February 11, 2008
Yahoo and Microsoft: An Ill-Fated Affair?
Well, Yahoo has decided to turn down Microsoft's initial offer of $44.6 billion dollars. Although the possibility of a takeover is still very much alive, I for one am happy that Yahoo has held out. I like Yahoo and I like the fact that Yahoo is not Google. Yahoo's email, music, photo (Flickr), and podcast applications are terrific and easy to use. I'm a big fan of Google, as well, but at times I feel as though Google is becoming the Big Brother described in Orwell's futuristic novel 1984. While gmail, Google docs, and Picasa--to name just a few of Google's offerings--are undoubtedly cool to use, they do provide Google with a tremendous amount of user information and data, data that could be used to track our every move when online. Like Google, Microsoft is a giant in its chosen field--software development. And, like Google, Microsoft has given us great products like Office that have become a necessary part of our lives, both at home and at work. Microsoft has just begun to enter the world of online applications with Windows Live, and its purchase of Yahoo could improve its competitive edge against the likes of Google.
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, and I like diversity in every aspect of my life, including my choice of Web applications. But that's me. Here's what some of the experts have to say on this topic:
What's your opinion? Send us your comments and let us know.
Posted by JudyS at 01:29 PM | Comments (1)
November 12, 2007
Dial G for Google
Without question, Apple's iPhone is ultra-cool. A library patron recently gave me a personal tour of his iPhone, and the seemless transition from email to digital photos to music to web browsing to--oh, yeah--placing a call was very impressive. But, with a price tag of $400+ (with tax and shipping), I'm afraid the iPhone is outside this librarian's budget!
Enter Google. While the long-awaited "gphone" may be just a fantasy, Google has made recent progress in its effort to enter the cell phone market. Last week, Google announced its Open Handset Alliance, a partnership with over 30 hardware, software, and carrier companies who have agreed to work together using Android, an integrated mobile operating system. This Linux-based, open-source platform will give mobile phone manufacturers the freedom to develop iPhone-like features on a broad spectrum of cell phones. For more on this recent development, check out cnet.com, engadget.com, and wired.com.
Posted by JudyS at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2007
Introducing the iPhone
Rivaling Paris Hilton for media attention these days is Apple's first smartphone, the iPhone, which debuts June 29th at 6 p.m., following months of hype. Described by The Wall Street Journal as "a beautiful and breakthrough handheld computer," the iPhone is really three devices in one: a cell phone; a widescreen, high-resolution iPod; and an internet communications device. Stylish and undeniably cool, the iPhone comes with a hefty pricetag: The 4GB model will cost $499 with a two-year contract, and the 8GB version will cost $599. Other considerations include the lack of a standard keyboard (in favor of an onscreen touchpad) and the fact that AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless) is the one and only carrier for the iPhone.
If you're contemplating buying an iPhone, take a few minutes to see what some of the experts have to say:
Posted by JudyS at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2007
Sunscreen Database Just in Time for Summer
It's estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Summer begins officially on Thursday with the arrival of the summer solstice. To better protect yourself and your family from the harsh summer sun, check out Skin Deep, a searchable cosmetic safety database produced by the Environmental Working Group. The database represents the results of EWG's 18-month investigation of over 700 sunscreens. You can search by SPF level and brand name, and you can limit your search according to the following criteria:
- Water-resistant/sweatproof
- Marketed for children/babies
- Good UVA protection
- No nano-particles
The EWG site lists both the 5 best and the 5 worst sunscreen products on the market and includes links for where to purchase the product of your choice.
Posted by JudyS at 10:52 AM | Comments (2)
June 12, 2007
Apple Launches Safari for Windows
Check out today's New York Times article announcing Apple's plan to release a Windows-based version of its Safari web browser.
Posted by JudyS at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
Vista Has Arrived!
In the spirit of spring, we've ventured into the world of Vista, Microsoft's new operating system. Advertised as "Easier," "Safer," "More Entertaining," and "Better Connected," this latest software launch by Microsoft has been highly anticipated. The Library will upgrade all of our public Internet computers to the new system sometime this summer, but in order to prepare our staff, we've made the jump to Vista on a few of our staff workstations and laptops.
I personally have been using Vista for about a month now. I must say the new software is indeed "More Entertaining!" I love the gadgets you can place on your desktop--the large, old-fashioned clock; the easy-to-read calendar; the slideshow that can be customized with your own photos; and the RSS feeds, bringing you daily headlines of news from around the world. I'm still getting acclimated to the look and feel of Vista, although I do find the navigation among network drives faster than with XP. So far, my biggest complaint is the lack of Vista-compatible drivers for all the peripheral equipment--the printers, scanners, etc.--I use every day. I've had to set up an XP-loaded laptop in order to do any scanning or color printing!
