tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-181081602024-03-23T14:24:27.329-04:00ALTT ~ All Things TechYou'll find any thing in technology that I find of interest. Posts will may range from Mac's and PC's to how technology can be used in education. I see this blog as an outlet for me to post news, reviews, gadget info, and website information that is useful to me and hopefully to you my reader.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-40841955534666419132014-04-16T00:18:00.001-04:002014-04-16T00:18:15.466-04:00Police Respond to Emergency Call from ‘Heavy Breather’ Who Ends Up Being a Dog<div>TIME » Sections » Newsfeed Samantha Grossman <p>When authorities in Buckinghamshire, England, received a mysterious 999 call from a heavy breather, they arrived at the scene expecting an emergency, since that's usually how things work.</p> <p>But there was no emergency, and the heavy-breathing caller turned out to be a dog who'd stolen his owner's phone, the BBC <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-27026260">reports</a>.</p> <p>"Thames Valley Police arrived and said they'd heard heavy breathing and didn't know what our emergency was," said the pooch's owner, Mary Amos-Cole.</p> <aside></aside><aside><div></div></aside><p>Apparently, police already knew the dog — a two-year-old Belgian Malinois named Leighton — because he has set off Amos-Cole's burglar alarm several times by tearing around the house. So clearly he has a crush on one (or several) of the police officers and keeps doing things to try and get them to come around more often.</p><img height="1" alt="" width="1" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=time.com&blog=1359921&post=63418&subd=timedotcom&ref=&feed=1" border="0"> <a href="http://time.com/63418/999-emergency-call-dog/">http://time.com/63418/999-emergency-call-dog/</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-38097811714438214352014-04-16T00:12:00.001-04:002014-04-16T00:12:15.571-04:00Picks from MBW 398: The Police Pursuit Package<div>MBW Picks mayson <p><strong>Hardware & software:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Office365 Personal</strong> at <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/compare-microsoft-office-products-FX104165233.aspx?WT%2Eintid1=ODC%5FENUS%5FFX101785584%5FXT104187042">http://office.microsoft.com</a> for $6.99/month from Leo Laporte.</li> <li><strong>FireRecord</strong> at <a href="http://www.ammesset.com/firerecord.html">http://www.ammesset.com</a> for free from Andy Ihnatko.</li> <li><strong>Handbrake</strong> at <a href="http://handbrake.fr">http://handbrake.fr</a> for free from Andy Ihnatko.</li> <li><strong>VLC for Mac</strong> at <a href="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html">http://www.videolan.org</a> for free from Andy Ihnatko.</li> <li><strong><a target="itunes_store" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screens-vnc-access-your-computer/id655890150?mt=8&uo=4&at=11laQn">Screens VNC – Access Your Computer Remotely – Edovia Inc.</a> </strong>(for iOS) for $19.99 from Rene Ritchie.</li> <li><strong><a target="itunes_store" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screens-vnc-access-your-computer/id446107677?mt=12&uo=4&at=11laQn">Screens VNC – Access Your Computer From Anywhere – Edovia Inc.</a></strong> (app store) for $34.99 from Rene Ritchie.</li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <img height="1" width="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mbwpicks/~4/kmb590BA_Ho"> <a href="http://www.mbwpicks.com/2014/04/15/picks-from-mbw-398-the-police-pursuit-package/">http://www.mbwpicks.com/2014/04/15/picks-from-mbw-398-the-police-pursuit-package/</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-64232548806718547332014-04-02T23:10:00.001-04:002014-04-15T23:29:04.223-04:00Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<img src="http://bit.ly/1loOQiq" height="225" width="400" /><br />
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When humans are hot, we sweat. Elephants, however, cannot sweat like we do. So how do they regulate their body temperature? Elephants are huge, which means they produce a lot of body heat.<br />
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from Pocket http://bit.ly/1fwTkSL<br />
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via <a href="http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ">IFTTT</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-85494713468123755202014-04-02T00:16:00.003-04:002014-04-02T00:16:07.790-04:007 Wonderful iPad Apps to Learn about Human Body in 3D ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1oojT2n'/><br/><br /><br/><br />Technology has radically revolutionized the human science and provided us with profound insights that were not knowable to us before. It has also cracked the dark secrets of some key scientific concepts that mystified the human mind since the dawn of time.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1lmEO1k<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-14075814593000040642014-04-02T00:16:00.001-04:002014-04-02T00:16:06.480-04:00The Best Online Resources For Learning About The Gettysburg Address<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1oojT2g'/><br/><br /><br/><br />November 19th will mark the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln delivering The Gettysburg Address. I’ve got to start off with the Smithsonian’s terrific interactive on the Address.