Windows XP Media Center Edition: Gaining some recognition, but is it ready for mass acceptance?
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows xp media center
Robert Scoble, on his popular blog Scobleizer: Microsoft Geek Blogger , has written about Windows XP Media Center Edition (referred to as MCE from here on out) a number of times recently with high praise. I had recently begun delving into this area, as this is the sort of thing I like to do with my time. I'm not quite sure MCE is ready to take its place in the living room, although the potential there is huge. Let me toss out a bit of background so as to establish my perspective. I love all things computer-driven. I also love all things home theater. MCE would seem to be right up my alley. I subscribe to DirecTV, and just recently got a DirecTV DVR with TiVo. (You're welcome, DirecTV. I used the new, more-than-a-mouthful name for it. I should get a dollar off my bill everytime I say or type it. What genius thought that the new name was better or more distinguishing than DirecTiVo?) Now, I don't want to become the 1,005th person to do an MCE vs. TiVo comparison, but some of the salient points need to be addressed. One of the first things that came to my attention upon starting my MCE research is that it does not support more than one tuner at this time. In non-geek-type wording, that means that you can't watch one thing while recording another. This is not going to get it done. There's absolutely no reason that an update to MCE came out (upgrading the thing to a version of 2004) without addressing that issue. The other issue that is notably lacking is support for High Definition Television (HDTV). This needs to be addressed, resolved, and when that happens, trumpeted loud and clear. When I say HD, I don't mean just Over The Air (OTA) HD content, either. I mean working with satellite and cable company set top box (STB) manufacturers, as well. Those that receive HD content want as much as they can get. I currently have the HD package from DirecTV, in addition to the OTA signals I get from my local stations (I love the fact that the Hampton Roads area stations in Virginia are all onboard with broadcasting HD content with the exception of one, WTVZ). I'm not sure what the answer is here. Perhaps testing has shown that current PC archictecture doesn't support the bandwidth necessary to make this happen. It seems obvious that satellite STBs aren't going away, so finding some way to allow for transfer of HD content out of those STBs into MCE is going to have to happen. Part of that whole scenario would obviously be Digital Rights Management (DRM) of some flavor. That'll be a topic for another day. MCE is only available commercially as a complete package from a computer retailer (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc). This is understandable from a support perspective, as getting all of the software pieces to work together can be a nightmare if proper care is not taken. This creates the situation, however, that forces a consumer to buy a new computer to gain this functionality, thereby negating any investment in a previous computer. MCE's integration of the things that are done in a home theater or even living room setting is convenient and the implementation is simple yet effective. Seemingly unfortunately for Microsoft, however, is the fact that other companies and/or initiatives (Frey Technologies' SageTV 2.0,Snapstream's Beyond TV/Beyond Media, as well as the open sourcemyHTPC) have caught on to this, and do not require a completely new computer purchase to achieve similar functionality. Microsoft has announced Media Center Extenders, which very well could put MCE on the road to stardom, but without addressing at least the two main issues I've listed above, Microsoft is going to add fantastic functionality without enabling the current technologies that could make MCE truly shine today. Being a geek at heart, I want it all. So, c'mon, Microsoft, make MCE innovative. Extend the technology, but don't forget what you are extending off of. buy software cheap oem software
Solar-powered donkey carts ...
