[CGUYS] Salvaging Hard Drive
I've somehow messed up the re-formatting of my laptop hard drive when I was attempting to reinstall Windows XP. Now when I try to boot up with the CD, I get a No Operating System Found error. Is there a way to start this process over and salvage the hard drive? Thanks in advance Richard P. Windows XP Dell Laptop *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** ***
Re: [CGUYS] Salvaging Hard Drive
When I set up the boot order to CD first, and put in the CD, I get the prompt Press any key to continue which I do, but then I get the no operating system error found error. I had aborted the set up in mid stream previously, and haven't been able to get through the process to start the reformat over. Richard P. On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 6:14 PM, mike xha...@gmail.com wrote: Why can't you start from CD and just reformat? On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 2:59 PM, Richard P. richs...@gmail.com wrote: I've somehow messed up the re-formatting of my laptop hard drive when I was attempting to reinstall Windows XP. Now when I try to boot up with the CD, I get a No Operating System Found error. Is there a way to start this process over and salvage the hard drive? Thanks in advance Richard P. Windows XP Dell Laptop *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** ***
Re: [CGUYS] Salvaging Hard Drive
New Information: Apparently letting the laptop stay off for awhile has helped. I now am able to get to the partitioning prompts. When I was here before, the installation failed to complete on C after it had been formatted. Now I'm not sure what to do. any suggestions? Thanks again, Richard P. On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 6:37 PM, Richard P. richs...@gmail.com wrote: When I set up the boot order to CD first, and put in the CD, I get the prompt Press any key to continue which I do, but then I get the no operating system error found error. I had aborted the set up in mid stream previously, and haven't been able to get through the process to start the reformat over. Richard P. On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 6:14 PM, mike xha...@gmail.com wrote: Why can't you start from CD and just reformat? On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 2:59 PM, Richard P. richs...@gmail.com wrote: I've somehow messed up the re-formatting of my laptop hard drive when I was attempting to reinstall Windows XP. Now when I try to boot up with the CD, I get a No Operating System Found error. Is there a way to start this process over and salvage the hard drive? Thanks in advance Richard P. Windows XP Dell Laptop *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** ***
[CGUYS] Fwd: [CGUYS] Salvaging Hard Drive
I'm slowly making progress. I think I created my own problem when the prompt for removing the floppy came, I took it literally and didn't remove the installation CD. I did partition the drive but made the C drive only 10 GB. Can I get away with installing only the operating system on C, and put everything else on D (which is 30GB), or should I just start over? One other thing, I've yet to be asked to register the system and I've even loaded the Windows Validation Tool. Will this come up later or did it somehow remember the authentication? Thanks for all the input, it's been helpful. Richard P. On Fri, Jul 2, 2010 at 7:43 PM, Rev. Stewart Marshall popoz...@earthlink.net wrote: If you got media with your Computer you can boot to the recovery CD and it will then start from the recovery partition. I have never had problems with reformatting a drive on a Dell as it is a hidden partition not normally seeable to a Windows install CD. Stewart At 06:39 PM 7/2/2010, you wrote: Dell computers often have a recovery partition on the drive. You start up while holding down some F key and it restores you to original condition. This partition may also be interfering with your attempt to roll your own install. Sent from my iPad On Jul 2, 2010, at 6:37 PM, Richard P. richs...@gmail.com wrote: Dell Laptop *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** Rev. Stewart A. Marshall mailto:popoz...@earthlink.net Prince of Peace www.princeofpeaceozark.org Ozark, AL SL 82 *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO ** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *** *** ** THIS LIST HAS MOVED TO YAHOO** ** PLEASE JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE ** ** Info at http://www.cguys.org/ ** ***
[CGUYS] Picture editing software recommendations
A friend needs recommendations for a simple photo editing software, preferably off-line. The most that he does is organize, re-size and group photos so that several will fit on a single sheet when printed. Storage on his computer is a must, but on-line sharing in addition would be OK. Windows 7, 64bit Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] DVD Burning Software
Looking for recommendations for DVD burning software. A friend has home movies on DVD which he wants to copy. He would need something simple and easy to use and cheap. He has a 2 month old Dell, Windows 7 64bit desktop. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Image resolution for video
If they are going to be zooming in tight on the scan, then that would be a good reason for the higher resolution. Richard P. On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 1:39 PM, David Turk dt...@indianahistory.org wrote: We have a patron in Britain who wants some scans for a documentary they're putting together. They're asking for 1200dpi (or ppi, as people are now using). I know they have the PAL system over there, but does it really require that high a resolution? I do video editing in NTSC in Final Cut, find 600dpi/ppi overkill. david David Turk Manager, Preservation Imaging Services Indiana Historical Society Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center 450 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-4592 dt...@indianahistory.org Discover the Indiana Experience, a New Way to Live History: http://www.indianahistory.org/experience * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Cox Modem Troubleshooting
During the last week, my cable modem for Cox Cable loses its Internet connection about once or twice a day. When troubleshooting, the light that indicates the cable connection on the Linksys modem, model BEFCMU10, is not illuminated. If I reboot the modem, it comes up fine and I get adequate speeds through the connection. After calling Cox, the only thing they can offer is a service call for which I will be charged if it turns out that the problem is after their connection. I have also noticed a slight degradation in the analog TV signal from Cox during the last week as well. Should I just go ahead and replace the modem to see if that makes a difference? It would be less than the service call. Suggestions please. FYI, my Visualware Speed Connection test is: Test Type: Application Speed Location: USA: Dulles, Virginia Download Speed: 24652 Kbps Upload Speed: 3380 Kbps Speed Consistency: 80 % Round Trip Time:15 ms Max Delay: 77 ms Average Delay: 5 ms Bandwidth: 24652 Kbps Max Route Speed:34952 Kbps Route Concurrency: 1 2 connection problems found, click the to learn more. MSTR01: The data flow for this test is too erratic Although the speed achieved may match expectation for the connection, a low data flow QoS score means that the data flow between the server and the workstation was not consistent. There can be several reasons for this such as data congestion along the route or data loss which invokes recovery. The lower the QoS percentage, the more erratic the data flow. Many applications can be severely affected by poor data flow quality regardless of data throughput speed, for example media applications such as video or voice may become jerky. Voice (VoIP) telephony will become garbled. If you suspect that the connection was in use by another application try running the test again to validate if the problem is persistent. MSMD01: TCP is waiting too long for data The test recorded a TCP maximum delay that exceeded the natural TCP forced idle delay as a result of the connection's trip time. This indicates that there may be problems with consistent data flow between the server and the client. A poor data flow QoS reading is also likely if the max TCP delay is much higher in comparisons to the trip time. Common reasons for this type of problem are packet loss and duplicates. The test graph view will show the TCP delay over the time of the test. Height and width of the 'orange' delay line shows the delay consistency. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Where to buy XP computer?
A senior friend went out to a local electronics store and bought a new Dell, 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium computer to replace his old XP which has a failing hard drive. Unfortunately, the only program that he has that will run on the new computer is his antivirus software and AOL. Even his 6 month old HP digital camera's software won't run on it. It will end up costing more to replace all the software than the computer cost. While replacing the hard drive and transferring over his programs and data is a $250 option, it will still leave him with a old computer with a slow chip. Is there a place he can buy an XP computer with a decent amount of memory (2GB) and dual core chip for a reasonable amount of $? Is there another solution for him? It looks like the only Microsoft computer's being advertised are the Windows 7, 64 bit version. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Disposing old computers
What's the best way to get rid of old computers? I have 3 old WinBook business laptops which were taken out of service many years ago and have been just sitting around. The data has been deleted but that's all. Recommendations please. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Here we go again....
Really great site, thanks. Richard P. I found an interesting source from the FCC for transmission maps. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/ * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Kill it!!!
Verizon is helping out on their end. In Baltimore, MD, 3 people I've talked to last week have found their landlines have been cut by Verizon over the last couple of months even though they were still being used. When Verizon finally owned up to the fact, it still took two weeks for the landlines to be reconnected. Richard P. On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 5:48 PM, phartz...@gmail.com phartz...@gmail.com wrote: ATT has petitioned the FCC to allow for the dismantling and removal of all landline telephone service in the United States. ATT wants to know when they can begin the euthanasia and how soon the termination can be completed. Perhaps this helps explain why they have also recently petitioned for even more of the broadcast television frequencies, demanding a re-farming of all terrestrial television broadcasting transmitter sites as previously noted in this forum. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Correct way to burn a video DVD
I'll get this info and report back. In the meantime, thanks for everyone's posts. They're quite helpful. Richard P. What flavor of DVD is your friend using? DVD-R and DVD+R discs work in most drives and players, while DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs work in fewer. There are also a number of less common formats like VCD, SVCD, CDV, etc. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Consternation over Computer Constipation list slamming ...
