Tech Geek Thread Do-Over

[Rallura]

I missed this thread too much. Also, we got our first ever laptop not too long ago, and tomorrow are trading it for a different laptop. I haven't seen it yet though I am informed I already need a new battery for it. Where do I go besides ebay for cheap batteries?

Also, we got a server donated to us here at work, and I am finally taking a look at it. We are a very small office with only 4 computers, but we are already at the point that the main computer has to be on nearly all the time, since we have a multi-client database, and two other programs whose main file resides on it. I have never had a server before, so I don't quite know what to do with it. Is it overkill at this point? I can see that we would benefit from one central place to put the programs and files we all share, but is this going to be too much to handle? I am what passes for an It here, I have no training but learn quickly. It's a x86 Family model 8 Stepping 12 running windows NT. It says it has 261,540 kb of ram. Thanks.

[howyadoin]

Here's my contribution so far: I bought a new FireWire drive last weekend. It's an 80 gig external from IOGear. Quite a step up from 20 gigs.

Next step will be reformatting my hard drive and upgrading to OSX in a couple weeks.

[Rallura]

I need a new hard drive at home, like a year ago. I still haven't gotten the computers networked, although we managed to get the keyboard actually plugged in a couple days ago. My brain went fritz when I tried to remember what to do with the ip addresses though. I need sleep.....

[howyadoin]

Next step will be reformatting my hard drive and upgrading to OSX in a couple weeks.Okay, I'm takin' the plunge. Any of you OSX gurus have any advice? I'm doing a complete reformat and reinstall.

Can I use my old (OS 9) preferences files and settings, for example? I've got most of my stuff backed up on my external drive at this point.

[Tadhg Adams]

Okay, I'm takin' the plunge. Any of you OSX gurus have any advice? I'm doing a complete reformat and reinstall.

It's always a best-practice to unplug all external drives while upgrading/reformating/installing the OS. While it's rare that you'd experience a problem, it's better safe than sorry.


Can I use my old (OS 9) preferences files and settings, for example? I've got most of my stuff backed up on my external drive at this point.

Not for 10 but you can use your old prefs and stuff while running classic, if you so choose.

The only advice I can think of at the moment is "Don't use Filevault, Don't turn it on, Don't even look at it. It's evil and horrible and should be avoided."

[DarkBlade]

What's filevault?

[howyadoin]

It's always a best-practice to unplug all external drives while upgrading/reformating/installing the OS. While it's rare that you'd experience a problem, it's better safe than sorry.Eminently sensible. I wouldn't have thought of that.

Not for 10 but you can use your old prefs and stuff while running classic, if you so choose.Ah. I was hopin' I could use TCP/IP settings and stuff, but it's not really that big a deal.

The only advice I can think of at the moment is "Don't use Filevault, Don't turn it on, Don't even look at it. It's evil and horrible and should be avoided."What Deeb said.

[Brandon Hanvey]

What's filevault?

FileVault is OS X's encryption application. It was added with OS 10.3, but has been said to be buggy.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/filevault/

[Brandon Hanvey]

Eminently sensible. I wouldn't have thought of that.

Ah. I was hopin' I could use TCP/IP settings and stuff, but it's not really that big a deal.

When I upgraded to my new iMac with OS X from my old iMac OS 9, my TCP/IP settings were detected automatically, and I was on my network in a flash.

[howyadoin]

When I upgraded to my new iMac with OS X from my old iMac OS 9, my TCP/IP settings were detected automatically, and I was on my network in a flash.That's pretty cool. I think my first priority once I'm up and running again will be to get back online.

[Tadhg Adams]

Built in encryption program that comes with OS 10.3. You can read about it here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/filevault/

But most of the problems I've had to fix with people's macs are related to Filevault.

[Spike-X]

That's pretty cool. I think my first priority once I'm up and running again will be to get back online.
Well really, that goes without saying.

[howyadoin]

Alright, I'm goin' for it. I'll be back later with more questions, I'm sure.

[howyadoin]

Well, so far things aren't going well. I reformatted my hard drive okay, and since then I can't mount any FireWire or USB devices, and to add to my frustration, most of the new installer disks I have suddenly won't mount.

Gonna be an interesting night, I think.

[Typo Lad]

It turns out some of those CDs are duds though, so just make a list and we'll see about a solution for that little problem, mon ami.

No USB or Firewire? Tres odd. Have you run Software Update (in the Apple Menu)?

What model Mac are you using? Are the USB & FW cards intigrated or add-ons?

And why am I up?

[howyadoin]

It turns out some of those CDs are duds though, so just make a list and we'll see about a solution for that little problem, mon ami.The problem seems to be the system disks themselves. Sometimes they'll mount, and sometimes they won't. I tried copying the contents and burning my own disks, but for some reason my computer won't recognize the first one as a startup disk, which means I can't install OSX. (Should there be a system folder on it somewhere? I have no clue how to troubleshoot X, which is the main reason I didn't try installing it till now.)

At first I thought it was the specific Memorex CDs you used, because I recently bought a batch of the same ones and found a bunch of duds in it, but when I made my own copies I used a different brand, and other than the fact that I can't use them as startup disks, they seem to work okay.

At any rate, I need to get my system up and running tomorrow, so I'm probably just gonna go buy a copy of Panther.

No USB or Firewire? Tres odd. Have you run Software Update (in the Apple Menu)?

What model Mac are you using? Are the USB & FW cards intigrated or add-ons?Managed to get it working after juggling extensions a bit, and a few software upgrades.

And why am I up?Now that, I can't explain.

[howyadoin]

I'm starting to wonder if OSX software can only be copied on an X-based operating system. Anybody heard anything like that?

[Alex]

I own a computer of some type.
When I yell at it, it doesn't do anything, so i like it less then my dog.

[Typo Lad]

I'm starting to wonder if OSX software can only be copied on an X-based operating system. Anybody heard anything like that?

...

I don't THINK so. Installed yes, copied no.

Sorry about all the hassle. It SHOULD have worked, damnit. Esp the OS disks! I JUST used those.

[howyadoin]

I don't THINK so. Installed yes, copied no.Yeah, I was kinda grasping at straws there. I didn't have any problems copying the files onto my computer, or burning and verifying the CDs, so I couldn't figure out where anything went wrong.

Sorry about all the hassle. It SHOULD have worked, damnit. Esp the OS disks! I JUST used those.No worries. You did what you could. And besides, those were the only two disks in the bunch that need to be bootable.

[howyadoin]

Just finished installing OSX from the new disks I bought. Now I'm just playin' around with all the new toys before I start installing more software.

[howyadoin]

Jesus, what an annoying process. I'm trying to register the system software with Apple, but can't make a connection. And since I can't register it yet, I can't install any software because I don't have enough fucking access priveleges.

Who's the asswipe who came up with that brilliant idea?




On an unrelated note, any idea how to import my old IE Favorites into Safari?

[howyadoin]

I should also point out that when I started up my external FireWire drive for the first time, I got a message that said "waiting for drives" or something like that. When things finally booted up, I made the thrilling discovery that OSX had wiped one of the partitions completely clean. How nice.

I'm just glad it wasn't the one that has all my work on it.

[Tadhg Adams]

Jesus, what an annoying process. I'm trying to register the system software with Apple, but can't make a connection. And since I can't register it yet, I can't install any software because I don't have enough fucking access priveleges.

Who's the asswipe who came up with that brilliant idea?


I have never run into that with any of the installs I've done and I'm sure I avoided the registration a few times. I guess I've been incredibly lucky, because I know lots of people that've had tons of problems, but I've upgraded maybe 50-70 machines and the biggest problem I've ever had is a few pieces of unsupported hardware.

[howyadoin]

I have never run into that with any of the installs I've done and I'm sure I avoided the registration a few times. I guess I've been incredibly lucky, because I know lots of people that've had tons of problems, but I've upgraded maybe 50-70 machines and the biggest problem I've ever had is a few pieces of unsupported hardware.How do I bypass the registration process? I didn't have an option to do that. In the meantime, I can't use my computer for work till I make some kind of connection with Apple. And of course, their tech support isn't available till tomorrow morning...

Just my luck. The first time I ever try to actually register a legal piece of software, and it bites me on the ass.

[Tadhg Adams]

I'm almost positive that you can choose to send the registration later and it'll then take you to the Finder and leave you with a shortcut to send in your registration. Or maybe Open Apple-Q to quit out of it.

[howyadoin]

I'm almost positive that you can choose to send the registration later and it'll then take you to the Finder and leave you with a shortcut to send in your registration. Or maybe Open Apple-Q to quit out of it.Yeah, that's what happened. But in the meantime, I don't have sufficient access priveleges to install any software.

Which, as you can guess, is kind of a pain in the ass. I could install 9 and have all my software working properly in a couple hours, without some pain-in-the-ass Big Brother software bullshit going on.

And I've been using Macs for 14 years. What kind of a message would this send to one of the new Mac users they're always braggin' about?

[Tadhg Adams]

Something's wrong then. There shouldn't be a problem installing software. You don't need to register for access privileges, just the username and password you created when you set everything up. What's happening when you try to install stuff? You should get a window pop-up that asks you for your username and password with the username already filled in.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Maybe you signed in as a non administrator account? If that is, you wouldn't be able to add programs to the system.

[MacQuarrie]

Here's my question: For some reaon, my Mac G4 has decided that it just ain't going to play music Cds anymore. Won't recognize them, compy them, mount or play them. Period. It will cooperate with data CDs, but not audio ones, unless they're CD-Rs and were recorded on a Mac.

