatic light sensor on a laptop]
5) Beat The Price Cycles - As technology improves, prices drop. That's a nice theory, but the reality is messier. Follow prices shifts and deal at the right time.
4) Protect Your Tech - Good tech should safeguard what matters most--whether it's your brain, bank account, or bandwidth.
Extended warranties (research first) [things like Dell CompleteCare]
3) Tech Should Be Tame - Gadgets need to solve problems, not create them. Start with quality gear, then learn to work with it.
2) Buy To Be a Better Man (or Woman) - What you buy can make you a better person, and how you use it can save the world. Make purchases that lead you to the lifestyle you want to live.
1) Embrace Revolution, Not Evolution - Technology that changes the marketplace, like BluRay and HD-DVD, isn't just a fad. Often it's a radical breakthrough that can radically improve your life.
CNN says "Rock Band hits the right notes for music fans"
From Harmonix, the savvy game developers behind the mega-popular "Guitar Hero" games, comes this ambitious complete band experience, which is best enjoyed with a group of friends -- each tackling a different instrument in front of the same television, or even over the Internet. While at $169.99, it might be out of reach for some gamers, packed into the "Rock Band Special Edition Bundle" is the game, a collapsible drum kit with kick pedal, real drumsticks, a Fender Stratocaster guitar (which also can be used to play bass lines), microphone and reportedly in the Xbox 360 kit, a four-in-one USB hub to plug everything into the game console at the same time. (Not necessary with the PS3 which comes equipped with four USB ports)
You both are music fans, what do you each think of the song selection?
CNN's reviewer gives the game 9.5 stars, I have to agree..."Rock Band" is the ultimate party game, best enjoyed with a group of [musically inclined] friends --or rather those that aspire to be--looking for a great time together. While it might take a few songs to get the hang of the rhythm for newbie players, it's one of the most accessible and enjoyable games I've played in a long time. Music fans, the music soundtrack in "Rock Band" is extraordinary, featuring nearly 60 classic and newer rock songs, mostly from the original bands (unlike many "Guitar Hero" songs, which are remakes by sound-alike artists).
Adding to its replayability, new songs can be downloaded each week for a couple of bucks apiece. These include classics from the Who, the Grateful Dead and Metallica, including a handful of full albums.
Editorial ("Power Up")
How to Find Out if That Special Someone is Being Naughty or Nice Online
Disclaimer: Some of the methods we are covering could be used to obtain private information that could be used to obtain illegal access to accounts that are not owned by the individual accessing them, we must strictly warn you that wire fraud is a serious offense and we do not advocate that behavior. We provide the information from an educational perspective, the goal is to show what can be done and tell you how to protect yourself.
Keystroke Loggers
A keystroke logger does just what it says it does. It captures the keyboard input and logs it to a file. Some keyboard loggers just log the keys typed, while others add the ability to email the log at certain times as well as other features. There are also hardware keystroke loggers that work independently of the operating system.
Hardware
Key Carbon - USB, works on USB keyboards and contains 512K of memory for capturing key strokes. Keystrokes can be recorded on one computer, and retrieved on another
Key Catcher - Plugs into PS2 port based keyboards (the purple plug on the back of the computer). Comes in various sizes including a 4MB size that allows for capturing a large amount of keystrokes. To access the recorded data, you simply type your password in a text editor and the Key Katcher comes to life. A menu is displayed with options to erase data, view data, search data for keywords, change password, or disable the device.
LKL - Linux Key Logger, this application is simple to use and is installable via Ubuntu's application installer
UberKey - Works on any x86 system including Ubuntu. Requires some knowledge of compiling and installing linux applications. This program is not available via Ubuntu's application installer
Setting Up Instant Messaging Applications to log
Most of the Instant Messaging programs allow you to log the conversations you have with others online
Trillian
Google Talk/Jabber
Meebo
Key logging only gets one side of the conversation
See both sides of the conversation.
This can put things in to context.
Next Week: The Power of Information Christmas Specia
"We believe it's important to put our money where our principles are," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. "Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today's wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet."
All applicants had to file by last Monday
FCC will release a public list of eligible bidders after review mid-december
Auction begins Jan 24th and experts believe it could last as long as March 28th
Unfortunately, the information will all be protected under order from the DCC until the bidding is over
NBC's (more specifically Universal's) contract with Apple iTunes Store expired
As a result they have removed much of their content from the iTunes Store
This includes shows like Heroes, The Office, and other popular NBC shows
NBC is currently working on their own digital distribution method that will be windows only
I think that NBC/Universal are making a big mistake in this decision and I think we can expect to see the shows back in the iTunes store before the middle of 2008
Dell agreed to ship PCs and laptops with the Ubuntu operating system after more than 130,000 people promoted the notion on the company's IdeaStorm web site.
Dell has shipped close to 40,000 systems pre-installed with the Ubuntu flavor of Linux, according to multiple sources.
David Lord, a spokesman at Dell, declined to discuss the 40,000 figure, saying the company "does not break out" those types of numbers.
Is 40,000 units over a number of months enough to keep Dell interested?
Your guess is as good as ours. The company does sell about 10m machines per quarter.
It's the hardest geek toy on the planet to find for a reason
Motion controllers are all the rage. Nintendo changed the way games are play like the iPhone changed how people think about cell phones
Plus the virtual console so you can play your old NES, Super NES, and N64 favorites. But don't forget the Genesis and TurboGraFX 16 games that are available as well.
It's like magic, but you don't need to be a magician to get it to work.
The PlasmaCar is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction.
It's so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface.
No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two.
It's quiet too-the only sound you'll hear is the sound of its wheels.
Yes, its adult safe too, 220lb limit on a flat surface