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1lmEQGj<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-60859469064580362372014-04-01T23:36:00.011-04:002014-04-01T23:36:54.111-04:00Top 20 Sites-Apps for Creating Timelines<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1kqJS32'/><br/><br /><br/><br />A while back I created a list of top 10 sites for creating timelines. Well, since that time mobile learning has really integrated into education and apps have been developed to accomplish this task. I've created a new list combined w/ apps & sites that are ideal for creating timelines.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1jyAGvc<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-54636847938270231382014-04-01T23:36:00.009-04:002014-04-01T23:36:49.696-04:00Yellowstone Volcano Eruption in 2014? Are Animals Are Fleeing Park As ‘An Alert’?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1kqJUrQ'/><br/><br /><br/><br />A number of bloggers are posting videos that show bison and other animals allegedly leaving Yellowstone National Park, prompting theories that as earthquakes ramp up the seismic activity will set off the Yellowstone supervolcano.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1jyAGeE<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-29295689891074632592014-04-01T23:36:00.007-04:002014-04-01T23:36:47.226-04:004 Powerful Chrome Apps for Teaching Students to Type Fast ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1kqJRfJ'/><br/><br /><br/><br />March , 2014 Looking for some powerful apps to help your kids and students type fast? The selection below features some of the most popular typing apps in Chrome app store. As usual I only picked what I think are relevant for an educational context such as the classroom.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1jyAFY7<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-3325904194634738312014-04-01T23:36:00.005-04:002014-04-01T23:36:43.974-04:00Khan Academy to Offer Free SAT Prep<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://ift.tt/J6slhT'/><br/><br /><br/><br />Last week, the College Board announced not only that the SAT will be redesigned for 2016, but that it has formed a partnership with Khan Academy to offer free SAT prep materials.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1jyADPN<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-28575192633975518152014-04-01T23:36:00.003-04:002014-04-01T23:36:42.179-04:0010 Ancient Civilizations That History Forgot<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1kqJTEe'/><br/><br /><br/><br />Much like Isaac Newton imagined when he gave his famous “shoulders of giants” quote, our modern civilizations owe a great deal to those which came before us.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1jyAFqR<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-75651360463896089142014-04-01T23:36:00.001-04:002014-04-01T23:36:37.356-04:0081 Interesting Ways to Use Google Forms to Support Learning<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://bit.ly/1jyAD2t'/><br/><br /><br/><br />OK, so I’m a Google Girl. I own it. And I’m proud of it. And that’s because of the wide range of educational tools that this tech giant provides—free of charge—for teachers and students. Plus, Google is my go-to tool personally as well.<br/><br /><br/><br />from Pocket http://bit.ly/1kqJT7e<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyADiJ'>IFTTT</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-24452185536193761772009-06-05T14:36:00.002-04:002009-06-05T14:43:09.410-04:00Homemade Skyline-like ChiliWhile cooking is not a Tech post being able to post a recipe via an application is somewhat techie. With the help of Souschef for the Mac I was able to post this recipe to my blog.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy one of my favorite recipes.<br /><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(34, 34, 34); margin: 1px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue","Lucida Grande",Helvetica,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: white;">Skyline-Like Chili<br />Ingredients<div style="margin: 5px;"><ol style="font-size: 12px;"><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">2 lbs ground beef</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">3 cups water</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 (15 oz) can Tomato sauce</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 onion, chopped</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 ½ tsp vinegar</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 tsp Worcestershire sauce</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">2 bay leaves</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 ½ tsp salt</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 ½ tsp ground allspice</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">¼ tsp garlic powder</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">2 tsp cumin</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">1 tbsp chili powder</li><li style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: outside; list-style-image: none;">½ tsp crushed red pepper</li></ol></div><h2 face=""" size="14px" style="margin: 5px;">Directions</h2><h2 style="margin: 5px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue","Lucida Grande",Helvetica,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><blockquote></blockquote>Mix ground beef and water until soupy. Mix in other ingredients and simmer, uncovered 3 hours. Stir occasionally. 