It also doesn't want to burn music CDs anymore. I think it's also refusing to burn data CDs, if I remember correctly. The drive is one of those CD-R/DVD combo units.

This machine is currently running OS 10.2. I have lovely new OS 10.3 disks sitting here, but I haven't had the time to take the system out of service long enough to install it. Too many people using it.

Anyway, what are the chances that installing OS 10.3 will correct the CD problem? Or is it a physical problem with the drive?

[howyadoin]

Something's wrong then. There shouldn't be a problem installing software. You don't need to register for access privileges, just the username and password you created when you set everything up.See, here's the problem: yes, I created a username and password. But since I can't register the computer with Apple yet, every time I try to install anything, it won't recognize that password. And so, I can't install anything.

At all.

What's happening when you try to install stuff? You should get a window pop-up that asks you for your username and password with the username already filled in.I do. And it won't recognize the password.

Sorry if I'm starting to sound exasperated; this whole situation is really starting to piss me off, especially since I lost about 2 gigs worth of files when fucking OSX reformatted one of the partitions of my FireWire drive.

I've also just had the computer lock up 6 times when I tried to do memory-intensive thigs like opening folders. Again, something that wouldn't have happened in OS9.

Should I just reinstall OSX again?

[Tadhg Adams]

Should I just reinstall OSX again?

I'm not sure if you should install it again, but I do know that your password for the machine and your registering the software are independent of one another.

Goto System Preferences: Accounts and see if you can change your password and make sure your account is set up as an Admin which if it's the only account you've made, it should be.

[howyadoin]

I'm not sure if you should install it again, but I do know that your password for the machine and your registering the software are independent of one another.Ah. Now I didn't get that. Probably because Apple makes it seem like the two are part of the same process. At any rate, I've already reinstalled, which didn't seem to make a huge difference. I've deleted all the 3rd-party stuff I tried to install earlier, mainly because I'm starting to get paraoid that there's a virus on the disks or something. The computer's still locking up occasionally when I try to open the odd window, but there doesn't seem to be any pattern to it.

In other news, my FireWire drive has stopped mounting again. I'm tempted to reboot the computer with the drive turned on, but the last time I did that, OSX wiped one of the partitions clean. I really don't wanna lose all the work files and music that are on the other partition, but I guess I might have to risk it at some point.

And no, I didn't back that stuff up. I figured it was safe on an external drive, like it was before I upgraded.

Goto System Preferences: Accounts and see if you can change your password and make sure your account is set up as an Admin which if it's the only account you've made, it should be.Yeah, it says my account is an Admin.

[howyadoin]

Update: managed to get one of the partitions to mount again, but not the one that got wiped. I'm seeing a whole pile of files and folders on it that I guess were invisible previously. That's kind of annoying, but I guess I can live with it.

I'm thinking the drive will need to be reformatted or something, but of course I can't do that until I get permission from myself to install some CD-burning software so I can back up the work files and the 700 MP3s on it.







Right about now I'd sincerely like to choke the living shit out of everybody who ever recommended Panther to me. 'Cause y'know, my old system was bulletproof. Occasionally CBR would cause Explorer to lock up, but I could always force it to quit. Other than that, I haven't had a problem in the last 3 years.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

[howyadoin]

One more question: prior to OSX, the obvious rememedies to most problems were either rebuilding your desktop, or starting with the extensions off. What kind of options do we have now?

[Brandon Hanvey]

One more question: prior to OSX, the obvious rememedies to most problems were either rebuilding your desktop, or starting with the extensions off. What kind of options do we have now?

Under Applications: Utilities: Disk Utility

Disk Utility can do some basic disk repair and checking.

[howyadoin]

Under Applications: Utilities: Disk Utility

Disk Utility can do some basic disk repair and checking.Cool. I will check that out.

And thanks.

[Scottsdale_Saint]

keep the faith man. i was running OS9 up until about a year ago, and my boss gave me copies of OSX-Jaguar. he had given me copies of software before and i'd had no problems installing things. much like you the copies you had, it wouldn't work. well a couple of months later, panther comes out, he brings it over and it works like a charm. small comfort, i know, but once you get everything worked out you'll friggin' love it-kind of like velvet revolver. :D anyways, OSX is so much more crashproof and i happen to love the new browser-safari. it has a much more sophistacated bookmark system and runs much more efficently than explorer. best of luck...

[howyadoin]

keep the faith man. i was running OS9 up until about a year ago, and my boss gave me copies of OSX-Jaguar. he had given me copies of software before and i'd had no problems installing things. much like you the copies you had, it wouldn't work. well a couple of months later, panther comes out, he brings it over and it works like a charm. small comfort, i know, but once you get everything worked out you'll friggin' love it-kind of like velvet revolver. :D anyways, OSX is so much more crashproof and i happen to love the new browser-safari. it has a much more sophistacated bookmark system and runs much more efficently than explorer. best of luck...Thanks. It's Panther that I'm using (or trying to use, anyhow). I definitely prefer Safari, and I love the interface and stuff.

But between yesterday's trials and tribulations and the crap I've been through today, I've wasted about 18 hours, lost 2 gigs worth of files from a brand new external drive that worked just fine till today, and all I've got to show for it is a much more crash-prone computer that I can't install software on anymore.

Anyhow, I'm callin' it a night before I put my foot through my monitor. Tomorrow's a brand new day, right?

[howyadoin]

Sooner or later I really am gonna go to sleep. But after my last post, I decided to try Brandon's DiskUtility suggestion. And when I did, I discovered something interesting - the IoGear drive I bought recently actually has 3 partitions, not 2. Apparently the 3rd one never mounted in the 2 weeks I was using the drive before this weekend in computer hell.

Now I'm completely baffled. Could the external drive be so fucked up that it affects the operation of OSX? 'Cause now I can't open any of the folders on the hard drive without locking the computer up. Which makes doing... well, anything, a little tricky.

[howyadoin]

Posting from work now, 'cause my computer is completely screwed. It occurred to me that my MP3s can be backed up from my iPod, so I'm not so concerned about them. And a buddy of mine is hopefully gonna let me hook up the external drive to his computer long enough to burn my work files onto a CD.

Then I want to exchange the external drive for one that works, wipe my harddrive clean, and do yet another OSX install.

Pray for me.

[Typo Lad]

Howy: I forgot to warn you of something, so this is MY FAULT.

There's a certain Oxford Chipset in some firewire drives that has issues with OS 1.3 In order to use them properly you have to update 10 10.3.1 I should have warned you to update BEFORE you plugged in any external drives. This could be the problem.

Do a reformat and then UPDATE asdap.

[howyadoin]

Howy: I forgot to warn you of something, so this is MY FAULT.

There's a certain Oxford Chipset in some firewire drives that has issues with OS 1.3 In order to use them properly you have to update 10 10.3.1 I should have warned you to update BEFORE you plugged in any external drives. This could be the problem.

Do a reformat and then UPDATE asdap.Hey, that's hardly your fault. The documentation with the drive said it was fully OSX compatible. At any rate, the drive is still defective, or the 3rd partition would have mounted when I was still running OS9.

The stupid thing, of course, is that I would have updated to the latest Panthere version if I hadn't run into the password problems. Still have no idea how I'm gonna get around that one...

[Typo Lad]

Listen, I'm home sick today. If you want to pay the international LD, you can call me at home. I'll reformat me iBook and we can walk through it together.

[howyadoin]

Listen, I'm home sick today. If you want to pay the international LD, you can call me at home. I'll reformat me iBook and we can walk through it together.I appreciate the offer, but I'm at work today.

[howyadoin]

So I backed up the stuff from the FireWire drive (which will be going back to the store tomorrow), wiped my hard drive clean and reinstalled OSX. This time the password took, and the software update worked fine.

Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic.

[Typo Lad]

Here's my question: For some reaon, my Mac G4 has decided that it just ain't going to play music Cds anymore. Won't recognize them, compy them, mount or play them. Period. It will cooperate with data CDs, but not audio ones, unless they're CD-Rs and were recorded on a Mac.

It also doesn't want to burn music CDs anymore. I think it's also refusing to burn data CDs, if I remember correctly. The drive is one of those CD-R/DVD combo units.

This machine is currently running OS 10.2. I have lovely new OS 10.3 disks sitting here, but I haven't had the time to take the system out of service long enough to install it. Too many people using it.

Anyway, what are the chances that installing OS 10.3 will correct the CD problem? Or is it a physical problem with the drive?

Do the upgrade, it's worth a shot.

[Slayven]

I am getting a mac this weekend. i am so excited

[Brandon Hanvey]

I am getting a mac this weekend. i am so excited

What kind? iMac? G5? PowerBook?

[howyadoin]

I am getting a mac this weekend. i am so excitedOne of us! One of us!

[Scottsdale_Saint]

So I backed up the stuff from the FireWire drive (which will be going back to the store tomorrow), wiped my hard drive clean and reinstalled OSX. This time the password took, and the software update worked fine.

Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic.hey, keep us posted on your travails with the new operating system. hope you like it as much as the rest of us...

[howyadoin]

hey, keep us posted on your travails with the new operating system. hope you like it as much as the rest of us...I've been using X since it first came out, on various job sites. This is the first opportunity I've had to really dig into it myself, though. And I've gotta say, the sheer amount of stuff that comes with it - stuff that would've required me downloading and installing a shitload of 3rd-party add-ons before - impresses the hell outta me.

[Slayven]

What kind? iMac? G5? PowerBook?
Nothign special just an Imac my boss wants to get rid of . I always wanted OSX, but never the patience to save up for a system

[Typo Lad]

What model? The colored kind?