Over the next several weeks, I will share my observations and experiences using Vista. I hope those of you who have made the leap to Vista will join me, by posting your thoughts to this blog. If you're considering a move to Vista, be sure to visit Microsoft's website for advice on upgrading or buying a new Vista-loaded computer.
Posted by JudyS at 12:44 PM | Comments (1)
January 22, 2007
Netflix Announces Instant Viewing
Netflix, Inc., the popular online movie rental service, announced this week that by the end of June, subscribers will have the option of immediately watching movie and television series on their personal computers. The instant-viewing feature will initially offer about 1,000 movies and TV series. The new feature will use real-time playback technology, avoiding lengthy downloads of large video files. After installation of a browser applet (a small piece of software), most movies will begin to play in 10-15 seconds. Movies may be paused and bookmarked for later viewing. Instant viewing will require an Internet connection with a minimum of one megabit per second of bandwidth. The greater the bandwidth, the higher the quality of video displayed. (DVD quality requires a three-megabit-per-second connection.) Monthly viewing hours will be based on the subscriber's monthly plan: Entry-level subscribers ($5.99 plan) will have 6 hours/month, while unlimited subscribers ($17.99 plan) will have up to 18 hours/month.
Posted by JudyS at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2007
2007 International Consumer Electronics Show Wraps Up
The Consumer Electronics Association's 40th Anniversary International Consumer Electronics Show took place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From Microsoft's Vista to a DVD player capable of playing both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, the show provided a sneak peek at a wide variety of consumer products. Here's CNET's list of Best in Show :
| Cameras and camcorders | Sony HDR-HC7 |
| Car tech | Dash Navigation Dash Express |
| Cell phones, smart phones, PDAs | Verizon Wireless V Cast TV |
| Computers and hardware | Microsoft Windows Vista |
| Emerging tech | Powercast |
| Gaming | Alienware Area 51 m9750 |
| Home audio | Philips HTS8100 SoundBar |
| Home video | LG BH100 |
| MP3 and portable audio | SanDisk Sansa Connect |
| TVs | Samsung FP-T5894W |
Posted by JudyS at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2006
Will 2007 Be the Year of the Zune? It's Too Early to Tell.
In case you're wondering, Zune is the name of Microsoft's new digital media player. Marketed as an alternative to Apple's popular iPod, the Zune faces tough competition. We ordered one in mid-October and it arrived just before Thanksgiving, following the official release on November 14. As regular visitors to the Library know, we've been busy redesigning our network to serve you better, but we've managed to get an initial feel for this new player. Here's what we've learned so far.
Among the key features of the Zune are:
- 30 GB player (7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video)
- 3-in color LCD screen (clear, easy-to-read display)
- Wireless sharing with other Zunes and/or Xbox 360 consoles
- Songs available for individual download or through a subscription pass
- Built-in FM tuner (allows you to listen to local FM radio stations)
The player costs about $250 and comes in an attractive box complete with headphones, USB cable, and software CD. Accessories, like a handy AC adapter, are available for an additional charge. The first step to entering the Social--Microsoft's term for the Zune online experience--is installation of the Zune software on your pc. This proved to be somewhat challenging in our network environment. It should be easier on your home pc, as long as you have administrative privileges and an updated version of Windows XP. Once the software is installed, you can attach your player to your computer by USB cable and charge it. This can take about 3 hours for the initial charge. Once charged, you're ready to explore the Zune Marketplace.
Similar in format to Apple's iTunes Store, with lots of colorful graphics and links, the Marketplace is limited to music only at this point. (Contrast this with iTunes, which offers video clips, TV shows, podcasts, and audiobooks in addition to a broad selection of music.) You can search for music by artist, song, album, or genre. Browsing by genre proved more difficult for me than in the iTunes Store, with more clicks needed to reach a specific artist or song. The Marketplace uses Microsoft points instead of dollars. Each track costs 79 points. By purchasing points with a credit card before you download music, you avoid repeated use of your credit card. If you prefer to sample before you buy, you can purchase a monthly ($14.99) or a 3-month download pass ($44.97). We purchased a monthly pass and it has worked seemlessly so far. But beware, if your subscription runs out, your downloaded songs become unplayable. If you want to buy a song to keep, you must purchase it with Microsoft points. Points are available at a rate of 400 points for $5 to 4000 points for $50. You can, of course, load any CDs you currently own into your Zune library and then sync (or transfer) them to the player at no charge. Called "ripping a CD," this process worked as well using the Zune software as it does in iTunes.
