Archive for November, 2006
Colors for Web pages
A few years back, most people had somewhat limited graphics processors and the range of colors that could be displayed was mostly limited to 8-bit color. Today most PC users have 16-bit or 32-bit color so a pretty full spectrum of colors can be displayed. Anyone who puts together Web pages of any complexity has [...]
Accessory for browsing and editing XML documents
The XML format for data and documents is becoming increasingly common and is rapidly becoming a standard format used in many applications. Most home PCs probably do not have any software designed explicitly for manipulating files in this format although browsers or Notepad will display XML files. Microsoft has released a free editor for XML [...]
Those hard to find 800 numbers
Some companies seem never to want to talk to any of their customers. Nowhere in their literature do they list a telephone number for customer service. They usually have a Website where sometimes, but not always, there is an email address. If you have a problem and send an email, however, you get a canned [...]
Searching images and video
Although searching text-based material requires some clever programming to be really efficient, at least the basic material is just the text itself. Searching graphics is an entirely different ball game. Given a lot of photos, for example, how does a computer determine which pictures contain apples? If the titles all contain the word “apple†that [...]
Most common ways to kill a PC
I’m sure you wouldn’t do any of these things but PCstats has a beginner’s guide listing some common causes of computer death. Some, like lightning strikes, may not be the user’s fault, but most come from carelessness. In fact, there are steps to take to guard against even lightning.
WGA, DRM, SPP- Is DNA testing next?
Personally, I think Microsoft is pushing the outer limits of the consumer’s tolerance with its obsession with software piracy. They are certainly pushing my outer limits. In its relentless campaign to extract every dollar possible from the ordinary PC user, Microsoft has become downright offensive. It isn’t enough that the company hounds people but it [...]
Is Google a menace to media companies?
That’s the subject of an article in the NY Times. The article begins:
GOOGLE: mate or menace? That is the burning question of the week — heck, probably of the year — for ye olde media companies.
In the last few weeks an enormous swarm of activity has been coming out of the Googleplex beehive in Mountain [...]
Buying a new computer
PC World reports that demand for desktop PCs is drying up, which may mean some good deals will be in the offing. Of course, a big reason for the drop in sales is the imminent availability of the Windows Vista operating system. However, if you are willing to stick with Windows XP for a year [...]
A skeptic about Vista
Not everybody is looking forward to the new Windows Vista. Steve Manes at PCWorld says, “Every Microsoft upgrade sets a new standard– in hype.” After quoting from the gushing Microsoft PR on previous releases of Windows, he says:
When you switch to Windows Vista, you’ll be figuring out how to cope with questions as little as [...]
Transferring your stuff to a new computer
Getting a new computer is nice but re-installing all your settings, programs, and data is a pain. Various programs have been available for helping with the process although none has made the process easy. The best known of this type of software was “Aloha Bob” but Microsoft bought the company and the program disappeared. However, [...]