My first Mac was a giveaway from my boss too.

[Slayven]

What model? The colored kind?

My first Mac was a giveaway from my boss too.
Old blueberry

[howyadoin]

Incidentally, does anybody know of any good sites for cracks and serial numbers?




Y'know, so I can evaluate some programs...

[Typo Lad]

There's a wonderful app called Surfer's Serial. PM.

[sallizar]

No new tech toys... Being unemployed does that... But I got a funny story... Well funny to me anyway...

The defrag software that ships with Windows 2K and XP just plain bites... So I use a hefty tool called Diskeeper on all my own machines and every server I've ever managed in my IT career... It has a special tool that you can run during boot up that defrags all those systems files it can't move when your booted because they are in use... The program always warns you to have a backup before you do this... I've been running it on production web servers, database servers, and my own PCs and NEVER had a single problem with it... So what happens when my friend Brian trys it for the first time by my reccomendation on his almost full 120GB HD?? Yeah, no more HD.... He's still pissed...

[Dom]

I have a tech geek emergency for a schmuck like me.

How can I back up an Outlook Address book before I perform a system restore?

Thanks guys, key lime pie to the person who can answer!

[howyadoin]

How can I back up an Outlook Address book before I perform a system restore?

Thanks guys, key lime pie to the person who can answer!I don't have it on my computer (thank God), but it's probably just a matter of exporting it or something.

And didn't you already promise me meat?

[Dom]

I don't have it on my computer (thank God), but it's probably just a matter of exporting it or something.

And didn't you already promise me meat?

It's in the mail, I sent it to Howy in Vancouver. I can't believe the stupid post office didn't get it to you yet.

[howyadoin]

It's in the mail, I sent it to Howy in Vancouver. I can't believe the stupid post office didn't get it to you yet.That's what happens when they privatise the mail system...

[Tadhg Adams]

Well at least it's not a bondi, but OSX is still going to be dog slow on that sucker. And you'll definetly have to upgrade the RAM if that hasn't been done.

We found a "Macintosh for Teachers" book at work today. It amused us because while flipping through it it mentioned the price of RAM at "35 Dollars a Megabyte" and Hard Drives at "2 Dollars a megabyte." It was from 1995, but I was thinking, man if those prices were true today, I'd have almost 2 million dollars in Hard drives alone, but I don't think those prices were true in 1995 either, I can't remember though.

Oh and whoever thought the All-In-One or eMac were good designs needs to be beaten over the head with one.

[howyadoin]

It amused us because while flipping through it it mentioned the price of RAM at "35 Dollars a Megabyte" and Hard Drives at "2 Dollars a megabyte." It was from 1995, but I was thinking, man if those prices were true today, I'd have almost 2 million dollars in Hard drives alone, but I don't think those prices were true in 1995 either, I can't remember though.I remember a buddy of mine spending a thousand bucks on RAM in 1993. It wasn't exactly a big chip, either. Thank God you could always find somebody with a copy of RAM Doubler.

[Tadhg Adams]

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that in 95 I had a 2 gig HD(It'd have been my first PC since Windows 95 came out and System 7 sent me running from the Mac) and I know that there's no way I had a machine that had a 4,000 dollar Hard drive in it

[howyadoin]

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that in 95 I had a 2 gig HD(It'd have been my first PC since Windows 95 came out and System 7 sent me running from the Mac) and I know that there's no way I had a machine that had a 4,000 dollar Hard drive in it2 gigs? In '95? Shit, I was still using a IIci with a 230-meg drive.

Isn't that around the time the pizza-box PowerMacs came out?

[Tadhg Adams]

Yeah. I found the chassis to my Acer in the garage. The CD-Rom was manufactured in September 1995 unfortunetly I don't have a model number but from looking around the internet, it seems it most likely had a 1.0-1.2 gig HD and not a 2.0 like I thought. It was also Black with a Black monitor(A monitor which I used until just 2 years ago when it set my apartment on fire)

[Typo Lad]

I..I like the eMac. Why for the rage Trixie?

[Tadhg Adams]

I..I like the eMac. Why for the rage Trixie?

Move them by the hundreds and you will see why. It's not so much the weight(which is the problem with the all-in-one), but there is no easy way to carry them. The iMac was PERFECT, it even had a handle so I could carry two at a time. It's a very unwieldy design.

[Typo Lad]

Ok, I can see that.

[Tadhg Adams]

If I'm ever in charge, the only computers to be used will be Mac Classics and SEs.

[Nicole Lee]

Hey, I have 4 GMail invitations to give out. Anyone want one?

[howyadoin]

So, I've got about 700 songs on my iPod from before I upgraded my system. I had them backed up on the first FireWire drive I bought, but of course those were lost when it crapped out on me.

I've been looking around at apps to transfer the songs from my Pod to my hard drive, including this one (http://www.drewfindley.com/findleydesigns/index.html). But I've been hearing some horror stories about programs like that wiping people's iPods clean. My other concern is that the version of iTunes on my computer is 4.6, but the version on my Pod is 1.3.

So, any of you guys have hands-on experience working with song-transfer apps?

[Typo Lad]

Just plug in the ipod, drag-and drop the Mp3s into a folder on the desktop, and then add them to iTunes. Tedious, but 100% effective

[Typo Lad]

Hey, I have 4 GMail invitations to give out. Anyone want one?

Y'know...why not. Sure thing. And thanks.

[howyadoin]

Just plug in the ipod, drag-and drop the Mp3s into a folder on the desktop, and then add them to iTunes. Tedious, but 100% effectiveHow do I access the MP3s on the iPod? They don't show up when I open up any of the folders on it. Wouldn't I need some utility for that, at least?

[Typo Lad]

You know, I have NO idea.

Trix?

[Tadhg Adams]

How do I access the MP3s on the iPod? They don't show up when I open up any of the folders on it. Wouldn't I need some utility for that, at least?

Yes, I;m not sure which utlility works best, but you cannot get the songs off the iPod without using some kind of software. Let me do some playing around with various programs and I will get back to you on which I like best.

[howyadoin]

Yes, I;m not sure which utlility works best, but you cannot get the songs off the iPod without using some kind of software. Let me do some playing around with various programs and I will get back to you on which I like best.Excellent, sir. I await your reply with much anticipation.

[Tadhg Adams]

Ollie's iPod extractor worked well for me. It's small, free, and doesn't seem to permantly alter your iPod software in any way. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12739

Just open the program. click on the big extract arrow, select your ipod, select a destination folder and then wait. It doesn't give you a progress bar but it'll let you know when it's done.

[Spike-X]

I have a tech geek emergency for a schmuck like me.

How can I back up an Outlook Address book before I perform a system restore?

Thanks guys, key lime pie to the person who can answer!
Okay, this reply is way late, but it might help somebody.

There's a program called Outback which will backup all your Outlook Express mail, contacts, etc. Shows just how shitty OE is, when you need a third-party program just to back up your email.

[howyadoin]

Ollie's iPod extractor worked well for me. It's small, free, and doesn't seem to permantly alter your iPod software in any way. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12739

Just open the program. click on the big extract arrow, select your ipod, select a destination folder and then wait. It doesn't give you a progress bar but it'll let you know when it's done.Well damn, that was pretty easy.

Thanks again.

[howyadoin]

Now here's something that's been on my mind for awhile now. Before OSX was even for sale, we got all the hype about how stable it was. (And yet, every new version was gonna solve all the problems of the previous version - problems it supposedly didn't have.)

Now, I've used most of the versions of X in work environments, and I've found bucketloads of printing problems, for example. Panther seems to have alleviated most of them, but a couple of the Macs I've been using - including my own - are incredibly crash-prone. Especially when performing memory-intensive tasks like opening folders, moving folders, resizing windows, and saving files from within Safari.

So here's my question: how much of my computer's horsepower is being used to generate cute little dropshadows and animate that window that pops out of Safari? And more importantly, is there any goddamn way to turn the shit off? I don't want a computer that looks pretty and makes people say "ooh"while I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting for some simple task to be performed. What I want is a computer that f*cking works. A professional tool, in other words, not a kid's toy.

(The reason I bring it up is that I know it's pretty simple to turn off the stupid, cutesy shit in the Dock, so I'm hoping there are similar options located elsewhere.)

[MacQuarrie]

Preach it, Brother!

Can I have an "Amen"?

[howyadoin]

Preach it, Brother!

Can I have an "Amen"?I'll even give you a "hallelujah". I just ran TechTool Pro v.4 on the computer and it came up with no errors whatsoever.

Soon as I rebooted the computer, it crashed again.

[Spike-X]

Now here's something that's been on my mind for awhile now. Before OSX was even for sale, we got all the hype about how stable it was. (And yet, every new version was gonna solve all the problems of the previous version - problems it supposedly didn't have.)



Gee, I wonder what other operating system that sounds like?

[Alex]

Gee, I wonder what other operating system that sounds like?
I'm telling you right now though, i don't get why anyone bitches about XP.
I haven't seen the blue screen of death ONCE! I have had no problems at all with anything, i love XP, and when windows upgrades again, im not buying it, because it can't do anything else for me.
In ten years, i will still be running Xp by gum!

[Typo Lad]

Howy, I'm a bit puzzled by your situation. I had to work very, very hard to get my Macs to crash under X. Yes, I did it on purpose. I just wanted to see if it could be done.

There are haxies to let you kill the dropshadow and other such effects. check versiontracker.com

And yeah, printers under X suck. THAT I have to agree with. My HP is supposed to be 100% Mac compatible and it prints like crap. I have two inkjets and a laser and always have to alternate.

