Consulting Business Firms: What's Your Focus?

When you are first starting a computer business, you might wonder which types of consulting business firms are out there for technology providers. What exactly are pure consulting business firms, and how do they work best?Pure Consulting Business Firms and Technology Providers: A DefinitionMany computer consultants decide to start pure computer consulting companies because they have no interest in reselling products because they believe they will not make a profit off product margin or for some other major reason. A pure computer consulting firm is one that provides solely technology business solutions for its clients and does not bother with reselling hardware, software or peripherals. These types of consulting business firms WILL help their clients decide which products to buy and tell...

Read more »

Posted in: consulting business firms

Multiple Logins in yahoo without Software

1) Go to Start2) Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER-->Software-->Yahoo-->Pager-->Test3)ON the Right side if the page , Right click and choose new Dword Value.4) Rename it as " Plural ".5)Double click and assign a decimal value of 1.6) Now close registry and restar yahoo messenger and try Multiple Lo...

Read more »

How to Access to Centralized Calendars in MS Outlook

Question:-How I Can Access to Centralized Calendars in MS Outlook?Answer:-Access to Centralized Calendars in MS Outlook 1. Connect team members’ calendars via Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. Browse your team calendar within your company's SharePoint portal and select a detailed view of it from Select a View.2. Click the Link to Outlook button to integrate your team calendar into Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. Your team appointments will be displayed within your personal calendar—with additional direct access to edit the central SharePoint calendar from Outlo...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Outlook 2007

How to Navigate Notebooks Easily in Office Note One

Question:-How I can Navigate Notebooks Easily in Office Note One?Answer:-Navigate Notebooks Easily in Office Note OneMicrosoft Office OneNote 2007 has a new navigation pane that makes it easy to see and navigate within and among all of your notebooks.To show more detail about the notebooks and the sections they contain, expand the navigation pane by clicking the arrow at the top of the pane.To create more space on the screen, collapse the navigation pane by clicking the arrow at the top of the navigation pane.To jump to a different notebook, click the name of the notebook (or section) within the navigation p...

Read more »

Posted in: MS OneNote 2007

I-Phone : Now @ 199$ in USA

The iPhone is an Internet-enabled multimedia mobile phone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It has a multi-touch screen with virtual keyboard and buttons, but a minimal amount of hardware input. It also offers Internet services including e-mail, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity. Apple announced the iPhone on 9 January 2007.The iPhone was initially introduced in the United States on 29 June 2007 and is in the process of being introduced worldwide. It was named Time magazine's Invention of the Year in 2007.BANGALORE: Vodafone and Airtel started pre-registering customers for the iPhone 3G this week, and ever since, offices and blogs...

Read more »

Mindmapper 2008 USB

SimTech has announced on their website that they will soon release Mindmapper 2008 USB. With Mindmapper 2008 USB you will be able to have access to Mindmapper 2008 by simply plugging the USB flash drive into any USB port on a Windows computer. MindMapper 2008 USB will give you full access to the application and does not need to be installed to run the application. Mindmapper 2008 USB ships on a 4 Gigabyte drive which allows you to save your mind maps on the drive and open and edit them as if it were installed on your hard drive. Here is the information about MindMapper 2008 USB:Product Introduction ...

Read more »

Posted in: mind mapping,MindMapper,Mindmapper 2008 USB

Mind2Chart Updated

A couple of weeks ago I had reviewed the initial release of Mind2Chart and found it to be a very easy to use MindManager add-in for project planning. I did make some recommendations to the developer for improvements and as a result of my feedback we now see that many of them have been incorporated into the latest version of Mind2Chart 1.3 which was just released.Mind2Chart has now been upgraded to version 1.3. Mind2Chart 1.3 is an add-in to MindManager 7 and has been tested to ensure compatibility with the latest MindManager 7 build. Mind2Chart includes the following new features:- Coloring tasks and color synchronization between MindManager...

