Sunday, August 6, 2006
Tech News
WWDC Rumors
OS X Leopard feature set possibly leaked
Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference kicks off tomorrow. There are several product announcements rumored for tomorrow: from an iPhone to a new iPod. One thing for sure is that Apple will be showing off the new Mac OSX Leopard. Also, a new Macintosh Tower desktop is rumored to be announced that takes advantage of the Core 2 Duo chip.
11a-Noon
Q Gale from Riverside - Looking for a new laptop (that works!)
I’m not a huge Windows fan these days because of security issues. The good thing about a convertible tablet pc is that it is still a laptop with some extra features added. I think, frankly, that it’s not ready for prime-time yet. I’d look at a Mac for a computer. However, if you insist, I like the Lenovo tablet X series. Dell has very cheap laptops. You don’t need a very fast laptop. I think you should try a tablet before you buy. You will do yourself a dis-service to completely cheap out. The Inspiron B130 has what you need.
Q John - Radiation from computers
The noise about radiation on computers was about CRT displays. The iMac has an LCD screen. All electronic put out some form of radio frequency. You can’t cover it with tin foil. Distance is the greatest way to protect yourself. The main problems with laptops are that they are very hot. Keep in mind that we are washed in radiation 24/7. It is very unlikely that you will be affected healthwise.
Q Gordon from Gilroy - Upgrading laptop hard drive
Some computers allow you to upgrade and some don’t. What I would prbably do is if you had an external enclosure and put the old laptop drive and put it in the enclosure. Just ghost the original drive while it’s still in, make the swap, boot ghost and restore the internal from the external.
Noon-1p
Q Sue from San Diego - Satellite Radio (XM vs. Sirius)
The dilemma is about programming. Music-wise, they are pretty much the same. To me, the XM sound quality seems better than Sirius. It all comes down to programming. When they say “U.S. only”, that only means they can sell the hardware in the USA. For hardware, you can get a transportable device with different docks. You can dock it in the car, and then dock it at home to listen at home. There are several ways to hook the hardware to the car. When you go to the store, the representative will help you out. Chatters from the chatroom say that Sirius works in Mexico, so there should be no reason why XM won’t work.
Q Samuel from Indiana - Virtual memory/N Routers
The idea of virtual memory is that if you run out of RAM, the computer could try to find an alternate strategy. The drawback to that is that it is much slower. Ideally you have enough RAM. If you run out of virtual memory, it is probably a mistake. Here is some more information about virtual memory and how to allocate it. I would look at your hard drive space and see if you are running out of space.
The difference from Pre-N and draft N routers is that Pre-N routers are from before the official draft was released. You want a router that use an Airgo chipset. Linksys and Belkin both use Airgo chipsets. Understand the you won’t get all the advantages of N unless you use all N hardware.
Q Rob from Maryland - Trying to build a MythTV box with OSx86
Don’t combine the TiVo and computer technology. There is a livecd version of MythTV called KnoppMyth. MythTV is basically a free version of TiVo software based off of Linux. Kevin Rose has a great tutorial for MythTV on his show Systm.
Q Brian from New York - Alternatives to iPod
I like the iRiver because they have very good audio quality and can support the OGG format. The Creative Zens are also very nice.
1–2p
Q Jessica from Indiana - Video editing on the Mac
iMovie on the Mac is about the same as Adobe Premiere Elements. However, iMovie is a very integrated experience with the rest of the iLife applications. Also, Photoshop on the Mac is exactly the same as it is on Windows. I suggest getting a two-button mouse for the Mac as well. On the Mac for a family website, to get started, you can use iWeb.
Q Jim from New Jersey - Hack an old phone to emulate a newer technology
You got to find a friendly phone company. More and more people are going overseas and buying the more “advanced” phones. I would look for a 3rd-party Verizon dealer and find someone to help you out with it.
Q Greg from Los Angeles - Hardware hack to record video longer than alloted time on digital camera
Sorry, there is no way that I know of to do that on older cameras. Almost all the new cameras will store to the size of the flash card.
Q Mark - Moving library from MusicMatch to iTunes
Since your files are all unprotected mp3s, just set itunes to import music from the MusicMatch folders. The problem is with copy-protected files. The only way to circumvent this is to buy cds and rip them.