Alex, I'm not anti XP. I find it to be a very good OS. It's just that after a day of tweaking and fixing it, I want to come home to something different.

I also find that XP is more dangerous in the hands of idiots.

[jessecuster]

Howy there is a very simple solution to your problem, switch to a pc and never worry about prettiness again.

[Typo Lad]

Actually, you can get pretty PCs these days.

[howyadoin]

Gee, I wonder what other operating system that sounds like?Hence my exasperation.

[howyadoin]

So I was just talking to the Mac guru in the place I've been working lately. His call on the problem is that it takes 512 megs of RAM just to run the OS, and at least another 512 just to open any additional software, let alone run it at any speed. So, I think I'll go look at some extra RAM soon. 2 gigs would be way better than 1, wouldn't it?

[Tadhg Adams]

So I was just talking to the Mac guru in the place I've been working lately. His call on the problem is that it takes 512 megs of RAM just to run the OS, and at least another 512 just to open any additional software, let alone run it at any speed. So, I think I'll go look at some extra RAM soon. 2 gigs would be way better than 1, wouldn't it?


Hmm. It is memory intensive. It really is. But he's exaggerating. I've only got 512 in my machine and it runs everything fine, though I do want to get a gig chip when the price comes done some more.

[Jaye]

I upgraded yesterday to OSX 10.3.4

One thing I notice is that the time it take to boot my comp has gone from about 45 seconds to over 3 minutes. Is that typical for you guys too?

[howyadoin]

Hmm. It is memory intensive. It really is. But he's exaggerating. I've only got 512 in my machine and it runs everything fine, though I do want to get a gig chip when the price comes done some more.Any thoughts, then, on what else could be wrong with my G4? As I mentioned earlier, I ran the full battery of TechTool Pro tests, and came up with nary an error.

Incidentally, mine's only 400 MHz. Could that be a factor? What's the processor speed on yours?

[howyadoin]

I upgraded yesterday to OSX 10.3.4

One thing I notice is that the time it take to boot my comp has gone from about 45 seconds to over 3 minutes. Is that typical for you guys too?My startup time is probably a minute or so.

[Typo Lad]

I just booted 10.3.4 on a 266 G3 imac and it took about a minute.

Howy: I call BS. I've been running 10.3.4 on systems with as little as 96 MB of RAM with few problems. Slow as hell, but it runs. I find 256 to be the magic number for everyday junk like Word and Web. For graphics I would say 512 is a must. Sound smore like the guy needs to sell some RAM.

[Jaye]

Thanks guys, I'm back down to about a minute, apparently it was just the first couple start-ups that did that. Fluky.

[howyadoin]

Howy: I call BS. I've been running 10.3.4 on systems with as little as 96 MB of RAM with few problems. Slow as hell, but it runs. I find 256 to be the magic number for everyday junk like Word and Web. For graphics I would say 512 is a must. Sound smore like the guy needs to sell some RAM.John's never steered me wrong before. And he's not a salesman; he's the guy who built and maintains the system at one of the agencies where I worked. Seeing as how the system's fast and stable enough for me to work on 1.5-gig Photoshop files across the network, I'd say he knows what he's talkin' about.

And besides all that, the problems I'm running into are occurring when I'm doing simple things like resizing a window or saving files from Safari. I haven't done any memory-intensive graphics work yet, mainly because I don't feel comfortable taking on work from clients when I don't have a system stable enough to do the work.

So yeah, this is already starting to cost me money.

[Typo Lad]

Well, I'm sorry if I slighted him. Still, in my personal experiance, you just should NOT need all that RAM.

This was from a clean install or an upgrade? I forget.

Open Photoshop and Illustrator and muck about for a bit. Let me know how it performs.

[howyadoin]

This was from a clean install or an upgrade? I forget.Clean install on a freshly-reformatted hard drive.

[howyadoin]

Open Photoshop and Illustrator and muck about for a bit. Let me know how it performs.Did some Photoshop work without any problems. It certainly wasn't any faster than before, though.

Then I closed the folder that had the files in it, and the computer locked up for what must be the 30th time today.

[Typo Lad]

Sounds like Finder has issues.

[Slayven]

Well got the imac and ahvinga good time with it. keep looking for a tool bar instead off up at the finder bar thingy

[howyadoin]

Sounds like Finder has issues.First off, I do appreciate the help you and Trix have been giving me here, even though most of the time I sound like I'm pissed off.

Secondly, what would you do if you were faced with these issues? I have no idea to begin - clearly TechTool isn't up to the task, and I'm guessing that in OSX I don't have the usual fallbacks like starting the computer with the extensions off, or rebuilding the desktop.

I'm lost here.

[Typo Lad]

Well, what I would do is as follows:

Back up all your data files to an external drive. Turn off the drive. Do a fresh install of X, being SURE to do a full format. Connect to the internet and update your machine. Reinstall all your apps. Then test it. THEN transfer your files back in. And don't turn the drive on until you've tested the machine to your satisfaction.

[howyadoin]

Well, what I would do is as follows:

Back up all your data files to an external drive. Turn off the drive. Do a fresh install of X, being SURE to do a full format. Connect to the internet and update your machine. Reinstall all your apps. Then test it. THEN transfer your files back in. And don't turn the drive on until you've tested the machine to your satisfaction.Reinstall everything? Seriously?

Guess you're probably right; though if I do it again, it'll be my 4th time.

On a related note, I've been Googling up some OSX troubleshooting sites, and found all kinds of interesting info. It was definitely Panther that corrupted my old external drive, and from what I've read, Apple claims that the problem is limited to FireWire 800 drives, even though there have been a bunch of reports of FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 drives being trashed by Panther as well.



I gotta say, this is really changing my opinion of Apple. All these problems, all the differences in the operating system, and their whole approach to all of this just feels like a giant "fuck you" to the people who kept them afloat in the early 90s (i.e., the graphics community).

[howyadoin]

Haven't tried a new install yet, but I did do a safe reboot and verified and repaired the permissions (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751).

(Listen to me; I almost sound like I know what I'm talkin' about.)




Be interesting to see if any of this makes a difference...

[howyadoin]

Be interesting to see if any of this makes a difference...Apparently not too fuckin' much.

[MacQuarrie]

...My wife has a PC that's being recaltricant. ($5 word, means difficult and stubborn.) Here are the symptoms:

When she's working in Outlook Express (she has to for this online class she's in; it's done through newsgroups and they rather insist on OE), at random intervals the OS will suddenly start opening various applications and trying to run things; the Taskbar pops up, desktop settings windows pop open, for a while it kept trying to start up WinAmp until I deleted that (one of Ashley's friends installed it while he was living here), and eventually enough things pop open that the system freezes up. It seems to happen whenever she rolls the mouse across the desktop.

I've run AdAware, SpyBot and McAfee and deleted the stuff they found (Alexa was the only thing), but it's still doing it.

When it happens, she hits Ctrl-Alt-Del and closes the Task Manager and that fixes it until the next time it happens.

Any ideas?

[Typo Lad]

To be honest, were I dealing with a system like that, I would reformat the HELL out of it.

[Spike-X]

Any ideas?

I should think the answer is obvious.

The infernal machine is obviously possessed!









Seriously though, I have no idea. When/if you find out what the problem is, I'd love to hear it.

[MacQuarrie]

To be honest, were I dealing with a system like that, I would reformat the HELL out of it.
Hurm.

The computer came from K12, the online virtual public school my youngest attends, so I suppose I should check with them, since it came with all the software preloaded. I think I have the disks here. *sigh*

[Spike-X]

I have an iPod question.

I'm thinking about getting one. The iTunes software only works with Windows 2000 or WinXP. I'm running Win98SE. I have not the means, time or inclination to upgrade my OS just so I can listen to music.

Do I need the iTunes software to transfer MP3s to the iPod, or are there other means to do so?

[sallizar]

Do I need the iTunes software to transfer MP3s to the iPod, or are there other means to do so?Yes... and my experince with the iPod and Windows was pretty flaky at best...

[Typo Lad]

I have an iPod question.

I'm thinking about getting one. The iTunes software only works with Windows 2000 or WinXP. I'm running Win98SE. I have not the means, time or inclination to upgrade my OS just so I can listen to music.

Do I need the iTunes software to transfer MP3s to the iPod, or are there other means to do so?

Yup. No iTunes, no iPod.

[Spike-X]

Yup. No iTunes, no iPod.

Hrm..not necessarily. I've found an app called EphPod (http://www.ephpod.com/) that might do the trick. I'd really need to know for sure though, before I go out and spend $500.

[west3man]

To those interested in low-level amateur digital photography, I have something to share (which you may already be aware of):

short version - Digital zoom ain't half BAD!


longer version - I've basically "slept on" the digital zoom option on my digital cameras since I became familiar with them. They seemed to be little more than a "cheat" which didn't actually zoom in on the object, at all. This may or may not be true. I don't recall all of the research I did a couple of years ago. However, I've recently played around with the digital zoom on a couple of cameras and I've been very impressed with the results. The images were much smoother and more clear (clearER?) than I expected.

I first re-discovered the value of the digital zoom while staying on some really high floor of the Peachtree Plaza Hotel/Westin in Atlanta, last year. I took pictures from our window, since we had such a great view of downtown, but wasn't too pleased to find that everything was so tiny in the pictures. I decided to try the digital zoom and WHOA. Anyway, enough ranting. I was really pleased with the results and I still enjoy looking at those pictures and resminiscing. THE-END

[Typo Lad]

Oo..ressurected threads!