8 servings</span></h2><div style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); border-width: 1px 0px 0px; margin: 10px 5px 5px; padding: 10px 20px 4px; font-style: italic; font-size: 12px;">Search, share, and cook your recipes on Mac OS X with <a href="http://acaciatreesoftware.com/souschef/" style="color: rgb(0, 116, 191);">SousChef</a>!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-40949698509573196472009-03-30T11:15:00.003-04:002009-03-30T11:25:04.015-04:00PC User Questions - The Cloud?I had a normal PC user (a non-geek, a user) today asked me today, "What is this cloud thing?" So I choose to keep my definition as simple as possible and emphasized the functionality of how he already is using it from Google Docs and Email to buying his ammo online. It seems to me that the cloud is a gathering of information (data) and the online applications (e.g. Google docs) we use to understand and manipulate that information.<br /><br />One Geek (<a href="http://alexbarnett.net/blog/archive/2007/04/04/what-is-the-internet-cloud_3F00_.aspx">Alex Barrent</a>) put it this way.<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">The Internet cloud, where the distributed and programmable network of services across the globe will serve all the data, resources and functionality we will ever use.</blockquote>While it is a complicated statement it seems to sum it up in one sentence.<br /><br />How would you define the 'Internet Cloud' as a technical term and for your end users?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-16399937590245213852009-02-20T15:19:00.009-05:002009-02-24T09:08:25.662-05:00An "Open Letter" to all IT Departments<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The following is a sample letter many end users have wanted to send into their IT department, but have not had the courage too. All names and location info has been changed to protect the lives of the not so innocent.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> This work was used with permission from it's creator.</span><br /><br />Mr. IT Director, Mr. Student IT Network Tech, and Mr. Aspiring Programmer IT Network Tech<br /><br />First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all you and your web lackeys do for our institution. Your dedication and expertise is renowned throughout the Rust Belt. News of your greatness has even approached the fingerlike region of NY.<br /><br />I have a complaint however that I must bring to your attention. I was just informed yesterday that my password was going to expire. Simply put, why do I need 14 days warning that my password is going to expire. Seriously, brain surgeons put less thought into a frontal lobotomy then I do with my password. There are few things in life that need a 14 day warning. Historically, D-Day was planned in 13 days, Rome was built in 5 days, and even God created the world in 6 days. 14 days may be a bit of an extreme warning period. When the USA went into Iraq in Operation Desert Storm we gave the Iraq people a 7 day warning and that was before we took over their country.<br /><br />I would implore you Mr. IT Director to reconsider your complexity requirements as well. I am asked to not use the same password that I have used within the past 600 passwords. That places me well into the year 2025 before I could even consider using my password of choice “ilovebunnies17”. Of course, with your established complexity requirements “ilovebunnies17” would not qualify because it does not have 1 capital letter, 4 tilde key strokes, 2 ancient hieroglyphics, one sample of blood from my first born child, and a hair sample from a Mr. Clean. The hair sample is, to say the least, impossible. I must say that I am flattered you are so concerned about my Free Cell high score and illegal music downloads to force this unneeded protection upon me. What’s the big deal? If someone “breaks” into my computer and beats my high score I feel that I could re-obtain it with ease…seeing I have nothing to do during the work day.<br /><br />Please accept my advice and improve the system. The people can only handle this oppression for so long. On the day that I choose to change my password I have zero productivity due to the hours of thought and preparation it requires. Is there anything we could do in order to “dumb down” the system for those who struggle with hieroglyphics?