Read more »

Posted in: mind2chart,mind2chart 1.3,MindManager

How to Use 2003 to 2007 Categories and Tasks in Outlook

Question:-How to Use 2003 to 2007 Categories and Tasks in MS Office Outlook?Answer:-Use 2003 to 2007 Categories and TasksIn Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, you can use colored quick flags to flag e-mail messages for follow-up based on their relation to each other. For example, you can use blue flags for action items related to an upcoming sales meeting, yellow flags for personal items, and red flags for urgent issues. However, these flags are visual cues only; they do not automatically create an Outlook task that you can track and manage.In Microsoft Office Outlook 2007, colored quick flags are broken out into Colored Categories and Flags. If you need to visually group related items together, you can assign a color category. If you need to act on something, you can assign a flag. When you flag...

Read more »

Posted in: 2003 vs 2007,MS Outlook 2007

How to Turn Multiple Hyperlinks into Text in Microsoft Office Excel

Question:-How to Turn Multiple Hyperlinks into Text in Microsoft Office Excel?Answer:-Turn Multiple Hyperlinks into Text in Microsoft Office Excel 1. Select the cell or group of cells that contain hyperlinks, right-click, and then click Copy.2. Select the cells where you want your text to go (this might be the same selection as in step 1).3. Right-click, and then click Paste Special.4. Click the options you want to use (such as Values or Comments), and then click ...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Excel

[TIPS] Ted Turns Two

Am I the only one who is grounded by the fact that the Ted Talks videos are just now turning Two years old? One slide in Karl Fisch's "Shift happens" video (http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/06/did-you-know-20.html)says that it takes only 4 years to reach on audience of 50 million on the Internet. I have to believe that the TED site broke that average in a hurry. All you need is top quality material that appeals to a wide audience and you can hit that 50 million mark in far less time. http://www.ted.com/talks - if you've not been there yet (and I can't imagine that you have not) then this is a gift. ...

Read more »

Off to the National Educational Computing Conference

My bags are packed and I off to San Antonio, TX for the National Educational Computing Conference. I will have 5 full days of educational technology and meetings with both hardware and software developers. At this conference the hardware and software developers will announce new products and services which always makes this one of the more exciting conferences of its kind. For the conference, I am packing my MacBook, Livescribe Pulse Smartpen, Olympus Digital Camera, Blackberry Curve, and FlipVideo camera. If I have learned anything, attending these conferences, is make sure you bring lots of business cards. I have lots of meetings and look forward...

Read more »

Posted in: Blackberry Curve,FlipVideo,livescribe pulse smartpen,Macbook,NECC,Olympus

The Sixth Carnival of Computer Help and Advice

Welcome to the sixth monthly Carnival of Computer Help and Advice. As ever many blog authors contributed their posts and, as always, limitation of space means that some did not make it into the carnival. Many thanks to all those who contributed.Some troublemakers try to fool the novice with bad advice and rogue software. So first up this month we have a post by nicky at Tips, Trick and Practice on how to identify Rogue Software and Security. In the same vein, Paul Wilcox gives us advice on Spotting A Hoax Virus Warning at Security Manor.As well as protecting the computer, we should also protect ourselves from the stresses and strains associated...

Read more »

Posted in: Blog Carnival

How to Manage Meeting Resources in MS OutLook

Question:-How I can Manage Meeting Resources in MS OutLook?Answer:-Manage Meeting Resources in MS OutLook Here’s how Microsoft Office Outlook can help you schedule resources and plan meetings within a group.1. Create a group schedule.a. Go to Calendar view in Outlook, and on the Actions tab, click View Group Schedules.b. In the Group Schedules dialog box, click New, and then type the name of your schedule.c. Click OK.2. Add all the resources you need to the Group Members column (for example, all the conference rooms in your building). You will see the free/busy information for all the resources in one view. You can use the same technique to book other resources, like audio/video equipment.3. Plan your meeting.a. By using the Group Schedule view, find the appropriate resources that are free...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Outlook 2007

How to Keep Important Documents Handy at All Times Using MS Office

Question:-How I can Keep Important Documents Handy at All Times Using MS Office?Answer:-Keep Important Documents Handy at All Times Using MS Office When you click the Office button in the 2007 Microsoft Office system programs Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you see a Recent Documents list, similar to that which appeared on the File menu in previous releases. However, in the 2007 release, you now see a pushpin icon next to each file name. Click that icon to pin the applicable document to the Recent Documents list so that it’s always accessible at a click. When you click the pushpin icon, it changes in appearance to show that the pin has been activated for that document.Also note that you can change the number of recent documents that appear in the list. To do this, click the Office button,...

