Sunday, June 18, 2006
Happy Father’s Day
Tech News
Here’s how the richest man in the world looked like thirty years ago with the first Microsoft employees.
Apple Computer is in a lot of heat for their iPod workers’ living conditions. However, Apple is going to launch an investigation of the FoxConn factories.
Google has said that they are not listening to what you are doing online.
Apple’s in trouble with Scandanavia for their iTunes user license.
ThePirateBay is moving back to Sweden.
11a-Noon
Q Steven from Torrance - Security issues with Mac OS X
In practical uses, you don’t have to worry nearly as much as Windows. However, it would be a good idea to prepare yourself for the future. For now, though, you don’t need a virus scanner, you don’t need antispyware, and a firewall is built into OS X. You should be very careful about opening attachments and files from people you don’t know nonetheless. Also, make sure you do regular system updates. Finally, do not run as an administrator. Here’s how to run as a limited user.
Q David from Marina del Rey - Windows Media Player being slow
Using a different format for your videos may work. Also, the size of your video files may be contributing to the sluggishness. Finally, try using different players, such as VLC. To determine whether your PC has the capabilities for your video or if your codecs are broken, try out Sherlock - The Codec Detective. Gspot will give you the codec information.
Q Lola from Glendale - Am I safe with a router and Windows firewall?
I’m not sure what leak test is doing, but you are essentially behind two firewalls. You should be fine. Moreover, the Windows firewall will block intranet infections (infections that come from computers inside the network) as well.
Noon-1p
Q John from North Tuston - Shopping for routers/PC not remembering resolution settings
A router is a really good idea for DSL. Routers have PPPoE built-in so you don’t have to dial into the DSL service. It’s not only added security, but an added convenience. You also may want to try out a program called DropMyRights that will allow you to run Internet applications as a limited user.
Try playing around with your monitor settings. If you can’t narrow it down sufficiently, try playing around with the resolution settings on your computer.
Q Larry from San Bernadino - Having trouble burning music
Your problem is that you purchased it online and it has copy protection. What you need to do is burn audio discs. When you burn it as an audio disc, it removes the copy protection. Then you have to re-import the music from the audio disc without the copy protection. Finally, burn the unprotected music to your data disc.
Q Steven from Florida - Zonealarm going crazy with Skype
When you run a service like Skype, it acts like a server. You are getting several hits from other Skype users as well as the Skype service itself. If you have a hardware firewall, such as a router, you don’t even need Zonealarm. Here’s how to configure Zonealarm for use with Skype.
Q Mark from Santa Ana - Making an existing administrator account into a limited account.
Yes, just go into the control panel and change your account to a limited user. You can also go into the Run prompt and type in control userpasswords2 and set certain users into the administrator group and limited group.
1–2p
Q Louise from North Hollywood - Apple iMacs
I don’t want anyone to get the impression that a computer is easy to use. If you’ve figured out the basic operations of any computer, you’re set on the iMac. Of course, Mac OS X is quite a bit different than Windows. You are going to have an easier time using Mac OS X because you are less experienced with computers.
Q Sherry from Running Springs - System utilities shutting down the computer
The shut down is essentially a crash of the computer. One of the key system files is probably corrupted. Run the system file checker by typing sfc /scannow in the Run prompt from your start menu. If the system file checker does not work, you probably want to back up your data and reinstall Windows. I’m guessing at one point you had some spyware or a virus and it left things messed up.
Q Harry from Lancaster - What’s 802.11n?
These new “N” routers have MIMO (multiple in/multiple out) technology. They usually always have three antennaes which allows for faster data transfer. If you’re out shopping for a Pre-N router, you want a router with the Airgo chipset: either Belkin or Linksys. They will give you increased range, however, if you want to take advantage of the speed, you want to get a Pre-N card: notebook or desktop. Moreover, if you just want increased range, you may want to try out a wireless-G repeater. Here’s an article that explains the WDS technology behind repeaters.
Q Eric from Kansas - Nod32 not opening files
Nod32 isn’t able to open the files because Windows is using them.
Q Eric from Bakersfield - Looking for portable digital recorders with line-in/flash memory
I recommend the Marantz PMD-660. If you want to get its big brother with a better pre-amp, check out the Marantz PMD-670. You can also look into a minidisc recorder, but then you would be copying the recording to your PC in real-time.
Chat Logs and Show Audio
Listener Comments
17 June 2006
Microsoft 1978—2006
On Thursday, June 15th, Bill Gates announced that he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at Microsoft to concentrate on the charitable work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates will continue as the company’s chairman after transferring his duties over a two-year period.
A 1978 file photo made available by Microsoft Corp. shows the 11 people who started Microsoft. The photo was taken in Albuquerque, N.M., just prior to moving the company to the Seattle area. Shown top row, from left, are: Steve Wood, Bob Wallace and Jim Lane; second row, Bob O’Rear, Bob Greenberg, March McDonald and Gordon Letwin; and front row, Bill Gates, Andrea Lewis, Marla Wood and Paul Allen. =|
Note: Bill Gates, bottom, left!
