Updated gimmick feature list 2007

My list of gimmick features continues to grow. Gimmick features are features that companies add to technology to sell a product but don’t do what they claim to do in the way you expect them to do it. One of of the first gimmick features I began discussing years ago were gimmick buttons on a scanner. These are buttons that say “email” or “scan and save”, etc. All these buttons do is activate the...

Ubuntu – Day 14 – Final Report

  I can’t believe it has been two weeks already that I’ve used Ubuntu Linux exclusively. If I had to sum up the experience in one word, that word would be “satisfying.” And my regular readers/listeners know that I can’t sum anything up in one word, so I will use this format to provide a complete synopsis of my Ubuntu thoughts. Minimum Requirements Ubuntu and its derivatives can run...

DPReview.com posts Canon S5 IS Review

The Canon S* IS series is my favorite line of high zoom digital cameras. Canon just came out with the S5 IS – an 8 megapixel version of the 12x, image stabilized camera that has become a best seller. DPReview.com is the best site for in depth reviews of the most popular cameras to hit the market, they just posted their review of the S5 IS. If you are an S1, S2, or S3 IS user, you will want to check it out and see if...

The missing iPhone disclaimer

I am throwing this into the newsletter this week. But I will post it here because I spent too much time writing it. The Apple iPhone came out this Friday. We have taken the opportunity to write up the disclaimer that should appear on the device, but does not. The Apple iPhone is operated by touch screen only. There are no hard buttons thus it should not be used while driving. Checking messages and dialing requires constant...

10 Things you should know how to do with your digi...

Here is what we will discuss at tonight's digital photo user group:  1. How to find information in the Manual If your camera didn't come with a manual, it is likely on the disk that came with the camera. You may also download it from the manufacturer's website. 2. How to insert and remove the camera memory 3. How to set your camera on full auto mode – this is the setting that lets the camera do all of the...

I want to be a computer teacher on a cruise ship

I love my job as a computer guy. Especially tutoring and teaching average people (seniors, parents, non-geeks) how too use computers. Everyday I meet interesting people, see new challenges and play with new toys. Today I was thinking about what could possibly make my job more fun and I had a great idea. I would love to be a computer guy on a cruise ship. Not to maintain the ship's computers but to teach tourists and help...

Left hand digital cameras

A caller made us aware of a problem with most digital camera designs. She has a friend who is missing his right hand. Most digital cameras have the shutter release on the right side. Is there a solution? Yes. There are a small number of upright digital cameras on the market.  This is a picture of the new Canon TX1. While this camera is a little pricey, there are cameras with similar designs made by Panasonic, Sany and...

You can tell a lot about a person by the contents ...

Last night I was testing out my new camcorder by recording my office. At this point in time my office is a terrible mess. I put this video up to comfort those people I see every day who feel ashamed and apologetic for the condition of their office space. In this video, look for the following items… A spelling error in the opening title Any 3 Star Wars related items A helicopter helmet A book of Ayn Rand essays 3...

Our advice changes as technology evolves

Rick and I don't sell anything either on the show or in our businesses. We specialize in the service of helping people through their problems not solving problems by throwing more products on their computer. When we recommend a product like AVG Antivirus or Cloudmark spam filter we do so because we love the product, no company pays us anything for our recommendation. Since we are so brand neutral, our advice has changed...

Web Appliances revisited

I wrote a number of months ago about the need for a new web appliance. A web appliance is a device that only accesses the Internet. Web TV (now MSN TV) is the only device that sort of falls in this category. What I envision (and wish I had the knowledge to build) is a flat screen monitor with built-in speakers and a cordless bluetooth connection to talk to a mouse, keyboard, and a printer. It would also have a card...

Getting familiar with your digital camera

Although we recently had a class on getting to know your digital camera, many in the group have brand new cameras this time. Since our meeting this month will focus a lot on the individual cameras that people bring to the meeting most of our notes will be posted after the meeting. Here are a few items I expect to touch on. You have a camera, now what? Once you have the digital camera, you will need a few extras. A 1...

Picasa Picture Manager Video Tip – Part 2

In Part 1 of our Picasa Video tip , we discussed how to use many of the editing and organizing tools available in Picasa. In this tip, you will learn about: Transferring your digital camera photos to your computer with Picasa Selecting photos from multiple folders Creating a web album Printing your photos Ordering prints from your photos and more! Click the Read More option below to start the video if it has not already...

If you give an 8-year-old girl a camera

The top item on my daughter's Christmas list this year was a Palm. We thought we could satisfy her with a cheap PDA that had a stylus and a touch screen. She didn't buy it. So, she gathered all of the money that she had earned all year and we combined it with the money we got from returning the non-Palm and we went shopping for a real Palm device. In our shopping we found a last item Kodak digital camera on clearance...

How to send an email attachment

We have a few program specific tips on our website about how to send email attachments. Each step is broken down step-by-step.  I am writing this more as a general guide for emailing attachments. I have seen a few mistakes lately that have caused problems for first-time attachment senders. Here are a few tips to help you avoid problems. 1. If you are emailing photos and you use Outlook, Outlook Express or gmail, download...

Add more USB ports easily

Many new computers over the past few years come with a minimum of six USB ports (four in the back and two up front). With cameras, scanners, printers, MP3 players, external hard drives, mice, keyboards and more, what seemed like a lot of ports quickly dwindles. You could add an external USB hub that plugs into one of your ports then gives you four more, for a net gain of three. Hubs can be found for about $20-30. More often,...