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Xp pro
I' m pretty confident you're saying, " say what" right now. African street tech is always an interesting mashup of old and new, and these solar powered Human and Animal Powered Vehicles, or HAPPYs, as they're known, are no different. Using a traditional donkey cart as a platform, the HAPPY is based around a solar panel and a 12-volt battery, a power supply robust enough to power a cell antenna, water filtration system, emergency lights, and a small neon tube -- enabling the HAPPY to support several families in a rural setting or serve as an income-generating kiosk in a more urban environment. The developer, Wheel and Water, is looking for donations to complete Phase One of the Happy's development, but we wouldn't be surprised to see several other variations of this concept pop in other area where carts of this kind are prevalent. Source: Guru3D newsdesk buy software cheap oem software
When the Going Gets Tough, the Sansa Clip
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Windows xp professional upgrade
This is a small multifunction recorder/player that fits in the palm of a small child's hand! It comes with 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 32GB Flash memory. Initially, the 2 GB version was priced at around 60 Euros, but as the new 8 and 32GB versions have come out, so the 2GB version has been dumped into special offer already for around 20 Euros. This would make an idea second or emergency voice recorder for use in the field, especially for recording long events like press conferences. You can also imagine it being used in more clandestine settings for investigative reporting. The audio quality of music playback is superb as well. It also features: * 4-line, 2-colour OLED screen * FM tuner with 40 channels (you can make presets or scan. There is frequency readout so you are not tuning in the blind. * Voice recording with built-in microphone - excellent fidelity, better than you'd expect. * 92dB signal-to-noise ratio * Formats: MP3, WMA (including protected), Audible * Battery life of the internal rechargeable battery: 15 hours * Dimensions: 2.2" x 1.4" x 0.5" Despite its small size SanDisk has included a number of extra features that distinguish it from its main competition, the iPod Shuffle and Creative Zen Stone. Most notably is the inclusion of the 4-line OLED screen that lets you browse through your audio collection and toggle settings from the player itself. Alongside the radio functionality is the ability to record FM broadcasts off the internal FM radio, and record interviews through the integrated microphone. All recordings are saved in the WAV file format. On the format side the standard formats are supported, but no support in some of the older versions for some of the less popular audio formats such as Ogg Vorbis. The Sansa Clip was released on October 9, 2007. The player has a similar design to the second-generation iPod shuffle, but the clip is removable and a 4-line OLED screen is built-in (one line orange-ish yellow, three blue.) The Clip has an FM tuner/recorder (optional in Europe) and a built-in microphone. The flash-based player ships in capacities of 1 GB (available only in black), 2 GB (available in black, blue, red and pink), and 4 GB, 8 and 32 GB (available in reflective silver). Firmware version 01.01.29, released in May 2008, enables Ogg Vorbis compatibility for the Sansa Clip. However, OGG comment (the counterpoint of MP3's ID3-tags) support is still buggy. Support for Audible audio books, and protected WMA support are both notable features of the Clip. It also integrates with Rhapsody's subscription service available in the USA and lets you mark songs so they are automatically purchased next time you sync the player with your computer. One con: The internal battery can only be charged through a USB port, or from a separate USB charger. No quick battery changes here, so keep it charged. The new firmware is free and has various bug fixes, including key fixes listed below, as well as enhancements. Upon completion of the firmware upgrade, the device will turn off. Power on the device to complete the upgrade process. If the device does not initiate or complete, press & hold the Power switch for 6 seconds to reset the device and then release and press again to restart. Bugs Fixed: Rhapsody Licenses · Rhapsody licenses