2008 March

On their web site Intel describes WiMax as:
Intel® WiMAX will deliver extended broadband Internet beyond Wi-Fi. With wireless high-speed broadband connectivity for your PC, WiMAX-enabled laptops and mobile devices will provide you the freedom to connect to the Internet just as you do with your cell phone service. With speeds similar to DSL or cable [...]

Just when you thought that Google has done it all, it is introducing Gmail Paper, which currently is in beta testing. Google Gmail Paper is the latest in a new concept where you can get all of your Gmail messages printed for you and delivered to your home. On its site it claims it will [...]

It happens to all of us. We accidentally scratch one of our valuable CD’s or DVD’s which than will not work. Or our disks become grimmy due to pinkie prints or other gunk which clogs up the pores of the disk and makes it unreadable. In my searches though out the Internet, I have gathered [...]

If you are interested in purchasing a new laptop system, take a look at what Dell is offering. They will knock off $500 on a Vostro business system costing $1249 or more. Basically what this means is that you can get a powerful system for $749 with a 17″, screen, plenty of RAM & hard [...]

Over at Stop Bardware Org, they have posted an article which claims that the software from Real Player does not warn users about the installation of software on the users system. According to the article, Stop Badware states:
We find that RealPlayer 10.5 is badware because it fails to accurately and completely disclose the fact that [...]

This morning on CNN they made mention about Ford selling off Land Rover and Jaguar to a company in India called Tata, which sells low-end vehicles in the $2500 range. What a deal. Tata got both companies for 1/2 of what Ford originally paid for it. Which brought to mind something I have been wondering [...]

Just about a year ago [March 5, 2007] I did an article on those free laptop offers that most of us still see being offered. What surprises me is that the original article I wrote still receives comments. But I thought I would revisit this issues after I received this comment this morning from [...]

Follow-Up to original story:
Last week I did a story about pregnant woman and if they should be allowed to park in disabled parking places. The original article drew a lot of pros and cons. My buddy Charlie in CA. sent me a link to a San Jose Mercury news story and it seems that California [...]

Google has a new and improved Gmail available for those who use Google apps. Some of he new features as described on Google Gmail Blog are:
Since Google’s applications are “in the cloud,” we can act on feedback and release new features very rapidly. Sometimes, though, we like to listen and learn from users before [...]

A few months ago I mentioned the battle between two neighbors in Sunnyvale, CA. over whether some redwood trees should be cut down that were blocking a solar panel. At the time, California had a law [California’s Solar Shade Control Act] which made it unlawful to block solar panels with trees or shrubs. Unfortunately the [...]

Just a quick note:
For those of you who are curious about the aspects of Service Pack #3 for Windows XP, Microsoft has provided a document in .pdf format for your perusal. Though the document provides sparse information, it does address some of the newest offerings for SP3.
You can get your copy here.
Comments welcome.
PS Thi is [...]

I read an interesting article over at ZD Net by Mary Jo Foley in which she stated that Microsoft was offering toll free support and in which she provided a toll free phone number. The toll-free call-in number in the U.S. for Vista SP1 help is (866)-234-6020. Interesting. Was Microsoft really going to cover the [...]

Over at Gizmodo they have posted a specification sheet for the new Intel 2go PC which should be making it’s debut in the next 60 days or so. The 9 in. screen sized notebook is alleged to be going up against the popular Asus Eee PC that is doing very well in sales.
What I [...]

It seems that allegations are swirling that a sub-contractor the FCC used during the auction for the 700MHz may have acted improperly. It now appears that the FCC is going to conduct an investigation and that the US Congress is also overlooking the proceedings. What is in question is if the sub-contractor may have provided [...]

Intel has introduced their 2 core Celeron dubbed E1200 which is pegged at 1.6 GHz in processing speed. Over at Tiger Direct News that are touting the new processor as being ideal for low end systems since they are pricing the CPU at about $50.00, which is a bargain. They describe the new processor as:
As [...]

One of the most favorite Linux distribution has entered into another round of beta testing as Ubuntu/Kubuntu releases their new 8.04 distribution known as Hardy Heron. According to their web site a final and stable release is scheduled by April 2008. On their web site it states:

Introduction to Ubuntu 8.04 Beta

The Ubuntu developers are [...]

Google has asked the FCC to open the white space [between channels 2 thru 51] to wi-fi. Google feels that this spectrum of the airwaves will be able to bring the Internet to everyone and provide affordable access to all. In their letter to the FCC Google stated:
In a letter to the Federal Communications [...]

Last week PC World had reported that Sony was going to charge a $50 fee for removing bloatware aka crapware from their systems if a consumer opted for the procedure. Called ‘Fresh Start’ by the folks at Sony, the $49.95 fee would help offset the cost of providing the consumer with a clean, lean, fighting [...]

There are many stories floating around blog land and other articles about whether Microsoft will cut a deal with Sony to use Blu-Ray technology. There are also rumors that Microsoft isn’t about to give up on HD-DVD using what they call HDi-DVD downloading for use on their X-Box 360 and Media Center software. But the [...]

UbuntuStudio is the latest release of the popular Ubuntu Linux family from Canonical, LTD. The software is designed for those who are either enthusiast or professional and needs  some of the best software for audio, video and graphics that the open source community has to offer. On their web site it states:
Ubuntu Studio is [...]