<br /><br />Thank you for your continued support,<br /><br />Diffie Hellman SOCKS<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-72895416596219248422009-02-18T09:15:00.003-05:002009-02-18T09:20:32.006-05:00Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill Giveaway<a href="http://biblestudymagazine.com/driscoll/"><em>Bible Study Magazine</em></a> and Mars Hill are teaming up to give away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, <a href="http://relit.org/vintagechurch/"><em>Vintage Church</em></a>. But that’s not all. We’ve also decided to give away five (5) one-year subscriptions to <em>Bible Study Magazine</em> and a copy of <a href="http://www.logos.com/biblestudy">Bible Study Library</a> from Logos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblestudymagazine.com/christian"><img src="http://www.biblestudymagazine.com/ads/banners/Driscoll_125x125.gif" alt="Click here to subscribe to Bible Study Magazine!" border="0" height="125" width="125" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-108503773508700632009-02-12T11:49:00.004-05:002009-02-12T11:58:46.131-05:00Clean Comedy Night in Scranton, PAHere is a plug for my son's school. They are having a Comedy Night fundraiser. So if you are in Scranton on March 7th com on by. Read on for details.<br /><br />Want a fun night out? Want a fun night out? Join me for Clean Comedy Night benefiting The Geneva School (<a href="http://www.geneva-school.org/">geneva-school.org</a>), a classical Christian school located in Olyphant, PA . The event features three standup comedians in a night that is sure to tickle your funny bone!<br /><br />The event is scheduled for Saturday March 7th, 2009 at the Electric Theater in downtown Scranton at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. This intimate 150-seat theater most likely will sell out, so don’t wait! .<br /><br />Performing that evening will be:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andy Pitz</span> as the headliner. As one of New York City’s most respected comics, Andy appears regularly at New York’s best clubs including The World Famous Comic Strip Live, The Gotham Comedy Club, and Dangerfield’s. He has also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brad Todd</span> as the feature act. Brad has earned a reputation in the standup comedy world as one of the fastest rising clean comics in the Northeast. His clean, clever approach to comedy is enjoyed by audiences of both comedy clubs and churches, alike.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Klusmeyer</span> as the Master of Ceremonies<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>. Tony has performed hundreds of shows entertaining thousands of people in a variety of venues including comedy clubs, churches, and corporations.</li></ul> Tickets can be purchased by calling TGS at 570-489-7620.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-69602660331586574432009-02-08T00:43:00.009-05:002009-02-08T01:10:47.994-05:00iPod Touch Tip: Screenshots<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Have you ever wanted to take a screenshot of your iPod Touch? I </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">have and here's how...</span></span><a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_odDTzldR6oYLVkw-WjsKksFBKnoD__q79o-6W7QVMd_p0VJvgm424TEmDFegc4XKZ96Rsoscnhqh7N4z1jo6AqCuPeoVFdBXXZqO0kZGB9cIZYdTvg7a1Bd9OKKoPjNYFPBl/s1600-h/IMG_0004.PNG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_odDTzldR6oYLVkw-WjsKksFBKnoD__q79o-6W7QVMd_p0VJvgm424TEmDFegc4XKZ96Rsoscnhqh7N4z1jo6AqCuPeoVFdBXXZqO0kZGB9cIZYdTvg7a1Bd9OKKoPjNYFPBl/s320/IMG_0004.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300302213586756130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Press and hold the power button </span></span><a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpQfWYyDRApB_Lz_gnPORMEcEJtc5vW463OEulnbNk8uTRunk0MNjmpbyXsUj_ANmK7DmgfQzx7jZYC1Bvb9T8kEqAWIJVuRAA7mZ2j4T7aizkRht8jR3e_i1ADvQ9T_hbSaX/s1600-h/IMG_000f.PNG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpQfWYyDRApB_Lz_gnPORMEcEJtc5vW463OEulnbNk8uTRunk0MNjmpbyXsUj_ANmK7DmgfQzx7jZYC1Bvb9T8kEqAWIJVuRAA7mZ2j4T7aizkRht8jR3e_i1ADvQ9T_hbSaX/s320/IMG_000f.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300302385141325042" border="0" /></a><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">and then momentarily press the home button. Your screen should flash and then your </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">screenshot will be saved in the "Save Photos" folder of your photo application.<br /></span></span><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">From here you can send it out via your iPod or import it into </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">iPhoto on your Mac.<br /><br />I would imagine this works on </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">the iPhone as well, but since I do </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">not have one I cannot test it. Now anyone wanting to send me an iPhone can do so and then I will test this tip and any others I come across.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Why not send a screenshot of your homepage or favorite app to </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">your blog or a friend. You could even make a Tweet of it.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">This tip was originally found here <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5vdhks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5vdhks.</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-63526445566994300752009-01-27T01:01:00.002-05:002009-01-27T01:08:38.851-05:00Twitterfeed Test<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://twitterfeed.com"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="http://twitterfeed.com/images/twitterfeed.png?1211998695" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Just signed up this blog with Twitterfeed. Twitterfeed is a service designed to twitter your blog posts automatically to the twitter account of your choice. So let's see if this will work.