Years ago when I joined this list, I found it to be very supportive, especially of newbies. There was very little slamming of anyone and while the Mac versus PC opinions were out there, the wars had yet to begin. Now it appears that some of the regular posters have no trouble bashing anyone's post, even ones with legitimate tech questions. It would be great if we could get back to computer questions/solutions/discussions without the ridicule. The list has been a great help in the past and hopefully it will continue in the future. Just my opinion, Richard P. On Tue, Dec 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM, db db...@att.net wrote: This list has been careful to not get into risky illegal discussion territory but it hasn't seemed to exhibit similar caution about exercising good list etiquette re: interpersonal respect.. I've seen decidedly more and more name calling , personal slights, and non value-added chatting etc on CGUYS in the last couple of years. Seems like it is resulting in fewer and fewer participants and diminished technical discussions and info. I wasn't paying attention to who was starting it / doing it... just quickly filtering those strings to the trash can ... but I got a dose of it myself in this string. I'd like to think that my critique and my questions re: Mac OS weren't because I am dumb or nasty. In any case, it'd be nice if we could all back away from that. It's a list killer for sure. If it's allowed to run its course, the only people left will be angry people slamming each other... Even the adversarial dummies in Congress know to practice etiquette of interpersonal respect in their interactions and why it's necessary to do it. Could we all get together on that? Does anyone else feel the way I do? db Reid Katan wrote: Quoting mike xha...@gmail.com: Anyone who doesn't back Tom's fascist OS view is biased. Get in line you dolts! I don't even care about OS. I'm not even asking about TaskBar. I just want to know what it is about putting the Dock on the side that works so much better. I'll never get an answer from Tom, I can see that already. Maybe when Betty gets around to it she can enlighten me (and anyone else that might wonder). BTW, notice that Jeff Wright finally got tired of Tom's shit. I haven't seen him around for a while. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] US Military Ignoring Encryption
Are you sure this wasn't an April Fools story? This is ridiculous! Richard P. On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 1:26 PM, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) mark.sny...@ngc.com wrote: Predator drones use less encryption than your TV, DVDs about an hour ago - by Nate Anderson | Posted in: Law Disorder Militants have been recording video from US Predator drones in Iraq and Afghanistan using laptops and $30 software, thanks to a total lack of encryption. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/predator-drones-use-less -encryption-than-your-tv.ars Thank you, Mark Snyder * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Waking from sleep
Personally, I think it's more important to have a skilled person behind the tools, than just looking at the quality of the tools. FYI, a friend worked for years restoring vehicles for the Smithsonian. The work he did was impeccable, as evidenced that the Smithsonian kept calling him back. Yet to look at his shop with its antiquated tools, you would never guess how great a craftsman he was. I would rather have a person that can work with anything like this than to have someone show up with flashy tools and maybe not much to back it up. Richard P. hack and a pro. You are permitted to be a hack. Just don't show up when I am asking for the pro's with crappy tools; I won't give you the job - I will just laugh. Why such defense of crappy tools? I am in IT, so when applied to computers, I don't expect someone I work with or hire to show up with junk. For myself, I want and need effective, professional tools. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Waking from sleep
I never asserted that a craftsman doesn't value quality. Apparently you made that up out of nowhere in order to interject another Mac/PC dig. In the example I gave, the person appreciated quality so much that he produced projects worthy of display in the Smithsonian, year after year. The tools and the workshop he used to accomplish this were nothing to look at, but in his hands, he created miracles. Richard P. On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 8:13 PM, tjpa t...@tjpa.com wrote: On Dec 11, 2009, at 5:42 PM, Richard P. wrote: Personally, I think it's more important to have a skilled person behind the tools, than just looking at the quality of the tools. ... The work he did was impeccable, as evidenced that the Smithsonian kept calling him back. Yet to look at his shop with its antiquated tools... This quote amply demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of craftsmen and craftsmanship. 1st, antiquated means old fashioned, but that says nothing about the quality of the tools. I love opening my grandfather's tool chest and handling his wonderful antiquated woodworking tools. They are beautiful and highly functional. They are great tools for doing fine work, even today. Using them is a joy. 2nd, your assertion that a craftsman does not value quality is nonsense. It ain't true just because you say so and you have produced nothing to vouch for its veracity. Notice that when you see wonderfully creative artists and scientists interviewed on TV, if you see a computer in the background it will almost always be a Mac. It is the grubby MBAs who run their ponzi schemes on Windows PCs. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Redacting PDF document files?
From this morning's Washington Post article: officials said that the manual was posted online in a redacted form on a federal procurement Web site, but that the digital redactions were inadequate. They allowed computer users to recover blacked-out passages by copying and pasting them into a new document or an e-mail. http://tinyurl.com/ygyna96 Richard P. On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM, Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. acker...@astrecg.com wrote: I have not found one, per se. What I do is redact using Adobe and then print (not save as) to PDF, which then makes the PDF as redacted. Eschew Obfuscation This is a reply from: Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. Financial, Managerial, and Technical Services for the Professional, Non-Profit, and the Entrepreneurial Organization 703.548.1343 voice 703.783.1340 fax From thinking to doing, from sales to profits, from tax to investments- we are YOUR adjuvancy -Original Message- From: Computer Guys Discussion List [mailto:computerguy...@listserv.aol.com] On Behalf Of Fred Holmes Sent: 12/09/2009 10:52 AM To: COMPUTERGUYS-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Subject: [CGUYS] Redacting PDF document files? Anyone know of a PDF redaction utility that works? E.g., one chooses (selects) a rectangle to redact, and the execute command replaces all pixels in the rectangle with white, in all layers, and deletes any accompanying text data (i.e., that which provides text searchability / copyability)? Does this capability exist somewhere in Adobe Acrobat? (basic? Professional?). If so, where does one find it? Third party application/utility? It should be equally able to redact text and graphics/pictures. One that really does the job, even if the process is more complicated than I have presumed in the above query? TIA Fred Holmes * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Wikipedia
of realising that what you do will not stay there for ever,” Mr Dalby said. “Somebody else will come along and rewrite it, re-edit it, and maybe in your view, spoil it.” Some experts argued that the pioneering ethos of early Wikipedians had faded. “They don’t feel the spirit of the first years,” Mr Ortega said. “The articles are very tightly controlled by others now, and that makes it hard to jump in and contribute.” Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Drop My Rights
Tony, awhile back I think you mentioned a program called Drop My Rights. How has that worked for you and will you provide details? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Drop My Rights
Thanks for the feedback and I might give it a try. Normally, I run as a limited user which works well, but after installing an Acrobat link into Outlook 2007, Outlook only works completely while running as an administrator. Yes, Thunderbird is my main email program but some of my other programs (photo) require using Outlook in order to work. Richard P. On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 12:24 PM, Tony B ton...@gmail.com wrote: It was a clever method to trick WinXP into running Firefox with lower than administrator rights. The idea being that would lower the risk of having malware installed. Alas, it worked too well. You couldn't even update Firefox with it running in restricted mode. I worked around that myself for a while, but I found my less savvy users really couldn't grasp the concept. So I've stopped using it even on older machines. And of course, Vista Win7 offer more protection by default anyway. Although both will set up users as admins by default, I can lower someone to a standard user and they can operate the machine just fine and never even notice it. And yes, I do that for myself also. On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 11:52 AM, Richard P. richs...@gmail.com wrote: Tony, awhile back I think you mentioned a program called Drop My Rights. How has that worked for you and will you provide details? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Win7 badly written errors (already!)
There is only one product ID, which will be shared among 3 computers, is this correct? Thanks in advance, Richard P. On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM, Tony B ton...@gmail.com wrote: Okay, I got my Family Pack (2 DVDs, 32 bit and 64 bit, one Product ID). * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows 7 the question...
Does the Family Pack require that all 3 licenses be installed in the same household? Or is it just 3 different licenses that can be used anywhere? Thanks, Richard P. On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Tony B ton...@gmail.com wrote: I just ordered a new 1tb drive and the Win7 Family Pack (3 for $150 USD). I have no idea how easy it will be to install one of these versions clean, as they're upgrade versions. I know with Vista it wasn't difficult. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows 7 the question...
I would guess that while this means 3 licenses, Windows 7 Family Pack only comes with one disk. Is this correct? Richard P. On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 2:06 PM, Stewart Marshall revsamarsh...@earthlink.net wrote: I think it is similar to the Family pack (Student and Home) of Office 07. Three separate licenses. Stewart At 01:00 PM 10/22/2009, you wrote: Does the Family Pack require that all 3 licenses be installed in the same household? Or is it just 3 different licenses that can be used anywhere? Thanks, Richard P. On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Tony B ton...@gmail.com wrote: I just ordered a new 1tb drive and the Win7 Family Pack (3 for $150 USD). I have no idea how easy it will be to install one of these versions clean, as they're upgrade versions. I know with Vista it wasn't difficult. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Web Cam, Microphone recommendations
Actually, I was thinking more in line of a webcam that would attach to the monitor. Also looking for a decent mic for recording podcasts. Richard P. On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 7:55 PM, tjpa t...@tjpa.com wrote: On Oct 18, 2009, at 6:30 PM, Richard P. wrote: Can anyone make some recommendations for web cams, as well as a http://www.geekbrief.tv/brief-641-a-tale-of-three-cameras They use a $5000 camera for their podcast and compare it to cheaper models. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Web Cam, Microphone recommendations
Can anyone make some recommendations for web cams, as well as a microphone? Looking for something of decent quality for creating podcasts and conferencing. Any suggestion on what qualities and/or specs to look out for would be appreciated as well. Windows XP, Vista, mostly used on desktop. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] ZoneAlarm Pro
Got an email from ZoneAlarm saying that their Pro version is free for the next 24 hours but when I go to their site it is only discounted from $39.95 to $18.90. Anyone know if this is a scam or am I missing something? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] ZoneAlarm Pro
Thanks, your link worked and they will send the validation out. Not sure why my link didn't though. Richard P. On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 3:38 PM, John Settle john_j_set...@yahoo.com wrote: Richard P. wrote: Got an email from ZoneAlarm saying that their Pro version is free for the next 24 hours but when I go to their site it is only discounted from $39.95 to $18.90. Anyone know if this is a scam or am I missing something? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * Don't think it is a scam. I went there had no problem. Says new customers only. Link I used: http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/sum/index-b.html John Settle * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Create https website