Today I saw a broken iPod Mini on ebay go for $102. Alas, out of my range. My goal is to find one of those and take out the Microdrive.

Also, today I learned west3man is Kneelb4Zod! Dur.

So, West...you still got those cameras? Mine was stolen. Also, I'd like to make you an offer for one of those portable DVD players...

[Brandon Hanvey]

In somewhat Tech releated news, G4TechTV has canceled Unscrewed and fired a bunch of people including all the Unscrewed staff and most of The Screensavers staff and on-air talent except fopr Kevin and Sarah. They also fired a bunch of the on-air talent for G4 shows such as Sweat, cheat and Pulse.

I knew when Comcast bought TechTV and merged it with G4 that it wasn't a good idea. But it looks like they are slowly getting rid of most of the tech shows they got with TechTV.

[howyadoin]

I knew when Comcast bought TechTV and merged it with G4 that it wasn't a good idea. But it looks like they are slowly getting rid of most of the tech shows they got with TechTV.I don't understand why you'd buy a tech station if you don't wanna do tech shows. Obviously they didn't buy it to acquire the staff, either.

Or is this like Marvel buying Malibu just so they could shut the competition down?

[west3man]

So, West...you still got those cameras? Mine was stolen. Also, I'd like to make you an offer for one of those portable DVD players...

Yes.

Damn. Sorry to hear that.

Allrightee.

[Jaye]

Today I saw a broken iPod Mini on ebay go for $102. Alas, out of my range. My goal is to find one of those and take out the Microdrive.


Do you have any use for a broken old stlye one (10g, spinny wheel)?
The headphone jack is too mangled to work with any headphones or speakers unless you constantly tend to it, and there are some disc errors. But it plays. Anyway, I bought a new 20g one, since I got a monster good deal. So, lemme know if you want it to hack with.

-13th

[howyadoin]

While we're talking iPods, the battery in mine finally died a couple months back. Anybody here ever replaced one? I want some real-world feedback on the process, because I'm sick of people saying, "well, it should work..."

[Jaye]

No, it wasn't the battery on mine that died. Which is surprising, it lasted three years (18 months of which it went unused, but still).

For my curiousity: what version is yours, and how long have you used it?

The repair costs for the problem with mine were more costly than a new one with more memory. It was frustrating at first, and they don't send yours back, they just send another refurbished one. Blah blah, anyway, you are the first I have heard of with a dead battery.

-13th

[howyadoin]

For my curiousity: what version is yours, and how long have you used it?Mine's the original 5-gig model. It's from the first batch to hit Vancouver, which would've been 3 years ago this month. I used it constantly for those 3 years, but had I known about the battery issue, I might've been less willing to shell out 700 bucks.

they don't send yours back, they just send another refurbished one.What?!

[Typo Lad]

Yes.

Damn. Sorry to hear that.

Allrightee.

I left it in my desk one night and next night...BOOM. So if you're still looking to sell one, PM me. And I'm serious about the DVD drive.

Need a FireWire card?

Do you have any use for a broken old stlye one (10g, spinny wheel)?
The headphone jack is too mangled to work with any headphones or speakers unless you constantly tend to it, and there are some disc errors. But it plays. Anyway, I bought a new 20g one, since I got a monster good deal. So, lemme know if you want it to hack with.

-13th

I would love it! For one thing, I could maybe try to fix Howy's with it...

Seriously. That'd ROCK.

While we're talking iPods, the battery in mine finally died a couple months back. Anybody here ever replaced one? I want some real-world feedback on the process, because I'm sick of people saying, "well, it should work..."

I haven't done it, but there are sites that give you step-by step instructions, and a few places that sell the batteries sell the toolkit with it.

If 13th wants to send me hers and you yours, I can try...but again, I have not done it before.

13th - pweeeeeeeaaaase?

[Brandon Hanvey]

I don't understand why you'd buy a tech station if you don't wanna do tech shows. Obviously they didn't buy it to acquire the staff, either.

Or is this like Marvel buying Malibu just so they could shut the competition down?

Comcast mostly bought TechTV for the number of stations and cable systems it runs on. Back in May when Comcast bought TechTv, they fired most of the staff and canceled a bunch of the shows. They also closed the San Francisco studio and headquarters of TechTV. During that time, Nicole was working at TechTV as an unpaid intern.

[Jaye]

Yeah. (http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery.html)

Will the data on my iPod be preserved?
No, your songs and files will not be transferred to your replacement iPod. Please backup important files, and remove all data from your iPod before sending it to Apple.

[Jaye]

13th - pweeeeeeeaaaase?

You got it!
And transplanting to howy's would be cool. We'd be that much *closer.*
Either way, you can hack it to bits.

Can you PM your mailing address?
I will send it out on the weekend.

-13th

[howyadoin]

Yeah. (http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery.html)Colour me unimpressed. I don't want somebody else's used shit; I want mine.

[Typo Lad]

Colour me unimpressed. I don't want somebody else's used shit; I want mine.

If you had a third generation, you could get this http://www.batterytech.com/ipod_info/iPod_info.htm

I'm debating getting it for Suzannah.

[Jaye]

Well yeah. That's what pushed me over the edge into buying a new 20g one. Which is probably for the best. Or I played right into their hands. We'll see.

[Typo Lad]

I don't understand why you'd buy a tech station if you don't wanna do tech shows. Obviously they didn't buy it to acquire the staff, either.

Or is this like Marvel buying Malibu just so they could shut the competition down?

I thougth Marvel bought Malibu for some super special coloring technique thing?

[Typo Lad]

There are two things that will get me to buy a "fresh" iPod:

1) A removable battery. It took this to get me to buy a Pocket PC. I don't mind paying extra for the privlage to be able to replace my batteries when they go dead WITHOUT performing a potentially fatal autopsy.

2) Wireless headphones via Bluetooth. There's actually a third party solution for this out now, but I want to be able to listen and syn over Bluetooth, and then just charge off the AC. My FireWire ports are ALL in use.

13th. You're the BEST. Worst case, I can have an external FW HD to carry about!

[west3man]

I'm debating whether i should buy this power adapter for my digital camera.

[howyadoin]

I thougth Marvel bought Malibu for some super special coloring technique thing?I'm pretty sure that Malibu's inhouse system was just Photoshop, but I could be wrong on that. At any rate, if Marvel actually used it, it wasn't for very long. Seems to me that by 94 or so, Digial Chameleon, Atomic Paintbrush and Olyoptics were doing most of their colouring.

Maybe it was part of the same program that resulted in their buying Capital City.





Good job, Marvel.

[Jaye]

I gotta say, the new iPod with click wheel makes me wet. When it arrived I told my girlfriend: Screw gay marriage, I'm marrying this!

So, all in all it was worth it.

[phoenixrising]

I love the limited edition one. The black casing w/ red console? It's is the tempting Ipod of Satan...and it is beautiful. If only I didn't just buy mine last year...

[Jaye]

Its got all U2's autographs on back. And it comes with a $50 coupon off their huge box set. I bet it will pave the way for more special editions.

[Brandon Hanvey]

I love the limited edition one. The black casing w/ red console? It's is the tempting Ipod of Satan...and it is beautiful. If only I didn't just buy mine last year...
Thats the U2 iPod. It is the same as a regular iPod that costs $250, but it is costs $350. You do get a $50 coupon for the upcoming U2 iTunes collection that has 400 tracks.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/u2/

[howyadoin]

Thats the U2 iPod. It is the same as a regular iPod that costs $250, but it is costs $350. You do get a $50 coupon for the upcoming U2 iTunes collection that has 400 tracks.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/u2/Oh sure, now they make one in black...

[Brandon Hanvey]

There is a compnay called ColorWare (http://www.colorwarepc.com/) that does custom painting of iPods and other tech gadgets.

[howyadoin]

There is a compnay called ColorWare (http://www.colorwarepc.com/) that does custom painting of iPods and other tech gadgets.Technolust is such a bad, bad thing...

[Jaye]

Holy crap, they paint the iBooks too! For $400! What a racket! They must cater to the same folks who have spinny things on their hubcaps.

[Brandon Hanvey]

Holy crap, they paint the iBooks too! For $400! What a racket! They must cater to the same folks who have spinny things on their hubcaps.

Yeah. But this is the the equivalent for rich geeks.
"Check it. I'm rolling my red power book."

[Jaye]

Heh, so true!

And while I'm here... since I have so much more space on the new one, I've been checking out audio-books from audible.com (http://www.audible.com). Good stuff, sounds great on the iPod and loads fast.

[phoenixrising]

I'm a big fan of audiobooks on ipod. I just finished George Carlin's "When will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops" at th gym. People prolly thought I was insane laughing on a weight bench.

Now, if only they made the NY Times audible every day......as read by CNN's Anderson Cooper......mmm.....

[Typo Lad]

Holy crap, they paint the iBooks too! For $400! What a racket! They must cater to the same folks who have spinny things on their hubcaps.

Pff. You can find info online on how to pimp out your own iBook. I'm not paying $400 for THAT.

[west3man]

I left it in my desk one night and next night...BOOM. So if you're still looking to sell one, PM me.

I just realized you're probably talking about those cameras from 6 months, ago. Nah, I don't have those, anymore. Not all of'em, anyway. I kept the 5.x megapixel Kodak and have since purchased an HP Photosmart 850 (8x op zoom). Dunno if I'll keep both or not.

And I'm serious about the DVD drive.

You know those aren't drives, right? They're portable dvd players with 6.8inch screens, built-in speakers, etc.

