Useful Internet Based Tools

Custom Error Messages & Dialog Boxes @ http://faded.havocaos.com/error/default.aspx

• This site allows you to create custom error messages and dialog boxes for your website, blogs or just for fun. You can use the generator to create messages with custom text and icons for all Windows operating systems, Linux, & Mac.

Free Dealer Locator @ http://www.zipwise.com/weblocator/

• This site will do all the cumbersome programming for your website if you would like to implement a dealer locator feature. It is very easy to use. Just upload your dealer data and the site will generate a code for you to paste on your site.

Voice To Text Notes @ http://www.jott.com/

• Set up an accout with jott.com and you call a telephone number when you are on the run and need to remember something. The service turns your voice message into text and sends you an email.

EXTENSIVE Person Search/Finder @ http://pipl.com/

• This online search engine allows you to search for people, telephone numbers, and email accounts all from one page. It will find stuff you never knew existed! Just type your name in and click search. I never knew there was so much information about me on the web! If you are looking for someone chances are you will find something about them here.

Test Your Internet Connection @ http://www.speedtest.net/

• Test your broadband Internet connection with cool graphics and numbers.

Sea Gate's Replica Drive

This will be my last post. I would like to thank everyone in this class for the informative updates throughout the semester. I have learned a great deal about new technologies.

One of the most important tasks any PC owner should perform is the regular act of backing up their files. Backing up our computers will save our data in the case of a hard drive failure or other technological glitch. Believe me, these "glitches" WILL eventually happen as I know from experience. The sad truth is that the majority of us, and I do mean the VAST majority, do not back up our data. After losing around 2,000 digital pictures and tons of other important data back in 2001 thanks to a hard drive crash, I still do not take the time to perform backups on my computers. Of course, if I worked in a profession where I maintained computers I would perform the backups, probably because it was not my data. But, for the most part, we personal PC owners do not protect our data. Why are we so stubborn?

One issue is the amount of time that performing a backup consumes. I believe another reason is that most of us do not believe anything will ever happen to our PC's. We are too reliable on them. A final reason that most of us do not perform backups is that we are just plain lazy.

Well, we may no longer have to worry about backing up our machines as Sea Gate has released a device called "Replica Drive". This device, an external hard dive, will backup everything, yes EVERYTHING, on your PC. This action can be performed when prompted or at scheduled times throughout the day or month.

The drive comes in two versions, 250 and 500 GB.The mainstream 5400 rpm drives connect to a PC via a 480 Mb/s USB 2.0 port.

Now we have no excuses, not that we ever REALLY did.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/42185/135/

Virtual Border Patrol

Now, anyone with an Internet connection (and a lot of free time on their hands) can take part in patrolling our nation's border with Mexico. BlueServo.net is a new website being run by the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition that features numerous live video feeds of the Lone Star State's border with Mexico.

The site, launched back in November, has already received over 20 million visitors and allows registered users to examine 15 different camera feeds of the dessert, the Rio Grande, and the mountains that make up the border. If a user spots something suspicious, they can email the local law enforcement who will then determine whether or not to act. The cameras are placed in areas a long the border where there is no fencing system and places where guards do not patrol as often. Most of the cameras are hidden from view.

Supporters of the site see the cameras as an effort to halt illegal immigration as our border with Mexico is not completely barricaded yet. On the other hand, critics claim the site is a breeding ground for extremists and that border patrol should be left up to professionals.

Since the site was launched, only four arrests have been made that can be attributed to the cameras. The site was paid for by a $2 million grant from the state of Texas.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/12/border.security.cameras.immigration/index.html

Goodbye Encarta

I remember as if it was yesterday: I was around 13 years old sitting in front my IBM Aptiva home computer (complete with gigantic energy hungry CRT monitor) surfing the web via a dial up connection on AOL. Green Day was playing through the computer's speakers at levels probably louder than allowed in our house as I flipped back and forth from Encarta to an AOL instant message with some high school girl I was chasing at the time. It was the night before a big research assignment was due for school....

Some of you may remeber the days described above. These were the days long before Google, Wikipedia, and DSL connections when most of us were using Microsoft's Encart Encyclodpedia to find information. We used the mapping features of Encarta like we use Google Earth today. Of course, we didn't have satelite images but no one even knew what they were back then. Those days are long gone and now, we must also say goodbye to Encarta.

