AlisterCompteron vs. the Evil Dell Tech Support January 30, 2009
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Mobility, Reviews, Technology.Tags: Dell, Dell Mini 9, Tech Support
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Last fall, I bought the new Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Shortly thereafter, I began having problems with it. First I had an issue with the screen. There was an inch-wide column down the center of the screen that caused some green pixelation on pictures and windows. I sent the computer back and got that repaired.
Next, the computer began going into standby for no reason, even if I was using it. That was a hard one to explain to tech support. The techs I spoke with simply didn’t understand, and their fix was to turn off all the power save settings. I sent the netbook back again, only to have it return without anything done to it. One of the techs at the depot emailed to say he wasn’t able to reproduce the behavior I was seeing. I replied with detailed instructions on exactly how to make the computer to its automatic standby dance. Either he didn’t get my message, or still wasn’t able to reproduce the problem.
I called tech support again, and this time I decided to the let computer run for a few days without power saving settings. I even disabled the standby when I closed the lid. The Dell Mini stopped going to standby with all the power save settings off, but the screen would flicker instead.
So I called tech support again one evening, and after being transferred twice, giving my Service Tag number three times, and briefly explaining the problem three times, a tech realized that the computer was having a power issue, and probably needed to have the system board replace. THANK YOU! And duh. That’s what I suspected all along, but had to get them to realize it. Yes, I was partly at fault for not following through on the original instructions to keep the power save settings turned off, so mea culpa on that one.
I sent the Dell Mini in for a third time, and got it back today. I was eager to get it up and running so I could test for the issue. When I booted it up, I noticed that I no longer had a wireless adapter listed in Device Manager. I downloaded drivers from Dell, but each time I tried installing them, I got a message that the device wasn’t present. So another call to tech support.
The tech tried the driver installation again with the same result, and had me open the computer to re-seat the WLAN card (does re-seating a card ever work?). She said she would send out another WLAN card for me to swap, and she is also sending another box. So the Mini may be making a fourth trip to Texas.
If I didn’t love this little computer so much, I would have thrown in the towel long ago. But I just love the small size and portability of my netbook. I wasn’t sure what I’d actually use a netbook for when I got it; I mainly got it to see what all the buzz was about. I am having second thoughts, though, on buying a Dell over another brand. And quite honestly, I may be done with Dells after this experience.
I’ll post again after I get my replacement wireless adapter.
Cool Tools: Convert DVDs to MPEGs and Take Your Movies with You September 30, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Internet, Linux, Mac, Technology, Windows.Tags: DVD, Fletch, Handbrake, MPEG, Netflix, Technology
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A year ago my brother came out for a visit packing a copy of our favorite movie: the 1985 classic, Fletch. We saw that movie dozens of times when we were younger, and memorized every line of it. He also had a copy of it on his Zune (yeah, I know).
He had found a nifty little program called, Handbrake, that converts DVDs to MPEG4 file format that can then be viewed on a Mac, PC, iPod, and yes even a Zune. The open-source Handbrake works with OS X, Windows, and Linux.
The program is very easy to use and comes with pre-defined settings that optimize the video for the iPod, for example, or for viewing on a PC. You can create and save your own settings, as well. When converting a movie on DVD, the file size can be rather large. My intention is to convert DVDs for viewing mainly on my computer or mobile device, so I don’t need very high-quality video. I created a preset that gets the file size of movies down to about 1GB to 1.3GB. It’s not quite DVD quality on my 13-inch MacBook, but it’s definitely watchable, even at full screen.
Now kids, I’m compelled to tell you: Handbrake is only for making backup copies of DVDs you own. Don’t go using your Netflix subscription to create a well-stocked library of movies for your iPod. But don’t take a dozen DVDs on your next vacation ,either.
