2012-04-16 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | April 16, 2012 - 10:56 am - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Back for another look at the month in tech.  We had lots of calls and questions so to hear them check out the podcast and let me know what you think.

Here are some of the links we covered.

Tech News
NYC phone booths to get second lives as slate stalls

Believe it or not, but there are still hundreds, nay, thousands of phone booths out there on the streets of New York City. Most of them go untouched — though, usually that has more to do with some mysterious substance covering the handset.

The city is preparing to update this urban staple by replacing the touch tone quarter eaters with 32-inch touchscreens.

The phone booth will now become your one stop shop for restaurant suggestions, local landmark locations with more information to be added over time.

Chocolate Printer Goes on Sale

Choc Edge is proudly launching the world first commercial 3D chocolate printer, Choc Creator, for users who make creative chocolates. Choc Creator is a simple, yet versatile desktop 3D chocolate printer.

Choc Creator utilizes an easy-to-use syringe based chocolate deposition head which allows users to rapidly install and remove syringe head units. The design enables users to refill the syringe with fresh chocolate or different types of chocolates conveniently.

Ron’s Android App Recommendation
(this app can be found on Google Play from your Android phone,
tablet or viewed on your PC from the link below.)
Temple Run

Run for your life!

The addictive mega-hit Temple Run is now out for Android! All your friends are playing it – can you beat their high scores?!

You’ve stolen the cursed idol from the temple, and now you have to run for your life to escape the Evil Demon Monkeys nipping at your heels. Test your reflexes as you race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. Swipe to turn, jump and slide to avoid obstacles, collect coins and buy power ups, unlock new characters, and see how far you can run!

Thanks for taking a read and a listen and make sure you come back on May 14th for the next show with Jim Britt and myself.

Ron

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2012-03-19 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | March 19, 2012 - 9:05 am - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Here you go the show notes from Monday, March 19, along with the podcast.  Enjoy to fun and games and let me know what you think.

Have fun with your new iPods if you an owner of the “new” iPod.

Tech News
The newest iPad is out
I don’t need to say much just Google for ipadand seen the bazillions of articles. There is one I read where a lady got in line several days before they went on sale (she was #3 in line) and sold her place to a guy for $5,000. Proof that some people are truly insane.Windows 8 Consumer Preview
The next Windows Operating System, cleverly named, “Windows 8″ has a consumer preview available to anyone who wants to give it a whirl. This is ONLY for you if you are geeky enough to install it virtually on an existing computer or you have a computer you don’t mind installing it on and then running W8 as your main system.

I have been using it for a week or so and so far I’m not that impressed…unless it is on a tablet PC. For a notebook or desktop I would stick with W7 at least as it stands now.

It bothers me that their online video shows media galore, email and not much else. Why don’t they push some office compatibility.

Ron’s Android App Recommendation
(this app can be found on the android market from your Android phone,
tablet or viewed on your PC from the link below.)
Moon ReaderIn my opinion this is the best book reader out there for non-DRM (Digital Rights Management [copyright protection]) e-books. Read thousands of ebooks for free, supports online ebook libraries.

  • Read local books with smooth scroll and tons of innovation.
  • Support txt, html, epub, umd, fb2, chm, zip or OPDS, key features:
  • Full visual options: line space, font scale, bold, italic, shadow, justified alignment, alpha colors, fading edge etc.
  • 10+ themes embedded, includes Day & Night mode switcher.

Liquipel http://www.liquipel.com
Save your Smartphone from becoming a Dumbphone (or any other electronic device) when they get dropped in water.

Water damage has threatened our devices for far too long. Liquipel protects every feature of your device with a revolutionary waterproof shield.

Pinterest http://pinterest.com
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

At this point in time to use it you must request an invite to the program. Without a “membership” you can only browse a little of the content.

True Crypt http://www.truecrypt.org/
If you carry around free open-source disk encryption software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Thanks for looking, listening and I hope to see you back next month, Monday, April 16 @ 10:00o am on WSVA Radio with Jim Britt.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2012-01-23 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | January 23, 2012 - 12:19 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Welcome to the first show of 2012!  This is the beginning of our third year and I am certainly glad you are still listening and reading.