Read more »

Posted in: Microsoft Office

How to Access SharePoint Documents Offline?

Question:-How to Access SharePoint Documents Offline? Answer:-How to Access SharePoint Documents Offline You can read your Microsoft SharePoint documents in Microsoft Office Outlook. Click Doc Library, click Actions, and then click Connect to Outlook. All the contents of your chosen document library will then be synchronized to a folder in Outl...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Outlook 2007,MS Share Point

How to Copy Data from a Table in a Web Page to Excel in MS Excel?

Question:-How to Copy Data from a Table in a Web Page to Excel in MS Excel?Answer:-Copy Data from a Table in a Web Page to Excel in MS ExcelIf you see a data table on a Web page and you want to import it into Microsoft Office Excel:1. Copy the URL (address) of the page.2. In Excel, on the Data tab, in the Get External Data section, click From Web.3. In the New Web Query dialog box, paste the URL into the Address box.4. Select the table that contains the data that you want to work with, and then click Import.5. In the Import Data dialog box, indicate where you want the data to appear, and then click ...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Excel

Top 10 Cell Phone-PDAs, most powerful features

These are the top cell phone-PDAs today, but ratings and rankings can change quickly due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.more on http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125397-page,1-c,cellphones/article.h...

Read more »

Posted in: cell phones-PDA

Top 10 Cell Phones, have to know it

These are the best standard cell phones today, but ratings and rankings can change quickly due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.more on http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125396-page,1-c,cellphones/article.h...

Read more »

Posted in: cell phone

Do you know? Over 1 Billion Computers in Use Worldwide

HELSINKI (Reuters) - The number of personal computers in use around the world has surpassed 1 billion, with strong growth in emerging markets set to double the number of PCs by early 2014, research firm Gartner said on Monday.Mature markets accounted for 58 percent of the first billion installed PCs, but would only account for about 30 percent of the next billion, Gartner said."Rapid penetration in emerging markets is being driven by the explosive expansion of broadband and wireless connectivity, the continuing fall in PC average selling prices, and the general realization that PCs are an indispensable tool for advancement," George Shiffler, research director at Gartner, said.Gartner expects more than 180 million computers will be replaced this year, with some sold to second owners through...

Read more »

Posted in: informations

Top 5 Power Desktop PCs, Very powerful

These powerful desktop PCs are the right choice for demanding users. Ratings and rankings can change due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.more on http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123846;page,1/article.h...

Read more »

Posted in: desktop pc review,PC desktop

Top 5 Gaming Desktop PCs, what do you want to have?

These powerful desktops use overclocked CPUs, one or more ultra-high-end graphics cards, and gobs of high-speed storage to put performance above all else.more on http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,134752-page,1/article.h...

Read more »

Posted in: desktop pc review,pc games

Laptop Buying Tips, Part 2, useful for you

A guide to finding the best laptops, and when to buy them.Last week I kicked off a three-part series of articles offering tips for buying a laptop.In the first installment, I compared reader survey results from PC World and Consumer Reports (subscription required) regarding which laptop makers offered the most reliable products, and the best service and support. Lenovo and Apple earned the most kudos in these areas, though there was some variation between the two surveys regarding the reliability of Apple laptops.This week I consider top choices from those vendors (and others), plus the best times to buy a new laptop. Next week I'll discuss the best places to buy a new laptop; how much should you expect to pay; and ideas for financing your new portable.Lenovo ThinkPad X61 * Best Buy, PC...