I wasn't sure if you mis-typed or ...

Need a FireWire card?

I could kinda use one. I've had a lot of firewire and usb 2.0 issues in the past nine months, so I kinda gave up on the technology, for the time-being.

[Brandon Hanvey]

http://www.ipodhacks.com/ is a good place to find ipod mod info.

[west3man]

I mentioned on the eBay thread that I got a new screen for my projector - 98 inches. I can make a MUCH bigger image, but I don't like the way the furniture has to be arranged.

Anyway, my girlfriend and I went to this super tech-store outside of Atlanta at the end of October and I saw...

An 86 inch TELEVISION...vision...vision...vision...!!!

Neat, to say the least. Then, again, my projector/screen set didn't cost... TWELVE THOUsand DOLLARS...dollars...dollars...dollars...dollars!!!

I've never seen such a large (regular) tv. I've never EVER seen one that cost $12,000. Sheesh.

Anyway, hadda share.

[Typo Lad]

I just realized you're probably talking about those cameras from 6 months, ago. Nah, I don't have those, anymore. Not all of'em, anyway. I kept the 5.x megapixel Kodak and have since purchased an HP Photosmart 850 (8x op zoom). Dunno if I'll keep both or not.

Let me know ifn you decide not to.

You know those aren't drives, right? They're portable dvd players with 6.8inch screens, built-in speakers, etc.

Yeah, I know. I'd like to give on to the wife. She'd go ape.

I wasn't sure if you mis-typed or ...

Yeah, I messed up. SHOCK.

I could kinda use one. I've had a lot of firewire and usb 2.0 issues in the past nine months, so I kinda gave up on the technology, for the time-being.

I've got one sitting on my desk. PM me an addy,

[Typo Lad]

Anyone have a spare Laptop HD kicking about? I was just given a Bondi iBook. I want to give it to my folks. I upped the RAM and got it running Panther right nicely, but it's only got 500 something MB left on it';s 3 giger after Office, OS X, and AOL (shudder).

Anyone?

[Brandon Hanvey]

Anyone have a spare Laptop HD kicking about? I was just given a Bondi iBook. I want to give it to my folks. I upped the RAM and got it running Panther right nicely, but it's only got 500 something MB left on it';s 3 giger after Office, OS X, and AOL (shudder).

Anyone?

I don't have an extra HD, but why do you let your parents suffer with AOL?

[howyadoin]

I don't have an extra HD, but why do you let your parents suffer with AOL?Yeah, that's parental abuse.

[Typo Lad]

I've tried, I really have. I've offered them luchins.com addresses, pointed out that they would actually have money with cable internet...heck, I've done everything I can. They just have bad tech taste.

I'm so ASHAMED.

Did you know that they bought my PC off me, rather than go out and buy a Mac, even though it was exactly what they needed?

[Brandon Hanvey]

Do what I did with my boss at work. When his IE kept getting spyware and hijacked, even after I fixed it and put preventive software in, I installed Fire Fox and told him it was a "new" version of IE.

[Typo Lad]

Do what I did with my boss at work. When his IE kept getting spyware and hijacked, even after I fixed it and put preventive software in, I installed Fire Fox and told him it was a "new" version of IE.

Won't work. They won't get it.

However, they seem to be intrigued by the iBook. Maybe there is hope for them yet.

[MKTerra]

Do what I did with my boss at work. When his IE kept getting spyware and hijacked, even after I fixed it and put preventive software in, I installed Fire Fox and told him it was a "new" version of IE.
The Luna theme (http://www.intraplanar.net/project/luna/) might help with that, if you haven't heard of it :)

[Typo Lad]

Now this is a cool little gadget for them with 3rd and 4th gen iPods...

http://www.disruptivegroup.com/products/solio/

[west3man]

I got my dozen a/v cables in the mail today.

Last night I went to Target (which I was surprised to see has adopted the Super Wal-mart set-up) and got a tripod. I'm always the one taking pictures (business AND social situations) so I'm almost never IN THEM.

Also, it's nice to not have to worry about steady hands. That's the thing about the rare times when someone else is willing to take the picture... we all look like we're vibrating at super-speed to protect our identities (or something less geeky).

I can just see my unofficial role as family historian expanding. Oh well. It's a labor of love.

[Slayven]

Today i learned what RAM on fire looks and smells like

[Typo Lad]

Today i learned what RAM on fire looks and smells like

On purpose?

[Slayven]

On purpose?
nah, upgrade gone bad

[west3man]

Have any of you seen the portable dvd players that are being sold with a controller that has built-in video games? Interesting concept.

I saw it and decided to purchase a similar controller set (with two-player and light gun options, though) separately. I hook it up to my portable dvd player and have fun. Neat. I ended up taking it back, but I'm still diggin' the concept. Anyway, do any of you know what games come on the controllers that are packaged with the portable dvd players?

Power went out at work and I just HAPPENED to have entertainment options that no one else in the power outage-area had (I guess) - movies or video games. Geek pride, indeed.

MORTS: Did you check out that portable I p.m.'ed you about?

[Typo Lad]

MORTS: Did you check out that portable I p.m.'ed you about?

I did. Thanks. However, it came at a cash low moment.

Fooey.

[west3man]

I did. Thanks. However, it came at a cash low moment.

Fooey.

Target OR Wal-mart had a 5-inch portable dvd player for $99. I don't know if it's still that price. It might've been just for this past weekend. If that's not too small for you, maybe it'd fit your budget a little more.

Good luck.


EDIT: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-3/qid=1101935197/ref=sr_1_3/602-6656925-7811854?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0002TXNL2

That's not $99, it's $129. That was the least expensive 5-inch portable dvd player I could find on either of their sites. Just wanted to show you, just in case. G'luck.

[howyadoin]

Not really a tech-head question, but is anybody else using the iTunes store? I signed up today (it wasn't available in Canada till now), and after I bought a couple songs, I noticed that the bit rate is only 128 kbps, which in my opinion is shit. I can't find any reference to it on their site at all, but if this is to be an alternative to buying CDs, then the songs should have CD-comparable quality.

[Typo Lad]

The AAC codec that they use at the iTunes store ALLEGEDLY has CD Quality sound at a "mere" 128.

[TheLewisShow]

The AAC codec that they use at the iTunes store ALLEGEDLY has CD Quality sound at a "mere" 128.

The CDs that I have using the AAC format sounds really really good. I got an older White Zombie CD from iTunes and I think it sounds better than if I went to the Record Exchange to buy it.

I'm mostly ripping/downloading tracks that are OGG ...there's no compression at all...sounds really good.

[howyadoin]

The AAC codec that they use at the iTunes store ALLEGEDLY has CD Quality sound at a "mere" 128.I was just lookin' at the downloaded files, and I didn't realize till now that they're MP4s and not MP3s. Anybody know much about the difference?

[MKTerra]

I'm mostly ripping/downloading tracks that are OGG ...there's no compression at all...sounds really good.
I'm pretty sure Ogg Vorbis (http://www.vorbis.com/) is a lossy codec (like mp3, wma, aac, etc.). But reportedly a good one :)

[Brandon Hanvey]

I was just lookin' at the downloaded files, and I didn't realize till now that they're MP4s and not MP3s. Anybody know much about the difference?

MP4 is the ACC format.

This should anwser your question.
http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/aac/

[Nicole Lee]

You can also purchase and download lossless music files from AllofMP3 (http://www.allofmp3.com/). It'll probably take a loooongg time though.

[Brandon Hanvey]

You can also purchase and download lossless music files from AllofMP3 (http://www.allofmp3.com/). It'll probably take a loooongg time though.

There are rumors that that site does not really have the legal rights to sell most of the music it has on the site. It is based out of Russia and may have circumvented copyright laws due to Russian law.

[TheLewisShow]

I'm pretty sure Ogg Vorbis (http://www.vorbis.com/) is a lossy codec (like mp3, wma, aac, etc.). But reportedly a good one :)


Something else that I think is very nice, but way too late coming into the digital music age is Sony's Atrac. That is some good sounding stuff too.


I mostly stick to mp3 (192-224kb) and the ogg vorbis.

[Tadhg Adams]

I'm pretty sure Ogg Vorbis (http://www.vorbis.com/) is a lossy codec (like mp3, wma, aac, etc.). But reportedly a good one :)


Yeah It's lossy. FLAC and Apple Lossless are the only two lossless codecs that I've used but my hearing is so shot I'm fine using 64 kpbs AAC. FLAC is the most popular of the lossless.

[DarkBlade]

LiveJournal uses OggVorbis for their phone posts... the quality of which suck a fair bit, as I always end up with a shoddy line to them...

[Brandon Hanvey]

From the Legal section of allofmp3.com

All the materials in the MediaServices projects are available for distribution through Internet according to license # LS-3М-03-79 of the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society. Under the license terms, MediaServices pays license fees for all the materials subject to the Law of the Russian Federation "On Copyright and Related Rights". All the materials are available solely for personal use and must not be used for further distribution, resale or broadcasting.

That is really vague to me.

Especially since U2's new album is exclusive to iTunes.

It seems there are coflicting reports. I found this site to best sum it up.

http://www.museekster.com/allofmp3faq.htm#Is%20Allofmp3%20legal?

[TheLewisShow]

Yeah It's lossy. FLAC and Apple Lossless are the only two lossless codecs that I've used but my hearing is so shot I'm fine using 64 kpbs AAC. FLAC is the most popular of the lossless.

I got ya beat. My ears are shot and I'm tone deaf. Sometimes Polka makes me want to breakdance!