Microsoft reports that Encarta will shut down globally on December 31, 2009. By June, Encarta will have vanished from store shelves. Nevertheless, Microsoft promises to provide support for the product for another three years.

So what has caused the death of Encarta? Microsoft credits Wikipedia, Google, and other free premium research providers. Software users are already struggling in a deepening recession and fees for research software are no longer a priority, espcially since they can get the same information for free.

Microsoft tried to compete with these giant entities but failed miserably. They offered two free hours of search results with their online Encarta service and even integrated the software in to their Live search feature.

So, in the end, we must say goodbye to Encarta. It was fun while it lasted......maybe we will see you again someday on "I Love The 90's".

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/41900/141/

Final Version Of IE8 FINALLY Released

Microsoft released the final version of Internet Explorer 8 last Thursday at noon. This comes after criticism from the industry towards Microsoft for being behind in browser updates. Internet Explorer 7 was released way back in 2006. Since then, we have seem the birth of Google Chrome, Firefox 3, and Opera 9.6. So why did it take Microsoft so long to develop IE7's successor?

Microsoft released its beta version of IE8 last year and the first RC to the Internet world in January. During this time, I downloaded IE8. I cannot remember which one I downloaded, beta or RC, but what I do remember is how poorly the browser performed. I have ALWAYS stood by Microsoft products and used Internet Explorer since I knew what a computer was. Nevertheless, I was very unsatisfied with my test of IE8. I know, I know, I should not complain about a beta version but give me a break. The browser would not load some sites at all and other sites caused the browser to crash. I had to keep pressing the button that activated "Compatibility Mode" as well. Within a week, I had rolled back to IE7.

I have yet to download the final release candidate of IE8. I hope Microsoft has fixed all the problems I encountered in my test run. I plan to give it another try in the coming weeks.

I understand that everyone else in the world is eating, sleeping, and breathing Firefox but I do not like Mozilla's browser. I never have and I guess I never will. I believe it to be a very reliable and stable browser but I prefer Internet Explorer. I guess I am not use to Firefox and stuck in my ways.

Here is what Microsoft is saying about Internet Explorer 8:

• blocks two to four times the malware of rival browsers
• holds the speed record browsing 15 to 20 of the top worldwide sites
• pages with JavaScript load much faster
• pages with heavy CSS coding load much faster
• feature web slices and accelerators
• available in 25 different languages
• faster page load times than any other browser on the market
• improved Live Search with visual search suggestions

If anyone has any opinions about IE8 or IE in general I would like to hear them!

http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Internet+Explorer+8+Launches+at+Noon/article14620.htm

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface, initially released in early 2008, is gaining more popularity as it becomes available to more individuals. You may remember seeing Microsoft Surface's technology in the hit TV program CSI as well as during the 2008 presidential elections on MSNBC.

Microsoft Surface, code named Milan, is a surface computing platform that responds to a user's hand gestures and real world objects such as cell phone and digital cameras. Surface is similar to a very large touch-screen computer that you can interact with. Most models that have been used for TV shows and news casts have been placed up-right similar to a TV screen but Microsoft Surface is actually manufactured to set horizontally in a coffee table or other flat desk top surface. There has even been talk about placing Microsoft Surface inside kitchen counters of high-tech homes.

Users can interact with Surface by dragging/re-sizing pictures, videos, and programs around the screen and from one device to another without even plugging the devices into the platform. Microsoft Surface theoretically takes digital data and makes it physical again for us to move and manipulate.

Of course, this device is rather expensive and currently available only for use in high-end applications such as TV, hospitals, hotels, and casinos. The going price for a Microsoft Surface platform is between $2,000 and $5,000.

Check out this video of Surface in action! Completely mind-blowing!

http://video.popularmechanics.com/services/link/bcpid932579976/bclid932553050/bctid933742930

The day I get my hands on one of these is the day I never leave home again!!!!

Microsoft Surface Website: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/Default.aspx

Water World Reality

As if exploring other planets and planning to possibly live on them one day is a little too far from civilization for you then maybe this idea will do.