Read more »

Posted in: laptop,tips

I am testing out Jott...

I am testing out Jott so for the National Educational Computing Conference that I will be attending next weeK. Iit's going to be great to be able to use my cellphone to post on my AssistiveTek blog from the convention floor. listenPowered by J...

Read more »

Posted in: Jott,NECC

When the robots rise, they'll likely come in the form of giant, goose-stepping cock roaches. Don't believe us? Just check the 32-inch, 44-pound Halluc II which features the ability to walk or roll via a simple rotation of its jointed appendages. This 8-legged vermin is powered by the screams of children and the Linux-beast within. When things get out of hand, you'll want to aim your slingshot at its 800MHz AMD Geode central processing unit and hope for the best. Now go ahead and click through for some video of it bewildered by the flashing camera lights in some makeshift, Japanese LSD lab. It's always a good idea to study your enemy before the...

Read more »

Posted in: Robotic,Technology

New Mindjet Connect Customer Vignette Up

For those of you that are considering using Mindjet Connect, take a look at my vignette to give you some insight as to how I have been using it for the last couple of months. I have found Mindjet Connect indispensable for planning the Fall Visual Mapping Conference. I have been able to share my MindManager 7 visual maps, as well as PDF and Word documents in the workspace. When I have needed to I have been able to in real time to co-edit my MindManager 7 maps with my co-presenters which has been really fantastic. So if you have the chance view the vignette to find out how I have been using Mindjet Conne...

Read more »

Posted in: IQ Visual Mapping,Mindjet Connect,MindManager,MindManager 7

IT Careers: 3 Tips for Computer Consultants

Those computer consultants looking for real IT careers have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to build strong businesses with steady, high-paying clients. If you are looking for IT careers, the following tips can help you organize your services and skills as you start your business.Tip 1: Your “Ideal” Clients will Need Help with Specific TasksYour ideal or “sweet spot” clients will need help with some popular desktop applications; Microsoft Office; Intuit QuickBooks and Interact ACT! will be important to know if you want IT careers. They will also probably need your expertise setting up shared folder backup software and updating antivirus and firewall software. You will also most likely run into PDA syncing tasks and work with Microsoft Outlook. Generally, your clients NETWORKS...

Read more »

Posted in: IT Careers

[TIPS] THE MOST AMAZING skyscraper you'll EVER see!

Thanks again to Alec Couros via a tweet just recently. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7472722.stm Get this - This 1387 ft tall building will house apartments. But, each apartment will rotate 360 degrees, independent of each other, so that the building will never look the same twice. Oh, and they spin - ON VOICE COMMAND! The picture you see there shows the same building in four different stages. Want one? Me, too. Of course, the price tag right now is between $3.7 million and $36 million and should be ready in 2010.  I guess I'll wait until after the rush and pick one up on the cheap. Commentary: THIS is what's going on in other parts of the world, and we can't even get wikis opened up in our schools? Hello? Can we PLEASE try to find SOMEONE in this country who will bring...

Read more »

How to Delete a Meeting Without Notifying Invitees

Question:-How to Delete a Meeting Without Notifying Invitees in MS Outlook? Answer:-Delete a Meeting Without Notifying Invitees in MS Outlook If you have set up a meeting, and your attendees have declined to come, it's obviously an irritation for them to then receive an e-mail message confirming the cancellation of the meeting. Instead, you can delete the meeting without sending a notification.1. Right-click the meeting, and then click Delete.2. In the notification e-mail message, delete all the addresses from the To field, and type your own e-mail address instead.3. Click Se...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Outlook 2007

How to Use Shape Operations to Customize Shapes in MS Office Visio?