I want more of you this year to sign up and be members of the site. It costs (my favorite amount) $0.00, all you need is an email address and I will NOT SPAM you.  I think I sent out one email last year to all the members.

So anyway here you go with the notes from the latest show along with a link to the podcast if you would prefer to listen to the show.

Thanks for joining us.

Ron

Tech News
Tablet, e-book ownership soaring, study finds
A study finds the number of people who own tablets or e-readers has soared after the devices proved to be a popular gift over the holidays.A report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project set to be released Jan. 23, 2012, finds that 29 % of Americans owned at least one tablet or e-reader as of the beginning of this month. That’s up from 18 percent in December.

Americans are Quitting TV
Has America’s love affair with bigger and better TVs gone sour?According to a survey from Accenture, people are watching less broadcast and cable TV. Less than a third intend to buy a new TV in 2012. Smartphones, tablets and computers are eroding traditional TV viewing — bad news for TV manufacturers and traditional content providers.

The online survey of 10,000 adults in 10 countries, including 1,000 in the U.S., found that the percentage of people watching broadcast or cable TV in a typical week on televisions fell from 71 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2011. The percentage of consumers who intend to buy a TV set during the next 12 months also declined, from 35 percent in 2010 to 32 percent in 2011.

Columbia University says the net may be changing the way we think
The rise of Internet search engines like Google has changed the way our brain remembers information, according to research by Columbia University psychologist Betsy Sparrow published July 14 in Science.“Since the advent of search engines, we are reorganizing the way we remember things,” said Sparrow. “Our brains rely on the Internet for memory in much the same way they rely on the memory of a friend, family member or co-worker. We remember less through knowing information itself than by knowing where the information can be found.”

If your child receives free school lunches, you may qualify.
Internet access for $9.95/month plus taxes.No price increases, no activation fees, no equipment rental fees.

Geocaching with Android http://www.geocaching.com/android/m
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.

Now you can geocache using your Android phone and Groundspeak’s Geocaching for Android Application.

Dad creates Autism App  http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/video/dad-creates-app-autistic-sons-15346472

imageRon’s nephew, Joe Hill, creates an iPhone app to help his two kids, the family and the rest of the world with Autism.

I hope you are able to listen in and call in next month along with visiting the site between now and next month  on Monday, the 2oth of February, 2012.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2011-11-21 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | November 21, 2011 - 12:28 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Here you go another exciting (well OK hopefully interesting) thing Jim and I looked at this month on the show. 

Below are all of the applications, sites, etc. we talked about plus here is the podcast for your listening pleasure back at WSVA Online.

Have a great month and I  hope you will be listening and calling next month, Monday, December 19th!

Thanks,
Ron

Tech News
It’s Okay to Unfriend on Facebook, Emily Post Says
The 18th edition of "Emily Post’s Etiquette"; the quintessential guide to modern manners, has been revised to include seven chapters that cover manners in social media and technology.

Can’t remember if the fork goes on the left and the spoon goes on the right? For perfect P’s and Q’s, you know exactly whom to ask: Emily Post.

But what are the rules when you’re talking with a friend and she whips out her cellphone to check her email, or when someone you never liked in high school suddenly wants to be friends on Facebook? Who’s there to tell you the right thing to do?

    Here are a few of Emily’s suggestions:
  • Never interrupt a conversation to answer a call, email or text.
  • the book says you should always respond within a day or two to personal messages, and within 24 hours for business mails.
  • When in a suitable place to use a cellphone, watch your volume, tone and language.
  • The book frowns upon cellphone use in a place of worship, theater, or restaurant, or during a meeting or presentation.
  • If you’re expecting an urgent call, you should set your device to vibrate and check it later, or move to a private space and speak as quietly as possible.
  • You also don’t have to continue contact with a Facebook “friend” after the initial reconnection conversation, and it’s perfectly acceptable to actively unfriend someone, untag yourself from photos, or delete a friend’s comment from your page.