Q Chris from Mission Viejo - DivX Player giving error
It may be an issue with copy protection in the file itself. DivX is a very good compression technique. To play DivX files, you need to install the codec. Usually with DivX, you don’t stream, you download and then play it. I’m not even sure if DivX has the capability for copy protection. Try out [[http://xvid.org | Xvid].
Q Slick from Boise, Idaho - Drive imaging software to back up to DVD/CD-R
Drive imaging backs up the entire hard drive instead of certain critical files. It’s like freeze-drying your configuration at the time of imaging. On the Mac, there is a program called Super Duper, and on Windows, I like Drive Snapshot. I’d recommend getting the system just the way you like it and then make backups on DVDs and such, and one large image on an external hard drive.
Q Jay from Texarkana - Why in the world does CDs, DVDs do not have a protective case around them?
The earliest recordable CDs (CD-RAM) had cases. The reason why they don’t have cases is to make them as simple as possible. Modern discs have protective layers on them. A scratch on the non-label side can cause problems because it refracts the light. Scratches on the label side is more damaging to the discs.
Q Mike from Yorba Linda - Unable to open KFI web site and others in another window
Look in the IE settings, however it could be a problem with the IE application. Try fixing the issue by upgrading to IE 7 beta, Another option is repairing the OS by using the installer.
Chat Logs and Show Audio
06 August 2006
11:26 by Alex.
Comment box back! :D
11:27 by anonymous.
Let’s hear more about Windows Vista
Leo
Thankyou for bringing back the comments.
Could we please get a wiki word added back to the routine say once a month to allow for updates to the tips section?
Howdy,
I read “The Singularity is Near” after hearing you talk about it. He wrote too soon. Moore’s Law is dead, his predications are blown, no?
Howdy,
Does Opera not have a word wrap?
ĦOla!
Since Moore’s Law is dead,
Is the singularity not near?
yay comments.
I wanna add to the glossary too.
I love the Toshiba satelites. Some are under $1000 and if she is just doing word processing and e-mail, some low cost satelites are good.
11:33 by Mac?.
Could you mention your views on bridge cards? Sounds like a great way to upgrade.
Hey Leo…
Where can we get a listing of your bumper music titles?
Thanks!
Leo refers to “someone” as complaining that Apple gets ALL the publicity when they make new announcements about hardware that is the SAME as Dell’s or other PC makers who hav already announced the same with NO FAN FARE!
Well Leo KNOWS VERY WELL that it was John Dvorak on Leo’s own TwIT pudcast that was COMPLAINING at Leo and Pat Norton for being quote “APPLE BIGOTS” and ignoring the same news when it came to PC’s and pimping ONLY Apple!! This banter between Dvorak and Leo IS IN A TWIT Podcast, for the PROOF! Leo also labels postings Proving Apple’s Flaws as “Spammers”, what a farce and what a cover up. Better look up what the dictionary definition of Spam, Leo … it’s only email.
What are you hiding Leo?? Can’t tell the truth?? Typical Leo, people! Apple products are flaw ridden (much worse than PC’s) but Leo and his collegues HIDE and never talk about it. Want to see all the daily reports of Flaws? Monitor macfixit.com home page and forums. Simple as that.
Now, feel free to censor this, Leo.
The New Podcasts are coming soon to TWiT.tv website near you.
Mac Break Weekly And Countdown to Vista. Is there a Third one?? I remember in hearing leo mention a couple more, But I can’t keep track of all leo’s podcasts.
Leo, you sounded irritated because the young lady wants to stay with the windows platform on her next notebook. I use windows exclusively on several desktops and my notebook and have know issues. If she developes good habits she will be fine.
Leo, I heard you mention yesterday that you use a Heil PR-40 microphone. No wonder you sound so good. Heil makes great microphones and they also make several headsets that work with PC sound cards. They have the Pro Set Media which is a full size headset and their Traveler headset (single or dual side) which are smaller headsets. If you want quality go with Heil not the cheap junk.
Bob Heil is a great guy and very interesting to talk to. He would be a great guest for a segment on audio. He also has some great stories from the early days of rock-n-roll
PS: I will not tell him you called him an “old guy”
11:43 by anonymous.
Somene let the booby out of the hatch !!!
Can’t we all get along…. Mac or Windows who cares! they both have there flaws.
11:45 by -?.
Their is nothing wrong using windows
All the security programs I use are free and they work fine for me on my windows machines.
I have nothing against macs. My Brother and sister are both mac fanatics and I think OSX is beautiful.
