Logitech® Webcam C905

We received a new Logitech® Webcam C905 and put it into use right away. We connected it on Jude’s desktop and setup Skype so he could make internet video call using this program.

The unit plugged right into Jude’s Windows 7 machine and instantly saw it and offered to download the device drivers off of the web. A minute later he was running.

This Webcam has a crystal clear image and really good sound quality. I am going to see how well it will pick up and recognize his speech patterns for use with voice to text recognition and will report back on that in a few days. I liked it so much that I am picking one up for myself as well.

I think that its quality is very similar to Logitech’s 9000 pro’s version and would not hesitate picking this unit up.

A few highlights: HiDef, Autofocus, Closeup, Universal Clip, Work with most IM applications, Built-in mic with Right Sound™, Carl Zeiss® Optics, 2 megapixel sensor and Right Light™ 2 Technology. There is also a fun feature available using Logitech® Video Effects™. It’s easy to spice things up with neon splashes, fish-eye distortions, and more.

To see more detail about these features go to this products Features Page.

Video Studio is just about here

We are putting together a video studio that we will be using to put together a simple weekly support video for our customers. We are looking forward to this new addition to our support portfolio and will be posting these videos for your use in several different places. I will continue blogging on this site of course, and will be creating content both in the studio as well as from my desktop. We are looking forward to sharing with you tips, tricks and new product reviews of the many technology related items that we have found. We hope you will find this new venture helpful and enjoyable as well. Welcome to our world of Tech Talk with Bob and Jude!

We had a beautiful visitor at CCI

I have been told that this guy has been around the area for awhile now. These magnificent birds are so beautiful.

He was probably a red-tailed hawk, not being a consistent bird watcher I am not 100% sure. But I love the coloring on his face. The wind was really blowing some cold air which made him puff his feathers more. At first when he turned his head to look at me creeping up on him they were so puffed up I thought his head looked like an owl. Then the laid back down and you could tell that he was not.

The branches of the tree he was perched in were so thin that while he was he sitting there they bounced up and down in the wind quite a bit.

To learn more about these magnificent animals visit:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Red-tailed Hawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Red Tailed Hawk Conservancy

Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawk Pictures, Red-Tailed Hawk Facts ... National Geographic

 

Microsoft AER Renewal for 2010

We are once again authorized for Microsoft Educational purchasing/sales.

Computer Connections goes through yearly renewals of all of its Microsoft Credentials. This entails many hours of training and testing programs and the paperwork that goes along with documenting all of these processes. We do this for you, our customers to be able to provide the widest choice of products and services we can.

Definitely Enjoying my Kindle

While the PC app isn’t quite up to par with the one from Barnes and Noble the Kindle I just purchased is a great little ebook reader and I recommend it highly. You can get yours by clicking below.

Let me help you with your Christmas Lists…

In this month’s issue of the Laurel Mountain Post I have included many items that I have been keeping my eyes on or have recently acquired for myself. As per usual I have posted an excerpt from the issue so you can get to it directly as well. I have posted all of my articles here and you can launch the November – December issue by clicking here.

If you want your very own issue mail to your home you can do so by subscribing to the Laurel Mountain Post. It is only $15 per year which includes the $1 cost per issue and of course the ever present mailing costs. This is a great local area magazine that brings a little history and also current events happening in the area. So if you want to know a little more about your neighbors be sure to pick up an issue today!

Is Dim Dim ready for Prime Time?

We are always looking for great alternatives to software applications that either cost us less or provide more function and I had hoped that Dim Dim had gotten much faster but, it still appears not to have responsiveness of some of the other virtual meeting software that is on the market today.  When I loaded all the PowerPoint presentation it had to convert the format of the file before it was usable, which is not a problem, but the 10 second or more waiting time between slide changes was a bit more than tolerable. Voice connection between systems had a slight delay that was well within acceptable limits and has good quality and clarity.  No fault found there.  But screen changes were entirely too long.

For small individual groups I still think Citrix's GoToMeeting package is the product that we all compare function to.  I will keep working and searching and we will see what comes up and maybe someday we will have a good alternative that is more reasonably priced then GoToMeeting. Though, if you really use the package it is not that unreasonably priced.