Physicians using tablets to treat patients
Within the next year, almost half of all doctors will be using tablets and other mobile devices to perform everyday tasks, such as accessing patient information in electronic medical records (EMRs), according to the survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a nonprofit group.

Today, a quarter of healthcare providers surveyed say they’re using tablets in their practice. Another 21% indicated they expect to do so within a year.

The study shows that more than half of healthcare professionals currently use a smartphone for work, and about a third use their smartphones or tablets to access EMR systems. Another 20% expect to start mobile usage with Emergency Medical Records within the next year.

Any doctors in our area have any thoughts?

Retail Me Not
http://www.retailmenot.com/
Coupon codes, printable coupons, grocery coupons for Christmas-or any other time!

Advice from the pros: For extra secret sales and discounts, get the company’s store credit card as many promotions are for card holders, only. HOWEVER–don’t be tempted to run up that charge card! Any savings you initially make will be lost if you are paying off a high interest rate.

1 Sale a Day
http://1saleaday.com/
Every 23 hours they run another sale of four or more items. They are categorized as Electronics, Watches, Family and Jewelry.

Be cautious as sometimes they have good deals and other times just so-so deals.

Google Music https://music.google.com
Do you have an iPod, iPad, Tablet PC, SmartPhone and on-and-on that you have music on? If so you have to try Google Music.

I have been using Google Music, during the Beta trail, for the past month or two and it is slick.

I have uploaded all of my music to the site (about 2,500 songs and books) and can play it from most anywhere I can get online. Whether phone, tablet any computer, etc. They have a limit of up to 20,000 songs to be uploaded, stored and streamed (played online) for free.

They also have a store to buy more music at some very good prices. I think Google may have bet the competitors with this one.

See you next month and don’t forget to follow Double Clicks on Twitter and Facebook!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2011-07-18 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | July 18, 2011 - 11:17 am - Posted in WSVA Show Notes
Here are the sites/news mentioned this morning on the show.  As always your comments are appreciated.See you next month!

Ron

Tech News
LulzSec Hackers Gone, but not without a parting shot
Jim and Ron’s discussion, Last month we talked about them hitting the Senate, game and FBI sites…this month they are gone."A LulzSec member told the Associated Press that the group was “bored” and denied that it was stopping its public attacks because of pressure from law enforcement. He did, however, say that some of the chat logs and information about hackers’ identities was correct."

They did pop data into the world at the end which included documents from the game Battlefield Heroes, plus internal documents from AOL and AT&T. According to the Next Web site, the release also has evidence that the group hacked the U.S. Navy, the NATO online bookshop and the FBI’s Web site. The files also include a hodgepodge of corporate and other IP addresses, usernames, passwords and other log-ins from Hackforums.net and other, unnamed sites.

Google’s self-driving car gets a green light from Nevada
The New York Times did some digging last month and discovered that the company had been lobbying the Nevada state legislature to allow for autonomous cars to be driven on public streets. The proposal was slated to be introduced as two separate bills that would not only make them street legal, but also exempt the vehicles from a law prohibiting texting while driving.Nevada passed a bill for the Department of Motor Vehicles to create guidelines for “autonomous vehicles” that rely on artificial intelligence to get around on state roads. Come March of next year, state officials will start to iron out car certification standards, insurance requirements and other regulations for robotic cars. Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles will also determine which areas the cars can be driven.

It most likely will not occur next year or so, but not far off.

Airline Pilots Ditch Paper for iPads and Save Millions in Fuel
Doling out gadgets may seem more like a recruiting perk than a sustainability decision, but pilots have to carry up to 35 pounds of paper with them in the cockpit on each flight. Swapping out those manuals, maps, and other documents to lighten the load could add up to $1.2 million in fuel savings, according to American Airlines.

So far American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the only ones doing this.

It has fairly accurate play and no one can scream at you, etc. You can only respond with safe messages to each other, i.e. Nice shot, Well played, Oops, Good Game, etc.

And beside all of that it is just fun!

