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For more Leo and friends all week long, listen to the
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Sunday March 15, 2009
Show Audio
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Edited Audio | |
Tech News
The new iPod Shuffle Pequeno …
It’s so small, the new iPod Shuffle looks like a Saturday Night Live skit, it’s so small. The new 4GB model has a voice which will tell you what you’re listening to. The controls are also now on the ear buds which is causing some controversy.
iPhone v.3.0 is coming
Apple may be debuting the new iPhone 3.0 on Tuesday. Leo says that he’d like to see “flash,” Video, voice dialing, cut and paste, and background operation in the new vs. of the iPhone OS.
Google Voice coming soon
Google’s latest project, based on Grand Central, will be called Google Voice and will be the central hub for your phone number. Leo says it’s incredible and will do for telecommunications what Google Search did for the Internet. Transcribe voice messages, cheap international calling via VOIP (lookout Skype), free calling in the US, a number you keep for life, and other features which are sure to put the phone companies backs against the wall. And it’ll be FREE.
George Stephanopolous will interview John McCain via Twitter
An interesting experiment or just a gimmick to grab followers? Either way, can a politician really answer a question in 140 characters?
World Wide Web celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary
It’s the 20th anniversary of the World Wide Web! In 1989, Sir Tim Berners Lee wrote the memo which envisioned the concept of the World Wide Web. The concept was based on the notion of “hyperlinks,” a concept first proposed by Dr. Vannevar Bush in 1945. The concept took the place of “Gopher” which was a utility that went out and found what you were looking for and presented it into a menu format. But you had to log into each “bulletin board” location in order to use it.
Three years later, grad student in Urbana Illinois wrote the first web browser called “Mosiac” which took advantage of the graphical user interface (GUI) of Windows. Then came “Netscape” and the rest is history.
Hour 1
Q Matthew, Alberta, CAN - When is Windows 7 coming out?
Matthew wants to know when Windows 7 is coming out. Leo thinks that sometime in August. Millions are currently using the BETA version and they may also get a copy of the Release Candidate 1 when it’s available. But Leo says that Windows 7 is what Vista should’ve been. It’s been “componentized” (goodbye Internet Explorer), it’s faster. Leo loves it.
Q Rusty, San Diego, CA (KOGO) - color printing off
Rusty can’t get a brilliant shade of orange that he’s trying to get when he prints. He’s tried to use the Spyder to calibrate, but still can’t get an accurate shade printed. Why can’t he? Leo says using the Spyder is a good idea, but it’s important to keep in mind that the screen generates color differently than the printer does. One is projected, while the printer is reflected. Secondly, color standards aren’t accurate on screens vs. printing. (called “Gamut”) Calibration of the monitor and the printer has to be done, and then have the color profile applied properly. It’s a house of colorful cards. Leo says to have the printer calibrated and adjust the monitor to match the printer (even if it looks off on the display). Much easier to have things printed professionally if you’re looking for an accurate color.
Q Greg, Los Angeles, CA (KFI) - Online stalkers
Greg is dealing with a wacko online stalker. Every time he sends a C&D, the stalker jumps to a new ISP. The stalker also spoofs his phone number - which is obviously illegal. What can he do? Leo says this is a nightmare no one should have to endure. Contact local law enforcement and talk to someone in the cyber crimes division. Get someone who is tech saavy and get this guy investigated and, if necessary, arrested.
Hour 2
Q Spencer, Calgary, ALB CAN - Macbook issues
Spencer’s right click on the track pad doesn’t work. Leo says there was a firmware update that addresses the issue. If it still doesn’t work, Leo suggests taking it back. In fact, if you didn’t buy it at the Apple Store, go to the Apple Store anyway. They stand behind all sales. Don’t ever assume it’s you when there’s a problem.
Q Dr. Mom, Chatroom - good laptop for college student?
Leo mentions that it’s good to keep in mind that the laptop will also be their entertainment hub, so you want to give them a laptop with good screen and speakers. Also, a built in camera to call you via Skype. In fact, preinstall it with your number - $99 a year to call anywhere in the world. PC or MAC? Check to see what is predominantly used at the school for you may want to stay with that particular platform. Also, ask computer maker if there’s a student discount. Leo prefers the MAC. Well made laptops with strong entertainment options. But lousy gaming platforms (which may be a good thing!).