<br /><br />You can visit their site <a href="http://twitterfeed.com">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-46077690476861081092008-05-01T20:56:00.006-04:002008-05-01T22:29:27.753-04:00MacBook iSight Goes Green<div style="text-align: justify;">Have you ever had a computer issue that drives you nuts. Well, I have one staring me rate in the face as I type this post out. The iSight camera on my new Intel MacBook will not turn off. The green light will not go off, even after a reboot. Not only will the light not go out none of my apps that can use the camera can gain access to it. It's like the camera is connected to something, but nothing.<br /><br />The first time this occured I spent an hour or more surfing Apple support pages, the blogosphere, forums, and Usenet groups. I changed the syntax of my searches numeros times and checked the net again and again. Google and I spent a lot of time together. Then I stumbled upon an Apple support page related to anomalies with your hardware. Here I learned that I needed to <a href="http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319">reset the System Management Controller (SMC)</a>. So I have it a try and it worked.<br /><blockquote>Over time, the settings in the System Management Controller may become unusable, which can result in operational anomalies with the computer. Examples include not turning on, not waking from sleep, not charging the battery, or not recognizing the AC Adapter, among others.</blockquote>Since this is the third or fourth time this has happened to me I thought it best to leave a post on the net describing my issue and the fix. You'll find that information below as well as two links to the actual Apple support pages I found on reseting hardware anomalies. Hopefully others who are having this same issue will spend less time than I did finding help.<br /><br />Do you have a MacBook? Have you had any odd issues? If so, leave me a comment.<br /><br /><a href="http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449">Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319">Resetting an Intel Apple portable's System Management Controller (SMC)</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MacBook, MacBook Pro</span><br /><ol><li>If the computer is on, turn it off.</li><li>Disconnect the AC Adapter and remove the computer's battery.</li><li>Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.</li><li>Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.</li><li>Press the Power button to restart the computer.</li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">MacBook Air</span><br /><ol><li>If the MacBook Air is on, turn it off.</li><li>Connect the power adaptor to a working power source.</li><li>On the MacBook Air keyboard, press (left) Shift-Control-Option along with the power button once<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note</span>: You must use the keys on the left side of the MacBook Air keyboard.</li><li>Wait 5 seconds and press the power button to start the MacBook Air.<br /></li></ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-49919264373343498592007-04-21T13:41:00.000-04:002007-04-21T15:53:53.939-04:00Instant Messaging ToolsIt has been ages since my last blog, but today I break the silence to tell you about two IM (Instant Message) services I find thrilling.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >MEEBO - an all-in-one IM web client </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > <a target="_blank" href="http://www.meebo.com/"><img src="http://www.gomeebo.com/buttons/gomeebo-1.gif" border="0" /></a></span><br />The first service <a href="http://www.meebo.com/">Meebo</a> is a tool I think many users will find useful. Meebo is an online IM webbased client that has three features I believe to be exteremely useful.<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">A web based service</span> - this means that you do not have to install any IM software on your computer (MAC, PC, or LINUX) to IM your friends. So say you visit the Abington Library or the Underground Cafe and want to IM your friends. Just log into Meebo and IM your friends away.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Supports 6 IM clients</span> (protocols) - so you can talk with your friends who use AIM, MSN, Yahoo, GTalk, Jabber, or ICQ all at the same time. I have been looking for an all-in-one client for years that was stable. I have tried Trilliam, Gaim, Adium, and even Miranda. All have left me wishing for more either due to the interface or because they continually crash. I am hopeful that this client will change all of that.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">A client for your website</span> - Meebo Me! is a service they offer so that you can provide an IM client on your own website. Just look to the right of this column and you will see the IM client for ALTT. If I am logged into Meebo I'll recieve IMs from you and everyone else who IMs me.