18 June 2006
I cant believe i looked like that Back then
78′ - 79′ I looked just like them , long hair hippy TYPE ,, I still look that way ocationaly
Apple SLAVE LABOR in Communist China -
Lets get this REAL STRAIGHT! Apple HAS NOT MADE ANYTHING of their own since 1997! Apple has farmed OUT their products to LOWEST BIDDER OFF-SHORE manufacturers in Asia long before that!
Apple has NEVER made their own PowerBooks and iBooks! IBM/Sony in Japan then Taiwan made them since the beginning! The original iMac was made by Samsung and LG in Korea EXCLUSIVELY! NOTHING Mac has been made in North America!
Apple, run by liberal Steve Jobs, was the FIRST computer company to 100% OFF-Shore manufacturing!
And THAT’S the truth, I worked for Apple in the 90′s!
to that’s the truth: actually, most companies have been forced to do as you describe in order to remain competitive. unfortunately that is the way of a global economy.
what is so “unfortunately” about providing jobs for people who would starve or have worse living conditions?
I took your advice & puchased “iPhantom” & Nod32(anti-virus) but I am new to WindowsXP & don’t know how to configure their features. I called, IPhantom, wasn’t much help.
LtSiver,
“other companies” FROM the US in Computer market did it MUCH later and don’t HIDE the fact that their computers are NOT made by them!
Apple and Apple pimps like Leo still try to make prospective buyers of Apple product believe that Apple actually makes ANY of their own iPods and Macs … which is a total lie! That’s the “rub”.
Does anyone know of a good anti-virus to use with Windows Vista? Nod32 won’t work, neither will AVG.
Apple products state on them that they are designed in California and assembled in China. If you buy from the Apple Internet store the shipping/tracking information clearly indicates that the product is coming from China (typically Shanghai). At least the design team is American.
Virtual CD Burning Software is here, works with windows media player and Music Match, not sure about iTunes though. It’s available here @ http://www.ztekware.com/
Arizona Steve: Check Trend Micro, several boards recommend its Vista AV virus.
AV program for Vista, not a virus :)
Hey techManiac,
The “design team” ONLY designs the outside! The INSIDE (the computer, iPud or what ever) is Engineered by the Low Bid Manufacturing Contractor!
Nice looking Mac, piece of crap inside …. and sometimes OUTSIDE!
Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 08:00 AM PDT
MacBook (#6): More on case discoloration, protectant
Users continue to report (in significant numbers) an issue where the MacBook’s case becomes discolored with “stains” on either side of the trackpad and other areas on the plastic case.
It appears that this issue is caused by a chemical reaction in the plastic with skin oils.
As described by one reader:
“My white MacBook has been owned for 10 days and mine is a reddish color where my right hand rests and also on the clicker where my right thumb rests. The right side is the worse because I usually leave that hand in place while doing other things with my left hand. Hadn’t even noticed that I used a computer this way until this problem developed and I started to pay attention.”
(So how yellow is yours Leo?)
iBooks also affected Meanwhile, several iBook owners report manifestation of similar discoloration.
One reader writes:
“The observed problems are also clearly visibly on my iBook G4 (around 6 months old). Before that I used a white Dual-USB G3 iBook (the case was not as white as they are now and the handrest was silver rather than grey). After many years the palm rests are certainly worn, but nowhere near as ugly discolored as with the G4 iBook.”
Then there’s Slave Driver Apple:
The hard truth about iPods
Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service - IDG News ServiceWed Jun 14, 8:50 AM ET
Put your iPod on pause for a moment. There is something you should know: The Chinese factory workers who assembled your music player work long hours and do not earn a lot of money.
Many of these workers are employed by Hon Hai Precision Industry, a Taiwanese contract manufacturer known by its Foxconn brand, the Mail On Sunday, a U.K. newspaper, reported last weekend.
Low-paid workers toil long hours at Hon Hai’s Longhua, China, plant to produce Apple’s popular iPod nano music player, the newspaper said. It put the monthly salary of these workers at £27 (US$50). Workers at a different company that produces the iPod shuffle were paid £54 per month. These workers paid for their own room and board, which amounted to around half of their salary, it said.
The manufacturing relationship between Apple and Hon Hai is typical in the electronics industry.
And just how do you provide Jobs in other countries?
Do you who complain have money you are willing to send-for the rest of their lives?
LEO
What was the procedure to open that Windows Hidden Users Accounts Page,I don’t see it in the show-notes
13:42 by anonymous.
.Net was supposed to fix dllHell, not Windows XP.
13:46 by anonymous.
The 802.11n draft was turned down. You have pre-N products, draft-N product, but no N products. Unknown if the pre and draft will work with the final N.
13:56 by anonymous.
daemmette the “hidden” account panel is at Start|Run and type “control userpasswords2″.
What’s so difficult with the NOD32 user interface? It’s no more complicated than the others I have used? I dumped Norton because of the difficulty I had in updating the subscription each year. But I’m more pleased with Nod32 than the other I use (AVG).
I’d much rather hear Leo, I hit the off button on Dr. Edell until Ken Gallacher come on. Another hour of Tech Talk if Robin gets this, please!
Does anyone know where those microsoft folks are now?