The metal 13″ Macbook is a very good choice. Lightweight, but powerful. Good for multimedia. Dell has a variety of lightweight systems as well.
What are cookies and how can they affect your system? Bob can’t go back to newspaper sites from time to time and he has to log in. Leo says that cookies store your preferences and surf history so that it’s easier to get back there. But sometimes, they have an expiration date. Also, “click jacking” can take advantage of cookies to hack into your system, so it’s a good idea to log out of sites for your own protection.
Q John Paul, - TMobile’s @home service
John Paul wants to know how T-Mobile’s @home service is. It’s like Skype. Leo said he tried it and wasn’t impressed. $10 a month is pricey and you can get better, cheaper service through Skype and with Magic Jack.
Q George, Salinas, CA (KGO) - Partitioning a Mac hard drive
George’s Macbook pro is giving him space errors. Leo says that partitioning isn’t really necessary anymore. But what you’ll need is a nondestructive partitioner and Leo doesn’t know any program you can use for that. You’ll need to back up your data and reformat the hard drive. Leo likes SuperDuper, for making a bootable copy of your hard drive.
George is also having trouble accessing hotmail through Safari. Leo says that you need to go into security preferences and select “always accept cookies.” This should free it up. Also, turn on the “develop menu,” select “user agent” and select Firefox. This will trick Safari to allow you to open hotmail.
Q Becky, Los Angeles, CA - Annoying iTunes errors
Becky got turned on to computers listening to Leo. She’s having trouble with Vista and her iPod Classic. She gets a “beeping” when she tries to sync in iTunes. Leo says to go to programs/features control panel and remove iTunes. Also remove Quicktime. Then reinstall a new copy from Apple. That should fix it. You wont’ lose your songs, so fear not.
Hour 3
Q Saul, via Twitter - XP machine infected with viruses
Leo says that if you think you have a virus, get your AVS running, and also get a second opinion by using free online AVS scanners like the one at TrendMicro and Eset. Also run Windows Defender. If they come back clean, you’re cool. Run all the critical updates, including the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool (start - run - MRT).
Q Gary, Orange, CA (KFI) - using Twitter
Gary wants to use Twitter for multi media applications. He hears on the horizon. Leo says the people he talks to say this is unlikely. Just text is really pushing Twitter as it is. So Leo isn’t sure that’ll happen. Leo does use a firefox extention called POWER TWITTER which expands Twitter in a similar fashion.
Gary’s Twitter is TrackTweets.
Q Jonathan, Vermont - Online libraries, audio books, and DRM
Josh wants to listen to audio books online from libraries, but he has a MAC and he can’t due to WMA DRM. Leo just hates this. It’s the publishers who require the DRM. So, you have use Windows to use the stupid DRM. Thanks, Libraries!
Jonathan is also looking to network 10 computers for his teacher, so you can log in on any other the computers. Is there a cheap program which he can use? Leo says it’s time to learn Linux. It’s the best server that everyone uses and it’s free!
Q Alan, Huntington Beach, CA - Slow wireless internet
Alan has Road Runner linked through a wireless router and it’s very slow surfing. When wired, it’s quite fast. Leo says that eliminates the ISP as the culprit. Leo says the farther you get from a wifi access point, the weaker it gets, the slower it goes. Wireless repeaters which are designed to strengthen the signal and increase the distance. You want to use the same brand as your router and it works pretty well. Your DNS may be slow as well. Leo recommends using OpenDNS.
Q Don, Florida - legal issues of restoring OS
Don helps out his friends when their computers go down by restoring their OS using his XP and Vista discs. Is that okay? Leo says technically, that’s illegal, but don’t worry. They have the OS already. You’re just helping them out but getting them back up and running. So, fear not. You’re doing a service and since you aren’t charging, it’s an honorable thing.
Q Tim, Canada - getting into digital photography
Tim needs a recommendation for a MAC. He’s looking at the 17″ MacPro laptop. Should he get that or should he go with the Mac Pro Tower where the video card sucks. Leo says that since Tim already has the 24″ iMac, go with the 17″ Macbook Pro laptop for portability, the 8GB of RAM and the superior video cards.
Have a great geek week!