Our research on the Zune continues and we invite you to join our efforts. If you found a Zune under your Christmas tree, we want to hear from you. You can comment on this blog and let us know what you think. Or, if you'd like to try ours, stop in to our Tech Center on your next visit to the Library. We'll hook you up and give you a chance to experience the Zune first hand.
For more information on the Zune, visit Zune.net and Zune Scene. The latter includes a useful MP3 Player Comparison Chart, which compares the Zune and the iPod side by side.
Posted by JudyS at 09:54 AM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2006
Holiday Shopping Web-Style
With Christmas less than a month away, the race is on. The shopping, the cards, the baking--how is anyone supposed to keep ahead of it all? In this age of dynamic, feature-filled web sites, the old slogan "Let Your Fingers Do the Walking" is more appropriate than ever. If holiday prep's got you worried, try some of these sites on for size. You'll be glad you did.
For the hottest technology gifts, check out CNET's shopping blog, ShopGrok. You'll find quick access to hot online deals on all types of electronic equipment.
For those non-tech items on your list, try The Find.com. "The Shopping Search Reinvented," this site allows you to search for everything from shoes to soccer balls and provides links to online vendors. If you create a free account, you can save your searches and email them to friends and family. A great site for creating holiday wish lists!
And here's an idea for all those holiday cards you have to write. Why not send an e-card to some of your tech savvy friends. The British Library offers free electronic Christmas cards in both religious and secular designs. Just select a card, fill in your email address and the email address of the recipient, write a personal message, and click on "Send." No stamps, no visits to the Post Office.
Ready to try your hand at a little holiday baking? Check out Cook's Illustrated Holiday Survival Guide. The companion web site to the popular cooking magazine, this is a wonderful site for recipes, how-to instructions, and cookbook recommendations.
For a little holiday music while you send your e-cards, try Web-Radio's Christmas music page. The site provides links to radio stations across the country, offering all styles of music in a variety of formats, including Windows Media Player, Real Player, and MP3 files. You'll find multiple channels of holiday music alone, ranging from Elvis to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
So, take a deep breath, flex your fingers, and hop online for holiday shopping 2006! Happy Clicking!
Posted by JudyS at 11:59 AM | Comments (1)
November 19, 2006
Making Sense of the Latest Video Console Craze
Murder and mayhem. Unfortunately, that's how one could describe the public response to the recent launch of Sony's Playstation 3 followed today by Nintendo's Wii. So, what's all the fuss about? Here's the skinny on this latest batch of video game consoles.
Nintendo Wii ($250)
Most affordable option; includes a motion-sensitive controller for realistic gameplay; greatest number of family friendly games, including retro games from older Nintendo and Sega systems. (Official Website)
Xbox 360 ($399)
On the market for a year with an established set of games; games geared toward older audience; Xbox Live option for online gaming (yearly fee); pay-per-view downloadable movies and TV shows; HD-DVD for those with HDTV. (Official Website)
PlayStation 3 ($500, 20-GB hard drive; $600, 60-GB hard drive)
Most expensive option; includes Blu-ray drive for playing Blu-ray DVDs; Wi-Fi networking, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) output, free online gaming. (Official Website)
Posted by JudyS at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2006
Dell Issues Battery Recall
It was all over the news this morning: Computer manufacturer Dell Inc. announced a recall of batteries sold in many of its notebook computers. Following a fire that began when a man's Dell laptop computer overheated in the front seat of his pickup truck, Dell voluntarily recalled certain notebook batteries with cells manufactured by Sony. Although the risk of fire is low, Dell is offering free replacements for the batteries.
The affected Dell notebook models are:
- Latitude™
- Inspiron™
- XPS™
- Dell Precision Mobile Workstation™
The defective batteries were included in notebook computers purchased between April 1, 2004 and July 18, 2006. (They may also have been supplied in response to service calls placed during this time.) Each of the Library's circulating Dell laptops will be checked, and we encourage our patrons to do the same. To find out if your notebook's battery is included in the recall, visit Dell's Battery Recall Information Page.