But I have good speakers. The only thing that I can pick out from a crowd is the dreaded .wmv. I hate that with a bloody passion.

[Nicole Lee]

I think the main reason people like Ogg Vorbis is because it's an open source codec.. not necessarily that it has better audio quality or anything. Here's the FAQ on the Ogg Vorbis site (http://www.vorbis.com/faq.psp) for more information.

[TheLewisShow]

Yes.

I reek of Linux. Suse 9.1. Open sourceness :cool:

[howyadoin]

MP4 is the ACC format.

This should anwser your question.
http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/aac/Thanks for the link. Lately I'm finding it really frustrating trying to find concrete info on Apple's site without navigating through pages and pages of bullshit hype, so I appreciate the fact that somebody else made the effort.

[MKTerra]

I think the main reason people like Ogg Vorbis is because it's an open source codec.. not necessarily that it has better audio quality or anything. Here's the FAQ on the Ogg Vorbis site (http://www.vorbis.com/faq.psp) for more information.
No, I do hear it has good quality, too, even if it's not necessarily the best. But of course open source is a big plus :)

[Typo Lad]

I just like Ogg Vorbis because its named after two Terry Pratchett characters.

[MKTerra]

Well, according to the name explanation site (http://www.xiph.org/xiphname.html), you're half right :)

[Typo Lad]

Hrm.

So I am.

[west3man]

Allright.

I waited a looong time before bringing this up in a big way. No longer.

Has anyone else noticed that these home shopping networks are pushing digital projector more and more, these days?

I've seen nice deals more than once in the past couple of weeks and I don't even watch these channels. They just catch me here and there while channel-surfing.

They say a lot of the same stuff I've been saying, "Yeah. You can even project it onto the side of your house, if you want to!"

Anyway, anyone else seen this?

[Typo Lad]

See, I don't watch those channels. I actually have to remember to block them. When Suzxannahw as pregnant, she ordered a set of pots from one of those damn ads.

That said, projectors are SO COOL. I want one for my new apartment.

[west3man]

Thanks, Morts. I'll assume, from the lack of responses, they haven't become as "visible" as I suspected (or that *I* haven't :p ).



Another question: ... Hmm... I think I'll start a new thread about it to increase the chance of multiple responses.

[MissKale]

In somewhat Tech releated news, G4TechTV has canceled Unscrewed and fired a bunch of people including all the Unscrewed staff and most of The Screensavers staff and on-air talent except fopr Kevin and Sarah. They also fired a bunch of the on-air talent for G4 shows such as Sweat, cheat and Pulse.

I knew when Comcast bought TechTV and merged it with G4 that it wasn't a good idea. But it looks like they are slowly getting rid of most of the tech shows they got with TechTV.

If they keep cancelling the Tech shows Tech Tv will have a problem keeping their license for Canada. Because they're already not allowed to show things that aren't tech related. So if they don't have enough to fill out their day they'll start having to produce even more Canadian tech content.

On an unrelated to that bit note, I got a Graphire today. And while its the smallest one it is mine! I've yet to try it out because I'm on campus. But I'm soo looking forward to playing around with it. For one thing Sigerson is finally working more on the idea for a webcomic that he would want me to draw. I can't wait to get home and play with it.

[west3man]

Here's a different kind of tech issue:

I'm attempting to scan, not just the image of text, but editable spreadsheet text using the automatic document feeder on an HP Scanjet 7400c. The computer is a PII or so and the o.s. is Windows 2000.

I can accomplish this task with relative ease if the (printed) source document has text in paragraph format. If, however, the text is on a printed spreadsheet, I am only able to convert this to editable text if I scan each page manually (on the glass). If I attempt to use the automatic document feeder, the text in paragraph format gets converted to editable text, but the text in spreadsheet format is basically just an image.



Note: By "editable" text, I simply mean that, depending on the application, I can add, subtract, or at least copy/paste the actual text characters from one application to another.

I hope that was clear. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Shade]

Here's a different kind of tech issue:

I'm attempting to scan, not just the image of text, but editable spreadsheet text using the automatic document feeder on an HP Scanjet 7400c. The computer is a PII or so and the o.s. is Windows 2000.

I can accomplish this task with relative ease if the (printed) source document has text in paragraph format. If, however, the text is on a printed spreadsheet, I am only able to convert this to editable text if I scan each page manually (on the glass). If I attempt to use the automatic document feeder, the text in paragraph format gets converted to editable text, but the text in spreadsheet format is basically just an image.



Note: By "editable" text, I simply mean that, depending on the application, I can add, subtract, or at least copy/paste the actual text characters from one application to another.

I hope that was clear. Anyone have any suggestions?


When you scan using the automatic document feeder what format are you saving the file as when it's done? Most of the scanners I use will save the spreadsheet as a table with the data editable within each table cell IF you save the file as an .rtf instead of a .doc to WORD. Are you using any kind of OCR software or the HP software?

[west3man]

When you scan using the automatic document feeder what format are you saving the file as when it's done?The same kind of file as when I load them manually - a *.pdf format.

Most of the scanners I use will save the spreadsheet as a table with the data editable within each table cell IF you save the file as an .rtf instead of a .doc to WORD. Not this one. I just double-checked to see if it'd allow a "Save to..." Microsoft Excel file. While Word and PowerPoint were options, Excel was not. I'm trying again to save it to Word, just to be sure that didn't work.

I also noticed that I'd missed part of your sentence, so I'm trying the *.rtf option, again, too.

Are you using any kind of OCR software or the HP software?The HP software has OCR integrated into it. That's all I'm using, though, to answer your question - the HP software.

Of course, this is also what I use when I load the pages manually and it works just fine.

[west3man]

Some of you have mentioned interest in obtaining a digital projector. I've seen some marked down units recently.

Holla if you'd like details. (No, I'm not talking about selling mine. I'd only sell it to purchase another.)

[west3man]

Morts!

Haven't I heard you mention a "Treo" before?

I have NOW seen the LIGHT! I WANT ONE!

I went to Sprint to find out why I was having so much trouble visiting websites using my mobile phone and the guy tried the same sites on other mobile devices... among them was THE TREO! *bows*

CBR looked AWESOME on it. I am *so* in love. :o


side note: Sprint PCS has some GREAT deals on plans and equipment, right now. Even the Treo was marked down, but from $600, even a $150 markdown wasn't enough to pull me in. :(

[Typo Lad]

TESTIFY my BROTHER!

I just had a really long conversation with a Treo user the other night. The 600 is sweet, but pricey as HELL.

Did you know that screen you looked at is only 160x160 pixels? Freaky, eh?

I have used the Treo 180 and 270. Both are okay, but have HUGE design flaws. They also only run Palm OS 3.5

The Treo 300 is Sprint and has Palm OS 4. It laso fixes some of the bigger flaws. You might want to check eBay.

Also, the Treo 650 is coming out soon, so expect to see prices drop.

[west3man]

TESTIFY my BROTHER!

I just had a really long conversation with a Treo user the other night. The 600 is sweet, but pricey as HELL.

Did you know that screen you looked at is only 160x160 pixels? Freaky, eh?

I have used the Treo 180 and 270. Both are okay, but have HUGE design flaws. They also only run Palm OS 3.5

The Treo 300 is Sprint and has Palm OS 4. It laso fixes some of the bigger flaws. You might want to check eBay.

Also, the Treo 650 is coming out soon, so expect to see prices drop.Ever been thrown out of a Sprint store for humping the gadgets? :(

See, no one has any sympathy for Tech-Humper Syndrome. We need a club like AA. Why are you looking at me like that, Morts?

[Typo Lad]

I wouldn't be caught dead in a Sprint store. Feh.

I do, however, try to always have a non-tech friend come with me to CompUSA to prevent impulse buys.

[howyadoin]

Speaking of tech, does anybody watch this show (http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp)?

[Brandon Hanvey]

Speaking of tech, does anybody watch this show (http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp)?

Nicole and I used to. Nicole even meet Leo a couple times when she worked at TechTV in SF. http://www.neekole.com/gallery/techtv/meandleo

After Comcast bought Tech and merged it G4, they stopped producing Call For Help. But since TechTV Canada has different owners, Leo took the show there. In order to watch the show, Nicole downloads the show off the net from time to time.

[howyadoin]

Nicole and I used to. Nicole even meet Leo a couple times when she worked at TechTV in SF. http://www.neekole.com/gallery/techtv/meandleo

After Comcast bought Tech and merged it G4, they stopped producing Call For Help. But since TechTV Canada has different owners, Leo took the show there. In order to watch the show, Nicole downloads the show off the net from time to time.I was just makin' a shameless plug; Amber is my cousin.

[west3man]

I wouldn't be caught dead in a Sprint store. Feh.

I do, however, try to always have a non-tech friend come with me to CompUSA to prevent impulse buys.
The 650 is out, packin' Bluetooth tech & a higher resolution than the 600.

Is this thing for sale anywhere other than Spring for anything less than $450?

Pretty much anything you can share would be welcome. I'm trying to get one of these suckers THIS MONTH!

More later, after I know if someone's interested.

[Typo Lad]

The Cingular 650 should be out by month's end. Check treocentral.com.

[west3man]

The Cingular 650 should be out by month's end. Check treocentral.com.
The 650 is out, packin' Bluetooth tech & a higher resolution than the 600.

I think you're in denial, Morts. This is the third time I've mentioned the Treo 650 is already available.

One of these days I'm gonna getcha to tell me what Sprint did to you, where you wouldn't be caught dead in one of their stores, as you said earlier.