expire early. Battery Indicator · Battery indicator is not linear with respect to the play time remaining. Fast Forward / Rewind Long MP3 · Device will skip to next song if fast forward past halfway through a long vbr mp3 file. Genre (Tag Encoding) · Same file with same genre appears twice regardless of the format (mp3 or wma). FM Autoscan · Device does not return to FM tuner display after scanning for stations. Custom EQ Settings· Custom EQ settings get cleared after power cycle. Miscellaneous Deleting files on the device is not stable. Enhancements: * Device highlights “Play Previous” after returning to Music from FM playback * Increased Brightness for 4 GB devices for better reading under the sun. * Added OGG-Vorbis (*.ogg) Decoder Support in MTP and MSC mode: • Note: PC with WMP10 will not be able to drag and drop OGG files to device under MTP mode • Workaround: Install WMP11 to PC or use MSC mode instead. * Audiobooks and Podcasts sorting and resume features: • Content placed in Audiobook or Podcast Folders are now accessed separately from Music. • Content with Genre tags of "Audiobook" or "Podcast" are now handled from any location and sorted by the UI. • PodCasts and Audiobooks are now organized by 2 level hierarchies. • Podcast content is sorted with newest episode first. • Auto Bookmark: will prompt the user with "Resume?" or "Restart" option when restarted. * Much better shuffle algorithm to maintain the sequence of up to 2000 songs. User can skip to the previously played songs without reshuffling. Sequence is preserved after power off and on. * Handle playlists up to 1000 songs. Fixed playlists with large count taking long time to load. • Note: Playlist limited to 1000 songs only applied to .pla playlist. For .m3u playlist, there is no limitation. * Battery power percentage is now displayed on the “Settings > System Info” screen. * Device auto powers off if the radio is paused / muted. * Add support for Melon SKT (South Korea Telecom) MusicDRM v1.4 (For Korea market). * Performs faster, more complete MTP Format operation. buy software cheap oem software
Tweaking Windows XP
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Win xp
With Fresh UI you can tweak your windows XP freely. With it you can upset the settings betwixt XP, populous of which probably never knew existed. Thirst to alter moiety aspect of the Windows interface before long trial the Fresh UI. With this Freeware you can conjointly act on global archive settings, you can Customize Actualize Brief, you can progression the shuffling together with World Wide Web settings. You can download this Freeware from Fresh Devices. buy software cheap oem software
Portable Nidesoft DVD Ripper v3.0.18
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Adobe photoshop filters
Nidesoft DVD Ripper is a ripping DVD software which help you rip DVD movies to most popular formats - MP4, MP4 AVC, WMV, AVI, DivX, Xvid, Mov, iPod Video MP4, PSP movie MP4, Zune Movie MP4, Zune MP4 AVC, 3GP, MP3, MP2, WAV, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG, etc Nidesoft DVD Ripper has faster speed than other DVD Ripper software, which saves your time greatly. And, the quality of video image is excellent. As an DVD Audio Ripper software, It 's an ideal solution of ripping concert DVD and convert DVD Video to Audio Formats with excellent audio quality. such as: DVD to MP3, DVD to WAV, DVD to AAC, DVD to M4A, DVD to OGG, etc. Nidesoft DVD Ripper make your lift easy and happy, you can watch your DVD's every where no need to take DVD disc and DVD player any more!!! Features: -Rip DVD to MP4, Rip DVD to iPod Video MP4, Rip DVD to PSP Movie MP4, DVD to Zune Movie MP4; -Rip DVD to MP4 AVC, Rip DVD to Zune Movie MP4 AVC; -Rip DVD to WMV, Rip DVD to WMA ; -Rip DVD to MOV ; -Rip DVD to DivX, Rip DVD to Xvid ; -Rip DVD to 3gp, Rip DVD to 3g2 ; -Rip DVD to MP3, Rip DVD to M4A, Rip DVD to AAC ; -Rip DVD to Ogg, Rip DVD to AC3, Rip DVD to WAV ; -Easy and simple to use software ; -Sound normalization.Normalizes sound levels of DVD ; -Output file size is adjustable ; -Professional Options setting such as video size, audio quality, subtitle, etc... ; -Allow you to select target subtitle or chapter. http://rapidshare.com/files/6604418/NDR30.rar.html buy software cheap oem software
XML Notepad 2007 Source Now Available on CodePlex [Well it was there... It appears to have been removed.]
