Tech News
If you’re a Facebook member and have visited the site recently, you have noticed the redeisnged interface and fucntionality of the site. Unfortunately, a lot of members do not like the new look and feel of it. As a result of this change, Hundreds of thousands of Facebook members gave a thumbs down by starting Facebook groups against the re-design. Just search Facebook for “redesign of facebook” and you’ll find some interesting groups there. Also keep in mind there are some groups that are for the re-design.
In my opinion, the new design is nice. I like the way infomration about your friends are fed to you. You’re able to see a bunch of information about what your friends are doing on facebook. Really neat. I compared the new front page look of Facebook to Twitter.
Listener Question:
Koolguy asked: I dunno what parts I should use to make a good computer for Mass Effect, Bioshock, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 1-2, Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, and Jade Empire. Any ideas?
Thanks, Koolguy
ANSWER: I pointed him in the direction Show #26. On that show, we discussed building a computer (gaming computer). Jay deluco (the guest) had built a nice gaming machine and shared his experience on that show.
Dell Mini Notebook Overview
Alan said “I does actually complete me”. Killed the void that mobile device were not able to cover.
The main thing about the netbook is the small size.
Facts about Netbooks
- 9 or 10 inch screens
- Weighs about 2 to 3 pounds
- Keyboard are about 80 to 95 percent of a normal lapbop keyboard.
- No optical drives, but you can get an external drive for this purpose.
- Some have a typical hard drive in it, however, others have a Solid State Drive
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 – 4 GB SSD, Maxed out of 2GB. Came with Ubuntu 8.041. Can get with Windows XP.
- Keyboard shortcuts help out a lot. Show #12 – Computing Tips
- Alan gets about 4.5+ hours out of his battery.
- SD Slot allows you to watch media on your Netbook.
DaveAC Added links
http://www.notebookreview.com/picture.asp?f=36352
http://www.notebookreview.com/picture.asp?f=36342
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4578
http://www.notebookreview.com/picture.asp?f=36306
Thanks DaveAC and thank you Alan for your time.
by mike on March 29, 2009
Along with some quick computer tips and some Tech news, Alan Rappaort, a friend of mine, will be reviewing the Dell Mini Netbook computer. He will give us his opinion of these tiny machines and talk about how he uses it. Please come join us Live on Sunday March 29, 2009.
by mike on March 25, 2009
With Facebook’s membership growing exponentially every day and the vast SMS TXT message service usage at it’s all time high, I thought it was my duty to share with you an issue I see with this. Mobile phone providers usually offer an unlimited usage plan for TXT messages, meaning you can send and receive as many TXT messages as you want. However, what they don’t tell you or what you might miss in the lengthly terms of service agreement is the “Premium TXT Message” service. These are provided by a third party. When you use this type of service, they charge your mobile phone provider and in turn your provider charges you. Now it’s not clear if your phone provider makes any money on these, but the amount that is charged to you could be very high.
Now when you mix Facebooks ability for anyone to create their own application along with premium TXT services it could be a real money maker for the creator of that application. As a result this can be a hole burner in your wallet.
Now, premium TXT service might be ok for some, but here are some tips to try to avoid these types of charges by premium TXT services.
- Never give out your mobile phone number in return for services. If you do, read their fine print. There is one particular application that I know of on Facebook called MY IQ QUIZ. I know people that have been burnt by this one.
- They usually want you to confirm your membership with them by sending a TXT message to you and having you reply to it. As soon as you reply, they start charging you.
- Call your mobile phone provider and ask them to block Premium TXT services. I know Verizon Wireless offers blocking, so I can only think that other providers would follow suit.
Bottom Line: Treat your mobile number as you would a credit card or your social security number.
by mike on March 23, 2009
I appologize for the audio issues that Talkshoe.com was experiencing this afternoon. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at techwithmike@gmail.com.
Tech News:
Internet Explorer 8 was released by Microsoft last week.
My favorite Features are:
- Reopening of Last Session
- Accelerators
- Duplicate Tabs
Social Networking Sites - Here is a list of some!
Security & Privacy
- Be careful when using the status update feature. You could be opening yourself up to bad things.
- Be careful what you post, do not post negative things about your employer, and don’t be mean in yours posts.
- Do not give out your mobile phone number to anyone unless you know who it is.
- Avoid giving your mobile number to any application on Facebook. You will be sorry you did.
- Be careful on the links that you click on while on these sites.
5 Facebook Scams Protect Your Profile – Page1 – MSN Tech & Gadgets – Security
by mike on March 22, 2009
Come join me and talk about what social networking sites have brought to our lives. Discuss the pros and cons, and the security issues involved with this ever growing phenomenon. 4:30PM EST Sunday March 22, 2009 on TalkShoe
by mike on March 19, 2009
