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Steve Bass's Weekly Newsletter
TechBite's columnist Steve Bass writes weekly commentary on the technology products he loves, the strategies for getting the most out of them, and the gotchas that can cause computing misery. Plus a couple of weekly laughs.
Try These 14 Smart, Handy, and Free Web Sites
In This Issue
Smart, Handy, and Free Web Sites
Tech Tip: Alphabetize E-Mail Folders
Geeky Tech Problem: Flash Video "Press Esc to ..."
Holy Mackerel: Apple Downplays Fiery iPod Incidents
Time Wasters
Look, Honey, It's That Time Again
Smart, Handy, and Free Web Sites
I have some Web sites for you that are kick-in-the-butt cool; others are just plain handy, the kind of thing you save for only occasional visits. How about an image resizer and a nifty online walkie-talkie? And I use TimeZone Converter to find out what time it is in Singapore (so I can call my friend at 2:00 a.m. his time to see if he's in yet from club hopping).
Say you've got a bunch of people on your team -- soccer, Web development, or a coffee klatch. You always need to talk to one or more of them. Instead of using the phone (ain't that old fashioned?) or messing with Skype, use Loudtalks. It's a simple contraption that gives you an instant, easy-to-set up-and-use walkie-talkie connection over the Net for up to seven friends or biz associates.
Here's how it works: Each of your friends registers and downloads the tool. When you're ready to talk to each other, or to the group, grab your PC's microphone, hold down F7 and starting yakking. The voice quality is terrific and it's a secure connection. And there are no unnecessary frills -- texting, pictures, files sharing -- to slow things down. There's also a version for your mobile device. Read the About for details.
Push to talk to your online buddies.
So far, I don't have many of them...
What's the FBI got on you? Is it the time you hob-nobbed with the Weather Underground, or maybe your escapades with that group in Cuba? Get My FBI File walks you though the steps to get your records; you can also request files from seven other government agencies, including the NSA, CIA, CID, and others.
You have a dozen quick photo snaps from a recent outing that need resizing and maybe a couple of small edits. Instead of opening an application, a quicker way to do your images is with Fixpicture. You can also change the rotation, crop the images, and diddle with over 12 effects, like adjusting the focus or embossing. Use the Flash version if you have a fast connection or HTML for dialup. [top]
Resizing an image of fresh Oregon oysters on the BBQ.
(Oh, we need to go on vacation again soon...)
TimeZone Converter gives you a fast way to find out the time anywhere in the world. It's nice if you want to play a game with your Australian friend; handy also if you want to be first in the queue when tech support opens the call center. The TimeZone Converter has other cool features, such as a way to coordinate events, say, a teleconference, for multiple time zones.
If you'd prefer, you can also use Google using [City, country] time (without the brackets). And both Vista and Windows 7 allow you to add two extra clocks to the one in the start bar. Just hover to bring up the additional clocks, handy if you always need to know of time in a specific spot.
You ever have to say something to a person who speaks only espaņol? Zip over to vozME, insert the text you want spoken, and listen to your ditty spoken. True, it's a disembodied voice, but it gets the message across.
I know you've wanted to try Linux, but don't want to spend the time downloading and burning it to a CD. Here's a nifty trick: Head for Click2Try, open a virtual window, and play with openSUSE, Ubuntu Desktop, or any of 35 other open source apps. Sure, you'll need broadband, and the virtual window is sometimes a little sluggish (so am I), but there's no better way to experiment than with Click2Try.
With a broadband connection, you can try three versions of Linux and over 35 other free apps. Ubuntu within Firefox running Mah Jong and a session of Firefox.
I'm both frugal and cheap, so I love do-it-yourself projects, also known as modding. I'm about to embark on building a cable finder and am considering building my own fruit picker instead of laying out $25 for a new one. It's all available on Instructibles. But wait, how about fixing your dishwasher, fridge, or stove? I fixed the dishwasher just recently, with the amazing expertise available on ApplianceJunk. [top]
You're looking for the manual for your old paint sprayer or perhaps the fax machine you picked up at a garage sale. Manuals online may have it, along with community members who might be able to help you get the thing going.