Living in Orange County also takes over half of your salary for your rent or morgage since the housing boom, (not to mention the gas and energy cost)
Re: Revealing the rotten Apple
A good firewall is from www.lavasoft.com; it’s not free, but you’ll get two years upgrade. I’ve been using it with AOL, and never had a problem.
14:39 by FIA?.
Wha is the troll doing here?
Dude, if you can’t come up with something original, SHUT UP!
Changing your name every shows doesn’t help. I know that you’re “Honesty in Radio” et. al.
I called SBC and found out the info about you. Freedom of Information Act is great to weed out trolls like you.
I am having sound issues with my MacBook Pro. Certain files and sounds will play, some will not. Does anyone know a way to fix the sound.
P.S. - It is not the hardware.
The lady who has trouble with her computer shutting down after 5 minutes might just be she has the “power” settings set for 5 minutes & it isn’t really shutting down it’s just blanking out. If she moves the mouse or hits a key does it come back up? To change the “power” settings would be a lot easier than what Leo suggested.
Really like NOD32,much better than my old Norton.Leo makes great recommendations,switched to dslextreme with it.
Apple designs the whole machine and the software. And what computer company builds there computers in the United States?
I’ll tell you, NONE!! Everyone knows that all the electronic manufacturing is done mostly in Asia because of cheap labor. Apple has been a target in the press because there on a roll selling better than any PC vendor right now. Why? Because they have the best products and software bar none. Yes, there are defects with any product built but that’s why you have a Warranty and Applecare should something go wrong. However for the most part Apple’s products are of much higher quality than any Dell or PC out on the market today. And they still don’t get viruses, spyware, or trojans and that’s why Leo is telling everyone to buy a Mac especially if you are not very tech savy.
That’s the truth that all tech manufacturing is done in China, not just Apple. Just because some paper calls it slave labor doesn’t mean it’s fact. And if it is it may effect more than just Apple’s production as many vendors use these companies to produce there goods not just Apple. If Apple does find issues I guarantee they will cut there services with this vendor as they do not tolerate such violations. But remember it’s not just Apple that uses labor in asia, it’s everyone else too!
19 June 2006
The troll is back with a new name
Can someone delete the comments/posts that are not helpful and are off topic?
21:00 by FAN?.
Yeah really im sick of spamers and people tlak like a TROLL go to the little chat room for that dont do it here… who ever started the word TROLL are lame and a loooooooooosssseeerrr…
21:01 by FAN?.
im meant use the word TROLL
20 June 2006
Waldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLL
Waldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLLWaldo=TROLL
Nod32 not opening files. I use both Nod32 and AVG and have never noticed any messages about files not opening. I have several systems mostly Windows 2000 and XP but still have a few on WIN98. I do get Unable To Open File errors on backup logs. I don’t remember any such error when I was using Norton either.
21 June 2006
Hi, I think I know what the issue with the ‘slow skip’ issues in Windows Media Player. If the file is a mpg file; it is likely its been encoded with a low number of keyframes. Essentially mpg encoding works by storing the differences between one frame and another. A key frame is one that is fixed (full render). So the higher the number of keyframes you have, the easier it is to navigate but the larger the file; because you are no longer just saving the changes.
I expect that when he does slide the bar the image slowly builds up to a coherent picture (when a keyframe is hit). You sometimes see this artifact on rapidly changing screens via digital TV.
When he converts the file into Mpeg2 format the issue is resolve because not only does Mp2 have fixed keyframe setting; it also includes another feature called chapters. Chapters are; as you can work out, fixed bookmarks within a file to allow the player (pc, mac or dvd player) to SKIP huge sections of video to the exact point of a file for the next chapter.
DVD’s are essentially a collection of 1gb VOB files that are combined files containing video, audio and sub-title text.
Hope this helps a bit. If he can increase the ‘quality’ of the mpg recording then this is likely to increase the number of keyframes and therefore its ‘skip-a-bility’.
Converting the mpg to DivX would maintain the small file size and gain access to easily navigation.
Hope this helps - Rob
Leo, I don’t want to nag… But not routers include a firewall. The majority do, but some are pretty basic.
The last company I went on site had a cable modem linked into a basic network router/switch and it was totally wide open to the internet. They wanted me to look at the speed / software issues they had.
Oh, and “Deep Thought” was the computer in “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” that was built to discover the meaning of life. “Deep Blue” was the computer chess program that build Gary Kasperov. :-)
22 June 2006
I don’t want to trivialize what may be a problem with Apple’s manufacturing in China, but I know that in Asia living at or near the factory you work at isn’t all that unusual. Back in the 90s I was working a summer job at a factory in Indiana that was owned by the Japanese. At one of the weekly employee meetings they had some people come in to gage interest building a housing development for employees right across the street from the factory. They explained that was the way they ran their factories in Japan and were thinking about trying it in the USA. (Of course not enough people were interested and nothing because of it.)
While that may not be the same thing as is going on in China, it is along the same lines
23 June 2006
Sorry some Troll is using my handle , i have not been around the last 2–1/2 weeks Because of a death in the Family ,, But I AM BACK NOW
waldo in my name too so whu y cant their be 2 waldo’s
