Saturday, July 29, 2006
Handel tease: Flash Memory
Tech News
Intel’s new mind-blowingly fast chip, the Core 2 Duo was unleashed this week. Our benchmarks show speed increases of 50% over previous Intel parts.
11a-Noon
Q Wayne - Setting up a website for podcasting
The easiest way to do this is to set up a blog. Blogger is free, but I recommend TypePad which is $5 monthly. Typepad offers a lot of additional features including support for podcasts. Typepad does offer some bandwidth, but if you get really successful you may want to use LibSyn for hosting. They offer unlimited bandwidth for $5-$30 monthly depending on how much storage you need. You can use a free service called FeedBurner to take your blog’s RSS feed and turn it into a proper podcasts feed, iTunes tags and all. If you’re looking for a good program for recording and editing audio for your podcast try Audacity.
Q Jim from Temecula - Notifications when cellular phone minutes begin to run out
All the cell phone companies do offer ways to find out how many minutes you’ve used, but they discourage use of programs to warn you when you go over your limit. Of course they make much more money when you use extra minutes.
Jim’s looking for some way to disable his teenager’s phone when she’s exceeded her minutes. I don’t know of any company that will do this.
MetroPCS does offer unlimited minutes and text messaging, but is only available in certain areas.
Q Ryan from Maryland - Recording Skype Calls
I use HotRecorder on Windows and Audio Hijack Pro on Macintosh.
The Mike Tech Show has figured out how to record Skype on the computer using an application called Podproducer. You can find the instructions on how to set it up in an mp3 here.
Freecorder and MPLAT will also do the job.
As an alternative to Skupe, The Gizmo Project does allow you to record both sides of the conversation.
Noon-1p
Q Tony from Fontana - Deleting a file from Windows Media Player
If you download a streaming video file, you don’t actually have the file, just a file that refers to the stream. To delete it, open the WMP playlist, select the file, and hit the delete button.
If you download the file, go to the library, select the file, and hit the delete button.
Finally, to hide the last thing you saw, go watch something benign so that’s what people will see as your last-played item.
Q Jay from North Hills - what are the chemicals that go into a computer
Thanks to Richard in Newport Beach for these links:
http://www.bhs.k12.nj.us/coltech/coltech02/component2.htm
http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Recycling/Computer-Minerals-Plastics-Recycling1996.htm
Q Richard from Galveston - Importing songs into iTunes from Windows Media Player
There is no DRM applied from songs you rip from CDs. However, Windows Media Player may add copy protection. Make sure to open WMP’s ripping settings and uncheck Copy Protect.
If you encode songs as mp3s, you don’t have to worry about copy protection.
When importing from Windows Media Player, iTunes will automatically convert .wma files into AAC or MP3 files depending on what settings you have selected in the options.
Q Mira from Anaheim Hills - Backing up email from Outlook for the Web
Instead of using the web-based Outlook, you can use a POP mail client such as the real Outlook. Just ask the school’s tech to give you the POP server address, and you’ll also need your username and password.
Q Craig from Temecula - finding an ISP
He’s looking for a list of ISPs who serve his area. Check broadbandreports.com.
Q Steven from Oceanside - Podcast questions
We talked about this with Ryan from Maryland. My best investment was buying the $300 Heil PR-40.
Q Colin from Venturo - what kind of cable should I put in the walls
He’s got the walls open and is wondering if it’s worth putting in ethernet cable. I wouldn’t bother with fiber, mostly because the connectors are costly and complicated. Ethernet cabling is probably a good idea. CAT-5 and 5e are good for 100Mbps networks. For gigabit networking use CAT-6 or 6e. I think that’s probably sufficient.
1–2p
Q Alex from Atlanta - Make data unrecoverable
Erased files are not really deleted - emptying the recycle bin just tells the operating system that the space on the drive can be reused. To truly erase a file you need to overwrite the data. Eraser will erase files permanently. If you need to erase the entire hard drive, I recommend Darik’s Boot and Nuke. Both are free.