That is correct, only profile info is involved so they don't need credit card management. Yes, they do have competent server and security administration personnel; it's just that this is low priority in the big picture so it's never gotten done. Thanks for the links; they look like a great place to start and will assist them in helping get this set up. Richard P. A non-profit has a http website in which users are filling out personal and private form information, and the non-profit would like the get it secured with https. How can this be accomplished economically? Is the code difficult to write? HTTPS is just one element in securing data. It is a lot of work with many aspects to consider. For example for credit cards there is now a requirement for quarterly audits/certifications. A good place to start for an overview is to read up on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSIs). This is all true, but the original question just mentioned profile information, not payment card data. Granted, you still want to be as secure as possible, so I hope they have someone familiar with network and server administration and security. That said, the procedure for installing a certificate varies depending on which web server you are using. For apache, a good article is http://onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2008/03/04/step-by-step-configuring-ssl-under-apache.html For IIS (Microsoft's web server), their web site has an article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299875 -- Vicky Staubly http://www.steeds.com/vicky/ vi...@steeds.com * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Create https website
A non-profit has a http website in which users are filling out personal and private form information, and the non-profit would like the get it secured with https. How can this be accomplished economically? Is the code difficult to write? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Create https website
Thanks for the clarification. How can I find out more, specifically how the whole process would be accomplished, and what needs to be reconfigured. Are there tutorial links out there or is it more complicated than that? Their parent company does have their own secure web server, and were supposed to set up access for the non-profit a couple of years ago but it has fallen through the cracks. FYI, the parent company has very strict access policies so I don't know if that's standing in the way of their non-profit getting a secure access port on their server. Richard P. On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 4:27 PM, Vicky Staubly vi...@steeds.com wrote: On Tue, 22 Sep 2009, Richard P. wrote: A non-profit has a http website in which users are filling out personal and private form information, and the non-profit would like the get it secured with https. How can this be accomplished economically? Is the code difficult to write? There's no (new) code to write (unless the http: part of URLs is in the existing code). All you need to do is buy an SSL Certificate (many domain registrars can do it, e.g. Thawte, Network Solutions, GoDaddy, etc.), and then install it on the web server. If they maintain their own web server, there's a bit of configuration changes to do, but nothing too complicated. -- Vicky Staubly http://www.steeds.com/vicky/ vi...@steeds.com * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] If anyone is interested
Looks like they even offer $100 discount off of that to make it $599: http://tinyurl.com/llpjn2 http://www.geeks.com/pix/2009/SAVENB.html?cm_mmc=geekmail-_-daily_html-_-15sep09_SAVENB-Viewasweb Richard P. On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 7:42 AM, Rev. Stewart Marshall revsamarsh...@earthlink.net wrote: If anyone is interested, compugeeks (www.geeks.com) has refurbed Apple Core Duo 2.16 laptops for 699. Here is the direct Website. They have everything from G3 Ibooks and up. Stewart * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Back to dial up
I think part of the problem is that there is an assumption that the problem is always at the customers end, and not the providers, even after going through the checklist. I had an issue with Outlook Express not running with a limited user last year. After working with Compaq's customer support over several weeks, reinstalling the operating system a few times, I finally reached a tech who saw real problem and sent out new XP installation disks, which resolved it. The first tech couldn't comprehend that the original installation disks were defective, even after I suggested that possibility. Perhaps if the customer service training included having an open mind when listening to the customer... In the meantime, it's great that you're following up on this to try and make sure that it's done better for all customers in the future. You can't stop equipment from breaking down, but you can change the customer experience when things do go wrong and they call in for help. Good luck. Just my 2 cents Richard P On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 12:43 AM, Eric S. Sande esa...@erols.com wrote: I discussed my experience with my team today, as an object lesson in how to do it wrong. We just don't operate that way. Granted the people I called didn't know who I was or would have cared if they did, but the bottom line is that I was a customer with a problem. Yes, my problem was fixed, but the methodology and the presentation absolutely sucked. That would not happen in my shop. I should not have to travel to India, then run around Robin Hood's barn whilst being misinformed about a problem that I was completely capable of technically understanding. That is freaking unacceptable. It should not be necessary for me to escalate to supervision to fix a Verizon glitch. Which I did not do because it is more important to me to understand what the typical experience is like than to fix the problem immediately, which I could have done at any time--because I have connections. But most people don't. I know that it is torture for senior citizens to navigate phone menus, which is why I'm my mother's tech support. We don't do a good job in this area, you pretty much have to know an insider to get satisfaction. That didn't use to be the case. You once could call one number and the first thing you'd hear was a friendly voice speaking your brand of English, maybe someone you knew. Maybe not, but they'd listen, and if they couldn't solve the problem right there they'd find someone who could. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Thunderbird Word Wrap Broken
This works great, thanks Betty. Richard P. On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 2:21 PM, b_s-wilk b1sun...@yahoo.es wrote: I've just noticed that when I forward some messages in Thunderbird (version 2.0.0.23 ), that the word-wrap is broken and there's no way to get it rewrap. Anyone else notice this and is there a way to get it to word-wrap all the time. The problem emails are ones that are automatically forwarded to my mailbox. When they arrive, they are fine (wrapped), but when I go to forward them, the text shows up as one long line. All other emails forward OK. You can select/highlight that text, then choose 'Rewrap' in the Edit menu. That will give hard line breaks as defined in your prefs by # of characters per line. I think if you also choose Plain Text instead of MIME or formatted, it will wrap to your defaults. I have a similar problem. I'd like the text in emails to automatically wrap to the width of the window, changing when I make the email window larger or smaller. I think this was the default several generations ago, or in Mozilla suite. Guess I'll have to create my own pref in the Thunderbird config mgr. As a test, I changed this pref, as in SeaMonkey mail defaults: mail.compose.wrap_to_window_width user set boolean true Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Gmail question...
The same for me. If I start a C-Guys email, it won't show up until someone replies to the message. Makes me doubt whether it ever went out... It would be nice to be able to get rid of this feature Richard P. On Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM, db db...@att.net wrote: Gmail won't let you email a message to yourself for reasons of testing or forwarding / transferring from the webmail to a computer running a client that receives Gmail etc. Apparently it decides you already have that email so doesn't send it. Is there any way to defeat that ... turn that smart feature off... that anybody knows of? db * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Password Hackers Article
FYI: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/06/AR2009090602238.html Password Hackers Are Slippery To Collar By Tom Jackman Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, September 7, 2009 When Elaine Cioni found out that her married boyfriend had other girlfriends, she became obsessed, federal prosecutors say. So she turned to YourHackerz.com. And for only $100, YourHackerz.com provided Cioni, then living in Northern Virginia, with the password to her boyfriend's AOL e-mail account, court records show. For another $100, she got her boyfriend's wife's e-mail password. And then the passwords of at least one other girlfriend and the boyfriend's two children. None had any clue what Cioni was doing, they would later testify. Cioni, however, went further and began making harassing phone calls to her boyfriend and his family, using a spoofing service to disguise her voice as a man's. This attracted the attention of federal authorities, who prosecuted Cioni, 53, in Alexandria last year for unauthorized access to computers, among other crimes. She was convicted and is serving a 15-month sentence. But such services as YourHackerz.com are still active and plentiful, with clever names like piratecrackers.com and hackmail.net. They boast of having little trouble hacking into such Web-based e-mail systems as AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, Facebook and Hotmail, and they advertise openly. And, experts said, there doesn't appear to be much anyone can do about it. This is an important point that people haven't grasped, said Peter Eckersley, a staff technologist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco. We've been using e-mail for years, and it's been insecure all that time. . . . If you have any hacker who is competent and spends the time and targets you, he's going to get you. Federal law prohibits hacking into e-mail, but without further illegal activity, it's only a misdemeanor, noted Orin Kerr, a law professor at George Washington University and a former trial attorney in the Justice Department's computer crime section. The feds usually don't have the resources to investigate and prosecute misdemeanors, Kerr said. And part of the reason is that normally it's hard to know when an account has been compromised, because e-mail snooping doesn't leave a trace. Every state has laws roughly similar to the federal computer laws, Kerr said, and rate the offenses as misdemeanors. Not long after Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska was named the Republican nominee for vice president last year, someone hacked into her personal Yahoo e-mail accounts. And as the election neared, someone at George Mason University hacked into the e-mail of the school's provost and sent a schoolwide e-mail saying the election date had been changed. Web Based email password hacking or cracking is one of our all time favourite and unique hobby, write the folks at YourHackerz.com. It's not clear where YourHackerz.com is located, but experts suspect that most of the businesses are based overseas. We will provide you with the original Passwords. No questions asked whatsoever. Payment only after you are CONVINCED. 100% guarantee of Cracking. Total privacy of your information. No legal hassles. At SlickHackers.com, they boast, We are professionals interested in helping serious people for whom an email password would mean saving their marriage, knowing the truth, preventing a fraud, protecting their family/job/interests only when conventional ways and normal procedures do not work. All the services advertise that they will e-mail a screenshot of the target's in-box or even send an e-mail from the target's e-mail as proof that they've cracked the password. The customer then sends payment. One service, whose fee is only 20 British pounds (about $33), then responds with the script from a scene from a Shakespeare play, with the stolen password hidden in the copy. E-mail inquiries to several of these services did not elicit any responses. The FBI cannot police the Internet, a spokesman said. The FBI is aware of these illegal services, spokesman Paul Bresson said, and we have been successful in the past in identifying criminal activity and working with prosecutors to bring indictments. Users of these services should know that just because a product is marketed on the Internet doesn't mean it's legal. But agents must be made aware of specific illegal acts occurring in this country before they can pursue a provider, Bresson said. They can't investigate an online service without evidence of a particular crime in the United States. This kind of thing has been on the radar of law enforcement already, said Alissa Cooper of the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington. But with many of the hackers overseas, in practice it takes a lot of resources and time to build up relationships with [law enforcement] in other countries. They're starting to do that in the cybersecurity realm. Experts said there are numerous ways to steal someone's
Re: [CGUYS] Vark
Maybe you need to put Tom in as part of your circle of friends : )) No, I haven't tried it yet as it looks a little too public for me. It looks like that there could be a substantial delay on when you get your answers, depending on when someone chooses to respond, much like this list. Richard P. Has anyone else tried Aardvark yet? Featured in Pogue's last column: http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2009/09/03/technology/circuitsemail/index.html?8ciremc=cir I logged in with a topic of computers, but after a couple dozen tries have been completely unable to answer anything. Am I doing something wrong or is it just that people don't ask easy questions? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] yet another off topic request, but who knows?
