Show #60

[Download Show #60 as MP3]

News

• JetBlue to introduce wireless in flight email and IM
• Aboard the BetaBlue Airbus A320 @ 10,000+ feet
  
• Why Comcast's rough strech may be good for its 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
• CompUSA Closing its Doors for Good Early 2008
• With the closing of several stores earlier this year, CompUSA is rumored to be closing its doors for good in January of 2008.
• There are currently only 103 stores still remaining in the United States
• Keep an ear out for more information. The last time CompUSA did some store closings, they practically gave things away.
  

Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks

• How to Spot a Fake iPhone and other Knock Off Electronics
• 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.
• Homeowners Insurance (additional coverage certificates)
• 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.

Gamer's Corner

• Rock Band CNN Review
• 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.
  
• Windows
• Windows Keylogger v5.0 (Freeware)
• Automatic screenshots
  
• E-mails log file
• Saves information about the active window
• Back dated encrypted log files
  
• Mac
• Spector ($99.95)
  
• Applications
• Web Sites Visited
• Chat Conversations
• Keystrokes Typed
• Emails Viewed/Sent including Web Email
  
• VCR Style Playback
  
• Linux
• 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