Q Danny from Santa Monica - Adding a new hard drive
He’s got two drives, but he’s running out of room. He wants to add another drive. He might be able to get three drives in the case.
Q Jerry from Ventura - Lightweight computer
She’s looking for a computer to travel with for offloading images and doing a little light editing. I recommend Sony, Fujitsu, Dell, and Lenovo sub-notebooks. Do try out the laptop before you buy.
If you don’t want to bring a whole computer with you, try the Epson P-4000.
Q Steve from Hermosa Beach - Streaming audio from Airport Express
You can stream audio from your computer through to your Airport using Airfoil.
I also like the Roku Labs’ Soundbridge, Sonos, and the Squeezebox.
Chat Logs and Show Audio
Listener Comments
29 July 2006
re Cabling in House
If walls are open I strongly recommend conduit. Then pull in or pull out whatever cable you need later. I ran a 3/4″ flex from each bedroom and living room to area near attic access (I didn’t do kitchen or bath, probably an oversight).
Hi Leo, Thanks for bringing back listener comments.
Is there a reason I can’t see the “Listener Comments”?
If the PC has one CD/DVD drive then yes you can put a third HD on the cables. Have to find out what the CD/DVD is — primary or secondary — and adjust the HD’s jumpers accordingly. To transfer a system drive to another system drive get the drive manufacturers software for doing this. Does work.
13:52 by p?.
Jerry, a small laptop probably wouldn’t have nearly enough power to do any complex photo editing. Also, its much more expensive than just a screen and hard drive. I recommend keeping all of your pictures, and edit them when you return from vacation
The lady looking for a ultraportable laptop to try before buying can check out any nearby Gateway store. Their ultralight (Okay, 4 lbs..) looks pretty good, and has a surprising ammount of connections. Other than that, Circuit City carries Avartech notebooks (Very high quality.) and IIRC, they also have Dell and Lenovo notebooks out to look at. Prices aren’t too bad. For actual purchase, however, I would suggest uBid.com. They often have Mega Lot Auctions and the prices are pretty good. (Around 1/2 off) Plus, shipping is quick and the stuff arrives in great shape.
13:55 by .
NOTEBOOKS/LAPTOPS
TigerDirect.COM
GOOD SERVICE, GOOD PRICES
thanks for giving us back the comment box….
Can anyone help me with ITunes. Lately when trying to download VIDEO, at the end of the download, I get this message “ITunes could not save to your Music Folder because you do not have write access. Check the permissions on your music folder and the folders in your music folder, then use the Check For Purchases command in the advanced menu to try again.” I have a Itunes account and can download purchased music. I have also downloaded videos in the past from ITunes. What am I doing wrong?
I hope all are aware that there now is another “new” Firefox update. The one a few weeks ago was a bust. It loaded all web pages in expanded. Losts of time wasted in determining that the recent new update caused the strange page loads.
16:22 by anonymous.
I really enjoy your show and wish I had more time on SAT. because sunday I am in church. is it possible to record and copy these shows to CD? if so that would be great.
For anonymous: I’m writing this on a remote XP home system via UltraVNC from a remote wireless computer as I’m exercising (at least pretending to) on the basement trainer…ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Of course you can convert a KFI podcast to CD playback—just burn it on one if your player supports MP3 playback or else you’ll have to delve into the world of audio conversion and limits to burning a so-called “music CD.”
Before I attempted either of those though I would simply invest in a nice inexpensive 2gig memory MP3/WMA player like a Mobius or Trio or <insert player of choice here>.
Then you can load up on many hours of Leo and listen at your leisure without ever having to burn or convert anything. PTL!
21:39 by .
Dear Anonymous:
I use a RadioShark by Griffin Technology to record Leo’s show right on my PC (or Mac) since I’m not usually free at 11:00am during the weekend. Then on Monday I usually listen to Saturday’s show and Sunday’s show on Tuesday without having to wait for Leo to post the MP3 file of the show.