Engineers are planning to build an entire city on the open seas of the Pacific. Although Atlantis type cities have been pondered in the past, recent advances in architectural technology have allowed researchers to develop plans for a floating city off the coast of San Fransisco, CA.

The Seasteading Institute has already assembled a group of architects that have drawn this city complete with homes, factories/workplaces, stores and common areas. The initial city would be a prototype or "test" city that would pave the way for others. The city will be composed of "modular" type building that can be detached from the main city and moved around!

Of course researchers are still trying to develop ways around those pesky open sea storms and the salt water that would nearly destroy everything after years of exposure.

And here is the really interesting news: Seasteading Institute elaborates on the stating, "The new city will sport unique architecture and possibly its own unique government, which could serve as a test bed for social theories. " "The idea isn't just about getting away from rules or getting rid of rules. It's about a system that encourages experimentation with different political systems." "The sea society might offer such changes as the legalization of marijuana, communal IP, and effectively legalizing file sharing." (Notice how it says they ELABORATE on that topic!)

A city filled with people that stay high all day and share Bob Marley songs on Limewire with absolutely no government!

This I HAVE to see.

http://www.dailytech.com/Engineers+Planning+Waterworldesque+Floating+City+at+Sea/article14539.htm

May The Force Be With You

I have never been a really big Star Wars fan but I find it hard to not get excited about a toy that will be hitting store shelves later this year, if you can even call it a toy.

Uncle Milton Industries, a toy manufacturer, will release "The Force Trainer" this fall. This device uses an individual's brain waves to manipulate a ping pong like sphere in a clear 10 inch tube. The object is to "hone" your senses on the ball to make it travel up the tube.

The toy uses a simplified version of EEG medical tests that measures brain waves and transforms them into a physical action. When an individual concentrates hard enough, the brain waves activate a sensor that release air inside the tube forcing the ball up the cylinder. More powerful concentration equals more powerful brain waves resulting in the ball traveling higher in the cylinder. Users can compete against each other to see who can raise the ball higher in the tube with their Jedi-like powers.

The Force Trainer should go for about $90 to $100.

Patrick Swayze and light saber sold separately.

Full story: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-01-06-force-trainer-toy_N.htm

Upgrade Or Die!

Stemming from the recent Conficker virus attacks, Microsoft has learned that millions of users are running unsupported operating systems. By unsupported I mean users are running outdated operating systems that Microsoft no longer supplies patches for, specifically security patches.

Microsoft has a detailed operating system life cycle policy but will support their operating systems for roughly five years after its release date. The company provides these updates and patches for free. Once the five year life cycle is reached, the software enters an extended support period where volume licensees can purchase support from the company. Eventually, Microsoft will "retire" the product and cease to provide any kind of updates or support.

I was surprised to learn that so many computer users were behind times. I run Windows XP on my home computer and I sometimes feel "left behind" in the Vista era. I simply refuse to upgrade to a operating system that has had such terrible reviews. Windows 7 will be released soon and I will upgrade after it has been reviewed thoroughly. What if it bombs? I can continue to use XP but its life cycle will end shortly. Windows Server 2003 SP1's life cycle will end in April of this year.

The point I am trying to make is that I feel Microsoft has always been very pushy in making its consumers upgrade. I understand their need to put time and money into new technologies but I feel five years of support is not enough when you are releasing operating systems that tank.

I guess there is always Linux....

Complete story:http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=2205

2012 Universal Cell Chargers

Most people have, somewhere in their house, a drawer or cabinet full of old electronic adapters and other "junk" taking up copious amounts of space. Sadly, I have a whole closet full of computers, monitors, printers, scanners, and boxes and bags of electronic chargers, adapters, and cables.

Somewhere in that mess is a whole box full of old cell phone charges. I keep them simply because I may, and have in the past, need them again one day for new cell phones. They come in handy for family and friends as well.

Our "pack rat" problems may soon disappear as a universal cell phone charger is set to hit the market in 2012. The GSMA (Group Special Mobile Association) represents more than 750 of the world's cell phone operators and have made the announcement about the new chargers.

The plan is to have all cell phone manufacturers produce cell phones with same charger port; micro USB.

