Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wyzo 3.0.3 Update Annoying icon.
Wyzo was recommended to me a few years ago after firefox 3.0 seamed to have some problems with crashing on media intense sites. Since then I have been very happy with wyzo and even recommended it to others. However the latest update has one annoying tidbit. Now an icon sits down by the clock letting you know wyzo is still running even when you close it out. I'm sure some searching would yield a solution to remove the little icon, but instead I'll just have to adapt, who knows it may come in handy as a fourth shortcut to opening a webpage.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Nintendo DSi Review
Over the past week I purchased a Nintendo DSi so I could finally play some games with my geek girlfriend. First impressions where mild, the larger screens (One touch screen) and dual cameras where nice. The DSi can connect to the Internet and the online DSi shop. The shop looks just like the Nintendo Wii shop and even plays the same annoying music. Right now about the only good thing for download is the FREE browser that offers no Flash or Shockwave support and limited javascript support. So no Hulu or netflix for this device. And WarioWorld Snap. Which is surprisingly fun. It brings back the old days or GameBoy advanced and color with the camera attachment.
The DSi camera offers no zoom feature and the audio sound for taking pictures can not be turned off (Unless you put in your own switch for the speakers.). Other then that the camera offers several activities that will keep most kids entertained for a few hours. For adults it could keep your interest for a short while unless your like me and like taking pictures out of your peep hole.
Another nice addition is the ability to swap game cards without turning off the power and press and release of the power button (Now moved inside instead of on the outer top) puts you back to the DSi menu. The menu is another clone from the Wii.
Something strange I came across was that if you hold down both top triggers and the start and select buttons then turn on the DSi you end up at the calibration screen. Wonder what other little short cuts exist.
At the moment no carts exist to allow homebrew on the DSi. Something I'm sure will be fixed shortly. The DSi also offers no mp3 or video support. When is Nintendo going to catch up with the times and trends and make their devices competitive with the rest.
The DSi also offers no text/e-book features and does not work with gba cartridges.
The new matte finish is kind of nice, no more smudges on the shell and it allows the camera on the outside to blend in. But it still has a ways to go before it becomes my portable device of choice.
Jei.
The DSi camera offers no zoom feature and the audio sound for taking pictures can not be turned off (Unless you put in your own switch for the speakers.). Other then that the camera offers several activities that will keep most kids entertained for a few hours. For adults it could keep your interest for a short while unless your like me and like taking pictures out of your peep hole.
Another nice addition is the ability to swap game cards without turning off the power and press and release of the power button (Now moved inside instead of on the outer top) puts you back to the DSi menu. The menu is another clone from the Wii.
Something strange I came across was that if you hold down both top triggers and the start and select buttons then turn on the DSi you end up at the calibration screen. Wonder what other little short cuts exist.
At the moment no carts exist to allow homebrew on the DSi. Something I'm sure will be fixed shortly. The DSi also offers no mp3 or video support. When is Nintendo going to catch up with the times and trends and make their devices competitive with the rest.
The DSi also offers no text/e-book features and does not work with gba cartridges.
The new matte finish is kind of nice, no more smudges on the shell and it allows the camera on the outside to blend in. But it still has a ways to go before it becomes my portable device of choice.
Jei.
Friday, April 3, 2009
GPS + Goops + Google Earth = Cool!
After wardriving and geocaching I wanted to find something that would let me use my GPS and laptop in another way. A more widely useful way. A free (After buying the hardware) navigator. I already knew how to import my routes from my GPS into Google Earth. Now I needed to see my location in real time. Enter GOOPS a free GPS / Google Earth combining program. Once setup I took another trip to Keokuk and the software and hardware combination worked perfectly. In fact it seamed very accurate in the speed, elevation, and even the tracking on google earth was pretty precise.
The only major downside was the constant rotation of the map while driving and turning corners.
Goops Free and Paid versions can be downloaded from Here.
Sorry I don't have any screen shots, I was too busy driving :P
Jei
The only major downside was the constant rotation of the map while driving and turning corners.
Goops Free and Paid versions can be downloaded from Here.
Sorry I don't have any screen shots, I was too busy driving :P
Jei
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Conficker HAHAHA
Last night I heard about and seen on the news more BS since the Y2K flop. One "expert" stated that Internet providers need to update their equipment. ISP's equipment has nothing to do with the spread or infection of viruses. In fact this would require ISP's to filter content which in my opinion is a violation of users privacy.
Another statement was that computers should only be sold to those with a degree. Although I think computer users should have a basic understanding of reading, writing, shapes, and colors in order to buy a computer and at least put forth some effort to understand them afterwards. This statement sounds like another computer lamer with too many papers saying they answered some multiple choice questions, trying to make it sound like computers are some big secret.
The worst one I have heard is one expert saying after the infection there is no way to fix the problem. LMFAO, conficker is software and does not harm any of the computers hardware nor can it. A virus can not physically damage a hard drive, power supply, or any other part of your computer. The worse it could do is try to wipe out your BIOS which can be re-flashed. This sounds like a way to get people to buy new computers and since the economy has went down and people are not buying computers as fast as usual, I could see this being some ploy by a twisted company.
Conficker does not infect Linux, Solaris, or Mac OS. Which means its a simple matter of booting a Linux rescue cd and retrieving your documents. Then its a hard drive wipe and a restore of your last backup (Or complete re-install for those of you who do not backup).
You can detect conficker using wireshark so thats as easy as booting backtrack from http://www.remote-exploit.org and running it. Since Linux is not effected and is a live system files can not be infected or removed.
I'm sure plenty of computer shops will make a nice penny off this, I just hope that eventually people start taking responsibility into their own hands and learn how to use a computer and software to prevent the need for this type of chaotic reaction to a simple virus.
Jei
Another statement was that computers should only be sold to those with a degree. Although I think computer users should have a basic understanding of reading, writing, shapes, and colors in order to buy a computer and at least put forth some effort to understand them afterwards. This statement sounds like another computer lamer with too many papers saying they answered some multiple choice questions, trying to make it sound like computers are some big secret.
The worst one I have heard is one expert saying after the infection there is no way to fix the problem. LMFAO, conficker is software and does not harm any of the computers hardware nor can it. A virus can not physically damage a hard drive, power supply, or any other part of your computer. The worse it could do is try to wipe out your BIOS which can be re-flashed. This sounds like a way to get people to buy new computers and since the economy has went down and people are not buying computers as fast as usual, I could see this being some ploy by a twisted company.
Conficker does not infect Linux, Solaris, or Mac OS. Which means its a simple matter of booting a Linux rescue cd and retrieving your documents. Then its a hard drive wipe and a restore of your last backup (Or complete re-install for those of you who do not backup).
You can detect conficker using wireshark so thats as easy as booting backtrack from http://www.remote-exploit.org and running it. Since Linux is not effected and is a live system files can not be infected or removed.
I'm sure plenty of computer shops will make a nice penny off this, I just hope that eventually people start taking responsibility into their own hands and learn how to use a computer and software to prevent the need for this type of chaotic reaction to a simple virus.
Jei
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