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/
30 July 2006
The guy who wants to check his cell phone minutes should contact his provider (and they will provide this info). T-Mobile minutes can be checked from the handset by dialing #646# and then “send”. Verizon users can dial #646(then send) and will receive a text message with the current number of minutes used.
Hey Leo,
I have a friend who is upgrade his computer from windows ME to XP. He has an upgrade CD for XP but it is better to do a clean install for XP then doing just an upgrade with ME?
Listener Comments
For Claudia, I’m not Leo, but yes, a clean install is always better which can be done with an upgrade CD as long as the friend still has the original ME CD, which will be required at an early point in the installation of XP upgrade to verify ownership.
Where can I get the history of the Core Duo. I caught the tail end of Leo’s discussion of the Israeli development group that designed the processor but was really intrigued by the story. Thanks, Aaron.
31 July 2006
thanks THJ Gilliman for the info. but the problem wasn’t finding out my minutes, I do that every ten days or so. I want the phone company to remotely cut my kids off when they have reached their limits. they swear they don’t have tht technology to do that. they can remotely shut off pre-pay services when a limit is reached. Leo said they can do this and the software is available but it was denied by the rejection of the cell phone bill of rights.
02 August 2006
actually i worked for a cell phone company and we didnt have the technology to shut off phone that reach their limit or a way to monitor it with going into that account also it breaks contract because unless told be the customer to suspend the line or payment is do the phone is not to be shut off but yes a company wants you to go over but not too much because you may change companys trust me your not the first person to want this feature i talked to a guy once whos daughter had used around 20,000 minutes and 17,000 were long distance the bill was around 2,200 i did the math she was on the phone for 14.2 days i felt bad for the guy but there was nothing that could be done
Mira from Anaheim Hills - Backing up email from Outlook for the Web
I think the way Thunderbird connects to Exchange is through the Outlook Web Access (OWA). I could be mistaken, but I know for a fact thats how Evolution on Linux works.
When setting up the program, you tell Evo that you want to connect to an Exchange server, and rather than ask for the actual server name, it asks for the OWA address and the username and password you use to access it.
Blackberry does much the same thing if you do not use the enterprise server. It does something called “scraping” where it logs in to OWA and emulates you logging in and checking your mail, but then “scrapes” the information and sends it to the Blackberry.
RE: “Alex from Atlanta”: You can securely erase files now if you already have Spybot Search & Destroy on your PC. Click “Mode,” choose Advanced Mode, and under Tools you will find “Secure Shredder.” That’s a great little bonus tool —it pays to explore the menu.
Jay from North Hills asks:- what are the chemicals that go into a computer
There is a local recycling company I use that is EPA certified, they should be able to give you the complete details on what known hazardous chemicals are in a computer (they may not be able to tell you how much or each is in there).
The name is Lamp Environmental
The number is listed in directory web sites (such as switchboard.com.
The company’s office is in Independence, LA.
03 August 2006
To the guy talking about ripping music. People should REALLY use EAC Exact Audio Copy with the Lame Aps Plugin. people can find really good information on this at www.bestmp3guide.com and it will do a really good job of ripping good quality vbr mp3s that will play in most players.
CCleaner is a good way to clean your tracks
http://www.ccleaner.com/
be careful as it can delete soemthings like cookies or whatever that you might not want to delete.
04 August 2006
Regarding the e-mail via OWA issue that Mira’s having POP3 won’t work unless the SysAdmin has done some extra work as b default with Exchange the POP3 service is turned off. Also this will remove her mail from the server. I would ask the tech guy is she can get Outlook 2003 installed on her PC and configure it to run in “cached mode” in which case it doesn’t care wether the server goes down or not.
Another possible option is a Windows Mobile based phone that will allow her to synch to Exchange over the same interface as the OWA.
teamspeak is great for pod casting. with an audigy soundblaster and teamspeak your set for recording a conferance
06 August 2006
Leo, wonderful show, and thank you.
Completely off-topic: I’m wondering what musical theme you used, which was played right in between Craig from Temecula and Steve from Oceanside. It had a distinctly disco beat to it, and would make wonderful exercise music…
Thank you kindly.
