Archive for August, 2007
How a bug becomes a feature
Microsoft developer Raymond Chen has a delightful (albeit sometimes very technical) blog that often has very interesting insights into Windows and bits of its history. For example, the common semi-humorous expression, “That’s not a bug, that’s a feature”, has a real basis. While discussing a mistake in the programming of Windows, whose details I [...]
Skype explains what went wrong
If you are a user of the Internet phone service from Skype, you probably haven’t been too happy in the last few days. You can read the official explanation of why Skype went down at the Skype blog, which begins:
On Thursday, 16th August 2007, the Skype peer-to-peer network became unstable and suffered a critical disruption. [...]
Change your mouse pointers (cursors)
Many PC owners just accept whatever default settings come with their PC and make little or no personalization. However, Windows is very configurable with a myriad of possible tweaks. That may be the problem- so many tweaks that the average person doesn’t know where to start. Here’s one that you may like; change your mouse [...]
Weekend reading
Here’s some selections for a little reading over the weekend:
The CD has its 25th anniversary
Dvorak says Dell computers are stodgy
Pittsburgh blogger gets a 300-page iPhone bill
Find people with search engine Pipl
How to copy music from your iPod to your computer
PC Magazine editors cooling toward Vista
Jim Louderback is leaving as Editor-in-chief at PC Magazine to become CEO of Revision3 and has made an interesting choice for the subject of his last column. He’s changed his previous enthusiastic stance concerning Vista. He writes:
Rest assured, you haven’t heard the last of me. I will continue to write a column in PC Magazine. [...]
Washable mouse
If you are the fastidious type or have kids with grimy hands, you may be interested in a new mouse from Belkin. The description:
Our Washable Mouse is water-resistant, so it endures spills, and stays clean and disinfected. Its versatile Scroll Pad lets you scroll vertically and horizontally with one easy touch.
Here’s some comments from Gearlog:
I’m [...]
Help from the Library of Congress
Did you know that the Library of Congress will help the general public get answers to questions? App Scout reports:
The Library of Congress makes it absolutely clear that its primary mission is to serve as a reference tome of information for the U.S. Congress But when it’s not busy digging up documents and historical records [...]
What secret?
Anybody who has programmed knows about getting caught in a loop with no exit. It’s something like a secrecy loop that the government’s secret agency NSA is in. InfoWorld reports on a court hearing about secrecy:
If you’re the U.S. federal government, how can you prove to someone that something should be kept secret if [...]
Using the Windows key-How does “Minimize All” differ from “Show Desktop”?
In a previous post, I listed some of the shortcuts that are available that use the so-called “Windows key”. (That’s the key with the Windows flag logo on it.) Among the shortcuts is one that minimizes all windows, Windows key+M. There is also the shortcut that shows the Desktop, Windows key+D. At first glance [...]
Skype on the fritz
The popular service for using the Internet to make telephone calls is down. Ars Technica reports:
Skype has confirmed it is having software problems on its network, resulting in a lack of connectivity for millions of Skype users. Many users cannot currently authenticate to Skype, rendering all voice, chat, and voicemail services effectively offline. Some users [...]