Imagine you have a bunch of links you want to send someone in e-mail. Let's also say the recipient isn't the smartest PC user on the block (yeah, I know you have someone in mind; me, too). It'll take two minutes on your part to use URLSplit to stuff up to seven links into one link. All your buddy needs to do is click the link repeatedly (it won't do anything once all the links appear in the browser). Try it by clicking this link a few times: TechBite.
Do you need a warning sign for your office? You know the kind: "Wear Safety Glasses" or "Warning: Put the Toilet Seat DOWN!" You can create custom signs at Warning Sign Generator and print them on your own card stock.
Actual photo of sign in each Microsoft break room.
You're traveling and you're too cheap to get a GPS for your rental car. Call DialDirections, tell them where you want to go and where you are, and you'll get a text message with directions.
Sometimes an old version is better than the latest iteration. FlashGet, my beloved download manager is a good example: The old version was free of ads; the latest version is ad-sponsored. You can grab older versions of many of your favorite apps at OldVersion and OldApps. [top]
Tech Tip: Alphabetize E-Mail Folders
Here's a simple way to streamline access to your e-mail program's mail folders. Prefix the addresses with letters followed by a dash. For instance, I've renamed the most important folders to start with "a-" and seldom used ones with "z-".
a-critical
a-blog posts
a-deadlines
A-missed deadlines
A mess of other folders in between...
z-bass newsletters
z-old broadband articles
z-reader e-mail [just kidding]
z-time wasters (used)
If you're using Eudora, or your program allows it, you can also use spaces before the actual text in the folder name to force the folders closer to the top. [top]
Geeky Tech Problem: Flash Video "Press Esc to ..."
TechBite subscriber Neil Capper had a problem with the persistence of the "Press Esc to exit full screen" button when watching some videos full screen. Sometimes the Esc warning disappeared after a few seconds, but just as often it didn't. The solution isn't an easy one; it demands you use a hex editor to modify a Flash DLL. (Notepad++ is perfect for this.) Instructions here. [top]
Holy Mackerel: Apple Downplays Fiery iPod Incidents
From Seattle's KIRO 7 Eyewitness News: "Investigation reveals an alarming number of Apple brand iPod MP3 players have suddenly burst into flames and smoke, injuring people and damaging property." Odd, I thought it was the 99-cent BBQ app I bought from the Apple store. Go figure. (Video of burn victim.) [Thanks, Tom.] [top]
Time Wasters
You have a yen for going out to eat, maybe somewhere fancy. Ah, but that pesky recession makes it difficult. Log onto Fancy Fast Food for recipes that'll turn even the most mundane fast food into an elegant dish.
Looks luscious, no? It's Fancy Fast Food's remake
of something from Popeyes Chicken.
Mmmm, but that looks good, even though this
good-looking Dao Mi Noh Chow Mein (read that out loud)
is made from a Domino's Pizza.
It's all in the language. If folks aren't speaking the same one, who knows what could happen? Watch this short video to find out. I got a kick at of people from outside the United States attempting to speak in American accents. This guy is good. Watch for about 30 seconds and then zip the scroll bar to 1:15 to hear him switch gears. If you like this sort of thing, check out Non-Americans Speaking in American Accents.
It's a doggone prison break!
No, I'm not kidding. He made it to the outside!
Some people have amazing skills and this guy goes beyond extraordinary. Watch how he slips the band-saw blade in and out and back around again, creating a deer you wouldn't think possible. And that's all without sawing off a finger!
Keep away from the red squares and try to grab the black circles.
In Squares 2, there's no mercy: Think and move quickly.
Look, Honey, It's That Time Again
Hey, when was the last time you forwarded my newsletter to someone? That's what I thought. So why not forward it to a bunch of your friends, your ex-bosses (won't they love hearing from you?), and maybe your ex-significant other. Then suggest they all sign up for their own copy by going to http://www.techbite.com. By the way, if you're enjoying this newsletter and getting something out of it, become a TechBite member by sending us some financial support using PayPal. I promise, good things will come your way... [top]
_____________________
Steve Bass is the publisher and self-appointed Chief Content Officer at TechBite; he continues to experience the cool feeling of having his own newsletter. Send him your feedback at TechBite. To sign up for TechBite's free Steve Bass Technology newsletter, head for our signup page.
Steve's also the author of "PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer," available on Amazon. You haven't purchased your copy today yet, have you? Don't wait, supplies are limited...
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TechBite is a joint effort of Steve Bass (in broiling Pasadena) and
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