  • Text4Baby http://text4baby.org
    Get FREE messages each week on your cell phone to help you through your pregnancy and your baby’s first year.Text4baby is an educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.
  • Microsoft Fix It http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/
    Sometimes something just doesn’t work correctly on your MS computer. MS Fix it will help you find many issues and then offer a fix for them. I ran a couple of them and they don’t install anything on your system so when you are done just delete the original file you downloaded.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
Tech Bargain Finders
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | April 26, 2011 - 5:51 am - Posted in Columns

I get quite a few emails about where the best places online to buy tech "stuff" are.  For instance, portable hard drives, thumb drives, and memory sticks seem to be some of the most popular right now.  I always suggest shopping in your local "brick and mortar" shops.  It really does help the local economy more than buying things from other states or foreign countries.  However, some people do not want to do that, so I do have a couple of suggestions for those folks.

I do not recommend eBay.com.  I have tried to purchase two computer peripherals there in the past several years and both times I had bad outcomes.  It’s too much to write about here but ask me if you see me around town.

The two online computer "parts" retailers I trust and prefer are TigerDirect.com and NewEgg.com.  I have used them a couple of times and I have friends who use them regularly.  A couple of times I have heard of people having problems with the items they purchased, but both of these companies were quick to respond and correct the issues.  Their prices are usually in line with the local market too, once you consider shipping.

I also receive questions about discounts online.  I have spoken before about "1 Sale a Day", on the monthly call-in talk show with Jim Britt on WSVA radio.  (Yes, that was merciless self-promotion.)  You can "sometimes" find deals there on items they title, "Wireless", "Watch", "Family" and "Jewelry".  Again, compare all costs, i.e., shipping and handling before buying…local stores may have a better deal, as is the case on all of these sites.

There are also coupon sites.  I have only used the first one mentioned below.  The other one I have heard about from friends who have had successful dealings with them.

"Tech Bargains", has a linking system.  This allows you to go to the site that actually has the deal.  Once there you may be given a code to enter at checkout which gets you the discount.  I just looked for a 16GB thumb drive and found two for $21.95.

The other site is, "Deal Dump", which amazingly does not have a search engine built into the site.  You basically need to scroll down the page and look for what you want which is not what you would expect.  Of course, you can always use the "Ctrl + F" keys to search the text on the page.  (F = find)  Here I also looked for the same type of thumb drive and found a different one from the other site, but at the same price.

I know there are many others you can use but these are just a couple I have knowledge of.  For all of these sites please read all of the details carefully since sometimes you get a rebate then, or a rebate to mail in that you must print, or an automatic discount, etc.  They change from time-to-time so proceed carefully.

Always remember when buying online…caveat emptor.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2011-02-21 Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | February 21, 2011 - 5:50 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Here are the links we talked about this morning on the show.  Try them out, enjoy them and let me know what you think.

I promised not to get too crazy the next time I talk about Google, well OK, I will at least try to remain calm.

Trying something new this time, listen to the podcast in it’s full glory here.

Ron

Radio Time
http://www.radiotime.com
Add the Radio Time app to your Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile or even Palm phones to listen to radio. I installed it and listened to WSVA live yesterday afternoon, while working in my home office (I never put a radio in there before…duh!) Runs on phones and computers allowing you to listen to most any radio station.

If you were signed up as a WSVA Loyal Listener you would have known about this earlier in the day, go ahead make our day!

Time and Dates
http://www.timeanddate.com/
Most anything you want to find out about time and dates are here. Create calendars, check time zones, check on Daylight Saving changes, countdowns to any event, etc.
Thanks to Tom from Harrisonburg for the site tip.

More Time info
http://nist.time.gov/
Check the exact atomic time, history of time, time zones, what’s in your quartz watch.
And yes, NIST does stand for “National Institute of Standards and Technology”.

Do Nothing for 2 Minutes
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
Sort of boring but can you take the online challenge and do nothing on your computer for 2 minutes? If you do it you get "nothing" but the chance(?) to share the site with your friends…yippee.

Health Map
http://www.healthmap.org/
If you are interested in global health outbreaks this is the place to go. Hover the "pins" in the map and see what infectious disease is running amok.