Question:-How to Use Shape Operations to Customize Shapes in MS Office Visio?Answer:-Use Shape Operations to Customize Shapes in MS Office Visio You can split a shape into multiple shapes, cut pieces out of a shape, or merge multiple shapes into one. To customize shapes, first select the shapes on which you want to act. On the Shapes menu, point to Operations, and then click the operation you want from the available options. For example, to draw horizontal lines completely through a triangle, select the triangle and all lines, and then click Fragment on the Operations menu to create a custom pyramid diagram in no time. In this example, the fragment operation uses the lines to split the triangle and does not retain the lin...

Read more »

Posted in: MS Office Visio 2007

Search Result

Your Search Result Here var googleSearchIframeName = "cse-search-results"; var googleSearchFormName = "cse-search-box"; var googleSearchFrameWidth = 800; var googleSearchDomain = "www.google.com"; var googleSearchPath = "/cs...

Read more »

The Mindmapping Softwareblog

Anyone who has been following the visual mind mapping arena for any time certainly has heard of Chuck Frey. Chuck has been a vigilant leader in the field who keeps all of us abreast of the trends and software developments in the field of visual mapping. I for one am grateful for the work that Chuck has done and honored that he will be one of the guest speakers at the Intelligent Visual Mapping Conference on October 2-3, 2008 in the Greater New York City Area. Chuck recently started a new mind mapping blog which I wanted to make you aware of. Once you goto Chuck's new blog you will treated to one of the most informative blogs on visual mapping...

Read more »

Posted in: Chuck Frey,IQ Visual Mapping,mind mapping

The Best Laptops Under $1000, very interesting

These budget laptops--from the big-brands you know--will let you get the job done, without breaking the bank.The Best Laptops Under $1000These days, $1000 lands you a pretty well rounded budget laptop. You can easily get 2GB of memory, 120GB or more of hard disk space, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and dedicated multimedia shortcut keys that let you watch DVDs or view documents without booting into Windows. The Acer and Dell laptops in our list even sported HDMI connections, extras we didn't expect at this price point. See the next slide for our Best Buy.Note: This slide show is part of our package on low-cost PCs. Visit the following links for the rest:more on http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142959/article.h...

Read more »

Posted in: informations,laptop

Mindjet Connect and More

I have had the opportunity to beta test Mindjet Connect before its initial release last week and have really enjoyed the ability to collaborate in real time on my visual maps. Once you use Mindjet Connect, there is no going back. Mindjet Connect is a wonderful and easy to use collaborative technology that lets you not only store your maps but other files types as well. I have been using Mindjet Connect to plan the Intelligent Visual Mapping Conference in the Fall and it is great having one single access point that all of my presenters can go to for all of the conference information. I am now storing Word and PDF files in my workspace along with...

Read more »

Posted in: IQ Visual Mapping,Mindjet Connect,MindManager,Mindmanager Web

IPhone 3G: What You Need to Know, important for you

Now that the dust has settled from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, we've had time to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the iPhone 3G. Steve Jobs unveiled the next version of the popular handset to kick off WWDC, with the new iPhone arriving in Stores on July 11.Although there are still some things we don't know about the iPhone 3G--and probably won't until we've had some extended face time with the updated phone--here's what we've figured out after talking to AT&T, scouring the Web, and racking our brains.What does the "3G" in the name mean?If you're familiar with iPod naming conventions, the term 3G might make you believe that Apple is releasing its third generation of iPhone. No, you didn't sleep through an iPhone product introduction--3G in this case stands...

Read more »

Posted in: cell phone

Laptop review, Asus Eee PC 900 Mini-Notebook

This $549 mini-notebook is one of the first Windows laptops to offer a multitouch pad.Late last year, Asus broke open the mini-notebook category with the slight, light, and affordable Eee PC 4G. Who wouldn't want a machine that weighs 2 pounds and measures about 8.9 by 6.5 by 1.4 inches (width by depth by height)? At $399, the Linux-based portable became a viable laptop for cost-conscious business travelers and students alike. Since that time, we've seen a refreshed model that offers Windows XP (the Eee PC 4G XP), and now we have the Eee PC 900.So what's the big difference between the models that have come before and this flavor of the month? The Eee PC 900 provides a larger screen without adding much to the overall size of the device--and it sports a multitouch touchpad, too. What kind of...