Found a bunch of what you're probably looking for at: http://www.minute-man.com/acatalog/Splitters___Matching_Transformers.html Unfortunately, the store site requires a $20 minimum purchase so you might want to look elsewhere. Use the search terms from their description: Matching 75-300 Ohm Transformer Balun with UHF/VHF/FM Band Separator Philmore # MT77 Matches impedance between 75 ohm coaxial cable and 300 ohm TV and FM antenna inputs. It then separates the three signals from the 3-way antenna into individual signals for UHF, VHF and FM. Two outputs connect to the UHF, VHF antenna terminals on rear of the TV set. Separate screw terminal connects 300 ohm twin lead to the FM receiver. For VCR's too. Specifications: * Frequency Range: 54-890 MHz * Insertion Loss: UHF 2 dB -- VHF 2 db (MT79 UHF 1.5 dB -- VHF 0.5dB * Return Loss: UHF 12 dB -- VHF 20dB * Balance: UHF 25 dB -- VHF 30 dB Price: $2.85 Richard P. On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 1:18 PM, One Manone911...@yahoo.com wrote: I have coaxial cable (Time Warner) coming from the wall that I want to split to provide cable to the tv and tuner. My tuner is older and has no need of replacement. When I split the cable to the tuner my only option appears to be Antenna on the back of the tuner, which requires a raw wire connection attaching to clips. I've already been to two Radio Shacks and spoken to the District Manager on the cell. They cannot help. Can anyone on this list help? With thanks in advance * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Power strip
I use a Woods Maximum Protection Surge Suppressor, #5174. The only place I see it on the web anymore is: http://www.plccenter.com/buy/WOODS/5174 While I can't vouch for the website for ordering, this surge suppressor is great for being able to control different banks of equipment easily. It has 5 individually switchable outlets and 6 switches which includes a master switch for shutting everything down. Also has a phone in/out. I really like mine and wish I could find a couple of more at a reasonable price (I got mine for $3 at a used equipment store). Hopefully, there are more choices out there but I haven't found them yet. Richard P. On Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 3:59 PM, Chris Dunfordseed...@gmail.com wrote: Does anyone know of a power strip that has separate power switches for each outlet? Doesn't absolutely have to have surge suppression, although that would be a plus. The ones I can find are either all on or all off. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Google's Sorry
That would explain it. Never been accused of being as fast as a computer before :)) Thanks for clearing this up. Richard P. On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 9:21 PM, TPiwowart...@tjpa.com wrote: On Aug 25, 2009, at 7:47 PM, Richard P. wrote: Is this legit? Has anyone else seen this before? Yes. If you are making lost of searches quickly Google may think you are a computer and wants proof that you are human. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Postcard virus
Always looking up these things on Snopes before believing or forwarding (or in many cases, reading), is a great idea. Over the years, I think I've only seen one warning that was actually legitimate. Snopes has helped keep me safe, as well as keeping me from embarrassing myself with my friends. Richard P. On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 6:38 PM, Jordanjor17...@gmail.com wrote: Tony B wrote: If you really looked this up at Snopes, you sure didn't read very well. If you trusted _someone else_ to look it up at Snopes and read it, shame on you. http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp I didn't say I looked it up at Snopes or anywhere else. I would have no reason to, and the guy who sent it to me is on a Mac too. But thanks for the heads up. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Thunderbird Word Wrap Broken
I've just noticed that when I forward some messages in Thunderbird (version 2.0.0.23 ), that the word-wrap is broken and there's no way to get it rewrap. Anyone else notice this and is there a way to get it to word-wrap all the time. The problem emails are ones that are automatically forwarded to my mailbox. When they arrive, they are fine (wrapped), but when I go to forward them, the text shows up as one long line. All other emails forward OK. Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Mac Transition to 64-Bit
I would think that you'll be dead meat after this post :)) Richard P. On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 4:36 PM, Rich Schinnellrichnrockvi...@gmail.com wrote: An interesting article in Info World. http://www.infoworld.com/d/windows/snow-leopard-just-cheap-windows-7-knockoff-798 Maybe I will get banned for bringing this up. I have my reynolds wrap hat on to deflect the AFB's barbs. Rich * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Google allowing users to opt-out
Why does this sound all too plausible??? Thanks for the laugh. Richard P. http://www.theonion.com/content/video/google_opt_out_feature_lets_users?utm_ source=videoembed http://tinyurl.com/ltfvaj * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Computer gadgets in cars
Sorry, but I can't resist... So would this mean that they would have wrist fights instead of fist fights??? We could work our way back up the skeleton, eliminating potential weapons of the human body until we get to the root of the real problem. Richard P. Fists cause them to happen? Does this even make sense? Maybe not to you, but if no one had fists, there would be no fist fights. If everyone carries guns, there will be gunfights. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Computer gadgets in cars
I take it that you don't use a temperature gauge or volt/ammeter in your vehicles... I find them quite useful to monitor, especially on a long trip. Richard P. If most of the dash info (spedo, tach fuel etc.) could be done this way would not necessitate taking eyes off of the road so much. Does one really need to take their eyes off the road all that much? What is the need to constantly keep looking at the speedometer, tach or gas gauge? I can drive my car all day long without having to look at the speedometer at all and I still know almost exactly how fast I am going. One glance at my gas guage tells me all I need to know. One doesn't have to have done much driving at all, especially in a particular vehicle, to be able to quite accurately judge speed. I can tell by how my engine sounds coupled with how fast the scenery is going by. I don't need some computerized speedometer to tell me the difference between 35 and 45 mph or between 60 and 75 mph. Heads-up displays still take your eyes off the road in that your point of focus becomes the windshield, not the roadway beyond, and at night can be a real distraction. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] More DTV weirdness...
You might want to try calling and talking directly to one of their engineers. Letters just go to public affairs. Richard P. On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 2:45 PM, phartz...@gmail.comphartz...@gmail.com wrote: For a while yesterday afternoon, Washington DC affiliate WRC, normally DTV channel 4-1(along with a couple of their sub-channels) had once again disappeared, showing up instead at channel 48-1, along with sub-channels 48-2 and 48-3. For some reason, this happens every once in a while. I wrote to the station earlier on about this, but as expected in advance, got no reply, which is their way of saying, Huh? What are you talking about? What DTV problems? Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] More DTV weirdness...
Last time I called WUSA about the poor reception problems, I asked the receptionist for engineering and they put me through. The receptionist usually doesn't have time to filter outside calls. Richard P. On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 6:22 PM, phartz...@gmail.comphartz...@gmail.com wrote: On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 4:12 PM, Richard P.richs...@gmail.com wrote: You might want to try calling and talking directly to one of their engineers. Letters just go to public affairs. You don't thnik that you have to go through public affairs to get to an engineer? I've been associated with the broadcasting industry long enough to know better than that. Unless one already has a direct line to engineering, you are going to have to go through a filter. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] GMail Warning about Betty's Post
b_s-wilk to COMPUTERGUYS-L show details 1:40 PM (1 hour ago) Gmail sent Betty's post right to spam and when I recovered it, GMail gave this warning: Follow up message Warning: This message may not be from whom it claims to be. Beware of following any links in it or of providing the sender with any personal information. Learn more OP was about MS stores and locating them next to Apple stores. [Microsoft to Open Retail Stores Next to Apple’s http://tinyurl.com/myrkw3] Then it morphed into lots of other things, including ads/commercials, excitement, competition, semi-nude waitresses. MS says its stores won't copy Apple stores, but it will innovate: semi-nude sales associates? Maybe I'll just go back to the beach. And find an Apple store to use as an internet café. Betty Betty, is that you or are you somebody else now??? Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] New Sig [WAS: [Advertising for cell phones]
Yes, that is a good one, isn't it? Richard P. Betty, I hope you won't mean if I use your line as a sig. ... hehehehe Subject: Re: Advertising for cell phones [deletions] Texts aren't pointless. TWITTER is pointless. Twitter is for people who have nothing to say, but say it anyway. cy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Here I am again friends...
For the short term, you can keep it from automatically running by disabling it in the Startup window. Start Run msconfig Startup Richard P. I am trying to uninstall the program Kodak EasyShare. I can´t find it to delete it. It is not in the Control Panel´s Add and Remove Programs... There is not an uninstall in the program files... But the program is there and it opens and it even - if I allow it - is in the start programs with an icon in the lower bar... * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Windows Video Editor Program
Looking for Windows video editor program recommendations. Something less than $1000 and somewhat user friendly for a novice editor (16 years old), who wants to move forward. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows Video Editor Program
Thanks for the good advice, especially the training reference. I will pass it along. Richard P. On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 1:14 PM, Tony Bton...@gmail.com wrote: On the Windows side I use and recommend Sony Vegas. Now at version 9: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8tag=mozilla-20index=blendedlink_code=qsfield-keywords=sony%20vegas Hint: Get the Instant Vegas Movie Studio + DVD (VASST Instant) (Instant Series) by Douglas Spotted Eagle; the $22 will have her editing video like a pro in an hour. On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Richard P.richs...@gmail.com wrote: Looking for Windows video editor program recommendations. Something less than $1000 and somewhat user friendly for a novice editor (16 years old), who wants to move forward. Any suggestions will be appreciated. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] beta no more?