Google Voice
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html, links to feature videos
If you already have a home, work and/or cell phone get one number to rule them all – and many additional features. Ron has been using it for several years.

  • Make any or all of your phones ring at once or any combination.
  • Screen callers, listen as they leave a voice mail message and then interrupt if you want to or let them just go to voice mail.
  • Individually Block callers, they receive the, "You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service" announcement.
  • Stop calls at night or whenever your wish.
  • You automatically get text transcripts in your Gmail account.
  • Number never has to change if you move or change providers, etc.
  • Did I mention so far it is free, other than international calls?

That is it for today.  I hope you tune in next month, Monday, March 15, 2011, on WSVA, 550 AM – hey, now you can put it on your phone or computer.  Look at the first link above.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2010-07-19 WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | July 19, 2010 - 12:12 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Mentioned on the show this morning:

  • Cup of Joe for a Joe

    Someone from home wants to say thanks and send you a FREE cup of coffee.

    Participation in Cup Of Joe For A Joe is restricted to active duty Armed Services Personnel deployed in support of OEF or OIF.

  • Mystery Guest, Inc.

    Share your thoughts on a dining experience in chosen restaurants in your area.  (Not any in our area…yet.)

  • PhotoWipe (main site)

    PhotoWipe is a revolutionary imaging tool that magically removes unwanted objects from your photos. Just paint over them in black, and click go! Uncovers hidden details. Sit back and watch as cage bars disappear from the zoo, and your old boyfriend or girlfriend fades away. And best of all, it’s completely free!

    Two other freebies are at this site too.  “Shark Ticker” and one with a good name going for it, “Banshee Screamer Alarm“.

Tethering your HTC phone may not always be possible.  It depends on the phone and the service provider.  But here is somewhere to start looking.  Google for your HTC phone and provider and see what will and won’t work.

Apple tells us about antenna attenuation.

What is Steve Jobs’ actual email address and will “he” be the one responding to you?

Hopefully get a quicker talk with the higher ups at a company by asking to, “Please, escalate this call.”

See you next month, Monday, August 16 at 10:00 am.

Ron

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2010-04-19, WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | April 19, 2010 - 7:59 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Two free Microsoft Office Suite-like applications:

Open Office

http://www.openoffice.org/

Lotus Symphony

http://symphony.lotus.com

When to all of the people on Twitter.com sleep?

image

When do they sleep?
http://www.sleepingtime.org

Try mine out if you don’t know anyone else who uses Twitter, search ‘RonDoyle’.  In reality it is off about an hour for me.

Tags: , ,

(Be the first to comment)
2010-03-15, WSVA Show Notes
By Ron Doyle, Administrator | March 15, 2010 - 1:05 pm - Posted in WSVA Show Notes

Get your own  Click to see moreUSB Laser Guided Missile Launcher so you can win your own office arms race!

Jim is going to get a couple of these for hosts that make mistakes (I better stay away).

imageAnother way to clean your computer’s keyboard in case of spills.  This article is a couple of years old from NPR but it still stands.

“Studies show that computer keyboards have more bacteria than toilet seats. But it’s hard to clean all those keys. So some people advocate an extreme solution: Throw your keyboard in your dishwasher.”

“At first glance, this seems insane. But the computer – keyboard – in – the – dishwasher advice is all over the Internet. And don’t we wish it were true? My keyboard is an old Hewlett Packard that’s encrusted with a kind of mysterious black grime. I thought, "Well, why not try my Kitchen Aid?’"

Also a couple of good free Anti-virus applications.

With a couple of warnings:

  1. Only install one anti-virus program on your computer.
    If you already have another MAKE SURE you completely uninstall it first.
  2. Only run one of these at a time too, with the possible exception of Microsoft’s Security Essentials which can run alongside of others…but do it at your own risk.
  3. The first two will steer you to the paid versions, so install the correct one.
  4. I have used them all with no ill effects; however, install any software at your own risk.  (i.e., don’t call me – I’ve warned you here.)

Tags: , , , ,

(Be the first to comment)
« Previous Entries