Voice to Text Recognition on an iPhone

I have been searching for an application that will allow me to use my iPhone as a dictation device and will automatically convert my voice recordings to usable text. While reQall doesn't quite fill all my needs, I am finding that it is still a pretty interesting utility that can add a lot of extra support to a hectic lifestyle.

reQall allows you to set up categories and set times for your tasks. You can have folders for categories like Shopping, To-do and Notes. It has both a Web and Phone interface so you can make changes and update your lists to help make them work even better for you. But what I like the most is the ability to add your notes, dictation style, on the fly using your iPhone and the reQall application.

There is a free version that gives you a taste of what the program can do. And then…. the Pro version adds quite a few subtle capabilities that will make this program almost indispensible to you if you are one of those people that is continuously on the go. We need all the tools to make ourselves more efficient and to operate at our peak efficiencies. You might find this is just the program to give you that extra edge. These days, it is only small things that differentiate ourselves from our competition. Here is one way to give you the ability to shine in your customer’s eyes.

The Standard Version is free but for $2.99/month, $24.99/year you may want to consider the Pro version. Here is a brief list of features found in the Pro Version:

• Add items to Google Calendar and Outlook by voice.
• See what you need to remember right here and now via the Memory Jogger.
• Group items by creating Places that have an associated geo-location (with a GPS-enabled device. If you have the new iPhone 3GS this will do that for you).
• Group items by Place even without a GPS device. For example, "Errands" or "Online Tasks" can be Places.
• Create To-Dos, Notes and Shopping List items via email.
• Have your items for Work and Home organized automatically.
• Receive reminders via text message.

I have only been using this application for a short time but already I know that when the initial trial is up I am going to spring for the Pro Version.

Turn Your PC into a DVD Ripping Monster - DVD - Lifehacker

We get a lot of questions about how to backup your DVD collection to your workstation and make them available for playback. Here is an article from Lifehacker  writer  Adam Pash describing several different software packages to put into your software arsenal to do these functions. A package that I use currently that rips a DVD and converts it automatically on the fly to a .avi file. I then pointed all of media center libraries to this directory and they are now all available to play from my Xbox and Linksys MCE units. Another trick is to add package art to the icon by dropping a .jpg image into the directory with the movie file. Be sure to change the name if the image file to folder.jpg.   Since you can’t have the same file name located in the same directory, I place each movie file in its own folder to contain the files associated with the movie.The program I am using is called Intertech DVD Converter Pro and is not free but isn’t outlandishly priced either.

I also use a program from AudialsOne4 that allows me to capture any screen video to disk and save it in any video format that I choose. This allows me to capture content from video seminars that I need to go back to in the future or that I am not able to watch at the time of the broadcast because of some other commitment. It’s a great little program that also does video conversion from one format to another or almost any kind of digital from one format to another. I use this for a lot of different types of captures and conversions all the time. So hopefully all of these different choices will help you fill out your media library and give your DVD’s a longer safer life. Happy computing!

Turn Your PC into a DVD Ripping Monster - DVD - Lifehacker

You'll be looking at a new Kindle owner

Well, after reading about the new updates to the Kindle 2 this morning I decided that it was about time to get back into the game and " git me one of those..."

It is kind of funny that I have held off so long when I think about how leading edge I used be, first with the eRocket units and later using palm pilots and computer screens to read books. Finally the technology has come around that makes all this so much easier to read, easy to acquire and gives you some extra capabilities to help make your business life so much richer and maybe a little more functional.

Has the Kindle reached it's highest peak. No, it is still missing some key components that would make it the perfect device in its category. Many of the new systems are now communicating with your local libraries allowing you to access books that they have in their virtual shelves without any additional cost. This is one item that is now on my new wish list.

The ability to loan a book to a friend or family member, much like you would do with a traditional physical book, is now a limited feature of some of the other eBook competition. Hopefully Amazon will continue to respond to competition as they add more features to their product.

It is going to be interesting to see where this all progresses to. So next week I will begin this new adventure using by new eBook reader and I will let you know how it goes.

Hands-On Look at What's New in Office 2010 - Office 2010 - Lifehacker

One of my favorite sites these days for learning about new things both techy and nontechy alike is Lifehacker. Though there is a genuine bent towards the tech side of things there is a great amount of information being blogged by numerous writers about all sorts of things. However, this posting is a little on the tech side. If you are curious about some of the new features in Office 2010 that is coming out soon, here is a quick overview of the Beta that has been reviewed by Kevin Purdy. There are some interesting new features, and for those of you that have fallen in love with Windows 7, you will see better integration with the task bar and other features that I can’t live without now. Enjoy!

