Useful Web sites
Science fiction movies
It’s Friday so here’s something a little lighter. A contributor to Gizmo’s Freeware with the nom de plume of Rizar has written an article about science fiction movies. He begins:
This article has a collection of the best science fiction (SF) movies ever. I survey the exciting range of possibilities in imaginative technology, computers, futuristic visions, [...]
Best free online applications
As people have begun to do more and more on the Web instead of on the desktop, many applications and services have become available online. Many of these are startups and they come and go so it is not always easy to know which are worth trying. Even Google applications can be rough or transient [...]
From the files
Here are some stories that I thought were interesting but never had time to comment on.
Tech Support Hell: Ways to Avoid ItAt Computerworld, Bill Snyder says, “Tech support is a broken system. Low-margin products leave little room for good customer service. But you can minimize the pain.”
How Apple is training you for the futureMike Elgan [...]
Site with extensive information about mobile computing
These days, people like to be connected to the Internet wherever they go. In fact, for many millions, mobile computers are the major or only platform that they use. Back in December, I posted about the speculation that the smartphone would supplant the conventional PC for consumer use.
As the popularity of mobile platforms has grown, [...]
Sites for consumer information
There are a number of Web sites with useful information for consumers. PC World has a description of some of these. Included are:
The Consumerist
Consumersearch.com
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Where to get the latest on smartphones
I’m still using a plain old bare-bones cell phone but I thought this might be worth passing on to those of you who have or are interested in smartphones. PC World has compiled a list of 50 blogs that cover smartphones and related subjects. The article gives a thumbnail sketch of each site. The list [...]
Short takes
Here’s a quick summary of some links that caught my eye this past week:
LaptopFriendlyCafes Finds Great Wi-Fi Spots WorldwideLifehacker says, “LaptopFriendlyCafes.com lists more than 300 places around the globe that have plugs, Wi-Fi, 3G, and, oh yes, coffee.” Link is here.
Comcast running out of IPv4 addresses, beginning IPv6 trialArs Technica reports on the growing shortage [...]
University lectures on the Internet
You can stay right at home and still enjoy hearing lectures from some of the best minds in the world. Many top-ranked universities are placing material on the Internet. I mention this from time to time because I think it is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Here are some more links:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)One [...]
Free sites for online malware removal or detection
As I often mention, one of the top sites on the Web for free security software is “Gizmo” Richards’ Tech Support Alert. Among the many types of security links listed there are those that can run a Web-based scan of your system. Once a system is infected, an external scan is the best way to [...]
Lectures by Richard Feynman
This post hasn’t much to do with computers and I hope you’ll forgive me this personal indulgence. It’s about some online lectures by the famous physicist Richard Feynman. Feynman was already a legend in scientific circles when I was a graduate student. He wasn’t a personal acquaintance but I did attend several of his presentations [...]
Site for bird lovers
When I was young I was an avid bird watcher. Limited mobility now puts a crimp in such activity but I can still enjoy birds through Web sites such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. You can enjoy the sounds of birds at a number of sites but Cornell has an extensive collection of clips [...]