I love Windows, but if I had a chance to use a Mac I would. OSx does look slick.
Leo isn’t a MAC fanatic??
Maybe Gale just doesn’t have the money. Not everyone is an author.
This comment is regards to the caller that called about computer radiation concerns. Well, I repaired televisions for over 25 years and have spent literally THOUSANDS of hours within a foot or two of CRTs, and have not had any ill affects from it.
-Dave Merten
MacOSG.com
any recommendations for downloading movies?
All that radiation. Now I know why I glow in the dark.
Sorry Shooby. I do feel Leo lacks some persective. Not everyone can afford a MAC even if they want one. Also if one lives outside a metropolitian area find support for a MAC might be hard. CompUSA is the ONLY MAC dealer in my state. The closest true MAC store is over 200 miles from my home town. Security software is free and a $540 laptop from DELL is enough for most people.
12:40 by Jim?.
MAC = Media Access Control (Ethernet address)
Mac = shorthand for Macintosh
Maybe 10 years ago I could understand people thinking that a Macintosh is “too expensive.” But today, no way. Take a few minutes to compare Apples and oranges, and understand the difference between cost and value.
Retail outlets such as CompUSA and Best Buy aren’t the only places to buy Macs. Amazon.com sells them with rebates of $100 and more.
I know windows problems comes down to hardware that is why I build and rebuild my PC’s with parts I chose myself. Consequentally I spend almost as much as I would on a Mac and get equal or superior stability.
The internet is 15 years old? I didn’t realize it had been that long since Al Gore invented it.
Another high quality DMP/PMP player is the A2 from Cowon. Audio is way better than iPod and plays more video types than the iPod video will ever do.
Audio quality is up with iRiver.
13:02 by Jim?.
Isn’t sound quality on MP3 players more dependent on the encoding of the audio file (bitrate, et cetera) than the hardware or brand of player? If you import songs from your own CDs, you’re free to choose a compression rate. But when you download purchased music from iTunes, for instance, the compression is already determined.
Most MP3 files these days are being encoded high enough quality to keep that from being much of an isue. So you do have some isues from the hardware like if it can’t generate the sound with the full range of the sound say bass or trebble could not be all the way there. And not too long ago some extremely small I-Pod players (I think they were the last ones made without screens) actually ended up getting a little buzzing from their own hardware.
Jim, I understand the difference between cost and value. Again I will say, some people just don’t have the money!
Leo said that a Mac starts at 1,299? Why should I spend the money when a $600 Dell will meet my needs?
Good Analogy for the differences between using windows or mac for actually using the software is little more different than say using a mechanicle pencil instead of a retractable pen. You still have to click the top but pushing again doesn’t pull back the graphite.
13:20 by anonymous.
fafner:
It’s more accurate to say that the list price for Macs starts at $599 (for the Mac Mini). $1099 will get you a MacBook. $1299 for the iMac. Take $100 off if you factor in the Amazon rebate.
Leo, Thanks for bringing back the listener comments. It makes the show twice as much fun.
13:46 by joe?.
does anyone know how to get video off of a dish network DVR using the usb port. Possibly a pocketdish emulater
13:46 by anonymous.
All Truth In Radio knows how to do is copy & paste, he has no original thought’s or info.
The same guy was later asked to hack a system from a remote terminal and that test didn’t result in a successfull hack after 4 hours when they chose to stop.
You have allot of places to copy data from but do you ever try to read it all instead of just what seems interesting to yourself?
13:56 by .
Tell Jessica from Indiana - Video editing on the Mac that Adobe has great edu. discounts
Spokavriel, Truth in the Radio is not interested in the truth (or should I say the whole truth), just the portion that makes his arguement, hence being misleading.
14:00 by joe?.
does anyone know how to get video off of a dish network DVR using the usb port. Possibly a pocketdish emulater
Truth in Radio (and his many pseudonyms) is the main reason I’ve had to close down comments. I’ve asked him repeatedly to post links not copy and paste. That’s a copyright violation and cannot be tolerated. I have cut those comments out of the page here, as I am obligated to do. If you posts links I will leave them in.
I don’t mind dissenting voices, but continually posting the same thing is spamming.
It saddens me to think I have to close comments because of one or two people.
I think you’ve made your point, kid, please go listen to some other radio show. (Unless you already work for another radio show.)