Hands-On Look at What's New in Office 2010 - Office 2010 - Lifehacker

Update available for Kindle 2

Amazon has announced two updates to its latest generation eBook reader.  Jude and I were discussing last night how we wish that the Kindle supported PDF file format natively.  For me one of the biggest uses with the Kindle is to have all my books, manuals and white papers available to me on the device.  Up until now you had to send your file to Amazon to have it converted from native PDF to a format that could be used on your Kindle.  The Kindle DX already had this feature in it.

The earlier versions of the Kindle will get this an update through Whispernet. You will be able to add PDF Files to your Kindle via connection to your PC using the USB port on the device. This update will also provide programming changes to make better use of the battery to give the Kindle better battery life. This appears to be in direct response to the newly releasing Barnes & Noble Nook eBook Reader that offers native PDF support in 10 days of battery life without using wireless connection.

Regarding the battery life boost, Amazon states, "Battery power management for portable wireless devices is a complex technical area, and the battery life improvement announced today is the result of a six month firmware improvement and testing program." With 3G connection active on the Kindle, users can enjoy reading books for up to a week.

Remember, sometimes dreams do come true!

New service from Comcast: Access your DVR remotely

You can now manage you DVR remotely using myDVR Manger. Once you have logged in and initialized the application, it will take 24 hours to synchronize to all the DVR units in your home.  This program allows you to schedule your DVR to record your favorite TV shows and movies from any where you have Internet access with computer.  If you have forgotten to schedule a program you can now access the DVR that you would like to program remotely from your work or other Internet connected computer.

The features include:

• Schedule your recordings online
• Review your scheduled recordings
• Modify a scheduled recording
• Modify a series recording

You will need your Comcast username (this is your email account) and password to be able to activate an access this account.  You will then be able to access and eventually any DVR that is in your home from a remote desktop.  You can even use this application on your home PC to make it a little easier to program your recording schedules.

I will let you know how well this works after I have used it for couple of weeks.  You're facing simple and straightforward and I feel this is a great addition to Comcast's capabilities.  Good going Comcast!

Are you doing proper backups of your precious data?

  It is so important to do proper backups of you data but sometimes our best attempts fall short of what is necessary.

In the diagram to the left I have put together what I consider as the best configuration for protecting your data. First Remember that your data isn’t backed up unless it is saved in at least two places. If you move you data to your network storage and remove it off of you local drive then it is stored in just one place, on your network storage.  In the first drawing, I have the data being backed up to the NAS storage device that is connected to the router. Additionally, data would be stored to an online backup service to give you another redundant backup off-site. I will discuss some of your online storage options later.

In the second drawing, I have included a second backup source for your local network. There are several companies that make a NAS drive/USB Drive duo to allow a backup locally of this data. If you decide to go this direction, then the NAS device can be your primary storage area, which would make more sense if you have multiple computers in your home or small business environment. This allows for centralized storage and gives everyone access to your stored files.

Online backup services do differ. In a home environment you want to have a good source to back up to but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg. Mozy and Carbonite are priced very closely for the home consumer. Jungle Disk has more flexibility and can be more cost effective especially for someone that has multiple computers in multiple locations. There are no limitations from where you can backup from with Jungle Disk, they charge based on the amount of data that you are storing offline. Carbonite and Mozy have fixed costs for home users but Mozy charges a storage fee as well for commercial clients. Carbonite will only backup files on the computer that has the software installed on it. Mozy will let you backup from any drive source, network, shared or locally connected. If you are backing up with the software on different machines, you will need a license for each machine so it pays to put all your data on a central device and then have a single computer controlling the backup of that data.