At any rate, interest in the Treo (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccess ories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=treo650&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1105451282020) is low, so I'll try to shut up about the Treo 'til I have a direct question or a tale of success.

[Typo Lad]

I don't count the Sprint version, as Sprint sucks. I also won't count the Verizon version for much the same reason.

When it's out for Cingular or T-Mobile, I'll get excited.

[west3man]

I got the Treo and am online, baby. :cool:

CBR's got enough text and graphics (particularly gifs) to make loading kinda slow, but it'll do in a pinch.

Maps I pulled up from switchboard.com are crisp and clear. No complaints, there.

I haven't made a call on it, yet, though.

[Typo Lad]

I seethe with envy!

[west3man]

I seethe with envy!
You're just being nice. Thanks, though. :)

*jams Chubb Rock's Treat'em Right on the Treo*



*does the "Atlanta Dance" whose real name I've forgotten (help me out, Nikki)*

[west3man]

I wanted to let my fellow tech-geeks know that CompUSA has a sale on PNY 1GB sd memory cards (used in many digital cameras, pda's, and, yes... Treo's) - less than $80.

Even without the mail-in rebate, it's a very good deal.

I don't have any vested interest in CompUSA, so I hope this post doesn't break any rules. If so, please let me know and I'll edit/apologize.

[Typo Lad]

I wanted to let my fellow tech-geeks know that CompUSA has a sale on PNY 1GB sd memory cards (used in many digital cameras, pda's, and, yes... Treo's) - less than $80.

Even without the mail-in rebate, it's a very good deal.

I don't have any vested interest in CompUSA, so I hope this post doesn't break any rules. If so, please let me know and I'll edit/apologize.

Oh YUM.

Wish I had the green.

You know what's cool? People who sell busted iPod minis on eBay, and then make an error in the listing so you have a good shot at getting the internal 4 GB Microdrive, which happens to fit in your Axim.

1 day, 8 hours left...

[west3man]

Oh YUM.

Wish I had the green.

You know what's cool? People who sell busted iPod minis on eBay, and then make an error in the listing so you have a good shot at getting the internal 4 GB Microdrive, which happens to fit in your Axim.

1 day, 8 hours left...
Wassat good for?

[Rallura]

West, you haven't said anything about the quality of calls on the treo. (I have been drooling over those things forever now...)

[west3man]

West, you haven't said anything about the quality of calls on the treo. (I have been drooling over those things forever now...)Sorry about that. I mentioned in a previous post that I'd try to limit my posts about it since no one other than Morts expressed interest.

I can get pretty excited about these things, so I try to gauge how much I should share, based on how much or how litttle my audience cares. I'm still trying to get the hang of it. :)


Anyway, the call quality is fine. I've never had owned a mobile phone or mobile phone account with anyone other than Sprint PCS, so I don't know how that skews my standards. However, I'd say that, in general, the calls sound identical to land-line calls. When the other person's on a mobile phone, it's harder to judge, though.

It took a short period of adjustment to get used to this design: http://store.treocentral.com/images/v2/smartphones/sprint_650_front.jpg

No typical talk-here or listen-here areas left me unsure of how high or low to hold the phone. It helped when I finally discovered (or someone pointed out) where the microphone and mini-speaker were located.


The speakerphone's not all that loud (especially in my loud-arse truck), but it's not too bad. It helps to turn the phone around, though, since the speakerphone is on the back of the unit. Whether playing mp3's or listening to callers, it helps to remember to turn the unit away from you (which is somewhat counter-intuitive) because of where they placed the speaker

The headset, which follows my formerly least-favorite design (mic-hangin'-from-the-cord), is actually pretty impressive. The mic is powerful (maybe TOO powerful) and the sound (your choice of mono- or stereo-, depending on what headset/adapter you choose) is oh-so-loud and clear.

Since you only asked about the calls, I'll stop there. But please don't hesitate to ask any other questions you may think of.

I live and love to talk tech.

[Rallura]

Thank you.

I would however like to point out that I restarted this thread, and thusly, I am the only one that matters, and I DEMAND more info about shiny pretty things with lots of buttons!

[west3man]

Thank you.

I would however like to point out that I restarted this thread, and thusly, I am the only one that matters, and I DEMAND more info about shiny pretty things with lots of buttons!*bows before the Duchess of Later* :)

Waddayawannaknow?

[Rallura]

*curtsies*

Ow, that hurts...
Anyway, does it fly? Does it? huh?
Seriously, do you use the calendar apps and how are they? Also, what about any word processing features? And What about interfacing with computers? I need something I can take from home to work to BPW and be able to transfer things, and I really can't lug a laptop up and down this street.

[Typo Lad]

Wassat good for?

Divx man. Lots and LOTS of Divx.

[west3man]

*curtsies*

Ow, that hurts...
Anyway, does it fly? Does it? huh?
Seriously, do you use the calendar apps and how are they?In my nine days as a Treo-owner, I was mostly on vacation. So far, I haven't used the calendar app. I plan to, but I could hardly schedule dinner or much of anything else during those days. I'll letcha know, though.

Also, what about any word processing features?The word processing and spreadsheet types of applications are optional. The application package I've read a little about costs about $50. I haven't purchased it, but I could see myself doing so, at some point.

And What about interfacing with computers?I had no real problems there. There's certainly a learning curve - at least, there was for me. Maybe you'll take to it more quickly than I did, especially if you already have PDA experience.

The sync software allows me to back up my Treo files n whatnot on the computer, so if anything happens to the Treo (and something already has - a speaker issue known to plague this particular model) the replacement (or reset) Treo can be synced up and reloaded with the same content (data-wise, I'd imagine) you had when you last synced.

I need something I can take from home to work to BPW and be able to transfer things, and I really can't lug a laptop up and down this street.I dunno what BPW is, but I'd wonder how you plan to use the Treo, exactly. If you're going to compose and edit word processing files on it, I'd think that'd be... a pain, over time. If it's just about transferring files (I doubt that's all you had in mind, though), there are plenty of other options.

So, how would YOU use your Treo?



Also, check out the forums on www.treocentral.com some time, if you'd like to get some other perspectives (from people who've probably owned theirs a bit longer).

I know some stuff, but it's more of the stuff you learn, at the beginning. I'm syncing, transferring files, playing mp3's and videos, taking pictures, talking on the phone, downloading and playing games, etc.

Of course, please feel free to continue to ask questions, as they occur to you, but I wanted to offer another resource so you're not limited to MY limited knowledge. :)

[west3man]

Divx man. Lots and LOTS of Divx.
grr.

DEtails, man. DEtails.

How would you use it? Or is it probably too complicated?

[west3man]

Check this (http://software.palmone.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?&siteId=291&platformId=1&productType=2&productId=5621&catalog=1) out.

That link is to the software that allows Treo users to manipulate and create "Office"-like documents. I just noticed it offers a free trial, which I plan to immediately download. :D

I'll letcha know. (Don't forget my question, though.)


EDIT: I don't see a word-processor, though.

[west3man]

Guess what *I* just found... There are quite a few software applications on the disc that came with my Treo. One of them is a viewer version of Documents To Go. Apparently, having that version entitles me to a discount on the full version.

I see Tetris and some other stuff. More after I've looked'em over and installed'em.

[west3man]

wow.

I haven't transferred any files from the Treo to the computer, but I made a word-processing file. T'ain't bad.

T'ain't bad, a'tall.

EDIT: The lil Excel thingee looks JUST like MS Excel.

I wonder if my version will only work for a limited time.

[Rallura]

I don't know that I would want to actually create a word file, but it would be nice to be able to edit. BPW is the Business and Professional Women's club, national organization, of which I am local chapter president. Anyway, scheduling is the big thing, and my emails, and things like agendas and mailing lists that I need to get into a lot on the fly. I considered getting a usb drive, but, then I couldn't access anything without a computer.Oh, and does it have anything else but tetris? I am probably the only person in the world that doesn't like that game...

[west3man]

I don't know that I would want to actually create a word file, but it would be nice to be able to edit.Yup. I've been creating'em and the software description says that you can open and edit them. The menu options I've seen seem to confirm this.

BPW is the Business and Professional Women's club, national organization, of which I am local chapter president. Anyway, scheduling is the big thing, and my emails, and things like agendas and mailing lists that I need to get into a lot on the fly. I considered getting a usb drive, but, then I couldn't access anything without a computer.Ahh. And, thus the value of a Blackberry/PDA/Treo-thingee thingee.

Oh, and does it have anything else but tetris? I am probably the only person in the world that doesn't like that game...Well, the disc had Tetris on it and some kinda spaceship/shooting game. I haven't fully gotten the hang of it, yet, but it seems like fun.

There are plenty of other games one can buy or download for free, though. Most of the free ones appear to be bootlegs of some sort, but there are demo versions which you can play for a limited time/basis without paying.

I've seen or played Ms. Pac-man (a VERY limited demo - pay $14.99 for the full version), solitaire, Bejeweled, Frogger clones, Connect Four clones, Hangman, etc. There are more advanced games than those, though. From what I hear (and observe), there are plenty of games for Palm O.S.'s - supposedly more than through handheld versions of Windows operating systems. I wouldn't know, since this is my first handheld pda-thingee.


Btw, the Documents 2 Go software appears to recognize (create vs. edit?) Excel, Word, and PowerPoint files. I've read that there's an upgrade that covers Access files, as well.

[Typo Lad]

They have Lemmings and Worms for Palms. Worth what they cost.

Documents2Go kicks serious arse. I used to write actual scripts on my Treos.

Darn you West, now I wanna 650.

---