The obvious benefit from these devices would be the elimination of the need for multiple cell phone chargers. Consumers could buy one charger that would last forever (or until broken) and work on all phones. Another benefit would be the dramatic reduction in production of cell phone charges. This would ultimately eliminate 51,000 to 82,000 tons of cell phone chargers per year as well as up to 21 tons of greenhouse gases.

The universal cell phone chargers should be available to consumers by January 2012.

Companies already signed up for the plan include: Sony, Motoralla, LG, AT&T, Samsung, T-Mobile, Nokia, & Qualcomm.

Now if I could only figure out what to do with that box of chargers I have.....

Complete story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/ptech/02/17/cellphone.chargers/index.html

Even MORE Reasons To Like Google Earth

Most of us have had the exciting opportunity to tour the world via Google Earth since its release in 2005. The ability to clearly see your backyard, famous landmarks, other countries, and vacation hot spots is mind blowing nonetheless. New features are constantly being added to enhance this mapping software.

But can you make a living using this powerful technology? Well sure you can, if you are Nathan Smith of Los Angeles. Nathan may never have to work another day in his life.......that is if he wins a court battle in Texas.

Nathan Smith was able to locate what he believes to be the buried wreckage of a large Spanish ship from 1822 just south of a the small Texas town of Refugio. (Talk about having a lot of time on your hands)

Smith believes the ship is buried under the soils of the Aransas Pass and that this area of Texas still has navigable underground waterways. After locating the "shoe-print" like shape in Google Earth and consulting with history experts, Smith drove to Texas armed with only a metal detector to find the land was owned by a deceased Texan rancher.

Both parties hired lawyers and are now locked in a court battle to decide who will have access to the potential "treasure". Under U.S. law, the first person to find abandoned treasure is the rightful owner. Also, if the area is found to have an underground waterway the ranch owner would not have legal ownership of the waterway itself. I am not sure where they will draw the line on this one.

Experts say the ship has the potential to be worth $3 billion dollars........

If you need to reach me I'll be nosing around Google Earth the rest of the day.

Story: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10161265-71.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

I searched for the area in southern Texas but could not find anything on the web with specific latitude or longitude coordinates.

Here is what I believe to be the area in question:

Look dead center of the screen in the light green swampy area.

7 Will Have 6

Microsoft has disclosed some new information about their upcoming operating system. Windows 7, the successor to Vista, will have six different editions.

This should not come as a shock to consumers as most of Microsoft's previous operating systems have had numerous editions.

Windows 7 will be available in the following editions:

-Starter
-Home Basic
-Home Premium
-Professional
-Enterprise
-Ultimate

Each edition will be available in 32 and 64 bit versions and will require a clean install if you are upgrading from XP to take advantage of the Windows Display Driver Model that was introduced with Vista. If you are upgrading from Vista then a clean install is not necessary. Predictions are that the 64 bit versions will be more successful than the 32 bit versions as everyone upgrades to 64 bit operating systems.

Each edition essentially builds on the previous edition with added features and capabilities. All six editions of Windows 7 will be on a single DVD and consumers can upgrade electronically through Microsoft without having to go out and purchase new software at a retailer.

Windows 7 Starter Edition is basically a "bare bones" version that targets ultra low end computers and netbooks. This edition is only offered pre-installed by an OEM and only allows three applications to run at a time.

The Home Basic Edition is also marketed for low end computers especially in developing countries. This version lacks most of the capabilities of the higher editions of Windows 7 and will probably not be sold in North America or Europe.

Windows 7 Home Premium will be the most popular edition for home computer users and will compare with Vista Home Premium. Microsoft believes this version will be the majority of their shipments. HomePremium will boast such features as: Aero Glass interface, Mobility Center for laptops, touch screen controls, HomeGroups networking, and improved media codecs.

Windows 7 Professional Edition will be marketed to small and medium businesses and builds on the Home Premium Edition with domain joining, group policy controls, and offline folder access.

The Enterprise Edition will not be available for purchase at the retail level. This edition will be for Fortune 1000 companies and larger businesses. Windows 7 Enterprise Edition adds a whole slew of features to Professional Edition including: Bitlocker hard drive encryption, AppLocker (a centrally managed group policy program), Branch Cache (a file caching option for branch offices), and powerful integration with Windows Server 2008.