	Pricing	Pros/Cons
Carbonite	$59.95 unlimited file storage	Least Expensive of the three we services that we are showing here. Won’t back up attached or network storage devices. Need a separate license for each machine you want to back up
Mozy	Mozy Home: $4.95 per license/workstation unlimited storage. Mozy Pro: ($3.95/Desktop, $6.95/Server plus $.50) /gb/month	Doesn’t have the individual file size limitation that Jungle Disk has. Can back up NAS and USB Attached Storage Devices. For larger storage needs this service can be more expensive for Mozy Pro (commercial) subscription. If you are storing 100GB’s from a single desktop you cost would be $53.95/month compared to Jungle Disk that would cost $17.25. Mozy would be my choice for home storage of if I have files that exceed 5gb’s in file size.
Jungle Disk	Personal Storage Simply Backup: $2/month includes 5GB free. $.15/gb/month for storage above 5GB’s. Personal Storage Desktop Edition: $3/month includes 5GB free. $.15/gb/month for storage above 5GB’s. Workgroup Storage: $4/user/month + storage fees. First 10GB free. Additional storage $.15/gb/month. Supports groups from 2-100 users. Server Edition Storage: $5/server/month + storage fees. First 10GB free. Additional storage $.15/gb/month.	If you have less than 25gb’s to store offsite the Simply Basic subscription is less expensive than Carbonite or Mozy. If you have multiple computers to backup use the Desktop Storage version. This will give you another network “CLOUD” drive that can be accessed by any of your computers that you have installed the software on. Workgroup Storage gives you the ability to limit what can be accessed by members of your group while providing centralized backup for all the members of your group. If you have people located in different places this gives everyone in the group easy central access through the internet of your data/documents. One big problem though is that files sizes that can be backed up are limited to 5gb’s per file. If you need or want the flexibility this service provides, this is the most cost effective method to store large file capacities from multiple systems and/or locations.

Physical Memory Limits for Microsoft Server Operating Systems

Same reasons for as previous post. Here are the published memory limits for the different “current” Microsoft Server Operating Systems:

Physical Memory Limits in desktop operating system

I know this is old news but I just wanted to make this easily accessible for us to use as needed.

How do you map a network subdirectory as a mapped drive in Windows 7?

Here is a simple video showing you how to map a network drive in Windows 7

Clicker gets a whole lot of press this week

  et’s see why…

The website Clicker aggregates streaming television from all over the internet into a mega database that allows you to search on a multitude of data variables. Promoted as the new TV Guide, this site allows you to find information on the shows that you are searching for that are available to watch from the internet services. These are legal transmissions so you don’t have to worry about breaking the law and helps you to find where these programs are playing.

Clicker claims just under half a million shows being categorized from over 6,000 shows, 1200 networks, tens of thousands of movies, and over 50,000 music videos from over 20,000 artists. Sounds interesting if you are interested in using this kind of technology for your entertainment. Take a look at: Clicker.

What a great day today!

It was a long day as well but a lot of great things going on today. Woke up at 4:30am and was looking through some of Google’s program options and decided to take another look at Picasa. The big feature I ended up playing with is Picasa’s facial recognition capability. It took the entire day to run though my 20, 000+ pictures but and as I am writing this it is still working at 95% completion. Wow is it good. I only had to interact with it about 30% of the time, I will have to take a closer look at it once it completes over the next couple of weeks. Toby wins the most photographed award so far, with Madison coming in second. Now granted Maddie Rose has the benefit in numbers with my fast action shots that I use to catch that special expression. We’ll see how Alex fares as he comes more into focus.

Anyway, I got the Oak Trees leave picked up that should be just about it for that and the Ornamental Grass is taken care of for the season as well. I think that pretty much does it for the fall season, the rest is just sitting back and enjoying the wonderful Sunday coming up.

Yea Pitt for holding on and beating the Irish. Now on to tomorrow with the Steelers. Here’s hoping they pull of the win as well. GO STEELERS!

Soft-spoken Troy Polamalu appears on the Jimmy Fallon show

It never ceases to amaze me how such a sweet, quiet man can play The Game the way Troy does but it is a thing of wonder. He is such a good fit for the Steelers, whose personnel are all the hard work ethic and controlled personal lives type of people. You don’t last long when you don’t fit this mold with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I really think this is even more so then in past years and that this is what brings the team together, working together and the friendships that arise on the team. Team Spirit is what makes an organization click. Picking up where your fellow worker/teammate leaves off is what makes your organization better then the ones that don’t do this. While this doesn’t have the same tone as most of my technical articles it is meant to make us all stop and realize that we are all in this together and where we finish is dependent on how we approach our lives both at home and at work.

Note: almost forgot to put in that the reason Troy appeared on this show was to promote his support for Operation Once in a Lifetime which promotes granting returning Vets there special wish. Much like the Make a Wish Foundation does for children.