by Brian Underdahl
Every now and then something comes along that really changes how people do something. One of those changes is happening right now in the form of Internet radio. Why is this such a big change? It’s simple, really. Internet radio lets you listen to what you want–not what your local radio station manager (or more likely, the program pusher at some big media conglomerate) wants to throw your way.
By Darlene Underdahl
I’ll start by saying men are boys and women are girls, except… when they have to conform to the expectations of others. Don’t make the electronic product pink, orange or purple. Those are lovely colors, but not in proximity to other people, especially men. If a woman seeks color, she will wear a smashing blouse. I once worked in an office with a bright yellow feature that was permanent; I couldn’t possibly remove it. I brought in matching yellow flower pots and a yellow desk blotter. All the men came to look at my decorating. I’m not sure it was a compliment (at least I didn’t incorporate a Sparkle Pony).
You see your daughters or granddaughters wanting everything in pink, with sequins, and the odd rhinestone thrown on top, but most women in business want the same sleek tools as men. If they have to carry it, they’d prefer it went into their purse, or at least had a handle/strap (please don’t expect them to wear it on a belt). When traveling, it should stack with their rolling luggage.
It’s common for boys to hunt bugs and arachnids. Girls like mammals and dolphins, in a word, sleek. A boy once tried to chase me with a mouse. He held it by the tail, his arm extended, he didn’t really like it. I took the mouse, let it run up my arm and petted it. It squeaked happily. The boy was very disappointed. A spider would have been another story.
I can be as complex as anyone, but I don’t do it for fun. Women don’t appreciate “This thing has twenty eye-lenses! Wow! Can I keep it in the house?” Men love biological or metal doohickeys with antennae/wires sticking out, and red mouth-parts. A woman will accept a lobster on a plate, however… Read the rest of this entry »
By Brian Underdahl
Driving and talking on a cellphone is dangerous–you don’t need me to tell you that. But if you’re going to do it anyway, at least try to make things a little safer for yourself and those around you by going hands free. I’ve been trying out a method of doing exactly that and I can tell you it’s much better than trying to pick up a call manually.
by Brian Underdahl
One of the coolest new ideas I’ve seen recently is the Trips & Pics package from Pharos. The concept is actually pretty simple–you take photos with your digital camera and the Trips & Pics application lets you display those photos at their correct locations on things like Google Earth. But while the concept might seem simple, the results are pretty amazing as well as being an awful lot of fun.
by Brian Underdahl
How many times have you watched someone’s video creation only to find yourself thinking you’ve heard that same background music before? Chances are, the music sounds familiar because everyone uses the “canned” music that comes with their video editing software. Frankly, the choices are too limited for any serious consideration. Do you really want viewers trying to remember where they’ve heard that music or would you rather have them marveling at your video masterpiece? I thought so.
by Brian Underdahl
It’s kind of a sickening feeling when your computer refuses to start–especially when you know that you should have been backing things up, but somehow never got around to it. Haven’t had that happen yet? Don’t worry, your turn is coming.
Cool, I get to watch Dreamgirls, in which the techie has no interest. He took the “stick” upstairs to his computer, and put the printed circuit in mine. Less cables, yeah! And I’ll get rid of my big television, which is hogging space in my small office. I don’t need it now; I can watch movies as I multitask, or just watch movies, yum. http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV/PCTV/
The television will go to the Salvation Army after Christmas, and I’m sorry they couldn’t pick it up earlier. When I dropped off a small printer last week, I stepped into the store itself, and lots of people were doing their Christmas shopping. I’ve never seen so many people Christmas shopping at Salvation Army. My television is a good one; I wish it could have been there. Well, it will be after Christmas. Read the rest of this entry »
by Brian Underdahl
Windows Mobile-powered devices make great music and video players, but the bundled Windows Media Player isn’t exactly the most convenient when it comes to organizing your content. That’s why I tried out something else (and why you should, too).
I like Vista. I was listening to music in the early morning hours with random visualization and saturated color. Talk about mesmerizing!
A lot of people are maligning Vista, and they seem to be Linux fan-boys, or just grumps. It’s cold in the basement, and Mom won’t spring for a new computer. OK, maybe Vista doesn’t do games perfectly, but Windows XP needed tweaking, as I recall. Vista will change through upgrades. Sometimes you sacrifice the first pancake to season the pan. I recall a ditty about grandma, a cellar, and pancakes. I won’t repeat it. Read the rest of this entry »
by Brian Underdahl
When was the last time you used your VCR? These days the videotape is going the way of the 8-track. DVDs are just so much easier to use and to store. But what if you’ve still got a pile of tapes sitting around? Or worse, what if you’ve managed to become the family caretaker of a bunch of family movies that you want to be able to pass along to your kids or grandkids? Sure, you’ve got a PC with a DVD burner, but how are you going to move all that stuff?