In case you need it, Google Labs allows you show it as still in Beta if you want: Back to Beta by Darren Soothes the soul by putting the familiar beta sticker back on the Gmail logo. Just check the box. Looks like they try to think of everything Richard P. Gmail is finally out of beta! I had to reload the page, but sure enough, it no longer says beta. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-apps-is-out-of-beta-yes-really.html * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] New algorithm guesses SSNs using date and place of birth
For a certain age group and younger, who are born in here, perhaps. Older people and new citizens get their numbers where they are living at the time. Incidentally, let me note as a quick factoid that without EZ Check, most employers could spot made up social security numbers presently just by comparing the place of birth and first three digits of the SSN. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] myEarthLink News Article - Reception problems linger after DTV transition
Here's a local article from The Washington Post about the DC area losing 2 stations: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603381.html Richard P. *2 D.C. Stations Lost to Viewers in Digital TV Transition* By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Five days after the national transition to all-digital television, WUSA, the area's CBS affiliate (Channel 9), and WJLA, the ABC affiliate (Channel 7), have disappeared from screens around the region. The stations were the only two in the Washington area to move their digital signals from UHF to the VHF frequencies they once used for their analog broadcasts. That has left thousands of viewers like Steve LaRochelle, of Silver Spring, without access to CSI and Oprah. LaRochelle received the stations perfectly before the digital transition on Friday, when all full-power stations permanently turned off their analog signals. But now, they don't even register after a rescan, he said, although he is able to receive Baltimore's ABC channel. Bill Lord, vice president of news at WJLA in Arlington, said the station has received more than 350 calls from viewers who are having reception problems since Friday's transition. It is holding an online chat at noon today on WJLA.com http://www.wjla.com/ to answer questions. WUSA could not be reached for comment. The sudden loss may be due to viewers trying to capture VHF signals with a UHF antenna. LaRochelle said he bought an antenna a couple of years ago after upgrading to a digital TV, but he didn't realize it was a UHF antenna. Nor did I realize WJLA and WUSA were going to be switching back to a VHF signal, he said. To receive all the available digital stations, consumers should install an antenna that can receive both UHF and VHF broadcasts. Indoor antennas should have extendable poles, or rabbit ears for VHF reception and a loop for UHF. Even then it requires some moving around from place to place in your house to get the signal right, Lord said. We've told people quite often that they have to rescan their converter boxes two or three times to lock in the station. The Federal Communications Commission is looking into reports of lost stations in several markets, including Chicago and Philadelphia. In some cases, stations may have to increase power levels or add translators to extend the signal to more viewers. About 20 percent of the calls to the agency's DTV hotline were from viewers who had lost at least one station. More than 480 stations across the country are now airing broadcasts on VHF stations, FCC spokesman Mark Wigfield said, and 216 stations were operating on those frequencies before the transition. WJLA, for example, was broadcasting its analog signal on Channel 7 and its digital station on Channel 39 before the transition. (Viewers should not have noticed the change.) When it turned off its analog signal, it moved its digital signal to the Channel 7 slot in the VHF band of frequencies. As a result, some digital tuners and converter boxes are still trying to pick up programs on the old digital station. Wigfield suggests trying a double rescan, which involves unplugging the antenna from the converter box or TV, rescanning, turning off the box or TV, then turning it back on, plugging the antenna back in and rescanning once more. The process should clear the tuner's memory so it can locate the digital frequency. But it may not clear up all reception issues for consumers. After performing a double rescan, LaRochelle said he was able to pick up Channels 7 and 9, but only at weak signal strength. In general, VHF signals travel further and more efficiently over hilly terrain. UHF signals often travel better in cities because they are less sensitive to interference, the FCC said. Michael Young, an electrical engineer and George Mason University professor, said the double rescan method will force TV sets to pick up every signal within range. But he acknowledges the complexity of getting adequate reception. This even confuses me, and I'm a radio expert, he said. It seems that many are experiencing teh same problems mentioned on this list. Stewart * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] myEarthLink News Article - Reception problems linger after DTV transition
It's interesting to note that at the end of each stations help page, you are to contact either 1-888-CALL-FCC or http://www.dtvanswers.com; if none of the answers help. The stations are making it quite clear that it's not their problem and probably won't do anything else to solve the problem. Richard P. Here are the helpful webpages from 7 and 9 on antenna choices. http://cfc.wjla.com/external.cfm?p=dtv_vhf http://www.wusa9.com/life/programming/dtv/default.aspx I guess I need to wire up an outside antenna to see if that helps. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DTV debacle
I can't get 7 or 9 in the DC area, even after I've rescanned the set. I even tried rotating the antenna to better receive the signals but nothing came through. Next step is to replace the primary UHF/VHF antenna with the old VHF/UHF one I took down 2 years ago. Oh what fun... Richard P. On Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 1:14 PM, Robert Carrollcarrollcompu...@gmail.com wrote: Latest problem with digital TV in DC area. Couldn't get local digital channels with a digital LCD TV using rabbit ears, so I got an outside digital antenna. Could get channels fine. Then when analog was shut off, digital channels 7 (WJLA) and 9 (WUSA) disappeared. According to the blog on the channel 7 website, the reason is that channels 7 9 decided to retain the old VHF carrier frequency (switching digital from UHF to VHF when analog was shut off) unlike all other local channels which use UHF. Thus, my new digital antenna can't receive VHF signals strongly enough, and the rabbit ears are not strong enough even if I manually switch antennas when I switch channels. Any others here have seen channels 7 9 disappear? There are many complaining at the web site. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] DTV Reception Maps
In light of the upcoming DTV transition, http://dtv.gov/ has a nice signal reception map. The direct link is: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/ Just plug in your address and it will let you know what kind of signal strength should be available at your location. If you click on station's call sign, it will give you more detailed info. Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] No Smiling
So now all the baddies have to do is smile to avoid recognition? Richard P. Apparently you didn't read the story. Smiles and teeth in general just makes it more difficult for automatic face recognition software to work. Makes a lot of sense. I'm sure the apps will only get better. However, if a smile throws the software, I can only imagine what a beard would do. But if, like me, you always wear a beard, what would be the point of removing it for a photo ID? Much worse even than that would have to be women's wildly varying hairstyles and colors.? smiling for ID photos is prohibited. Apparently their computers do not like it when you smile. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] getting Computer Guys email sent to spam list
You can see all the posts at http://www.cguys.org/ Richard P. I ask the list for advise on the Airport-macbook problem and several responses were sent to SPAM folder in my gmail account. I just trashed the contents of the SPAM folder and wonder why those emails are going to the spam folder? Specifically, a reply from Rev. Stewart Marshall about the problem with my mom's wifi connection. Could I get that reply again pleaseyour reply got trashed. Thanks, Sandra. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] urgent query
Went to a professional seminar last night where the PowerPoint presentation was run off of a netbook. It crashed halfway through, much to the embarrassment of the presenter. Took his assistant 5 minutes to get it rebooted and back to where it was. While I don't know the details of why it went down, a lack of system resources comes to mind. Richard P. Will I be able to run microsoft office on a Netbook-- at least Word, PowerPoint and maybe Excel?... * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Google software update
My first thought is No thank you. My second thought is can I disable the background updater after downloading. Let us know what you end up doing. Richard P. I haven't used any Google software on my Mac in a while so maybe this is already an old issue, but I downloaded Google Earth 5.0 and got this on installation: Google Software Update is about to be installed. This software will update any Google software on your computer when new versions become available. Google Software Update verifies updates and is safer than downloading files from the Internet yourself. To continue using Google Earth, you must accept the new Google privacy policies and allow Google Software Update to run in the background on your computer. Any thoughts on how threatening this kind of intrusiveness is? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Kindle Sighting
The last audio book I listened to in the car had a very intense passage which I was deeply involved in. Right up to the point where the officer pulled me over for missing the 30mph speed limit sign after exiting the expressway. He did let me go after hearing my excuse. I now use audio books in a much safer venue. Richard P. wrote: That was exactly what I was getting at. IN some instances an audio book is great. In other instances it does not translate well. I am a great fan of the Audio book reader on NPR, and he usually reads light fiction which works well. A more intense book, such as a work volume takes more time and study. At 03:56 PM 5/20/2009, you wrote: On Wed, 20 May 2009, Steve at Verizon wrote: Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote: Books on the other hand are something that has to be read. Not so. I have books read to me, sometimes by the author. I read a book only when it is not available in an unabridged audiobook format. Most are ripped from CD audiobooks in our county library but I sometimes buy from Audible. I don't think that would work well for me. My reading speed varies depending on the content of the book. For most fiction, I zoom through it faster than someone could read aloud. For programming books, I zip through the bits that review topics with which I'm familiar, and slow down when a new (to me) concept is explained. Books explaining some of the math behind 3D graphics (for example), I plod through to soak in as much knowledge as possible. -- Vicky Staubly http://www.steeds.com/vicky/ vi...@steeds.com * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * Rev. Stewart A. Marshall mailto:popoz...@earthlink.net Prince of Peace www.princeofpeaceozark.org Ozark, AL SL 82 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Kindle Sighting
A friend of ours loves it and won't do without it. We prefer non-electronic books ourselves. Easier to read and they don't break when you fall asleep reading and drop them : )) Richard P. I saw my first passenger reading on a Kindle today on the Metro. Will this be a trend? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] AVG found Touchstone Software driveragent_488.exe
AVG found Touchstone Software driveragent_488.exe during today's scan. It found it in a junk file where I put all of the programs that came with the computer that I don't intend on using. It also found it in an Application Data folder. AVG says it is a Trojan horse SHeur2.AGFP Does anyone know if this is a false positive or is it something to get rid of? Thanks in advance. WinXP, SP3 Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Kindle Sighting
I can see that would be a great use for them, especially if the electronic books would allow the updating of technical error corrections. Richard P. A friend of ours loves it and won't do without it. We prefer non-electronic books ourselves. Easier to read and they don't break when you fall asleep reading and drop them : )) I think the real boon will be the Kindle DX as the portable text book of choice. I used to carry around 40 lbs of text books. Anything that would let me carry them all and have older references would have been a back saver. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] AVG found Touchstone Software driveragent_488.exe
Thanks for the feedback. To my knowledge, I've never used it either. It is a comfort to know that it is not going to take over my machine in the middle of the night and make life a living . Richard P. On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 3:46 PM, Chris Dunford seed...@gmail.com wrote: AVG found Touchstone Software driveragent_488.exe during today's scan. It found it in a junk file where I put all of the programs that came with the computer that I don't intend on using. It also found it in an Application Data folder. AVG says it is a Trojan horse SHeur2.AGFP Does anyone know if this is a false positive or is it something to get rid of? False positive. It's a utility that's supposed to scan your drivers and download updates if necessary. Never used it, so I don't know if it's any good, but it's not malware. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] How do I change the sizes pf the partirions?