Technorati Tags Netflix,Technology,DVD,Fletch,Handbrake,MPEG
Cool Tool: Thumbnail Bookmarks on Firefox Blank Tabs September 30, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Firefox, Internet, Reviews, Technology.Tags: Add-ons, Fast Dial, Firefox, Internet, Technology
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I discovered this little gem of a Firefox add-on last week and have found it quite useful. It’s an add-on called, Fast Dial, and it adds thumbnails of your bookmarked pages to the blank tab in Firefox. You select which bookmarks you want on the blank tab.
One of the features I like best about the add-on is that you can add a new thumbnail by right clicking a page and selecting Add to Fast Dial. The add-on lets you customize the layout of the blank tab. The default layout is a 3×3 configuration.
When you add a bookmark to the tab, the thumbnail is a snapshot of the web page you are bookmarking. So the thumbnail might not look that great. The Fast Dial website has logos of various websites that you can use for the thumbnail. For example, there are thumbnails for all of the Google apps. You can also use your own pics.
One word of caution: A few users have commented that the latest version of Fast Dial has scrambled their bookmarks. I haven’t seen that, myself, but thought I’d pass it on any way.
Technorati Tags: Fast Dial, Add-ons, Firefox, Technology, Internet
Webcasters get Victory in Congress September 29, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Internet, News, Technology.Tags: Congress, Internet, News, Streaming Audio, Technology
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Pandora, Webcasting appear headed for Senate victory | News – Digital Media – CNET News
It’s good to see that the House of Representatives voted to pass the Webcaster Settlement Act, and now the Senate is expected to also pass it. Amid all the wrangling over the $700 billion bailout of our financial system, I’m glad Congress found a few minutes to assist small web broadcasters. Because if the world is going to end, I’d like to be listening to streaming audio on the Internet when it happens.
The Webcaster Settlement Act extends the deadline for Internet streaming audio providers to negotiate royalty rates with artists and the record labels. Had the act not passed, Pandora and other providers would be forced to pay high royalties that would likely have forced many webcasters out of business.
Fans of Pandora helped persuade the House to support the act, which was voted on Saturday. The Senate will vote on it Monday. And who said Congress doesn’t work for the little guy?
Technorati Tags: Technology, News, Internet, Streaming Audio, Congress
Handset Makers and Carriers getting Ready for Android September 28, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Internet, Mobility, News, Smartphone, Technology.Tags: Android, Apple, Google, iPhone, Motorola, News, Technology
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Motorola Building Up 350-Person Android Team. Nokia Also Sniffing Around.
Now that Google and T-Mobile have introduced the Android-equipped G1, other handset manufacturers and carriers are getting geared up their very own versions.
Motorola is increasing its Android team from 50 to 350 people. Nokia and Verizon may also be recruiting developers.
According to TechCrunch:
There is a certain inexorable logic behind all the interest in Android.1. It is a more capable mobile Web computer than anything other than the iPhone.
2. It is a very appealing development environment for app creators—and just like on the PC, apps will drive adoption.
3. Most importantly, as an open-source OS, manufacturers don’t have to pay a licensing fee to whoever controls the OS. Given the razor-thin margins in the cell phone business, that alone is reason for manufacturers to embrace Android (with the exception of Nokia, which owns Symbian). But you can see why Motorola might see Android as the key to its recovery.
I think this is an early indication of how big Android is going to be. It may be Apple battling Google for the dominant position in the mobile market.
Technorati Tags: Android, iPhone, Apple, Google, Motorola, Technology, News
Still Waiting for my Dell Mini 9 September 28, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Internet, Linux, Mobility, Technology.Tags: Computers, Dell, Dell Mini 9, Linux, Netbook, Technology
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Earlier this month I zipped over to Dell’s website and purchased on of its new Inspiron Mini 9 netbooks. I am eagerly awaiting it’s October 13 arrival. I ordered mine with Ubuntu Linux, 1GB RAM, 4GB SSD, and Bluetooth.
I bought this more as a project or experiment than anything else, to be honest. I want to be able to take a relatively inexpensive device with an open source OS, and use it for accessing the Internet and using Internet applications almost exclusively.
