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Saturday, October 29, 2005

In today’s show…

News
11a-Noon
Noon-1p
1-2p
Chat Logs and Show Audio

News

What’s Google up to now? The sneak peak at Google Base has Ebay worried. I think that it’s more of a threat to Craig’s List and newspaper classifieds.

According to what CNBC said this week Ebay owns 25% of craigslist.org

The big Japanese phone company NTT has created a remote control for humans. Watch the video!

Microsoft proposes that all music players require Windows Media Player. Antitrust Judge hits the ceiling. Microsoft has gone way too far this time!

Microsoft says that the software industry is ill-prepared for the new multi-core processors like the Pentium D and Athlon x2.

Microsoft is suing 13 different spam operations accusing them of turning PCs into zombie spambots.

The US Department of Justice approves the SBC/AT&T merger, SBC will keep the AT&T name. The Verizon/MCI merger is also approved.

11a-Noon

John in Van Nuys - DVDDecrypter replacement?

I use Xilisoft’s DVD Ripper for unprotected DVDs.

A listener writes: I Tried DR. DVIX to back up DVDs and it worked.
Hidden in most stores is a $10 program called DVD Ripper that lets most DVD Copying software do its job; by the way it doesn’t come from Xilisoft, but it has been updated for newer and dual-layer DVDs. COSMI makes afoebabow [?? affordable??] work-alikes of most media-making software, their Dual-Layer DVD Back-up back-up software is compatible with the new DVDs.

linkinnewtab suggests: imgburn

A listener writes: Try using DVD Shrik with DVD43

A listener writes: If a DVD won’t read and appears locked start your DVD player software and then immediately after it start run DVD Shrink or try to read the disc with DVD Shrink.

A listener writes: I like Miraizon’s Cinematize

danfromfla recommends: ShrinkTo5

Joe in Torrance - inkjet refills and KFI archives

I don’t use the refills because they’re messy and re-using your cartridge doesn’t replace the cartridge head. But I’m lazy - if you want to use refills use high quality ink and replace the cartridge every two refills.

A listener writes: I always liked using inkjet refills, but I always replaced after 3 fills.

What’s going on with the show archives? We got jammed. Things should be much better now, tho.

A listener writes: Inkjet refills is a super idea, but I always felt that after 3 uses you should still replace the cartridge.

kdog311 writes: Regarding the first question on ink, if cost is an issue, I have used Inkquick in the past - they were very affordable and shipped fast: http://www.inkquik.com/index.html

A listener writes: I used to refill my old cartridges. Not anymore.
I buy both Canon and Epson ink cartridges at Swap meets.

Ink cartridges for under $2 online.
http://www.tonerland.com/

Under $1 at swap meets.
Free Swapmeet - November 27th
1310 E Edinger Ave
Santa Ana, CA92705
http://www.lacomputershow.com/schedule/acp-directions.html

Schedule for LA Computer Shows;
http://www.lacomputershow.com/schedule/

Not perfect color match for photographs, but fine for color brochures.

Richard writes - There is a vendor at the “Free Swapmeet” above that sells a 6-reservoir kit that continuously refills the cartridges while you are printing.
They demonstrate it on an Epson R300 printer, I don�t know if the kit works for other printers.
The original Epson cartridges count how many ink drops they dispense and will stop working when it thinks it is empty. This is by design, so the cartridges can not be refilled. The continuous refill kit, gets around that by including print cartridges that reset automatically. There are devices on the market that will reset the counter, which then allows the cartridge to be refilled.
I thought about buying an R300, but the reviews were not very good, mostly bad. I don�t do a lot of color printing, so I don�t know if I would buy the kit for myself, even if I had this printer. If my color printing needs increase, I might look into this again. I think the price for the kit was a hundred dollars.

Eric in Studio City - Bluetooth not working

He gets the “Network cable is unplugged” error message. Microsoft has a troubleshooter.

On my setup I get the same message, and have discovered that it is because when I installed the driver it also installed a service to use the adapter as a modem. Windows sees this as another Internet connection.

Noon-1p

Steve in Bonita - modifying EXIF fields in photos

On Mac, use the free PhotoInfo
On Windows try Attribute Magic.

Rosy in Vista - can you get spyware from RAM chips?

No, but that doesn’t mean it’s not easy to get spyware. Read our articles in the Tips section on spyware and how to protect yourself.

Dane in Rancho Cucamonga - laptop choices

Pentium vs Athlon - doesn’t really matter. Both work just find for all Windows and Linux OSs and apps.

A Listener writes: Athlon seems to run cool at higher performance levels than Pentiums. Also, many vendors don’t offer faster P4M 3GHz+ systems due to heat/power issues. Check out Alienware if you’re going for a performance system, and Dell for a general business system.

A listener writes: Windows vs Mac- For now if you’re happy with Windows wait for the Intel Macs (like me), but If you feel you truly need it then buy one now.

Joanna in La Habra - State Park Reservations

The State now uses an online reservation system. Are there any tricks to getting through? Nope. Just use as many computers as you can and keep clicking until you get through.

Well there are a couple of tricks. If you know a little programming, you could probably use Proxomitron and write a little script. A much easier way would be to run a browser with multiple windows like Opera and set it to refresh every few seconds. Choose something like 10–20 seconds with as many windows as can fit on your monitor. When you finally get through, hurry up and begin the process otherwise the window will refresh again.

Brooke in Diamond Bar - GPS for dogs

There are a couple of companies that make collars with GPS built-in:

1–2p

Raymond in Camarillo - iTunes problems

He can’t burn CDs on iTunes using music he downloaded from the iTunes music store. He’s getting error 2123. Sounds like Windows wants to take charge. I’d reinstall iTunes to reassert control. However, if it still won’t work I’d remove the copy protection using Jhymn. (Warning - does not work with iTunes 6!)

mpa, m4a = aac unprotected
mpb, m4b = aac bookmarkable
m4p = aac protected

Mark in Los Angeles - Laptop says it has already been activated

It’s a P3 that came originally with 98. It’s been upgraded, but the serial number you have has already been used on another machine (or two or three). You’ll have to buy a new copy.

Glenn in Rancho Palos Verdes - Linux and my Windows programs

WINE is an emulator that makes it possible to use many Windows programs on Linux. The same folks (Codeweavers) also make Crossover 4.2 which lets you use Quickbooks with Linux. You may also find that there are Linux analogs for programs you use, Open Office instead of Microsoft Office, The GIMP instead of Photoshop, etc.

Jeff in Santa Ana adds- Running Windoze apps under Linux // Running TurboTax under Linux.
IMO, anyone who gives $$ to Intuit needs to have his head examined.

TuxGuru sez: Re: Juno in Linux, Linspire 5.0 has a Juno client.