And I thought Tom was the only one who brought up controversial topics... : )) You are never a bore, Marcio. Richard P. Computers are more or less like womem. When they are working well... wonderfull but when they refuse to respond to our needs...it is very hard to understand... You encourage me to participate in this group. Sometimes I fell I am boring you all. Marcio -Original Message- Subject: Re: [CGUYS] How do I change the sizes pf the partirions? I know, I know...you give a hand and the person wants the arm... Human nature... So far I can´t imagine me moving to a Mac... And it would be so dull around here without your computer adventures. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
That's exactly the point. They deny in public what they know is possible behind the scene. A broadcast quality converter would cost less than $8,000 and they probably already have several on site. They just have chosen to not deal with the issue on a full time basis, while telling the public that there's no solution. Richard P. Another data point: I was watching WETA this afternoon on DirecTV, and the video lagged the audio by nearly a second. They are obviously feeding DirecTV with their digital signal. Now, WETA says that there is really nothing that can be done about the type of problem you have mentioned above. That is what they say, but I can fix exactly this problem when it happens using one of my DVD players. For instance, if I try to play a video source that has the same problem you have outlined wherein the video is lagging behind the audio in terms of being synchronized, I can go into the menu section of the DVD player and slew the audio to get things back in sync. So, if this can easily be accomplished with a DVD player that costs less than $100, what is the problem with WETA? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
Here is the X75HD manual so they can learn to operate it: http://tinyurl.com/o83pd7 Now if only there were a instruction manual to get them to actually use it... Richard P. Leitch: http://tinyurl.com/pkyk86 From a 2005 Broadcast Engineering Review: Leitch Technology has introduced the X75 HD, a versatile up-, down- and cross converter and HD frame synchronizer. The X75 HD features extensive video and audio processing capabilities in a 1RU package. Video processing features include level/color control; optional 3-D adaptive color decoding with time base correction; optional noise reduction; frame synchronization; and up- and down-conversion with aspect ratio conversion for hybrid standard - and HD facilities. The X75 HD's 16 channels of internal audio processing include timing with video for lip sync corrections; level control; analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion; and embedding and de-embedding for SDI and HD-SDI serial digital signals for interfacing any audio signal in a professional environment. For more information, visit www.leitch.com. Richard P. On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) mark.sny...@ngc.com wrote: Who makes them? If only a few models out there, we could google the instructions and send to WETA? Thank you, Mark Snyder -Original Message- That's exactly the point. They deny in public what they know is possible behind the scene. A broadcast quality converter would cost less than $8,000 and they probably already have several on site. They just have chosen to not deal with the issue on a full time basis, while telling the public that there's no solution. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
Leitch: http://tinyurl.com/pkyk86 From a 2005 Broadcast Engineering Review: Leitch Technology has introduced the X75 HD, a versatile up-, down- and cross converter and HD frame synchronizer. The X75 HD features extensive video and audio processing capabilities in a 1RU package. Video processing features include level/color control; optional 3-D adaptive color decoding with time base correction; optional noise reduction; frame synchronization; and up- and down-conversion with aspect ratio conversion for hybrid standard - and HD facilities. The X75 HD's 16 channels of internal audio processing include timing with video for lip sync corrections; level control; analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion; and embedding and de-embedding for SDI and HD-SDI serial digital signals for interfacing any audio signal in a professional environment. For more information, visit www.leitch.com. Richard P. On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM, Snyder, Mark - IdM (IS) mark.sny...@ngc.com wrote: Who makes them? If only a few models out there, we could google the instructions and send to WETA? Thank you, Mark Snyder -Original Message- That's exactly the point. They deny in public what they know is possible behind the scene. A broadcast quality converter would cost less than $8,000 and they probably already have several on site. They just have chosen to not deal with the issue on a full time basis, while telling the public that there's no solution. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
All I'm suggesting is that they send out a signal that is synched. What happens after that is obviously out of their control (at this point). By them saying that they have no control over a PBS feed is just their way of passing the buck. Hey, it was bad when we got it so here it is. The broadcasters I work with do their best to correct lip synch before they send it out, even if was bad when they received it. The advertising dollars drive this for the most part (how often do you see out of synch commercials?), as well as a matter of pride. If it can be done for commercials, why not for the rest of the broadcast? Richard P. What you guys are forgetting (or just conveniently ignoring) is that the sync *is just fine* back at their location. If they throw it off enough so that yours looks good, that's going to throw it off for everyone else. And then it will change again for the next program. It's absurd to think the engineer is sitting back at the studio getting your bad sync and just gleefully laughing about how she's not going to do anything about it unless ordered to by the FCC. That's exactly the point. They deny in public what they know is possible behind the scene. A broadcast quality converter would cost less than $8,000 and they probably already have several on site. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
For myself, I receive my HD broadcasts via antenna right into the HDTV without any outside conversion boxes or home theater to delay the audio. For the most part, the broadcasts overall are pretty good, but there are times when the lipsynch is atrocious. No one ever said that the engineer would look at the homeowner's lip synch and correct for it. They would only have to correct the lip synch of the signal that is leaving the station. Richard P. What you guys are forgetting (or just conveniently ignoring) is that the sync *is just fine* back at their location. If they throw it off enough so that yours looks good, that's going to throw it off for everyone else. And then it will change again for the next program. It's absurd to think the engineer is sitting back at the studio getting your bad sync and just gleefully laughing about how she's not going to do anything about it unless ordered to by the FCC. Although it pains me greatly to agree with Tony, I think he is exactly right. I rarely see sync problems like you describe and the few times I did it turned out that it was caused by my digital converter box. I reset my box and the problem went away. Have you tried simplifying your setup? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
There already is a synch pulse available which can be put into the digital analog/video stream to lock the audio/video signals together. This works quite well as long as the signal doesn't pass through an analog device, which will strip the lock. If PBS locked their in-synch feed and WETA didn't unlock it by introducing an analog device, then we wouldn't be having this conversation, at least not about WETA. Richard P. All I'm suggesting is that they send out a signal that is synched. What happens after that is obviously out of their control (at this point). By them saying that they have no control over a PBS feed is just their way of passing the buck. Even if somebody thought it would me a smart idea to transmit audio and video as independent data streams, there is no excuse for not including a sync pulse in the streams that the hardware could easily line up. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
I really don't know what the station engineer or the station's policy's are at WETA. As mentioned before, there would have to be someone assigned to monitor and correct for errors which means paying for another technician. The master control operator is the last human link before the signal hits the tower. While they can report a problem, they already have enough on their plate to take care of. The lip synch problem would have to be delegated which would require management to make this happen. In my opinion, in order for this will happen it will require some outside persuasion, either financial, or enforceable actions. One station I worked for developed a set of test bars which facilitated the checking of lip synch before the program actually hit air. They made it mandatory that at least one minute of these lip synch test bars be fed before the actual feed so that corrections could be made later, if needed. They took the problem seriously and implemented controls to correct it. Just to put it into perspective, I doubt that any video production companies would deliver a product that was out of synch. It's a matter of pride, as well as the client would complain and/or refuse to pay. Besides, with non-linear editing, it's easy enough to fix. The same standards should apply throughout the chain. Richard P. So you're saying outright that the station engineer sees this bad sync, but does nothing about it. And won't, unless forced by the FCC? I don't know; I can't really debate that I guess. But I do know that signal still has a lot to go through between the time it leaves that control room and before you get it. No one ever said that the engineer would look at the homeowner's lip synch and correct for it. They would only have to correct the lip synch of the signal that is leaving the station. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] always never always
I too have noticed this over the past month. Don't know if there's been a change in Google or Firefox which is causing this. Richard P. When I'm using Gmail in Firefox, I *always* get these messages telling me to clik here if I *always* want to display images from this address or *always*open this kind of file with a particular program. So, I click the box, but the next time, I get asked the same question--*always. *Gets kinda old.* *Any solutions?* *Thanks, * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Cleaning the Inside of a Computer
Static electricity and the inside of the computer don't mix! Compressed air is good. Search for cleaning tutorials. Here's one: http://www.build-your-own-cheap-computer.com/computer-cleaning.html Here's a link for an attachment for a regular vacuum to allow cleaning, although I can't personally vouch for it: http://www.amazon.com/VACUUM-MICRO-ATTACHMENTS-9-PIECE-KIT/dp/B000BSJCLY Richard P. My iMac is about 4 years old, and I think that the fan noise is louder than it was originally. I want to open it up and vacuum the dust out of it, but I recall reading that this may make a static electrical charge that could ruin some semiconductors. I would like to know if anyone has personal experience with this, either good or bad (I was going to write positive or negative, but...); or is this just an urban legend? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
There is equipment that they can use to manually synch up the signals. It requires the signals to be monitored by a person and adjusted as needed. Because of the human cost, they will probably never do this. Richard P. When I started with my first LCD TV a receiver, I read of complaints about audio/video being out of sync. One solution that seems to work is to ensure that both the audio and video signals go through the AV receiver that then feeds the TV rather than having the video directly connected to the TV and audio fed to the AV receiver for only sound processing. Many of the better receivers, it seems, include circuitry with which one can adjust the sync to try to remedy out-of-sync audio and video. My source of information on these matters comes from www.avsforum.com. Maybe so. However, I am speaking of audio and video being approximately one second or so, perhaps even more, out of sync. What you describe would only relate to very slight sync problems, fractions of a second. The local broadcaster WETA acknowledges the problem, admits it originates with their broadcast, not in any of my equipment, but basically has contended that's just the way it is. I wait to see what they say this time around. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