Posted by JudyS at 06:54 PM
June 11, 2006
Help Find a Cure for Cancer
It's hard these days to find someone whose life has not been touched by cancer. Now there's a way for non-scientists to help in the search for a cure: by lending cancer researchers our idle computer time. It's the brainchild of Biochemist David Baker and his team at the University of Washington. As reported on CNN.com, Dr. Baker's computer-based biochemical research requires computational power that exceeds the computer resources available to him at UW. So he makes use of software that enables PC and/or MAC users to make their unused capacity available to the UW team. The Rosetta@home Project uses internet-connected computers located in private homes and businesses all over the world to predict and design protein structures and interactions that may hold the clue to cures for human diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimer's. In order to join the project, you need to download and install the Rosetta@home software. The Rosetta software is intense, requiring a lot of computational power, so be sure to check the system requirements before you proceed. According to the report, the software will only run when you're not using your computer, so your own daily activities will not be interrupted.
Posted by JudyS at 09:46 AM
May 07, 2006
Vista Update
Anxious to get your hands on Microsoft's new operating system? Well, take a deep breath and relax. According to a research report issued by Gartner Inc. last week, Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, will be delayed an additional three months. If the Gartner report is correct, consumers can expect to wait until next spring for their chance to try out the new OS.
Posted by JudyS at 04:36 PM
April 13, 2006
Microsoft Announces Critical Windows Updates
On Tuesday, April 11, Microsoft announced three critical security flaws in its Windows operating system. One of the flaws appears in some versions of Internet Explorer, Microsoft's Internet browser. The flaw could make it possible for an attacker to use Internet Explorer to take over control of your PC. The other two flaws were in the Windows operating system itself. Unfortunately, security issues are nothing new for Microsoft. If you haven't done so already, now is a good time to visit Microsoft.com. You can download updates for your computer for free. Just follow the online instructions. And, while you're at it, make an appointment with yourself to visit Microsoft's website at least once a month. Or, even better, install automatic updates on your computer and "forgeta 'bout it."
Posted by JudyS at 05:38 PM
March 31, 2006
Podcasts, Anyone?
One of the hot topics at this year's Computers in Libraries conference, which I attended in March, was podcasting, a new technology for distributing audio and video files over the Internet. The "pod" in podcasting refers to the Apple iPod, the best-selling mp3 player, but you don’t have to have an iPod to take advantage of this new technology. Podcast files are supplied by content providers from the worlds of journalism, broadcasting, and entertainment. The new technology enables you to subscribe free of charge to these regularly broadcast files, giving you access to favorite audio and/or video programs when you want, where you want, and on whatever device you choose. I was familiar with iPods and had navigated the iTunes website, but usually for music files. Podcasts are relatively new. Using my PC-compatible laptop, I logged on to the Internet, entered “podcasting” in Google, and was soon looking at Apple's iTunes podcasting webpage. In order to listen to podcasts through iTunes, I needed to download the iTunes software (version 6.0.4), which works on a PC computer with Windows 2000 or XP or a Mac computer with Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later. Once I downloaded and installed the iTunes software (the combined process took less than 5 minutes with my cable Internet connection), I was able to browse an extensive collection of podcasts from a variety of suppliers, including commercial television networks, The New York Times, the BBC, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. For my first foray into podcasting, I chose All Songs Considered from NPR, described as “an eclectic mix of fresh music by emerging artists and breakout bands.” I was able to fold my laundry and get an update on new developments from the world of music (with clips included). In a busy world, podcasting makes multitasking possible. It’s easy to do and, in many cases, free. (Episodes of Lost and other TV shows cost about $2.00 each.) If you’re ready to add another notch to your computer skills belt, try podcasting.
Posted by JudyS at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)
March 28, 2006
Beware of Brand-Name Spammers
Spam artists are at it again. Watch out for emails bearing the logo of some of the most popular consumer brands, including Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Starbucks. "Brand-spam" emails, promising $500 gift or shopping cards, are just a new way to get you to enter your personal information so you can receive even more spam in the future. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Posted by JudyS at 09:53 AM
March 09, 2006
Windows Live Search Debuts
Yesterday Microsoft launched its new search engine, Windows Live Search (WSL), in a beta, or testing, version. Designed to replace MSN Search, WSL will provide an alternative to Google and Yahoo. The new search engine will give users all the usual tools, including email, blogging, and instant messenger, and will also allow you to customize your search screen with RSS feeds. For more information on WSL, visit http://www.live.com.