The final and obviously most expensive version of Windows 7 is the Ultimate Edition. This edition does not offer much more than Enterprise edition and Microsoft is currently developing more features to add to Ultimate to justify its "ultimate" price.

Currently there is no pricing information available from Microsoft on Windows 7.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/


http://www.dailytech.com/Windows+7+Has+Six+Editions/article14152.htm

Jumper Cables

This past Tuesday I had the very unpleasant experience of having my first root canal procedure. I had been told by friends and family that root canals were not painful and that I had nothing to worry about. I had also heard horror stories involving excruciating pain and psychological damage. So, when I walked inside the endodontics office I had no clue what to expect.

For those individuals not familiar with the root canal procedure here is a brief synopsis:

• A tooth is considered "dead' when it has become abscessed and the nerves within the roots are no longer working.


• Teeth usually become abscessed from having deep/repeat fillings performed by a dentist.


• An endodontist then performs the root canal by drilling away the filling and inserting small files down into the root cavity to eliminate the dead nerves and remove the infection.


• Finally, the canals are filled with a rubber material and a cap (crown) is placed on top of the repaired tooth.

Other than the needle, the first part of the procedure went smoothly. The stomach churning smell of burning tooth enamel did not even to bother me.

About halfway through the procedure the doctor began inserting the small files down into my tooth canals to grind away at the infection.........

This is when I bit her finger.......

I did this strictly from impulse as the pain shot through the right side of my head and down my neck. She had obviously poked and prodded too deep and crashed her razor sharp file into the still "live" nerves that were under my tooth. She apologized and left the room. (Probably to go sulk about her throbbing index finger).

When she returned she had a device that resembled a battery tester, complete with what looked like jumper cables. To my surprise she clamped the "jumper cables" to one end of the file that was still sticking out of my tooth. I heard a series of beeps from the machine. This continued for a while until she completed her "test". My curiosity about the device stifled the pain through the rest of the procedure.

When I arrived home I researched the device. The doctor had used an electronic apex locator on me.

Electronic apex locators (EALs) are used in endodontics to measure the length of the canals inside a tooth. EALs have been around since 1993 but new technologies are allowing the devices to become very beneficial during root canal procedures. They allow the doctor to learn the "working length" of the canal without the need for expensive x-rays.

These devices work by using the human body to complete an electrical circuit. One clamp of the EAL is connected to a file that has been inserted into the root canal and the other clamp is attached to the patient's lip. The device then measures the difference in electrical impedance between the patient's lip and the file while the doctor slowly inserts the file deeper into the tooth towards the apex (end of the root). Length measurements are then displayed on the screen of the EAL for the doctor. Studies have been conducted on these handy machines and they have been proven to be almost 100% accurate.

Hopefully I will never see one again........

Has anyone else ever had this procedure done?

Learn more at: http://www.healthmantra.com/rotary/apex.shtml .

Introduction

Hey,

My name is Trey Everette. I am in the System Administration track of the Information Systems degree at ECC. If everything works according to plan, I will finish my courses in December of this year and graduate next spring. I am looking forward to receiving my degree as it has been a long, hard struggle to balance school and a full time job.

I graduated from Hobgood Academy back in 2001 and initially started my college career in 2003 studying criminal justice. By 2005 I realized this field was no longer of interest to me so I began to pursue an education in information technology at ECC.

I have always enjoyed working with computers and other technology. The only computer related class that was offered when I attended high school was keyboarding. The majority of the knowledge that I possess about computers I picked up on my own throughout the years on personal computers and at work. Nevertheless, ECC has allowed me to further my knowledge over the past three years. Learning about computers and technology has always be really easy to me although I do not claim to be an expert. I enjoy fixing computers and learning new things about them and other technology. Every time I use a computer I discover something new or a new way to do an old task.

Currently, I work at Wilson Milling (the old Purina plant) in Wilson as the feed manager in the procurement department. I also help the company with IT problems if they should arise. I enjoy my job but hope to find something that will put my degree to work after I graduate. Also, I have been considering the possibility of transferring my associates degree to ECU after I graduate to earn my bachelor's degree.

In my "free" time I enjoy fishing, live music, camping, jet-skiing, and spending time with my fiance' and family. More information about me can be found on my profile.

I wish everyone the best of luck this semester.