<br /></li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >OpenFire - your own IM server <a href="http://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/openfire/"><img src="http://www.igniterealtime.org/images/button-openfire-88x30.gif" alt="Openfire RTC Server" border="0" /><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/openfire/index.jsp">OpenFire</a> on the other hand will probably be more of a geeks tool, but I can imagine some creative visionaries seeing opportunity when it knocks. What we have here is an open source server application that will enable you to manage your own IM server from your home or your online server. OpenFire comes in two flavors free and Enterprise and will run on normal or server versions of Windows, Linux, or MAC. I recommend beginning with the free version since the Enterprise is only a plugin upgrade of the free version and the additional features come at a cost. For this review I an using the free version.<br /><br />According to their site "Openfire is incredibly easy to setup and administer, but offers rock-solid security and performance." I can vouch for the ease of the setup on the Windows platform. All that was involved was running the installer. Once that was run I visited the administration console and it walked me through an extremely easy setup. The only manual part of the setup was my configuration of my Firewalls for OpenFire to communicate with external IM clients. Other wise I would only have been able to chat within my home network.<br /><br />Free version features...<br /><ul><li>IM Gateway for talking with third party IM software (e.g. AIM, MSN, etc...)</li><li>Group or conference chats</li><li>Open registration for accounts or administrator control</li><li>LDAP connections</li><li>Database can be internal (apart of the app) or external (e.g. mysql)</li><li>Language translation with their own client, <a href="http://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/spark/index.jsp">Spark</a></li><li>IM server to server communication for talking to other jabber (xmpp) IM servers</li><li>Supports SSL</li><li>Offline message retention</li><li>Option for client storage on the server so they can have roaming profiles</li><li>FTP ability</li><li>Media Proxy for when peer to peer connections fail</li><li>VoIP ability</li></ul>Enterprise Version Features (<a href="http://www.jivesoftware.com/products/openfire/featuretour.jsp">view a full feature list here</a>)...<br /><ul><li><span class="jive-enterprise-info"></span><br /></li><li>Reporting: What manager wouldn't love graphs like the one pictured to the right?</li> <li>Advanced VoIP: Integrate with your corporate phone system to place and receive SIP phone calls from inside Spark.</li> <li>Browser-based IM Client: Use the AJAX-based SparkWeb client on any web browser.</li> <li>Client Control: Stop the client madness -- take control of versions, features and more.</li> <li>Archiving: If "compliance" is a word your organization uses, you need this feature.</li> <li>Customer Chat: Add click-to-chat to your website to generate leads, close sales, route questions -- your sales and support people will love this feature.</li> <li>Support. Professional support by the hard-working and friendly Jive Software team.</li> </ul>Both Meebo and OpenFire with Spark intrigue my curiosity and I hope to see both of these products and companies go far.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-1147198172445077512006-05-09T13:53:00.000-04:002006-05-09T14:11:57.750-04:00USB Thumbdrive Wear OutSeems like an eternity since my last post. Life has been busy for me, but I thought this article on USB and Media Flash Drives was important enough for me to come out of hiding.<br /><br />Last night I read a number of articles (see below links) regarding the lifespan of flash memory. This includes USB thumbdrives and the memory you use for your digital camera. Basically these articles informed me that based on the quality of the thumb drive and how I use it will determine how long it works.<br /><br />For an overview take a look at James Yeang's <a href="http://friedbeef.blogspot.com/">FriedBeef Blog</a> you can read his full article <a href="http://friedbeef.blogspot.com/2006/05/can-usb-thumbdrive-wear-out.html">here</a>. Not only will you get an overview, but he provides a simple tool to calculate the lifespan of your drive.<br /><br />For a more detail report read Leo Nottenboom of <a href="http://ask-leo.com/">ask-leo.com</a> report you can read his full article <a href="http://ask-leo.com/can_a_usb_thumbdrive_wear_out.html">here</a>.<br /><br />The one thing I took away from this is that I ought to be backing up my USB drives and memory cards if I keep important information on them. Otherwise I am not too worried since it seems I buy a new one every two to three years when larger capacities become available at reasonable prices.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-1140750249378255442006-02-23T21:52:00.000-05:002006-02-23T22:05:38.846-05:00Free Webhosting, Domain Name, and more from...Microsoft is offering free website hosting, domain names, and more. Looks like they are trying to entice users to get involved in their beta testing. Currently all three levels of their service are free, but they do offer a warning that after the beta test users of 2 of the 3 levels will need to cough up a monthly fee of $29.99.<br /><br />Check it out. I know I will over the weekend. I wonder if it will work on my new Mac Mini.