Posted by JudyS at 07:50 PM
February 10, 2006
Alternatives to Google: Try 'Em, You Might Like 'Em
Yes, we all know how wonderful Google is. It's the be-all and end-all of Internet search engines. Or is it? While the major search engines like Google and its close competitor,Yahoo, take up most of the market share for Internet search companies, new, specialized search engine alternatives are popping up. Take, for example, become.com--an Internet shopping search engine. It focuses your search by product type. Or, there's jeteye.com and kaboodle.com, search engines that combine the features of an Internet search engine with a blog, allowing you to surf the web, save your searches, add text, and email results to friends. If you're tired of sifting through long lists of businesses, try merchantcircle.com, a nifty little engine that allows the user to conduct geographically focused searches for businesses in various categories. Why not give one of these new guys a try? Maybe there is life beyond Google!
Posted by JudyS at 06:41 PM
February 03, 2006
The Kama Sutra Worm: Hit or Miss?
See what the experts are saying about this latest computer threat:
Posted by JudyS at 04:47 PM
January 18, 2006
CES 2006 Rocks Las Vegas
The International Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas from January 5 to 8. For reviews of the best gadgets presented at the show, visit cnet.com
Posted by JudyS at 06:00 PM
January 10, 2006
Have DVDs, Don't Travel: Maybe, Maybe Not
Not a world traveler at this point in my life, I only recently became aware of the Regional Coding System set up by the motion picture industry in an effort to control DVD viewing around the world. Like it or not, DVDs have replaced videotape cassettes as the preferred medium for audiovisual data. As with any new medium, there's lots to learn about DVDs. For all kinds of information on DVDs, including an explanation of the Regional Coding System, visit DVD Demystified.
Posted by JudyS at 09:39 AM
December 16, 2005
Google's New Blog Search Engine
Although only in the beta or testing stage, Google's new blog search engine is worth looking at. Whether you're exploring the variety of holiday blogs out there in cyberspace or looking for a friend's specific post, Google Blog Search is a great starting point. And, because it's not limited to Google's blogging service, Blogger.com, you're able to search blogs and/or postings from several different services all at once. Pretty neat, huh?
Posted by JudyS at 06:43 PM
December 06, 2005
Online Shopping: Buyer Beware!
Online shopping is definitely an attractive option this time of year. It's quick, easy (in most cases), and can be done indoors in the comfort of your home (or office). But, as with everything done online, e-shopping has its pitfalls. To help make your online shopping experience less risky, check out Safeshopping.org before you go online.
Posted by JudyS at 09:35 AM
November 29, 2005
What's on Your Christmas List?
Electronics are hot again this holiday shopping season. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans will spend over $17 billion on consumer electronics in November and December. Among the top sellers this year are the Apple iPod Nano, Canon Powershot digital cameras, the iPod shuffle, HDTVs, cell phones and, of course, Microsoft's new Xbox 360. If all this has your head spinning, don't despair. Here are some great sites that will help you comparison shop before you buy, online or in person: cnet.com; Consumer Guide; Consumer Search; PC Magazine Product Guides; PriceGrabber.com; and Shopzilla.com.
Posted by JudyS at 02:26 PM
November 27, 2005
Now's the Time to Order Wine Online
If you're like me, there simply are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Between home, work, and other interests, I'm always running to keep up. This only gets worse at holiday time. Last year, I attempted to order Christmas gifts of wine for the oenophiles in my family only to discover that their home states prohibited direct shipping of wine from out-of-state wineries. Thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2005, more and more wineries are now able to ship their wines to customers who order online, regardless of the customer's home address. There are many online wine vendors to choose from, but here are just a few to consider: http://www.wine.com, http://www.winelibrary.com, http://www.wineweb.com, and http://www.mywinesdirect.com.
Posted by JudyS at 03:15 PM
October 26, 2005
What Is Ajax (and Why Should You Care)?
The other day, one of our technicians mentioned something called "Ajax," when describing a new phenomenon on the Web. I was pretty sure he wasn't referring to the household cleanser, but his explanation left me more confused than informed. Luckily, CNN recently posted a very good article on Ajax, which stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. To read this article, click here. To see an excellent example of what Ajax can do, check out Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/).
Posted by JudyS at 06:30 PM
October 25, 2005
MSN Simplifies News Search
Looking for a simple, no-frills news site on the Web. Try MSN's Start.com. It's a good source for techie tips, too!
Posted by JudyS at 05:03 PM
Sony and Microsoft Battle Over DVDs
Check out the October 17th issue of Business Week for an informative article on the Sony vs. Microsoft war over next-generation DVDs. Will Sony's Blu-ray technology reign supreme over Microsoft-backed Toshiba HD-DVD? The answer will impact the future of DVDs. If you'd like the article emailed to you or printed out for pickup here at the Library, just give me a call. You can reach me at 655-1234 x136.
Posted by JudyS at 12:12 PM