There is a standardized approach but they have chosen not to implement it throughout the production line due to costs. In an all Digital production world which doesn't yet exist, the video and audio can be locked together so it will always be in synch. In the real world, they have chosen not to implement a work-around solution which is monitoring. The master control operator could watch for this very easily, and have the transmission person adjust the signal for it. This was done in analog broadcasts 24/7 with the video levels. Anything over 100% video level was an illegal broadcast so it was imperative that it be adjusted down to 100% or less, lest fines be incurred for bleeding over into an adjacent spectrum. Satellite operators had the authority and were required to pull a signal off the air if it violated the limits. Unfortunately, there are no fines involved for out of synch broadcasts so it is no longer done. All it would take to manually correct the problem at their end is for it to be mandated by management. This solution would apply to all providers of content, not just WETA. If their signal gets redistributed through cable, then the cable operator should also correct any problems CREATED during their distribution. Ultimately, the homeowner would be responsible for the equipment at their end so no other synch problems are introduced. I think that because there are so many variables involved that they have just given up. The only time the problem is addressed at the source is when there is a national speech during prime time. They don't want to look bad there, do they??? At least they replied to you. Richard P. There is equipment that they can use to manually synch up the signals. It requires the signals to be monitored by a person and adjusted as needed. Because of the human cost, they will probably never do this. I understand what you have pointed out above. Here is the reply I have received from WETA-TV, which is exactly the same replay I received from them on this same issue nearly a year ago: Dear Mr. Rigby, Thank you for watching WETA TV 26 and for taking the time to contact us. I completely understand your frustrations. What you are experiencing is a techincal problem called lip sync. Lip sync is a complex issue that seems to have gotten worse in the shift to digital TV, perhaps because the improved pictures make it easier to detect or more difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, there is no standardized approach that will eliminate the problem. Lip sync not only can be an issue with production and distribution of a show but it can also be caused by the viewer's receiver, presentation device, display or audio system. Thus it is much more difficult to find the cause of the problem. Even when a signal is delivered perfectly to the home, the audio can go out of sync in the home when a delay is introduced by a settop box or digital TV. This problem is especially more prevalent with cable. WETA has no control over the production quality of the programs we receive through a PBS feed. However, I have forwarded your comments along to a WETA engineer to monitor our own productions regarding lip sync. Again, thank you for watching WETA. Sincerely, Nina Greenblatt Audience Services Coordinator Membership and Audience Support WETA ngreenbl...@weta.com (703) 998-2733 +++ Apparently, they have received so many complaints about this that they had to create a boilerplate response for queries from their viewers. Note how they have avoided addressing the issue in terms of any responsibility on their part. First, they are telling me that the problem only seems to have gotten worse because the improved picture makes the sync problem more noticeable. In other words, I just couldn't see the problem before the switch to digital. Well, that's pretty much true, but it has nothing to do with a clearer picture. It has to do with transmission of digital signals as opposed to analog. These sync problems simply were not there previously. Then they tell me there is no standardized approach that will eliminate the problem. Well, I don't care if an approach to the problem is standardized or not, just do something. Then they spend most of rest of the reply putting the onus on me and my receiving equipment or the feed from PBS. If the feed from PBS is the problem, or if it is my receiving equipment, why is the degree of lack of sync much worse on one of their channels as opposed to another when both channels are broadcasting the same program at the exact same time? Indeed, I asked them that specific question, but because they have chosen to reply with a canned response, I'll quite obviously not get that question answered. As was the case nearly a year ago, they are essentially saying, Just get used to it! Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules
Re: [CGUYS] Audio/video sync problem with DTV broadcasts
What might change the situation will be people rejecting the poor lip synch programming and stations. Until then, it will continue as usual. Without sufficient $ or legal motivation, the problem will continue. I do know that our neighbors to the north have much higher standards than us. Last I heard, their permissible lip synch error was less than 3 frames (about 1/10 second) audio delay and zero frames video delay. FYIW, with the multitude of current problems with HDTV transmission, I use my HDTV for primarily DVD playback. Richard P. PS An interesting thing these articles always note is just how bad sync has to get before humans care. Seems we can tolerate lots of *delayed* audio - words _after_ the event - but can't tolerate virtually *any* sync that has sounds *before* events. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Verizon TV Box
Is it possible to buy the Verizon TV box rather than leasing them? I would like to take advantage of the great deals Verizon is pushing right now, but the leasing of a box for each TV is a deal killer. Are there aftermarket boxes which will work? Can we use one box and distribute it around the house to the other TV's? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Verizon TV Box
I would guess that a nominal fee would still involve a monthly charge. I'd rather just pay once up front. Understood about the single box = single channel. How would the distribution be done? Is there a recommended device? Thanks in advance. Richard P. Are there aftermarket boxes which will work? The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that aftermarket boxes work. They have to supply a CableCARD for a nominal fee. Like many other laws under Bush, this requirement has not been effectively enforced. Nice article on this at Wikipedia. Can we use one box and distribute it around the house to the other TV's? Yes, but all sets would get the same channel as the box contains the tuner. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Phorm
Another good reason for No Script. Richard P. Phormís All-Seeing Parasite Cookie Then we are back to setting our browsers to keep no cookies at all and every website we visit will be worse off for it. It is a bad result for everybody, including Phormis. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DTV
One thing to look at is the receiver portion of the converter. In general, I think older TV receivers had better reception capability because it was so important with everyone using an antenna. With the advent of cable, the manufacturers were able to cut back on the quality of the receiver and happily did so. I imagine shortcuts have been made on the converter boxes as well. Not sure where you can compare converter box receiver strengths. The second issue is the age and condition of the antenna. Don't know your specifics but if you are able to get a lot of analog channels, a decent UHF/VHFantenna should be able to do about the same. The newer it is, the better the connections between the vanes and ribs. You'll have to look on the antennaweb.org site for the actual frequencies of the channels you want to watch, and then match your antenna accordingly. Keep in mind that the frequencies might change from UHF to VHF at the stations discretion, come June. As a rule, VHF signals are better than UHF when it comes to getting the signal to your house, so that might help there. If you are going to go to the trouble of putting up the antenna, you'll want to install an amplifier. Given the difficulty of the installation, it will be easier this way. You can always not use it. However, as an installer once told me, if the signal isn't there, it can't be amplified. Richard P. I am in sNJ 08320 and have a 40' tower with an uhf/vhf antenna on there pointed toward Philadelphia to coaxial cable to an amplifier to more coaxial cable to a splitter/secondary-amplifier to a 1984 1984 Sony kv25-xbr tube set which, with over-the-air gave such good picture/sound people would ask if we already got a HDTV. I bought the converters (actually 4 different ones) and am getting just a couple of channels. I took one to my sis's house in LI, NY about 20 miles east of NYC and she got about 50 channels. I went on antennaweb and it says I should get almost nothing. People nearby report they are getting plenty of channels. I have gotten cheap internet via Comcast which came with free basic TV for a year. The tower is pretty much in the clear and this is not a valley (sNJ is flat). My antenna has some lost vanes ...it was a good one when I got it. Nobody around here installs TV antennae. I have a tree trimmer who will do the articulated bucket thing and put up an antenna for me, but then there is the question of 1-signal strength, 2-will I get anything more after all the expense? I sure would like to avoid paying for TV if possible; I already don't want to see it for free, for the most part. Where is the problem here? 1-antenna, 2-amplifier, 3-secondary-amplifier 4-the boogie man? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Phorm
Will you explain? If I cookies aren't allowed to be placed by using NoScript, then wouldn't there be nothing to read? Or is it the fact that this info is being picked up at the ISP, so it doesn't matter about the cookies. Thanks, Richard P. Another good reason for No Script. It will not help at all. Zero. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Phorm
NoScript shows what is trying to access the page and then I can selectively give permissions as needed for what I want to do. For instance, DoubleClick is never needed for anything, so it never sees the light of day. As far as I know, the browser security settings don't allow this individuality. If they can be, where is that located? Thanks, Richard P. Will you explain? If I cookies aren't allowed to be placed by using NoScript, then wouldn't there be nothing to read? Or is it the fact that this info is being picked up at the ISP, so it doesn't matter about the cookies. If you want to disallow cookies you do that in your browser's security settings. Come to think of it, you can turn off the various scripting languages there too. What is it that NoScript does that you can't already do for yourself by just setting browser preferences? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Saving tabs in Firefox
Not sure if this is what you're asking for but I let the Firefox generate the prompt by allowing the computer to shut down any open Firefox windows instead of me shutting down them down. From there, you can set it to always save, and it will open them the next time it launches. Richard P. Where in Firefox do I set the option of asking me to save tabs, so when I open Firefox again certain tabs automatically pop up? This option automatically came up on my Mac, but not on the PC. tia. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Saving Web pages in Firefox my os
I use XP also, but Firefox is 3.0.10. I can FILE SAVE PAGE AS and it works fine. Richard P. On Tue, May 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM, computerg...@att.net wrote: I use XP. The idea is to save it to the hard drive. Would you suggest save as a pdf and save to the HD? Thanks, Bill. -- Original message from Matthew Taylor taylorsmatt...@gmail.com: -- What OS do you run? Under OS X you can just print to PDF and get a pretty good copy. If you want to descend links then Acrobat will capture a site for you. On May 5, 2009, at 2:13 PM, computerg...@att.net wrote: Hello all. I would like to save web pages in firefox. When I try to do so, it only saves the images, none of the text. Is there a way to save all this information? I use Firefox 2.0, and believe I save them as a web page. Thanks for any reply, Bill. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What to look for in digital converter box?
Walmart and Borders allows you to search the store's inventory online. Richard P. It would be so helpful if you could search a specific store's inventory online, rather than having to go in person or call and take a chance that a) anyone will answer and b) if they do, they will give you an accurate answer. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Can´t install IE7
Can you go back to the original IE version using system restore and the try to upgrade from there? Richard P. Hi fellows Here I am in my new computer. By mistake I installed Internet XP Home (Brazilian Portuguese). It came with an IE I am not sure the edition. I then installed IE 8 but my Brazilian bank would not work with it. I then unistalled it. I ended up 1ith IE 6.0.2900.5512.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234. The problem now: another bank would not respond to this IE. That is I enter the data and...it doesn´t enter in the bank. The other bank will work fine. (I checked the first bank in my other computer with IE 7 and it words fine). I then tried three times to install IE 7 on the top of IE 6. It goes well, finishes, tells me to re-start and... when I check IE the version remains 6.0.2900. Now what? Again, many many thanks * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] What channel?