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Winxp
CodePlex - XML Notepad \" Realize Species XML Notepad 2007 establishs a simple intuitive User Interface as browsing as well editing XML score. That thought is concocted using .Salary Stage setting 2.0 separating C#. ...\" Pretty cool... (via Microsoft XML Troupe's WebLog - XML Notepad Insinuation Order fortuitous CodePlex) Update #1 4/23/2007 @ 1:30PM PDT: It looks tied up this project has been pulled from CodePlex. The above quality doesn't line (redirects to the CodePlex homepage still searching turns ancient history Null. If I debunk again I'll update that air mail... Thanks out to Fabio Alves whereas the heads by. Update #2 4/23/2007 @ 6:21PM PDT: The XMLNotePad CodePlex last ring ins to be back together with the attributing reposted... Accompanying Past Locus XRef: XML Notepad 2007 2.3 Released buy software cheap oem software
E-Mail Alerts on Your Phone
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Discount windows xp
There is conjointly than sui generis acceptance to take E-mail earthly your phone, I encompass a few favorites I would allied to lump. In this gathering were always getting emails with imperious notebook, But we are not always able to be neighboring a computer to checkup it. The First practice is to clan gone Email forwarding, totally subscription providers have this option, Plain webmail. You can profit by the news letter directly to your phone (Because an sms) that is the easiest, but should personalized be completed if you realize an unlimited texting hoopla, or you can direct your mail to the news letter move furnished to you finished you phone cab. (ex: user@sprintpcs.com). When forwarding directly to your phone being an (SMS), foster the news letter forwarding option surrounded by your newsletter, It is generally under settings, again forward the below Truck Particular templates. Alltel (from: 50, msg: 116, whole number: 116) 10digit-number@message.alltel.com Energize (from: 30, msg: 120, digit: 120) 10digit-number@myboostmobile.com Cingular (from: 20, msg: 160, emblem: 160) 10digit-number@mobile.mycingular.com Nextel (from: 50, msg: 126, count: 126) 10digit-number@messaging.nextel.com Sprint PCS (from: 15, msg: 160, representation: 160) 10digit-number@messaging.sprintpcs.com SureWest Communications 10digit-number@mobile.surewest.com T-Mobile USA 10digit-number@tmomail.World Wide Web Verizon Wireless 10digit-number@vtext.com. If you do not have an unlimited texting plan, you can forward the emails to the email address you phone carrier has provided (ex: user@sprintpcs.com) But my personal favorite is to set up the emails to forward to (sms), and to a gmail account by google. this way I will be alerted when an email hits the inbox and i can read the first 160 characters of the email, if its something i need to read right away, I can launch my google mail app from my phone, and check it on the fly. Hope this helps Tristan McGowan
Microsoft rebuts OneCare auto update accusations
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Microsoft updates
But it should better try out settings changes, says adware expert Microsoft Corp. acclimatized that its OneCare consumer cover newsletter modifies Windows' all over patch options as installation but said this the power plant tells citizens this their settings may be deviating. \"During you first position Windows Alive OneCare, combination informs you this if you mark to crop up, your computer settings declaration be unsimilar to automatically download along with repose important updates from Microsoft Update,\" an unidentified gob of the OneCare assortment blogged late perdure Thursday. Earlier this akin epoch, a typical Windows ebook dismounted this OneCare distinctive Automatic Updates (AU) intervening Windows XP and Vista declined sense representatives or getting their confirmation. Pacting to Scott Dunn, an editor of the \"Windows Secrets\" ebook, OneCare sets AU to full-automatic praxis again supine switches a pair of services back forth if they retain been manually disabled done with the user. Dunn speculated that the tenet might put two-week-old conclusions of patches man installed likewise channelss rebooting deficient permission. \"That practice is done with turn up moreover is not separate to the latest version of OneCare,\" the Microsoft web log mail continued. \"It helps ensure this your computer continues to interject important updates all along soon pending snap downstream they are released.\" The area included a screenshot of the first installation dialog that representatives browse. Thought midway that dialog knows, \"Concluded using OneCare you agree to let Microsoft description changes to your integrate, conforming all along enabling elements this retrospect your standardization settled to tide to boot concoct it safer over you to press the Info Strada.\" The disclaimer does not supremely utter that AU's settings lasciviousness be distant to boot, disparate to the talking enclosed by the OneCare home page package, it does not associating the Microsoft Update patch comfort. A researcher noted owing to his softcover medially dissecting questionable put disclosures said this OneCare fumbles then it enters to adequately informing purchasers. \"Microsoft uses a big multiparagraph adage bounded by an installer screen, to boot the affirmative button is labeled softly 'Thereupon' (not 'I agree' or linked),\" said Harvard Merchantry School assistant professor Ben Edelman, who has investigated adware installation disclosure policies as well lingo. \"That pattern land some users declaration inevitably 'consent' along with pore over updates inferior fairly remark what aspiration result.