I recently took an old Pentium III PC and loaded Xubuntu Linux on it. I use it from time to time to access the Internet apps, like Gmail and Google Docs, and I think the experiment has been successful. To access the Internet, I don’t need a full OS; just something that will run Firefox.
The Mini 9 will give me the benefit of mobility in a very portible form factor. I’m anxious to see how well it functions as a multimedia device, too, although, I know I’ll need memory cards for transporting music and videos.
By no means will this be my primary computer, but I think I will find uses for it beyond what I currently plan. Stay tuned for more.
Cool Tools to Help You Get Things Done September 26, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Cool Tools, Internet, Mobility, Smartphone, Technology.Tags: Jott, Outlook, Remember the Milk, Technology, Twitter, Web 2.0
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My first job out of college was with a department store chain in Nashville, TN. That experience has left me scared for life; I still can’t go into a department store during December. Thank goodness for Amazon, eh?
One of the biggest problems I had while working there was always forgetting tasks. My manager would tell me some things I needed to do each day. Invariably I would forget one or two of those. Perhaps it was more about the loathing I had for my job than simple forgetfulness, but eventually, I started carrying around a steno pad to write down my to-do’s. But alas, that was no good, either, because I would lay the steno down somewhere and forget where I put it. Needless to say, I had a short career in retail.
Since forgetfulness is a weaknesses of mine, I’ve worked diligently over the years to improve my ability to remember my tasks, be better organized, and thus, get things done. Outlook was huge in helping me track what I needed to do and to remind me of when things needed to be done.
Now that we’re in the mobile era, though, I’ve discovered other tools that allow me to access my tasks from anywhere. Sure I can sync my Moto Q9c with tasks in Outlook, but Outlook is so 1990’s – to be cliche about a cliche. It’s all about Web 2.0 now.
Nowadays, I’m using a combination of services to keep all of my to-do’s organized. I keep my trusty Q with me all the time, because I hate when I have a good idea, only to forget to follow up with it because I didn’t write it down.
Remember the Milk is my primary task organizing tool. I have the RTM gadget on my iGoogle page, where I can quickly enter tasks when I’m at my desk. When I’m away from my desk, I use Twitter to add tasks to RTM.
Sometimes I’ll be in my car and think of something I need to remember. It’s difficult to send a quick Tweet while driving, even while stopped at intersections. So for cases when texting isn’t the
best method of recording a thought, I use Jott, the speech to text service that lets you record short notes to yourself and to others. There’s also a Google Gadget for Jott.
Both RTM and Jott let you set up notifications. Reminders can be sent via email and SMS. And RTM, Jott, and Twitter are free services. Jott recently exited beta, and it now has paid service levels with enhanced features, but you can still get the basic service for free.
Web 2.0 is making me more informed and better organized. The tools are plentiful, easy to use, and mobile. Let me know what you’re doing to stay on top of your things to do.
Technorati Tags: Jott, Outlook, Remember the Milk, Technology, Twitter, Web 2.0
Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2008 September 25, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Internet, News, Technology.Tags: Blogging, Blogosphere, Internet, Surveys, Technology
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Technorati: State of the Blogosphere 2008
Admittedly, I didn’t give my previous post on Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere adequate coverage. I found an article about the survey at Ars Technica, thought it was interesting, and quickly shared it.
But then I read the survey, and it’s got some really interesting stuff. Technorati covers five different topics and includes and introduction in their survey:
- Introduction
- Who are the Bloggers
- The What and Why of Blogging
- The How of Blogging
- Blogging for Profit
- Brands in the Blogosphere
The survey has some great insight for those who want to improve their blog, increase traffic, or possibly even generate income from a blog. The survey separates the top 10% of blogs, or the top 100 from the rest of the field and compares what top bloggers are doing differently from the rest of the blogosphere. Charts and graphs give a visual representation of the differences between top bloggers and the rest of us.
Technorati Tags: Technology, News, Survey, Blogging, Blogs, Blogosphere