Read more »

Posted in: laptop review,mini laptop

[TIPS] web 2 tools worth watching - from eweek

Thanks to Kevin White for sharing this with me via email. http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Apps/Enterprise-20-Technologies-Worth-Watching/?kc=EWKNLEDP062308A or http://snipurl.com/2ni7d  [www_eweek_com] This is a slideshow of some tools that the author (Clint Boulton) feels are tools worth watching. I would certainly agree. "The Enterprise 2.0 show in Boston June 9 to 12 served as both a launching pad for new products and a showcase for technologies that haven't gotten a lot of attention yet."...

Read more »

Six Ways to Make Windows Vista and XP Work Your Way

Print directory folders, dump dopey Balloon Tips, save ornery files. Plus: I debunk a bogus performance trick.Had enough of Windows' shenanigans? I'll show you how to print elegant folder lists, dispatch Balloon Tips and annoying icon wizards, and copy files that won't copy. Plus, I debunk a performance hoax that's making the rounds on the Net.Disable Customize NotificationsThe Hassle: In your last column, you explained how to hide and restore the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the System Tray. Easy for you to say--the Customize option in the Taskbar tab of the Properties menu on my PC is grayed out.The Fix: Leave it to Microsoft to make things confusing. Right-click the Taskbar and choose Properties--'Hide Inactive Icons' is checked, right? Clear that check box, click Apply, and you're in...

Read more »

Posted in: tips

Brando's versatile universal solar charger

Relying on the sun to juice up your gadgetry is nothing new, but Brando has deviated from its cockamamie ways a bit and actually cranked out a product that is remarkably useful. The Universal Solar Charger was designed to fit neatly in your knapsack whilst traveling and provide power to any number of mobile devices via the use of adapters. Users can rely on sunlight or default to an AC outlet if stuck indoors, and most notably, the switchable voltage function allows you to handle a vast array of devices without damaging any circuitry. Unfortunately, the status quo of sub-$30 or so for a Brando gizmo has been shattered by this one, but if you're...

Read more »

Posted in: Technology

[TIPS] An Awesome Highlighter

Many thanks to Kathy Blair for sharing this with me via the for:jgates513 tag in Delicious. Since citebite no longer works with Firefox 3 I was happy to learn of this tool. Create an account and add the firefox extension. Then, when you find some text on a page that you’d like to point to, simply click the [AH] icon in the toolbar, highlight the text on the page (up to 2000 characters) and you get a specific url to email to your friends or to post as a link. You can add comments to it, as well. When your friend views that page there is a frame at the top with a button the take the person directly to the highlighted section (Jump to Highlights). They can read your notes, as well. There is even an RSS feed for your page of highlighted sites. Here’s a quick example: http://awurl.com/zchztu102472...

Read more »

How to Use my Own Pictures in SmartArt

Question:-How to Use Your Own Pictures in SmartArt in MS PwerPoint?Answer:-Use Own Pictures in SmartArt in MS PwerPoint You can insert your own pictures into Microsoft SmartArt graphics in your presentation.1. Click the Insert tab on the Ribbon, click SmartArt, and then click the SmartArt graphic that you want to insert.2. Select the picture that you want to add to your presentation.3. Right-click an individual shape in SmartArt, and then click Paste to insert the picture you selected.4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each shape.5. Complete your presentation by applying your preferred background desi...

Read more »

Posted in: MS PowerPoint

How to use command prompt in windows vista

Question:-How to use command prompt in windows vista?Answer:-Use of command prompt in windows vista You can run your programs via the command prompt as follows:1. Click Start.2. Type command in the Quick Search box.3. Click Command prompt.Alternately, you can simply type the program name in the Quick Search box, and use any parameters that may be requir...