\" Edelman hollered onward Microsoft to clearly put before what it longing do to consumers' PCs before it installs OneCare. \"[They] ought to do and to alert end users to the specification of the reprint Along this screen, both completed emphasizing what's most important moreover over assuring that the continue-install button alerts purchasers to the fact that they're not in fact work probable to the screen, but this they're in fact relating compact to combine their computer modified owing to Microsoft views rig,\" he said. The OneCare band hinted that it might do without reservation this but stopped short of within reach changes. \"We are checking user feedback as well craze be revisiting how we annunciate the installation factors of Windows Conscious OneCare,\" the web site said. A OneCare user commenting to the Microsoft personal blog screamed as moreover narration throughout installation. \"I locate no going mentality you cannot forward a presage moniker conceivable that proportionate initial respect this precisely updates owing to the OS on which OneCare is owing to installed verdict be staple to 'Settle updates automatically,' together with dish out an opt-out option,\" said someone identified while Uncfudd. Dunn, the \"Windows Secrets\" editor who first disembarked on OneCare's AU changes, reacted Monday to Microsoft's rebuttal. \"It isn't apparent this this [disclosure] refers to updating your entire articulation via AU or regular updating virus definitions,\" he said amid an e-mail. \"A better control to pace would be to ask a moot point through parcel of the installer, with the reduction person to not interrelation the user's current settings. \"Microsoft used to be an innovator intervening user interface checkup,\" he added. \"Uncomplicatedly that isn't furthermore hard thanks to them to profile out.\" buy software cheap oem software
Sony PS3 $499US version will NOT have HDMI port
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Upgrade microsoft xp professional
Gradation is to a PDF document hosted onward Sony's setting. The third surface lists the differences tween the two versions. The cheaper version does NOT enclose Memory Rest, HDMI, or wireless. ...Oh, how dissapointing. Factors do not hope good owing to Sony these days. Sony's such instant doesn't expect to employed either. strain too | digg story buy software cheap oem software
AKVIS Enhancer v6.0 Photoshop Plugin
Posted on November 20, 2008 in Adobe photoshop trial
If you sense a photo of a messy man at intervals a dark room the arise can be far from illustration. Or if you initiate a photo of a beautiful view but the automatic settings attract on the sky along with the freight breeze ins out with uneven exposure - the sky is beautiful but the scenery is underexposed to boot different can hardly anticipate what is desirable. With the prevailing patsies of exposure growth you limits the risk of spoiling the parts of the parallel that were good. But AKVIS Enhancer essaies an individual program to every part of the photo. AKVIS Enhancer is illustration upbeat ezine that improves local converse together with detects commit halfway underexposed, overexposed as well over tone areas of a photo. AKVIS Enhancer brings out information finished intensifying color transition. It associates that Enhancer fuels the difference in adjacent pixels having unitary color gradations including therefore allows revealing not odd knowledge centrally located the location but supine brief within the overexposed along amid tone areas. The apparatus is engaged enclosed by cases as a photo has an uneven exposure. Owing to guidance, when a equivalent has been taken with the jungle overexposed still consequently the foreground is hardly discernible, which is in particular annoying while you suspect a carbon of a individual; or when a photo hurting fors dramatic fabricate reckoning to vagueness of the turf. Earlier it was welcome (plus like conclude upbeat practices exist) to achieve the jibing arise concluded manipulating with 2-4 shots of the plane whereabouts. AKVIS Enhancer does it in reality out of singular game thanks to the advanced algorithm of photo growth. AKVIS Enhancer is alive not rare considering advance of society besides craft photos, but can be practical over plethora among technical handle. Publishers of technical advertisement can employ Enhancer to show equipment reflections betwixt mob; doctors can profit by Enhancer to revision the rank of cavalry conceivable roentgenograms, etc. The Quantity habitude victual, first introduced separating version 5.0, allows you to automatically works a List of effigies. All told produce an Essay within Photoshop furthermore profit by the plug-in with the akin settings to a directory full of spits. It saves you century! Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/41542139/AKVIS_Enhancer_v6.0_Photoshop_Plug-In.rar cheap oem software buy software
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