I would imagine that they are trying to make sure that all are informed, so there's no false start again as with the last deadline. My relatives in Florida had to endure this for 2 months straight before the first February changeover date and tired of it quickly. Richard P. Expect to rescan fairly frequently especially through the transition date. They may not not know or expect to be given a change. All the times I have seen this crawl locally to DC it has been on CBS but I think it may be a generic message running everywhere. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Win98 printer issue
Thanks to all for their suggestions. I have passed them along and will report back what works. Interestingly, after working on their Win98 system for 3 days a few years ago, I did buy a new WinXP PC for them to replace it, but had to return it because of their personal reasons (learning a new operating system, not wanting to throw out a perfectly good computer, who knows what?). I wanted to simplify my life and theirs but it was not to be. But they are my relatives so on it goes. Richard P. On Tue, Apr 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM, Brian Jones wjone...@carolina.rr.com wrote: Of course, try the obvious (reboot the computer, reboot the printer, replug, check the ink, try the printer and cable on another computer) If all else fails, a complete reinstall of the operating system may be your best solution. Win98 was not very stable... it usually needed to be erased and completely reinstalled yearly for power users, and 2 to 3 years for the average (light use) users. Of course a botched install of a device driver or application might damage the registry to the point of needing a complete install in just 1 day (Hey, I've seen it happen!) This will also restore the speed that the user experienced when they first bought the computer, and that makes them very happy! In January, after months of trying to fix my mother-in-laws WIN98 printer problem over the phone, I just took her a new computer. She insisted the refilled ink cartridge was new and working, but when I visited her, there was no ink (or dried ink) in the cartridge. She was too cheap to buy a new manufacturer cartridge to test her printer. Good luck! - Brian My relative has an issue with his Gateway Win 98 computer which I am trying to help him resolve (long distance). He is trying to hook up a Compaq IJ650 Printer with a USB cable. He has lost the installation disk but I was able to find the drivers for it (http://tinyurl.com/6spkf), and send them down. With great difficulty installing them, he was able to get it working over the weekend. But now it no longer works. Besides the obvious (get a new computer!), is there something that might help solve this problem? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Win98 printer issue
My relative has an issue with his Gateway Win 98 computer which I am trying to help him resolve (long distance). He is trying to hook up a Compaq IJ650 Printer with a USB cable. He has lost the installation disk but I was able to find the drivers for it (http://tinyurl.com/6spkf), and send them down. With great difficulty installing them, he was able to get it working over the weekend. But now it no longer works. Besides the obvious (get a new computer!), is there something that might help solve this problem? Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Gmail accounts hacked via unpatched hole
In today's Windows Secrets article: http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/090423 It looks like online storage isn't as safe as it's cracked up to be. Richard P. Gmail accounts hacked via unpatched hole Scott Spanbauer By Scott Spanbauer Exploits allowing hackers to break into Gmail accounts are likely to occur, if they're not already circulating, after security researchers released details of a hole that Google has reportedly declined to patch. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of using a webmail account, but it appears that the usual tricks won't solve the Gmail problem until Google fixes the software. The weakness that researchers say afflicts Gmail, a free e-mail service hosted by Google, belongs to a class of attacks known as cross-site request forgery (CSRF, pronounced sea surf). Besides Gmail, CSRF holes affecting YouTube, Netflix, and NYTimes.com have also been found and repaired in the past. CSRF attacks use security flaws in cookies, password requests, and other interactive Web components to intercept communications between your browser and a Web site's server. The first report of the Gmail problem within security circles was written by Vicente Aguilera Díaz of Internet Security Auditors (ISA) on July 30, 2007. The next day, ISA issued an alert and included a proof of concept illustrating how the exploit could be used to change a Gmail account password. After more than a year during which, according to ISA, Google was repeatedly contacted privately about the problem researchers publicly released a detailed description of the exploit on March 3, 2009, according to a Secure Computing article. The magazine quoted an unnamed Google spokesman as saying, We've been aware of this report for some time, and we do not consider this case to be a significant vulnerability, since a successful exploit would require correctly guessing a user's password within the period that the user is visiting a potential attacker's site. Considering that an automated attack can test thousands of passwords in a matter of seconds, you might not be very reassured by Google's position. Many PC users select weak passwords that consist of common names or dictionary words, leaving them susceptible to brute-force discovery. And the general release of the CSRF technique makes it easy for hackers to write opportunistic code, if actual exploits aren't already in the wild. The March 3 public disclosure should not be confused with an earlier Gmail CSRF flaw that was first reported on Jan. 1, 2007. Google repaired that problem by the following day, according to a blog post by software consultant Hari Gottipati. CSRF attacks — which are also referred to as session-riding — are different from the more-widely known cross-site scripting (XSS) exploits. XSS holes allow a malicious Web site that's open in one browser window to inject JavaScript into another site's page that's open in a separate window or tab. Once the unwanted script is running on a PC, the code can try to collect private data and passwords and transmit them back to the attacker's server. XSS vulnerabilities have recently been discovered and patched in many browsers and on many sites, including Yahoo Mail and Hotmail as well as Gmail. Provide some protection for webmail with https Google, Yahoo, and other Internet services cover themselves by stating that you use the services at your own risk. A major threat of using any webmail service is that a hacker could swipe or guess your password and take over your account. If your Google account includes such personal information as stored credit card numbers (for Google Shopping, for instance), a contact list, photos, and business or financial documents, having your account hacked could be more than just an inconvenience. One way for an attacker to steal passwords — especially given the ubiquity of open, unencrypted Wi-Fi networks — is to use software that sniffs Internet traffic. If you enter your username and password on a Web page without encryption, your inputs are transmitted as plain text, not just over a Wi-Fi connection but also through every router that happens to be located between you and the service's machine. Fortunately, the Big Three webmail services — Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Hotmail — and many other Web sites provide protection for their sign-in sessions using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. SSL enables a Web browser to scramble any sign-in data before pumping it out naked across the Internet's plumbing. To determine whether a site encrypts its sign-in procedure, look in your browser's address bar. The page's URL should begins with https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol over SSL), as shown in Figure 1. Unencrypted pages use the http protocol. Secure https connection to Gmail Figure 1. Look for the https protocol in a browser's address bar, which indicates an encrypted connection. Seeing the https protocol or the well-known lock icon in a browser's status bar is no guarantee
Re: [CGUYS] OT: Comcast Cable HD
Without more information, I doubt you'll be able to get WETA from your location without an outdoor antenna. See http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx for more info on what signals are available and what type antenna you'll need. If you want to try something cheap, you can build this antenna out of coat hangers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw A neighbor built one and it actually works quite well. Richard P. Hi All! Thanks to wonderful Comcast Cable here in Baltimore County, MD, we have now lost the ability to watch WETA, Channel 26, on any of our TV's. We hook directly to cable, not using their 'box,' which means we are now losing HD signals as quickly as Comcast can drop them. This forces us to buy a conversion box for every TV in the house -- we have more than our share, or to stop watching the stations that switch. I have borrowed an HD set-top conversion box to see what's available over the air on our tv's. All are pre-HD and I'd rather not go out buy all new TV sets, or even one new TV set, as our existing sets work fine. However, in reading the instructions that came with the over-the-air box, it looks like I also need some type of antenna. Of course, we have no rabbit ears or other antenna's, and we don't intend to have a rooftop antenna installed just to watch WETA and other stations on one or two tv's. So: Can anyone suggest a place to buy a set-top antenna to work with an older TV and an HD conversion box? Or a place to begin looking for same? : If we are forced to get an HD TV in order to see the shows I'm now missing, any info on which type of HD TV is best would be appreciated. (One with QAM, one without QAM, what the differences are, etc,etc. I'm unable to comprehend the info I find over the internet. It's all contradictory and confusing. -- Yes -- i can read the words, I just can't understand their meaning.) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] monitor cables
is a VGA cable the 'regular' cable 'we' are used to for monitors? Yes what is a DVI cable to what does it attach? It's the digital version of the analog VGA cable. For more info than you would ever want to know: http://www.thesmallest.com/lessonettes/dviandvga.html Richard P. thesmallest.com lessonettes: short essays on whatever Computers connect to monitors using one of two methods; the traditional VGA (Video Graphics Array) format or the newer DVI (Digital Video Interface). The facts VGA, which stands for Video Graphics Array, has been the standard method for connecting monitors to Macs since the late 1990s and to PCs for some years before then. The newer DVI format, which stands for Digital Video Interface, is the preferred connection method for most non-budget LCD displays, a number of higher-end CRTs, and even a small number of expensive video displays. VGA is being phased out in favour of DVI, although we’re still in the transition period where support for both is common. Some monitors contain sockets for each format, and the Mac mini comes with a DVI to VGA adaptor dongle to help users with older displays connect to its built-in DVI port. Much of the DVI specifications and its differences from VGA aren’t widely understood. VGA is based on analog signals, at least in terms of what goes across the cables themselves. Although the monitor signal always starts and its life as digital. With VGA systems it is converted to analog as it leaves the graphics card for the purposes of sending it through the cable, then converted back to digital format at the other end, over in the monitor. One drawback of this is the inability to address the monitor’s picture elements - the individual pixels - precisely. This isn’t a problem with CRT displays, as they simply draw out the image as it arrives by passing an electron beam across the inside phosphor-coated surface of the glass screen. It becomes an issue when working with LCD displays, as their pixels are fixed, individual entities which need to have the incoming image pixels matched up to produce a clean result. The problem this causes with VGA connections is the need to apply phase and clock corrections to synchronise the signal with the display’s physical pixel array and its properties. When this is out of adjustment it can produce banding and other effects for reasons not dissimilar to what causes moiré patterning in printed work; the two different patterned arrays (the virtual pixel grid of the display signal and the physical pixel grid of the LCD itself) don’t match up, leading to regular bands of blurred detail and similar problems. Unlike the potentially imprecise way VGA works with LCD displays, the DVI signal is mapped to the physical frequency of the monitor’s pixels. The display signal can also degrade with improperly sheilded VGA cables, leading to poorer-quality results at the display end. This isn’t a problem in the same way with DVI, although there is still a maximum recommended length (5 metres) beyond which the signals may not be transmitted properly. In short, DVI provides a cleaner, faster, more precise display with hardware that supports it properly. This is all very well, but there is a small matter of different DVI formats to content with. Fortunately, these are designed to complement each other rather than actually being competing standards; the differences are essentially to do with handling displays with digital or non-digital inputs. There are three main kinds of DVI connections which are available; DVI-D, DVI-A, and DVI-I. DVI-D is the ‘true’ digital format. It is the normal format used for connecting digital LCD monitors to DVI graphics cards. DVI-A is the analog version of DVI; it is used to carry a signal from a DVI graphics card to an analog display, for example a CRT monitor. There is a digital to analog conversion applied here, but this still gives higher-quality results than a standard VGA cable. Finally, there’s DVI-I, the integrated format which caters for both digital and analog equipment. This doesn’t convert a pure DVI-D output to something a DVI-A device can use. But it will act as a DVI-D cable or a DVI-A cable according to your needs. The real benefit is that you don’t have to use two different cables if you use both digital and analog displays. Having said that, you’re pretty unlikely to run into trouble if you stick with the cables that come with whatever new display you buy. Where you need to take care is when buying cables separately. Although you’re unlikely to need anything other than a DVI-D cable when dealing with LCD screens, it could still be wise to consider buying a DVI-I cable to cover both eventualities. However, do be aware that some manufacturers have been making the blade part of the pin set in DVI-I cables larger than normal; this could affect how it fits in some equipment. There is, unfortunately, still more to the DVI connection
Re: [CGUYS] Upgrade MS Office from 2003 to Office 2007
I just installed Office 2007 while keeping Office 2003. As I recall, the installation forced an uninstall of only the Outlook 2003 and migrated all of what was in Outlook 2003 into Outlook 2007. The rest of the Office 2003 components coexist with the Office 2007. I would think that you could run the same installation procedure and then uninstall Office 2003 afterward if you didn't want it. I would wait for a second opinion though, as I am not as dependent on Outlook as you are. Richard P. On a Windows XP computer I need to upgrade from MS Office 2003 to Office 2007. Everything I read on the web says to uninstall 2003 first, then install 2007. That's relatively easy, BUT how do I preserve all my contact information, calendar and notes in Outlook ? Is it all in a file called filename.pst ? Or has the name changed for 2007? Thanks for any advice on this process... Phil M. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DC first to get free mobile TV
You'll be interested in this Forum page: http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=30t=100897 It discusses this problem and offers up some LCD Digital TV's as an option. Richard P. What does this bode for an emergency TV set that runs off of batteries (including a dismounted 12V car battery) that provides news and warnings during a power outage resulting from a storm or terrorist attack? When analog TV went off the air (It has hasn't it?) my current emergency TV set became useless, with no service or device available to replace it. Washington will be the first U.S. city to get free digital TV broadcasts for mobile devices like cell phones, laptop computers and in-car entertainment systems, broadcasters were set to announce Monday. http://tinyurl.com/cpzoht * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Itunes help!
Did you reboot? Are you talking Windows or Mac? and what version? In Windows XP, the music path is: My DocumentsMy MusiciTunesiTunes Music Richard P. I downloaded Itunes 8 and now I have nothing. I know the music somewhere, how do I get it into the current version. Thanks * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