Read more »

Posted in: Microsoft Vista

Working Offline With Google Docs, Part 2 - finish

Google Docs' new offline feature is a welcome addition to the free productivity suite, but the apps lag behind Microsoft software in features.As I mentioned last week, Google Docs recently added a new feature that enables you to edit your Google word processing documents offline. In my experience, the feature works well. The free Google Docs software-as-a-service has a lot to offer mobile professionals, including free online backup and the ability to easily view documents from any device with a Web browser.This week: a look at areas where Google Docs could improve, plus recommendations for who could benefit from using the service.Dislikes: No Tracked Changes, Poor Safari SupportGoogle Docs' features don't come close to matching Microsoft Office's desktop software. For some people, that's probably...

Read more »

Posted in: tips

Rocobo perfects the "annoying robot" concept

Filed under: RobotsThe Roboco is a robot toy that seems to exist for no other purpose than to annoy flesh-based lifeforms, with its whole premise being to "react" to the owner's mood. For example, if you're angry and shout at it, it'll flap its wings and aggravate you even more: if you're nice and stroke it, it'll aggravate you again by "singing," or displaying a smile graphic -- let's just say at least it can't compose lullabies. At ￥1,130 (under $9) it won't exactly break the bank, but if you're just going to throw it out the window within five minutes of buying it, you might as well hold onto your bucks.[Via TechDige...

Read more »

Posted in: Robotic,Technology

Keyboard shortcut of the week: a few for Firefox

Here are a few keyboard shortcuts for Firefox to mark the release of version 3 of that browser (which I express my initial opinions about at the bottom of this post). These should all work in Windows and Linux, for Apple Macs simply substitute the Ctrl key with the Cmd key.Full screen modeTo hide the menus, toolbars and status bar press the F11 key, press it again to go back to windowed mode.Text SizeTo increase the size of text on a page, either hold down the Ctrl and press the + key or, if you have a wheel mouse, hold down Ctrl and roll the wheel upwards. Unsurprisingly, to decrease the size of text on a page, either hold down the Ctrl and...

Read more »

Posted in: Firefox,Keyboard shortcut

Tips to Buy a Digital Camera

Digital photography keeps getting better, with higher resolution, more sophisticated controls, and better technology. From resolution to storage and from exposure control to white balance, we'll explain the digital camera terms you need to know.Digital photography keeps getting better. Higher-resolution images, sophisticated but easy-to-use controls, higher optical zoom levels, and better technology all make taking great pictures--and shooting video with the same camera--easier than ever.The Big PictureFrom resolution to storage and from exposure control to white balance, we'll explain the digital camera terms you need to know. moreThe Specs ExplainedBuying a digital camera isn't all about megapixels. We'll translate the jargon and tell you just how important each specification is to your...

Read more »

Posted in: tips

Firefox 3 Web Browser, new

New features and improved performance make Firefox 3 the Web browser to beat.Firefox 3 (download available here) probably won't wow you--at least not right away. Upgrade from version 2 of the browser, and you may at first forget you even made the change. But keep using it, and you'll realize how much more this update has to offer.The latest version of the popular open-source browser looks much the same as its predecessor. The only visual clues that something's different with version 3.0: The back and forward buttons are now pushed together, and a little star has been added to the the location bar. Click that star, and you'll add the page you're viewing as an unfiled bookmark. Click it again, and you can choose a particular folder, add a description, or select tags--all of which are stored...

Read more »

Posted in: browser

Working Offline With Google Docs, Part 1, waiting to part 2

For some mobile professionals, Google Docs may be a viable alternative to Microsoft Office.Google recently added a welcome feature to Google Docs, its free Web-based office productivity tool set, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation apps. It's called Google Docs Offline, and as its name suggests, the feature enables you to edit Google documents without being connected to the Internet.Third-party workarounds, such as one that syncs OpenOffice.org documents to Google Docs, have already made it possible to work with Google Docs without an Internet connection. But Google Docs Offline eliminates the need for such workarounds. The feature makes Google Docs an easy-to-use, viable alternative to Microsoft Office desktop software for frequent fliers or anyone who must work...

Read more »

Posted in: tips