<br /><br /><a href="http://officelive.microsoft.com/">http://officelive.microsoft.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 1 - Microsoft Office Live Basic<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">free</span><br /><blockquote>Microsoft Office Live Basics is the perfect way to get started on the Web. It features all the basics you need to create your business Web site, plus free hosting, company domain name, e-mail, and more.</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 2 - Microsoft Office Live Collaboration<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">$29.99/month after the beta</span><br /><blockquote>Microsoft Office Live Collaboration lets you store, share, and manage your everyday business information in one central location.</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 3 - Microsoft Office Live Essentials<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">$29.99/month after the beta</span><blockquote>Microsoft Offive Live Essentials includes all the features of Office Live Basics and Office Live Collaboration  and more. Create your own business Web site, access e-mail, share documents, and track projects, customers, and company information from almost anywhere.<br /></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-1138460944278188702006-01-28T10:02:00.000-05:002006-01-28T10:09:04.290-05:00Good Software for FreeAre you looking for software that will make you more productive and yet allow you to keep your shirt. Then check out these sites and their free software.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.softwarefor.org">SoftwareFor.org</a><br /><blockquote>The Software for Starving Students CD enhances the Windows and Mac desktop computing experiences by providing an easy way to install free, high-quality software titles via a user-friendly interface. It includes popular open source programs like Firefox and OpenOffice, intended to help students learn about and benefit from open source and free software programs. The SSS team put all the most commonly used free programs onto one CD to make it easier for students to install useful software (including fully-featured office suites, 3D graphic editors and much more) for free. To preview the new SSS interface, check out some screenshots of the latest release.</blockquote><a href="http://www.TheOpenCD.org">TheOpenCD.org</a><br /><blockquote>TheOpenCD is a collection of high quality Free and Open Source Software. The programs run in Windows and cover the most common tasks such as word processing, presentations, e-mail, web browsing, web design, and image manipulation. We include only the highest quality programs, which have been carefully tested for stability and which we consider appropriate for a wide audience. <a href="http://theopencd.org/index.php?option=com_static&staticfile=about.html&Itemid=69">Read more about TheOpenCD</a>.</blockquote><b><b></b></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-1138370985191760742006-01-27T08:55:00.000-05:002006-01-27T09:09:45.206-05:00Greek and Hebrew Flash Card Program for the PocketPC and Palm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/PocketPC/cardlist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/PocketPC/cardlist.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I have been waiting for <a title="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/" href="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/">SouthPaw Solutions</a> to develop their PocketPC version of the MiniFlash program. Finally, the beta has arrived. <a title="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/miniflash.htm" href="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/miniflash.htm">MiniFlash for the Palm</a> and <a title="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/pocketscholar.htm" href="http://www.telusplanet.net/public/spaw/pocketscholar.htm">PocketScholar for the PocketPC</a> allow the user to keep his Greek, Hebrew, and additional language flashcards on their PDA. Now instead of carrying rings of paper vocab cards we can carry complete multiply vocab lists in one small PDA.<br /><br />Pictured on the left is the PocketPC version.<br /><br />MiniFlash is a working released version, but PocketScholar is only in beta which means it may still have bugs. Eventually PocketScholar will be fully developed and ready for the public to rely on. I look for ward to that day, but in the meantime I will try the beta version.<br /><br />MiniFlash for Palm is an excellent tool. When I had my Handspring I found this language tool most useful. It was an immense help in learning my vocab while I was on the go. I expect that PocketScholar when it is fully developed will be no different.<br /><br />Godspeed,<br />WesleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18108160.post-1137032265739458532006-01-11T21:07:00.000-05:002006-01-11T21:17:45.753-05:00Create your own Streaming Radio ChannelDo you love music? If so you may really enjoy this site, <a href="http://www.pandora.com">www.pandora.com</a>. Their mission is "To help you discover new music you'll love." What they offer is streaming music of your choice. You create a radio station based on a artist or song you enjoy and then Pandora creates a music list for you of songs similiar to your first choice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0